Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell, Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks,The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Three books. Three different settings. Three extraordinary young girls. Three unique adventures.
What do they have in common? All have a storyline that reaches beyond the confines of walls and ceilings and takes readers "up where the air is fresh and sweet".
These are rich stories, expansive as the limitless sky and filled with all the wonder and magic of life above the city. Each one leaves me breathless.
I agree with The Drifters: this is the summer to be "Up on the Roof".
What do they have in common? All have a storyline that reaches beyond the confines of walls and ceilings and takes readers "up where the air is fresh and sweet".
These are rich stories, expansive as the limitless sky and filled with all the wonder and magic of life above the city. Each one leaves me breathless.
I agree with The Drifters: this is the summer to be "Up on the Roof".
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Meet: Lyra Belacqua, age 12. Cared for by Lord Asriel.
Rooftop companion: Roger Parslow, kitchen boy
Setting: Jordan College, Oxford, London
Rooftop exploits: Lyra heads to the roof when she knows that she must rescue Roger.
Quotes:
“Men and women are moved by tides much fiercer than you can imagine, and they sweep us all up into the current.”
“So Lyra and her daemon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky.”
Bonus:
Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. The full cast audio version narrated by the author is a treat. Skip the movie. That is a disappointment.
Rooftop companion: Roger Parslow, kitchen boy
Setting: Jordan College, Oxford, London
Rooftop exploits: Lyra heads to the roof when she knows that she must rescue Roger.
Quotes:
“Men and women are moved by tides much fiercer than you can imagine, and they sweep us all up into the current.”
“So Lyra and her daemon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky.”
Bonus:
Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. The full cast audio version narrated by the author is a treat. Skip the movie. That is a disappointment.
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Meet: Sophie, age 11. Ward of guardian Charles Maxim.
Rooftop companion: Matteo
Setting: Secret rooftop world of Paris
Rooftop exploits: A tightrope walk 50 feet off the ground and scaling the bell tower of Notre Dame.
Quotes:
“Never ignore a possible”
“It is difficult to believe extraordinary things.”
Bonus:
Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
Rooftop companion: Matteo
Setting: Secret rooftop world of Paris
Rooftop exploits: A tightrope walk 50 feet off the ground and scaling the bell tower of Notre Dame.
Quotes:
“Never ignore a possible”
“It is difficult to believe extraordinary things.”
Bonus:
Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks
Meet: Rat, orphan Skral. Lives with monks.
Rooftop companion: Kai
Setting: Fantasy city inspired by 13th Centurty China
Rooftop exploits: A race across the rooftop tiles, chasing after a stolen knife and a daring leap across a river.
Quotes:
"I'm not lost. I just don't know how to get home."
"You definitely won't make it if you stop every time."
Bonus:
Faith is an Eisner Award-winning author. This graphic novel will be available spring 2016. Put this on your "must read" list for 2016.
Rooftop companion: Kai
Setting: Fantasy city inspired by 13th Centurty China
Rooftop exploits: A race across the rooftop tiles, chasing after a stolen knife and a daring leap across a river.
Quotes:
"I'm not lost. I just don't know how to get home."
"You definitely won't make it if you stop every time."
Bonus:
Faith is an Eisner Award-winning author. This graphic novel will be available spring 2016. Put this on your "must read" list for 2016.
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