Journey to the River Sea

Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson's tale of an orphaned London schoolgirl and her formidable governess's journey to South America will touch the hearts of generations of children. Thanks to a thrilling story-line, a cast of richly drawn characters, and a voyage through the emotions of childhood, it is destined to join the A-list of children's classics, perennial stories undiminished by the passage of time and the changing world in which children grow up.

Set at the turn of the 20th century, this is an adventure story full of magic and discovery--without a witch or a wizard in sight! It's about real people, good and bad, and a journey to another world. Maia, accompanied by the straight-backed Miss Minton, leaves the familiar comforts of her boarding school to start a new life with distant relatives who live 1000 miles from the mouth of the Amazon. Both soon discover an exotic world bursting with new experiences beyond their imagination. More importantly, they learn one of life's hardest lessons--to conquer their fears and embrace the unknown. And along the way they learn about tolerance, acceptance and trust.

Ms Ibbotson has put together a fine assembly of characters that all children will warm to. From gentle, trusting Maia, intelligent and mature beyond her years to her stern but caring governess with her hat-pin shaped like a Viking spear, her trunk full of books and a few secrets hidden up her sleeves--there are the good, the bad, the peculiar and the downright wicked. While Maia's new family are not at all what she was expecting, she finds friendship in the most unlikely places, with the most unusual people. Clovis, a child actor roaming the world with a travelling theatre troupe, yearns for cold weather and stodgy puddings, while Finn, a half-English, half-Indian boy, would do anything to avoid his aristocratic English destiny.

An intricate, cleverly paced plot, with plenty of clues for children along the way, makes this a real page-turner--exciting enough to appeal to boys and girls alike. Journey to the River Sea is an inspiring read. Ms Ibbotson's beliefs that children need challenges, that they need to think big and that they must be encouraged to believe in themselves, shine through in this enchanting book. For children aged 9 and over Carey Green

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When you start reading this book you start a journey to the book named "Journey to the River Sea" - Rated
This book is the best book in the whole world.I finished it in a day and became addicted to it.If i had to go to an island and had a chance to take only three things with me,one of those things would be this book.When i started reading this book i was honestly in it.I love this book with all my heart.When i say "love" i really mean it.This book must be read by everyone because it is more than a book its a heart..........

Great Read - Rated
I brought this for my daughter as it was recommended to her by a friend at school. She couldn't put it down and has since read most of Eva Ibbotsons other books. I then read it as she had enjoyed it so much and even as an adult I really enjoyed it as well.

A really good book that I enjoyed! - Rated
Jamie (aged 9) writes:
I really enjoyed Journey to the River Sea. I thought it was very exciting especially when Maia visits the boy's house in the jungle. It made me want to go to the Amazon by boat and travel the river. Eva Ibbotson creates interesting characters that you can't help caring about. I've given it to one of my friends as a present and I'd recommend it.

Superb Adventure Story - Rated
Based on customer's positive reviews, I bought Journey to the Riversea for a 12 year old girl. Making the unusual decision to read the book first, has turned out to be a compelling, riveting read. I thoroughly enjoyed and agonised, wondering what was going to happen next. I'm now an Eva Ibbotson fan. This superbly written adventure story, with its unexpected twists and turns, happily kept me awake for most a night. An avid reader since childhood, I loved this story and the characters, the exception being the ghastly Carter twins and their parents. I'm not only satisfied the 12 year old will be as thrilled as I am with the book, I now have The Dragonfly Pool. I see no reason why at my grandmother age, I should miss out on the best of children's literature. Especially those with a good moral story for young people.

An absorbing and charming book, with a wonderfully positive message - Rated
We bought this for our 8 year old daughter, to expand her literary horizons beyond the typical Daisy Meadows/Enid Blyton fare that girls and boys of her age get so easily hooked on. It was recommended by a friend. I read it on a flight from Bombay to London and found it so absorbing that I barely noticed the time (or the plane) fly. It's a charming and inspiring read, transporting the young (and mature) reader to another time and place (thankfully free of computers, mobile phones and other scourges of the modern age). And beyond being a damn good read - with fine prose and a clever plot - it carries a wonderfully positive message for young readers about how to live their lives: to open their minds to new experience, to enjoy the adventure and discovery that is living, to trust people (within reason)and to treat them with respect and kindness, to behave with humility and dignity themselves. Youngsters need throw away their mobiles and their ipods, turn off their Play Stations and their TVs and read more books like this. If only.