It’s 1910, and orphaned English girl Maia is excited when distant relatives agree to take her into their home on the Amazon River. She finds herself surrounded by a rich and vivid world that’s alive with tantalising colours and scents, but she is shut off from it, as her relatives live in a sterile, starched bubble where decorum must be maintained and there’s no space for joy or adventure. But Maia’s longing for connection and her optimism and kindness lead her on a fantastic journey, facing dastardly villains with new-found friends. 

The setting is gorgeous and immersive and the well-drawn characters jump off the page. This book makes a fantastic addition to an upper KS2 classroom and is beautifully written with plenty of pace and excitement.