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The Tunnel of Dreams
In an abandoned house at the end of their street, twin brothers Stefan and Arlo discover a young girl hiding in its dusty shadows. Alice needs their help—her twin sister is locked in a cage suspended high above a mysterious mine in a strange parallel world—and she asks an impossible favour. Will they meet her on the next full moon at the entrance to a tunnel Stefan and Arlo both know doesn’t exist?
Except that it does. And when they travel through it, Stefan and Arlo find themselves on a quest that will challenge all their ideas of who they are and what they can do.
The Tunnel of Dreams is a delightful middle-grade fantasy adventure about friendship and loyalty, and about dreaming big and achieving the impossible.
Except that it does. And when they travel through it, Stefan and Arlo find themselves on a quest that will challenge all their ideas of who they are and what they can do.
The Tunnel of Dreams is a delightful middle-grade fantasy adventure about friendship and loyalty, and about dreaming big and achieving the impossible.
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2020
About the author
Bernard Beckett
20 books193 followersBernard Beckett, born in 1967, is a high school teacher based in Wellington, New Zealand, where he teaches drama, mathematics, and English. Genesis was written while he was in a Royal Society genetics research fellowship investigating DNA mutations. The book has already received international acclaim, including two literary prizes in Beckett's native New Zealand. Rights to Genesis have been sold in twenty-one countries.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 3, 2020
Arlo and Stefan, twin brothers, were always fascinated by the derelict and deserted old house which everyone believed was haunted. The night Stefan spotted a light coming from the house, he and Arlo headed there, nervous but determined. When they found Alice hiding inside, they were shocked at the sight of her. But what she told them shocked them more. Her twin sister, Jackie, had been captured and was being held in a cage, suspended above a mine. But not anywhere that the boys knew of. There was another world which could only be entered on a full moon and only twins could open the tunnel which took them inside…
On their arrival, Alice led the way. The danger was immense as twins were never to be seen in the strange place. If they were caught, their lives wouldn’t be worth living. Gradually they made a plan, made some unusual friends, and decided when to rescue Jackie. Would they be able to execute their plan? They had to overcome their fears and magic would lead the way.
The Tunnel of Dreams by Bernard Beckett is a delightful middle grade fantasy adventure which I loved. It was vastly entertaining with the various creatures all playing a part. The friendship, trust and loyalty of new friends and siblings proved to them that they could achieve their goals if they set their minds to them. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
On their arrival, Alice led the way. The danger was immense as twins were never to be seen in the strange place. If they were caught, their lives wouldn’t be worth living. Gradually they made a plan, made some unusual friends, and decided when to rescue Jackie. Would they be able to execute their plan? They had to overcome their fears and magic would lead the way.
The Tunnel of Dreams by Bernard Beckett is a delightful middle grade fantasy adventure which I loved. It was vastly entertaining with the various creatures all playing a part. The friendship, trust and loyalty of new friends and siblings proved to them that they could achieve their goals if they set their minds to them. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2021
Woah that was quite the roller-coaster ride!! So much tension and excitement right until the bitter end!!
Arlo and Stefan are identical twins. So are Alice and Jackie. But Jackie has been captured and is being held prisoner in a parallel world and Alice persuades Arlo and Stefan to journey to this world through a mysterious tunnel which only opens at a full moon.
The rescue mission is going to be hard enough, as Stefan has to win a spot with the Royal Guards who are holding Alice captive. But it is made harder when the vile Haven reappears and tries to embark on his own evil plan to take over both worlds.
Stefan has to perform some seemingly impossible tasks to win his spot as a Royal Guard, all the while competing against the bully Malcolm and coming to grips with new magical skills.
He doesn't know who he can trust and he has to rely on help from Arlo and Alice who are in hiding and trying to find out as much as they can before the next full moon.
This is an exciting read, with complexity and darkness that will appeal to 10+.
Arlo and Stefan are identical twins. So are Alice and Jackie. But Jackie has been captured and is being held prisoner in a parallel world and Alice persuades Arlo and Stefan to journey to this world through a mysterious tunnel which only opens at a full moon.
The rescue mission is going to be hard enough, as Stefan has to win a spot with the Royal Guards who are holding Alice captive. But it is made harder when the vile Haven reappears and tries to embark on his own evil plan to take over both worlds.
Stefan has to perform some seemingly impossible tasks to win his spot as a Royal Guard, all the while competing against the bully Malcolm and coming to grips with new magical skills.
He doesn't know who he can trust and he has to rely on help from Arlo and Alice who are in hiding and trying to find out as much as they can before the next full moon.
This is an exciting read, with complexity and darkness that will appeal to 10+.
May 10, 2021
The Tunnel of Dreams is a great book to read, especially for kids who are transitioning from reading simple chapter books to more complex ones. It's a kind of fantasy book with a sense of mystery as well. Arlo and Stefan are just ordinary twins. When they stumble across a haunted house, they find Alice. A young girl - about the same age as them - who has apparently lost her twin sister in an alternate universe and needs their help to get her back. Not knowing whether this is just some joke or not, Arlo and Stefan meet up with Alice on the full moon. The day the tunnel to the alternate universe will open up again. What happens next? I guess you'll just have to read the book...
March 7, 2021
Twins are special and identical twins even more so. Little do identical twins Arlo and Stefan know they
contain powerful magic. When they discover a girl (Alice) hiding out in their neighbourhood 'haunted' house one night, she asks for their help.
They agree to meet her the following Saturday night, when a full moon will be high in the sky. Never would they believe in a tunnel that takes them to an alternate version of their town. This place has magic in the air, and in all who live there. The animals in this land talk, and there are pixies living deep in the forest.
Alice has lost her identical twin Jackie to this world. They were tricked into coming and Jackie was snatched up by the Royal Guard. Now Alice wants one of the boys to join the guards to help her release Jackie. There's only one problem, well actually many, standing in their way. A long list of tests to complete and challenges to win. There are 50 Royal Guard hopefuls and only 5 places.
Join a group of guards? Compete with children who've trained their entire lives? Use magic? Ridiculous!
Little do the boys know, they have more powerful magic than all of the other recruits put together. They just have to find it, save Jackie and flee back down the tunnel home with Alice. Sounds straight forward but is far from the quest that awaits them.
This story of a small kiwi town, tunnels that can only be opened by the powerful magic of identical twins, and the power of friendship, is gripping and imaginative.
The motivations of power and greed and a banished malevolent force are slowly revealed, with the help of talking native NZ birds, sibling courage and growing loyalty.
Harry Potter fans will love this tale of twins, magic, competition and clever thinking, to defeat an evil entity bent on controlling the world.
contain powerful magic. When they discover a girl (Alice) hiding out in their neighbourhood 'haunted' house one night, she asks for their help.
They agree to meet her the following Saturday night, when a full moon will be high in the sky. Never would they believe in a tunnel that takes them to an alternate version of their town. This place has magic in the air, and in all who live there. The animals in this land talk, and there are pixies living deep in the forest.
Alice has lost her identical twin Jackie to this world. They were tricked into coming and Jackie was snatched up by the Royal Guard. Now Alice wants one of the boys to join the guards to help her release Jackie. There's only one problem, well actually many, standing in their way. A long list of tests to complete and challenges to win. There are 50 Royal Guard hopefuls and only 5 places.
Join a group of guards? Compete with children who've trained their entire lives? Use magic? Ridiculous!
Little do the boys know, they have more powerful magic than all of the other recruits put together. They just have to find it, save Jackie and flee back down the tunnel home with Alice. Sounds straight forward but is far from the quest that awaits them.
This story of a small kiwi town, tunnels that can only be opened by the powerful magic of identical twins, and the power of friendship, is gripping and imaginative.
The motivations of power and greed and a banished malevolent force are slowly revealed, with the help of talking native NZ birds, sibling courage and growing loyalty.
Harry Potter fans will love this tale of twins, magic, competition and clever thinking, to defeat an evil entity bent on controlling the world.
April 8, 2021
The Tunnel of Dreams is a fantasy adventure story by Bernard Beckett. The story begins one night when identical twins Stefan and Arlo see a light in an abandoned house. They decide to investigate and meet Alice who is also an identical twin, but her sister, Jackie, has been trapped in a parallel world. This world can only be entered by identical twins on a full moon. The adventure begins when Stefan and Arlo agree to travel to the parallel world to help free Jackie. There are many obstacles and difficulties and always the nagging question of who can they trust?
The twins use magical powers they didn’t know they had, make friends with a variety of people and birds and eventually rescue Jackie, or have they?
Bernard Beckett has created a lot of suspense and encourages the value of friendship, loyalty and belief in one’s abilities in his well-written story. He also touches on the merit of sacrificing for the benefit of others.
Overall, an enjoyable adventure.
Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.
The twins use magical powers they didn’t know they had, make friends with a variety of people and birds and eventually rescue Jackie, or have they?
Bernard Beckett has created a lot of suspense and encourages the value of friendship, loyalty and belief in one’s abilities in his well-written story. He also touches on the merit of sacrificing for the benefit of others.
Overall, an enjoyable adventure.
Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.
May 14, 2021
This book was an action-packed story full of surprises, excitement and tension. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fiction and books about magic. This book will keep you reading and you won't want to put the book down. It has many parts where there are unexpected plot twists which just make the book better! The story starts with the twins at their house on a normal night and then they end up going on an adventure that could change their lives. The story is set in a parallel universe and the twins and Alice have to face the challenge of saving Alice’s twin- Jackie who is locked up in a cage. With the opportunity to become a royal guard, they have the chance to get closer to Jackie and free her to bring her back home. The author explores the theme of magic make the point that if you try hard enough you can make magic happen.
January 7, 2022
Very enjoyable magic adventure with all the popular elements, including kids discovering their powers, a magical contest, a hidden world, and kids being brave and loyal. Some fun quirks give it an original feel in this very packed genre.
July 19, 2022
I thought the book is a great read for those who like a thrilling fantasy book with a bit of mystery mixed in, the book kept me hooked in and I wanted to read it more and more. All round great book, would advise you read it.
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November 6, 2020The following reviews are shared by Text Publishing - publisher of The Tunnel of Dreams
‘A charmingly breezy middle fiction fantasy novel…[with] plenty of villainous twists...perfect for readers who aren’t quite ready for Percy Jackson, and for when the later Harry Potter books are a little too scary.’
Books+Publishing
‘This is [Beckett’s] first middle-grade novel and he’s absolutely nailed it! Fast-paced and exciting action sequences have a cinematic quality. The setting in our “almost world” is both magical and grounded. It’s a cracking read.’
Better Reading
‘The only drawback to The Tunnel of Dreams is that it ends … This novel deserves a special place in the family home. It will become a dog-eared treasure, one a young person might carry with them as they grow, to slip into the pages when in need of childhood comforts.’
NZ Listener
‘A charmingly breezy middle fiction fantasy novel…[with] plenty of villainous twists...perfect for readers who aren’t quite ready for Percy Jackson, and for when the later Harry Potter books are a little too scary.’
Books+Publishing
‘This is [Beckett’s] first middle-grade novel and he’s absolutely nailed it! Fast-paced and exciting action sequences have a cinematic quality. The setting in our “almost world” is both magical and grounded. It’s a cracking read.’
Better Reading
‘The only drawback to The Tunnel of Dreams is that it ends … This novel deserves a special place in the family home. It will become a dog-eared treasure, one a young person might carry with them as they grow, to slip into the pages when in need of childhood comforts.’
NZ Listener
June 25, 2023
There are some books which take time to draw you into their worlds. Others, you just seem to fall right in the moment you open to the first page. For me this was the latter. Identical twins Arlo and Stefan are close, almost as if they can read each others thoughts at times. So when they find a girl Alice who has lost her other half (twin sister), hiding in an abandoned house, they are sympathetic. When they follow her through an implausible tunnel on a rescue mission, they are completely taken by surprise at what they find. Another world of danger and magic where they must take huge risks if they want to reunite the sisters. Great pacing, action packed with really likeable characters (esp Pukeko and Ruru). 4.5 stars. It would’ve been 5 stars but I found the resolution too abrupt and easy).
Hope there might be more to come!
Hope there might be more to come!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews