The aim of The Foolish King is to teach children how to play chess. Written by Mark Price and illustrated by Martin Brown, it has the unusual premise of using a story to fire up kids’ imagination in order to spark curiosity for the game. Sounds bizarre – but it works… The story centres around…
A Library of Lemons is the wonderful novel from writer Jo Cotterill. Full of warmth and compassion it’s an incredibly addictive read which pulls the reader in to the world of Calypso. Calypso and her dad are struggling to cope since the death of Calypso’s mum. Calypso’s dad has become increasingly distance and teaches Calypso…
Little Bits of Sky, from debut author S. E. Durrant, is a gem of a novel pulling you in from the very first lines, ‘This is the story of a time when my life turned upside down. Not that it was the right way up before,’ … then doesn’t let you go until you reach the…
The Nowhere Emporium is the awarding winning novel from Ross Mackenzie, winning both the Blue Peter Best Story Award 2016 and the Scottish Children’s Book Awards 2016 Running into the nearest shop to escape Spud and his gang, Daniel Holmes is thrown into a magical emporium where dreams can come true if a small price…
The Island from Olivia Levez is a gripping YA/teen novel which certainly keeps the reader guessing. We know from the outset that Frances ends up stranded, alone, on an island. Deserted. The author skilfully builds up how that happens. The plane ride. Full of teenagers. And then darkness. The tension is carefully manipulated making this…
Winner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for 2016. Kathryn Evan’s debut Young Adult novel is quite something. More of Me contains a brilliantly imaginative plotline told with precision and flair. For Teva growing up is painful, but more painful than you could possibly imagine. Teva lives most of her life behind closed doors. She…
Anne Cassidy, Looking for JJ and Finding Jennifer Jones, is back with a new Young Adult novel – Moth Girls. Three friends dare each other to enter a ‘haunted’ house. While Mandy heads home, Petra and Tina break in – and are never seen again. Set five years later, the story is predominantly told from Mandy’s…
Mind Your Head written by Juno Dawson, with advice from Dr Olivia Hewitt, is an essential non-fiction tome for young adult readers. Juno Dawson tackles mental health with directness, empathy and warmth. Essential advice by Dr Olivia Hewitt adds to its credibility as a go to, supportive guide to mental health. ‘Getting better and feeling…
‘Happiness can be caught if you don’t make waves.’ This is one of the many ‘encouragements’ of PharmaCare, the company behind a pioneering drug, Leata, a pill to ensure people will never be unhappy again. Schools and parks are sponsored by Leata. Everywhere, people on Leata look better, feel better. With fewer cases of depression,…
One by Sarah Crossan is a touching YA novel from a wonderfully unique voice. Crossan’s verse novel tells the moving story of Grace. Grace has a wonderful sister called Tippi. They are twins. Conjoined twins, about to face a life changing decision. Grace and Tippi have been homeschooled for their entire lives, but funding issues…
Finding Audrey is Sophie Kinsella’s (of Shopaholic fame) first foray into the world YA literature. 14 year old Audrey is recovering from an anxiety disorder. Whilst the reader knows that an incident at school sparked Audrey’s illness, crucially the details of the incident aren’t revealed. Rather, the focus is on Audrey, her recovery … and…
Professor Stephen Hawking is quoted as suggesting that we should develop cyber-technology which ‘makes possible a direct connection between brain and computer.’ Sarah Govett’s debut novel, The Territory, has taken this vision of our future to create an utterly compelling and dark dystopia. In 2059, Earth’s seas have risen and land high enough to be…
The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson, new for 2015, is the YA novel that EVERYONE will be talking about this year. Beautifully written, and sensitively portrayed Williamson tackles notions of identity and sexuality head on with warmth and humour. Oh, and then there’s that ending too …! Williamson’s debut is a sensitive, warm…
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E Lockhart was first published in the US back in 2008. I’m delighted that it has been released by Hot Key Books in the UK. (You have read her novel We Were Liars haven’t you?) With 15 year old Frankie facing her first year away from home, this is going…
Eloquent, delicate and compelling describes Clare Furniss’ YA novelThe Year of the Rat. Furniss touchingly relays a year in the life of 15 year old Pearl, which begins at the funeral of her mother. ‘I stand, breathing in the damp, fresh air, trying not to be noticed while Dad is surrounded by a gaggle of…
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Great review, thanks for posting the pictures. Really makes a difference with picture book reviews. Will order for the store…
His books are a great way help kids read while soaking up important Science concepts without even knowing it. Ironically,…
Ooh, this sounds fantastic!