Age 10+

Stoneheart is based on the ingenious idea of a parallel London in which actual statues come to life. The human statues — the spits — are good; the gargoyles, dragons and monsters — the taints — are terrifying and dangerous. George, escaping an unhappy school trip (and an unhappy home), finds himself in this “un-London” when he accidentally damages a gargoyle on the front of the Natural History Museum. This action adventure involves fearful fights and testing trails for George and for Edie, a damaged girl who shares his ability to see the moving statues invisible to most Londoners. It encompasses encounters with the noble Gunner from the Hyde Park Memorial; with twitching, verbose Dr Johnson outside the Royal Courts of Justice; and with a Minotaur from the labyrinth of the Barbican.

In 24 punishing hours, George not only comes to long for the safe misery of his ordinary life, but also learns his own strengths. Intelligently and elegantly written, with pace and suspense, varied and convincing dialogue, and big themes of loyalty, sacrifice and emotional growth, Stoneheart will make readers see London with new eyes

STONEHEART by Charlie Fletcher

(Hodder £10.99).

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