Are you looking for a super-smart whodunnit for tween readers? Look no further than the latest thrilling title from Sharna Jackson! “Last night Wesley and his friends Josephine and Margot threw their neighbour Rachel a surprise birthday party. This morning, Rachel is dead. And Wesley is the one who finds her body. Rachel's friends throw a … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Nine Night Mystery,’ by Sharna Jackson, cover by Bex Glendining.
Polly Ho-Yen is an author whom you can trust to write stories you are going to want to read. They have such heart and always leave me thinking. ‘The Last Dragon’ is no exception. “Yara has only glimpsed the last dragon on Earth twice. She’s got other things to worry about: her sister is in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Last Dragon,’ by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by Charis Loke.
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.
Lucy Strange is one of those authors whose books always get moved straight to the top of my ‘to be read’ pile. Imagine my delight when a rather special package dropped through my letterbox… “Abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak and remote Scottish island, Faye discovers that she and the other pupils have … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Island at the Edge of Night,’ by Lucy Strange.
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.
Sometimes books come along that you know you are going to want to read in peace, which is precisely why I saved this book to enjoy as soon as the Easter holidays started. Any new title from Lucy Strange immediately jumps to the top of my ‘to be read’ pile. I love her seamless blend … Continue reading ‘The Island at the Edge of the Night,’ by Lucy Strange, cover by Katie Hickey.
There are far too few middle grade titles where gymnastics takes centre stage. I have been on the look out for my niece who is a fantastic gymnast but in haven’t been able find very much. Luckily, I shall now be able to recommend ‘Winner Takes Gold’! “Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning gold in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Winner Takes Gold,’ by Eloise Smith, cover illustrated by Natalie Smillie.
I think anybody with an interest in the world of children’s books will probably be very eagerly awaiting the Spring publication of ‘Keedie,’ the prequel to McNicoll’s barn-storming debut novel, ‘A Kind of Spark.’ ‘A Kind of Spark’ was, for me, in the first wave of real voices stories which featured neurodiverse characters written authentically … Continue reading ‘Keedie’ by Elle McNicoll, cover by Kay Wilson.
One of the things I love most about Autumn is the opportunity to cwtch up with a good book and a blanket so it seems very apt that I have a special post from author, Jennifer Claessen featuring her top tips for a cosy read. I have been very much looking forward to catching up … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘November Witches,’ by Jennifer Claessen, cover by Heidi Cannon.
Today I’m sharing the story of two sisters who left their home in Ireland to start a new life in New York City. “Crossing the ocean for a new life I looked up and the American flags on the roof seemed miles and miles away in the blue, blue, sky. I looked along the street, … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sally in the City of Dreams,’ by Judi Curtin.
It’s not very often that books about fronds focus on a group of boys. Even less often that these groups of friends are shown in a positive, supportive light. That’s what makes ‘The Council of Good Friends’ so brilliant - we get to see boys’ friendships in all their multi-faceted glory: having fun, pranking each … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Council of Good Friends,’ by Nikesh Shukla, illustrated by Rochelle Falconer.
I raced through this book! A superb read from Jeffrey Boakye which explores the complexities of growing up as a black youth from an estate, alongside a backdrop of pure 90s joy - cassette tapes, Gladiators, rap battles, the internet? What’s that? ‘Kofi had an idea . . . one big lightning bolt of an … Continue reading ‘Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer,’ by Jeffrey Blakey.
When I read that Tania Unsworth was inspired to write this by the hidden, forgotten corners that no one ever noticed, I was intrigued. As a child, I spent a lot of time imagining what it would be like to set up camp in a secluded spot and live there. Luckily, I never had to … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Nowhere Island,’ by Tania Unsworth, cover by Kimberley Walker.
There is a slowly increasing range of scary books for middle grade readers to enjoy - supply is finally catching up with demand! In my experience, it has always been tricky to find a ‘horror’ title which is scary but not too scary. ‘Shiver Point’ fits the bill nicely as it’s just the right balance … Continue reading Holiday read #1: ‘Shiver Point: It Came From the Woods,’ by Gabriel Dylan.
Recently, the children I work with have become fascinated by a couple of old magic sets we have available for break times. Watching them try and master the ‘cup and ball’ trick or to guess my card has really brought home to me the power of magic to inspire awe and wonder. And those are … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Wonder Brothers,’ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton.
I am sure that lots of you will already have read, and loved, Kelly’s ‘Front Desk’ series. If you’re wanting more of her poignant, prejudice-confronting, and heart-warming writing, you need to take a look at ‘Finally Seen.’ Luckily for you, I have an extract of the second chapter for you enjoy! (Scroll down) “A gripping … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Finally Seen,’ by Kelly Yang.
This book immediately jumped to the top of my to-be-read pile when it arrived. Due the nature of the children I work with, and the anxiety my son suffers from, I was intrigued to read a middle grade title which primarily focusses on that theme and is drawn, partly, from the author’s own experiences. ‘Josh … Continue reading ‘Worrybot’ by Simon Packham, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan.
Get ready to be whisked away to whole other world which hides, just out of sight, behind flowered curtains and mossy bowers… ‘Daisy Thistledown has escaped from boarding school and has a mystery to solve. Her search for her missing mother will lead her across London and through a hidden doorway to another world, filled … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Greenwild: The World Behind the Door,’ by Pari Thomson, cover by Elisa Paganelli.
Whether you’ve read ‘Bigfoot Mountain’ or not, you will definitely want to visit ‘Bigfoot Island,’ its sequel. But do Bigfoot’s really exist, you ask? Well, perhaps reading author Roderick O’Grady’s special piece on that very topic might help you make up your mind… ‘When Minnie spots a white boat bringing strangers to the cove below … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Bigfoot Island,’ by Roderick O’Grady, cover by Jess Mason.
I absolutely loved the first instalment of this series, Hedgewitch, so was delighted to receive a special goodie box from the lovely people at Welbeck Books to help celebrate the publication of Cassie’s next adventure - Woodwitch. ‘Cassie has settled into life in Hedgely when, out of the blue, her troubled cousin, Sebastian, comes to … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Woodwitch,’ by Skye McKenna, cover by Tomislav Tomic.
Library Girl and Book Boy 