Author & Illustrators
If you’ve ever wondered what could live in the untamed expanses beside and between motorways, this story will catch your imagination.
It is set on an island cut off from the rest of humanity by the intersections of motorways, to which four children have escaped: Gil has escaped from his social worker as she tries to find him a forever foster home; brothers Riley and Grayson have run away from their abusive father; and Pez has escaped from a star-worshipping cult that estranged her from her family.
All four children have their issues and anxieties, but are happy on ‘Nowhere Island’ (as they have named it) and manage a relatively stable existence, living off supplies stolen from cars that stop at the layby that borders the edge of their domain. However, Riley is determined to push his luck at the layby and not only witnesses something frightening but also makes a dangerous decision that puts their way of life under imminent threat.
This was a very enjoyable read as it is well written and eminently plausible, with engaging characters.
Stella Martin can remember how happy everything seemed at home before her mother died but now she feels increasingly alone and isolated. When a new girl called Cam arrives, Stella is happy to enjoy a blossoming friendship.
Stella is pleased to have a friend to confide in as there is a lot on her mind, especially when she begins to suspect a highly unusual secret about her mother. Why is there such a strange family relationship with water? Are Grandma’s odd comments about mermaids just part of her dementia or is there more to them? What does the picture of a mermaid drawn by her mother mean and why had it been hidden away? Stella decides it is time to investigate her suspicions and she sets off on a mission to uncover the truth.
What follows is a thoroughly gripping adventure with dark twists and turns, fascinating characters and just the right amount of suspense to keep readers’ eyes glued to the pages until a resolution has been reached (I read this in one sitting). The difficult themes of bereavement, dementia and abusive relationships are handled with due sensitivity and there is nothing too frightening in this unusual story, with plenty to feel optimistic about at the end.
With a highly original concept, mesmerising storytelling and a beautifully portrayed exploration of character identity and relationships, I highly recommend this for Years 5-6.
Eleven year old Elsie leads an unremarkable life; overshadowed by everyone and everything around her. In her daydreams and the stories which she writes though, she is Kelsie Corvette- a brilliant adventurer who can turn her hand to anything and who dazzles anyone she meets. During the summer holidays, Elsie finds herself being sent to stay with her ancient Great Uncle for what she anticipates will be an extraordinarily boring week. Then, she meets the tiger in his spare room.
It’s a tiger skin to be exact and Elsie’s great uncle explains his great regret at shooting it whilst living in colonial India as a boy. His love of India is shown by the greenhouse in which he grows many exotic plants from his childhood home. Elsie is captivated by an empty pot, which soon transports her to India in I946. Upon meeting the child version of her great uncle, Elsie realises that her mission is to stop him from shooting the tiger- the act which has brought him so much sadness. So Elsie introduces herself as Kelsie and seizes the chance to live the life of her alter ego. In her adventure with John, she faces great danger and adversity through the challenges of the Indian jungle and the encounter of a particularly deadly hunter named Sowerby.
The Time Traveller and The Tiger provides an excellent adventure story and also opportunities to discuss themes including endangered animals, hunting, the treatment of the natives of the British Colonies and attitudes towards women in the 1940s.
Read our guest blog post from the author to find out more about the background of the story.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Any other comments
Any other comments
