These titles are longer chapter books often with more challenging themes and plotlines. Best-suited to more confident readers aged 9+
After reading, and loving, Webb's sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett's 'The Secret Garden,' I was delighted to see learn that she had also reimagined Hodgson Burnett's beloved classic 'The Little Princess,' but set against the tempestuous backdrop of the Suffragette movement of the early 20th century. Still set in the prim and proper Miss Minchin's … Continue reading ‘The Princess and the Suffragette,’ by Holly Webb.
The name's Dan, Dan the Snugaliffic Cuddlestar Bear, and I've got a case to crack... I'm pleased to introduce you to the hilarious 'Spy Toys' series by Mark Powers. Spy Toys - Out of Control This is the second, newest book in the series and is currently enjoying its blog tour so watch out for … Continue reading ‘Spy Toys – Out Of Control!’ By Mark Powers, illustrated by Tim Wesson.
'Anne of Green Gables' is a beloved classic of children's literature with films and stage shows made based on it. Alma Junior have released a newly re-illustrated version with additional bonus material. Set in Canada, the story follows flame-haired orphan, Anne, who gets sent to live on Green Gables Farm with the Cuthberts (who had … Continue reading ‘Anne of Green Gables,’ by L.M. Montgomery, illustrated by Susan Hellard.
Read this book you must. It gets the Stormtrooper Book Club seal of approval! It's Victor Starspeeder's second year at Jedi Academy and things are not going as he planned - he just can't stop over-sleeping and Master Yoda is getting mad! To make matters worse, his tardiness has meant that he's missed out on … Continue reading Holiday Read #5 ‘The Jedi Academy: The Force Oversleeps,’ by Jarrett Krosoczka.
I have a confession to make. I have had all three of the Dreamsnatcher series on my bookcase for a little while. All signed. All with beautiful covers. And I was saving them for a rainy day, just to make sure I had something special stashed away when I was in need. Well, a year … Continue reading Holiday Read #4 ‘The Dreamsnatcher,’ by Abi Elphinstone, cover by Thomas Flintham.
Holiday Read #3 comes courtesy of my son, who has been giggling his way through this one on his sun lounger. In the second book of the series, we are reintroduced to The Grunts, a family who are neither clean nor clever but who manage to have fantastic adventures all the same. When I asked … Continue reading Holiday Read #3 ‘The Grunts All at Sea,’ by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Strictly speaking, this isn't just a holiday read as it was actually started as my son's bedtime story back in England and we've just finished it tonight. But I think I can allow a little flexibility on the 'holiday read' point. It was the title of the book which first attracted me and the premise … Continue reading Holiday Read #2 ‘The Bookshop Girl,’ by Sylvia Bishop, illustrated by Ashley King.
Each year, I take a certain delight in spending all the loyalty points I have dutifully built up on my bookshop reward card in the preceding months with my many purchases. Hours can be whiled away as I contemplate how best to spend them. However, my first choice this year was an easy one. Featured … Continue reading Holiday Read #1: ‘A Place Called Perfect,’ by Helena Duggan, cover by Karl James Mountford.
I'd like to share not one, but two diaries about hapless heroes in sorrowful situations. The Long-Lost Diary of the World's Worst Knight Sir Roderick is a squire at Doddington Castle and longs to be a brave knight. The kind of knight who'll be remembered in heroic tales like King Arthur's knights of the round … Continue reading ‘The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World’s Worst…’ written by Tim Collins, illustrated by Sarah Horne.
I first came across this book when it was nominated for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2017. When I read the opening, I knew that it was going to be an absolutely fantastic story. It seems that the Blue Peter judges agreed, as Podkin duly won its category. An epic adventure in a land where … Continue reading ‘The Legend of Podkin One-Ear,’ by Kieran Larwood, cover by Fernando Juarez, illustrations by David Wyatt.
Some stories truly do stand the test of time, delighting and inspiring generation after generation of young readers. So I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to two reillustrated classics packed full of bonus features from Alma Classics. 'Five Children and It,' by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Ella Okstad. I have fond memories … Continue reading Two Children’s Classics!
I is very excited to have gotten my trotters on a copy of the hilarious fourth book in the fart-tastic Pig series. You can too if you read to the bottom to find out how to enter my fabulous book bundle giveaway! This instalments finds Pig on the run from Deathra (armed with tasers and … Continue reading ‘The Big, Fat, Totally Bonkers Diary of Pig,’ by Emer Stamp.
A traitor revealed. An invasion unleashed. A kingdom in peril. I was very excited to be asked to participate in the blog tour for this second instalment in the Defender of the Realm series. Following the shocking events which occurred at his coronation, the young King Alfred II (or Alfie, as he prefers to be … Continue reading ‘Defender of the Realm: Dark Age,’ by Mark Huckerby & Nick Ostler.
I was super-excited to be sent a copy of the third instalment of this prize-winning series. It still features Luke, StarBoy and all their superhuman friends, but with the genius addition of an inter-dimensional toilet! After crash-landing Zorbon the Decider's spacecraft in IKEA, Luke (aka Stellar, aka Evil Twin) sets off to find the parallel … Continue reading ‘My Evil Twin Is A Supervillain, by David Solomons, cover by Laura Ellen Anderson, inside illustrations by Robin Boyden.
My next Easter read was recommended to me by several people and has been compared to the excellent 'Northern Lights' trilogy by Philip Pullman. Well that was recommendation enough for me as I loved that series - I decided that 'Sea' was worth spending one of my birthday book tokens on. 'Sea' follows the fortunes of … Continue reading ‘Sea,’ by Sarah Driver, cover by Joe McLaren.
I am really pleased to have been invited to participate in the blog tour for the third action-packed book in The Inventory series. The first two stories were gripping so I knew this one would be too - I wasn't disappointed! In this newest title, we find the World Consortium recruiting more teen agents to work with … Continue reading ‘The Inventory: Black Knight,’ by Andy Briggs.
This fantastic time-slip novel will have you gripped from page one - I read the whole thing in a day! Evie is sulking after being bundled off to stay with her somewhat eccentric godmother (whom she's never met before) whilst her mother breezes off to Venice on her honeymoon. She's had to take a train to … Continue reading ‘Evie’s Ghost,’ by Helen Peters, cover illustrated by Daniela Terrazzini.
Winner alert!!!
This stellar second novel from Christopher Edge follows on from the success of his first book, the 2017 CILIP Carnegie Nominated: 'The Many Worlds of Albie Bright.' There's a lot of buzz around all things space at the moment thanks to Tim Peake's stay on the International Space Station, and this book is perfect for … Continue reading ‘The Jamie Drake Equation,’ by Christopher Edge. Cover by Matt Saunders. Illustrations by Spike Gerrell
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of The Ministry of Suits, where strange, unusual and impossible things happen. Recently nominated for the New Children's Fiction award by the Teach Primary Magazine, this offbeat title is perfect for anyone who likes to 'think outside the box.' After narrowly escaping being eaten by a bear on … Continue reading ‘The Ministry of Strange, Unusual and Impossible Things,’ by Paul Gamble, illustrated by Fidelma Slattery.
