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The Children of Castle Rock
by Natasha Farrant
Sent to an unusual Scottish boarding school, Alice slips away on a treasure hunt to keep a promise to her unreliable father.
A story about children, adventurous and warm in tone. We would put it with children of 9–12, and at a reading age of about 10 for reading alone.
Worth knowing before you buy
- Mild peril
- Separated from family
None of this makes it a bad book — often the opposite. It is here so you can decide whether it is right for your child now or in a year or two.
Our take on this book
Alice is sent to a wild boarding school on the Scottish coast, and when a treasure hunt across the Highlands turns into a real adventure — a midnight flit, a mystery about her absent father, a journey to a remote island — she and two friends set off across the country with the grown-ups none the wiser. Natasha Farrant writes a warm, funny, old-fashioned-in-the-best-way adventure in the spirit of Swallows and Amazons, full of landscape, friendship and children being splendidly capable on their own. There is mild peril and the tug of a family mystery, but the tone is adventurous and heartening rather than frightening. For a nine- to twelve-year-old it is a thoroughly enjoyable read — a proper journey story with a likeable, slightly lost heroine finding courage and friends — and a lovely choice for a child who dreams of running off on an adventure across a wild and beautiful country with a couple of good companions.
If they like this, try these
Chosen by matching age, reading age, tone and subject — not by what is selling.
Swallows and AmazonsArthur Ransome
Danny the Champion of the WorldRoald Dahl
Stig of the DumpClive King
The Water HorseDick King-Smith
Asha and the Spirit BirdJasbinder Bilan
Or let them write their own.
Nothing gets a child reading like a story they invented themselves. Your child plans the characters and the plot, and we write, illustrate and print it as a real book with their name on the cover as the author.
Find another book
Tell us the age, the reading age and what they like, and we will suggest a handful.