For a child who feels a little lost and longs for something magical, this story offers a captivating journey into a hidden world of wishes and unexpected friendships.
A parent might reach for this book when their thoughtful, imaginative child is feeling lonely or misunderstood, perhaps even within their own family. "Up the Pier" is a quiet, magical story about Carrie, a girl on a dreary seaside holiday who feels invisible. She is drawn to a derelict pier where she discovers the Pontifexes, a mysterious family trapped out of time, waiting for a wish powerful enough to free them. The book beautifully explores themes of loneliness, belonging, and the profound power of a child's inner world. It's an ideal choice for introspective readers aged 8 to 11, offering reassurance that feeling different is okay and that connection can be found in the most unexpected, magical places.
The central concept involves a family that is essentially ghostly or displaced in time. This is handled as a purely magical phenomenon, a metaphor for feeling stuck or lost, rather than a direct exploration of death or grief. The approach is secular. The resolution is magical and ultimately hopeful, though tinged with the bittersweet feeling of a temporary, secret friendship ending.
Ideal Reader
This is for an introspective, perhaps introverted, child of 9 to 11 who feels overlooked or a bit out of step with their peers or family. They are likely a daydreamer who appreciates atmospheric, character-driven stories over high-action plots. It would resonate with a child struggling to find their place after a move or during a period of social isolation.
Parent Prep
No special preparation is needed; the book can be read cold. The setting is a slightly old-fashioned British seaside town, but the emotional themes are universal and timeless. A parent can trust the gentle, thoughtful handling of the story's fantasy elements. A parent notices their child seems withdrawn or lonely, especially during a family event or vacation. The child might say something like, "I feel like nobody really sees me," or express a deep wish for something magical to happen in their ordinary life.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will be captivated by the magical mystery of the Pontifex family and the idea of a secret friendship. An older reader (10-11) will connect more deeply with Carrie's existential loneliness and the bittersweet feeling of the ending. They will better appreciate the nuanced, atmospheric writing and the theme of finding power in one's own quiet feelings.
What Makes It Special
In a market full of fast-paced fantasy, "Up the Pier" is a standout for its quiet, melancholic beauty and its focus on a child's internal emotional world. Its power is in its atmosphere, not its action. It champions the strength found in sensitivity and imagination, making it a timeless classic similar in feel to the works of Philippa Pearce or L.M. Boston.
Read plot summary
A young, lonely girl named Carrie is on a dull family holiday at a faded seaside resort. Feeling invisible, she becomes fascinated by the closed, decaying pier. There, she discovers its secret inhabitants: the Pontifex family (King, Queen, and Prince), who are magically stuck, unable to return to their own time. They explain they need a powerful, heartfelt wish to send them "up the pier" and home. Carrie, with her deep sense of longing, may be the one person with a wish strong enough to help them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start of the book, Carrie feels invisible to her family. Have you ever felt that way? What do you think makes a person feel 'seen' by others?
2
The Pontifex family needed a very special, powerful wish to be set free. Why do you think Carrie's wish was strong enough when others before hers were not?
3
The pier is old, forgotten, and falling apart. Why do you think the author chose this setting for a magical story? What kind of real-life places feel magical to you?
4
After Carrie helps the Pontifexes, she is alone on the pier, but she feels different inside. How do you think the experience changed her?
5
The Pontifex family seems very grand and formal. How was their friendship with Carrie different from other friendships she might have had?
