It was very animal heavy and the main character has a lot of love for animals but the book didn’t really make me feel this. For example a missing dog is not cared about until it is important to the plot.

Jess Butterworth drew inspiration for ‘When the Mountains Roared’ from her own family stories, her grandparents’ travels to India in the 1960s and her own childhood experiences living with them at the foot of the Himalayas. She descriptively captures the sensory experiences, the diverse sights and sounds, cityscapes and countryside and wildlife encounters. Her understandings of the Indian way of life resonate here. The imprint of the leopard, from the roaring white silhouette and the rich yellow and brown markings of the covers that continue as bold chapter headings, set the scene for her message of wildlife conservation. Ruby’s new home in India is a run-down hotel up on Durga mountain. Her dad is the new hotel manager, and he’s supposed to fix everything and get the hotel in good working condition. A stunningly compelling & evocative tale that surpasses far beyond the highest of expectations, carrying with it an all-important message of preservation; of the potency of poaching; and of being at peace with the wild and the world; that will live long not only in the minds, but also in the hearts of its readers.’

This is a really great book for middle-grade readers, and I actually think it’s a lot stronger than her debut. The characters are more evocative and three-dimensional, and the story is much richer and much more pacy. Young readers will love this story. Animal lovers will devour it. Education Shed Ltd, Severn House, Severn Bridge, Riverside North, Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK, DY12 1AB Meeting Ruby at the beginning, she’s very much a different girl to how she started. She was subdued: a shadow of herself, pulled from pillar to post and fearing the utmost worst of every situation. However by the end of WtMR, she has begun to overcome her deepest fears and developed into someone who’s mother’s steely determination and spirit lives on within her.

When Ruby's dad uproots her from Australia to set up a hotel in the mountains of India, Ruby is devastated. Not only are they living in a run-down building in the middle of the wilderness surrounded by scorpions, bears and leopards, but Ruby is sure that India will never truly feel like home - not without her mum there. Heralding her Himalayan heritage, real-life inspirations and childhood experiences, Jess once again vibrantly and beautifully realises the lush, mountain landscapes complete with their soaring scenery and diverse range of flora and fauna but this story starts itself in a wholly contrasting way…Full of adventure, mystery, friendship and family drama, at its heart When the Mountains Roared is a classic animal-rescue story in the vein of Lauren St John. The mountain setting is richly described, drawing readers into the sights and sounds and smells of Ruby’s new home, including snippets of culture and customs local to the area, while Ruby’s emotional journey is powerful and moving. Perfect for anyone who loves wildlife adventures and stories about righting wrongs and doing what you believe in.

A vivid, warm and atmospheric adventure set in the mountains of India, about a girl who is determined to protect the wild leopards of the mountain from poachers, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell. I thought we'd live here forever ... but then, I thought Mum would be here forever too. When Ruby's dad uproots her from Australia to set up a hotel in the mountains of India, Ruby is devastated. Not only are they living in a run-down building in the middle of the wilderness surrounded by scorpions, bears and leopards, but Ruby is sure that India will never truly feel like home - not without her mum there. Ever since her mum died, Ruby has been afraid. Of cars. Of the dark. Of going to sleep and never waking up. But then the last remaining leopards of the mountain are threatened and everything changes. Ruby vows to do all she can to protect them - if she can only overcome her fears... About This Edition ISBN: But then the last remaining leopards of the mountain are threatened and everything changes. Ruby vows to do all she can to protect them - if she can only overcome her fears... Nan’s afraid of flying so they board a cruise ship bound for India. Their tiring journey finally brings them to the bottom of the Himachal Pradesh and a haunted mountain. Life for the family is confronting, their new hotel needs a large amount of work, with the owners e involved in wildlife poaching. Ruby captures photos of the beautiful world around the hotel, she is an observer, listening to secret conversations and trailing her father’s employers. There are moments of fun and laughter, the colourful Holi festival, caring for Joey, watching Bollywood films, making friends with Praveen and dancing to Bollywood music with Dad and Nan.Jean is the mother who is no longer there. She died some time ago, but her memories still haunt the family, from her taxidermy python (She used to study ophiology aka snakes) to her favorite color (orange). How will Ruby ever let go?

Ever since her mum died, Ruby has been afraid. Of cars. Of the dark. Of going to sleep and never waking up. But then the last remaining leopards of the mountain are threatened and everything changes.

Ruby and her family soon settle into life on the mountain; Ruby meets Parveen, a local boy and the pair form an instant friendship. He is a sweet boy and he cares for animals as much as Ruby does. But Ruby’s new life is not not all plain sailing. The locals have stories about the mountain and they believe that some of the unpleasant events occurring in their village are the wrath of the Goddess Durga because there are people living on the mountain again. Parveen introduces Ruby to some of the local customs and helps her to build a shrine to the Goddess to help. They do face some disagreements in their friendship and it was interesting to see how they approached and worked through these.