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Title/Author

Snatched!

Graham Marks

Average Review Rating Average Rating 7/10 (1 Review)
Book Details

Publisher : Usborne Publishing Ltd

Published : 2006

Copyright : Graham Marks 2006

ISBN-10 : PB 0-7460-6840-9
ISBN-13 : PB 978-0-7460-6840-3

Publisher's Write-Up

This is an astounding, action-packed adventure tale of mystery and kidnapping, with an unforgettable cast of heroes, villains, thieves and all the stars of the circus. Left for dead in a lion's cage, baby Daniel is adopted by Hubble, owner of a travelling circus. Twelve years later, his carefree life as a bareback rider is shattered by vivid premonitions. When Josie joins the circus, Daniel realizes that his visions are coming true, but he still cannot stop the terrible fire that he had foreseen. In the aftermath he is snatched away - taken to London, gagged and bound, and he must find a way to escape. But could the city be the place to finally discover the truth behind his birth?

Key Stage: KS2/3; Age 9+

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Reader Reviews

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Review by Jessica (280210) Rating (7/10)

Review by Jessica
Rating 7/10
Graham Marks has had his first collection of poetry published while studying at Harrow School of Art. Now he’s a full time writer.

The traveller’s circus is coming to town in a procession of tents, colours, and noise. Girls move happily through the chaos, lions roar in their cages, boys help with the adults to set up the bright tents, women stitch costumes and apply makeup.

Then that night, after the mayhem of the circus and with the silver moon high in the sky, a cry from a nearby child cuts through the calm and quiet.
It is a wet autumn night at Smithfield after the storm, so surely a mother would not leave a child alone by itself in the cold? People rush toward the cry and discover that a baby has been left next to Leo the lion in his cage. What a miracle the lion hasn’t gobbled the baby up! Relief envelopes everyone at the circus but what they don’t know is this is only the beginning. Who is the child? Where is his mother?

Years later Daniel, the baby who was adopted by Hubble the owner of the circus, has questions. Why are his visions coming true? Is he physic? Even if that is so, he still didn’t mange to stop the fire he had foreseen.
Gagged and taken off to London, poor Daniel must find a way to escape his fate but in doing so, must learn about his background.

This is a circus adventure with a kidnap and a good douse of treachery. Characters are colourful and vivid with good dialogue. Author Marks creates an atmospheric background with London streets as the main backdrop.

A great action-packed book for younger readers. A worthy first attempt for Marks at a book aimed for the younger audience.
Jessica (28th February 2010)

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