Rooftoppers - Kirjakasa

Paperback, 304 pages

Published June 3, 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

ISBN:: 978-1-4424-9059-8

(1 review)

When authorities threaten to take Sophie, twelve, from Charles who has been her guardian since she was one and both survived a shipwreck, the pair goes to Paris to try to find Sophie's mother, and they are aided by Matteo and his band of "rooftoppers."

Sophie may have survived a shipwreck as a baby, but her life began when an eccentric but loving bachelor brought her home. When a child services organization threatens to remove Sophie, she and Charles flee to Paris in search of her long-lost mother.

5 editions

Thom reviewed Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell

Review of 'Rooftoppers' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is the story of Sophie, a baby found floating in a cello case after her ship sinks. The first few chapters tell growth into a strong 12 year old character; the subsequent chapters her adventures on the run. Together they make up a wonderfully endearing story.

First off, Charles (guardian of Sophie) has all the best lines. One of many great bon mots from this character - "I know these sorts of people. They're not men. They're mustaches with idiots attached." He provides a strong male character, guiding without taking over the story. Other supporting characters arrive later on, each well detailed an interesting. One quibble - the few antagonists are mere cardboard cutouts; this is more a tale of adventure than of conflict.

The setting the rooftops of Paris, beautifully described and a solid part of the story. The language and length are perfect for a young adult …

This is the story of Sophie, a baby found floating in a cello case after her ship sinks. The first few chapters tell growth into a strong 12 year old character; the subsequent chapters her adventures on the run. Together they make up a wonderfully endearing story.

First off, Charles (guardian of Sophie) has all the best lines. One of many great bon mots from this character - "I know these sorts of people. They're not men. They're mustaches with idiots attached." He provides a strong male character, guiding without taking over the story. Other supporting characters arrive later on, each well detailed an interesting. One quibble - the few antagonists are mere cardboard cutouts; this is more a tale of adventure than of conflict.

The setting the rooftops of Paris, beautifully described and a solid part of the story. The language and length are perfect for a young adult novel. The head of each chapter has a small illustration of something coming in the following pages; it was a fun game to guess how it would appear.

Read this aloud with my daughter, aged 11, and she thought it should be rated 6 stars out of 5. Definitely looking forward to more from this young author.