Finn and the Pen

By David Lawrence

Illustrated by P.J. Reece with Cherie Dignam

Reviewed by Meg Rowe

The Pen is back! When Finn, a music loving, story writing 11-year-old orphan, discovers the pen he finds has strange magical powers, he can’t believe his luck. With the Pen’s help Finn escapes from his diabolical foster parents, the dreaded Grimshaws, embarking on a quest to find his parents, promising to return for his foster siblings.

But with Finn using the Pen’s magic to enjoy living in a fancy hotel, and his newfound magical abilities as a star basketballer and musician, he begins to lose sight of the things that matter most. Finn gradually comes to realise the Pen’s danger, as his choice to use its magic begins to have increasingly devasting effects on those around him. As events start to spiral out of control it is up to Finn to resist and overcome the temptation of the Pen and make things right.

With writing credits including TV’s Comedy Inc. and Hamish & Andy, and his Anna Flowers, Fox Swift, Ball Stars and Maxi the Lifeguard series, David Lawrence is no stranger to writing award winning stories with a humorous edge. Finn and the Pen is no exception – its imaginative, action-packed plot, complemented by P.J. Reece and Cherie Dignam’s evocative illustrations, quickly hooking readers in.

Finn and the Pen’s themes surrounding the effects of our choices, self-discovery and overcoming obstacles are presented in a fun and humorous way, while the plot presents a range of deeper moral and ethical conundrums middle grade readers between 8 to 12 years will enjoy sinking their teeth into.

Finn and the Pen is sure to be a hit, particularly for middle grade readers who enjoy stories featuring magical realism. Look out for other titles in Lawrence’s Pen series, Ruby and the Pen and Xander and the Pen, but before you dive in, be warned ‘cave calamum potestatem’ … beware the power of the pen!

Teacher’s Notes

EK Books 2025