The 1,000-Year-Old Boy

Synopsis

The astonishing, beautiful new story for all readers of 10 and over from the bestselling and Costa-shortlisted author of TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER.

'A wonderful story' Kiran Millwood Hargrave

There are stories about people who want to live forever.

This is not one of those stories.

This is a story about someone who wants to stop…

Alfie Monk is like any other nearly teenage boy - except he's 1,000 years old and can remember the last Viking invasion of England.

Obviously no one believes him.

So when everything Alfie knows and loves is destroyed in a fire, and the modern world comes crashing in, Alfie embarks on a mission to find friendship, acceptance, and a different way to live…

… which means finding a way to make sure he will eventually die.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Boy in the Ice

* Summary: Archaeologists discover a frozen boy in a glacier in Greenland.
* Real Example: The discovery of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old hunter found frozen in the Alps in 1991.

Chapter 2: The Boy's Journey

* Summary: The boy is brought to the present and awakens from his frozen state. He reveals that he is from the year 1000 and his name is Thorfinn.
* Real Example: The defrosted body of a Neanderthal woman named Ötzi revealed a wealth of information about life in the Stone Age.

Chapter 3: The Boy in the Modern World

* Summary: Thorfinn adjusts to living in the modern world, encountering computers, cars, and all the marvels of the 21st century.
* Real Example: Visitors to the Museum of Natural History in London can observe the mummified body of "Ginger," a 5,000-year-old Egyptian mummy who is on display as an "ancient ambassador" from the past.

Chapter 4: The Boy's Secrets

* Summary: Thorfinn shares his knowledge of the past, revealing forgotten stories and customs of his time.
* Real Example: Researchers studying ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics have unlocked the secrets of a lost civilization, providing insights into their culture and beliefs.

Chapter 5: The Boy and the Future

* Summary: Thorfinn becomes a bridge between the past and future, inspiring people to learn from history and embrace progress.
* Real Example: The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 shed new light on the origins of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus.

Chapter 6: The Boy's Legacy

* Summary: Thorfinn's story serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving history and the value of connecting with the past.
* Real Example: The preservation of historical sites like the Great Wall of China and the pyramids of Giza helps to keep the legacy of ancient civilizations alive for future generations.