Description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE STANFORDS CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026

‘A page-turning, heartfelt adventure full of intrigue, peril and fun. I loved it!’ Hannah Gold, author of THE LAST BEAR.

‘Astonishingly accomplished … Full of high-stakes action and characters to root for.’ Emma Carroll, author of LETTERS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE

You must take every day, every hour, every minute one tick at a time.

It is 1872 and, when Maggie Appleton’s beloved mother dies, she is left with nothing but a letter for a mysterious stranger called Passepartout. With nowhere else to turn, Maggie seeks out Passepartout and, in doing so, is drawn into an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. Together with Passepartout’s employer, the enigmatic Mr Phileas Fogg, Maggie journeys to Italy, India, Hong Kong, Japan and America, in a daring race against time to win the wager Mr Fogg has accepted.

But with a bank robber on the loose, an angry Inspector on their tail and unread secrets in her mother’s letter, Maggie soon discovers that there is much more at stake than keeping on schedule to win the bet. Who can she really trust – and will she ever find out where she truly belongs?

A timeless tale of travel, treachery and trust, for fans of Katherine Rundell and Emma Carroll, bringing Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in Eighty Days to life for young readers.

Publisher Review

A page-turning, heartfelt adventure full of intrigue, peril and fun. I absolutely loved it. * Hannah Gold, bestselling author of The Last Bear * An astonishingly accomplished debut full of pluck, high-stakes action and characters to root for. * Emma Carroll, author of LETTERS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE * A rip-roaring retelling! * A. M. Howell, author of the MYSTERIES AT SEA series * A dazzlingly accomplished debut with adventure at its heart. * Jasbinder Bilan, author of ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD * A thrilling adventure that sweeps across the world, bursting with rich historical detail and irresistible charm. Vividly drawn characters, a heartfelt found-family, and a spirit of boundless hope make this an unforgettable story - one that is sure to steal your heart. * Laura Noakes, author of COSIMA UNFORTUNATE STEALS A STAR * An astonishing fresh new take on Jules Verne's classic adventure: fast-paced, clever and full of heart * Cathy Faulkner, author of DIGGING FOR VICTORY * Astonishingly good! This fresh twist on a well-loved tale manages to be both punchy and delicious in its clever, measured sentences, all the while showcasing a compelling heroine. Nat Harrison is a welcome new voice and one to watch. * Joanna Nadin, author of THE WORST CLASS IN THE WORLD * A classic adventure story for those young at heart. Delightfully thrilling and rigorously researched, The Girl Who Raced the World heralds Nat Harrison's place as a powerful new voice in Middle Grade historical fiction. * Ash Bond, author of PEREGRINE QUINN AND THE COSMIC REALM * Adventure awaits for Maggie and her quirky crew in this adrenaline-filled, race around the world, leaving readers gasping for one more extraordinary chapter. * Rhian Tracey, author of I, SPY: A BLETCHLEY PARK MYSTERY * The descriptions of the different places mentioned are almost filmic and describing an atlas as "the whole world in your hands" will stay with me for along time. Highly recommended. -- Rachel Bolton * Read for Good *