The Cuckoo Tree

In Joan Aiken's "The Cuckoo Tree," the fifth book in the beloved Wolves Chronicles, the spirited Dido Twite returns to an alternate 19th-century England. After Captain Hughes is injured, Dido finds herself at the mysterious Tegleaze Manor, where she uncovers a complex Hanoverian plot involving stolen miniatures, kidnapping, and a plan to destroy St. Paul's Cathedral during the king's coronation. With the help of new friends and smugglers, Dido must use her wit and bravery to outsmart villains, rescue the innocent, and warn the king before it's too late. This adventurous chapter book is perfect for readers aged 8-12 who enjoy historical fiction with a fantastical twist and a strong, independent female protagonist.

When Dido Twite sets foot back on English soil, more mischief awaits. As her friend Captain Hughes recovers from a carriage accident, Dido stays at the Dogkennel Cottages and meets the odd inhabitants of Tegleaze Manor: strange old Lady Tegleaze, her nephew, Tobit, and his wizened, witchy nurse, Sannie. Soon suspicious things happen. A priceless miniature is stolen. Tobit is framed and then kidnapped. A twin sister is found. And when Dido catches a glimpse of her rascally father in Petworth, she is sure she’s in the midst of another Hanoverian plot. Can she get to London to warn the king and save St. Paul's Cathedral from sliding into the Thames?