AN OBSERVER, GUARDIAN, TELEGRAPH, TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES and BOOKTRUST BOOK OF THE YEARA Waterstones Children's Book of the Month'I don't know when I last read a book with such pure and unalloyed pleasure.

It's ingenious, it's moving, it's charming, it's beautiful, it's exciting, and most importantly the characters are people I feel I know like old friends' - Philip PullmanSally Jones is not only a loyal friend, she's an extraordinary individual.

In overalls or in a maharaja's turban, this unique gorilla moves among humans without speaking but understanding everything.

She and the Chief are devoted comrades who operate a cargo boat.

A job they are offered pays big bucks, but the deal ends badly, and the Chief is falsely convicted of murder.

For Sally Jones this is the start of a harrowing quest for survival and to clear the Chief's name.

Powerful forces are working against her, and they will do anything to protect their secrets.