Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible.
You've probably already read this book and if you haven't then where have you been? That's the question I was asking myself when I picked this up after hearing Jane Considine sing its praises in her Writing Revolution CPD videos on Youtube. The examples of language that she was pulling from the book were magical and I knew instantly that this would be my kind of book.
Having already read Katherine Rundell's The Explorer, I was expecting some high-octane action but actually this story has a lovely slow pace to it; plenty of time to digest the characters and the beautiful surroundings of Paris whilst cleverly weaving the plot together.
The story focuses on Sophie, a young girl under the care of her loving guardian Charles. (Can I just go off topic here to establish how much I loved Charles throughout this - he is just THE nicest man ever and so amazingly laid-back). When the authorities decide that Charles' care isn't the best place for Sophie, the pair embark on their own adventure to Paris in search of the answers about Sophie's mother, who she is determined to find.
On arrival in Paris, Sophie is whisked into the adventures of Matteo, a boy who lives in the sky and is afraid to step foot on ground. Matteo teaches Sophie how to tightrope and become confident amongst the rooftops and together they search Paris for the mysterious music that sounds so familiar to Sophie.
The portrayal of Paris throughout Rooftoppers is possibly what stood out for me the most. There are very few references to the usual Paris sightseeing staples, and instead Rundell does a brilliant job of capturing the charm of Paris through the magic of the dusk sky, the twinkling lights through the chimney pots and the magical silence of the night-time pavements. (She has also made me really want to go to Paris and explore which can only be a good thing).
This is a wonderful read, full of rich vocabulary and effortless scenic description which is perfect to use in Upper Key Stage Two for inspiration or as a class read.
A beautiful moonlit journey across the rooftops of Paris and self-discovery.
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