What an unbelievable start to Jenny’s first day at Spellcroft High, in more ways than one! Not only did she get swallowed by a sink hole and find herself underground in a creepy pit of despair, the new bracelet she’d just been given by her grandma begins to glow and emit a strange power.…
I’m delighted to have the wonderful Claire Fayer’s on the blog today sharing a piece about how she came up with the idea for Tapper Watson – and it is a fascinating process, with brilliant advice for anyone struggling to come up with their own writing ideas. Read on to be inspired! Why Tapper Watson?…
I know what it’s like to read a book on horseback – at least, that’s what reading Lauren St John’s latest middle grade novel feels like! Finding Wonder is a thrilling adventure about daring horse thefts and opening up to life after tragedy strikes – something child protagonist Roo Thorn knows only too well.…
Author Victoria Williamson weaves a rich tapestry of contemporary life in beautiful novel, skilfully showing us what life is like for 11-yr-old Norah in the very opening paragraphs. Norah lives in temporary accommodation and is always afraid she and her dad will be kicked out because because they can’t pay the rent. She worries he…
I’m delighted to be sharing a review of the brilliant Grim Falls Academy series today as part of the blog Written and illustrated by the talented Louise Forshaw, this supernatural trio of books, set in a school for monsters, is sure to delight young readers with its brilliant cast of ghoulish characters – werewolf Seb,…
I was delighted to discover another superb book by author and illustrator duo Lucy Strange & Pam Smy, which, like The mermaid In The Millpond, is another wonderful mix of historical fiction and myth. This story is firmly rooted in the land and lives of a mining family, but also cleverly entwined with the…
History, mystery, peril and adventure! Kim Geyer’s gorgeous cover already offers a glimpse of what to expect from Judith Eagle’s latest middle-grade novel The Stolen Songbird. It’s high-stakes storyline and compelling cast of interesting characters are led by fearless heroine Caro (and never Caroline!); a girl who has a soft spot for rabbits, and…
I’ve read some excellent graphic novels recently but, every single time, I’ve had to wait for my 9-yr-old daughter to read them first. They are her number one reads at the moment and, with their expressive artwork and pacy stories, it’s not hard to see why. PARACHUTE KIDS by Betty C. Tang My…
Imagine your suitcase gets switched with one that belongs to a witch and you’re left with nothing to wear but enchanted pyjamas and dancing boots – right when you have recite poetry in front of hundreds of people. This is the predicament poor Zahra is in. She’s already worried about reading her three poems…
When Berg’s family are kidnapped from their home in the Arctic, there’s one friend he knows that will help find them, and that’s Uncle Pete! Join Uncle Pete, TM and all their friends as they help Berg search for his polar bear family. With ice bergs melting and evil captains to find sailing on the…
Set in Autumn of 1961, Dan Smith’s latest children’s novel opens right before the Berlin Wall cuts off East Berlin from West Berlin, splintering families, friends and lives along with it. Told from the point of view of two children experiencing the event as it unfolds –The Wall Between Us shows readers how the everyday…
Heather finds herself in yet another children’s home. Moving from one set of bricks and mortar to another, she finds it hard to settle, constantly questioning her ability to love and be loved. There’s something magical about Fablehouse though, something that she can’t quite put her finger on. A feeling perhaps. An inkling that all…
When Silvia’s dad goes missing at Hadrian’s wall during a battle re-enactment, her life is about to get very interesting! Transported to Ancient Rome, Silvia is in a race against time to find her dad and get them both back to modern day England as soon as possible. As she searches for him on the…
It’s our stop on the Greenwild blog tour today and I’m thrilled to be able to share a guest post by author Pari Thomson. Pari’s richly imagined middle grade novel Greenwild is filled to bursting with the magic of nature, wonderful friendships, and a gripping mystery that will keep those pages turning. Here she is…
I was immediately captivated by the unusual story world in Sophie Cameron’s contemporary middle grade novel Away With Words. While it is very much a modern day story in a modern day setting, spoken words have a physical aspect here. They fall from the speaker’s mouth in an array of colours and shapes and…
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