Great power, if not handled responsibly, can lead to actions that have dangerous consequences as Elsbeth Tawney is about to discover.
Twelve-year-old Elsbeth is not like most kids. She has the power to travel to parallel universes and bring back objects that she finds. With mum’s antique shop failing, a demanding landlord after his rent money and the threat of eviction looming, Elsbeth’s finds could be the answer to their problems. The secret trips are a welcome escape from the sleepy seaside town of Lewesby but Elsbeth is troubled. Her powers are coinciding with freakish weather events and a mysterious boy appears to be following her.
When Elsbeth is caught red-handed and her mother goes missing, the boy, Idris, is the only one she can turn to. Tumbling through countless universes, everything Elsbeth knows about her life will be questioned. Who can she trust? How far will she go to protect those that she loves? Does her power come with a price? What she discovers will be beyond her wildest imagination and life will never be the same again…
Multiple worlds, impossible thefts, family secrets, brave heroes, extreme weather and a much-sought after rare gift supercharge Alice M. Ross’ sparkling, kaleidoscopic debut. With themes of friendship and family, lying and honesty, loneliness and loss, a tightly woven plot fizzes with adventure and uncertainty, courage and hope, magic and peril, and secrets of the past that hold the key to truly understanding oneself. Travelling between alternate realities is a classic idea in children’s literature yet Alice spins a fresh and exciting, multicoloured and multilayered adventure that will delight fans of L. D. Lapinski’s The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, C. S. Lewis's The Magician’s Nephew, and The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge. This unusual and mind-bending story will capture the imagination of upper key stage two children who like imaginative fantasy reads featuring alternate realities, relatable characters and plenty of unpredictable reveals. Weaving together the lives and stories of new friends Idris and Elsbeth, who both possess the unique ability to travel to other worlds known as Somewheres via a portal named the Nowhere, The Nowhere Thief is a gripping, multi-world, sci-fi adventure that will have readers on the edge of their seats as they join the duo on a thrilling and dangerous mission through different, yet recognisable, imaginings of the world that we know. With its intriguing concept, this is of the best children’s sci-fi books I have had the pleasure of reading this year! Brilliantly imaginative, thoroughly engrossing and written with energy, prepare to be swept away into a magical universe where the key to travel is just a kaleidoscope away. An exciting and fast-paced storyline offers plenty of food for thought with readers challenged to think about Elsbeth’s actions, her motivations, her justifications, her moral compass and the faith that she places in others. Questions like: Is it ever right to do the wrong thing? Should others suffer as a result of someone else’s actions? Is there ever a correct answer to impossible decisions? would all make for great discussions. The expansive setting and a satisfying ending keep the door firmly ajar for a sequel. I look forward to more adventures in this fascinating multiverse and wait with great anticipation to see which of the Somewheres Elsbeth and Idris travel to next. Recommended for 9+. With huge thanks to Nosy Crow and Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
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