(3) 4-6 Moss, assistant to her executioner father, has never left her Tower of London home. She longs to leave but is unaware of the dangers lurking in the adjacent Thames, including the dreaded Riverwitch, who snatches children down to watery depths. With the backdrop of King Henry VIII's reign, Hardstaff weaves history and supernatural elements into a story of young teenage rebellion.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) 4-6 River Adventures series. This volume in the boilerplate series examines the role of the Thames River in the English cities, regions, and landmarks through which it flows. Well-selected photographs and maps illustrate the text, which is accessible and details the evolution of "one of the world's least polluted urban rivers." A quiz concludes the book. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Eel is a "mudlark," gleaning bits of rope, rags, and coal from the River Thames. He's also loading bodies into coffins as cholera has hit London. A parallel story line involves a secret Eel is keeping. Hopkinson constructs a historical novel of Dickensian fashion, with twists and turns, an accumulation of odd coincidences, and an earnest protagonist readers will root for. Reading list, timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2013

(3) 4-6 Rivers through Time series. This book focuses on the cities that border the river Thames using short chapters, timelines, and maps to cover its history and geography. Particular attention is paid to some of the unusual traditions tied to the river. A section on flooding addresses modern concerns. Clear photographs, maps, and charts extend the text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Richard Williams. This gritty picture of childhood in Victorian London tells of three boys who are "mudlarks," those who search the banks of the Thames for salvageable items to sell for food and other necessities. The boys see a huge roll of sheet copper fall into the river--an immeasurable treasure--and retrieving it becomes the principal catalyst for the story. The pace is masterful, and humorous moments are blended with poignant ones. Glos.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2000