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The Girl Who Walked On Air: 'The Queen of Historical Fiction at her finest.' Guardian

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The Girl Who Walked On Air: 'The Queen of Historical Fiction at her finest.' Guardian by Emma Carroll

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By Emma Carroll

avg rating

72 reviews

From the queen of historical fiction, The Girl Who Walked On Air by Emma Carroll is an enchanting historical adventure for ages 9-11.

Chipchase’s Circus, England, 1875

An abandoned baby . . .
A tightrope walker . . .
A deadly discovery . . .

Louie, who was abandoned at Chipchase’s Travelling Circus as a baby, dreams of becoming a ‘Showstopper’, but Mr Chipchase keeps her hidden, tucked away in the ticket booth. No Death-Defying Stunts for her. But Louie has been secretly practising her act – tightrope-walking – and dreams of being the Girl Who Walked on Air . . . she just needs to be given the chance to shine.

And the circus needs her too – Wellbeloved’s rival show is stealing their crowds. They need a Showstopper. Desperate, Mr Chipchase reluctantly lets Louie perform. She is a sensation, and gets an offer from the sinister Mr Wellbeloved himself to perform . . . over Niagara Falls. But nothing is quite as it seems and soon Louie’s bravery is tested not just on the highwire but in confronting her past and the shady characters in the world of the circus . . .

Fans of Frost Hollow Hall will love this epic adventure about following your dreams and becoming a showstopper!

‘An adventure of old-fashioned charm.’ The Sunday Times

‘Engaging and entertaining.’ Independent on Sunday

‘This book will keep you hooked as you let your imagination take flight.’ We Love This Book

‘This one ticks all the boxes – Emma Carroll is an author to watch.’ Books for Keeps

‘Historical fiction fans will love Emma Carroll’s The Girl Who Walked on Air.’ Sunday Express

‘Perfect for captivating the imagination of a developing reader.’ Mumsnet

Reviews

13 Aug 2024

This book was great as I loved how it was written and had a great storyline. I also liked how it was set 1875 and all about circuses as she set the scene really well and it felt magical.

21 Aug 2023

Another book sprouting from the roots of Emma's imagination.
But will it be enough to make children cry, out in horror?

14 Aug 2023

I like this book.

28 Aug 2022

It was interesting.
I really liked it. It's a story of Louie whos father is a Circus owner.
I liked Louie.
I would recommend.

02 Aug 2022

This book was AMAZING , my favorite charterer was pip the dog.

02 Aug 2022

It is an adventure story and it is about a girl who walks the tightrope
She has to be brave
Her name is Louie
Louie is my favorite character
This is for people who have big dreams

29 Jul 2022

This book is about Louise wanting to be a showstopper. Because she practised and was determined, she was able to achieve her dreams.

25 Jul 2022

I would recommend it to anyone it is really good.

21 Aug 2021

It has a really good plot with lots of twists and the main character, Louie, is very wives in my mind.

18 Aug 2021

Anyone who is interested in adventure secrets and puzzles we adore this book. It is a joy to read and is clearly well thought through. 10/10

24 Jul 2021

I really liked this book because although it had features from other books I’d read it was quite different .I also loved the dog and how you had a mix of emotions.

14 Jul 2021

I though it was quite good for a non-fiction book.
I think that the story would have been better if Gabriel was actually her brother in-law and they could put it at the end of the movie where louise meets her mum.
I read the blurb and I saw that the word NIAGRA FALLS was in bold and I had to read it because I knew Niagra Falls.

12 Jul 2021

I’d recommend this book to anyone. It’s an amazing story of adventure, bravery, loyalty and friendship set in a Victorian circus. The traditional tale of good over evil wins out and everything is tied up beautifully in a very satisfying ending.

11 Apr 2021

This was a very Interesting book showing ambitions and emotions that I would recommend to people aged 7-12.it shows the life of Louis rynalds who’s mum left her behind at the circus she dreams of performing on the tightrope like her inspiration blondin but first she has to face many challenges including finding out the truth about her mother and meeting new people

04 Jan 2021

I would recommend as it has dramatic events and surprising twists that keep the story interesting.

08 Sep 2020

I really liked this book because it was very gripping and I didn't want to stop reading my favourite character is Louie because she has a lot of courage and perservirence. I would recommend it to people who like adventure and mystery because this book is full of it.

08 Sep 2020

Brilliant

04 Sep 2020

I liked Louie Reynolds Mother and Louie Reynolds for her perseverance to become a tightrope walker and Gabriel for he was my favourite. It had facts about Niagra falls and it interested me when she found her mother. I would recommend it to anyone who loves circuses

03 Sep 2020

My favorite character is Louie - the girl who walked on air - because she's determined and brave. I would recommend this book to someone else because it's full of adventure, excitement and bravery.

02 Sep 2020

I loved this book so much!!! My favourite character is Louie because she has to face Mr Wellbeloved. GIRL POWER!!!! I would recommend this book to people age 10-14.

01 Sep 2020

Interesting story, loved the characters.

01 Sep 2020

A very good book that I read in 1 day! I loved it so much and it is about a girl standing up to a man. Girl Power!!! The girl, called Louie short for Louisa, finds her mother. I would recommend this book for people age 10-15.

29 Aug 2020

It was Ok.

17 Aug 2020

an ecxepsional read.

11 Aug 2020

This book will keep you on your toes throughout with plenty of twists you won't want to put it down. A thrilling story of a girl whose dream is to walk the tightrope. With cunning characters and amazing people with backgrounds you will never expect.

31 Jul 2020

I think that Louie is a great example because even though she was told that she was to young to walk the tightrope she kept on chasing her dreams and she ended up finding her mother. I would recommend this book because it is very inspirational.

30 Jul 2020

Some bits a scary if you are a wimp like me?I would recommend this for ten +. It was scary for me when some one fell of the traipse.

28 Jul 2020

Great. Well written.

23 Jul 2020

It’s a good book about a girls dream to tightrope walk across Niagra Falls

20 Jul 2020

The reason I like this book is because it is thrilling and mysterious. There are a lot of secrets and twists, especially at the end. My favourite character is Gabriel because I think he is a bit like me and he gets anxious and worried sometimes.Id recommend it to readers who are 10+.

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