Saving Percy: A Longfield Hall Adventure

Percy is a puppy. He is the runt of the litter; the eighth and tiniest one to be born. Everyone thinks he is going to die but Poppy is not going to let him. Saving Percy tells the heart-warming story of how Poppy, against all the odds, saves his life. With the help of Arthur, a new found friend from the past, she ensures that Percy is loved and well cared for. As Percy grows and thrives so does the friendship between Poppy and Arthur as they get to know each other and share their adventures together. At the beginning of the story Poppy is missing her father, a soldier fighting overseas in Afghanistan in bomb-disposal. Her mother is always out working and her beloved dog Lulu is not able to play with her because of her pregnancy. She is worried about starting secondary school in September and is struggling to come to terms with the break down of her relationship with Emma, her best friend, who seems more interested in fashion and impressing the boys since Jessica, the new girl arrived at school. Arthur too has an absent father, a soldier, who is thought to be missing in action. Throughout the book we read the diary extracts of Major Alexander Farleigh who tell us of the suffering endured by those fighting during the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915. Together, Poppy and Arthur show great courage and resourcefulness in the face of obstacles thrown in their way. Will they ever be able to remain friends when the adventure is over? Will they accept their fate if they are kept apart by the century that seperates them? Will Arthur ever see his father again? What will happen to Percy? Their greatest enemy is not only time itself but the evil Uncle John whose advances towards Arthur's mother are less than honorable and calculated to make Arthur the unhappiest boy in the world. This gripping tale is packed full of adventure. It has all the ingredients that children will love - caring for animals, time travel, a derelict house, a hateful villain, absent fathers and friendships being made and broken. Reminiscent of The Secret Garden and Carrie's War the author has cleverly woven all these strands together to create a beautiful and heart-felt story with characters that children will want to get to know.