It’s true that this is a children’s book, but I think readers of all ages will be able to enjoy it. The setting is in England and France and the descriptions of the cities are gorgeous—French pastry shops, parks, bridges, and streets.
Let me just talk about my love for the characters. Sophie and Charles were impossible not to grow fond of. When Sophie was a baby Charles found her floating on the English Channel in a cello case and took her in to raise her in his humble, book-filled apartment.
Sophie was the most charming, adorable, and spirited twelve-year-old and Charles was her eccentric and loving guardian who had an extremely odd but wonderful way of taking care of her. He filled her mind with the knowledge of words since she was young, let her wear pants, and encouraged her to play her cello on the rooftops.
“Sophie and Charles did not live neatly, but neatness, Sophie thought, was not necessary for happiness.”
The plot follows the two as they flee the authorities to France to search for Sophie’s lost mother. Sophie discovers a secret world on the roofs of Paris where dirty, poor, clever “rooftopper” children run free from the watchful eyes on the streets.
This book was simply wonderful and dealt with themes of friendship, love, family, and music. I loved Rundell’s smart but simple writing style that was unlike most books published nowadays. She had a way of stating truths so plainly and beautifully that I just adored.
In Rooftoppers there were no fire-breathing dragons or prophecies, but a girl aching to find her mother and the adventures she made along the way. I loved it from the very first page until the last.
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