Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons

Ember’s teacher Mrs Rickety-Knees has often told her that adventures are a bit like hiccups; they can happen to anyone at any time. So far, she hasn’t seen much evidence to support that theory.

Until one cloudy Sunday afternoon when she spots a hamster floundering on a rock out at sea and wades into the water to execute a dramatic rescue – just like Gutsy Wonder, her comic-book superhero, would have done. Could this be the start of her adventure?

It seems unlikely. But when an odd smell of burnt toast and fertilizer reaches the town next day, and Mrs Rickety-Knees sends her and a classmate on a strange mission, they discover something that definitely has a feel of adventure to it.

With all the ingredients of a cracking fantasy adventure (devious baddies, a golden flying bathtub, a heartbroken baby dragon and even an appearance by the Loch Ness Monster), this is an original, entertaining and compelling tale with quite a few nail-biting moments.

Underlying the action is a coming-of-age strand in which Ember rediscovers the trust she lost when her dad left home and takes a risk on a new friendship.

Funny, exciting, tense, heartwarming, humane.