About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to seek more independence and begins to realize that the adult world is full of complexities and hidden motives. It is perfect for the pre-teen who is moving away from simple fables toward stories where the stakes feel real and the world feels vast. David, a young boy in 19th-century Portsmouth, finds himself entangled in a dangerous plot involving international spies and a mysterious invention. The story explores themes of bravery, justice, and the transition from childhood innocence to the awareness of political tension. It is a sophisticated historical thriller that respects a middle-grade reader's intelligence while providing a high-stakes adventure. Parents will appreciate how it uses a historical lens to discuss timeless concepts of loyalty and national duty.
