Synopsis Topher worries when his pet cat Ka goes missing yet again, especially when he is about to go visiting friends in London. Worse still, terrorists threats are increasingly threatened in the capital and Topher battles his anxieties about bomb scares to go there in the first place. When his life is put in danger, Topher finds himself inexplicably drawn into another time travel adventure- and this time he ends up in a Saxon village in Norfolk prior to Viking invasion.

Review: Topher worries when his pet cat Ka goes missing yet again, especially when he is about to go visiting friends in London. Worse still, terrorists threats are increasingly threatening the capital and Topher battles personal anxieties about bomb scares to travel there in the first place. When his life is put in danger, Topher finds himself inexplicably drawn into another time travel adventure- and this time he ends up in a Saxon village in Norfolk prior to Viking invasion. The village elders consider there to be no imminent threat of invasion, but Topher feels different. His father goes missing along with his faithful dog and he also senses betrayal within the village itself. Topher, deciding to leave his home to find his father finds himself flung into a dangerous, battle-torn adventure pitted against war-hungry, blood-thirsty Vikings with nowhere to escape.

 Jarman writes in an engaging manner revealing an exciting slant to history, which particularly appeals to boys, and ‘Viking Terror’ is no exception. She strikes balance between action, with plenty of lively battle scenes, and character development, with opportunities for Topher to demonstrate his determination to succeed and bravery in adversity. I believe many 8 and 9 year old boys reading Viking Terror will be putting themselves into Topher’s shoes imagining themselves in battle, where violence is real, though not too graphic. Whereas some time-slip links are tenuous and incredible, Jarman allows Topher and Ka to access time travel in a way more believable for her readership. T

This is an enjoyable read for confident younger readers, my year three boys are currently arguing over who is to read it next!

2008-06-22