The Tigers in the Tower

Set in 1830, ‘The Tigers in the Tower’ tells the fictional story of 12-year-old Sahira Clive. Born and raised in India to an Indian mother and English father, Sahira has never quite felt like she fits in to the Indian culture surrounding her. Now she has arrived in London for the first time, and definitely doesn’t fit in here either. With her are the two tigers her family were bringing across to fulfil an order from the Royal Menagerie in the Tower of London – but she feels the absence of her mother and father, who both died of a fever whilst making the journey.

Alone and disorientated, Sahira is determined to protect the two wild beasts who will only respond to her, keeping the promise she made to her father. But when Sahira is taken off to a neglectful orphanage, and the Royal Menagerie runs into financial difficulties, it’s her job to protect these most beautiful of God’s creatures. In order to secure her own future and that of the tigers, she must make friends with those who will help her – but will it be enough?

Besides being a real page-turner with a strong female lead, ‘The Tigers in the Tower’ is full of humour, and the themes of friendship, race and equality are raised in thought-provoking ways. A heart-warming tale, with plenty of grit and grime along the way.