Journey to the River Sea

Story

When orphaned Maia hears she is to be sent to Manaus, Brazil to live with distant relatives, she looks forward to life in the Amazon rainforest and to meeting her cousins. On arrival her family prove to be distant and unfriendly and they do everything they can ignore the rainforest around them. Undaunted Maia makes new friendships and discovers a world full of exciting and unexpected experiences.

Why we chose it

Eva Ibbotson creates warm-hearted and charming characters and Maia is no exception. A story about adventure, courage and kindness set in the wilds of the Amazon rainforest, which are brought vividly to life.

Where it came from

Eva Ibbotson (1925 – 2010) was an Austrian-born British novelist. Her love of nature is demonstrated in many of her works, and Journey to the River Sea, which explores the beauty of Brazilian landscape, was written in honour of her late husband who was a naturalist.

Where it went next

The novel won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for reader ages 9–11 and it made the shortlist for the Carnegie Medal.

Associated stories

Eva Ibbotson wrote a number of novels for readers of all ages.

Titles for younger readers include Which Witch, Dial a Ghost, Not just a Witch, Monster Mission, The Beasts of Clawstone Castle, The Secret of Platform 13, The Great Ghost Rescue and The Haunting of Hiram.

Books for older readers are The Dragonfly Pool, Journey to the River Sea and The Star of Kazan.

Novels for young adults include The Morning Gift, A Song for Summer, The Secret Countess, A Company of Swans and Magic Flutes.