Another magical book. This will be perfect for year 3. I love the descriptions of the natural world in both Wild Way and Impossible Island

This an adventure story for young teenagers and I feel they will enjoy the story. I find it bit hard to get In to but as I was reading through it. I did story to enjoy it . Thank you netgalley for letting me read this book.

Sophie has a way with words… agreed?
This is an action packed novel which, at the same time, is so beautifully and lyrically written. It links so cleverly to Sophie’s previous book, The Wild Way Home, whilst also being a stand-alone story. When two worlds collide, just as they did in Wild Way Home, the characters must support each other in order to survive. I adored the fiercely independent Mothgirl and the determined Dara who is trying to find his place in his world. Such a thrilling adventure, with emotional punch.

This is a really clever and touching story of two protagonists going through very different circumstances in different times who find their stories somehow intertwined.

I really enjoyed the drive behind each character and found myself rooting for them both for completely different reasons which was very refreshing.

The element around different times was handled really well, and the way they rub off on each other was great. There’s a lot of heart in this book and some ace messages around acceptance of oneself and overcoming fear. A copy of Sophie’s other story ‘The Wild Way Home’ is now also waiting on my tbr pile :-)

I had read the Wild Way Home and absolutely loved it, but it was a little bit heavy in terms of subject matter for Year 3 and 4, as it dealt with a parent dying. This book is equally as wonderful with a similar theme - I hadn't actually noticed but the two main characters are part of The Wild Way Home too. Instead of the modern day character travelling back to the Stone Age, here the prehistoric Mothgirl and her wolf companion end up with Dara, a 12 year old in the present day.

Dara is a thoughtfully described character who is living with a heart condition, unable to take part in all the physical activities he wants to, and looking forward to the day of his big operation. The anticipation, fear and anger are all vividly depicted and would help any reader empathise with him. The book switches between his story and that of Mothgirl, a girl of the same age living with her ailing father and waiting for her brother to return from hunting. Her family are struggling without her brother, and it looks like she is going to have to join the Vulture Clan. However, she is a keen hunter herself, and does not want to marry into the clan with their fixed ideas of women's roles. I really enjoyed both sections, and it was very satisfying when the two characters met. Dara wants to help Mothgirl but, scared, she tries to swim away, forcing him to row across to Rathlin Island and save her.

The Way to Impossible Island is a classic time-slip novel, and would be a great class reader for Year 3 upwards to link with learning about the Stone Age. The characterisation is great, as well as the descriptions of the landscape and natural world around them.

Having not read Sophie's previous outing, The Wild Way Home, I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into with this book, but I'm so glad I went into it with no opinions or expectations, as I was extremely pleasantly surprised!

The Way to Impossible Island follows Dara, who was born with a heart condition and has been waiting for his Big Operation his entire life. Dara has lots of big dreams, including rowing out to the mysterious island across the way all by himself in search of the Golden Hare. But when angry Dara finds a girl wearing animal skins hiding in the boat shed, his adventure takes a whole different turn. Can Dara and Mothgirl both find what they're looking for on Lathrin Island?

A timeslip story is a tricky one to do, but Sophie manages it with such beauty and grace. It's lovely to see how Mothgirl and Dara learn from each other and the journeys they both take inside themselves, in addition to the physical journey they embark on together. The story has so much heart and soul, and I never thought I'd find myself caring so much about a pet wolf, but here we are! If you like stories that make the impossible, possible, The Way to Impossible Island is definitely for you.

I read 'The Wild Way Home' earlier this year and absolutely loved it so when I heard about Sophie Kirtley's new book, I couldn't wait to lay my hands on it. It has now become one of the best books I've read in 2021 and Sophie Kirtley catapulted herself to the pantheon of my favourite writers.

'The Way to Impossible Island' centres around two characters we met in the previous book - Mothgirl and Dara Merriam. They are no longer babies though but twelve summers old now. And this time we are given a chance to fully get to know both of the characters as the story is told from two perspectives.

Dara is impatiently waiting for his Big Operation. Things will finally change after that. He will finally be able to have adventures. He will finally be nor-mill... He has it all planned - after the Big Op, he will row out to Lathrin Island, all by himself. But then the op is postponed. Dara realises that his dreams and hopes were stupid and impossible. He's had enough of wishing, hoping and waiting. It was time to act.

Mothgirl watches her father with worried eyes as she realises his strength is fading. Her brother, Hart, has gone to the hunting grounds and Mothgirl is beginning to doubt he'll be back before it's time to move camp to the lake-lands. And if that wasn't enough, the Vulture wants Mothgirl for his son. To Mothgirl's horror, her Pa doesn't seem to oppose the idea. As usual his words are : 'Some things are done and some things are simply not the way.' But Mothgirl is not ready to accept the way of men. She has a better idea...

'The Way to Impossible Island' is a story about facing your fears, choosing your path, being in charge of your destiny and about what it means to be nor-mill.

'The Way to Impossible Island' is a heartfelt story, beautifully written and brimming with lyricism. The language of the story is deeply rooted in the natural world and is in perfect symbiosis with the characters. Sophie Kirtley's writing voice is truly unique and I cannot wait to read more of her books.
I marvelled, I laughed and I cried when I read 'The Way to Impossible Island'. For this book, I give thanks...

(Thank you to @netgalley and @bloomsburychildrens for the ARC. I loved it so much that I bought my own beautiful copy with a gorgeous book cover by Ben Mantle.)

Another great book from Sophie Kirtley about an era you don't read many children's books from!

Time-slip adventures are always fun stories to read and this one combined Dara from modern-day times and Moth from prehistoric times. Dara has been born with a heart condition that limits what he is able to do and what his parents will allow him to do so one day when the frustration gets too much, he runs off to the fabled Lathrin Island and there he meets Moth, a young girl who lived in the same area centuries before.

It was a fantastic story packed with friendship, adventure and finding yourself - I really enjoyed it and have no doubt that children will love learning about the past while imagining what it would be like to meet someone from another time.

The Way to Impossible Island is a stunning, action-packed timeslip adventure linking the past to the present in such an exciting and mesmerising way. It wholeheartedly captured me from the peril in the opening chapter to the wonderfully uplifting ending, transporting me into a richly evocative landscape with the most wonderful characters.
If you have already read Sophie’s first book, The Wild Way Home, then you will adore the links to characters in this story; however, this can certainly be read as a standalone although I’m certain you’ll want to pick up The Wild Way Home immediately after reading this if you haven’t already read it.
The story switches between two viewpoints: Dara, who lives in the present, and Mothgirl who travels from the Stone Age to the present where both meet in a bid to fulfil personal goals and, in so doing, help and support each other whilst becoming firm friends.
The story opens with Mothgirl whose older brother, Hart, has gone missing. Her home is under threat from the menacing and frightening leader of Vulture Clan who is intent on having Mothgirl join his clan where she will be expected to conform to the expectations for women of the clan. However, Mothgirl is wonderfully free-spirited, strong-willed and determined to carve her own destiny so runs into the forest with her wolf, ByMySide, with whom she has a heartfelt bond which is such a vital part of the story, and one that I adored. She is intent on finding her brother and saving her home from Vulture and, after an intriguing discovery by her wolf, they find themselves in a very changed landscape …
Dara is on holiday on the mainland close to Lathrin Island, a place he is determined to row to after his Big Operation in order to investigate the legend of the Golden Hare, but his dreams are shattered when his operation is delayed yet again, a delay that acts as a catalyst to propel Dara into making a decision to fulfil his goal to visit Lathrin Island, to go on an adventure beyond the mainland …
Whilst getting a boat to row across to the island, he finds a frightened girl wearing animal skins who desperately tries to escape by swimming to the island which forces Dara to overcome his fears and rescue her, leading both on the most incredible adventure, an adventure filled with danger, discovery and courage.
I adore the setting of this story and the appreciation of the natural environment. Lathrin Island is an anagram of Rathlin Island off the North Coast of Northern Ireland, and, I believe, was the inspiration for the imagined island. Even though I went to University in Coleraine and my sister lives there, I have yet to visit Rathlin Island, but now I really, really want to. My sister’s partner kayaks a lot off the coast of Northern Ireland and has visited and tempted me with wonderful pictures of beautiful wild landscapes and animals including seals and puffins.
This is a story of searching for the possible in the face of seeming impossibilities, of accepting who you are and believing in yourself. Both children initially feel trapped, helpless and frustrated by their situations, but both have the courage to take action, action which leads them into an incredible adventure. I loved the sense of empowerment felt by both Dara and Mothgirl as their belief in themselves, and each other, reveals their inner strength and determination to fulfil their goals, despite the hardships they both face. Whilst wary of each other at first, they form a wonderful empathetic bond of friendship, working together to fight for survival and face their fears.
This is an exhilarating and heartfelt adventure where the ancient past and present day meet through the hopes and fears of the most remarkable young characters who find each other at just the right time … an unforgettable story of friendship, family and acceptance.

Loved this book from start to finish, so much so that I couldn’t put it down and completed it in 1 sitting. A must for any upper primary aged children.

Dara is frustrated, waiting for his big operation to repair his damaged heart. All his life he has read stories about Lathrin Island and the magical creatures who live there.

Mothgirl wants her older brother to return to their little family clan in order to protect them all from the evil Vulture. She sets off to Lathrin in order to search for him.

This is a follow up to The Wild Way Home. The first story focused on Charlie and Hart, but now it is the turn of their younger siblings. The other difference is that this time they meet in the present, which doesn’t work nearly as well. It is not clear how Mothgirl travels to the future, nor how she returns to the Stone Age. I love the way Mothgirl uses language to describe things, such as the sky high hut and food deerskins, referring to something familiar to describe something new when she doesn’t have the right word. I also liked the message about being yourself and not striving or longing to be someone different.

I was really looking forward to reading this sequel as I absolutely loved The Wild Way Home, but I found it disappointing.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like that although this is a sequel, using characters we knew of as babies in The Wild Way Home, it works brilliantly as a standalone novel. I love that we got to get to know Mothga and Dara. Their struggles reflect those of Children all over the world, wanting to prove that they don't need other people. This is an adventure story, but also a story of friendship, hope and impossible things.

Beautiful. This is storytelling as wild and warm and wonderful as children deserve.

A lyrical joy of a time-hop tale where the stone age meets modernity and two very different children help each other on a journey of self-discovery & impossible truths.
🌿🌊

In another time-slip adventure story, Dara is waiting for a major heart operation in the present whilst Mothgirl is finding her place in her clan and realising her gender will affect her future role in the past. When Dara gets frustrated due to his operation getting postponed and decides to head to Lathrin Island, he meets Mothgirl. Is she really from the Stone Age? Will they find a way to connect, communicate and help each other?

When I heard Sophie had written The Way to Impossible Island, I was so excited as I thoroughly enjoyed The Wild Way Home last year, which followed the time-slip adventures of Charlie and Harby. I hadn’t connected the link between the books as I hadn’t seen the names of the characters in this book until I read another review so I got straight onto NetGalley immediately. It is so thrilling to return to the Merriam family but this time baby Dara in the first novel is now 12 years old. I think it’s such a clever idea to return to familiar characters yet they’ve become unfamiliar with this time jump. He is a fascinating character: a young boy frustrated with his life always having to be controlled by others. His determination to become a new person after the Big Op would certainly be a good discussion point in a classroom and the discoveries he makes through his journey with Mothgirl are a joy to read.

Mothgirl became one of my favourite characters of 2021 instantly. Also 12 summers old, she is a strong female character struggling to reconcile her future aspirations with the likelihood of what the reality will actually be. Vulture’s clan and their assault on her family home provide the menacing role of the story but they also indicate how things will go if she becomes subservient. The grief she feels for her missing brother is also sensitively handled and really resonated with me. Another reason I loved Mothgirl was her loving relationship to ByMySide and how they support each other.

Dealing with these themes could make this quite a dark read. However, Sophie has a superb skill of being able to mix the sadder moments with comedy. I loved Harby and Charlie’s conversations in the first book and the exchanges in this book are equally comical – in particular Mothgirl’s fear of wearing the deerskins (yellow wellies) ‘My foot like a na-na!’ I’ll let you find out what a water-poo-tosh is!

There are two tense, edge of your seat moments which I also must highlight. The dramatic journey crossing the Big Water on the boat to Lathrin Island had me biting my nails constantly along with the journey through the tunnel in Smugglers’ Bay. I really loved how the words on the page really conveyed that sinking feeling through their layout and size on the pages in the water.

Whether you’ve read The Wild Way Home or not, you’ll be able to understand The Way to Impossible Island. It is a magical, heartwarming adventure of friendship through time with plenty of excitement mixed with laugh-out-loud moments. I’ll leave you with an extract which really resonated with me and will stay with me for a long time: ‘Maybe there was more to real life than he ever could plan for. Maybe stuff he didn’t expect or even imagine was waiting around every corner. Good stuff. Bad stuff. Strange, amazing, scary stuff. No one ever knew. There was no map. There were no answers.’

Two worlds collide in this heartfelt, inspiring story of owning who you are and asserting that “normal is not the way”. Questions of “What is normal?” and “Who is actually normal?” weave their way through the pages as Dara and Mothgirl help each other to love themselves and what the future holds.

It is wonderful to meet Dara again – Charlie’s little baby from The Wild Way Home. Now 12 years old, we find out more about Dara’s heart condition and the challenges he has had to face because of it. Charlie has clearly been a caring older sibling, reading stories and cheering Dara on.

Life isn’t easy for Dara. Waiting for the “Big Op” means taking life slowly, feeling ill and not being able to do the things he wants to do. His dream of visiting Lathrin Island and searching for the legendary Golden Hare is slipping away because he’s forced to be sensible and avoid all the things his parents say are “not a good idea.”

Good idea or not, Dara decides to take his life into his own hands and sneaks out to row across to the island. There he meets Mothgirl who seems to be from the Stone Age. She has her own challenges with a father who’s ill, a brother who has gone missing and an expectation to become someone she doesn’t want to be.

Despite coming from completely different times and experiences, Dara and Mothgirl understand each other. What follows is an exciting story of adventure and survival. As they face danger together, they realise that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing for this action-packed, powerful story!

Mothgirl lives in Stone Age England with her father and their dwindling tribe; her brother is missing and she misses him terribly, especially when Vulture, the leader of another nearby tribe, arrives to try to take Mothgirl for his son. Meanwhile, in modern day England, Dara is struggling to live the life he wants to, due to a heart condition that leaves him breathless whenever he exerts himself. After a day at the beach, he is told that his 'big op' will have to be postponed again until he is well enough, and this is the final straw for him. Leaving a 'do not disturb' sign on his bedroom door, he sets out to venture to Lathrin Island alone, a journey he promised himself he would make once he was better, but now feels he has to do, to prove to himself he can. When Mothgirl and Dara's worlds collide in modern England, there are dangerous times ahead, but as they get to know each other, can Mothgirl and Dara help each other out?
I liked the dual narrative of this story, intertwining Mothgirl and Dara's stories perfectly and the fact that the story links to Sophie's first book, The Wild Way Home (Dara and Mothgirl are younger siblings of Charlie and Hart Boy) although can very easily be read as a stand-alone novel. The setting also worked very well - Mothgirl being transported into modern England, on the beach, allowed a different perspective on things to The Wild Way Home and I liked that.

The strong characters in the book will most definitely appeal to children as well as the way the pair communicated with each other - pronunciation of items like the water-poo-tosh make you think about the way we talk and how others must hear our words. I loved this aspect of the book in particular.

There is a tension that builds as the book progresses for many reasons (is Mothgirl actually here alone, will Dara be ok? How will Mothgirl get home?...) and it quickly became a book where I found myself saying, just one more chapter!

Publishing on the 8th July, this will make a brilliant read in the summer sunshine.

I was so excited to read this, having loved The Wild Way Home, and if anything I loved The Way to Impossible Island even more! Sophie Kirtley's writing is evocative, clever and funny, all at the same time (I especially liked 'water-poo-tosh'!) and the characters are warm and engaging with lots at stake. Dara and Mothgirl's friendship defies both time and language, just as Charlie and Hart Boy's did in The Wild Way Home, yet offers them both respite from and new understanding of their individual challenges. A real gem of a book that brings the Stone Age vividly to life.

The Way to Impossible Island is an interesting book with interesting chapter titles, which had me wondering for a long time about their meaning. This is the story of a boy called Dara who is waiting for a big op that has been postponed again. Leaving home he meets with mothgirl and together they have an adventure to and into Lathrin Island.
This is one of those books that once you get into the story then you won't want to put it down.
If you have any interest in reading a story with stone age character then this is the story for you. What would you ask them if you met them?

The Way to Impossible Island is one of my favourite reads this year. Sophie Kirtley has struck gold again with a heart-warming clash between the Stone Age and modern times. I absolutely adored this book, even more so than its predecessor The Wild Way Home.

Fans of the series will be familiar with the two main characters, Dara and Mothgirl. The Way to Impossible Island returns to the world of Charlie and Hart Boy, twelve years after they first collided. This time the main characters are their younger siblings, who we join on an adventure to discover who they really are and what they are capable of. Although this is another time-slip adventure, it works as a standalone novel. It retains all the heart and wonder of the first book, The Wild Way Home.

Sophie’s writing style is incredible: warm, totally unique and filling the reader with a sense of contemplation and wonder. She deals with big issues sensitively and encourages the reader to learn and reflect alongside the characters. I cannot wait to share this book with my class - I know they will love it every bit as much as I do. This would be wonderful for any class studying the Stone Age, particularly.

I really like the cover art for this book. It evokes strong imagery for the story straight away. It’s a fantastic cover.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book and I haven’t yet read the ‘The Wild Way Home’. I believe that you can read this book as a stand alone book, and having done so I would love to revisit the characters and read more about Mothgirl’s relationship with her brother.

I really enjoyed the incredibly descriptive chapters when Mothgirl and Dara are aboard the ‘Peagreen’ boat.
‘Lifted together, and swung, and heaved’..
‘Lifted together, and swung, and heaved’.. I could really feel and sense the movement evoked by the words of the boat and the effort needed to drive it through the sea. I felt quite out of breath reading the text and rooting for their success.

I love the names of the characters in this story. I enjoyed how the two characters names changed based upon the hearing and pronunciation of them. Mothgirl’s wolf is named ‘ByMySide’ (I would love to own a dog and name him after this character:What a beautiful name!) I became quite emotional reading about Mothgirl’s special relationship with him.

This book is a fantastic exploration of two completely different characters, Stone Age Mothgirl and modern day Dara, who meet unexpectedly. The effect they have on each other’s lives is profound and Dara’s growth as a result is remarkable.

I really enjoyed this book, it evoked lots of imagery and emotions in me. I will look forward to reading more books by Sophie Kirtley.