Waterstones Children's Book of the Month September 2021

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The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre

Clare Povey

Age: 9+

RRP  £7.99

Series: The Bastien Bonlivre Adventures

The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre

Age 9+

RRP  £7.99

Purchase info

The open door felt like an invitation, or a trap. Bastien wasn't sure which, but with no other choice, he stepped inside...and hoped he'd make it out again alive.

Bastien Bonlivre is a boy with a big imagination, determined to finish the story his parents started, left to him in a red notebook.

On the other side of Paris, bestselling author Olivier Odieux is struggling to complete his latest novel. Along with his villainous brothers, he is masterminding his greatest plot yet...one that will spread fear throughout the city and beyond.

What connects these two stories is a dangerous secret, a hidden mystery and an unexpected race across Paris for the truth. Can Bastien and his friends Alice, Theo and Sami be brave enough to stop Olivier stealing the ending they deserve?

A classic adventure story about friendship, hope, bravery and the power of imagination.

A charming and bookish tale of friendship, villainy and the power of stories
Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander
A love letter to all things bookish
The I
Extent:
352 pages
Dimensions:
197.9 x 143.6mm
Paperback ISBN:
9781474986489
Lexile:
820L
Key Stage:
KS2
Publication Date:
September 2021
Work Reference:
05997
Clare Povey

Clare Povey is an author, avid language learner and the proud owner of four Blue Peter badges.
She wanted to be a marine biologist when she was younger but found science difficult and so decided to create stories about the wonders of the natural world instead.

Her first novel for younger readers The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre was a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month and was inspired by her time studying French at university and living in Lille.

She has dealt with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) her entire life and now writes stories about characters who have adventures and are forever curious about the world, despite their intrusive thoughts.

Find out more about Clare Povey

A love letter to all things bookish

The I

A really fun read with plenty of Parisian mystery and shades of Lemony Snicket in its dastardly villainy.

Peter Bunzl, author of Cogheart

A charming and bookish tale of friendship, villainy and the power of stories

Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander

An absolutely delightful French mystery with plenty of tension and suspense alongside wonderful friendships.

L.D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

A delightful literary mystery with a dastardly villain to boot! Perfect for fans of Peter Bunzl and Katherine Rundell.

Christopher Edge, author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright

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