Time-slip novel for 9 - 12 year olds from the author of The Enchanted Horse.
Carrie, a contemporary child, has what seems to be an irrational fear of her
grandmother’s house. She has recurring glimpses of a child standing at
an upstairs window enveloped in a red glow. Determined to find the cause of
these visions, Carrie sets out to explore the old house. She discovers a key
which opens up an attic, in which is a perfectly kept child’s bedroom complete
with toys - old-fashioned toys. Carrie also discovers an old diary, her great-grandfather’s.
One night, unable to sleep, Carrie ventures back up to the attic and lies down
on the child’s bed. This acts as the catalyst for the time-slip part of
the book as Carrie is transported back to 1906 and becomes Edwina, sister of
Jim who is, in fact, Carrie’s great-grandfather.
As she lives the life of Edwina, Carrie eventually discovers the awful truth
behind the child in the upstairs window. It is Edwina. She died during a fire
in the house, caused by her younger brother’s night-time candle.This is
confirmed as she reads her great-grandfather’s diary, written in the trenches
during the First World War,as he reflects upon his life.
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