Product Description

Haoyou knows that his father's spirit lives among the clouds above Ancient China. He also knows that to save his mother from being forced into a new marriage he must now follow in his father's footsteps and take to the skies, riding a kite through the clouds and the spirits of the dead. Then the Jade Circus offers him a chance to escape his enemies and travel throughout the empire, and maybe even perform before Kublai Khan himself. But is going with the circus really the best option? It could be that the circus master is leading him into even greater danger. This outstanding story is like nothing else you've ever read - packed with action, adventure and emotion.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104849 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
3 x winner of Whitbread Children's prize, Blue Peter Award, Carnegie and Smarties

Customer Reviews

A Wondrous and Original Story - shorlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2001
Set against the backdrop of 13th-century China this is the story of one boy, Haoyou, and his topsy turvy struggle for survival after the sudden death of his father. The story is compelling and unforgettable as you cannot help but be drawn into the spiritual and sensory experiences of Haoyou as he discovers manhood and responsibility and leaves his childhood behind.

With a need to earn some money after his father dies, Haoyou volunteers to test the wind for a ship's sea voyage, by being strapped to a board, and soaring up among the clouds high in the sky. This is for the voyage his father should have being going on if he were still alive... Dangerous, but ultimately exhilarating, Haoyou finds he has an aptitude for riding the winds as he understands how a kite files. With the help of his unconventional cousin, Mipeng, he turns next to kite-making, but is thwarted by the unpleasant sailor who wants to marry his mother. Haoyou will do anything in his power to prevent this unthinkable marriage from going head. Uncle Bo is only interested in any money his nephew can make, rather than his nephew's welfare, and when offered the opportunity Haoyou is happy to escape to the Jade Circus, where he is yet again destined to ride his kites in the sky. A powerfully moving and courageous story. It's easy to lose yourself in this novel, and when you've finished it do give it to an adult to read because they'll love it too. For ages 9/10+.

A Fantastic read!!
I have never read a book by this author before but certainly will try more! Haoyou has to follow a dangerous profession to save his mother from a dreadful second marriage. Will he survive storms, flooded rivers, the Kubla Khan and his great uncle Bo as he flies on his kite in the sky? You won't want to stop reading this at all!

It's enough to send chills down your spine!
I haven't read a book by Geraldine McCaughren before but I thought I'd give 'The Kite Rider ' a chance. When I picked it up I just couldn't refuse it. It's a story based on a boy called Haoyou who witnesses his father's spirit being taken up by the gods. He then has to take up a hard profession to keep his mum and baby sister alive. The job is in the circus risking his own life to summon the gods with his cousin, a medium, to help him on the way to success!

If you have any queries about my review or would like to ask any questions about the book, contact me. I think its a great book and recommend it to any one.