This is a sparkling, original time travel novel - the story of Tom, who travels back in time to the 18th century where he meets a group of people who are displayed as monsters at Bartholomew Fair. Against a vividly-drawn background, Tom is able to help them tackle some of their difficulties, while at the same time acquiring the strength to tackle his own, modern-day problems. Julie Hearn was formerly a tabloid journalist, and studied Creative Writing with Philip Pullman, who is a supporter of her work. There has been much pre-publication excitement, including press coverage a full year before publication in the Bookseller, Publishing News, and the Times.