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The White Phoenix
London, 1666. After the sudden death of her father, thirteen-year-old Lizzie Hopper and her mother must take over THE WHITE PHOENIX - the family bookshop in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral. But England is at war with France and dire prophecies abound. As rumours of invasion and plague spread, Lizzie battles prejudice, blackmail and mob violence to protect the bookshop she loves. When the Great Fire of London breaks out, Lizzie must rescue more than just the bookshop. Can she now save the friend she wasn't supposed to have? CAN THE WHITE PHOENIX RISE FROM THE ASHES?
200 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 6, 2025
An enjoyable and easy read, capturing the atmosphere in London at the time of the Great Fire, and the political tension swirling around as young Lizzie tries to make sense of a world in turmoil. Nice sense of atmosphere and convincing characters.
August 28, 2020
I received a review copy as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
It's been a very long time since I read MG Historical, despite how many I devoured when I was in the target market, but THE WHITE PHOENIX reminded me why I loved them so much.
This is an addictive historical middle grade set between plague and fire, as anti-foreigner, anti-Catholic feeling rises in 1666 London. I devoured this in one sitting - and, honestly, my only complaint would be that it's so short (200 pages). I wanted more time alongside Lizzie!
There is such an atmosphere of fear in this book. From the death of her father and Lizzie's fight to save her shop from "well-meaning" men who have an eye on the business (that section made me SOO angry at the men - yay for a good antagonist, I guess!), to the wave of anti-French sentiment wracking the city in the wake of war, there is a claustrophobic sense of people closing ranks against "the other". The fears over plague hit really hard given the situation, but I found that really cathartic, to see others tackling it and not letting it stop them.
The tension and fear is done so well, making me turn the pages desperately to see what happens next. The situation is exploited by neighbours to hurt The White Phoenix, which pulls out anger on top of the frantic need for the pressure to stop building. This all feeds into the Great Fire of London, a panicked section of the book, full of danger and heartbreak.
Catherine Randall's research into 1666 England is so clear in the little details of book binding or fashions. It's these subtle references that help bring the world to life. Rather than overpowering the story with Historical Detail, it grounds the story, striking a balance between story and world.
It's been a very long time since I read MG Historical, despite how many I devoured when I was in the target market, but THE WHITE PHOENIX reminded me why I loved them so much.
This is an addictive historical middle grade set between plague and fire, as anti-foreigner, anti-Catholic feeling rises in 1666 London. I devoured this in one sitting - and, honestly, my only complaint would be that it's so short (200 pages). I wanted more time alongside Lizzie!
There is such an atmosphere of fear in this book. From the death of her father and Lizzie's fight to save her shop from "well-meaning" men who have an eye on the business (that section made me SOO angry at the men - yay for a good antagonist, I guess!), to the wave of anti-French sentiment wracking the city in the wake of war, there is a claustrophobic sense of people closing ranks against "the other". The fears over plague hit really hard given the situation, but I found that really cathartic, to see others tackling it and not letting it stop them.
The tension and fear is done so well, making me turn the pages desperately to see what happens next. The situation is exploited by neighbours to hurt The White Phoenix, which pulls out anger on top of the frantic need for the pressure to stop building. This all feeds into the Great Fire of London, a panicked section of the book, full of danger and heartbreak.
Catherine Randall's research into 1666 England is so clear in the little details of book binding or fashions. It's these subtle references that help bring the world to life. Rather than overpowering the story with Historical Detail, it grounds the story, striking a balance between story and world.
January 12, 2021
Lizzie is so brave and strong in the midst of family and societal turmoil. Truly heart warming story to remind us all to be grateful for what we have and to make time for people - especially in crisis.
August 28, 2020
If you know anything about me you will know that I love books about books and book lovers so when I realised The White Phoenix was a story about a bookshop I was immediately sold.
Our protagonist Lizzie and her mother take over the family bookshop - The White Phoenix and they have to fend off prejudice, sinister suitors, plague and The Great Fire of London!
This book transported me to my childhood and it gave me the same feeling I had reading or watching stories like The Railway Children, The Sound of Music, Pollyanna, Heidi, Little Women, and the early scenes in Great Expectations. There is a strong cast of characters from headstrong Lizzie to *makes me shudder* Mr Pedley.
I loved the detail included about the book binding process and oddly enough I know an artist - who also uses Phoenix in their shop name - who binds/rebinds books. The love that this process shows for the books makes me feel warm inside and I’m certainly glad that publishers and sellers are making more effort with their books bindings. Of course the front cover of The White Phoenix has to include some gold foiling to make it extra special.
There is human drama a plenty that starts for poor Lizzie straight away and there are ominous threats both seemingly far away and much closer to home. The constant mentions of the Plague feel very apt with our current situation. St Paul’s is there too, looming and an omen if you know anything about 1666.
So will Lizzie and the books survive the great fire? You will have to read to find out.
Note. I was gifted a copy for the purposes of an honest review.
Our protagonist Lizzie and her mother take over the family bookshop - The White Phoenix and they have to fend off prejudice, sinister suitors, plague and The Great Fire of London!
This book transported me to my childhood and it gave me the same feeling I had reading or watching stories like The Railway Children, The Sound of Music, Pollyanna, Heidi, Little Women, and the early scenes in Great Expectations. There is a strong cast of characters from headstrong Lizzie to *makes me shudder* Mr Pedley.
I loved the detail included about the book binding process and oddly enough I know an artist - who also uses Phoenix in their shop name - who binds/rebinds books. The love that this process shows for the books makes me feel warm inside and I’m certainly glad that publishers and sellers are making more effort with their books bindings. Of course the front cover of The White Phoenix has to include some gold foiling to make it extra special.
There is human drama a plenty that starts for poor Lizzie straight away and there are ominous threats both seemingly far away and much closer to home. The constant mentions of the Plague feel very apt with our current situation. St Paul’s is there too, looming and an omen if you know anything about 1666.
So will Lizzie and the books survive the great fire? You will have to read to find out.
Note. I was gifted a copy for the purposes of an honest review.
October 16, 2020
I'm a sucker for anything set in London and I also find the whole period around the time of the plague and Great Fire fascinating so was delighted at the concept of this book. When 13 year old Lizzie's father dies, she and her mother take over his bookshop and bindery, set close to St Paul's. However, rumours of an invasion by France mean prejudices run high against foreigners and anyone doing business with them is considered suspect. There's the ever-present threat of the plague and a string of mishaps and accidents caused by somebody who doesn't think a woman should be running a shop. And then fire breaks out in Pudding Lane.
Lizzie is a wonderfully feisty and strong-willed character. The story is well researched (although I would have loved a map showing the places mentioned), gripping and tense, full of detail and the reader finds themselves fighting not only for the survival of the bookshop but also for the whole family as fire creeps across the city.
Perfect for top KS2 and KS3 readers.
Lizzie is a wonderfully feisty and strong-willed character. The story is well researched (although I would have loved a map showing the places mentioned), gripping and tense, full of detail and the reader finds themselves fighting not only for the survival of the bookshop but also for the whole family as fire creeps across the city.
Perfect for top KS2 and KS3 readers.
September 1, 2020
Note: The author is a family friend, so I read an arc as the intended audience. This has not affected my judgement.
It’s 1666 and the streets of London are plagued by prejudice and pestilence. For Lizzy Hopper, 13, the White Phoenix has always been home. Returning from the country following her father's unexpected death, she is set on saving her beloved bookshop. However, faced with foretellings and blackmail against a backdrop of religious tension, will she succeed? Can she salvage her dreams? Or will they burn like the flames of a certain Great Fire Of London...
Through a formidable heroine and whimsical hero, Catherine Randall creates a heartwarming tale filled with family and forbidden friendship. By vivid descriptions and rich historical detail, she brings to life 17th century London. Perfect for 7-13 year olds, the White Phoenix is a gripping, engaging read with the reader rooting for Lizzy as she strives to overcome the expectations of a female of her time.
It’s 1666 and the streets of London are plagued by prejudice and pestilence. For Lizzy Hopper, 13, the White Phoenix has always been home. Returning from the country following her father's unexpected death, she is set on saving her beloved bookshop. However, faced with foretellings and blackmail against a backdrop of religious tension, will she succeed? Can she salvage her dreams? Or will they burn like the flames of a certain Great Fire Of London...
Through a formidable heroine and whimsical hero, Catherine Randall creates a heartwarming tale filled with family and forbidden friendship. By vivid descriptions and rich historical detail, she brings to life 17th century London. Perfect for 7-13 year olds, the White Phoenix is a gripping, engaging read with the reader rooting for Lizzy as she strives to overcome the expectations of a female of her time.
October 25, 2020
What a truly beautifully written book…. and that cover! I love the summer of the gold foil used, it really is a wow factor.
The story starts on a sad note, with Lizzie’s father passing away – what an awful thing to happen while none of the family are there.
The next question is who will run the bookshop? The White Phoenix is set in a time when women are to be home tending to the children not running a business (this narked me somewhat) I liked that Lizzie was feisty and stuck her heels in.
The story line pulled me in thick and fast, fears of the plague hitting hard, men thinking they know what is best for The White Phoenix and Lizzie’s family. So much detail has gone into writing this book and it shows.
Definitely one to recommend.
The story starts on a sad note, with Lizzie’s father passing away – what an awful thing to happen while none of the family are there.
The next question is who will run the bookshop? The White Phoenix is set in a time when women are to be home tending to the children not running a business (this narked me somewhat) I liked that Lizzie was feisty and stuck her heels in.
The story line pulled me in thick and fast, fears of the plague hitting hard, men thinking they know what is best for The White Phoenix and Lizzie’s family. So much detail has gone into writing this book and it shows.
Definitely one to recommend.
January 15, 2021
A wonderful start to my children's historical fiction year, probably my favourite genre. This has it all: plague, intrigue, political unrest, and of course the Great Fire of London - all against the backdrop of a bookshop next to St Paul's Cathedral. There is nothing in here I didn't love - a heroine with a mind of her own, lots of fantastic details about book-binding in the 17th century which gave the novel so much colour and texture, and a dramatic climax that will be hard to beat. This is a gift for schools, and for anyone like myself who considers the past the most exciting country of all.
August 29, 2020
A wonderfully researched book that provides a fascinating backdrop to the story. Set in a bookshop close to St Paul's Cathedral in the run up to the Great Fire in 1666, I learnt many fascinating details about the time period. The plot is exciting with so many twists and turns for thirteen-year-old Lizzie to negotiate. Middle grade readers and adults will love this strong female protagonist. A splendid debut from this talented author.
September 20, 2020
As a fan of children’s historical fiction, this one was right up there with my favourites - reminiscent of Emma Carroll and Nicola Pierce. An expertly crafted story set in 1666, the year of the great fire of London. I now miss Lizzie & the White Phoenix Bookshop! Highly recommend for 9+
May 30, 2021
I’m not usually a lover of historical novels but I really enjoyed this MG story set in London in 1666. Exciting, fast moving plot and a strong young female lead protagonist, together with an overriding theme of accepting difference and loyalty all add up to an excellent read.
December 5, 2022
Not many good historical fiction books for kids out there, so it's great to find one. Saving family bookshop in 1666 in times of french invasion & great fire of London.
May 11, 2026
Fun to read a book set in a city and area I was visiting - enjoyed it very much much!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews