Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Please help me remember this YA book from the 90s

113 replies

ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 10:27

I have been trying to remember/find this book on and off for about ten years.

When I was at middle school (mid 90s) I read a book about a community of people who lived in secret tunnels in and around the London Underground. I think it began with a teenager running away from home and ending up joining this secret underground community. I cannot remember anything else about the plot though.

I suppose there is a chance it was written/published earlier than the 90s.

I would dearly love to rediscover this book.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

OP posts:
CupidStunt22 · 20/05/2022 11:56

No I remember it your way as well, OP. And I think I'm a few years older than you maybe, I would say it would need to be no later than 1992?

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 20/05/2022 11:53

Well, I seem to have stumped MN, Reddit and Goodreads 😂

I fear my only solution is to buy and read every book suggested on this thread, to see if my memories have been corrupted over the years and that it did, in fact, involve sci fi or drugs or murder after all.
😬

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 20:22

BestIsWest · 19/05/2022 20:03

It makes me think of King Solomon’s Carpet by Barbara Vine. Not YA though but is from 1991.

No. Sorry :( Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 20:09

HollyDayDream · 19/05/2022 19:58

Stone Cold by Robert Swindells?

No, sadly not. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 20:07

theshadeofgreen · 19/05/2022 19:50

Could it be a Robert swindells book? I've got fond memories of stone cold about a homeless teen but not sure it quite fits with the trains...

Oh this one looked really promising, but then I read the full plot on Wikipedia and, it's not the one I'm thinking of.
Thanks though.

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 19/05/2022 20:03

It makes me think of King Solomon’s Carpet by Barbara Vine. Not YA though but is from 1991.

HollyDayDream · 19/05/2022 19:58

Stone Cold by Robert Swindells?

Please help me remember this YA book from the 90s
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 19:55

MrsVeryTired · 19/05/2022 19:50

The Underworld books by Peter Beere?

Not these either. Sorry and thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 19:52

Neilsfavouritechilli · 19/05/2022 19:39

From my memory it wasn't post apocalypse, just a kid that either fell on hard times or was in trouble that ended up living in abandoned tunnels with others.

This is what I recall too.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 19:51

WishingWell5 · 19/05/2022 19:18

Could it be dark cities underground by Lisa Goldstein

Not this one, no. Thanks though.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 19:50

Ladyglittersparkleseriously · 19/05/2022 18:37

Empty world by John christopher??

No, not that one sorry. thanks though.

OP posts:
theshadeofgreen · 19/05/2022 19:50

Could it be a Robert swindells book? I've got fond memories of stone cold about a homeless teen but not sure it quite fits with the trains...

MrsVeryTired · 19/05/2022 19:50

The Underworld books by Peter Beere?

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 19:49

Winterfellismyhome · 19/05/2022 18:35

Try r/whatsthatbook on Reddit. Usually very helpful :)

I will try there too, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 19:49

Neilsfavouritechilli · 19/05/2022 18:37

I have been googling all evening. I keep getting either fantasy novels or true life stories from WW2.

This has been me for the last ten years, off and on 😆

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 19/05/2022 19:41

The Borribles?

Neilsfavouritechilli · 19/05/2022 19:39

From my memory it wasn't post apocalypse, just a kid that either fell on hard times or was in trouble that ended up living in abandoned tunnels with others.

Neilsfavouritechilli · 19/05/2022 19:36

I'm not the OP (obv) but unfortunately neither of those are it (for me).

WishingWell5 · 19/05/2022 19:18

Could it be dark cities underground by Lisa Goldstein

Ladyglittersparkleseriously · 19/05/2022 18:37

Empty world by John christopher??

Neilsfavouritechilli · 19/05/2022 18:37

I have been googling all evening. I keep getting either fantasy novels or true life stories from WW2.

Winterfellismyhome · 19/05/2022 18:35

Try r/whatsthatbook on Reddit. Usually very helpful :)

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 18:32

No bites on my Goodreads thread yet either....

OP posts:
Neilsfavouritechilli · 19/05/2022 17:32

This is seriously bugging me now. I can almost see the front cover in my mind.

Original poster
ZimZamZoom · 19/05/2022 16:47

pollyhemlock · 19/05/2022 15:44

The Secret Line by William Corlett? www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Line-Young-Adult-Books/dp/0099371413/ref=monarch_sidesheet
A bit of a long shot as the protagonist is a girl, but she does have a young male friend.

Nope, not this either. Sorry.
If it wasn't for @mummymummymummummum I'd be starting to wonder if I'd dreamed this 😂

OP posts: