Starseeker [Paperback]

Tim Bowler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2003

Luke's father is dead and he feels his mother is moving on too quickly. Since his father's death, Luke has changed his priorities, and has fallen into bad company. His new friends persuade him to break into a house when its owner, an unfriendly and unlovable old woman, is out. Once inside he is confronted with the sound of a girl crying, and through a locked keyhole sees a young girl standing alone, crying in despair. Luke becomes drawn into finding out who the girl is, why she is in the house, and why she is so unhappy. Finding the answers change all of their lives. Prize-winning author, Tim Bowler has won the Carnegie Medal, the Angus Book Prize (twice), and the Lancashire Children's Book Award.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`full of plot and passion, music and mystery. It's very rare to find a book that moves the heart, touches the spirit and yet remains so well grounded in everyday life. It'll stick to your fingers, this one - don't miss it.' Melvin Burgess

`A memorable book. Tim Bowler's best yet.' David Almond

About the Author

Prize-winning author: Tim Bowler has won the Carnegie Medal, the Angus Book Prize (twice), and the Lancashire Children's Book Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Childrens (May 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192753053
• ISBN-13: 978-0192753052
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,446,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everthing One could Hope For, February 24, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Starseeker (Hardcover)

Luke can hear things. Things his father used to hear, before he died. He can hear music no one should be able to hear, and always there is a strange, eternal roar. Why is he like this? And is it a curse or a blessing? Right now, it seems to be a curse.
Luke's world is falling apart. His dad is gone, his mom wants to remarry, and he can't even find refuge in his music anymore. Now, he's getting mixed up with Skin and the gang. They want him to steal something very important to someone. And he knows that if he lets them down, he will pay dearly. Maybe with his life.
Thought-provoking and beautiful, this is one of the best books I've read in my life. The author writes with feeling, truly conveying the fact that he knows what he is talking about. I laughed, I sniffled, I felt like getting up and screaming. The book has everything one could hope for and more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Starseeker, May 6, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Starseeker (Paperback)

I've read this book roughly about two years ago and I've got to say, this must be the most beautiful written book I have ever read. It is. Its interesting and romantic. I loved the plot, complication and just about everything about it. Read it. You won't regret it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for music lovers., May 9, 2003

By 

Inspector Gadget "Go Go Gadget Reviews" (On the trail of Doctor Claw) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starseeker (Hardcover)

One of the reasons I prefer music to 'songs' is that there is no set story or purpose behind music. And composers don't feel the urge to inject words like 'love', 'baby' and 'yeah' to make sure the listener likes what they are listening to. One piece of music can mean 100 different things to 100 different people. One of the main reasons I like film scores so much is that the pictures have been removed from the music, letting see your own pictures in your head.

Such logic is strongly used in this book. I'd never read any books by Tim Bowler before this so it was a total random purchase. And I'm glad I did because I liked it very much. The story is of Luke Stanton and his troubles with being a teenager, struggling with so many burdens and the death of his dad. He's a great pianist and everyone is his 'quaint little English village' says so. Tho he's hanging around with the wrong crowd and they want him to break into some old lady's house so they can get their hands on her jewellery box.

What he finds in there tho is only the beginning of a story that, when ended, will steal your heart away forever. I've never so totally satisfied with the ending of a book until this. I really liked it a lot.

I'd definitely recommend this to any teenager struggling to find a good book for English class. It's not in-your-face, it doesn't raise the bar of extremities, there is no ugliness. Just a great story told in a peaceful environment. (Tim Bowler's fiction town is so well described you can be fully orientated as to where everything is)

Oh, and my copy is signed by the Author. Just wanted to show off.