The Great Phoenix of London is a completely unique middle grade novel telling the story of a boy racing through London accompanied by the most incredible bird while everything around them burns. Once I started this gripping tale, I couldn’t put it down.
Set in 1666, readers are taken right into the heart of the fire. 11-year-old Gilbert is already dealing with losing his father to the Plague and his school teacher’s romantic interest in his mother. When he goes to visit his grandparents at their home on Pudding Lane, he’s hoping for a chance to have fun with his little cousin Roland and forget about all the responsibilities at home. Instead, the outbreak of fire on that hot September night sends him on a perilous journey through London with a strange “heaven stone” and his new friend, Jennet.
This well-known period in history has never before been brought to life in such an engaging way. Familiar names and places weave their way through the pages pulling together the strands of the story in a manner that makes sense. The Great Fire of London will no longer be just something that happened, but rather, something that happened to real people. Readers will begin to empathise with those who lost their homes and businesses. They’ll see the impact this tragedy had on everyday lives and how communities reacted in fear and disbelief. King Charles II, the Duke of York, the Mayor of London and Samuel Pepys himself highlight the difference between the social classes and how London was so unprepared for such a challenge.
The value of placed on learning and knowledge is clear. From Gilbert’s lessons in classics ,to his mother’s determination to protect the rare books in her shop, to the strange scholar Gilbert meets in the streets, there’s no question that knowledge is power and opens the door to another world. This is a world where a magical bird hatches from a strange stone that fell from the sky then grows more powerful with each blast of flames – feeding on fire. This is a world where such an intelligent, loyal, trusting and brave creature draws out the same qualities in its young companion. Gilbert and his phoenix find strength and hope in each other as they battle the fire, those who want to capture the phoenix and the fear of the crowds looking for someone to blame.
There is so much to this novel. Insight into 17th century London society, elements of magic and mythology, and characters who grow in courage and determination make it absolutely unputdownable. The phoenix is a wonderful metaphor for London itself – rising from the ashes.
Thank you to Laura Smythe and Chicken House Books for inviting me to take part in this fantastic blog tour! Don’t miss the other stops on the tour:
Find an extract and questions for Darwin’s Dragons in Contemporary Children’s Literature for Years 5-6 in the Developing Reading Comprehension Skills series.
Books by Kate Heap:
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