Rereading: THE BLACK CANARY by Jane Louse Curry

This 2005 novel by Curry takes the “boy in London goes back in time” familiar theme in a somewhat different direction.

Twelve-year-old American James Parrett is staying in London with his parents. His mother is a singer who is working with a small ensemble on a tour of Britain and Europe, his father is doing some research at the British library and taking care of James. The boy looks and identifies as African American, his mother’s heritage, and he’s not thrilled with being in London, but making the best of it. One night he’s awakened by the sound of running water. He goes to investigate, and in the basement of the house they’re staying in finds a strange shimmering disk that seems to be a portal to another place. James goes through and finds himself deep in England’s past, though it takes him a while to find out it’s 1599 there.

Later, another similar portal opens for him when he’s out in London with his father, and this time James is stuck in the past. He gets help from a few friendly men, but is soon recruited to be part of the players and singers of The Children of the Chapel Royal, under command of Queen Elizabeth. They are preparing a performance for her at the palace, and James’ fine singing voice lands him a role, even though he needs instruction in many things the other boys know. James really wants to go home, but in the few chances he has to visit the portal he first found, the time back in modern London is wrong, it’s too early, before his family arrived.

James is being watched by another boy with his own secrets, and the two of them become involved in a treasonous plot, even while James is finding ever more success with the company. He feels the draw of his own time is fading, and if he doesn’t get back there, he’ll be stuck in Old London for the rest of his life.

Well written and recommended.

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