Fearless Frederic

by Felice Arena

When the river rises and the city of Paris begins to disappear under water, Frederic decides to help those who can’t help themselves. But as his heroic acts escalate, so does the danger. Frederic will have to battle an escaped zoo animal and fight off pickpockets and looters but, as the waters subside, can he find justice for his father and find out what courage really means?

Genres: Historical, Middle Grade, Childrens, School, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Adventure

157 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2018

About the author

Popular and prolific Australian children’s author Felice Arena is the creator of many best-selling and award-winning children's books for all ages. Some of these include the acclaimed middle-grade historical novels The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, A Great Escape, and The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan – the bestselling Specky Magee series, the junior series' Sporty Kids and The Besties, and the joyous read-aloud picture books Pasta!, Cheese! and most recently My Big Secret - also illustrated by Arena.
www.felicearena.com Instagram.com/felicearenabooks

Reviews

[Sharah McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. A fun adventure story set in Paris during the Great Flood of 1910. Thanks to RACQ for our paperback copy for The Premier's Reading Challenge.

[Smitchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book Felice Arena has done in a more historical bend away his usual sports focused stories and I like it. Frederic is the 12 year old son of working class parents living in Paris in 1910. His father dreams of Frederic having a career as a boxer, but Frederic's heart isn't in it. When his father's job as a museum guard leads him to tragedy, Frederic has to finish school and find a job in order help his mother pay the bills. Working with horses is great but when the river starts to rise Frederic is going to need his boxing skills, his brains and all the things he has learnt in his 12 years in order to keep himself and his new friends safe. Along the way Frederic learns that relying on yourself is fine but being able to rely on your friends takes more bravery and reaps even bigger rewards.
This is a little book (just on 150 pages) but manages to pack in a fast paced story, a few history lessons, some French phrases, and still manages to have characters kids will relate to easily. I highly recommend for ages 8+ how like adventure, action, mystery and history. It would also make a great classroom reader.

[Martha Growdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, historical fiction for ages 9/10+. Immerses you in Parisian working class neighborhoods during the great flood. It has good action, dynamic characters, and believable problem-solving on the part of 3 brave kids. I enjoyed it as much as my kids.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction set in Paris, France in 1910, the year of the Big Flood.
Themes: adventure, friendship, surviving against the odds, poverty, crime, homelessness, natural disaster

Frederic is a young boy from a lower class French family. His parents love him dearly; he is an only child. His father coaches the young Frederic in boxing, for which he has talent, however Frederic’s heart lies in training horses. One evening Frederic accompanies his father to work as a guard at the Louvre Art Museum. Tragically his father is killed in front of Frederic by thieves who are stealing precious art works. Frederic recognises one of the attackers subsequently and vows to avenge his father’s death.
Soon after, Frederic awakes one day to find the streets of Paris flooded. The River Seine has burst its banks and water is coming up through the drains and sewers. Frederic and his mother evacuate to a shelter, which is where he meets two young people who become his friends. These three become inseparable, and help rescue creatures and objects in the flooded city, criss-crossing the inundated streets on ‘passarelles’ (planks forming bridges).
The book is a rollicking adventure tale of tracking down criminals and solving mysteries, and it has its poignant moments. Of course the ‘bad guys’ are apprehended eventually, and though there are some tricky moments in the friendship between the ‘three musketeers’, goodness prevails.
An interesting read because of the setting, more than 110 years ago.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederic lives with his parents in Paris in 1909 and at 13 is set to look for a job. His father, once a professional fighter hopes Frederic will follow in his footsteps, but the boy loves, and wants to work with horses. He is excited when he accompanies his father one night as one of the night-watchmen at the Louvre – but his father is murdered by a thief and Frederic’s life changes forever and he goes to work at a stable. Early in 1910 Parisis flooded after torrential rain fills the sewers.He and his mother relocate to an evacuee shelter where he makes two friends, Thierry and Claire. The three band together to help an escaped zoo animal, tackle pickpockets, amongst many things. Then, Frederic sees the man who killed his father seeks justice.

This is a great adventure story that explores friendship and honesty whilst also touching on the gulf between the rich and poor and the homeless. Arena has captured a real sense of Paris at the time with numerous historical, geographical and societal touches to add authenticity. Chapter headings and some dialogue in French and explained in context add to the sense of place. An entertaining adventure for 10 to 13 year olds.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers of historical fiction will really enjoy this drama set in the Paris “Great Flood” of 1910; a true historical event. Young Frederic goes to work with his father who is a security guard at the Louvre. When a robbery becomes violent Frederic’s world is torn apart when his father is murdered. Frederic is determined to find justice for his father. With the rising waters forcing people from their homes Frederic is forced into a shelter. With his new friends Claire and Thierry the children form a team that shows incredible courage and bravery in the most difficult of situations. Facing pickpockets, escaped crocodiles, thugs and finally his father’s murderer, Frederick overcomes physical and emotional hardships. This is an adventure story with strong themes of justice and friendship.

Suitable for 9+ boxing, floods, murder, friendship, justice, heroism

Teacher notes https://www.penguin.com.au/content/re...

[Patricia Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1910 in Paris and Frederic wants badly to have his father be proud of him. He seems to have talent in the boxing ring but Frederic secretly wants to work with horses. When his father takes him to work in the Louvre one night everything changes. As the city of Paris floods can Frederic find the courage his father wanted him to have? Having recently been to Paris again this story charmed me. It is a tale with adventure, friendship and courage in spades. Bravo. I love to tell the students about how Felice attended their school here in Kyabram and that they too can become writers.

[Dave Leys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming adventure story for children set in Paris during a flood. Straight ahead style means a lively pace and solid characterisation. The recount of the flood and the escapades of Frederic and his companions is gripping. While the period detail is illuminating, it does feel at times as if Felice is determined to include all of the things he learned in his research: this results in some "facts" awkwardly embedded. However this is a minor quibble. A joy to read and refreshingly touching and well realised portrait of friendship without ever drifting into sentimentality.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending the last term encouraging (read bribing) my library kids to read great Aussie authors like Felice Arena, I thought I had better catch up and read some of his historical fiction titles.
This one was a great little adventure set in The Great Flood of Paris in 1910. Plucky kids, interesting settings..... and the thing that all good kids adventures have.... minimal adult supervision ! How else would they have these adventures ?
Good little short read.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book for its historical setting for young readers. Unfortuantely, the start on sport (boxing) polarised me, and I found it hard to get on board with the story. When Frederic started his job with horses, I thought I might be able to get on board, but unfortunately that was short lived and the crux of the story (the flood) took hold.

A short and episodic novel suitable to young readers.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling tale set in the time of the 1910 Great Flood of Paris. Loved the characters and detailed descriptions of life in the city under siege by water. The three kids all have to overcome adversity and show ingenuity, bravery and strength of character as they band together to help others, and bring baddies to justice. Perfect for primary-aged children and reluctant readers.

[Tearsa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction, and this book was fun. It gave some insight into the 1910 flood in Paris and let you explore the streets of Paris. It also focused a lot on the importance of friendship and doing the right thing. The author note at the end is good to read too. Looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Another fun historical adventure by Felice Arena. Looking forward to the latest one.

[AD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure story about Frederic and his two friends, set in France during a serious flood. This is a fast paced story with lots of action. I recommend for around Year 4-6.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed, would be great read aloud book, if I could work on my French pronunciation. Could be too tricky for lit circles for the same reason.

[little potato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring book about sb who love literature and how it takes courage to be able to write about it. A start up.

[Dianne Wolfer]

Felice's characters bring The Great Flood to life :-)

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felice Arena is a GREAT author for kids.

[OrangeAntelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for year 3/4 +

[Brittany Libell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great historical fiction story for middle schoolers. I could totally envision a 12-13 year old boy being drawn into the action of navigating the flooded streets of Paris to be a hero.

[St Stephen's C C]

When the river rises, and the city of Paris begins to disappear under water, Frederic decides to help those who can't help themselves. But as his heroic acts escalate, so does the danger.
Frederic will have to battle an escaped zoo animal and fight off pickpockets and looters but, as the waters subside, can he find justice for his father and find out what courage really means?