Down the Plot Hole

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Author(s)

Annaleise Byrd

Publisher

Walker Books Australia

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

May 05, 2026

ISBN

978-1761602559

Buy This Book

"There's a word missing." Terry pointed to the book. "The maid plucked the . . . ready for the spit." He flipped back a page. "It said she was sitting beside a black hen, right?" It was true. The words "black hen" were gone. All that remained was a larger-than-usual space. A gap. An emptiness. A hole . . . in the plot.

Neighbors and reluctant reading partners Basil and Terry are once again reading The Complete Fairytales of the Brothers Grimm. Last time, they found themselves plunged into the fairytale world, where everyone was losing the plot. This time, words―well, chickens―are disappearing!

Realizing their fairytale friends are in danger of being sucked into oblivion by plot holes, the boys don't hesitate before diving back into the Grimm world to warn them. It's up to Basil and Terry to find out what's going on and how to stop the plot holes from destroying everything . . . including their way home.

Editor review

1 review

Don't look down on others

April 17, 2026 (Updated: July 08, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

What worked:
The main characters travel into Grimm’s fairy tales to correct gaps in the book’s text. Basil and Terry are the stars, and they’re tasked with finding missing sheep in different stories. Terry has a crush on Gretel, and she told the boys that plot holes are the worst thing that can happen. Members of FANCY are charged with locating and fixing any holes that develop. However, Gretel says the missing sheep aren’t a big problem, so there’s no need to worry. She seems to be echoing Herr Korbes’s words, but it doesn’t make any sense. Why isn’t the leader of FANCY concerned about plot holes that could destroy everything in the fairy tale world?
The story lets readers revisit familiar characters in new situations and exposes them to less familiar tales. Readers will know the Grimms’ tales of Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty, but their stories of The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage, The Pink, and Clever Gretel will be new. Characters from different tales interact, and they are aware of each other’s plots. Many fairy tales feature gruesome, gory storylines, and this issue is the main conflict. SAD EGGS and another group are frequent victims in these tales, and their protests are creating problems. Prejudice and assumptions create bad feelings, so Basil and Terry will need to find a way to bring everyone together.
What didn’t work as well:
Apparently, Terry and Basil aren’t friends, but the evidence contradicts that. They formed a bond after the events in the first book, but this time they show no friction toward each other. Also, the plot creates questions and contradictions that aren’t resolved.
The final verdict:
This book can be read independently of the first one. It has a fast-paced plot and unexpected twists that young readers will enjoy. I recommend you try this book yourself.