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The Secret Lake #2
Return to the Secret Lake: A children's mystery adventure
Another page-turning time travel adventure for ages 8-12 set between 1900s and present-day London. The long-awaited sequel to the international bestseller The Secret Lake. ~ Shortlisted for the 2023 UK Selfies Book Awards ~ Finalist in the Wishing Self Book Awards 2022 ~
Almost a year has passed since Stella and Tom discovered a time tunnel and travelled to early 1900s London, where they befriended Emma, Lucy and Jack.
The magical moles that made the tunnel and secret lake appear have since vanished, but the children are longing to meet again.
Then an illness, which puts Emma’s life in danger, changes everything. The moles reappear, just when needed, and Lucy realises the only hope of a finding cure lies in the future.
So unfolds a thrilling tale of time travel, rekindled friendships and new threats that no one could have foreseen…
The Secret Lake has now been enjoyed by over 400,000 young readers in the English language and is in translation in nine languages. This gripping sequel, which comes in at twice the length and combines reading for pleasure with historical fiction, will not disappoint!
Almost a year has passed since Stella and Tom discovered a time tunnel and travelled to early 1900s London, where they befriended Emma, Lucy and Jack.
The magical moles that made the tunnel and secret lake appear have since vanished, but the children are longing to meet again.
Then an illness, which puts Emma’s life in danger, changes everything. The moles reappear, just when needed, and Lucy realises the only hope of a finding cure lies in the future.
So unfolds a thrilling tale of time travel, rekindled friendships and new threats that no one could have foreseen…
The Secret Lake has now been enjoyed by over 400,000 young readers in the English language and is in translation in nine languages. This gripping sequel, which comes in at twice the length and combines reading for pleasure with historical fiction, will not disappoint!
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
272 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2022
470 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Karen Inglis
23 books88 followersKaren Inglis is a bestselling children’s author based in London, UK, writing for ages 3–12.
She is best known for her time travel mystery The Secret Lake, which has sold over 600,000 print copies worldwide and is in translation in 12 languages. Set in London, it follows siblings Stella (11) and Tom (8), who discover a time tunnel while searching for a neighbour’s missing dog. The tunnel leads them to their own home and the children living there 100 years in the past. First published in 2011, the book hit bestseller lists in 2018–19 (and continues to rank highly on Amazon), proving that children still love a good old-fashioned adventure!
Two long-awaited sequels followed: Return to the Secret Lake (2022) and Beyond the Secret Lake (2024). The latter won the UK Selfies Children’s Book Award, announced at London Book Fair in 2025.
Karen explains:
“There was a long gap after book one as I was busy with other projects — but the best things come to those who wait! Reconnecting with Stella, Tom and friends was such a joy, and the response to the sequels has been wonderful. The Secret Lake was always going to be a hard act to follow!”
Karen’s other books include:
Eeek! The Runaway Alien (ages 7–10): a soccer-mad alien runs away to Earth for the World Cup. Illustrated, fast-paced and funny — a hit with reluctant readers!
Walter Brown and the Magician’s Hat (ages 7–10): magical mayhem ensues when Walter inherits his great-grandpa’s enchanted hat — and discovers his cat Sixpence isn’t quite what he seems...
Henry Haynes and the Great Escape (ages 6–8): Henry falls inside his library book after complaining it’s boring — and meets a smelly gorilla and a bossy boa with a zoo escape plan!
For younger readers:
The Tell-Me Tree (ages 4–8): a gentle, rhyming picture book that helps children talk about feelings through drawing, writing or conversation. Praised by parents, teachers, and charities, it's widely used in UK homes and classrooms. Includes links to free activity sheets.
Ferdinand Fox rhyming stories (ages 3–5):
Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep – inspired by a real fox who slept in Karen’s garden!
Ferdinand Fox and the Hedgehog – introduces Hatty and her son Ed, plus facts about how to help hedgehogs.
Ferdinand Fox and the Lost Boy – Ferdinand comes to the rescue in his bravest story yet.
A collected edition of all six rhyming stories is currently in the works for readers aged 6–7, or for parents who enjoy reading rhyme to younger children.
How it all began…
Karen’s writing journey began in 2010 when she took a sabbatical from her career in business writing to revisit story ideas drafted a decade earlier, when her sons George and Nick were small. One was The Secret Lake, which had been tucked away in a drawer after early rejections. This time, she self-published — and never looked back. In fact, she has turned down three traditional publishing deals in the last few years, preferring (for now at least) to retain creative control of her IP.
She eventually left business writing to focus fully on children’s books. Today, she regularly visits schools in person and via Zoom, and has signed books in Waterstones branches across London.
Visit her author website to find out more or to enquire about a school visit.
She is best known for her time travel mystery The Secret Lake, which has sold over 600,000 print copies worldwide and is in translation in 12 languages. Set in London, it follows siblings Stella (11) and Tom (8), who discover a time tunnel while searching for a neighbour’s missing dog. The tunnel leads them to their own home and the children living there 100 years in the past. First published in 2011, the book hit bestseller lists in 2018–19 (and continues to rank highly on Amazon), proving that children still love a good old-fashioned adventure!
Two long-awaited sequels followed: Return to the Secret Lake (2022) and Beyond the Secret Lake (2024). The latter won the UK Selfies Children’s Book Award, announced at London Book Fair in 2025.
Karen explains:
“There was a long gap after book one as I was busy with other projects — but the best things come to those who wait! Reconnecting with Stella, Tom and friends was such a joy, and the response to the sequels has been wonderful. The Secret Lake was always going to be a hard act to follow!”
Karen’s other books include:
Eeek! The Runaway Alien (ages 7–10): a soccer-mad alien runs away to Earth for the World Cup. Illustrated, fast-paced and funny — a hit with reluctant readers!
Walter Brown and the Magician’s Hat (ages 7–10): magical mayhem ensues when Walter inherits his great-grandpa’s enchanted hat — and discovers his cat Sixpence isn’t quite what he seems...
Henry Haynes and the Great Escape (ages 6–8): Henry falls inside his library book after complaining it’s boring — and meets a smelly gorilla and a bossy boa with a zoo escape plan!
For younger readers:
The Tell-Me Tree (ages 4–8): a gentle, rhyming picture book that helps children talk about feelings through drawing, writing or conversation. Praised by parents, teachers, and charities, it's widely used in UK homes and classrooms. Includes links to free activity sheets.
Ferdinand Fox rhyming stories (ages 3–5):
Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep – inspired by a real fox who slept in Karen’s garden!
Ferdinand Fox and the Hedgehog – introduces Hatty and her son Ed, plus facts about how to help hedgehogs.
Ferdinand Fox and the Lost Boy – Ferdinand comes to the rescue in his bravest story yet.
A collected edition of all six rhyming stories is currently in the works for readers aged 6–7, or for parents who enjoy reading rhyme to younger children.
How it all began…
Karen’s writing journey began in 2010 when she took a sabbatical from her career in business writing to revisit story ideas drafted a decade earlier, when her sons George and Nick were small. One was The Secret Lake, which had been tucked away in a drawer after early rejections. This time, she self-published — and never looked back. In fact, she has turned down three traditional publishing deals in the last few years, preferring (for now at least) to retain creative control of her IP.
She eventually left business writing to focus fully on children’s books. Today, she regularly visits schools in person and via Zoom, and has signed books in Waterstones branches across London.
Visit her author website to find out more or to enquire about a school visit.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 13, 2024
I loved the first book and the sequel is amazing! So much suspense!
March 3, 2022
So appealing to young readers - history made personal
The two worlds in ‘The Secret Lake’ books are so real that I keep looking out my window, hoping to see moles dancing, so I can go down the time tunnel from modern times to Edwardian England. A child at heart, I find the idea irresistible of seeing my own bedroom as it was a hundred years ago as Tom does, and I love the way the author makes history personal, with accurate details. The Edwardian children are as shocked by Stella’s trainers and smartphone as she and Tom are by the straw on the streets for the horses.
Like the wardrobe entry to Narnia, the time tunnel is for children only (and a scamp of a dog). It requires courage and mutual support, values which are crucial to dealing with the problems thrown at the friends. And what problems! Emma’s worsening illness and the fears of those who love her will resonate with young readers. While turning the pages, worrying for Emma, we see the contrasts between Edwardian medicine and ours.
Karen Inglis writes books children want to read, in language that they can read by themselves. This is not as easy as it sounds! From crisis to crisis, children save the day while allowing their much-loved adults to remain under the illusion that they are the ones looking after their offspring.
Highly recommended for pleasure and for learning! This would be an excellent choice as a group read to stimulate discussion on history, health and the children’s feelings. about each other and about their problems.
The two worlds in ‘The Secret Lake’ books are so real that I keep looking out my window, hoping to see moles dancing, so I can go down the time tunnel from modern times to Edwardian England. A child at heart, I find the idea irresistible of seeing my own bedroom as it was a hundred years ago as Tom does, and I love the way the author makes history personal, with accurate details. The Edwardian children are as shocked by Stella’s trainers and smartphone as she and Tom are by the straw on the streets for the horses.
Like the wardrobe entry to Narnia, the time tunnel is for children only (and a scamp of a dog). It requires courage and mutual support, values which are crucial to dealing with the problems thrown at the friends. And what problems! Emma’s worsening illness and the fears of those who love her will resonate with young readers. While turning the pages, worrying for Emma, we see the contrasts between Edwardian medicine and ours.
Karen Inglis writes books children want to read, in language that they can read by themselves. This is not as easy as it sounds! From crisis to crisis, children save the day while allowing their much-loved adults to remain under the illusion that they are the ones looking after their offspring.
Highly recommended for pleasure and for learning! This would be an excellent choice as a group read to stimulate discussion on history, health and the children’s feelings. about each other and about their problems.
July 27, 2022
I loved this one even more than the first book! It’s longer too, & that was also great. I really enjoyed the direction this one took, & the connection to the events in the previous story. It was so nice being with these characters again, & learning even more about Emma, Sophie, Lucy, as well as what Jack is up to. I found all of it so intriguing, & loved what transpired with Jack’s situation. There was a lot of character growth with one character in particular, & I loved seeing her see her faults, & try to be a better friend, sibling, & person in general. I absolutely love Lucy. Her mom is pretty awesome as well. This new adventure was phenomenal. High stakes, gripping, edge of my seat, fast-paced read for sure. The core of the story being family & friendships. Still love everything about the time travel element to this story so much. I don’t know if there will be more adventures to come with these kids, but I really hope so. Highly recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover, this time by Stuart Bache.💜
May 22, 2022
I'm not very good at posting reviews of the books I've read, but I've enjoyed this series. It's imaginative and painlessly introduces English history to young, and not-so-young, readers. Plus, there is always a bit of a mystery involved and sibling rivalry. The secret lake is reached by going through a time tunnel that only reveals itself when the moles dance. In this book, the 1920s protagonists must reach the children from the 21 first century to find antibiotics to save a life. Plus, they must keep a friend and his dad from going on the Titanic traveling steerage. The author's description of the clothes from the two eras and other changes to the culture also make the tale interesting. The children are believable and have the same kinds of problems that all people face. The author's descriptive writing pulls the reader completely into the story. I'm looking forward to reading the 3rd book in the series due out in the near future. You won't even need to go through the time tunnel to get it.
February 2, 2024
Absolutely Lovely!!!
This was a wonderful sequel to the secret lake. Usually the second book falls flat or is repetitive. This series has become a favorite for my children (10&9). What started as a story time before bed reading instantly sparked an interest in reading for both of my kids, who before this series hated reading time! They are both dyslexic so reading has been a struggle for us. Since starting The Secret lake and Return to we have had days of discussions based around the characters, the time periods and the possible adventures Stella and Tom might have. I love how engaging the characters and the story is.
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. Having my children passionate about story time and reading has been the greatest reward and this series has played a key role in that! Thank you Karen Inglis for your creativity and for being brave enough to share your delightful stories with us readers!
This was a wonderful sequel to the secret lake. Usually the second book falls flat or is repetitive. This series has become a favorite for my children (10&9). What started as a story time before bed reading instantly sparked an interest in reading for both of my kids, who before this series hated reading time! They are both dyslexic so reading has been a struggle for us. Since starting The Secret lake and Return to we have had days of discussions based around the characters, the time periods and the possible adventures Stella and Tom might have. I love how engaging the characters and the story is.
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. Having my children passionate about story time and reading has been the greatest reward and this series has played a key role in that! Thank you Karen Inglis for your creativity and for being brave enough to share your delightful stories with us readers!
April 26, 2024
My 8 year old asked me to read these books because she loved them. I can definitely see why! I loved this one even more than the first. It was a great story that created a sense of urgency, making the reader want to keep going. It also helps young readers appreciate the importance of historical events (i.e. the discovery of penicillin)
March 8, 2022
Brilliant long-awaited sequel!
If you loved the original book, you’ll love this sequel as you get to revisit old friends on a new adventure, and learn a bit more about Emma and Jack. A pleasure for all ages!
If you loved the original book, you’ll love this sequel as you get to revisit old friends on a new adventure, and learn a bit more about Emma and Jack. A pleasure for all ages!
March 31, 2024
Such a good follow on story
This story was everything I expected to be a follow on from the first book. So amazing. I loved reading it to my son every night.
This story was everything I expected to be a follow on from the first book. So amazing. I loved reading it to my son every night.
April 25, 2023
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Return to the Secret Lake
Author: Karen Inglis
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the readers: 15
12 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
11 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
13 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
"I do like historical novels. I sort of like getting lost in time and discovering the past. I thought this was a good story with lots of children characters I enjoyed getting to know. The author is a strong writer who's fab at keeping the story moving. This is the sort of novel you'll never get bored reading." Boy reader, aged 12 - with a little help from his teacher
"I liked that parts of the story were historical but not in a boring history textbook sort of way. I think books like this are good for helping children to understand history but at the same time giving them a fun adventure to read." Boy reader, aged 12
"There's a lot of urgency and suspense in the first part of the novel which I loved. This is better than the first book and much longer too." Girl reader, aged 11
"It's interesting how different the children lived being so many years apart. I think this is a very good book for 9 - 12 year olds. The writing is not difficult to understand, and there's lots of excitement and suspense." Girl, aged 12
"I liked this adventure but it was difficult to follow all of the story, and there were lots of words I didn't know. I liked how the kids got on and worked together." Boy, aged 9 - with a little help from her TA
To Sum It Up:
‘A compelling, time-travel adventure middle grade children will love. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Return to the Secret Lake
Author: Karen Inglis
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the readers: 15
12 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
11 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
13 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
"I do like historical novels. I sort of like getting lost in time and discovering the past. I thought this was a good story with lots of children characters I enjoyed getting to know. The author is a strong writer who's fab at keeping the story moving. This is the sort of novel you'll never get bored reading." Boy reader, aged 12 - with a little help from his teacher
"I liked that parts of the story were historical but not in a boring history textbook sort of way. I think books like this are good for helping children to understand history but at the same time giving them a fun adventure to read." Boy reader, aged 12
"There's a lot of urgency and suspense in the first part of the novel which I loved. This is better than the first book and much longer too." Girl reader, aged 11
"It's interesting how different the children lived being so many years apart. I think this is a very good book for 9 - 12 year olds. The writing is not difficult to understand, and there's lots of excitement and suspense." Girl, aged 12
"I liked this adventure but it was difficult to follow all of the story, and there were lots of words I didn't know. I liked how the kids got on and worked together." Boy, aged 9 - with a little help from her TA
To Sum It Up:
‘A compelling, time-travel adventure middle grade children will love. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
August 11, 2022
I personally would not consider this to be a "mystery" book, but rather a time-travel adventure story. The character objectives and plot trajectory are straightforward from the book description: in the early 1900s Emma's life is endangered by an illness, and her best friend Lucy sets out to travel 100 years into the future to seek a cure to bring back and save her. The real mysteries of the novel remain the same as in the first book: how and why the time tunnel exists? What is the nature of magical moles? And what is Emma's integral connection to the phenomenon? Neither the characters or the plot are particularly engaged in solving this questions. This is only briefly addressed, and, with suspension of disbelief, it is accepted by the reader and characters as a narrative structure that exists.
I enjoyed this sequel better than the first volume. It is longer, and the author uses that space to include more plot developments and character growth. Inglis did a wonderful job integrating historical lessons in a fun and engaging plot, while telling a story about connections and relationships between people through time. The possibility is open for a continuing series.
I enjoyed this sequel better than the first volume. It is longer, and the author uses that space to include more plot developments and character growth. Inglis did a wonderful job integrating historical lessons in a fun and engaging plot, while telling a story about connections and relationships between people through time. The possibility is open for a continuing series.
August 25, 2023
Another great adventure!
I didn't know another book was coming and was pleasantly surprised to find this on KU!
I'm glad I did because this was one was just as good as the first 😍
Love the time travel aspect of the story and how resourceful these kids could be! This time though, the kids knew they had a mission. A mission to save Emma!
There were some hiccups along the way, what with Sophie and all and then they find out someone they knew would be on the Titanic! Which made Stella and Tom determined to save that friend too!
Both Lucy and Sophie and Hannah got in on the adventure this time and they all learned a little from the past and future. Such a fun adventure!
The ending made it seem like more books could come out but either way, it had a solid ending and I'm in love with this series 🤩
I didn't know another book was coming and was pleasantly surprised to find this on KU!
I'm glad I did because this was one was just as good as the first 😍
Love the time travel aspect of the story and how resourceful these kids could be! This time though, the kids knew they had a mission. A mission to save Emma!
There were some hiccups along the way, what with Sophie and all and then they find out someone they knew would be on the Titanic! Which made Stella and Tom determined to save that friend too!
Both Lucy and Sophie and Hannah got in on the adventure this time and they all learned a little from the past and future. Such a fun adventure!
The ending made it seem like more books could come out but either way, it had a solid ending and I'm in love with this series 🤩
November 3, 2022
A sequel to the first book — The Secret Lake — and another granddaughter read. For context, my granddaughters are 8 and 10 at the time of this reading.
I personally enjoyed the first book more, perhaps because this one seemed too sophisticated for the 8 year old. There are several themes/plot lines to track and all of them involved how the future could influence the past, which is usually a no-no in time travel books. That said, I still think it is worth reading. By the end it is made clear that another book is in the offing! Our family will await future adventures of children bridging a 100 year gap (which of course gets wider as the children in the present get older.
A good read and a longer book than the first.
I personally enjoyed the first book more, perhaps because this one seemed too sophisticated for the 8 year old. There are several themes/plot lines to track and all of them involved how the future could influence the past, which is usually a no-no in time travel books. That said, I still think it is worth reading. By the end it is made clear that another book is in the offing! Our family will await future adventures of children bridging a 100 year gap (which of course gets wider as the children in the present get older.
A good read and a longer book than the first.
August 22, 2023
A delightful sequel
Not often is a sequel as compelling as it's predecessor, but Return to the Secret Lake has all the magical fun and childhood fantasy of the first. Return finds Tom and Stella traveling through the time tunnel back to 1912 on a mission to help their friend Emma with some 21st century technology. It's a tale of kids helping kids, working together and learning from each other, with some neat history and some magical moles for good measure.
Not often is a sequel as compelling as it's predecessor, but Return to the Secret Lake has all the magical fun and childhood fantasy of the first. Return finds Tom and Stella traveling through the time tunnel back to 1912 on a mission to help their friend Emma with some 21st century technology. It's a tale of kids helping kids, working together and learning from each other, with some neat history and some magical moles for good measure.
June 6, 2024
A fantastic sequel - and a great story on its own!
This sequel definitely picks up where the first book left off in terms of being an excellently woven story - the creative kind that make reading fiction enjoyable. And thanks to that, I've learned a lot more German that I can use when I practice speaking it with my wife. Viel dank!
This sequel definitely picks up where the first book left off in terms of being an excellently woven story - the creative kind that make reading fiction enjoyable. And thanks to that, I've learned a lot more German that I can use when I practice speaking it with my wife. Viel dank!
December 11, 2022
4.5 stars
Another enjoyable adventure with Stella and Tom. This sequel is much longer than the first book, so we were able to connect more with the characters. The caring they all showed for each other was lovely. Looking forward to book three's publication.
Another enjoyable adventure with Stella and Tom. This sequel is much longer than the first book, so we were able to connect more with the characters. The caring they all showed for each other was lovely. Looking forward to book three's publication.
April 25, 2023
A good one!
This book was amazing. My daughter (10) and I enjoyed reading a chapter each night. Highly recommend for 9-12 year olds give or take.
This book was amazing. My daughter (10) and I enjoyed reading a chapter each night. Highly recommend for 9-12 year olds give or take.
August 18, 2023
This book was a much slower read than the first one. My daughter enjoyed the first book quite a bit more.
October 11, 2023
Read. It was a good book!
March 26, 2024
This book is thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable. 100% recommended
October 24, 2024
A very 'secret garden' vibe
April 18, 2025
If you have read The Secret Lake, then you have to read this. Stella and Tom's adventures keep getting better and better. Stella, Tom, Jack, Lucy, and Sophie have to help Emma get better.
August 18, 2025
Loving this series!!! Couldn’t put this one down.
March 5, 2022
Return to the Secret Lake is a fantastic time-travel adventure story, with exciting and clever historical links, that is perfect for middle-grade readers.
My Year 4 book club and I were highly privileged to receive an advance copy of the story after thoroughly enjoying The Secret Lake last year. The children were very excited to see the process a book can go through before publication too.
A perfect follow on from the first book, Return to the Secret Lake allows us to be reunited with our central characters, Emma, Lucy, Stella and Tom as well as the magical moles that create a portal with the secret lake between past and present. I have no doubt that readers will be just as determined to follow Lucy’s journey to the future to help Emma who has fallen ill in the early 1900s. Equally, they will be just as keen to follow Stella and Tom’s enthusiasm for travelling back in time once again too. This time-travelling element is both exciting and engaging for young children. Readers will maintain their love for these brilliant, witty characters as they find ways to fit in with the era to help their friends. They are quick-thinking, responding to every challenge with a strong desire to help their friends, and this allows young readers to have such a strong connection with them.
This second instalment in the Secret Lake series immerses the reader in the early 1900s and is really thought provoking for middle-grade readers. It allows them to consider and explore the changes in vocabulary usage, dress and technology, as well as medical advancements. At the same time, the strong themes of friendship, care and trust, that radiate from the characters actions, demonstrate that these values are both strong and important, regardless of any time period.
The contrasts and similarities between our main characters are written in such an engaging way by Karen Inglis and these have already led to many interesting discussions with me and my Year 4 book club members. The book is double the size of the first story, which my readers really appreciated, as they were always keen to read more with the first book. Each chapter length is ideal for readers who are 8+ as they keep readers hooked into wanting to read on. The fast-paced adventure story develops really well and makes other unexpected but exciting links with significant events in history that will engage young readers and heighten their interest in history. My readers were forever exclaiming their excitement for this being a really good example of ‘historical fiction’.
I would encourage anyone interested in middle-grade fiction, and all primary school teachers, to include this fantastic series in their collection as both a great fictional adventure and an excellent choice for connecting history with reading for pleasure. My book club members and I will certainly be recommending it to everyone! A must-read for young readers!
My Year 4 book club and I were highly privileged to receive an advance copy of the story after thoroughly enjoying The Secret Lake last year. The children were very excited to see the process a book can go through before publication too.
A perfect follow on from the first book, Return to the Secret Lake allows us to be reunited with our central characters, Emma, Lucy, Stella and Tom as well as the magical moles that create a portal with the secret lake between past and present. I have no doubt that readers will be just as determined to follow Lucy’s journey to the future to help Emma who has fallen ill in the early 1900s. Equally, they will be just as keen to follow Stella and Tom’s enthusiasm for travelling back in time once again too. This time-travelling element is both exciting and engaging for young children. Readers will maintain their love for these brilliant, witty characters as they find ways to fit in with the era to help their friends. They are quick-thinking, responding to every challenge with a strong desire to help their friends, and this allows young readers to have such a strong connection with them.
This second instalment in the Secret Lake series immerses the reader in the early 1900s and is really thought provoking for middle-grade readers. It allows them to consider and explore the changes in vocabulary usage, dress and technology, as well as medical advancements. At the same time, the strong themes of friendship, care and trust, that radiate from the characters actions, demonstrate that these values are both strong and important, regardless of any time period.
The contrasts and similarities between our main characters are written in such an engaging way by Karen Inglis and these have already led to many interesting discussions with me and my Year 4 book club members. The book is double the size of the first story, which my readers really appreciated, as they were always keen to read more with the first book. Each chapter length is ideal for readers who are 8+ as they keep readers hooked into wanting to read on. The fast-paced adventure story develops really well and makes other unexpected but exciting links with significant events in history that will engage young readers and heighten their interest in history. My readers were forever exclaiming their excitement for this being a really good example of ‘historical fiction’.
I would encourage anyone interested in middle-grade fiction, and all primary school teachers, to include this fantastic series in their collection as both a great fictional adventure and an excellent choice for connecting history with reading for pleasure. My book club members and I will certainly be recommending it to everyone! A must-read for young readers!
March 6, 2022
Karen Inglis has hit another home run with the 2nd book in her Secret Lake series!! Once more, middle grade readers will embrace this time travel venture between today and the early 20th century. Motivated by a serious emergency concerning her best friend Emma, Lucy travels to the future to seek help from 21st century pals Stella and Tom. And there begins a suspenseful, thrilling race against the clock. To succeed these kids from different centuries step up with teamwork, loyalty, compassion, and determination.
It’s a delight to experience the future through Lucy’s eyes relative to her world more than a hundred years earlier. The reverse is equally charming when Stella and Tom travel back with Lucy to help Emma and also visit Tom’s friend Jack, whereby they encounter another nail-biting, history-making challenge.
Inglis does a great job folding in these non-fiction events and discoveries that add an effective educational aspect to this most entertaining story. Highly recommend this grand 5-Star adventure!
It’s a delight to experience the future through Lucy’s eyes relative to her world more than a hundred years earlier. The reverse is equally charming when Stella and Tom travel back with Lucy to help Emma and also visit Tom’s friend Jack, whereby they encounter another nail-biting, history-making challenge.
Inglis does a great job folding in these non-fiction events and discoveries that add an effective educational aspect to this most entertaining story. Highly recommend this grand 5-Star adventure!
March 3, 2022
A time travel adventure for all ages!
Within the first pages of Return to The Secret Lake readers will be happily whisked back to the shared gardens of Notting Hill and the friends they met in The Secret Lake. With Ms. Inglis’s descriptive style readers are put right by the characters’ side as they plot to help young Emma. Return to The Secret Lake has page-turning power…filled with suspense and heart-racing moments as the friends must hide their shared knowledge of what happens on the other side of the lake. By opening the story in early 1900s London, we are given a gentle dose of historical perspective which this reader found delightful. From clothing styles, to lifestyles, to language usage…poor Tom! I mustn’t give away the ending and how plotlines are wrapped up, but the twist and turns provide plenty of aha moments!
Within the first pages of Return to The Secret Lake readers will be happily whisked back to the shared gardens of Notting Hill and the friends they met in The Secret Lake. With Ms. Inglis’s descriptive style readers are put right by the characters’ side as they plot to help young Emma. Return to The Secret Lake has page-turning power…filled with suspense and heart-racing moments as the friends must hide their shared knowledge of what happens on the other side of the lake. By opening the story in early 1900s London, we are given a gentle dose of historical perspective which this reader found delightful. From clothing styles, to lifestyles, to language usage…poor Tom! I mustn’t give away the ending and how plotlines are wrapped up, but the twist and turns provide plenty of aha moments!
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