Mingling fantasy and reality is a frequent characteristic of Jones's writing for children, as exemplified by her novel Eight Days of Luke (1975). In that story the fantastic adventure begins with the young protagonist, David, expressing his frustration with his relatives. Just as Polly of Fire and Hemlock is ignored by her parents, so too, David finds that his relatives care little for him. His opportunity for adventure comes when Luke arrives from another time, and again the alienated protagonist finds friendship and caring outside the immediate family structure. David helps Luke in a dangerous conflict that lends to the fantastic elements of the story. Just as Polly's adventures are 3166 Fire and Hemlock linked to Scottish ballads, the actions of David and Luke are underpinned by Norse mythology.