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The Tale of Truthwater Lake
Emma Carroll's books have sold over half a million copies!
The future has a lot to learn from the past in this time-travelling adventure that explores the before and after of global warming.
On one side of the underwater street is the remains of a house . . . It's beautiful here, and eerie, a lost kingdom, a ghost village . . .
It's the near-future and Britain is having yet another heatwave. Of course, the government have put in the normal curfews for this kind of weather, and shops are forced to shut again. For Polly, it's the sort of heat that makes her do wild, out-of-character things just to cool down.
Like face her fear of deepwater. Essential when she and her brother have been sent to their aunt's eco lake-side house for the summer.
But Truthwater Lake is beginning to dry up. As the water level diminishes, a lost village emerges. Swimming over the rooftops at midnight, Polly dives down and is suddenly able to breathe, to hear church bells and bird song . . . Polly has discovered an underwater gateway . . . to the past!
'Absolutely gorgeous.' Hilary McKay
'Gripping.' Guardian, Best Books of 2022
'Spellbinding.' School Reading List
'Gorgeously told.' Nicola Penfold, LoveReading Book of the Month
'Exhilarating.' FT
The future has a lot to learn from the past in this time-travelling adventure that explores the before and after of global warming.
On one side of the underwater street is the remains of a house . . . It's beautiful here, and eerie, a lost kingdom, a ghost village . . .
It's the near-future and Britain is having yet another heatwave. Of course, the government have put in the normal curfews for this kind of weather, and shops are forced to shut again. For Polly, it's the sort of heat that makes her do wild, out-of-character things just to cool down.
Like face her fear of deepwater. Essential when she and her brother have been sent to their aunt's eco lake-side house for the summer.
But Truthwater Lake is beginning to dry up. As the water level diminishes, a lost village emerges. Swimming over the rooftops at midnight, Polly dives down and is suddenly able to breathe, to hear church bells and bird song . . . Polly has discovered an underwater gateway . . . to the past!
'Absolutely gorgeous.' Hilary McKay
'Gripping.' Guardian, Best Books of 2022
'Spellbinding.' School Reading List
'Gorgeously told.' Nicola Penfold, LoveReading Book of the Month
'Exhilarating.' FT
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
13 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Emma Carroll
30 books600 followersAfter years of teaching English to secondary school students, Emma now writes full time. She graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University’s MA in Writing For Young People. In another life Emma wishes she’d written ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier. She lives in the Somerset hills with her husband and three terriers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 13, 2023
Such a good book! I loved the friendships and the setting. It is also a well brought story of what is happening to our earth. Would recommend it:)
May 23, 2025
Review to follow.
July 24, 2023
I enjoyed the 1952 storyline of this book and how Emma Carroll connected it to the 2032 characters. I would have liked the entire book more if it hadn't been oppressive in its preachiness. As much as I appreciated her making her futuristic children have hope in a difficult situation, I just ached to rush through those pages to find out what happened and get out of the book.
It had a lot of potential, but... sigh. I loved Letters from the Lighthouse (or is it "to the Lighthouse"?), but as beautiful as my copy of this one is, I'm leaving it behind in England. It's not one I'll keep in my home library. This will not, however, keep me from reading more books by Carroll.
Carroll is a brilliant writer, and I am eager to read more, but this one wasn't for me.
It had a lot of potential, but... sigh. I loved Letters from the Lighthouse (or is it "to the Lighthouse"?), but as beautiful as my copy of this one is, I'm leaving it behind in England. It's not one I'll keep in my home library. This will not, however, keep me from reading more books by Carroll.
Carroll is a brilliant writer, and I am eager to read more, but this one wasn't for me.
August 22, 2022
The Tale of Truthwater Lake is set between two times periods with two different sets of characters.
2032 - Polly and her brother leave blistering Brighton which is battling another heatwave. The government declares everyone has to be inside when the temperature passes 40 degrees. Polly and her brother gain some respite from the heat by staying with their aunt who has a garden that leads to a lake. Polly has just started to learn to swim so the idea of escaping her flat sounds like heave.
Whilst on holiday, Polly notices that the water in the lake has evaporated and her aunt tells her that the lake is covering a lost village.
It's during an illicit swim in the lake that Poilly finds a door handle that transports her to another time period - the 1930s where she becomes Nellie - who dreams of swimming the English Channel. It's through Nellie's eyes that we learn about her friends Nate and Lena and just what happened to the village that Nellie calls home.
Carroll has created believable characters and text that draws you in. Each chapter ending, leaving the reader wanting more.
A novel that discusses climate change, and friendship and has a lovely twist at the end.
2032 - Polly and her brother leave blistering Brighton which is battling another heatwave. The government declares everyone has to be inside when the temperature passes 40 degrees. Polly and her brother gain some respite from the heat by staying with their aunt who has a garden that leads to a lake. Polly has just started to learn to swim so the idea of escaping her flat sounds like heave.
Whilst on holiday, Polly notices that the water in the lake has evaporated and her aunt tells her that the lake is covering a lost village.
It's during an illicit swim in the lake that Poilly finds a door handle that transports her to another time period - the 1930s where she becomes Nellie - who dreams of swimming the English Channel. It's through Nellie's eyes that we learn about her friends Nate and Lena and just what happened to the village that Nellie calls home.
Carroll has created believable characters and text that draws you in. Each chapter ending, leaving the reader wanting more.
A novel that discusses climate change, and friendship and has a lovely twist at the end.
July 11, 2024
Emma Carroll De Onderwaterpoort (morgen recensie voor blogtour op @inge1970reads) ✅️
Vandaag is het mijn beurt in de blogtour. Ik neem het stokje over van @de_leesplank en geef het morgen over aan de rijensluiter @robins.moedt
Ik was erg blij dat ik mee mocht doen met deze blogtour. De cover vond ik nl al erg mooi en ik had erg goede dingen gehoord over Emma Carroll. Dus het werd wel eens tijd om iets van haar te lezen. Zo gezegd, zo gedaan.
Het verhaal speelt zich af in de nabije toekomst nl 2032. Het verhaal volgt in het begin Polly en haar familieleden. Deze zomer zijn er veel hittegolven en Polly en haar broer Joel gaan de zomer doorbrengen bij hun tante Jessie. Het meer bij haar huis is grotendeels opgedroogd. Hierdoor wordt er een oud dorpje genaamd Syndercombe zichtbaar.
Vanaf nu gebeurt er van alles. Polly opent een deur naar het verleden nl 1952. Ze ziet de gebeurtenissen door de ogen van Nellie.
Het is een prachtig mooi boek en tegelijkertijd ook wat angstaanjagend daar als je er over nadenkt dit een toekomst is die op zich een mogelijkheid zou kunnen zijn. Een uniek en bijzonder verhaal voor de jeugd. Het leest heerlijk weg. Beide verhaallijnen zijn prettig om te lezen en goed te volgen. Gedurende het verhaal wordt er stukje bij beetje meer en meer duidelijk. Dit zorgt er ook voor dat je door wilt lezen om achter het volledige verhaal te komen.
Emma schrijft erg fijn en visueel. Aan te raden voor kinderen vanaf 10 jaar. Maar ik denk dat veel volwassenen het ook kunnen waarderen.
Ook een must read voor leerkrachten vind ik. Ook om over te praten in de klas.
Ik ben in ieder geval erg benieuwd geworden naar haar andere boeken. En ga er ook zeker nog lezen.
4.25 ⭐️
Bedankt @Kokboekencentrum.jeugd
Vandaag is het mijn beurt in de blogtour. Ik neem het stokje over van @de_leesplank en geef het morgen over aan de rijensluiter @robins.moedt
Ik was erg blij dat ik mee mocht doen met deze blogtour. De cover vond ik nl al erg mooi en ik had erg goede dingen gehoord over Emma Carroll. Dus het werd wel eens tijd om iets van haar te lezen. Zo gezegd, zo gedaan.
Het verhaal speelt zich af in de nabije toekomst nl 2032. Het verhaal volgt in het begin Polly en haar familieleden. Deze zomer zijn er veel hittegolven en Polly en haar broer Joel gaan de zomer doorbrengen bij hun tante Jessie. Het meer bij haar huis is grotendeels opgedroogd. Hierdoor wordt er een oud dorpje genaamd Syndercombe zichtbaar.
Vanaf nu gebeurt er van alles. Polly opent een deur naar het verleden nl 1952. Ze ziet de gebeurtenissen door de ogen van Nellie.
Het is een prachtig mooi boek en tegelijkertijd ook wat angstaanjagend daar als je er over nadenkt dit een toekomst is die op zich een mogelijkheid zou kunnen zijn. Een uniek en bijzonder verhaal voor de jeugd. Het leest heerlijk weg. Beide verhaallijnen zijn prettig om te lezen en goed te volgen. Gedurende het verhaal wordt er stukje bij beetje meer en meer duidelijk. Dit zorgt er ook voor dat je door wilt lezen om achter het volledige verhaal te komen.
Emma schrijft erg fijn en visueel. Aan te raden voor kinderen vanaf 10 jaar. Maar ik denk dat veel volwassenen het ook kunnen waarderen.
Ook een must read voor leerkrachten vind ik. Ook om over te praten in de klas.
Ik ben in ieder geval erg benieuwd geworden naar haar andere boeken. En ga er ook zeker nog lezen.
4.25 ⭐️
Bedankt @Kokboekencentrum.jeugd
February 20, 2024
Emma Carroll does it again. She creates heart-warming, visual characters who go off on adventures, whether it's ancient history or set in the future.
This story was based around three children, Nellie, Lena and Nate. It's set around a swimming competition to be the first child to swim the English channel in 1952. Also, their town is about to be flooded to make way for a new reservoir.
Roll forwards to Polly's story in 2030. Climate change has had horrible effects on everyone's day to day lives. Heatwaves mean daily curfews have been enforced. There's not enough food/fuel in the country. Polly and her brother are going to their auntie's house near Truthwater Lake (the reservoir).
It's a powerful, hard-hitting book about how we could be living six years from now...! I enjoyed how both stories merged and the ending is simply lovely.
This story was based around three children, Nellie, Lena and Nate. It's set around a swimming competition to be the first child to swim the English channel in 1952. Also, their town is about to be flooded to make way for a new reservoir.
Roll forwards to Polly's story in 2030. Climate change has had horrible effects on everyone's day to day lives. Heatwaves mean daily curfews have been enforced. There's not enough food/fuel in the country. Polly and her brother are going to their auntie's house near Truthwater Lake (the reservoir).
It's a powerful, hard-hitting book about how we could be living six years from now...! I enjoyed how both stories merged and the ending is simply lovely.
August 10, 2022
I am a big fan of Emma Carroll’s books. I like the historical context of them and the hints of something otherworldly.
This book starts very differently- 10 years in the future. This is a future where climate change has led to scorching summers and shortages. It is a very timely book after the heatwave we have had this summer, which makes the scenario so much more believable.
When Polly and her brother are sent to stay with their aunt for a few days we get to more familiar ground, as a late night swim leads to Polly visiting the past. This part of the story is set in the 1950s with a village about to be submerged to make a reservoir and a young girl’s attempt to swim the Channel. The historical section is fascinating and well researched and contrasts nicely with the future. Who knew Channel swimming could be so readable? The only flaw in the story is the ending, it is too neat for me with everything turning out perfectly for everyone.
This book starts very differently- 10 years in the future. This is a future where climate change has led to scorching summers and shortages. It is a very timely book after the heatwave we have had this summer, which makes the scenario so much more believable.
When Polly and her brother are sent to stay with their aunt for a few days we get to more familiar ground, as a late night swim leads to Polly visiting the past. This part of the story is set in the 1950s with a village about to be submerged to make a reservoir and a young girl’s attempt to swim the Channel. The historical section is fascinating and well researched and contrasts nicely with the future. Who knew Channel swimming could be so readable? The only flaw in the story is the ending, it is too neat for me with everything turning out perfectly for everyone.
January 14, 2025
Very pretty book it got me back into reading. I really love everything about it especially the end it felt really refreshing d
November 28, 2022
A great find from the children’s section of the library. I loved the storytelling.
Set 10 years in the future, fraught with climate issues and 70 years in the past where a village is about to be submerged to make way for a new lake. Polly and Nellie take us through these respective times when they are trying to help friends and achieve things others consider too difficult or dangerous.
A story of friendships that are forever.
Set 10 years in the future, fraught with climate issues and 70 years in the past where a village is about to be submerged to make way for a new lake. Polly and Nellie take us through these respective times when they are trying to help friends and achieve things others consider too difficult or dangerous.
A story of friendships that are forever.
November 9, 2022
My favoueite Emma Carroll book so far!
July 30, 2023
2032. It's hot. So hot that it's unsafe to be out in the sun during the day, with the government imposing a law to keep people inside when over 42deg C. Siblings Joel and Polly are melting inside their flat in the summer school holidays. Learning that they are going to stay at their aunt Jessie's in the country comes as a relief.
But it's just as hot there too. In fact, a nearby lake has drastically shrunk in the heatwave revealing the remains of a village once called Syndercombe. Aunt Jessie explains that there are even more buildings under the water that is left, and the area was flooded on purpose.
Sick of the heat, and lured by the cool remaining water in the reservoir, Polly goes swimming - and wakes up in 1952 - as someone else, in Syndercombe.
This someone is Nellie, taken in by an older couple when her mum passed away. Nellie is kept company by Lena who is recuperating in the country after tuberculosis. Nellie and Lena have become the very best of friends.
'What's the story, morning glory?'
'What's your tale, nightingale?'
Nellie is an excellent swimmer in her area, and with Lena at her side Nellie tries out for an amazing opportunity. A wealthy man is keen to sponsor and train a child to be the very first child to swim the Channel between England and France. Nellie is devastated when a boy she's never met before is chosen over her, and the disappointment just won't leave her. Again, with Lena by her side, another opportunity arises.
Polly returns home to 2032 in awe. She visits Syndercombe again at exactly the same time as the first - just in case it's important to the portal she had found. She was right. 2am is very important to Nellie, as this is the time that the local water board say her village must be empty before they flood the area. A dam is being built and everyone must move. Nellie hates to think about leaving her farm and her favourite Clydesdale horses. But she has a distraction. She is going to train to swim the Channel anyway, and the colder the water the better.
Polly can understand Nellie's worries, but she has some of her own in 2032. Her own best friend has ignored her for weeks after an argument, and her big brother Joel is acting strangely. Surprising news comes from home and Joel finally tells her what's wrong. The heat makes everything harder and Polly is always keen to return under the water to 1952's Nellie. At least they're not her own problems.
But news of bad weather is coming, and Dad is coming to get them. Polly is torn. She has to know what's going to happen to Nellie and Lena.
This is a time-slip novel with a difference. The portal is underwater and at a key time in the demise of an entire village. Progress after the 2nd World War demands more fresh water for towns and the best place for a reservoir means drowning this village. Also woven into the story is swimming of the English Channel, surprise family announcements in both timelines, along with friendship dilemmas too.
Key themes are whether decisions made in the pursuit of progress are the best in the long run. There are fracturing friendships and miscommunications, parental expectations vs being yourself, and of course the result of 'progress' being global warming.
The ending is very neat and tidy and one moment I was hoping it wouldn't be, then had a tear in my eye because it was wonderful.
Age - 9+
But it's just as hot there too. In fact, a nearby lake has drastically shrunk in the heatwave revealing the remains of a village once called Syndercombe. Aunt Jessie explains that there are even more buildings under the water that is left, and the area was flooded on purpose.
Sick of the heat, and lured by the cool remaining water in the reservoir, Polly goes swimming - and wakes up in 1952 - as someone else, in Syndercombe.
This someone is Nellie, taken in by an older couple when her mum passed away. Nellie is kept company by Lena who is recuperating in the country after tuberculosis. Nellie and Lena have become the very best of friends.
'What's the story, morning glory?'
'What's your tale, nightingale?'
Nellie is an excellent swimmer in her area, and with Lena at her side Nellie tries out for an amazing opportunity. A wealthy man is keen to sponsor and train a child to be the very first child to swim the Channel between England and France. Nellie is devastated when a boy she's never met before is chosen over her, and the disappointment just won't leave her. Again, with Lena by her side, another opportunity arises.
Polly returns home to 2032 in awe. She visits Syndercombe again at exactly the same time as the first - just in case it's important to the portal she had found. She was right. 2am is very important to Nellie, as this is the time that the local water board say her village must be empty before they flood the area. A dam is being built and everyone must move. Nellie hates to think about leaving her farm and her favourite Clydesdale horses. But she has a distraction. She is going to train to swim the Channel anyway, and the colder the water the better.
Polly can understand Nellie's worries, but she has some of her own in 2032. Her own best friend has ignored her for weeks after an argument, and her big brother Joel is acting strangely. Surprising news comes from home and Joel finally tells her what's wrong. The heat makes everything harder and Polly is always keen to return under the water to 1952's Nellie. At least they're not her own problems.
But news of bad weather is coming, and Dad is coming to get them. Polly is torn. She has to know what's going to happen to Nellie and Lena.
This is a time-slip novel with a difference. The portal is underwater and at a key time in the demise of an entire village. Progress after the 2nd World War demands more fresh water for towns and the best place for a reservoir means drowning this village. Also woven into the story is swimming of the English Channel, surprise family announcements in both timelines, along with friendship dilemmas too.
Key themes are whether decisions made in the pursuit of progress are the best in the long run. There are fracturing friendships and miscommunications, parental expectations vs being yourself, and of course the result of 'progress' being global warming.
The ending is very neat and tidy and one moment I was hoping it wouldn't be, then had a tear in my eye because it was wonderful.
Age - 9+
July 31, 2024
This is my first Emma Carroll book, and I'm so glad I read it.
The story feels like historical fiction, well grounded in plausible real life conflicts and the very real problem of sacrifices that has to be made for future changes, but with a time travelling twist and unlikely yet cleverly foreshadowed coincidences. The pacing is leisurely at first, but it speeds up in the middle, as we travel through time faster to the Big Day -- when the channel swimming took place, and Syndercombe would be no more. The characters, narrated in first person, feel very real to me. While I don't relate to Nellie's experience of facing so many challenges, I root for her all the way, like Polly do, and I can't wait to uncover her story. Full of twists and turns and some bad news thrown in the way, the author certainly didn't give our characters an easy time. I had my heart in my throat and can't help flying through the pages! I love them so much: Nellie, Lena and Nate, and I love how Polly and Joel in the future have their happy ending too. Or really, a beginning.
As for the twists, some I've anticipated, while others really took me by surprise.
As for the biggest twist: I did some googling and it turns out Clatworthy Reservoir is a real place, and Syndercombe was indeed flooded for this. I know Emma Carroll's from Somerset too, but I've been in Taunton for 5 years and never knew this place! (According to my dad, we've been there but I completely forgot -- but we're going there tomorrow!)
The story feels like historical fiction, well grounded in plausible real life conflicts and the very real problem of sacrifices that has to be made for future changes, but with a time travelling twist and unlikely yet cleverly foreshadowed coincidences. The pacing is leisurely at first, but it speeds up in the middle, as we travel through time faster to the Big Day -- when the channel swimming took place, and Syndercombe would be no more. The characters, narrated in first person, feel very real to me. While I don't relate to Nellie's experience of facing so many challenges, I root for her all the way, like Polly do, and I can't wait to uncover her story. Full of twists and turns and some bad news thrown in the way, the author certainly didn't give our characters an easy time. I had my heart in my throat and can't help flying through the pages! I love them so much: Nellie, Lena and Nate, and I love how Polly and Joel in the future have their happy ending too. Or really, a beginning.
As for the twists, some I've anticipated, while others really took me by surprise.
As for the biggest twist: I did some googling and it turns out Clatworthy Reservoir is a real place, and Syndercombe was indeed flooded for this. I know Emma Carroll's from Somerset too, but I've been in Taunton for 5 years and never knew this place! (According to my dad, we've been there but I completely forgot -- but we're going there tomorrow!)
July 5, 2024
Poort naar het verleden
Tijdens de zoveelste hittegolf en alweer een avondklok, verveelt Polly zich een ongeluk. Het is 2032 en Groot-Brittannië wordt geteisterd door extreme warmte, waardoor Polly echt op zoek is naar verkoeling.
Haar angst voor water overwinnen zou al enorm helpen. Zeker als Polly samen met haar broer vakantie gaat vieren bij haar tante, die aan een groot meer woont. Het waterpeil daar is echter behoorlijk gedaald, en een verloren dorp is zichtbaar geworden.
Tijdens een nachtelijke duik in het meer kan Polly ineens onderwater ademen. Wat is er met deze duik in werking gezet?
“Sinds die avond in februari, toen de eerste bijeenkomst in het dorpshuis plaatsvond, had ik tegen dit moment opgezien.” Emma Carroll
De onderwaterpoort van Emma Carroll is een mooie jeugdroman met een boodschap.
Emma Carroll heeft haar niet te missen boodschappen weten te verpakken in een heerlijk verhaal over vriendschap en heeft daar een klein vleugje fantasy aan toegevoegd. Het valt vrijwel direct op hoe makkelijk het boek leest en wat de auteur wil vertellen. Toch weet ze je vaak te verrassen door er dan net weer wat meer aan toe te voegen, of een nieuw element te introduceren. Daardoor worden pesten, ‘anders’ zijn, doorzetten, opkomen voor jezelf en je eigen pad kiezen ook onderdeel van het verhaal. Maar de grootste boodschap is weggelegd voor de toestand van de aarde en het milieu.
Het voorgaande klinkt misschien als zwaar en veel voor een jongerenboek, maar niets is minder waar. Emma Carroll heeft alles zo toegankelijk en aantrekkelijk geschreven dat het een plezier is om het boek te lezen. De ontroerende en leerzame momenten zijn er mooi en zonder veel gewicht in opgenomen. En de, vaak jeugdige, hoofdpersonen die alles beleven zijn erg leuk, en hebben ieder hun eigen wensen en uitdagingen. Ze zorgen dat het verhaal goed aankomt en soms weten ze je echt te verrassen, maar ook dat gebeurt op een tot de verbeelding spreken de manier.
De onderwaterpoort is een jeugdroman voor iedereen die van een fijn en fantasievol verhaal houdt.
4½ ⭐️
Instagram: sheila_hjv_inbooks
Tijdens de zoveelste hittegolf en alweer een avondklok, verveelt Polly zich een ongeluk. Het is 2032 en Groot-Brittannië wordt geteisterd door extreme warmte, waardoor Polly echt op zoek is naar verkoeling.
Haar angst voor water overwinnen zou al enorm helpen. Zeker als Polly samen met haar broer vakantie gaat vieren bij haar tante, die aan een groot meer woont. Het waterpeil daar is echter behoorlijk gedaald, en een verloren dorp is zichtbaar geworden.
Tijdens een nachtelijke duik in het meer kan Polly ineens onderwater ademen. Wat is er met deze duik in werking gezet?
“Sinds die avond in februari, toen de eerste bijeenkomst in het dorpshuis plaatsvond, had ik tegen dit moment opgezien.” Emma Carroll
De onderwaterpoort van Emma Carroll is een mooie jeugdroman met een boodschap.
Emma Carroll heeft haar niet te missen boodschappen weten te verpakken in een heerlijk verhaal over vriendschap en heeft daar een klein vleugje fantasy aan toegevoegd. Het valt vrijwel direct op hoe makkelijk het boek leest en wat de auteur wil vertellen. Toch weet ze je vaak te verrassen door er dan net weer wat meer aan toe te voegen, of een nieuw element te introduceren. Daardoor worden pesten, ‘anders’ zijn, doorzetten, opkomen voor jezelf en je eigen pad kiezen ook onderdeel van het verhaal. Maar de grootste boodschap is weggelegd voor de toestand van de aarde en het milieu.
Het voorgaande klinkt misschien als zwaar en veel voor een jongerenboek, maar niets is minder waar. Emma Carroll heeft alles zo toegankelijk en aantrekkelijk geschreven dat het een plezier is om het boek te lezen. De ontroerende en leerzame momenten zijn er mooi en zonder veel gewicht in opgenomen. En de, vaak jeugdige, hoofdpersonen die alles beleven zijn erg leuk, en hebben ieder hun eigen wensen en uitdagingen. Ze zorgen dat het verhaal goed aankomt en soms weten ze je echt te verrassen, maar ook dat gebeurt op een tot de verbeelding spreken de manier.
De onderwaterpoort is een jeugdroman voor iedereen die van een fijn en fantasievol verhaal houdt.
4½ ⭐️
Instagram: sheila_hjv_inbooks
July 8, 2024
De onderwaterpoort – Emma Carroll
Neem een duik in het verleden!
Het is 2032. Groot-Brittannië heeft opnieuw te maken met een hittegolf en de overheid probeert mensen binnenshuis te houden. Maar het is zomervakantie en Polly verveelt zich. Ze wordt samen met haar broer weggestuurd naar haar tante, die aan een meer woont. Bij aankomst blijkt het meer half opgedroogd en vanonder het wateroppervlak wordt een verloren dorp zichtbaar. Als Polly op een nacht besluit een duik te nemen, blijkt ze ineens onder water te kunnen ademen. Langzaam wordt ze meegezogen naar het verleden, waar haar een bijzonder avontuur wacht…
‘De onderwaterpoort’ van Emma Carroll is een unieke jeugdroman over een meisje dat per ongeluk terug in de tijd reist, voor lezers vanaf 10 jaar.
De mooie cover van dit boek trekt meteen de aandacht. Mijn blik viel direct op het meisje onder water, de sleutel bovenin en de deurklink onderin tussen de waterplanten. Het maakt je nieuwsgierig naar het verhaal hierachter.
De schrijfstijl is prettig en het verhaal laat zich makkelijk lezen. Er zijn twee verhaallijnen, met Polly in 2032 en met Nellie in 1952. Deze sprongen in de tijd worden goed aangegeven bovenaan elk hoofdstuk en zorgen nergens voor verwarring. Beide verhaallijnen zijn ook erg boeiend en al lezend vallen er steeds meer puzzelstukjes op hun plek. Dit zorgt ervoor dat je voortdurend verder wilt lezen om te weten te komen wat er gebeurd is.
Het verhaal kent verschillende thema’s als anders zijn, pesten, vriendschap en je eigen keuzes maken. Ook een belangrijke boodschap is de klimaatverandering en dit wordt op een leuke en speelse manier door het verhaal verweven, zonder dat het een zwaar thema in het boek wordt. Dat maakt dat dit boek prima in te zetten is bij thema’s over het klimaat op school en er daarna samen over in gesprek te gaan.
De onderwaterpoort is een aanrader voor fantasierijke kinderen vanaf ongeveer 10 jaar die van avontuurlijke verhalen houden en oog hebben voor de natuur om ons heen.
4 ★
Bedankt KokBoekencentrum voor dit recensieboek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Neem een duik in het verleden!
Het is 2032. Groot-Brittannië heeft opnieuw te maken met een hittegolf en de overheid probeert mensen binnenshuis te houden. Maar het is zomervakantie en Polly verveelt zich. Ze wordt samen met haar broer weggestuurd naar haar tante, die aan een meer woont. Bij aankomst blijkt het meer half opgedroogd en vanonder het wateroppervlak wordt een verloren dorp zichtbaar. Als Polly op een nacht besluit een duik te nemen, blijkt ze ineens onder water te kunnen ademen. Langzaam wordt ze meegezogen naar het verleden, waar haar een bijzonder avontuur wacht…
‘De onderwaterpoort’ van Emma Carroll is een unieke jeugdroman over een meisje dat per ongeluk terug in de tijd reist, voor lezers vanaf 10 jaar.
De mooie cover van dit boek trekt meteen de aandacht. Mijn blik viel direct op het meisje onder water, de sleutel bovenin en de deurklink onderin tussen de waterplanten. Het maakt je nieuwsgierig naar het verhaal hierachter.
De schrijfstijl is prettig en het verhaal laat zich makkelijk lezen. Er zijn twee verhaallijnen, met Polly in 2032 en met Nellie in 1952. Deze sprongen in de tijd worden goed aangegeven bovenaan elk hoofdstuk en zorgen nergens voor verwarring. Beide verhaallijnen zijn ook erg boeiend en al lezend vallen er steeds meer puzzelstukjes op hun plek. Dit zorgt ervoor dat je voortdurend verder wilt lezen om te weten te komen wat er gebeurd is.
Het verhaal kent verschillende thema’s als anders zijn, pesten, vriendschap en je eigen keuzes maken. Ook een belangrijke boodschap is de klimaatverandering en dit wordt op een leuke en speelse manier door het verhaal verweven, zonder dat het een zwaar thema in het boek wordt. Dat maakt dat dit boek prima in te zetten is bij thema’s over het klimaat op school en er daarna samen over in gesprek te gaan.
De onderwaterpoort is een aanrader voor fantasierijke kinderen vanaf ongeveer 10 jaar die van avontuurlijke verhalen houden en oog hebben voor de natuur om ons heen.
4 ★
Bedankt KokBoekencentrum voor dit recensieboek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
January 26, 2025
There is no doubt that this book is well written and presented. The dual narrative is told partly in present, and partly in past tense. While I struggled to get into the present tense, I appreciated why the author chose this method, and it worked well for the story.
The characters were all believable, and refreshingly different from each other. I didn't particularly like many of the characters, but that's real life, isn't it! You don't always like everyone! It was refreshing to have two main characters who were not portrayed as saints. I think my favourite character was Joel, and I felt rather sorry for him at various parts.
The author dealt with tragedy in the book extremely well, not just the obvious loss of a loved one, but the loss of a home and a way of life. I found myself distressed when I considered that it could be my home that is submerged in water because of people's greed. The anger and helplessness was painful, but excellently portrayed!
There was a little twist to the story, and I do love a good twist! I won't say much more about this part because I don't want to ruin any surprises!
I have read many wonderful books with dual timelines, and I am happy to class this book amongst them. However, I feel I would have enjoyed it more if it had not been a time travel story. The story did not lend itself to that science fiction element and left me with a few too many niggling doubts about how easily the character morphed into someone completely different. I would have felt happier for the story to have simply been a dual timeline that came together naturally towards the end.
However, it was a very good book, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in mid 20th century history, or rural issues. There are some very astute points made sensitively and delicately.
The characters were all believable, and refreshingly different from each other. I didn't particularly like many of the characters, but that's real life, isn't it! You don't always like everyone! It was refreshing to have two main characters who were not portrayed as saints. I think my favourite character was Joel, and I felt rather sorry for him at various parts.
The author dealt with tragedy in the book extremely well, not just the obvious loss of a loved one, but the loss of a home and a way of life. I found myself distressed when I considered that it could be my home that is submerged in water because of people's greed. The anger and helplessness was painful, but excellently portrayed!
There was a little twist to the story, and I do love a good twist! I won't say much more about this part because I don't want to ruin any surprises!
I have read many wonderful books with dual timelines, and I am happy to class this book amongst them. However, I feel I would have enjoyed it more if it had not been a time travel story. The story did not lend itself to that science fiction element and left me with a few too many niggling doubts about how easily the character morphed into someone completely different. I would have felt happier for the story to have simply been a dual timeline that came together naturally towards the end.
However, it was a very good book, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in mid 20th century history, or rural issues. There are some very astute points made sensitively and delicately.
July 25, 2022
Emma Carroll is certainly one of the leading lights in contemporary children’s fiction combining historical situations within unique voices that entertain, excite and inform readers. This new book combines future and past and tells the story of Polly in 2032; a time when summer temperatures exceed 40 c and the Government orders curfews from the heat. The story evolves around the summer period when Polly and her brother go to stay with their aunt and discover the tale of a newarby village that was immersed underwater in the 1950s and the creation of a reservoir. Polly swims in the reservoir as the village is exposed following a drought and magically finds a “ portal” to the past where she learns the truth behind the flooding and the discovers the lives of the inhabitants in particular Nellie, Lena and Nate and the tale to be the first child to swim the English Channel. This is a wonderful story with vibrant and determined characters that will enthrall readers and pull them into the worlds of Polly and Nellie - casting an eye to the future and the repercussions of global warming and also looking back to a timie where water was already sparse and the implications to create reservoir on people’s lives. The ,a gauge of the 1950s and essence of life then is beautifully captured. Emma Carroll has written another winning tale that is highly recommended to readers of 9-12 and certainly will recommended to my colleagues in Ks 2 teaching .A delight .
August 18, 2025
1952. 72 years ago. so why is it written like it was thousands of years ago. 'mentioned in the Domesday book' as if its a surprise. over 13,000 place in modern day England were in that book. its not rare but it was said like it was an astounding fact. 'its a lost kingdom, a ghost village' 72 years ago. they would have all known it was there. in fact, Syndercombe (the sunken village) would most definitely have flood prevention because it is in the middle of a valley. and a whole village doesn't get so flooded that everyone there can use boats over it and swim without realising that it wasn't there that quickly. and if it was made into a reservoir and a swimming area without health and safety checks. plus surely someone from the sunken village is still alive. its not lost. it would be a national tragedy that would be famous and I'm surprised it wasn't made into a museum already.
the way it was written was like something I wrote for my GSCEs. 'I wonder who lived here - real, actual people who went to school, grew vegetables in their gardens, had babies, pegged out washing to dry' no one actually things that and if you wanted the reader to think those then start writing descriptive writing. furthermore, ' my hair was as a neat as a horses tail' … what? what emotion is that supposed to evoke, it had no relevance to the story, no foreshadowing what was the need for a simile that bad.
I have read this over and realised I be may be too critical as it is a children's book however even children should have access to well written books
the way it was written was like something I wrote for my GSCEs. 'I wonder who lived here - real, actual people who went to school, grew vegetables in their gardens, had babies, pegged out washing to dry' no one actually things that and if you wanted the reader to think those then start writing descriptive writing. furthermore, ' my hair was as a neat as a horses tail' … what? what emotion is that supposed to evoke, it had no relevance to the story, no foreshadowing what was the need for a simile that bad.
I have read this over and realised I be may be too critical as it is a children's book however even children should have access to well written books
August 26, 2024
De cover van dit boek is de reden waardoor ik het wilde lezen. Je ziet een meisje onder water. Tussen het wier in zie je een deurklink. Ik was direct nieuwsgierig.
Wat centraal staat in dit kinderboek is de klimaatsverandering. Maar het wordt ons gegeven op een kinderlijke manier waardoor het niet als droge kost overkomt. We maken in dit verhaal een kleine tijdsprong want het speelt zich af in2032. Polly is de hoofdpersonage van dit verhaal. Wanneer Polly op een nacht niet in slaap komt en de zee in gaat vindt ze daar een deur, nadat zij deze geopend heeft heet zij Nellie en maak je een duik in het verleden.
Doordat we het verhaal vanuit Polly en Nellie lezen vallen er puzzelstukjes in elkaar. Je merkt gaandeweg het lezen steeds meer dat alles met elkaar verbonden is. Op een kinderlijke manier leer je wat over het klimaat. Doordat het verhaal zich zo makkelijk laat lezen denk ik niet dat de jeugd in de gaten heeft dat ze daadwerkelijk iets lezen waarvan ze leren.
Een kinderboek dat zich zoals benoemd makkelijk laat lezen. De personages rondom Polly en Nellie zorgen voor een leuke toevoeging. Waar vriendschap voorop staat. Het klimaat is niet zozeer het geen waar dit boek over gaat. Het is vooral de zoektocht van Polly over wat er met Nelly gebeurd is. Ik heb enorm genoten van het avontuur van Polly en Nellie en zal deze auteur zeker in de gaten houden voor mijn kinderen.
Wat centraal staat in dit kinderboek is de klimaatsverandering. Maar het wordt ons gegeven op een kinderlijke manier waardoor het niet als droge kost overkomt. We maken in dit verhaal een kleine tijdsprong want het speelt zich af in2032. Polly is de hoofdpersonage van dit verhaal. Wanneer Polly op een nacht niet in slaap komt en de zee in gaat vindt ze daar een deur, nadat zij deze geopend heeft heet zij Nellie en maak je een duik in het verleden.
Doordat we het verhaal vanuit Polly en Nellie lezen vallen er puzzelstukjes in elkaar. Je merkt gaandeweg het lezen steeds meer dat alles met elkaar verbonden is. Op een kinderlijke manier leer je wat over het klimaat. Doordat het verhaal zich zo makkelijk laat lezen denk ik niet dat de jeugd in de gaten heeft dat ze daadwerkelijk iets lezen waarvan ze leren.
Een kinderboek dat zich zoals benoemd makkelijk laat lezen. De personages rondom Polly en Nellie zorgen voor een leuke toevoeging. Waar vriendschap voorop staat. Het klimaat is niet zozeer het geen waar dit boek over gaat. Het is vooral de zoektocht van Polly over wat er met Nelly gebeurd is. Ik heb enorm genoten van het avontuur van Polly en Nellie en zal deze auteur zeker in de gaten houden voor mijn kinderen.
November 27, 2022
Another great read from the queen of historical children's fiction, The Tale of Truthwater Lake is a timeslip story set partly ten years hence when the world is in crisis due to global warming, and partly in 1952. In the future, Polly and her brother go to stay with their aunt in the school hols to try to escape the stifling heat of the south coast. Their aunt lives near a large reservoir, created over a flooded village. When Polly sneaks out in the early hours of the morning determined to swim in the lake to try to cool down, she meets Nellie who is planning a daring escapade, and soon Polly herself becomes invested in Nellie's great adventure.
I very much enjoyed this story. Usually there is a bit in the back of Emma Carroll's books to give historical context, but this was missing from this book. I know that Gertrude Ederle who is mentioned in the story was a real person and long-distance swimmer, but there was nothing to suggest the events or places are based on real events, so I guess this one is completely fictional, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.
I very much enjoyed this story. Usually there is a bit in the back of Emma Carroll's books to give historical context, but this was missing from this book. I know that Gertrude Ederle who is mentioned in the story was a real person and long-distance swimmer, but there was nothing to suggest the events or places are based on real events, so I guess this one is completely fictional, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.
October 28, 2024
De kaft van dit boek sprak mij ontzettend aan. Helaas viel het verhaal mij een beetje tegen. Ik kwam er moeilijk in omdat de gebeurtenissen erg langzaam uitspeelden. We volgen het verhaal in het verleden en in het heden - de levens van de hoofdpersonen zijn met elkaar verwikkeld en ik wilde erg graag weten op wat voor manier.
Polly was voor mij een oninteressante hoofdpersoon. Ze bestaat, maar heeft niet echt een persoonlijkheid of karakteristieken die haar onderscheiden. De dystopische wereld waar ze in leeft, voegde voor het verhaal weinig toe. Het leek enkel en alleen te zijn bewerkstelligd om een droog gevallen meer op een logische manier in het verhaal te verwerken. En dat vond ik jammer. Het word nergens echt spannend en voelde bij tijd en wijlen saai.
Ik kan mij voorstellen dat het verhaal voor de beoogde doelgroep (9+), wél een interessant verhaal is. Dit zou kunnen aansluiten bij thema's zoals klimaat en milieu.
Polly was voor mij een oninteressante hoofdpersoon. Ze bestaat, maar heeft niet echt een persoonlijkheid of karakteristieken die haar onderscheiden. De dystopische wereld waar ze in leeft, voegde voor het verhaal weinig toe. Het leek enkel en alleen te zijn bewerkstelligd om een droog gevallen meer op een logische manier in het verhaal te verwerken. En dat vond ik jammer. Het word nergens echt spannend en voelde bij tijd en wijlen saai.
Ik kan mij voorstellen dat het verhaal voor de beoogde doelgroep (9+), wél een interessant verhaal is. Dit zou kunnen aansluiten bij thema's zoals klimaat en milieu.
January 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Well written. Felt like a realistic representation of 1952 for the most part. I also loved how even though the future parts were set six years from now and would have been further in the future when it was written, it didn’t ever feel outlandish. There was even a little nod to Covid. As a child of 9-13ish, I would have really loved this and I enjoyed reading it even as an adult.
It was great escapism but with an edge of realism and clearly well-researched. The topic of a village being flooded for a reservoir is also quite unusual for a children’s book and treats the child reader with respect.
There was obviously some climate-change stuff but it wasn’t shoved down your throat or preachy. Just the natural observations of a child.
Would definitely recommend to the 9-12 age bracket and also to adults looking for a lighter, but still meaty enough historical fiction tale.
It was great escapism but with an edge of realism and clearly well-researched. The topic of a village being flooded for a reservoir is also quite unusual for a children’s book and treats the child reader with respect.
There was obviously some climate-change stuff but it wasn’t shoved down your throat or preachy. Just the natural observations of a child.
Would definitely recommend to the 9-12 age bracket and also to adults looking for a lighter, but still meaty enough historical fiction tale.
September 16, 2022
There is so much going on in this book. The first timeline is set in a disturbingly believable dystopian future where notifications tell you when the government has issued a daytime curfew to avoid the heat: the second timeline is an uber-cosy 1950s village life complete with work horses, luxury bars of chocolate and feisty friendships.
It’s amazing they come together, but they do. And happily, the dangers of the future aren’t magicked away and the echos of future problems are already present in the 50s timeline. There is much to love, including an understated and uplifting LGBTQ+ strand and a genuinely exciting channel swim, but I really love it for the simple reminder to kids that the older people in their lives were once children too.
It’s amazing they come together, but they do. And happily, the dangers of the future aren’t magicked away and the echos of future problems are already present in the 50s timeline. There is much to love, including an understated and uplifting LGBTQ+ strand and a genuinely exciting channel swim, but I really love it for the simple reminder to kids that the older people in their lives were once children too.
January 5, 2023
Another amazing historical story from Emma Carroll and I think it is my favourite I have read so far. Set in 2032 where cljmate change has caused the world to suffer extremes of heat and flooding, Pol and her brother go and stay with their aunt near a lake. The lake is a reservoir which was created by flooding a valley which was home to a village full of people. intertwined with the story from 2032, Polly finds a way through the reservoir to go back to the past before the village was flooded. Both stories are wonderfully entwined and full of historical facts. A real strong message about our impact on the planet too. Is it really progress if millions of people end up suffering? Tread lightly on the planet and leave no mark and harm is the ultimate message
February 14, 2025
3.5 stars. I loved Letters from the lighthouse by the same author so I was excited to pick this up. Sadly it did not reach the same level for me, but still a solid middlegrade read. I really enjoyed the parts from Nellies perspective in 1952 but always wanted to skip ahead when reading Pollys point of view. Those parts felt undeveloped for me, and I really didnt care for her or the other characters in her timeline. Also, the message literally punched you in the face and I don’t like it when authors assume that the reader wont get it and just takes it to far. I would have loved the book a lot more without those 2030 storylines.
May 7, 2023
An incredible tale! With a strong, relevant environmental message, Carroll has woven an intriguing, compassionate time-flip story that is gripping and remarkable. Filled with highly relatable characters, superb story-telling and a fast-paced plot with many twists and turns that begs the reader to look more deeply, explore possibilities, have courage. But at its’ heart, this is a story of the power of lasting friendship; a friendship that will get you through. We truly feel the connection between friends, both in the past and the present (well…future…2032); how they come together, often in unlikely circumstances, bond and support each other, fall apart and, inevitably come together again as if not a day has passed. And it is Carrolls’ facility at combining the two stories set 80 years apart; at mixing and melding these different lives while highlighting their similarities that makes the entire story come together and sing. The impact of past actions on the future, the bonds of friendship that last a lifetime, the hidden secrets revealed and the ability to speak the truth, apologise and hold fast; to use your fears to propel you forward toward your dreams…it all comes together in an astonishing tale. Intriguing, fascinating, compelling, brave and full of heart, family, friendship and hope, despite of a much-changed world. Like all her previous works, this book is a wonder.
January 27, 2023
I don't usually read historical fiction books but I've wanted to read genres that I'm not used to this year. This book was a great introduction to this genre. The story had lovely topics like friendship, family and love. It also had the trope 'found family' which I adored. The ending did feel too long and dragged out, but apart from that, the book was awesome! The time travel element was also very interesting and fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
I thought I might have a different taste in writing now so I wouldn’t like Emma Carroll as much anymore. When i started reading i remembered why love her books and her style. This time we had a glimpse of a future rather than a past! I loved the dual timelines and how they linked at the end. The climate crisis is very real and i liked how the book was a message and a story. Loved both main characters! Wish we saw more of Sasha at the end though.
July 18, 2023
I actually really enjoyed the story of The Tale of Truthwater Lake, but sadly I picked it up at a time where I wasn't fully ready for it. It's an easy and fast read, but still it took me ages to get through. I firmly believe that I would've enjoyed this more if I had been in the correct mindspace for it! ✨
February 2, 2024
This children's book was gifted to me at Christmas by my sister in law, I am almost 50! I liked the look of it and historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, so I read it. And really enjoyed it. Exactly the sort of book I'd have enjoyed when I was a child. I'm re-gifting this to my daughter, it is inspiring, a 'you can do anything' story.
August 24, 2022
Emma Carroll can do no wrong in our house. The older children have read many of her books and the youngest loved this too. We had a lively discussion over climate change and how things are changing. The children have been following the current discussions on this topic so this was very timely.
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