If anyone can hear me, this is Skipper Malkin Maddox of the Skyfleet reporting from the New World colony base. It's been three years since our pioneer boat washed up on these uncharted shores, and all our attempts to contact the Old World by radio have failed. I'm continuing to broadcast in the hope that someone, somewhere, will pick up our signal and send us the help we need...
The Blurb
When the skies turn deadly, a young heroine must rise from the ashes...
Twelve-year-old Amberley Jain has faced incredible challenges since the crash that took her parents and paralysed her legs. Now, with her best friend Ricardo Lopez about to be sent away and a swarm of mutated insects closing in on the Skyfleet base, the stakes have never been higher. Something monstrous is driving the mutabugs north from the contaminated meteor site known as the Cauldron, and the only plane capable of stopping it - the Firehawk - lies in pieces in the hangar.
Determined to honour her parents' legacy, Amberley hatches a daring plan. With Ricardo's help, they stow away on a supply train, trading his most treasured possession for the parts needed to repair the Firehawk. After secret test flights, the legendary jet is ready for action. Now, Amberley and Ricardo must confront the deadly swarm and save their home, discovering their inner strength and the true meaning of friendship along the way.
Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs is a thrilling tale of adventure and resilience, perfect for middle-grade readers.
My Review
I am a big fan of Victoria Williamson's books and I've read and reviewed several. I'll pop links to them at the end of the review.
This book which is aimed at a middle grade readership is full of action and adventure.
The characters were easy to identify with. The main character, Amberley Jain has been through a lot in her twelve years. She has lost her parents in a crash which also left her with paralysed legs. She was a great character and she showed such courage. Her friend, Ricardo who is visually impaired was an equally interesting character and between them they made a great team in the way they helped one another.
The book is set in a futuristic New World. It is set in a dystopian future and its themes of friendship, grief and courage were well portrayed. I liked the way that characters with disabilities were portrayed with such strength and bravery. It was a heartwarming and hopeful story that I enjoyed reading.
It is a fast paced, action packed adventure book which will have great appeal to both boys and girls.
The book has been nicely illustrated by James Brown with occasional illustrations of the different space crafts.
Below are links to my reviews of other books by Victoria Williamson.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 1837917044
Publisher: Tiny Tree
Formats: e-book, hardback and paperback
No. of Pages: 198 (paperback)
Purchase Links
About the Author
Victoria Williamson grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and has worked as an educator in a number of different countries, including as an English teacher in China, a secondary science teacher in Cameroon, and a teacher trainer in Malawi.
As well as degrees in Physics and Mandarin Chinese, she has completed a Masters degree in Special Needs in Education. In the UK she works as a primary school special needs teacher, working with children with a range of additional support needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, physical disabilities and behavioural problems.
She is currently working as a full time writer of Middle Grade and YA contemporary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, with a focus on creating diverse characters reflecting the many cultural backgrounds and special needs of the children she has worked with, and building inclusive worlds where all children can see a reflection of themselves in heroic roles.
Victoria’s experiences teaching young children in a school with many families seeking asylum inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of redemption and unlikely friendship between Glaswegian bully Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.
You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
You can also find Victoria at:
(book and media courtesy of The Write Reads)
(all opinions are my own)
(bookshop.org affiliated)
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