The Secret of Nightingale Wood is an incredibly moving, beautifully written and sumptuously layered book by Lucy Strange. With an inter-woven prose of fairy tales, magic and mental health, the story is about a young girl called Henrietta who is – along with her mother, father and little baby sister – grieving for the loss…
If All The World Were… from Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys, is a wonderful, poetic picture book celebrating Grandads. Coelho’s narrative explores the touching connection between the little girl and her grandad through Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Colpoys stunning illustrations capture their imaginative play, their connection and their love. Grandad passes on his stories…
Boy Underwater is the debut novel from Adam Baron. Featuring fabulous illustrations from Benji Davies, it has quickly become one of my favourite MG novels this year. Boy Underwater is a novel that truly gripped me – so many twists and turns that had my heart in my mouth. Baron’s narrative took me on quite…
I’m becoming a huge fan of Benji Davies’ bold, bright and mesmerising illustration style, so was really pleased to spot Grandad’s Island, a beautiful picture book by him I hadn’t read yet. Grandad’s Island is a simple, heart-warming journey from reality to adventure and back again, in the style of Where the Wild Things Are. Except,…
“Be careful when you throw something bad inside your black hole. You may find you’ve gotten rid of the good as well.” This is without doubt one of the most wonderful middle grade books I’ve read for a long time. Stella Rodriguez, a space mad eleven-year-old, is followed home one day by a black hole.…
A compelling story about overcoming grief and how hope really can be a feathery friend. Gill Lewis’s Sky Dancer, due out in October 2017, opens with grief stricken Joe and his older brother Ryan scattering their father’s ashes with their mum on the moors in northern England. Having died from a heart attack in…
‘I escaped it all by losing myself in the nearest faraway place. It was easy. All I had to do was think of something happy.’ When I started reading The Nearest Faraway Place I thought I knew what I was getting: a story about grief and moving through it. This is indeed the thrust of…
One Italian Summer, from Keris Stainton, is an intriguing YA novel which tenderly deals with grief, and the strength of sisters. Three sisters, Milly, Elyse and Leonie are off to Italy for the summer with their mother. Normally this would be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with extended family and soak up the wonderful Italian…
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…
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…
The Fault In Our Stars from John Green, is a sensitive yet gutsy portrayal of Hazel, a sixteen year old with terminal cancer. Yep, he’s tackled, head on, this most awful illness through the character of Hazel, and her developing friendship with Augustus. Where The Fault In Our Stars wins through is via its multi…
Deep, mournful, A Monster Calls is gut wrenching, sad and yet beautiful as it captures, explores and lays open Conor’s inner turmoil. “Conor screamed until he was hoarse, smashed until his arms were sore, roared until he was nearly falling down with exhaustion.” Conor is the protagonist of A Monster Calls. The monster is the subject of…
Exciting, fresh and fun quite aptly describe Jo Empson’s debut picture book, Rabbityness. Rabbit likes doing quite ordinary things. Empson’s series of short sentences prefixed with ‘Rabbit liked …’ lead the reader through the first few pages. They are filled with the black rabbit set against green hues, and plenty of white space. This leads…
Maia and What Matters is a touching, elegant story from the pen of Tine Mortier.
‘I feel nothing inside, just a big, empty hole – and I hope it stays like that because the idea of feeling anything is unbearable.’ Tough themes have been a recurring themes in many novels during the past 18 months in particular. Think The Fault In Our Stars by John Green and A Monster Calls…
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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…