Escape from the Child Snatchers – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: 1865, India, found family, desperation.
Children’s book title: Escape from the Child Snatchers.
Children’s author: Sufiya Ahmed.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Andersen Press.
ISBN: 9781839136511.
Recommended for children aged: 8-12.
First published: Paperback January 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: Introducing the difficulties in different cultures and countries when families live in poverty and how different people in the same communities treat strangers when they are vulnerable or in need.
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Our review:
Humza is the second of three brothers. The eldest, Dani, joined a ship as a lascar, or Indian seaman, to provide for his family after his father died. Now, two years later, he still hasn’t returned, and Humza knows he has to find a way to get to England and bring him home. With best friend Ranj, and no idea what he’s letting himself in for, he stows away on a ship bound for Great Britain. Arriving in London after a difficult four months at sea, they are befriended by a kindly gentleman who takes them to a public house for a meal.
The publican’s daughter, Daisy, knows they are in grave danger and helps them escape, but danger follows them until, finally, the child snatcher finds and kidnaps them! Humza is distraught – how will he ever find Dani or see his mother again? With Daisy’s help they escape, but even working together will they be able to deal with the dangerous, remorseless thugs who plan to sell the boys to the highest bidder as well as continuing their search for Dani?
Our verdict:
Written in the first person, this is an exciting adventure story full of facts about living in the UK in the 1860s. Humza and Ranj are typical of youngsters worldwide then and now, and although the circumstances are different, their personalities will be easily recognised by most children.
There is scope here for cross-curricular activities with geography, history, and art, as the various parts of the story cover subjects as diverse as homelessness, racial discrimination, poverty, and inequality. There is a strong storyline here and, although the horrors the boys encounter aren’t simplified or diluted, they also aren’t written in a way which will overly shock or scare younger readers.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Humza and Ranj travel to London without any real clue about where Dani is. How much easier do you think it would be to find someone today?
- Humza’s main job at home in India is to collect water every day. Ranj is more entrepreneurial than his friend and has turned his journey to the well into a business. Leaving home doesn’t change that. How does he make money during his travels?
- This book is written in the first person. How different would it be if Ranj had written it?
- In a cross-curricular activity with art and geography, draw a map showing Humza’s journey from India and back again.
- How do you think Humza and Ranj’s families felt when they discover the boys had run away?
- Ranj wanted to stay to London do you think he would make a success of his business if he had?
Many thanks to Anderson Press for the review copy.
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