"A rich, historical fantasy thriller with a dazzling, but tiny heroine who will stop at nothing to catch the memory thief"
Shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023
A vividly written, page-turning mystery adventure set in a world full of jeopardy, The Chestnut Roaster is an exceptional story told with great panache by Eve McDonnell and atmospherically illustrated by Ewa Beniak- Haremska.
Twelve-year-old Piaf is in danger. Her twin brother has been taken away to a secret hospital and a strange man tries to abduct her from her chestnut roasting stall on a street corner. No one except her seems to remember things that happened in the past or to know what year it is. What is going on? Piaf has an unnaturally good memory: she can riffle through the boxes in her mind and find almost any detail she is thinking of. Can she use this skill to solve all the mysteries? Teaming up with her twin and a friend who has also lost all memory, her search for answers takes her through the streets of 19th century Paris and down into the alternative Paris that lies below the pavements. The children stay just ahead of their adversaries as they explore the mysterious underworld of Paris – and especially the sinister, bone-filled Catacombs.
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From the acclaimed author of Elsetime, shortlisted for the Awesome Book Award, a magical and thrilling adventure.
Starting on All Fools Day, twelve years ago, I remember everything. EVERYTHING. That was a wet Saturday, and that was the day I was born.
12-year-old Piaf has the ability to (and burden of) remembering everything that has happened since the day she was born. When she discovers everyone in Paris has forgotten the entire last year, 1887, including the disappearance of several gifted children, Piaf and her twin brother Luc embark on a dangerous journey that brings them to the depths of Paris's underground twin, the Catacombs, to capture the memory thief and find the lost children.
For fans of Sophie Anderson, a rich, historical fantasy thriller with a dazzling, but tiny heroine who will stop at nothing to catch the memory thief. Themes of friendship, loyalty and remaining true to yourself.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Chestnut Roaster and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Chestnut Roaster features in the following genres: Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommendations, Historical Fiction, Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 11+ readers
The Chestnut Roaster is available in Paperback
The Chestnut Roaster was written by Eve McDonnell and published by Everything With Words
The Chestnut Roaster has 351 pages
£7.19
