The Apprentice Witch from debut author James Nicol is a wonderful page turner with a fresh voice. Full of magic and mayhem, it follows the intriguing character of Arianwyn Gribble. This book really is quite something. In the opening chapters poor Arianwyn fails the all important witch’s assessment … in dramatic style. The evaluation gauge…
From Beetle to Hero! When Scientist Bartholomew Cuttle goes missing from a locked room, his 13 year-old son, Darkus, has no idea where to turn to for help. To his surprise he encounters a beetle who seems to want to help find his dad too, a kindred spirit on the hunt for the same answers.…
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…
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…
‘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,…
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…
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…
Catherine Bruton’s YA novel, I Predict A Riot, takes the infamous London riots of 2011 as its starting theme. Fabulous dialogue, an energetic pace and a myriad of diverse characters whose paths intertwine make I Predict A Riot a great book to sink in to. Maggie is an amateur film maker. She likes to observe,…
We Were Liars by E Lockhart is an intriguing, roller coaster of a novel. Aimed at the YA audience, adults are going to be talking about this one for quite sometime to come too. I refuse can’t give away too much detail here, it’s one of those books that should open with little knowledge of its…
Love Letters to the Dead from Ava Dellaira is an absorbing, sink in to kind of novel which captures so much within a short space of time. Laurel is set an innocuous sounding assignment for her English homework – write a letter to a dead person. She doesn’t hand it in. Instead Laurel spends the…
Echo Boy from award winning author Matt Haig is a fast paced, science fiction styled novel delving into a much discussed / feared scenario. What happens when robots become … almost too much like humans? Where are the boundaries? Audrey’s father Leo is still coming to grips with this new world. Intelligent, cynical and cautious…
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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!