Middle Grade
1855, London. Rosa befriends Jem, a young bear keeper, and discovers the zoo’s animals are in grave danger. When a villainous showman threatens the bears, the children must find the courage to outsmart him and attempt a daring rescue before it’s too late...
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London, 1855.
Twelve-year-old Rosa doesn’t want to leave her widowed father and when he reluctantly sends her to live with her wealthy relatives across the river, she feels more alone than ever.
She soon discovers the Surrey Zoological Gardens, where she befriends Jem, a young bearkeeper. When Rosa learns the animals are to be sold, and the bears may be killed, she joins forces with Jem, vowing to save them.
A travelling menagerie seems like the perfect solution, until Rosa encounters the villainous Mr Murdlock and uncovers the bears’ true, dreadful fate.
With Jem threatened into silence, and no adult she can trust, Rosa realises the only way to protect the animals is to take matters into her own hands.
Together, can Rosa and Jem outwit the dangerous Mr Murdlock and rescue the bears before it’s too late?
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
After her mother's sudden death, 12 year old Rosa is sent by her cheesemonger father to live with her wealthy relatives in the hope that this will give her a better life. But Rosa finds life with her strict uncle difficult, and her aunt - despite being her late mother's sister - seems reluctant to talk about her. A talented artist, like her mother, Rosa finds secret solace in visiting the bears in the nearby animal park, where she has fond memories of accompanying her mother. Until she finds out that the bears are in terrible danger from unscrupulous men who plan to take advantage of the closing down of the animal park. Its 1855, and Rosa is a girl of only 12. So what can she possibly do to prevent a tragedy? As it turns out, she is far more resourceful than she knows. This is a beautiful story, well told and illustrated, and with multiple core themes - including unexpected friendships, grief over parental loss, and the bonds between humans and other species - it will be enjoyed by readers of all ages particularly those in the target group. It gets 4.5 stars.
