beth_books_123 's review for:

Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen
5.0
adventurous mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Book 3 of the 2025-2026 academic year.

This is THE book of Year 5 - 5*

I'm very excited for the new challenge of Year 5. Year 6 can be draining.  (If you know, you know.)  The one thing I'm looking forward to the most is a new curriculum. I've been teaching the same thing for three years now - and honestly the same attainment levels, so I'm excited to make a difference in Year 5 (to truthfully save their Year 6 teacher). When the shocking move to Year 5 was announced, the one thing I was told - by both children and staff- to look forward to The Boy in the Tower, and my god they were right.

This book is everything and more. Honestly, it has echoes of [book:The Day of the Triffids|530965] and I LOVE that book. I cannot wait to share this with my class in Spring 1 (January 2026)!