Anyone else read "The Explorer" by Katherine Rundell

[millymollymandy46]

Just read this (was meant to be for my son) and think it lovely.

Four kids lost in the Amazon and how they survive, with a little bit of help. Really nice book. Anyone else read it? Or anything else by this author. I think it has won or is up for an award. Think it would be good for boys and girls 9-12?
Very filmable......

I bought it for DD for Christmas. We're reading the excellent Sparrow by M. Morpurgo right now. And after reading your post, I think it will be onto The Explorer next.

And I will look for Sparrow!!! Thank you.

DS, eleven, was given it for Christmas and devoured it in a couple of days, even though I wouldn't have thought it would be his kind of thing. I think it would be good for both boys and girls, but I would say that he was at the upper limit age-wise.

It seems a bit gentler than A High Wind in Jamaica which I am now reading. I heard about it on the radio and had never read it though I think my brother did it at school. A bit more Lord of the Flies than the Explorer but maybe your son might like this too? Nominally about kids kidnapped by pirates but quite dark too. I am enjoying it.

It's in my pile for DD's birthday, as she's read other things by KR and enjoyed them.

It won the Costa Children's Award didn't it?

It's DD(8)'s current favourite book -she's currently on her umpteenth re-reading. She's a big KR fan - her previous favourite is Rooftoppers which I haven't read but I think would be equally good for boys and girls to read.

DD also liked The Wolf Wilder, which was the first KR she read, and she's read The Girl Savage as well. I think she found both ok, but neither inspired the devotion and re-reading that The Explorer or Rooftoppers did.

It’s an outstanding book, in my view one of the best children’s books of last year. Suspect the Costa won’t be the last award it wins. Katherine Rundell just gets better and better.

Will try the Rooftoppers one! Thank you. I think like all the best children's books (eg Harry Potter etc) there is something for adults too - and really engaging characters. It was also timeless. So yes looking forward to reading more and also to seeing what my kids think....