Voice of the Aspen

Sue Hampton

Average Rating 7/10 (1 Review)

Motherless Grace Rutherford grows up in Victorian Hertfordshire with servants for friends, and a loving lawyer father who makes powerful enemies by fighting injustice. When a wild and wordless boy is found bleeding in the woods beyond the grounds, no one knows who he is, where he comes from, or why he is so afraid. Though he learns to read, write, and play the young gentleman, he remains silent and wary, making enemies of his own in a world to which he can never belong. But can he ever go home? And if he does, what is left for him there?

Voice of the Aspen is an adventure full of drama and emotion. It is the story of two cultures, of friendship beyond language, of courage and the right to be valued for who we are.

About the Author:
This is the second historical adventure from Sue Hampton, whose first novel was Spirit And Fire. A teacher who has explored both Victorian and Roman times with her pupils, she loves reading as well as writing, and art, film, dance and flowers as well as history. Shutdown, a futuristic drama for young teenagers, follows next year.

Review by Jessica (100208) Rating (7/10)

Review by Jessica
Rating 7/10
Voice of the Aspen, a tale of friendship and courage set in the reign of Queen Victoria, is the second exciting historical adventure novel from teacher Sue Hampton.

Grace Rutherford is motherless with a lawyer for a father - a young girl growing up in Victorian Hertfordshire. Grace is a sad little girl who was held by Emily the maid when she was a baby because her mother had died. Emily loved Grace from that moment onwards and helped with much of her up-bringing.

One day Emily's husband, the under-gardener, finds a young boy bleeding in the woods beyond the grounds. He takes him back to the house where Emily helps to bathe the youngster. Still this boy remains silent and wordless. Grace is curious as is everyone. Where has he come from? Who are his parents? Can he ever go home?

This is another dramatic adventure story aimed at the young adolescent audience... it really pulls at your heartstrings and captures the reader.
Jessica (10th February 2008)