Clockwork, Or All Wound Up

Philip Pullman's 'Clockwork, Or All Wound Up' is a richly layered chapter book that blends elements of a fairy tale, mystery, and moral fable. Set in the fictional German town of Glockenheim, the story follows Karl, an apprentice clockmaker who, desperate to create a figure for the town clock, makes a Faustian bargain with the enigmatic Dr. Kalmenius. This act intertwines with a local writer's unfinished story about a clockwork prince and a selfless young girl named Gretl. The narrative is a clever 'clockwork' of interlocking plots, exploring the dangers of ambition, the importance of hard work versus easy solutions, and the dehumanizing effects of a mechanized society. It's a suspenseful, poignant, and thought-provoking read, perfect for children ready for a story with depth and a strong moral message.

Suspenseful tale about an apprentice clockmaker who sells his soul to the devil in order to create a stupendous clockwork figure for the village tower.