#MGTakesonThursday

The Tigers In The Tower by Julia Golding

How to Join In…

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others, with the details of author, illustrator and pubisher.
• Open the book to Page 11 and share your favourite sentence.
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book or link to your review.

Page 11 Sentence: I had to move to page 12 due to the end of the prologue… “They were a little team of three against the world, braced for whatever misery it would serve up to them.”

Three Words: Adventurous, Courageous, Family

My Review:

Sahira has arrived in England, an orphan and with two tigers destined for the tower menagerie in London. Having lost her parents on the voyage, Sahira is now being sent to a orphanage. Her parents, both of noble blood, married against their family wishes and so Sahira belongs to two places, not just one. With auburn hair and darker skin, she feels an outcast in India and in England. Prejudices in the 1800’s towards those of other nationalities was rampant and so Sahira learns quickly about where her place in London will be.

However, she has spirit, determination and courage beyond her years. Fighting those in power at the orphanage, those who prejudice against her and many standing in her way of protecting the tigers will feel her strength!

This exciting story will take you around London as Sahira makes friends in high places and enemies in dark places. She learns how to use one against the other and is forced to understand how difficult life is on the streets. Forging friendships with those around her will come to be what saves her towards the end of the story.

I was completely enthralled by the tale of Sahira, felt her sadness and grief over her parents, the anger of the injustices she faced and the worry over the sale of the tigers. Throughout her story, I was hoping for a happy ending but preparing for a sad one.

Julia Golding has a talent for capturing the spirit of girls and the injustices around them in history. I adored her book The Curious Crime, also featuring a spirited girl fighting against rules of society. I can highly recommend both books, utterly engaging and full of that fierce determination I want for my own daughter.