Effra has a secret.
It’s easy to hide webbed feet but the only way she can hide her gills is to wrap them in a neckerchief.
Mudlarker Effra and her little brother Fleet are mudlarkers, searching for treasure along the banks of the River Yore. They follow an age-old tradition and make sure to follow the rules set down many tides before.
After the death of their precious Grandfather, Boppa, Effra and Fleet must survive alone. Effra thinks she is managing this, without the help of the other larkers but the nasty Rivermun has other ideas.
He collects live specimens and has Fleet in his sights. In order to save her brother’s life, Effra must first deal with the Rat Queen to gain access to the river serpent’s nest. Once there, she hopes to find a precious ice pearl.
But will Rivermun keep his side of the bargain and let her brother go free if Effra gives him the pearl?
In a tense, drama fuelled action adventure, Effra soon realises that it is okay to ask for help.
Thanks to some unlikely friendships with mudlarker Bow and loveable rat, Clay, she finds the strength to face her fears and the terrible danger posed by Rivermum, the Rat Queen and the Serpent.
Effra’s guardians, Mabel and Wilf, help her to begin to learn to live with her grief and accept help from her friends and community.
Becca Rogers has created a wonderful world mixed with folklore, facts and fantasy.
An excellent story to open discussions for those who have to deal with loss at a young age.
So, what treasures will you find next time you look along the shore?
Cover Illustration by Khoa Le
Design by Jessie Price
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