Writing a sequel to a much-loved book that has deservedly achieved ‘classic’ status is no mean feat, but Emma Carroll has risen to the task masterfully. While it is a delight to meet again characters such as among others, Maia, Finn, Miss Minton and Clovis, this is a unique story with its own distinctive voice. It is such a relief that there has been no attempt to pastiche the voice or style of Ibbotson. Carroll is esteemed in her own right as an author of gripping historical adventures, and this is no exception.
The central character, Rosa, escaped from Vienna (a nice link to Ibbotson’s birthplace) on the Kindertransport and spent the war years at the dilapidated West Country mansion house owned by Sir Clovis and Lady Prue, surrounded by the girls from an evacuated London school and the animals from the local zoo. Post war loneliness and the arrival of Dr Yara Fielding, a young scientist, is the catalyst for the next stage of her adventure, in the beautifully evoked Amazon rainforest where she finds the perfect found family and starts to come to terms with what might have happened to her mother and sister. But the lingering horrors of war are reaching out into the jungle too and there are dangers to face and villains to defeat. There are some fascinating themes to explore in this rich and enjoyable text: exploitation of land and resources in both the UK and the Amazon basin, the ethics of keeping animals in captivity; or the fate of child refugees whether during WWII or in the present time. Invaluable also for topic work on rainforests, South America or rivers this book will be thoroughly and deservedly welcomed in KS2 classes everywhere.
In 1946, Rosa Sweetman, a young Kindertransport girl, is longing for her family to claim her. The war in Europe is over and she is the only child left at Westwood, a rambling country estate in the north of England, where she'd taken refuge seven years earlier.
The arrival of a friend of the family, Yara Fielding, starts an adventure that will take Rosa deep into the lush beauty of the Amazon rainforest in search of jaguars, ancient giant sloths and somewhere to belong.
What she finds is Yara's lively, welcoming family on the banks of the river and, together, they face a danger greater than she could ever have imagined. Featuring places and characters known and loved by fans of Journey to the River Sea (including, among others, Maia, Finn, Miss Minton and Clovis) this spectacular story tells of the next generation and the growing threats to the Amazon rainforest that continue to this day.
Richly imagined and packed with adventure Escape to the River Sea is Carroll's finest novel to date -- Charlotte Eyre - Editor's Choice, The Bookseller
Lively, skilled storytelling -- Nicolette Jones - Sunday Times
It's a joy to rediscover Ibbotson's original characters Maia and Finn alongside a new generation in this gripping adventure - The Daily Mail
Emma Carroll's Escape to the River Sea is not only a joyously animal-packed adventure story, but also a mesmerising evocation of the original Journey to the River Sea. This is unputdownable story telling. I loved it. -- Hilary McKay
What a joy it is to return to the River Sea! Emma Carroll's thoughtful tribute to Eva Ibbotson's much-loved classic is perfectly pitched. Full of glorious adventure, it's a true delight. -- Katherine Woodfine
A book that is as thrilling, adventurous and exhilarating as the Amazon itself. This glorious story has been woven together by a master-storyteller. I'm in awe. -- Lisa Thompson
All the magic, heart and scope of Ibbotson's classic adventure - I read it in one breathless sitting -- Natasha Farrant, Costa Award-winning author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk
Carroll has created something truly magical and seeming impossible - a book that is both the perfect follow-up to Ibbotson's classic, and yet entirely original. Rich, beautiful and compelling - I read it in one go. Absolutely brilliant. -- Katya Balen
Likeable (and very unlikeable characters) with depth of personality, engaging personal journeys, a beautiful setting and heart-stopping adventure come together to create a captivating story. Escape to the River Sea will now be at the top of my suggestion list. A modern story with a classic feel -- Kate Heap - https://scopeforimagination.co.uk
Heartwarming, atmospheric and full of magic - Book of the Week - The Week Junior
(Escape To The River Sea) takes the reader on a colourful and thrill-packed journey, as Rosa and her young friends battle to thwart the bad guys. The book pays fitting homage to the late Eva Ibbotson, whose own work and life inspired this story. -- Roddy Brooks, Associated Press
Author
About Emma Carroll
Emma Carroll is a secondary school English teacher. She has also worked as a news reporter, an avocado picker and the person who punches holes into filofax paper. She recently graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University's MA in Writing For Young People.
Emma lives in the Somerset hills with her husband and two terriers.
Beautiful and full of adventure, Escape to the River Sea is Emma Carroll's compelling new novel inspired by Eva Ibbotson's bestselling, classic masterpiece, Journey to the River Sea.
