The Way to Impossible Island - Sophie Kirtley

Mothgirl lives in Stone Age England with her father and their dwindling tribe; her brother is missing and she misses him terribly, especially when Vulture, the leader of another nearby tribe, arrives to try to take Mothgirl for his son.  Meanwhile, in modern day England, Dara is struggling to live the life he wants to, due to a heart condition that leaves him breathless whenever he exerts himself.  After a day at the beach, he is told that his 'big op' will have to be postponed again until he is well enough, and this is the final straw for him.  Leaving a 'do not disturb' sign on his bedroom door, he sets out to venture to Lathrin Island alone, a journey he promised himself he would make once he was better, but now feels he has to do, to prove to himself he can.  When Mothgirl and Dara's worlds collide in modern England, there are dangerous times ahead, but as they get to know each other, can Mothgirl and Dara help each other out?

I liked the dual narrative of this story, intertwining Mothgirl and Dara's stories perfectly and the fact that the story links to Sophie's first book, The Wild Way Home (Dara and Mothgirl are younger siblings of Charlie and Hart Boy) although can very easily be read as a stand-alone novel.  The setting also worked very well - Mothgirl being transported into modern England, on the beach, allowed a different perspective on things to The Wild Way Home and I liked that. 

The strong characters in the book will most definitely appeal to children as well as the way the pair communicated with each other - pronunciation of items like the water-poo-tosh make you think about the way we talk and how others must hear our words.  I loved this aspect of the book in particular.  

There is a tension that builds as the book progresses for many reasons (is Mothgirl actually here alone, will Dara be ok?  How will Mothgirl get home?...) and it quickly became a book where I found myself saying, just one more chapter! 

Publishing on the 8th July, this will make a brilliant read in the summer sunshine.