It’s here. The final instalment in the brilliant ‘Who Let The Gods Out?’ series by writing wizard and all round fabulous person, Maz Evans. This book dives straight into a monumental battle between good and evil and Elliot is forced to collect the final Chaos Stone from the burning River Phlegethon by crazed Daemon of … Continue reading ‘Against All Gods,’ by Maz Evans, illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff.
A mix of myth, magic and fast-paced adventure. Storm of Odin is the youngest storm hound in the Wild Hunt which tears across lightning-filled skies, snapping and howling. Tonight’s the first night he’s been allowed to run with the rest of the pack. But something’s not right, he’s faking behind and before he knows it, he’s … Continue reading ‘Storm Hound,’ by Claire Fayers, cover by Becka Moor.
Today I am thrilled to be shining a spotlight on the brilliant new title from Amber Lee Dodd, ‘Lightning Chase Me Home.’ This will be followed up by an exclusive interview for the #LibraryGirlAndBookBoy podcast. Named after two fearless explorers, Amelia Hester McLeod has adventure in her blood, but she doesn’t always feel very brave. … Continue reading ‘Lightning Chase Me Home,’ by Amber Lee Dodd.
Mermaids have had a real surge of popularity recently but most titles have been for younger readers or overly sugary and sweet. ‘The Girl with the Shark’s Teeth’ is definitely neither of those things... Minnow had always known she was different from the other children in her town - her powerful affinity with the water, … Continue reading Festive Read #3 ‘The Girl With The Shark’s Teeth,’ by Cerrie Burnell, illustrations by Sandra Dieckmann.
Now I had been saving this book to read whilst snuggled up in the Christmas holidays as I knew Millwood Hargrave’s writing was going to whisk me away to an enchanted, frozen landscape and I wanted to savour it. Going to the in-laws’ to sit by their log fire was the perfect opportunity. Mila lives … Continue reading Festive read #2 ‘The Way Past Winter,’ by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, cover by Helen Crawford-White.
“They must have come from under beds, out of mirrors, up from caves, and down from attics; all out of the darkness and into the moonlight. They were the Night Folk, and this was their world.” When out-spoken Emily’s parents both mysteriously disappear, it soon becomes clear that she is going to have to be … Continue reading Festive read #1 ‘The Midnight Hour,’ by Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder, cover by Hannah Peck.
Three sisters, three magical objects, one family curse. Need I say more? I knew from the off that I was going to love this book, and I wasn’t disappponted! The Widdershins sisters live in The Poacher’s Pocket In on the marshy isle of Crowstone with their granny - the formidable Bunny. The story begins on … Continue reading ‘A Pinch Of Magic,’ by Michelle Harrison, cover by Melissa Castrillon
I recently had the pleasure (!?) of a five-hour train journey with my family and thought that the second novel from Australian author Matilda Woods, would be the perfect story to escape into. Was I right, you ask? Yes! Oona Britt is the very much unwanted seventh of seven daughters. A fortune-teller had foretold that … Continue reading ‘The Girl, The Cat and The Navigator,’ by Matilda Woods, illustrated by Anuska Allepuz.
Everyone’s favourite vampire is back in another wickedly funny installment of Laura Ellen Anderson’s brilliant series. Amelia is busily planning for her big birthnight party at the Pumpkin Patch (one of Amelia’s favourite places as she wants to be a pumpkinologist when she’s older.) Her pet pumpkin, Squashy, has a swanky new outfit to wear … Continue reading ‘Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief,’ by Laura Ellen Anderson.
If you’re searching for a read packed with just the right balance of laughs and scares, look no further than ‘Witch Girl.’ Twelve-year-old Evangeline and her gran form a witchy ghost-busting duo (although Evangeline is still just an apprentice.) Together, they hunt down all manner of creatures that go bump in the night, magically ridding … Continue reading ‘Witch Girl,’ by Jan Eldredge with an exclusive post about why we like being scared! Illustrations by Risa Rodil.
Have you ever imagined what it might be like if you could only tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? No? Well spare a thought for the Truth Pixie who can only do just that. One of the fantastic characters from the ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ trilogy by Maths Haig, the … Continue reading ‘The Truth Pixie,’ by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould.
If you’re looking for a suitably spooky Halloween read, take a peek at one of these. If you dare.... Vlad The World’s Worst Vampire: Midnight Fright by Anna Wilson, illustrated by Kathryn Durst (Stripes Books) Vlad’s back in another adventure and this time his very annoying cousin Lupus is visiting. Poor old Vlad has never … Continue reading Halloween Howlers
If you’re looking for a brooding magic-soaked read, look no further... Welcome to the ‘Snowglobe’ blog tour. Prepare to enter a thousand worlds. Clementine lives alone with her Pa in a red brick terrace house. She has always known that she’s different and has learnt to suppress the flashes of magic which sometimes rise up … Continue reading ‘Snowglobe’ by Amy Wilson, cover by Rachel Vale.
I’ve just finished this epic Viking adventure from notes historian and author Janina Ramirez, and it was brilliant. Alva has the heart of a shield maiden and wants to follow in the footsteps of her father who has gone a-Viking over the sea. She’s desperate to be allowed to help her uncle, Magnus, solve mysteries … Continue reading ‘Riddle of the Runes,’ by Janina Ramirez, illustrated by David Wyatt.
The Spiderwick Chronicles series is now fifteen years old and has just been re-released by Simon and Schuster. I was lucky enough to be sent the first three titles in their gorgeous new hardback editions. Book One - The Field Guide When Mallory, Jared, and Simon Grace move into the dilapidated Spiderwick Mansion, they are … Continue reading ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles,’ by Tony Diterlizzi & Holly Black.
My next holiday read was actually a re-read ahead of a workshop I’m doing in September about how funny books can be in-roads to discussing more serious issues with children. ‘Who Let The Gods Out’ certainly does just that. Elliot’s life has changed a lot over the past year - following the death of his … Continue reading Holiday Re-Read #5: ‘Who Let The Gods Out,’ by Maz Evans, characters by Aleksei Bitskoff.
Welcome to my specially updated post, all ready for the #TheTrainToImpossiblePlaces blog tour. As well as my original review, I’m also honoured to host an exclusive post by P.G. Bell, explains how this magical tale from orally told bedtime story to published book. “Where impossible, becomes possible....” When Suzy is woken up by strange banging, clanking … Continue reading Holiday Read #3: ‘The Train To Impossible Places,’ with exclusive post by P.G. Bell, illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino
This is the second of my much-anticipated holiday reads. I bought it a little while ago following a lot of good reviews, and now that I’m on holiday, I actually have time to read it! Orphaned Christopher works with Mr Absalom, an unregistered mechanic who specialises in making mechanical children (the creation of adults is … Continue reading Holiday Read #2: ‘Tin,’ by Pádraig Kenny, illustrations by Katie Hickey.
I purchased this beauty a little while ago and have been lovingly looking at it on my book pile ever since. I decided that my summer holiday would be the perfect time to crack open the cover (very carefully!) and enter the wonderous world of Nevermoor. Morrigan Crow is the only daughter of Chancellor Corvus Crow, … Continue reading Holiday Read #1 ‘Nevermoor – The Trials Of Morrigan Crow,’ by Jessica Townsend, illustrations by Beatriz Castro.
Library Girl and Book Boy 