Is (novel) facts for kids

Is, also known as Is Underground, is the eighth book in the exciting Joan Aiken series called the Wolves Chronicles. This book is special because it introduces a new main character: Is Twite. She is the sister of Dido Twite, who appeared in earlier books.

The story follows Is as she travels from London to a made-up town called Blastburn in northern England. She is on a mission to solve a big mystery: why are so many children disappearing from London? She especially wants to find two missing boys. Like other books in this series, Is takes place in an 'alternative history' version of the early 1800s. It also includes elements of steampunk (where old machines use steam power) and magical realism (where magic blends with real life).

What Happens in the Story?

Is Twite was first seen in the book Dido and Pa. Now, she lives near London with her older sister, Penelope (Penny), and their cat, Figgin. One day, they rescue a stranger from wild wolves. They discover he is a relative!

Is decides to help this man continue his search for his missing son, Arun. She goes to London to ask old friends for help. There, she meets King Richard of England. The King also asks her to find his own missing son, David.

Is's Journey North

Is's search leads her to 'The Playland Express'. This is a secret train that takes children away from London. It travels north into a part of the country that has become independent. Is travels with the other children. They all believe they are going to a better life.

However, Is is suspicious and very clever. She manages to escape the train. The other children are taken to work as slaves in coal mines. Is stays free in the town of Blastburn, which is above ground.

Life in Blastburn and Holdernesse

Is meets her local relatives, including her uncle Roy. He is the leader of this new independent country. She also meets other people in the run-down town. One person is Doctor Lemman. Is becomes his apprentice to explain why she is in Blastburn. All other children in that area are sent to work in the coal mines.

Through her work with Dr. Lemman, Is learns that most people now live in an underground town called Holdernesse. This town is inside a huge natural cave. She also learns about the terrible conditions in the coal mines.

Discovering 'the Touch'

While learning medicine from Dr. Lemman, Is sometimes experiences something she calls 'the Touch'. This is like a psychic cry for help. She keeps looking for the lost boys, which makes her Uncle Roy angry. Eventually, she ends up working in the mine herself.

In the mine, Is discovers that the King's son, David, has died. She also finds that her cousin Arun Twite escaped but suffered a mental breakdown. Is realizes 'the Touch' is the combined psychic voice of the enslaved children. With Is as their leader, they begin to improve this talent. They use it as a way to communicate with each other.

The Escape and Aftermath

Using 'the Touch', the children organize a big escape. They hear predictions of a tidal wave that will flood the mine. After the escape, Is is captured. Her Uncle Roy leaves her to die in a ruined library. But with the help of her new friends, she escapes just in time.

Is sees the Playland Express taking children back to London. Her Uncle Roy is killed when he runs in front of it. Is is left with a special ability to talk to her friends mentally, no matter where they are. She also has a new companion: Arun, who has recovered from his breakdown.

Nursery Rhymes and Inspiration

Unlike other books in the series, each chapter in Is starts with a part of a nursery rhyme from the Oxford Nursery Rhyme Book. The story also begins with a poem. This poem was written by Joan Aiken's sister, Jane, when she was about seven years old. This poem clearly helped inspire some of the ideas for the story.

Images for kids

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  The first edition of the book, published by Jonathan Cape.