Books – Catherine Randall

The Great Bear Breakout

Synopsis

London, 1855.

Sent away from home to live with relatives she hardly knows, twelve-year-old Rosa discovers the Surrey Zoological Gardens and soon befriends Jem, the young bearkeeper. Shocked to learn that the bears are in grave danger, Rosa and Jem vow to join forces to save them.

It seems a new home has been found for them until Rosa encounters the villainous Mr Murdlock and together they uncover his secret, terrifying plan.

With no adult they can trust, and Jem threatened into silence, can Rosa and Jem outwit Mr Murdlock and rescue the bears before it’s too late?

To Buy

Available from your local independent bookshop, Waterstones, and online retailers.

‘I loved every minute of it! A rip-roaring Victorian adventure featuring bears, a plucky heroine and dastardly baddies – just glorious!’

Catherine Bruton

Author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Another Twist in the Tale and Bird Boy

'A brave young girl and boy, two orphan bears in dire peril, and a villian readers will love to hate. Catherine Randall's latest historical adventure, set in the colourful world of a Victorian pleasure garden and zoo, is a page-turning, heart-warming gem of a story, perfect for readers of 9 to 99!'

Ally Sherrick

Author of Black Powder, Vita and the Gladiator and Rebel Heart

'No one does historical fiction like Catherine Randall! The Great Bear Breakout transported me back to 1855 and every expertly considered sentence kept me there - I genuinely felt like I was reading a classic adventure.'

Eve McDonnell

Author of The Last Boy, The Chestnut Roaster and Elsetime

'The Great Bear Breakout has all the ingredients for a modern classic; a likeable heroine, a vivid and well-researched Victorian setting, a dastardly villain, dollops of drama, a sprinkling of peril and a heart-warming happy ending.'

Susan Brownrigg

Author of Wrong Tracks and the Gracie Fairshaw Mysteries

'This was an absolute winner in our house! My 7-year-old daughter was completely captivated by Rosa’s daring plan to save the Surrey Garden bears. The characters are brilliantly drawn, from the resourceful Rosa to the eclectic mix of people she encounters in Victorian London. It’s rare to find a book that is both an educational window into the past and a page-turning heist story, but The Great Bear Breakout hits that balance beautifully. As soon as we reached the final page, my daughter's first words were: "Can we start it again?"'

Stefan Bojanowski

'I found the story very exciting and loved the way the bears were described.'

Felicity, aged 10

The White Phoenix

Synopsis

The White Phoenix is a children’s historical novel set in a London bookshop in 1666, the year the Great Fire of London devastated the city.

After the sudden death of her father, 13-year-old Lizzie Hopper and her mother take over The White Phoenix – the family bookshop in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral. But women aren’t supposed to run businesses, England is at war with France and everywhere there are whispers of impending catastrophe.

As rumours of invasion and plague spread, Lizzie battles prejudice, blackmail and mob violence to protect the bookshop she loves.

When the Great Fire of London breaks out, Lizzie must rescue more than just the bookshop. Can she save the friend she wasn’t supposed to have?

Click here to read an extract...

To Buy

Available from your local independent bookshop, Waterstones, and online retailers.

Reviews

‘Catherine Randall brings the streets of 17th century London vividly to life…A heart-warming and skilfully told tale.’

Ally Sherrick

Author of Black Powder and The Buried Crown

‘Fantastic story, tense and gripping with some wonderful characters…Hard to believe it's Catherine's debut novel - I'm looking forward to reading more from her!’

Barbara Band

School Library, Reading and Literacy Consultant - @bcb567

'Brilliant debut middle grade historical novel perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Barbara Henderson...Lizzie Hopper is a fantastic main character, kind and strong willed with a determination to do the right thing. I can't wait to read more books by Catherine. Highly recommended.'

Susan Brownrigg

Author of Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest

'As a fan of children’s historical fiction, this one was right up there with my favourites - reminiscent of Emma Carroll and Nicola Pierce. An expertly crafted story set in 1666, the year of the Great Fire of London. I now miss Lizzie & the White Phoenix Bookshop!'

Eve McDonnell

Author of Elsetime

'I love historical novels and I was expecting this book to be good, but the author, Catherine Randall, surpassed my expectations. On opening the book to the first page you find yourself in London in 1666…

The White Phoenix has a strong cast of characters, from our headstrong protagonist, to the villain of the story, they all come to life and pull us into their tale. I read this fast-paced adventure in one sitting, I just couldn’t put the book down. …I will definitely be adding a copy of The White Phoenix to our school library and encouraging our children to meet Lizzie Hopper and read her story.

Anna’s Adventures in Bookland Blog

'This book transported me to my childhood and it gave me the same feeling I had reading or watching stories like The Railway Children, The Sound of Music, Pollyanna, Heidi, Little Women, and the early scenes in Great Expectations.'

Kirstyes.co.uk Blog

'This is an addictive historical middle grade set between plague and fire…The fears over plague hit really hard given the situation, but I found that really cathartic, to see others tackling it and not letting it stop them…Catherine Randall’s research into 1666 England is so clear in the little details of book binding or fashions. It’s these subtle references that help bring the world to life. Rather than overpowering the story with historical detail, it grounds the story, striking a balance between story and world.

I’m excited to see what Catherine Randall writes next!'

Sifa Elizabeth Reads Blog

‘I couldn't put this book down! I was reading it in school every day. It wasn't just an amazing book, but it was factual as well and helped me understand what times were like during 1666.’

Charlotte, aged 10

‘The White Phoenix is probably one of my favourite books I have read as it has many twists and turns and likeable characters…I could not put the book down the second I read the first chapter. I would recommend it to anybody ages 9-14. I rate it 5/5 stars and it is the perfect length.’

Tom, aged 10

'Bookshops, London and the Great Fire – what more could you want in your book?! …I really liked the way Randall was able to make the story very relatable, despite being set nearly 400 years ago….While Catholics might not suffer in England in the 21st century, it’s easy to see the same prejudices aimed at other groups. I think The White Phoenix would make a great starting point for a discussion with children in the target age group.'

The Untitled Book Blog

'I loved this book and devoured it in a couple of hours. The main character, Lizzie, is just fantastic! She exhibits all of the traits you would want your daughter to possess: she is caring, resilient, truthful and determined…The themes of prejudice and sexism are just as relevant today as they were when the book is set…I would definitely recommend this for younger readers and it would be a great book to read alongside studying 17th century history or prejudice.'

Books and cwtches' Blog

'I simply couldn’t put it down – throughout I was engrossed with the drama and the history, constantly empathising with the characters and their struggles…'

Abooktasia Blog