The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman

The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman

By Lev Grossman (author)

"An ordinary girl finds out that magic is real"

Paperback Temporarily Out Of Stock £7.99 £7.19

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September 2020 Debut of the Month

If you like books in which ordinary children suddenly have wonderful magical adventures and, in the process, realise just how much adults don’t know, or choose to pretend isn’t real, then you will love The Silver Arrow. Eleven-year-old Kate and her younger brother Tom are gifted an adventure by their rich and totally irresponsible Uncle Herbert.

It’s Kate’s mum who labels him irresponsible, Kate and Tom have never even met him until he turns up on Kate’s birthday with an amazing present – a steam locomotive. That night the children climb on board, staying on even as the train starts to move and Uncle Herbert advises them they really should think about jumping off – and there begins the best adventure you could ever hope to have, in which the train turns out to be able to communicate, the passengers are wild animals who climb on and off at the stops, except for a small band including a porcupine, black mamba, fishing cat and a white-bellied heron, who become the children’s special friends. There’s so much that Kate and Tom learn, not just about driving steam trains but about our world, its animals, and humans too.

It all makes for the journey of a lifetime, and this is one train adventure-loving readers mustn’t miss. There’s an important environmental message for all youngsters reading the book too, and it’s even better for that.

Discover the magical, timeless children's adventure from Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians. Now a New York Times bestseller! When Kate is given a colossal steam train, the Silver Arrow, for her birthday, she can't believe her luck. After eleven years of waiting, adventure has finally found her! Soon the Silver Arrow is whisking Kate and her brother Tom to a magical station where their passengers stand ready to board.

Read the full description

Discover the magical, timeless children's adventure from Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians . Now a New York Times bestseller! When Kate is given a colossal steam train, the Silver Arrow, for her birthday, she can't believe her luck. After eleven years of waiting, adventure has finally found her! Soon the Silver Arrow is whisking Kate and her brother Tom to a magical station where their passengers stand ready to board.

From the porcupine to the pangolin, each one is rare and wonderful. But these animals have been waiting a very long time too. Can Kate deliver them home ... before it's too late?

Lev Grossman's first children's book is a journey you'll never forget: a rip-roaring adventure from desert plains to snow-covered mountains and everything in between. Packed with exciting creatures from the indignant porcupine to the lost polar bear and the adorable baby pangolin, The Silver Arrow is a classic story about saving our endangered animals and the places they live.

Grossman's gorgeous middle-grade debut is vivid and amusing, and despite delightful shades of Dahl's whimsy and Pinkwater's wry directness, it's a world all its own. This gentle introduction to the complexities of life on this planet is a critical reminder not to despair over the enormity of human responsibility but to face it with joy and marvel at the magic that the world holds. It's a kind and clear message that all children-and their grownups-should take to heart - Booklist

Both cozy and inspiring, this eco-fable conveys both grim truths and a defiant call to action - Kirkus

Lev Grossman is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Magicians trilogy, which has also become a successful TV series. Previously an award-winning journalist who interviewed the likes of Neil Gaiman and J.K. Rowling, this is his first foray into the world of children's literature. He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.

Photo credit: Mathieu Bourgois

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Discover the magical, timeless children's adventure from Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians. Now a New York Times bestseller!

The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Silver Arrow and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old

The Silver Arrow features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Star Books, Featured Books for 9+ readers

Paperback, Hardback, CD-Audio. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. Temporarily Out Of Stock.

The Silver Arrow was written by Lev Grossman and published by Bloomsbury Childrens Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Silver Arrow has 278 pages

£7.19, reduced from £7.99. Temporarily Out Of Stock.

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