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”…
You sometimes hear stories about kids eating the “wrong berries” in the garden. I sort of figured it was just folklore created to encourage vigilant parenting. These things never actually happen, right? I really should have known better. After all, the origins of the berry folklore probably originated from the escapades of my delinquent brother…
Beetle Queen, from middle grade writer M. G. Leonard, is the follow up from her huge hit – Beetle Boy. Beetle Queen is a fast paced novel that’ll have you on the edge of your beetle seat! Poor Darkus, he’s already been through such a lot… and it’s about to get worse. Much worse. MG…
Murder in Midwinter, by Fleur Hitchcock, is a gripping page-turner, which hooks you in from the start. Described by The Times as a “hard-boiled crime novel for beginners”, it has action, suspense, danger and excitement on almost every page. Maya, a schoolgirl in London, gets tangled up in a violent and dangerous crime when a snapshot…
The Voyage To Magical North is the first book in The Accidental Pirate series from UK author Claire Fayers. If you love novels with a great plot, a quirky sense of humour and great imagination then I urge you to delve in, you’re in for a treat! The novel opens with Brine and Peter. Brine…
Whale Boy by Nicola Davies is a wonderfully lyrical, atmospheric tome from the hands of an author whose passion for animals, and conservation comes across in all that she does. Davies’ narrative focuses on Michael, a young boy growing up in the small town named Liberty, set upon the tropical island of Rose Town. Michael…
It’s that time of year… every step fraught with muddy puddle danger. Park the car in the wrong spot… and suddenly you’re armpit deep in a boghole! And the kids seem to have a sixth sense for seeking out puddles, like little sludge-seeking missiles. No doubt thanks to a certain Pig who shall not be…
Cogheart is the thrilling debut from UK author Peter Bunzl. Brimming with action, plus unexpected twists and turns, his novel is a brilliant page-turner which will hook you from that intriguing opening chapter. Lily’s life is in danger. Her father has gone missing, suspected dead, after an attack on his air ship. Lily is immediately…
If you haven’t come across Luke Pearson’s award-winning Hildafolk series where have you been? Seriously, you are in for a treat if you are just discovering this now. Blue-haired Hilda is an adventurous type, living in a magical kingdom gives her plenty of opportunities to explore that side of her personality. The previous (four) books…
Snail Mail from Sharon King-Chai is a delightful, interactive picture book that celebrates the wonder and excitement to be gained from the often forgotten snail mail. How exciting is it to receive postcards and letters from family members when they go away? It’s the perfect way of sharing their joy and excitement as they travel…
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