Emma Carroll - Sky Chasers - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books (Chicken House)

A encounter with a boy dangling from the sky changes pickpocket Magpie's life forever. Like her, the boy dreams of flying over the rooftops of Paris. His family, the Montgolfiers, are desperate to be first to discover the secret of flight. Together with Pierre, Magpie is soon caught up in a world of inflatable bloomers, spies and a trio of unruly animals in a race to be the first to fly a hot air balloon - in front of the King and Queen of France.

Orphan Magpie can’t believe her eyes when she sees a boy swept off his feet by a kite … or something that twists and dances in the wind. She goes to his rescue only to find herself dangling in the sky. The world looks so different from on high and suddenly Magpie knows what she wants – to be the first to fly in a balloon above the King and Queen of France ...

Welcome, 2018. What literary delights will it have in store for you? My last post highlighted Chicken House Books and the handful of wonderful titles that have been produced by the golden chicken for the start of this year. Emma Carroll's 'Sky Chaser' is an example of one of these books. Hatching into magical existence, it will appeal to the middle-grade fantasy audience or lovers of historically inspired fiction.

This book is based on the winning idea submitted by Neal Jackson as part of the annual The Big Idea Competition. The story takes flight through the expert hands of Emma Carroll, a fantastic author of some really brilliant books in my opinion. The fantastic book cover has been produced by David Litchfield, whom I recently highlighted as my favourite illustrator of 2017. 

The story is based on the true story of the first hot air balloon flight over Paris in the eighteenth century. Most of the facts are in keeping with historical records of this time. The story swoops and seamlessly blends into a fantasy world that fits with this time period. It is well-researched and fantastically balanced with the background story. The setting, some of the characters and the time period are also factual and make for a hidden educational journey.

Emma Carroll has a lovely way of blending the narrative to fit the occasion. She wrote the story from the perspective of the French, which I really appreciated and felt that it made the story so much better. You will encounter many colourful characters through this family adventure full of scrapes and bumps as well as the occasional animal scrape, which will make you laugh. It is a story fuelled by friendship, hopes and everlasting dreams.

It is a great race against time in this all-out action adventure. It will transport readers back in time to when balloon flights were a mystical idea that held so many people captivated. I would truly recommend this book - an easy read in just one sitting. It really is a breath of fresh air that will have you soaring through the fantasy thermals of history and beyond. A great start to the new year.

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Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Author Interview with Emma Carroll (Faber & Faber)

Today I'm very lucky to be interviewing Emma Carroll, author of Frost Hollow Hall and The Girl Who Walked On Air. I'd like to thank you for agreeing to do this interview and for taking the time out to answer some questions for Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books. I must confess that I've not read this latest book. However, after reading the following answers I will be searching out a copy straight away. I really enjoyed Frost Hollow Hall which I read in 2013. 

1.Tell us a little bit about The Girl Who Walked On Air?

Abandoned as a baby at Chipchase’s Travelling Circus, Louie dreams of walking the tightrope. One night in the big top a terrible accident occurs. The circus is desperate to find a new showstopper and so Louie gets the chance to perform. Yet with the arrival of a mysterious top-hatted man, her dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare. 

2.Give us an insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special?

Louie has a great talent for walking the tightrope. She is ambitious, brave, a bit of a show off. Yet she trusts the tightrope far more than her emotions. Her biggest fear is confronting her past.

3.What did you think of the book cover for The Girl Who Walked On Air. Who did it? 

I adore it! Faber have done the most beautiful covers for my books. They use gorgeous fonts and I love the foiled blue of the lettering. The dog on the cover was modeled on my own dog Bagel, which makes it very special. The designer is Julian De Narvaez- his work is fantastic.

4. What are you working on at the minute?

I’ve just started the first draft of my fifth book for Faber. It’s set in the summer of 1816 at the Villa Diodati, and tells the story of Shelley’s inspiration for ‘Frankenstein’ from the viewpoint of a young housemaid.

5.What was the hardest part of writing your books?

First drafts, definitely. Mine are awful: the writing I’m most proud of tends to come when the story has ‘fermented’ a bit.

6.What inspires you to write?

People, books, photographs. A particular smell or sound. A view from a window. Passengers on trains. Pretty much anything and everything, really.

7.Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your book?

I’m rubbish at fantasy casting! Um… maybe Ramona Marquez ( the little girl in Outnumbered who doesn’t look like the little girl in Outnumbered anymore)?

8. Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

My writing days tend to start with tea and books. Then I go for a quick dog walk to wake up properly and aim to start writing by 10am-ish. I probably work best before lunch, but sometimes it takes a while to get going, so the better stuff comes later in the day.

9. Do you think book bloggers have a role to play in the publishing industry? 

Absolutely! I think it’s especially true on children’s publishing when so little time and space is given via more traditional media platforms. Bloggers are passionate about books and passionate about authors. They are incredibly supportive, intuitive, informative. Since being published, I’ve met some amazing bloggers who’ve given me such brilliant support, and taught me an awful lot about kids’ books. I’m absolutely indebted to them.

10.Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

Every year I eat one Cabury’s Crème Egg- just because. I’m gutted to hear they’ve changed the recipe so might have to break with tradition this year.