The Sterkarm Handshake facts for kids
Front cover of first edition
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| Author | Susan Price |
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| Cover artist | Mark Edwards |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult science fiction novel, time travel |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
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Publication date
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16 Oct 1998 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 370 (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0590543016 |
| OCLC | 245654803 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P9317 Sp 2000 |
| Followed by | A Sterkarm Kiss |
The Sterkarm Handshake is an exciting science fiction novel written by Susan Price. It was first published in the United Kingdom in 1998 by Scholastic UK. This book takes readers on a thrilling journey through time travel.
The story jumps between 21st-century Britain and the 16th-century Scottish-English border. It shows a big conflict between a modern company called FUP and a brave Scottish clan known as the Sterkarms. Susan Price won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for this book. It was also a finalist for the famous Carnegie Medal.
The first United States edition of the book came out in 2000. Later, it was translated into Norwegian, Italian, and German, reaching many readers around the world.
What is the Book About?
The story begins with a British company, FUP, creating a special "Time Tube." This tube allows them to travel back to the 16th century. Their main goal is to find and use valuable natural resources like gold and oil from that time.
When the 21st-century travelers arrive, they pretend to be magical Elves. They hope this will help them get along with the local people, the Sterkarm clan. But the Sterkarms are not as easy to fool as the company thinks.
Meaning of the Title
The title, "The Sterkarm Handshake," has a special meaning in the book. It refers to a trick used by the Sterkarms. They were known for being left-handed. When they offered a handshake with their right hand, it looked friendly. However, they would secretly hold a weapon in their left hand, ready to strike. This shows their cunning and readiness for conflict.
Main Story of the Book
The Sterkarm Handshake tells the tale of the FUP company's journey to the 16th-century Scottish-English border. At first, they want to take the untouched gold and oil. Later, they even plan to build a tourist resort there.
The FUP company makes a big mistake by underestimating the local people. The Sterkarm clan seems friendly at first. They think the 21st-century visitors are magical Elves because of their advanced medicine and technology. But the Sterkarms, who are used to living by raiding and taking what they need, soon start robbing the FUP.
This leads to a dangerous situation. The FUP's powerful boss kidnaps the only son of the Sterkarm chieftain. The Sterkarms then get their revenge in a very fierce way.
A young scientist named Andrea Mitchell from the 21st century lives with the Sterkarms. She works as a translator and helps the two groups communicate. But her feelings become complicated when she falls in love with a Sterkarm man named Per. This makes her question where her true loyalty lies.
What Happens Next?
Susan Price wrote a follow-up book called A Sterkarm Kiss, which came out in 2003. In this sequel, the FUP company finds a way to contact the Sterkarms in a different dimension. This new 16th century is slightly different from the first one.
The company tries to control these new Sterkarms by starting old rivalries with other clans. Andrea Mitchell goes back to the past again. But this time, everyone she knew before is a stranger, even Per, the man she loved.
