The River Spirit

Trapped within the oppresive warrens of the city’s chimneys, young sweeper Tom longs for fresh air and freedom in this atmospheric and ghostly tale from Lucy Strange. Young chimney sweep Tom has started seeing strange, supernatural things – fairies in the flowers by the river, a soot monster crouching in the darkness of a chimney, and then the mysterious river spirit Elle. Elle joins Tom and the other children apprenticed to cruel master sweep Mister Crow. Together, they shimmy up the town's narrow, filthy chimneys. But Tom has an ominous feeling in his bones, and when he faces his most dangerous job of all, the reason for Elle's magical appearance becomes clear . . . In this riveting children's fantasy, Tom's encounters with the paranormal are not just figments of his imagination, but a call to action against the social themes of poverty and homelessness that plague his world. The prize-winning story, aimed at young adults and reluctant readers, is a testament to the power of friendship and courage in the face of adversity. For fans of Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Leila and the Blue Fox), Keith Robinson (Wolf Road), Katherine Rundell (The Explorer), Michelle Harrison (A Storm of Sisters), and Natasha Farrant (Voyage of the Sparrowhawk). HarperCollins 2024