Julia Golding has written a whole host of books for children and young adults. The Cat Royal series and Companions Quartet in particular were scarcely ever on the shelves in the school library, such was their popularity! When I heard about her latest middle-grade novel, The Tigers in the Towers published by Lion Hudson, I was intrigued to read it.

Sahira’s family are travelling to England to deliver two majestic Indian tigers to the menagerie in the Tower of London when tragedy strikes and sickness steals Sahira’s parents from her on the journey. Heartbroken and alone in a miserable and dangerous orphanage in London, Sahira is determined to protect her tigers. But to do so she must set out on an adventure and use all her powers of persuasion to engage the help of some new friends along the way. Can the quest to find her tigers a safe home, lead Sahira to find her own place of hope and belonging in this strange and foreign land?

Julia writes fantastic historical fiction and this is no exception. From the first page, you are drawn into nineteenth century London, with all its sights, sounds and smells! Sahira is a courageous soul, whose determination to protect her tigers is admirable. She faces barriers on all sides – from the cruel Mr Pence who runs the orphanage to the sons of the local crime family, bullies Tommy and Alf Newton, as well as being in a foreign country and carrying the grief of losing her parents. With every page we discover more about Sahira’s childhood in India, her English father’s heritage and the family who seem to have disowned her. Historical references and cameo appearances, including Charles Darwin and Robert Peel, add to the colourful cast of characters and bring to life a fascinating period of history. Weaved into the story are themes of grief, prejudice, equality, animal conservation and friendship and there is much we can learn from Sahira’s experiences. Tiger in the Towers reads like a classic and is definitely one to add to your bookshelf.

Find out more at www.goldinggateway.com. With thanks to Lion Hudson for sending me this book to read and review.