The bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series embarks on a thrilling sixth adventure as Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat climb aboard the night train to Narvik, travelling to the Arctic Circle to see the northern lights for Christmas.But as their train leaves Stockholm, Hal and Uncle Nat realize they're being followed by a sinister figure, and Hal's powers of observation are tested when Uncle Nat's past comes back to haunt him. This month I picked up books two and three: Kidnap on the California Comet and Murder on the Safari Star, but before I get to those, I'll first briefly recap book one. Leonard & Sam Sedgman, PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities that follow a fast-paced adventure on board a royal train thats full of mystery and mayhem, creative writing opportunities including poetry, monologues and newspaper articles, researching the development of transportation, creating maps, diagrams and train timetables, researching Scotland, learning about sound waves and more. Illustrator: Brett Helquist. I love adventure books. WINNER of the 2020 Woman & Home Magazine Book Award for Best Childrens Adventure Story. The Highland Falcon is probably one of my top five books that Ive read. No. Journeying into the never ending night of the arctic winter, our railway detectives must outsmart an assassin in their most chilling adventure yet, in which nothing is as it seems. A mysterious letter from an old friend asks Hal and Uncle Nat to help investigate a spooky supernatural mystery. She is a beetle expert and lives in Brighton with her husband and two sons. Ive written about the Highland Falcon before, which is why Ive been invited back. He stared along the length of the train to the plumes of dove-gray smoke dancing about the engines funnel. Ive told him to give you space when you need to work.Uncle Nat was a travel writer, and hed agreed to bring Hal along with him on a work trip, while Beverly Beck went to the hospital to have the baby.Absolutely. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. CHAPTER ONETICKET TO RIDEHarrison Beck pulled a pen from the pocket of his yellow jacket, deftly turning it over his index finger so it was nib down, and began to draw in the central margin of the newspaper spread across the table. Things get even more interesting when the royal prince and princess board for the last leg of the journeybecause the princess's diamond necklace is soon stolen and replaced with a fake! I love this book because of the type of style and mystery that can happen in this book is really interesting, this book is definitely for me because I love finding out mysteries and solving mysteries and once I get down to say the last 30 pages I just have to read it in one go. As a bit of a train fan I really enjoyed how the novel balanced telling an engaging tale alongside accurate and interesting facts about steam engines and rail travel. Similar books by other authors: Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes? However, when an expensive brooch is stolen, Hal realises that maybe this trip won't be as boring as he previously thought. This book is always very popular in our library so I decided to give it a try. Ill be blowing my whistle in seven minutes.Thank you, Graham. Uncle Nat saluted.A lightning storm of camera flashes blinded Hal as they hurried back along the platform. It jumped up and licked his face.Heel! shouted the dog handler, and the dogs scrabbled back to him. Billionaire train enthusiast August Reza has invited Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat on the maiden voyage of the Solar Express the winning design of his Rezas Rocket competition. This picture book is set on the last journey of the royal train known as The Highland Falcon and is the latest title in the Adventures on Trains series. I often dreamed about becoming the driver of a steam locomotiveuntil I realised that steam locomotives aren't widely used any more and I couldn't really make a living driving them. Last summer, I thoroughly enjoyed The Highland Falcon Thief. He works on the Caledonian Sleeper. You really engage with Hal as a main character and the plotting was well thought out and executed. Clinging to his arm was a curvaceous red-haired woman with a fake tan. I cant wait to get the next one. Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli. Come onlets look her right in the face.The proud engine was a burnished claret, its roof a brilliant white. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, a contemporary detective story set aboard a Royal train taking its final journey around Great Britain. Ned moved his collection into Tony's "pad . Im ready.A crowd of people were gathered by the platform entrance, jostling for position.Lets not dawdle on the red carpet, Uncle Nat said, striding toward them. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. The illustrations are brilliant and I love how they are portrayed as Hals own drawings. It had amazing illustrations and an amazing and very funny plot! To the engine! As they marched along the platform, Uncle Nat threw out his hand. This is a great book for anyone who likes mystery, trains or adventure. Rating: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository Content Tags: Middle Grade Perfect for readers who want: Fun facts about trains. The piercing sound of a whistle made them all look up.Thirty-four minutes past, said Ernest White, checking his watch and tutting. It could only be one person. Im trying to convince my reluctant eleven-year-old reader to give it a try in order to see how quickly he can solve the case! Harrison Beck, or Hal as he prefers to be called, isn't exactly pleased when his parents send him off with his uncle Nat, a travel writer, on a long train journey. His shoulders rolled forward, and his navy plaid shirt was tucked into his brown-belted chinos, underlining his overhanging belly.Uncle Nat turned to Hal, his eyes twinkling. I really liked this book, It was a very interesting story about a mistry jewel 5thief. No way! Hal couldnt wait to tell his best friend, Ben, about this. In The Highland Falcon Thief: Adventures on Trains #1, a middle-grade series starter from MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman, a young boy is swept up in an investigation to uncover the perpetrator of a jewel theft. Close encounters with the amazing animals and landscape of Southern Africa are adventure enough, but things get mysterious when a passenger is found dead inside a locked compartment. Im a travel writer, but my specialty is trains. I dont like trains. As the passengers begin to turn on each other, Hal vows to get to the bottom of the mysterybefore the train gets to the end of the line. Beautifully illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. Leonard and Sam Sedgman with illustrations by Elisa Paganelli. Last summer, I thoroughly enjoyed The Highland Falcon Thief.This was book one in a new middle-grade series titled Adventures on Trains and written by M.G. This book is a super fun novel with mystery,steam trains, and Samoyeds. But when the daughter of billionaire entrepreneur August Reza goes missing en route, Hal finds himself with another mystery to solve. . Author: Sally Nicholls I would definitely recommend this book to young people who age from 8 to 12! Leonard is the internationally bestselling author of the 'Battle of the Beetles' trilogy and the non-fiction companion, 'The Beetle Collector's Handbook'. Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are enjoying the final journey of the Highland Falcon, Britain's most famous steam train. The protagonist of the book is Harrison (or 'Hal') Beck, an 11-year old boy with a great talent for drawing. Rights have been sold in Albania, Catalan, China, Czech, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spanish, Sweden and Turkey. Look at that veranda. His uncle pointed the tip of his umbrella at a platform extending from the observation car. Home / Unfortunately, the plot was very predictable and I had figured out who was behind the kidnapping by chapter two (impressively, my husband instantly and correctly guessed who was behind the crime from just my vague description of the plot, without even reading the book) but this assumes an adult perspective and I doubt that many readers from the books middle-grade target audience would figure it out nearly as quickly, if at all. There are more coming out. 'Beetle Boy' won the Branford Boase award and has been translated into thirty-seven languages worldwide. The recently married Prince and Princess (heavily implied to be Harry Windsor and Meghan Markle, particularly ironic given recent events) also join the train about halfway through the book. On his first day aboard the train, Hal meets an interesting young stowaway. Interest age: 9-11 . British Book Awards Book of the Year, Children's Fiction Praise for The Highland Falcon Thief:"M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman bring the classic mystery on a train bang up to date with a carriage-load of wit and suspense." Even the most squeamish will be charmed." Australian child genius Boaz won with his hybrid locomotive, driven by hydrogen fuel cells and solar power. This series of four books is based on a real train or route, from the historic to the ultra-modern, to create a classic-feeling mystery adventure series for thrill-seekers, code breakers, I love this book so much! I met her recently at the Duchess of Kents gala. ." As the train wends its way from London to Scotland, some priceless jewellery goes missing. Here are the instructions of how to enable JavaScript in your browser. You having a great holiday with me and coming back with stories to tell her while she recovers. This is combined with a very interesting, well-paced story so that, even if you aren't a massive train nerd, I guarantee that you'll still enjoy the book. The third Adventures on Trains book Murder on the Safari Star moves the action to the African continent with a journey from Pretoria in South Africa through Zimbabwe and ending in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls. With coal. Uncle Nat waved him forward. Each of these characters (with the possible exception of uncle Nat and Ernest White), has something to hide, which really adds to the almost Agatha Christie-like feel of the book. The Highland Falcon Thief is a fast-paced adventure story, packed will illustrations, puzzles and clues for readers to help solve the mystery themselves. After the excitement of his adventures aboard the Highland Falcon Thief, Harrison Beck can't wait for the opportunity to go on another amazing train journey. Leonard did an absolutely incredible job depicting the Highland Falcon both as a whole and down to its individually wonderful train cars like the library, the game room and the observatory to name a . Dont worry about us. Uncle Nat placed a careful hand on his sisters bump. Board the California Comet and help Harrison Beck to solve another heart-stopping mystery in the second Adventures on Trains story, Kidnap on the California Comet, from bestselling authors M.G. Check prices, read reviews or buy from Waterstones. Youve grown since Christmas, Harrison. Legend has it the Kratzensteins, a family of rich and powerful railway tycoons, are cursed, but there is no such thing as a curse, is there . As the title suggests, the crime in the third Adventures on Trains book is more violent than in either of the two previous books but it is written in such a way as to be appropriate for its middle-grade audience. Exquisite ironwork. She ran the tips of her fingers through his ash-blond hair. Sign in to access our entire video and resource library. The French translation of The Highland Falcon Thief has won Switzerland's prestigious Prix Enfantaisie 2022! Uncle Nat pressed a white rectangle into his hand.Are you ready, Harrison? His voice was soft, like Hals moms.Hal glanced over his shoulder, then looked up at his uncle and nodded. There are lots of interesting characters on board, including a prince and princess (William and Kate? The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. I absolutely adored this one. Lauren St. John, author of Kat Wolfe Investigates"A runaway romp of a read." He had salami for arms and chipolata fingers.I dont believe it, Ernest White hissed. Sign up to our newsletters full of updates, activities, ways to support us and fun ideas to inspire children to read. This month I picked up books two and three: Kidnap on the California Comet and Murder on the Safari Star, but before I get to those, Ill first briefly recap book one. The BulletinPraise for Beetle Boy:"Debut novelist Leonard gives readers a rare glimpse into the world of insects, mixing adventure, mystery, and science to create a story that's much more than just a novel about bugs. He herded them through the carriage, following Lady Lansbury.I wonder what their names are, Hal said.Thats Baron Wolfgang Essenbach, Uncle Nat said, and his youngest son, Milo.Hal thought his uncle had meant the dogs, until an imposing man with dark, gray-streaked hair wearing a midnight-blue waistcoat stepped onto the train. Alex and Ruby hurtle back in time to 1912 when they topple through the ornate mirror of their great-aunt's house. The first book in the 'Adventures on Trains' series, it is a mystery set on the final tour of a steam train, the 'Highland Falcon', round Britain. This rip-roaring time-slip novel has a fast-paced plot and entertaining characters. Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. What will make your mom happy is knowing that youre happy. This emergency (much . It's up to Hal, his keen observation, and his skill as a budding sketch artist to uncover the real jewel thief, clear his friend's name, and return the diamond necklace before The Highland Falcon makes its last stop. Published 30 January 2020, The Highland Falcon Thief is a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. Kirkus Reviews"Fans of madcap adventures and anthropomorphised sidekicks will enjoy this fast-paced series opener." But something suspicious is happening on board the Safari Star and when a passenger is found mysteriously killed inside a locked compartment, it's up to Hal, along with his new friend Winston and his pet Mongoose, Chipo, to solve the murder mystery. Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next of the series. .? The Highland Falcon Thiefis published by Pan Macmillan in the UK and America. If youre teaching a KS2 topic on North America, Kidnap on the California Comet provides lots of great jumping-off points. The compelling tale is complemented throughout by wonderful black-and-white drawings, which bring the characters and vintage steam train to life. I was so intrigued by some of the terminology and train information that I researched water troughs and watched videos of the action! It's up to Hal, his keen observation, and his skill as a budding sketch artist to uncover the real jewel thief, clear his friend's name, and return the diamond necklace before The Highland Falcon makes its last stop. Shes very special. He gave himself a little shake. I'm told it's quite a rarity for this award to be presented to a book in translation, which just goes to show what a brilliant job . Lets go to the observation car and wave Kings Cross goodbye.Text copyright 2020 by M. G. Leonard and Sam SedgmanIllustrations copyright 2020 by Elisa Paganelli, The Highland Falcon Thief: Adventures on Trains #1. He said hed meet us here at five. Compare yourself against athletes in your district, your state, or the nation. He pulled it from his pocket and shouted into the phone. Leonard and Sam Sedgman with illustrations by Elisa Paganelli. M.G. 95 Ditchling Road, Brighton, England, BN1 4ST, United Kingdom. I was also thrilled to see that two more as yet untitled books are in the pipeline for 2022, set in Australia and Norway respectively. Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from bestselling authors M.G. You could get a free audio download of The Highland Falcon Thief by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman with a 30-day Audible free trial at Amazon.co.uk. My one quibble is with the illustrations, as while they're very charming, they are not wholly accurate to the tale - for example, dogs described as samoyeds in the text look like a completely different breed, and outfits are illustrated differently to how they are described. I thought it was amazing. An astonishing number of pearl necklaces hung around her neck, draping over her tweed hunting jacket. This is an okay book which reveals clues as the story moves on. . I was recommend this book to 8-13-year-olds but I think anyone who will read this book will really enjoy it especially if they like mysteries. Hear whispers in the dining car, find notes in the library, and unknown passengers among the luggage as you help Harrison to solve the mystery aboard one of the world's grandest trains. The Highland Falcon Thief reads very much like a middle-grade Agatha Christie with all our suspects cooped up together within the confines of the train. Your review has been submitted successfully, thank you. Here, take Grandads Saint Christopher for good luck. Hal is determined to discover the truth and teams up with his new friend Winston (and his pet Mongoose Chipo) to get to the bottom of things. but without children! Overall, this is an excellent start to a series, and a must-read for train enthusiasts and mystery lovers. The air was heavy with furniture polish.What are you staring at? Uncle Nat asked.Hal pointed out the window. Every birthday and Christmas, he begged for one, but his parents always refused. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. WINNER of the 2020 Woman & Home Magazine Book Award for Best Childrens Adventure Story. Not working, I hope? Uncle Nat sank into the armchair opposite Ernest.Lord, no. Leonard & Sam Sedgman, PERFECT FOR: Students aged 9+; themes including travel, adventure, the Arctic Circle, Northern Lights, The Stockholm Metro, and more, BOOK:Adventures on Trains by M.G. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things are suddenly a lot more interesting. This story was exciting and very readable and I can see why it is so frequently in demand! Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are enjoying the final journey of the Highland . But during the journey from Alice Springs to Darwin, someone onboard sabotages the train, hurtling passengers into a heart-stopping thrill-ride across the Australian Outback. School Library Journal"If I didn't already devote most of my waking hours to beetles, reading this book would make me want to . A breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. ), a stowaway - and a jewel thief! Hal felt the urge to pull out his pen and draw the engine, but he had no paper.You would have to look for a long time to find an engine more impressive and downright beautiful than this one. Uncle Nat walked toward the nose of the train and laid his hand on it, patting it as if it were a horse.Copying his uncle, Hal laid his hand on the metal casing and was surprised to find it was warm and vibrating. Weve time, dont we?If youre quick, sir.Well be back in two winks of a moles eye. Uncle Nat put a hand on Hals back and steered him away from the dining car. One photograph is never enough for those beasts. She disappeared through the door at the other end of the carriage, leaving the man with her dogs struggling to get them onto the train unassisted.Theyre Samoyeds! Hal said excitedly, holding out his hand to the closest one, who promptly licked it.The dogs fluffy white tails wagged as they poked their noses into corners, seeking interesting smells. Please share on: Facebook, Twitter and When Hal reluctantly accompanies his Uncle Nat on the final journey of the Highland Falcon, an iconic royal steam train, he is anticipating a dull, uneventful trip - but Lenny, the train drivers daughter, is a huge rail enthusiast and has stowed away, determined not to miss the experience of a lifetime. Do as your uncle says, and well see you in four days.Were going to have fun. Uncle Nat picked up his suitcase, hooked his umbrella over his arm, and took hold of Hals hand. THE HIGHLAND FALCON THIEF (Adventures on Trains, 1) by Elisa Paganelli (Author) (940) In The Highland Falcon Thief: Adventures on Trains #1, a middle-grade series starter from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, a young boy is swept up in an investigation to uncover the perpetrator of a jewel theft. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Eleven-year-old Harrison (Hal) Beck is being sent away for a few days with his Uncle Nathaniel, a well-respected travel writer, and steam train enthusiast. Soon after, the kids figure out that a notorious jewel thief who has been stealing from the rich and famous must be among the guests. He hadnt said goodbye properly. But during the journey from Alice Springs to Darwin, someone onboard sabotages the train, hurtling passengers into a heart-stopping thrill-ride across the Australian Outback. Instagram. In the latter sense, the High Plains may be said to cover the northernmost Panhandle of Texas, northeastern New Mexico, eastern Colorado, and westernmost Kansas. Liked it? Are you excited about our steam-powered adventure?Hal shook his uncles hand and nodded, but he wasnt going to say yes, because that would be a lie. Hes an interesting man.Hal made a face. Hal saw chestnut herringbone trousers with a crisp vertical crease. Kidnap on the California Comet is the second outing for twelve-year-old Hal and his travel journalist uncle Nat and, unsurprisingly, sees them head to the United States. Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from bestselling authors M.G. When eleven-year-old Harrison "Hal" Beck is forced to accompany his travel-writer uncle on the last journey of a royal train, he expects a boring trip spent away from video games and . He was seated at one of the tables reading a newspaper through half-moon spectacles. Ride into danger with Hal and Uncle Nat on the fifth breathtaking Adventures on Trains Mystery, Sabotage on the Solar Express, from bestselling award-winners M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. It's so gripping - I read it in one day!!! Hal and Nat take the night train to Berlin and go undercover. Highlands Trail Guide Introduction 10/19/20 Major HT reroute between Black Rock Forest and Schunemunk State Park: Due to the closure of trails across Metro North RR at Schunemunk Mountain State Park and the resulting road walk which had grown to 4.6 miles to get to the new trail head, the Highlands Trail has been rerouted between Black Rock Forest and Schunemunk Mountain. But as their train leaves Stockholm, Hal and Uncle Nat realize they're being followed by a sinister figure, and Hal's powers of observation are tested when Uncle Nat's past comes back to haunt him. The streamlined nose of the loco dipped like a hawks beak. First stop is The Highland Falcon Thief, a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. All rights reserved. Publisher: Macmillan. First stop, The Highland Falcon Thief, a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. Journeying into the never-ending night of the arctic winter, our railway detectives must outsmart an assassin in their most chilling adventure yet, in which nothing is as it seems. Privacy Policy. They knew Id want to say goodbye to her. All-aboard for the third amazing journey in the bestselling Adventures on Trains series from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated throughout by Elisa Paganelli.Uncle Nat is taking Hal on the journey of a lifetime on a Safari Train from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. But during the journey, they discover the train has been sabotaged, hurtling passengers into a heart-stopping, action-packed, thrill ride across the Australian Outback.