Companion to The Dragon and Her Boy, set in the same alternate London, taking place before "Dragon." Fly is a strong character, and who wouldn't want a tiger companion? Full of adventure and loyalty. I am hooked on Penny Chrimes. Includes Author's Note on Fly's World and Fly's Guide to Gutterling. ( )

Blow Fly ( or Fly for short) is a chimney sweep in an alternate Victorian England. She was an orphan left in a basket with only a box and now she works cleaning chimneys. On one such occasion she falls through into a room where a Tiger is housed. The Tiger takes one sniff of Fly and declares ( in her head) that Fly is the lost princess and that she needs to help him and all the other animals in the menagerie escape back to Fly's rightful kingdom of Bathia. With the help of some other street children, Fly sets off on an adventure that will take her far from England's shores. There is real mystery and evil woven together in this story which surrounds the contents of the box that only Fly can open, the enormous ruby called the Tiger's Heart.
Book that Year 7 girls who like fantasy, animals and overcoming odds will like. The language is very true to Victorian England ( "Wotcha Gov'nor" type speak) and so a glossary of words is appended. First chapter throws you straight into the story. ( )