SCRAP: Escape From Somewhere 513

By Author / Illustrator

Guy Bass, illus Alessia Trunfio

Genre

Science Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Tiger

ISBN

9781788957656

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-10-2025

Synopsis

'This is the story of how everything changed. It's not my story, not really. This is the story of my sister and her best friend Scrap, and of what they gave up for me ... to save me.'

After escaping the clutches of Mayor Highshine for a second time, Scrap, Paige and Gnat make the perilous journey to the ocean jungles in search of the last rocket ship on Somewhere 513. But as they struggle to liberate the ship from a family of vicious frogbears, disaster strikes and it suffers a near-fatal crash.

As Scrap works to repair the ship, things go from bad to worse when he makes a discovery that means leaving is impossible. But with the forces of Mayor Highshine closing in, staying isn't an option either. As old rivalries return and new alliances form in the midst of a final stand-off, Paige faces an agonising decision if she is to keep her promise to her mum to keep Gnat safe...

The final instalment in an original and entertaining new trilogy for middle-grade readers from the award-winning author of STITCH HEAD. For fans of Maz Evans and Thomas Taylor.

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Reviews

Jacqueline

In SCRAP: Escape From Somewhere 513, the third novel in the SCRAP series, Scrap and his two charges, sisters Paige and Gnat, are still trying to escape from the planet where the girls are the last remaining humans. Their escape is complicated by several robots having vendettas against them, including the mayor, Harmony Highshine. The planet is also home to many creatures that would eat them if they could. They are sort of helped by Newman, who has his own agenda, being a human in a robot body. They head off towards Newman's space rocket, but can they trust him? And will other robots catch up with them before they are able to get away?

I really enjoyed the previous SCRAP books, particularly the first one, and this is a fantastic ending (?) to the series. You realise it's not going to be a comfortable read from the off, and the opening leads up to those momentous decisions that are only hinted at. I must confess I did cry a little at the end because those relationships are such a central part of the story and what makes it special. The story is also told with a lot of humour - possibly some that will go over children's heads, particularly the robots using the wrong words. However, it is good to have a story that combines humour with the quite serious and it lifts the whole book.

Alessia Trunfio has illustrated the novel perfectly. These are slightly cartoony but none-the-less render monsters such as the frogbears in a terrifying way! Giving her pictures a whole page in places is an inspired choice as they really bring an already exciting story to life.

Is this the last SCRAP story? I don’t know. It is left open and yet it is a great ending, allowing the reader to wonder and imagine - I do like endings like that. SCRAP is a great read for upper KS2, particularly for anyone who likes science fiction, but also stories about very strong girls. Definitely one of my favourite books this year.

336 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher