The multi-talented (and now prolific!) writer of children’s books, the very lovely Emma Carroll, has done it again with her latest release, Letters from the Lighthouse. It’s a pacy, nuanced and stealthily educational middle-grade age story about World War II and the kinds of deeds local communities did in order to help fleeing refugees. Letters…
I’m always fascinated to read about the oddball creative processes of great writers. …Victor Hugo wrote ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ entirely in the buff. Under tremendous deadline pressure, he placed himself under house arrest, stripped naked and coiled himself in a grey shawl. …Agatha Christie insisted that her architect make room for a big…
There’s a silly old bear of very little brain (but great wisdom) that goes by the name of Pooh. And at the ripe old age of 91, we get to cherish a new story starring his rumbly tummy and loyal friend Piglet. Giles Andreae, Picture book veteran and award-winning author of ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’, brings…
You know that feeling when you delve into a new book, then become immediately swept up in it’s world, fully invested in the character… and cancel the day’s plans to ensure uninterrupted reading can commence? It’s a deliciously warm feeling, and exactly what I encountered when I delved into Em Lynas’s You Can’t Make Me…
Stunt Double, a middle grade novel from Tamsin Cooke, is a glorious action and adventure filled novel which takes its readers on an brilliant ride. It’s chock-a-block with plenty of twists and turns that even I didn’t see coming. I’m pretty sure this is the first children’s book I’ve read featuring a protagonist who is…
When I was asked to review Simply The Quest, the follow on to Who Let the Gods Out, I jumped at it. “Elliot and Virgo’s troubles are far from over: death-daemon Thanatos and his scary mum are at large and determined to destroy the world. As even more immortal allies and enemies emerge, Virgo and…
Gaslight, the middle grade novel from Eloise Williams, is an absorbing fast paced story full of intrigue and adventure, set in Victorian Cardiff. “My mother disappeared on the sixth of September, 1894. I was found at the docks in Cardiff, lying like a gutted fish at the water’s edge.” I adore a great opening to a…
William Wenton and the Luridium Thief , from Bobbie Peers, is a very visual, fast-paced book, which will certainly appeal to kids at the younger end of the middle-grade spectrum who are looking for adventure. William Wenton and his family are in hiding in Norway, though he doesn’t know why. He loves to crack codes, and…
Running on the Roof of the World is the debut middle grade novel from Jess Butterworth. Tash lives in Tibet with her parents. From the opening chapter Butterworth highlights Tash’s life – full of rules dictated by an inflexible army. Soldiers to be scared of, soldiers to watch out for. “I want to run and…
This is my first Trenton Lee Stewart book and – oh my days – what a multi-layered, beautifully written, epic adventure The Secret Keepers was. Written in a thoroughly absorbing voice, this story is about a boy called Reuben who randomly discovers a watch that can turn him invisible. Yes, this sounds a little frivolous…
November 1938 and the second World War is just around the distant corner. In Annemarie Allan’s middle grade novel, Charlie’s Promise, Josef and his mum find themselves at the docks waiting to board a boat setting sail for Scotland. Sadly, she doesn’t have enough money to send them both. Taking the heartbreaking decision to save…
If you like funny books, read this now. I could actually leave my review at that, but in the interest of conscientiousness, I had better say a little more. Who Let the Gods Out, written by Maz Evans, is the tale of Elliot, who lives with his mum on their old family farm. He has…
Ever had one of those days where nothing goes your way? Young Mold’s life really isn’t going well… Being dumped in the dustbin as a baby wasn’t a great start! Things improved considerably when Aggy took him in, but then it all started going wrong again. The King was poisoned, Aggy was arrested and then…
‘May we all remember every day that we have the right to be happy and to explore wildely.’ Chuck out the soppy Princess must be rescued by a prince type bedtime tales, and delve into Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls from Elena Favili and Francesca Cavallo breaks the mold. Empowering, truly…
Alex Sparrow And The Really Big Stink is the brilliantly funny middle grade debut novel from author Jennifer Killick. Alex Sparrow, was cruising along in Year 6, ‘life was awesome’… until one day it wasn’t. While his parents were out on a date night or as Alex refers to it – “an embarrassing, old-married-people thing”…
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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!