Indiana Bones and the Invisible City by Harry Heape – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Adventure, treasure hunting, rewards, friendship.
Children’s book title: Indiana Bones and the Invisible City.
Children’s author: Harry Heape.
Children’s illustrator: Rebecca Bagley.
Genre: Adventure fiction.
Published by: Faber Children’s.
ISBN: 9780571353545.
Recommended for children aged: 6-9 year-olds.
First published: Paperback June 2023.
This children’s book is ideal for: Reluctant readers and those who enjoy something exciting happening in each chapter.
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Our review:
As they have done in the two previous books, Aisha and her dog, satisfyingly called Indiana Bones, are still looking for the Serpent and the Avenger’s Treasure, both of which are proving extremely difficult to locate! They have now received the gift of an invisibility shield which they know is going to come in very handy!
Their journey takes them from the UK to Europe and back again as Aisha and Indiana face danger from foes old and new, above and below ground. Gradually, things begin to come together and after discovering details of the greatest treasure of all from the Serpent himself, Aisha is even more determined than ever to reach their goal.
Indy, however, has something else on his mind which is so important to him that his friends know they have to help. If they do, however, will they lose focus and allow their biggest enemy to discover where the Avenger’s Treasure lies just waiting to be claimed?
Our verdict:
This is an exciting novel for ages seven and up which has thrilling discoveries to be made in each chapter. None of the mysteries, except the main hunt for the Avenger’s Treasure, take long to be solved and there is a fast-moving hum of anticipation throughout. The humour, which is everywhere, is mainly aimed at the younger reader and works well as a tension breaker on more than one occasion.
The sensitive subject of homelessness, which is broached during the action taking place in Paris, is eventually solved in a way suitable for this age group, it does simplify the problem but would still encourage discussion I think. The loss of a member of Indiana’s family which continues from the previous book is completed here in a sympathetic manner, with a little magic added to the mix to help it along.
This is a good vs evil story with opportunities to discuss why the bad guys don’t usually win in fiction, especially as there are defections from the Serpent’s side of the battle. I enjoyed the fact that Aisha and her group members realise there are more important things in life than treasures and riches.
Also in the Indiana Bones series are:
And check out the Shiny Pippin series of adventure stories by Harry Heape, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley.
Teaching notes
- Discussions about what might come next are always good but may well surprise here!
- There are also parts of this book which have serious messages including homelessness and the death of a loved one which continues on from the previous book.
Many thanks to Faber Children’s for the review copy.
If you like Indiana Bones and the Invisible City by Harry Heape you might also like: our reviews of One Chance Dance by Efua Traoré, Nowhere Island by Tania Unsworth, Son of the Sea by Richard Pickard, Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere by Ruth Lauren, The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle, Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas by Anna Rainbow and Oli Hyatt and our list of books for year 3.
Indiana Bones and the Invisible City by Harry Heape is featured in our adventure stories for children and teens list.
