Rooftoppers
Katherine Rundell
Subjects
Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, and shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Already being proclaimed a classic in children's literature and compared to the likes of Roald Dahl and Eva Ibbotson, Katherine Rundell's Rooftoppers merges fantasy and historical fiction with sophisticated lyrical prose and vivid imagery that will delight middle grade readers, tweens, teens, and parents and teachers alike. Join plucky heroine Sophie, her eccentric guardian Charles, and her intrepid orphan allies on the rooftops of Victorian Paris, as they encounter suspense and adventure that will keep kids of all ages on the edge of their seats right to the heartwarming end. My mother is still alive, and she is going to come for me one day. Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. Found floating in a cello case and swaddled in a Beethoven score, she is the only recorded female survivor of a shipwreck on the English Channel. But Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help... Charles, a fellow survivor and an eccentric scholar, finds Sophie and brings her home to his London bachelor flat. Raised in a quirky home filled with music, words and love (though questionable diet), Sophie grows into a free-spirited tomboy with a taste for Shakespeare and the unshakeable belief that anything is possible. And you should never ignore a possible. So when the child welfare agency in its bureaucratic wisdom threatens to send Sophie to an orphanage, the optimistic girl and her odd guardian flee to Paris on a quest to find her mother, starting with the only clue she has - the address of the cello maker. Secured in an attic to evade the French authorities, Sophie escapes through the skylight and meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - homeless urchins who tightrope walk above the busy streets below, dining on pigeons and snails alongside the gargoyles and bell tower of Notre Dame. Together they set out on an unimaginable adventure, scouring the city for Sophie's mother before she is caught and sent back to London - and most importantly, before she loses hope. Readers who enjoyed the Lemony Snicket books, Ellen Potter's The Kneebone Boy, Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord, and Sally Gardner's I, Coriander will want to put Rooftoppers on their ""Must Read"" list.
Reviews
Beautifully written. My first children's book by Katherine Rundell and I loved it. A sensitive and imaginative exploration of a young girl's inner world and a lovely central relationship. A fantastic pace and full of whimsical, magical detail, as well as thoughtful engagement with childhood emotion.
KBannisterGrey
I really enjoyed this book. It was recommended by a teacher at school. My favourite character is Sophie as she shows resilience and determination throughout. I enjoy reading books that are for children and young people, as I can then recommend them to the class I work with.
Trish291
I recently re-read this book as it was a favourite read with my girls when they were going up. Rundell's descriptive abilities are second to none and they totally capture your attention and heart. Great historical setting and one of the best heroines in children's literature. Recommend this book highly.
johannon
I really enjoyed reading this book with two of my children. We particularly liked the second half set on the rooftops of Paris where we were introduced to some very interesting characters. Sophie is such a determined character and I love the way she (together with the support of her carer, Charles) stand up for what they believe in. Sophie believes that anything is possible and never gives up hope in her quest to find her mother.
AEGRead
Easy read, I didn’t feel moved by the story as much as I would’ve liked
cicelymaytaylor
A romantic imagining of a story. I struggled to warm to the protagonist and found her journey and the situations a little too unbelievable - although it is a fantasy book and the plot is so good it is a page turner.
AnthonyLovat
Stunning book. It swept me away into another world I have not contemplated before. The beautiful relationship between Sophie and Charles moved me to tears on several occasions. Wonderful imagery and descriptions. Just brilliant, and I would thoroughly recommend.
MaidMarian
This was a beautifully written book. The first half I loved how the relationship between Charles and Sophie develops, his love for her which allows her to grow and explore and be herself is touching. The second half of the book is adventurous yet there is also a beauty in the development of characters and how they grow with each other despite their different circumstances and how life has treated them. I would recommend this book to upper key stage 2 children. I devoured this book, especially towards the end.
Bilbospry2023
What an amazing story! Loved the main character, Sophie, for her resilience and hope that one day she will find her mother. With the help of Charles (her protector and self-appointed guardian) she flees back to Paris to avoid being sent to an orphanage and eventually finds her mother. A truly heart-warming story. Highly recommended to Year 4/5/6 children.
dking09
Loved this book! It had me looking up at all the rooftops in towns! I especially loved the tree climbers and the descriptions of his roof home. Though t provoking.
Mrs Abi
I really enjoyed the use of imagery and description as it allows you to feel as if you are there whilst it is all happening; I wish there was more or even a second book to read and carry on the story. Sophie was very likeable, it was interesting to see how fearless, resilient and brave she became throughout the story after having had such tragic start in her life. The relationship between Sophie and Matteo shows a contrast between their lives but also the similarities.
wilde1xx
This was beautifully written and a highly imaginative, unusual story. It was interested to have a elderly male character willing to adopt a young girl and their relationship was thoughtfully portrayed.
I loved this book. The Year 6 class loved this book. They always wanted to read on, both boys and girls alike! We were all hooked from the start. The characters were vivid and the scene setting of the Parisian rooftops was tantalisingly real, dangerous and magical. This book is one to reread time and time again.
drlikestoread
This is a magical and adventurous book! I kept wanting to turn the pages in order to learn the little orphan’s story. I loved the quirkiness of this book. A great example of true determination.
Bethmay217
A lovely adventure with a courageous young girl as the main character. Rooftoppers captures the imagination and takes you on an emotional journey. A very enjoyable read.
CSmith73
I enjoyed the relationships the author was able to develop. It connected with me as I have often walked through cities and looked up at the buildings and wondered what could be going on up there. It was a great way of creating distance between the world of the Rooftoppers and “real life”. It empowered the characters whilst acknowledging the dangers of the city and of life. Emotional ending.
FramsayEDU
I loved the opening lines and thoroughly enjoyed the main character and the slightly bizarre parenting of her guardian. The adventure she goes on is interesting but I struggled to warm to the lead male character which impacted my enjoyment of the whole book. Recommend for 8+ years.
Caroljane65
Unique and enjoyable read. Some lovely description and found it had a nice flow. Good for exploring concepts of authority and making predictions. I loved the character of Charles as he was so different to the other adults and was very endearing.
twest
Took a while for me to get in to the story but a lovely adventure and narrative story set in London and France. Nice quips and fascinating characters with a super ending 👍
sean23_e
A great adventure story with a plucky young female protagonist. Great descroption of a Paris and excellent idea of a world happening above us without us knowing. Rundell yet again, creates such strong image of the setting and you connect with the charcater, Sophie. A young girl lost and hurt, chasing her dream to meet her mother. Full of emotion and description, a great read to escape to but also a great example of writing descriptio to help young writers.
RiseleyK