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Code Name Foxtrot
‘An exciting adventure with all the speed and style of Anton’s dancing’ Jacqueline Wilson
An unforgettable wartime adventure full of page-turning mystery, gorgeous friendships, great bravery, and dance – from the Sunday Times bestselling author and ballroom star, Anton Du Beke! Told with Anton’s trademark sparkle and warmth, with stunning illustrations by Elisa Paganelli, Code Name Foxtrot is perfect for fans of Ben Miller, Emma Carroll and Michael Morpurgo who are looking for their next classic adventure for all the family to enjoy.
A MYSTERY TO SOLVE. A SPY TO CATCH. A SHOW TO SAVE.
‘Maybe, by Christmas, the war will be over – and we’ll be back home with Mum and Dad, listening to the orchestra play and watching the dancers whirl round the floor . . .’
Britain, 1940, the world is at war and 10-year-old twins Harry and Rosie are evacuated from London to live with their Great Uncle. The twins immediately miss home and perhaps most of all for Harry, the tearoom where their mum works, and Harry spends hours watching the professional dancers – secretly dreaming of the day he might do the same.
Faced with stony silences from their Great Uncle Rupert and endless rainy days in the stormy village of Cotterill Cove, they throw themselves into the local dance show, determined to do their bit for the war effort and maybe even dance at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
But when Harry sees strange flashing lights out on the treacherous mudflats one night, he and Rosie discover their new home is hiding some huge secrets and the enemy is a lot closer than they thought.
Racing to uncover the truth, Harry and Rosie learn bravery comes in many forms and even in the worst of times, the show must go on.
An unforgettable wartime adventure full of page-turning mystery, gorgeous friendships, great bravery, and dance – from the Sunday Times bestselling author and ballroom star, Anton Du Beke! Told with Anton’s trademark sparkle and warmth, with stunning illustrations by Elisa Paganelli, Code Name Foxtrot is perfect for fans of Ben Miller, Emma Carroll and Michael Morpurgo who are looking for their next classic adventure for all the family to enjoy.
A MYSTERY TO SOLVE. A SPY TO CATCH. A SHOW TO SAVE.
‘Maybe, by Christmas, the war will be over – and we’ll be back home with Mum and Dad, listening to the orchestra play and watching the dancers whirl round the floor . . .’
Britain, 1940, the world is at war and 10-year-old twins Harry and Rosie are evacuated from London to live with their Great Uncle. The twins immediately miss home and perhaps most of all for Harry, the tearoom where their mum works, and Harry spends hours watching the professional dancers – secretly dreaming of the day he might do the same.
Faced with stony silences from their Great Uncle Rupert and endless rainy days in the stormy village of Cotterill Cove, they throw themselves into the local dance show, determined to do their bit for the war effort and maybe even dance at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
But when Harry sees strange flashing lights out on the treacherous mudflats one night, he and Rosie discover their new home is hiding some huge secrets and the enemy is a lot closer than they thought.
Racing to uncover the truth, Harry and Rosie learn bravery comes in many forms and even in the worst of times, the show must go on.
- GenresMiddle Grade
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 29, 2024
9 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2024
This book is so very joyous. Little Harry and Rosie really wiggled their way into my heart and I loved accompanying them on this adventure. The illustrations are also absolutely gorgeous!!
The story hit me in the feels from the start with the twins having to leave their mother, and basically their entire life behind in the city. Of course it's for their own safety, but that really doesn't make it any easier. I loved those couple of letters to their mum throughout the book, they really emphasized the different characters of the twins.
The mystery was sufficiently mysterious and not too easy to resolve at all, which is a small fear of mine with middle-grade books. It gives enough clues so you can be involved in figuring it out, but not so much that it becomes obvious. The characters almost never feel dumb (except for ). Besides that, they really are quite clever, I have to say. The codes were fun to figure out too. I was actually quite proud of myself for figuring the letter thing out within the minute 😂
The dancing element was just lovely. Thinking about these kids having something to look forward to, to work towards, gave me a lot of joy. The resolution in Blackpool also felt very fitting and seeing certain characters meet again actually made me a bit emotional. It really was the icing on the cake.
Overall, I'm really impressed with Anton in his children's debut. I've been a fan of his on Strictly for years and years and his love for dancing and the importance of family and human connection really shine through. I hope to see more adventures with Rosie and Harry in the future!
The story hit me in the feels from the start with the twins having to leave their mother, and basically their entire life behind in the city. Of course it's for their own safety, but that really doesn't make it any easier. I loved those couple of letters to their mum throughout the book, they really emphasized the different characters of the twins.
The mystery was sufficiently mysterious and not too easy to resolve at all, which is a small fear of mine with middle-grade books. It gives enough clues so you can be involved in figuring it out, but not so much that it becomes obvious. The characters almost never feel dumb (except for ). Besides that, they really are quite clever, I have to say. The codes were fun to figure out too. I was actually quite proud of myself for figuring the letter thing out within the minute 😂
The dancing element was just lovely. Thinking about these kids having something to look forward to, to work towards, gave me a lot of joy. The resolution in Blackpool also felt very fitting and seeing certain characters meet again actually made me a bit emotional. It really was the icing on the cake.
Overall, I'm really impressed with Anton in his children's debut. I've been a fan of his on Strictly for years and years and his love for dancing and the importance of family and human connection really shine through. I hope to see more adventures with Rosie and Harry in the future!
September 8, 2024
Really enjoyed this story. As soon as I read the blurb, I knew I'd enjoy it, as stories set in this era are one of my favourite.
Two evacuees sent away from London have each other for company, but soon find themselves trying to become spies in their own way to find out what their uncle is up to! What makes it different, is that a dance competition is woven into it, and the twins are very keen on dance (and as it happens, so is uncle).
So this would also appeal to those who like dancing, the Winter Gardens at Blackpool, as well as ww2 stories.
Roll on book2.....
Two evacuees sent away from London have each other for company, but soon find themselves trying to become spies in their own way to find out what their uncle is up to! What makes it different, is that a dance competition is woven into it, and the twins are very keen on dance (and as it happens, so is uncle).
So this would also appeal to those who like dancing, the Winter Gardens at Blackpool, as well as ww2 stories.
Roll on book2.....
July 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this adventure story, all the talk of smugglers and spies at sea reminded me of reading The Famous Five when I was younger. I love Strictly and I love Anton so I very much appreciated Rosie’s and Harry’s enthusiasm for ballroom dance and their dedication to coaching amateurs at their new school in Cotteril Cove. Additionally, the ending moved me very much. This is a very sweet and cosy story.
January 8, 2025
Since working in school for 21 years, I often like to read children's books.
What a refreshing warm and exciting story.
Anton Du Beke has a wonderful style of writing. I love all of his books and couldn't pass on this one, which I requested for Christmas. ☺️
Rosie and Harry certainly have an exciting adventure in this story. No spoilers here. Just try it for yourselves. It's a winner from me.🏆❤️
What a refreshing warm and exciting story.
Anton Du Beke has a wonderful style of writing. I love all of his books and couldn't pass on this one, which I requested for Christmas. ☺️
Rosie and Harry certainly have an exciting adventure in this story. No spoilers here. Just try it for yourselves. It's a winner from me.🏆❤️
December 12, 2024
As an adult I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Anton’s amazing first children’s book. There are many twists and turns to the plot and it kept me riveted to the very end. Congratulations to Anton and the team who helped make this possible. I thoroughly recommend this book to children as well as adults who remember with fondness adventure story books from their childhood.
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November 11, 2024So good
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews