David is terrified of the tramp under the bridge, and as a result
of this, his adventures begin. He is forced into a whole new
world of life on the river where he makes new friends, and
battles with villainous rogues in post-war London.
Following the end of the second World War, the towns are being
rebuilt; bombed buildings hide behind battered sheets of
corrugated iron, and the men have returned from the battle-
fields. There is a feeling of optimism everywhere. Life is valued
and children are treasured. They are often pampered and constantly shielded
from danger. But danger finds David, one snowy winter’s day.
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An Amazon reader: “I read this book in one sitting and almost made myself late for
work. The opening of the book is highly descriptive and the author does not shy away
from using some quite complex vocabulary for the target audience, which, in this
climate of changed SATs reading tests, is no bad thing. Children need to widen their
vocabularies and cope with working out the meaning of words from their context. The
opening would bear scrutiny with a year 6 class as an example of author's craft. Once
past the opening/scene setting chapter, the action whips along at a good pace and
children should get caught up in it. I enjoyed it and found myself reading more quickly
to find out what was going to happen.
The glimpses of life in post-war Britain, and the portrayal of life on a canal boat, were
added dimensions too.”