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Box 1571
“If you want to help your family, Ella, look in the box.”
The Talbot family is in trouble. The business is collapsing, Mum can’t stop crying, and Ella will do anything to help. So when she finds thousands of pounds in Dad’s secret post office box, she thinks that all her problems have been solved. But thousands of pounds lead into six extraordinary rooms, and then Ella’s problems really begin.
The money is hers, but she must win it by completing dangerous challenges in unknown places. With only her wits and the mysterious voice of ‘Finder’ to guide her, Ella navigates a pitch-black pathway, entertains evil executives, and escapes from vicious scorbsters. In Dark Rooms, Bored Rooms and Sale Rooms, she passes challenge after challenge, collecting more of the money and giving it to her parents without them knowing its origins.
Yet with each conquest, Ella’s goal seems to move further and further away. The money brings new challenges that are much closer to home. She must follow the right path and learn the lessons of loyalty, determination and friendship before it’s too late. How will Ella save her family without Box 1571 destroying everything she has?
Box 1571 is a fast-paced fantastical adventure that will appeal to readers aged eight-twelve.
The Talbot family is in trouble. The business is collapsing, Mum can’t stop crying, and Ella will do anything to help. So when she finds thousands of pounds in Dad’s secret post office box, she thinks that all her problems have been solved. But thousands of pounds lead into six extraordinary rooms, and then Ella’s problems really begin.
The money is hers, but she must win it by completing dangerous challenges in unknown places. With only her wits and the mysterious voice of ‘Finder’ to guide her, Ella navigates a pitch-black pathway, entertains evil executives, and escapes from vicious scorbsters. In Dark Rooms, Bored Rooms and Sale Rooms, she passes challenge after challenge, collecting more of the money and giving it to her parents without them knowing its origins.
Yet with each conquest, Ella’s goal seems to move further and further away. The money brings new challenges that are much closer to home. She must follow the right path and learn the lessons of loyalty, determination and friendship before it’s too late. How will Ella save her family without Box 1571 destroying everything she has?
Box 1571 is a fast-paced fantastical adventure that will appeal to readers aged eight-twelve.
ebook
First published July 8, 2013
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About the author
R.M. Tudor
1 book9 followersR.M. Tudor lives just outside Stoke-on-Trent, UK, where she divides her time between writing, teaching and completing overly-ambitious creative projects. Box 1571 is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 17, 2015
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Publisher: Matador
Publishing Date: July 2015
ISBN: 9781784629175
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.2/5
Publisher Description: The Talbot family is in trouble. The business is collapsing, Mum can’t stop crying, and Ella will do anything to help. So when she finds thousands of pounds in Dad’s secret post office box, she thinks that all her problems have been solved. But thousands of pounds lead into six extraordinary rooms, and then Ella’s problems really begin.
Review: Pretty fun children’s tale. Kind of like Alice in Wonderland in some respects. Her brothers over the top responses to every situation didn’t ring true as it was mostly inappropriate to the circumstances. The various rooms were inventive and mostly surprising in content. A compacted story that could have been lengthened to develop more of the characters.
Publisher: Matador
Publishing Date: July 2015
ISBN: 9781784629175
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.2/5
Publisher Description: The Talbot family is in trouble. The business is collapsing, Mum can’t stop crying, and Ella will do anything to help. So when she finds thousands of pounds in Dad’s secret post office box, she thinks that all her problems have been solved. But thousands of pounds lead into six extraordinary rooms, and then Ella’s problems really begin.
Review: Pretty fun children’s tale. Kind of like Alice in Wonderland in some respects. Her brothers over the top responses to every situation didn’t ring true as it was mostly inappropriate to the circumstances. The various rooms were inventive and mostly surprising in content. A compacted story that could have been lengthened to develop more of the characters.
October 6, 2015
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REVIEW BY: Angel, age 12 years, 11 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This book is wonderfully filled with passion, love and determination! The characters and plot were beautifully stitched together in this book.
The only thing I have to say about this book regarding any kind of negatives, is that it was too short! I would have loved for this book to be longer.
REVIEW BY: Angel, age 12 years, 11 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This book is wonderfully filled with passion, love and determination! The characters and plot were beautifully stitched together in this book.
The only thing I have to say about this book regarding any kind of negatives, is that it was too short! I would have loved for this book to be longer.
Want to read
April 16, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 24, 2015
I received a digital copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Ella's parents' café is in financial trouble and Ella is finding school a lonely place since her friend Sophie moved away. When Ella discovers a way to solve her parents' money problems and save the café, she is unwittingly drawn into a game of riddles and unexpected encounters.
This feel-good tale is reminiscent of such innocent and unexpected adventures as The Phantom Tollbooth. Box 1571 is perfect for younger middle-grade kids who are looking for some good, old-fashioned escapism – almost literally, as the story involves the main character escaping her problems via a post-office box.
The story is episodic in nature and therefore perfect for a classroom or pre-bedtime read-aloud (or read together) and has subtle secondary themes of developing confidence and overcoming social isolation. I did feel there were a few slight plot holes (the most obvious being the seemingly incompatible states of the café having very few customers, yet lots of washing up) and I found Ella’s older brother’s verbally abusive behaviour, particularly toward his mother, a bit too intense for the tone of the rest of the story, but these were only slight niggles.
Overall, I found this to be a charming and engaging offering with enough whimsy and derring-do to keep newcomers to this level of reading entertained.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Ella's parents' café is in financial trouble and Ella is finding school a lonely place since her friend Sophie moved away. When Ella discovers a way to solve her parents' money problems and save the café, she is unwittingly drawn into a game of riddles and unexpected encounters.
This feel-good tale is reminiscent of such innocent and unexpected adventures as The Phantom Tollbooth. Box 1571 is perfect for younger middle-grade kids who are looking for some good, old-fashioned escapism – almost literally, as the story involves the main character escaping her problems via a post-office box.
The story is episodic in nature and therefore perfect for a classroom or pre-bedtime read-aloud (or read together) and has subtle secondary themes of developing confidence and overcoming social isolation. I did feel there were a few slight plot holes (the most obvious being the seemingly incompatible states of the café having very few customers, yet lots of washing up) and I found Ella’s older brother’s verbally abusive behaviour, particularly toward his mother, a bit too intense for the tone of the rest of the story, but these were only slight niggles.
Overall, I found this to be a charming and engaging offering with enough whimsy and derring-do to keep newcomers to this level of reading entertained.
November 18, 2015
Ella's parents own a tea house. They do not have many customers because of the new teashop down the street. They are worried about money and paying the bills. Her brother, Daniel, and her mother are constantly fighting about selling the business. Meanwhile at school Ella is supposed to write a story about a journey. She does not like to write stories, feels that her stories are not any good, and she is unhappy about her life. She does not have any friends and is not a happy child. Ella's father sends her to the post office to get the bills from Box 1571 so her mother does not know. One day she goes and there is a note asking her if she wants to help her family. What follows is a magical journey inside the Post Office Box where Ella had to earn what she gets by passing certain tests or tasks. Thus begins an adventure that inspires both her confidence in herself and her imagination.
I just have to say, I loved Ella. She was the most generous child, willing to take risks to help her family. The author has an awesome imagination and inspiring writers will find this story amusing as well as just plan fun.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just have to say, I loved Ella. She was the most generous child, willing to take risks to help her family. The author has an awesome imagination and inspiring writers will find this story amusing as well as just plan fun.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2015
What if you found the solution to all your problems by simply opening a post office box? No more sadness in the house, no more anger, and just maybe less talk at school about how poor you are. Ella is your typical girl faced with these and many other problems.. Her life is boring, her only friend Sophia goes away during holidays, and her family is as close to broke as you can get. With no way out and the want to contribute something, Ella starts snooping and stumbles upon her father's secret post office box that contains a lot of money. It can all be hers if... she can pass certain tasks. Thus begins an adventure that inspires both her confidence in herself and her imagination.
I just have to say, I loved Ella. She reminds me of how I felt when teachers asked me to write about my weekend. It was hardly ever exciting so I would elaborate as she began to. I would have loved to find this box, though some of her challenges were frighteningly strange. The author has an awesome imagination and inspiring writers will find this story amusing as well as just plan fun. A well earned five star... .
I just have to say, I loved Ella. She reminds me of how I felt when teachers asked me to write about my weekend. It was hardly ever exciting so I would elaborate as she began to. I would have loved to find this box, though some of her challenges were frighteningly strange. The author has an awesome imagination and inspiring writers will find this story amusing as well as just plan fun. A well earned five star... .
January 24, 2014
The story begins by introducing Ella Talbolt, nothing exciting happens to her which is why, even though she loves to write, her stories are boring. She discusses the issue her family has with money though a story she writes. Her mum cries and her brother Daniel is angry, which reflects her reasonings behind later actions in this story. Box 1571 is a PO box her father sends her to receive letters from, in between two letters a note asks if she wants to help her family, in the hopes of resolving the monetary problems her family face she obeys the mysterious note, however, this discovery brings more turmoil. She is pulled into another room containing many doors with the challenge of finding the money.
This is an entertaining children's book aimed at the ages 10+ about the usefulness of creativity and the importance of family over that of money. It lost a star as I felt the start was a tad slow and it rushed straight into the problem.
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads Firstreads
This is an entertaining children's book aimed at the ages 10+ about the usefulness of creativity and the importance of family over that of money. It lost a star as I felt the start was a tad slow and it rushed straight into the problem.
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads Firstreads
February 17, 2014
Box 1571 was a short but fun read! The story is narrated by a young girl called Ella, she tells the story of how her family are struggling with financial problems. Their cafe is on the edge of closing, then what will they do? Ella's father approaches her one day and asks her to go to the post office to get some letters from PO Box 1571. Once the box is opened she goes on a roller coaster of adventures, all that she can think of is how can she help her family?
A great read and I definitely recommend it :D
A great read and I definitely recommend it :D
February 1, 2014
This was a great book about a girl getting pulled into a post office box, but is able to get money for her family. The girl has troubles to work through in her life. Her best friend has moved and her family is struggling with financial issues. It all works out with new friends but not before you get worried for her being able to get out the box, let alone surviving! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the excitement. Note: I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2014
I was lucky enough to get this direct from the author, and I'm glad to say I did. A thoroughly entertaining read, whose creativity and originality remind me of Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series. The characters are well rounded, and whilst I find many stories can slow in the middle, this story really drags you along with you. Although the ending seemed slightly expected, it was well developed and rounded out nicely. Can't wait to pass this onto my niece to enjoy.
August 21, 2015
What a fantastic first book for R. M. Tudor. Ella is an eleven year old with some problems, her family is behind in all their finances. Her dad asks her to go to the Post Office and get whatever is in Box 1571. Like Alice in Wonderland she gets sucked into the box and has fantastic adventures. I thought the lobster scorpion (Scorbster) was a great idea. Follow Ella through her adventures at the Post Office and beyond.
January 28, 2014
Received this very captivating as well as heart-warming story in a Goodreads giveaway. The struggle and decisions one has to go thru for the loved ones made up of your family. The flow of the book was not as constant as I favor but it didn't take much away from Ella's life obstacles and determination to over come them.
August 6, 2016
I obtained the book through Goodreads Firstreads. I read this with my son and we both enjoyed it. There were many themes that could lead into discussion questions for children. I enjoyed the nod to Alice in Wonderland! Ella's adventures were very creative, but I wish there had been more of them!
February 7, 2016
What a great book! A good old fashioned adventure, with secrets and friends and problem solving and creatures and magic and imagination. All mixed up with a solid, modern day storyline and a few childhood fears and worries. I was hooked from the first page, finished it in one day, and am going to leave it out for my Grade 4s tomorrow!
September 20, 2014
I read this with my 8 year old grandson. It was an interesting story full of intrigue. Anne
September 13, 2015
Review will be posted on blog first http://www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com/
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews