We’re back adventuring with Saga after her environmental triumph in ‘Into the Faerie Hill.’ You don’t need to have read this to enjoy Norup’s sequel - The Changeling Child. “Twelve years ago, a child vanished from his cradle. He was never seen nor spoken of again. Saga is desperate to discover what happened - did … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Changeling Child,’ by H.S. Norup, cover by Thy Bui.
Today I’m sharing a brand new middle grade title from the wonderful Susie Bower. Just as magical and intently woven as her previous titles - readers are in for a treat! “A magical kingdom. Four friends. One terrible mistake... In the Land of Magic, four friends live a life filled with wonder. But there's one … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Invisibles,’ by Susie Bower, cover by Thy Bui.
Introducing the final instalment in Pari Thomson’s award-winning Greenwild trilogy. Daisy and her friends have travelled from Kew Gardens, across the oceans, and finally to the Amazon Rainforest in the hopes of rescuing all they hold dear. Make sure you read the exclusive piece from Pari on writing about the environment for young readers! “With … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky,’ by Pari Thomson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.
If you’re looking for a way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, may I recommend the really quite extraordinary ‘Shrapnel Boys.’ “There's a war going on out there, and I'm missing it. When war comes to London in 1939, Ronnie Smith is scared and excited: scared of the bombs that fall at night, … Continue reading ‘Shrapnel Boys,’ by Jenny Pearson, cover by Tom Clohosy Cole.
Today I’m sharing a brand new Narzat adventure and a special piece about the inspiration behind Pertinax the chef. “The legendary Captain Carver and his wicked pirate crew commanded by the GLOM BADGER have arrived in the Jumble Jungle Wood on board their pirate ship THE SHIFTING SHADOW in search of monstrous beasts to capture … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Narzat and the Shifting Shadow,’ by Luke Marchant, illustrated by Rory Walker.
Welcome to an absolutely action-packed, heist-filled adventure which will have you gasping at every twist, turn, and betrayal! Make sure you read Eve’s exclusive piece about how she created the setting for her cracking crime adventure. “London, 1951: Clem Fatale, the youngest crook in the city, is on a mission to find her dad. Jimmy Fatale, … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Clem Fatale has Been Betrayed,’ by Eve Wersocki-Morris, illustrated by Honie Beam.
Today’s featured book is perfect now that spooky season is well and truly upon us - a haunting portal thriller, partly inspired by the author’s fervent childhood desire to track down the wardrobe which would grant her entry to the magical realm of Narnia. Be sure to read Susan’s special piece about how the Irish … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The World Between the Rain,’ by Susan Cahill.
My first festive share of the season and it’s an absolute stonker! Introducing ‘Sprouts’ by Sibéal Pounder. Be sure to read Sibéal’s piece about women as festive characters - Mrs Claus and Christmas witches finally get the recognition the deserve! “In the year 4024, there lived a young girl with jet black hair who truly … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sprouts,’ by Sibéal Pounder, cover by Sarah Warburton.
I always look forward to a new book from Lindsay; her writing always manages to beautifully combine historical fact with the magical and mythical. Ever since her debut middle grade title, Darwin’s Dragons, I have been a big fan. “London, 1666 When fire breaks out, eleven-year-old Gil is separated from his family in the chaos. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Great Phoenix of London,’ by Lindsay Galvin, illustrated by Gordy Wright.
Welcome to the second stop on the time travelling Silver Express on an exhilarating journey through Egyptian history and culture with Laila Rifaat, author of the Aliya series. Make sure you read the fascinating letter from Aliya to her Geddo (grandfather) describing Egyptian clothing and fashions. Visit the other blogs on the tour for more … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Aliya Aboard the Time Train,’ by Laila Rifaat, cover by Gaia Alessi.
Today, I’ve been Time Travelling With a Tortoise as I join Al on a mission to set right the ripples his time-travelling escapades have caused in the multiverse. A great sequel to Time Travelling With a Hamster by @rosswelford Cover by #TomClohosyCole “Al Chaudhury travelled back in time to save his father’s life. And it … Continue reading Holiday Reads: ‘Time Travelling With a Tortoise,’ by Ross Welford.
My first holiday read was this whimsical tale from Hilary McKay. Featuring cats, magic, and the beautiful city of Venice, there is so much to enjoy. I’d like a second instalment to see what happens next for Rosa. #RosaByStarlight ✨ Gorgeous cover & illustrations by @keithrobinson.illustrator @macmillankidsuk “Rosa lives in a world where she discovers … Continue reading Holiday reads: ‘Rosa by Starlight,’ by Hilary McKay.
I’m thrilled to be showcasing a fantastic debut sci-fi adventure from Sarah Merrett. I was completely hooked in by the isolated setting of the observatory which Reuben and Grandma call home, and intrigued by just why Rueben was forbidden from venturing beyond the walls of the grounds. Sarah has written a wonderful piece about how … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Others,’ by Sarah Merrett, cover by Holly Ovenden.
The teacher in me is thrilled to finally have a quality chapter book centred around the days leading up to the legendary eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the end of the city of Pompeii. ‘Delta and the Lost City’ is told from the perspective of a young wolf-dog and focuses on the growing tumult in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Delta and the Lost City,’ by Anna Fargher, illustrated by David Dean.
Introducing the second adventure in the Pirate Acadmey series - Missing at Sea. This series is actually set in the same swashbuckling world as VAMPIRATES but they can be read independently of each other. Pirate Academy is set five years earlier but there are some cross-over characters, including ‘golden boy’ Jacoby. Author, Justin Somper, has … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea,’ by Justin Somper, illustrated by Teo Staffa.
I was thrilled to receive a copy of this brand new Dino adventure for middle grade readers. Unused to be impossible to get good quality dinosaur fiction once readers wanted something wordier than picture books, but now they’re very lucky to have a growing number of titles to choose from - ‘Sar Wylda’ being one … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Sar Wylda and the Legendary Goldbreaker,’ by Jake R. Wilson, illustrated by Kimberley Laura Walker.
I was so pleased to see a sequel to the original Greenwild adventure. I loved the lush setting of this world full of green magic and plants sprouting delicious treats. This time, readers are whisked away beneath the waves as Daisy and her friends seek out her kidnapped mother. “Daisy Thistledown is on a mission. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Greenwild – the City Beyond the Sea,’ by Pari Thomson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.
I love Catherine’s writing so was excited to have been sent an early copy of this to read back in March. However, it is just about to fly the Nosy Crow nest and out into the world for everyone else to get swept away with. “After the tragic death of his mother, eleven year old … Continue reading ‘Bird Boy,’ by Catherine Bruton, cover by Oriol Vidal.
A crumbling mansion, a powerful magic source, and stone gargoyles that come to life? Just some of the ingredients for a fantastic read. Do you think you have what it takes to become a guardian? Read author Tamsin Mori’s special piece about the skills you’ll need… “A crumbling mansion A magical source A living gargoyle … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Gargoyles: Guardian of the Source,’ by Tamsin Mori, cover by David Dean.
Well there couldn’t be a better choice of read to usher in the advent of the Year of the Dragon! Paper Dragons is an intoxicating new adventure from Siobhan McDermott. Be sure to read Siobhan’s piece about how she developed the magical setting of Wengyuen. “An extraordinary destiny unfolds . . .Twelve-year-old Zhi Ging has … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm,’ by Siobhan McDermott, cover by Yuzhen Cai.
Library Girl and Book Boy 