A forgotten door on an abandoned railway is the entrance to a magical island where humans live in happy harmony with all sorts of wonderful creatures. The island is only accessible when the door opens for nine days every nine years. When the beastly Mrs. Trottle kidnaps the prince of the island, it's up to a strange band of rescuers to save him. But can an ogre, a hag, a wizard, and a fey really sneak around London unnoticed? Fans of Roald Dahl, Lewis Carroll, and E. Nesbit will delight in this comic fantasy." Ibbotson's lively fantasy is full of fun...(readers) will be delighted by the adventure." -School Library Journal, starred reviewAwards:( A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year( New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"