This beautifully written book is by Eva Ibbotson. The Star of Kazan is set in 18th century Vienna and is about Annika who is left abandoned in a church in the Alps. She is discovered by two servants, a cook and a housemaid, and grows up in the grand house of the three Viennese professors whom the servants work for.  She dreams of her real mother coming to find her and to discover who she really is. You not only get a brilliant story but you also learn a lot about Viennese culture: it’s very interesting!

Here is an extract of The Star of Kazan to show you what Eva Ibbotson’s style of writing is like:

Then, peering over the edge of the pew, she saw, lying on the crimson carpet at the foot of the altar steps – a parcel.
It was about the size of a vegetable marrow – quite a large one – and Ellie’s first thought was that someone had left it there as a harvest offering. But harvest festivals happen in September not in June. And now, to Ellie’s amazement, the marrow made a noise. A small mewing noise….

A kitten….a puppy?
Ellie did up her shoelaces and went over to look.
But it was worse than a kitten or a puppy.
‘Oh dear,’ said Ellie, ‘Oh dear, dear, dear!’

I hope you enjoy this book! I would rate it about 9/10.