Lionboy - Softcover

Corder, Zizou

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141317272 ISBN 13: 9780141317274

Publisher: Puffin, 2003

Synopsis

Charlie Ashanti can speak Cat. He takes it for granted - so when his mum and dad go missing, the cats are the only friends he can turn to. Setting out to find his parents, Charlie stows away on an incredible circus ship bound for Paris. On board he meets six proud, beautiful lions who need his help. With danger close behind and uncertainty ahead, they embark together on the adventure of a lifetime.

About this title

Review:

Most novels only need a few original ideas to be interesting--but Lion Boyhas enough to make it truly special. The astonishing literary creation of adult novelist Louisa Young and her teenage daughter, Isabel Adomakoh Young, writing together as "Zizou Corder", has taken the children's publishing world by storm. It's the first part of a trilogy, which encompasses an incredible journey from London to Paris, and onto Venice and then Africa, that many have hailed as a genuine rival to Harry Potter.

It's certainly as engaging and unputdownable as any tome by Ms Rowling. This is the story of Charlie Ashanti, who discovers he can speak the language of cats after he is scratched by a big cat on a trip to Africa as a baby. It's a gift he has had all his life, but he only discovers how essential it can be when his scientist parents suddenly go missing. They were on the brink of a historic medical discovery and the suspicion is that somebody has kidnapped them. Charlie uses his network of cat friends to track their journey overseas to Paris, and to get across the English Channel he inadvertently joins the crew of a travelling Circus Ship.

The ship is, of course, an incredible place to be and amongst the many new friends he makes are six big, beautiful and proud lions who need his help to escape. Tracked by agents of his parents' kidnapper, Charlie is never out of danger and his arrival in Paris is marked by much drama and excitement.

Lion Boy scores most highly on its sheer readability and entertainment value. It's a fun, breeze of a read that would liven up any dull day. (Age 9 and over) --John McLay

Review:

Inventive storytelling . . . readers will look forward to the sequel. ("School Library Journal")

A rousing traveling circus adventure . . . a page turn[er]. (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

* "A rousing traveling circus adventure . . . a page turn[er]." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Corder writes a Harry Potter read-alike. . . This will be devoured by Rowling fans. It will also be a hit with lovers of Eoin Colfer and Philip Pullman." --VOYA

"An adventurous romp. . . .Intriguing." --Kirkus Reviews

"Inventive storytelling." --School Library Journal

"For anyone who's ever wanted to run away and join the circus, as well as save the world and be a friend to cats, here's the book. --The Chicago Tribune

"Reads brilliantly. . . .Lionboy deserves a roar of approval." --Observer

"A fast-moving fantasy adventure." --Financial Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0141317272
• ISBN 13: 9780141317274
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352