Rooftoppers

Gr 3–7—A child's life started anew on its first birthday when she was found floating in a cello case after a shipwreck in the English Channel. After being rescued by a fellow passenger, Charles Maxim, she was named Sophie, and she had a happy though unconventional childhood with Charles. He was a memorable guardian: eccentric, loved and loving, and unmarried. None of this presented a huge problem until Sophie's 12th birthday when Sophie's trousers, lack of training in womanly arts, and other idiosyncrasies of the household were no longer acceptable to a rigid child welfare investigator, and Charles is informed that she will no longer be allowed to live with him; young ladies must have proper training, which is more readily available in an orphanage. Uncovering a clue in her cello case, Charles and Sophie set off to find Sophie's long-lost mother. Their quest takes them to Paris, where Charles pursues conventional lines of inquiry, while Sophie heads to the roofs of the city with a new friend, Matteo, and other "rooftoppers," orphaned children who live high above the city streets. Rich description brings scenes vividly into focus, as does the humorous interplay between characters. The mystery and magic of this exciting story (S & S, 2013) are enhanced by Nicola Barber's perfectly paced reading, well delivered all the way to the tale's satisfying conclusion.—Maria Salvadore, formerly of District of Columbia Public Library