Bernadette Brady
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is an absolutely superb, enthralling and captivating book which I thoroughly recommend to readers of all ages, everywhere!
30 June 2018
Verified Purchase
Absolutely enthralling and captivating, from the first page to the last. This is a book which you just do not want to end. Suitable for readers of all ages from 8 to adulthood. Readers join young adventurer Freddie Malone as he embarks on a thrilling time-travel adventure which takes him from his usual everyday life in England to Nepal, with stunning Mount Everest in the background. It will make you laugh. It will make you gasp as the next twist and turn in the adventure emerges. It will melt your heart as you read about Freddie and his beautiful new friend Mindhu. You will thoroughly enjoy accompanying Freddie on the adventure of a lifetime. You will be mesmerized as you read and learn about Mount Everest. You will love every single page of this excellent book. There is also a very powerful message for readers about bullying as Freddie's best friend Connor is bullied by a group of his peers. An excellent list of recommended websites and helplines for those who are experiencing bullying, which offer help, support and advice, is provided. This is a beautiful book with I thoroughly enjoyed and I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, everywhere.
3 people found this helpful
Witch
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Treasure at the Top of the World
4 August 2018
Verified Purchase
Loved this little book - and further books have a lot of potential - it's a cross age kind of book that will be read by more than one age group though 8+ it's going to appeal to many..
It has a moralistic story with the Freddie Malone adventure.
Freddie receives an unusual present on this thirteenth birthday from his Uncle. A Map!
This leads to a wholesome mountain adventure of mystery.
I must admit though, I am a fan of the writer, so I might be a little biased in this review however so forgive me when I do say that I loved the book and will be buying future ones if Clive Mantle publishes them.
Check out the Clive Mantle Fan Page on Facebook.
2 people found this helpful
L. Cannon
5.0 out of 5 starsGo Time Travelling and Open Up a World of Discovery
15 November 2018
Verified Purchase
This is more than just a tale to tell. This a story of (in no particular order) adventure, social and land geography, history, present day, travel and friendship.
It is indeed a fictional book, but also seems part travelogue in a way, although not strictly written like one.
There are relics and treasures to be had, people to meet and a country to explore, all within the safety and comfort of your own home.
This is an impressive story that will grip children from the age of 8 years old and teenagers alike. It will send them on a terrific journey of exploration within their imaginations as they read and delve further into this book.
The cover is brilliantly conceived. It looks exciting and instantly eye-catching, with the swirly writing going into Mount Everest. It is very fitting to the content within the book. The characters are well developed – they are realistic, relatable and likeable. Readers will be able to care about these characters enough to want to find out more about them.
In the beginning of the book is the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling. It’s not as random as it first appears. Read further into the book and all becomes apparent and makes complete sense as to why it is cleverly featured right there. It’s a fantastic, attention grabbing beginning to this novel!
The story begins at the beginning of the school summer holidays with Freddie and his best friend Connor joining together for Freddie’s birthday party. One of the gifts is an ancient map. This is where the adventure begins… After feeling unwell, he mysteriously finds himself in Kathmandu, Nepal. The map is definitely no ordinary map!
The map illustrated within the book, featuring all the locations within the story.
Children and teenagers would absolutely be able to get a sense of the sights and sounds of the city as well as a sense of emotions. They will find themselves transported to this country through the map, photos and descriptions given.
There are great photos of Mount Everest and Namche Bazarr. The photos are a brilliant way of enhancing children’s knowledge of these two iconic places in Nepal in a very visual way. Infact, throughout the book, each location in Nepal is wonderfully descriptive, which for children and teens (or anyone unsure of what anything in Nepal looks like), would be very useful for them.
Clive Mantle weaves facts about Mount Everest and famous exhibitioners/mountaineers and other people Freddie comes across living in Nepal, into what is essentially a fictional story, very effectively. There is enough to create a fascination and to enhance knowledge, but not so much that readers will feel overwhelmed with it all. There is a very good balance between fact and fiction as well as a good pace being mantained throughout.
The book twists and turns between two worlds. It’s not all plain sailing for our intrepid explorer as the story moves along at a good pace. The transition between the two worlds are written clearly, ensuring the book is accessible to all within the age group, avoiding confusion. It also effectively mantains a natural flow.
The book may well contain the much used method of time-travel, but the concept and the map, which is used as a device here to tell the story has a freshness about it.
There is a real sense of adventure and danger within this book that will excite any young reader. There are large themes of friendship, adventure and bullying all interweaved within the narrative and dialogue of the story. Clive Mantle has handled it all very well and has evidently given a lot of thought, sensitivity and care to this. Within the back of the book are several useful websites which children and their parents/carers etc can access for support. On a lighter note, he has also given further reading books for teenagers. His choices are good, they will resonate with teens who want to find out more about Nepal, Mount Everest and adventure. There are also a few pages at the end of the book, devoted to explaining the facts behind the story. This is informative and also age appropriate and connect beautifully with the story. All of this additonal information is definitely worth reading and back-up the book very well. They are also as well written as the main story itself.
This book will excite, inform and educate children and teenagers in a way that will spark their imagination, curiosity and interest. The fictional story itself is absorbing. It can be read within a home, a school and there is plenty of content within it that schools, parents, children, teenagers can use to encourage both private reading and to spark conversations with each other.
Overall, I was impressed by the content and the way it was all semlessly handled within this book and how well it is written as a whole, especially since so much is covered within those pages. Clive Mantle’s writing is very good, the language used is age appropriate for the suggested marketing age of 8+. His passion, that he has had since childhood really comes through within this book, as does the desire to share tales with others, as his father did with him. Children and teens generally like to learn about different parts of the world and Nepal, certainly in my experience of previously working within a voluntary children’s group, is one of those countries which does fascinate them. So, this book certainly feeds into their natural curiosity very well.
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Ms Sian Davies
5.0 out of 5 starsA great, fun adventure!
15 July 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
What a fantastic book. A tale of two stories - the real life world of a young boy battling the nightmare of bullying, and also his trip through a magic map, back in time to Nepal, to help locate and return a rare treasure to its rightful owners. The vista of Everest and the surrounding area are painted in such intricate detail, and with the knowledge of someone who knows the area personally, that you can’t help but finish the story and want to travel there yourself!!
One person found this helpful
Karen Bateson
5.0 out of 5 starsA cracking good read
16 September 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book is excellent, it hooked me immediately. The characters leap from the page & into the heart & mind captivating you & taking you the reader on a remarkable adventure.
The book is for 8 years olds upwards, but I think this book is an ageless classic that crosses the age range of the readers.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to be truely entertained
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Wendy A
5.0 out of 5 starsAn engrossing read for all ages
4 June 2018
Verified Purchase
I only received this book today and I quite simply couldn't put it down until I had finished. It drew me in from the first paragraph and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Although aimed at young readers, the time travelling adventures of Freddie Malone will be enjoyed by all ages. Can't wait for the next book.
2 people found this helpful
Del Cahill
5.0 out of 5 starsWow just wow !
31 July 2018
Verified Purchase
I can’t recommend this book highly enough, for children and adults alike, I loved it and I’m 50 ! It draws you in from the word go and takes you on the most wonderful journey and a really exciting adventure. With wonderful characters, some good, some bad, but all essential in their own way !
To sum up, congratulations Mr Mantle, I loved the book and can’t wait for the next instalment !
One person found this helpful
Tracey C
5.0 out of 5 starsA great read for all ages
25 June 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is a great read. It’s fast paced, full of adventure,time travel, thrills and daring deeds. It’s also a story about friendship, bravery and even love. The story grips you from the first page, and I found it hard to put down! (Family, feed yourselves, I’m reading!) It’s a story for young and old alike. My daughter struggles with reading but has been eager to read what happens next. I look forward to reading more of Freddie’s adventures.
One person found this helpful
Amanda Jane Dolan-Harrison
5.0 out of 5 starsI Ioved it and would highly recommend to children young and old alike
16 June 2018
Verified Purchase
This book was my summer holiday read whilst in Athens sightseeing but I didn’t finish the last few chapters until home which seemed apt. I Ioved it and would highly recommend to children young and old alike. I’m clearly still just a big kid at heart! Very much looking forward to Freddie’s next adventure and totally agree, spoiler alert, that tinned peas are the best...
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2 people found this helpful
Allynellie
5.0 out of 5 starsI love this book - can’t wait for the next one!
25 July 2018
Verified Purchase
Finished this book at the weekend. I absolutely love it. It is written so well. I love the overlapping stories of the friendship between the two boys and the friendships Freddie makes in Nepal.
Bullying is such a topical issue and handled very sensitively throughout.
I am plugging your book everywhere I go Clive.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Blusoop
5.0 out of 5 starsAn inspiring adventure story, for children & adults alike! Bring on the next Freddie Malone book!
7 September 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
My 11 yr old was totally captivated by it. He usually switches between books and has 6 books on the go at once. But as soon as he opened the pages of The Treasure at the Top of the World, he didn't pick up another book, he literally couldn't put it down. He 'sold' it to his teacher, who bought a copy to read over the summer, with a view to adding it to the school reading challenge. He also gave a copy to his best friend for his birthday, and he has me reading it to his younger brother as well!
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsgreat time travel story
21 August 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I & my daughter loved this book. I cried, I cheered, I held my breathe in anticipation. Looking forward to book 2 please! :-)
One person found this helpful
S N.
5.0 out of 5 starsLoved the book
13 June 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Loved the book, couldn't put it down.....just wanted to know what happened next...it took me on a great journey with laughter and tears on the way....look forward to the next one...
2 people found this helpful
Helen Glover
5.0 out of 5 starsEveryone from 8 to 80 will love this.
18 September 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Wonderful! And can see why this appeals to all, from 8 to 80. Brilliantly written, literally couldn't put it down.
Urs
5.0 out of 5 starsSuch a suitable read for 8/9/10 year olds!
6 July 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Amazing book!! My 8 year old nephew loved it and is very keen to read the next book in the trilogy!
Tanya Peters
5.0 out of 5 starsImaginative and fabulous.
21 August 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Enthralling and very hard to put down. Amazing read..
rennej
5.0 out of 5 starsSmashing adventure story.
9 July 2018
Format: Paperback
I enjoyed this a lot. It’s a cracking adventure story, clearly written by someone absolutely in love with his characters and their adventures. Very warm hearted too.
Something tells me this series of books will get better and better as they progress.
elizabeth tait
5.0 out of 5 starsBest book of the Year so far
18 September 2018
Format: Paperback
I absolutely loved this book. It appeals to all ages. Bought for a relative - and kept! Another one ordered! The messages sent out in this book are almost palpable. I can't wait for the next one - please......
Ms. M. Woods
5.0 out of 5 starsImaginative and Fun
2 July 2018
Format: Paperback
This book was so engaging...really enteraining for all ages! Clive is a wonderful writer and I can't wait to read more about Freddie
Misha Bakker
5.0 out of 5 starsFantastic book! Absolutely gripping! Amazing fantasy adventure!
1 October 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Absolutely amazing and brilliantly written adventure book full of friendship, geography, history and problems of bullying. I read the book in just two days and the story absolutely swallowed me as I couldn't put the book down and needed to know what happens next! It's really extremely gripping, very well written and full of history and geography teaching about Mount Everest while telling an adventurous story. It's for anyone over the age of 8 and the story is so well written and described that you can almost imagine yourself being within the setting and with the characters. It's better than Narnia and I cannot wait for more adventures of Freddie when he's sharing them with his best friend Connor! A truly wonderful story that should be in every school library and is right up the road of Harry Potter and Narnia! ;)
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