Philip Pullman is in fine fettle in this cracking little book--a rip-roaring, quick-witted adventure story of the very best kind, told in words and pictures. Here we have the stirring tale of three defenceless little orphans as they attempt to escape from the Alderman Cawn-Plaster Memorial Orphanage one dark and stormy London night . Closely watched by Mack the Knife and other such villainous villains, they weave their way across the dark and dangerous streets of the city in constant fear of being caught and returned to the care of the rancid Mr Killjoy and his horribly horrid assistant.

Enter Spring Heeled Jack, the hooded superhero to beat all hooded superheroes, dressed like the devil and ready for action against the evil-doers and scallywags of the city's dark streets.

A boisterous, daredevil tale that proves that the award-winning Pullman has certainly lost none of his magic touch. Great stuff.

2000-11-16 A Fantastic Book For All Ages

As a 14-year-old, some may think that this book is a bit too young for me, but that is not so. We chose to review this book in my Philip Pullman fan club, and I found it fantastic beyond my expectations. Philip Pullman merges fantastic plots with mesmerising writing skill, in a book that will have 3 year olds to 103 year olds on the edge of their seats. The story tells of children, eager to escape their cruel orphanage in victorian London to travel to America. But evil Mack the Knife captures their locket which is their only method of paying for this trip, and all hope is lost..... but then, Spring heeled jack comes along - a super-hero who closely resembles the devil, and "if he wasn't the devil, then who the devil was he?" as Philip Pullman says. This is a stunning book, funny, scary, even tearful in places - and it deserves to be put on the list of the best childrens' books ever. Philip Pullman has written amazing books for older children, most notably the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, but this is the perfect book for younger, and older readers alike. I only wish I had read this when I was 8.... I would have worshipped it :-)