The Stolen Songbird

Three sisters, two devastating bomb blasts, one life-changing war . . . Little Women for younger readers set during World War Two and beyond.

"The twisty plot and taut, assured writing deliver a story that immediately engages. Assured and atmospheric: a winner." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)<BR><BR>When Caro finds a stolen masterpiece in her missing mother's suitcase, she's thrust into a thrilling art-heist caper in 1950s London. When Caro Monday's mother disappears on one of her jaunts across the globe, Caro is forced to stay with her miserable great-aunt all the way across town. To make matters worse, Caro's beloved rabbit, His Nibs, isn't allowed to come with her. Of course, Caro sneaks him into her aunt's strict household anyway. Although Caro's wild behavior exasperates her dour aunt, she never dreamed of the trouble she finds herself in when she discovers a small painting of a thrush hidden in the lining of her suitcase--a stolen masterwork that some dangerous art thieves are desperately searching for! Catapulted into a caper with more twists and turns than the alleys of London, Caro and her friends, including budding fashion designer Horace, expert knitter Albie, and a wise "gentleman of the road"--not to mention His Nibs himself--must unravel a decades-old mystery and return the purloined picture before the thieves hunt them down. Plenty of surprises and a diverse cast of memorable characters await in this rousing art-themed adventure.

The highly anticipated second novel from the author of the acclaimed The Secret Starling and The Accidental Stowaway - a spectacular adventure set through and under the streets of Paris.<BR><BR>When Penelope Magnificent''s awful parents tell her they''re taking a trip to Paris, she surprises them by begging to go along. <BR><BR>Nell is usually content to avoid her money-obsessed father and her fashion-focussed mother, but Paris holds something very dear to her . . . her old au pair Perrine - Pear - lives there. Pear used to write to Nell every week promising to come to her rescue but recently the letters have stopped . . .<BR><BR>Arriving at her parent''s posh hotel, Nell is determined to find Pear . . . but no one has seen her at her last known address, and no one seems to want to tell her anything about Pear''s whereabouts. <BR><BR>Luckily she befriends the hotel bellboy who introduces her to the world of tunnels underneath the city, and together they set out to find Pear, whilst uncovering an extraordinary mystery of their own . . .<BR><BR>Gorgeous black and white illustrations by Kim Geyer bring this story to life.<BR><BR>''A rumbustious, rollicking adventure with a generous heart and a happy ending.'' Books for Keeps<BR><BR>''FABULOUS!'' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse<BR><BR>''I loved The Pear Affair! If you liked Katherine Rundell you''ll love this.'' Lisa Thompson, author of The Boy Who Fooled the World