Sarah Broadley, My Book Corner’s Middle Grade Specialist, selects her Best Book of 2017… Fir For Luck by Barbara Henderson is my book of 2017. When I heard there was a book coming out about the Highland Clearances I was intrigued as it was a subject I loved to research at school. I was excited…
Ele Nash, My Book Corner’s YA Specialist, selects her Best Book(s) of 2017. 2017 has been an interesting year for book reading, with a definite shift toward humour and fantasy led by the publishing world. My favourites have varied between old releases (A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle), established authors (The Wolf Wilder by…
This sumptuous, epic Young Adult novel is firmly rooted – with its glorious prose and tone – in the Deep South of 1838. It’s a nuanced, wonderful Gone-With-The-Wind type adventure that conjures up sticky, humid nights laced with fear and fun. The Floating Theatre is, in fact, a Jane Austen novel set in America and…
Katherine Rundell (The Wolf Wilder, Rooftoppers) and Emily Sutton’s (Lots) One Christmas Wish is heart thumpingly beautiful, tender and uplifting. It is THE book to gift on Christmas Eve. Without a doubt. ‘It was Christmas Eve, and Theodore was fighting a cardboard box.’ …and so the story begins. Theo is alone, apart from a snoring babysitter.…
It’s another fabulously funny caper from Tom McLaughlin, thanks to his Accidental series. The Accidental Father Christmas is a great novel which doesn’t fail to hit the festive funny bone. Ben is a curious kid. Does Father Christmas really, really exist? Ben has sent him plenty of letters over the years, all nicely written, asking for…
WARNING: AN ELVES ONLY PICTURE BOOK REVIEW Let’s talk about stocking fillers. I’m always a bit flummoxed when online stocking filler searches offer up bulky, bank-busting suggestions. Although wonderful, a helicopter, a personalised football and an engraved child’s bracelet (with birthstone!!!) are not, to my mind, stocking fillers. Traditionally, Christmas stockings were stuffed with small…
You may never wear rose-tinted glasses again… A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan, published by Usborne, is a fabulous, inventive read. It is as if the phrase ‘rose-tinted glasses’ has been created just for this book which, if you loved Beetle Boy, you will enjoy immensely. A vivid tale with glasses that stop you…
I WANT A MINIATURE DINOSAUR! The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club is the latest middle grade novel by Alex Bell, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic. Stella is a snow orphan, and has been taken in and raised as a daughter by the fabulous Felix, a famous explorer. She is instantly the coolest hero I’ve ever come across…
I’m not sure why, but there’s something special about stories featuring animals at Christmas time. Is it because they remind us of our own childhoods? Of solemnly arranging wooden sheep and cows around the Nativity crib? Or of the carols we looked forward to for much of the year? I always loved the reference to…
The Shortlist for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2018, was announced live on Blue Peter Thursday 23rd November. It’s a particularly powerful list this year, with three wonderful novels making the Best Story Shortlist. My Book Corner always find the Best Books With Facts list incredibly intriguing. Here they are… Shortlist: Best Story The Island…
FUN, FICTION AND FACTUAL FOOTNOTES I’ve always loved a footnote. They promise so much fascinating information. My eyes light up when I see that little number, perching above a word like a bountiful fairy godmother hovering over a baby. You never know what you’re about to find out. I once wrote a book stuffed with…
Following on from her debut novel The Mixed-Up Summer of Lily McLean, Lindsay Littleson continues Lily’s story after her near-death experience at the hands of the cruel sea – Awkward Autumn. Lily Mclean’s life is never quiet. From loud younger siblings to her stroppy teenage sister, there’s never a dull moment. Recovering from a near-death experience…
Inverness 1889, accused of starting a fire that destroys the market and the livelihood of many in the city, 12 year-old Phin runs for his life. Escaping the harsh hands of a bitter uncle and an angry mob of traders, he finds himself in-tow with a family of travelling entertainers. Desperate not to be found…
Camilla Chester’s debut, Jarred Dreams, will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you turn the pages not knowing what lurks within. When 12 year-old Sade moves to a new town, she soon realises that all is not as it seems. There’s something not quite right about the colourless, robot-like inhabitants of…
A dark tale, with even darker yet colourful characters. Weaving fact and fiction offering spectacular twists. Witchborn is the debut novel by Nicholas Bowling, published by Chicken House, out in November 2017. It’s been a while since I’ve read middle grade historical fiction and Witchborn, rated 12+, is as beautifully crafted as its cover. The…
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Alan Windram, Director of award-winning children’s publisher, Little Door Books.
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Ooh, this sounds fantastic!
Great review, thanks for posting the pictures. Really makes a difference with picture book reviews. Will order for the store…
I often hope to find interviews with Margaret Wild who fascinates me and whose work I adore. Thoroughly enjoyed this…