The Time Traveller and the Tiger

Elsie is used to being overlooked and having an uninteresting life, but then she is whisked back in time by a magical flower to India, where her Great-Uncle John is a twelve-year old boy trying to shoot a tiger. Somehow, she has to prevent him making the worst mistake of his life. But there are menacing enemies about who will stop at nothing to kill tigers.

The interaction between Elsie and John is amusing, as Elsie unsuccessfully tries to persuade him that she is from the future. Told in part through the eyes of Mandeep, an Indian boy who wants to save the forest and the creatures who live inside it, and in part through the eyes of the tiger itself, this is an atmospheric adventure story with a strong message about the importance of conservation.

The writing is sophisticated and memorable and will keep older readers thoroughly engaged. The way the time travel plot develops has strong echoes of the mid-century classic, Tom’s Midnight Garden. Fans of Emma Carroll or Geraldine McCaughrean will also find plenty to enjoy here.