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…
Fliss and her mum move from London to a Welsh farm to live with her spiky grandmother Margot so that her mum can recuperate from cancer. When Fliss discovers Margot’s wartime diary, she learns about her grandmother’s life as an evacuee, and the secrets that have shaped her. As Fliss struggles to settle in to…
This Is Banjo Patterson is the latest picture book collaboration between Tania McCartney and Christina Booth. If you are looking for a wonderful way to weave great poetry into your little listeners’ lives – this book is just the one. Tania McCartney’s narrative gently guides us through the tale of the famous poet – Banjo…
Strong-willed and stubborn,12-year old Janet is constantly at war with her Granna. She doesn’t want to fetch water from the well or make bere for the men after their long day, she wants to help cut the bent or go out on the fishing boats and pull in the nets. It’s so unfair! The year…
Australia Illustrated is 96 glorious pages full of fabulous details and quirky snippets about life in Australia from Tania McCartney – ‘a small slice of the land I was born in, and the land that I love.’ … and the love for Australia beams out from every page. The opening pages celebrate Australia for being…
‘The women in this book didn’t set out to be thought of as ‘great’. They achieved extraordinary things simply by following their hearts, talents and dreams. They didn’t listen when people said they couldn’t do something.’ The opening lines to Kate Pankhurst’s (Mariella Mysteries) Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World really do set the…
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,…
That Burning Summer is the 2nd release from exciting new novelist Lydia Syson. Her first was the award winning A World Between Us, gaining much positive critical attention. That Burning Summer, set in England during the summer of 1940, sees Syson successfully delving back into the genre of historical fiction. Living close to the English Channel, Peggy and…
Set in the mysterious Victorian London with fantastical glimpses in to the future, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is a fast moving mystery and adventure novel with plenty of twists and turns. Montgomery Flinch’s tales of the macabre and the grotesque have taken England by storm in the last 12 months. When the reclusive fellow finally makes an…
The Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett is a multi layered intriguing novel which captures the horror, isolation and frightening aspects of WWII from a child’s perspective. Intermingled with the power, destruction and ruthlessness of England’s regal history, more specifically the path to the crown taken by Richard III, this is a fascinating novel. Two children, Cecily…
As ANZAC Day approaches it’s important that children begin to understand the significance of this day. The following is a list of great books which deal specifically with ANZAC day. I’ve also included some powerful books that tackle the nature of war, both picture books AND chapter books, allowing a more broader discussion to take place. To…
The Story of the Olympics from Richard Brassey is fun, vibrant and brimming with great information accompanied by great illustrations. I love the way in which this one is presented. With cartoon like strips Richard Brassey provides wacky and informative bitesized pieces of information which are perfect for those with a thirst for knowledge. After…
Minna Lacey’s The Story Of The Olympics is aimed firmly at emerging readers. Perfect. This is a great one for those who are just beginning to approach small chapter books with some confidence, and makes a pleasant change from fiction. Divided in to eight chapters Lacey gives an informative guide to the Olympics which is…
Through Time Olympics is an absorbing guide to the highlights of the Olympics over the years. Not afraid to talk about controversy Richard Platt presents a fresh and enjoyable approach. This gorgeously thick book is a visual feast. Each double page works through the different venues of the Olympic Games from Paris 1900 to London…
Titanic Unclassified is an exciting historical guide presented in an easier to digest manner Titanic Unclassified by Alex Stewart captures the elegance that this magnificent ship created. The hopes and dreams it represented to the many people on board are reflected through the records of some of those travelling, from Margaret Brown to…
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