These titles are longer chapter books often with more challenging themes and plotlines. Best-suited to more confident readers aged 9+
Having loved the first book in this trilogy (Beetle Boy), when I found out that there was a limited edition of Beetle Queen with sprayed edges, I was straight on-line ordering myself a copy. And it was worth it! The yellow ladybird spots are a true delight. Let me just fill you in quickly … Continue reading ‘Beetle Queen,’ by M.G. Leonard, cover illustration by Elisabet Portabella.
Welcome to my stop on the 'The Everything Machine' blog tour. I was very excited to be able to get my hands on a copy to read and review. Have you ever wished you could print yourself anything you wanted? Rare Pokémon cards, strawberry ice cream, a brand new bike? How about a mountain of … Continue reading ‘The Everything Machine,’ by Ally Kennen, illustrated by Chris Jevons.
I'd like to share a delightfully odd duo set in a world where the odd is the ordinary: 'Alistair Grim's Odditorium,' by Gregory Funaro, illustrated by Chris Mould The unlikely hero of this piece is Grubb, a twelve-year-old orphan scraping a living as a chimney sweep in Victorian England. After an unfortunate accident … Continue reading ‘Alistair Grim’s Odditorium,’ by Gregory Funaro.
For this blog post, I have chosen two fantastic books which celebrate the importance of being yourself and pursuing your dreams. 'Duck Gets a Job,' by Sonny Ross Duck wants a job. All his friends quack on and on about how amazing their jobs in the city are. Duck thinks their jobs sound a bit … Continue reading It’s Good to be You!
Case: The Disappearing Diamond Detective: Sherlock Holmes Location: Baker Street Academy Status: Top Secret! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the fabulous Sherlock Holmes! After arriving late, new boy, John Watson, was dreading his first day at Baker Street Academy. His fears soon disappeared as his buddy for the day, Martha, introduced … Continue reading ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond,’ by Sam Hearn.
I know they say you shouldn't judge books by their covers, but this one was calling out to me from across the bookshop. It truly is a thing of great beauty! Written by the masterful Neil Gaiman and illustrated by the Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell, you would be right to expect great things from this … Continue reading ‘Odd and the Frost Giants,’ by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell.
'You are cordially invited to attend the grand opening of Sinclair's Department Store.' This is the first in a brilliant series of mystery books set around the magnificent Sinclair's Department Store. To enter Sinclair's is to enter a world of perfumed air, bonbons, elegant clothes and murder! Just before the grand opening of London's newest … Continue reading ‘The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow,by Katherine
I was very excited when I discovered that Macmillan's Children's Books were publishing a new hardback edition of this book. I have very fond memories of listening to this on story cassette when I was little. Gobbolino was born in the darkness of a witch's cave but was miserable with his job of being a … Continue reading ‘Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat,’ by Ursula Moray Williams, illustrated by Catherine Rayner.
Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot... I am very excited to feature 'Black Powder' on the blog as I'm lucky enough to have Ally Sherrick visiting my school to work with Year 5 very soon. Watch out for a special post next week! This explosive novel whisks the reader back in … Continue reading ‘Black Powder, ‘ by Ally Sherrick, illustrated by Alexis Snell.
Alma Classics have sent me this lovely re-illustrated version of a childhood classic - The Railway Children. After the unexpected disappearance of their father, Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter have to leave their comfortable lives in London to move to a small cottage in the countryside with their mother. As mother struggles to make ends meet by writing … Continue reading ‘The Railway Children,’ by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Peter Bailey.
Get ready for the second thrilling instalment of the gadget-packed series - 'The Inventory' as it's my stop on the blog tour. In this sequel to 'The Iron Fist,' Dev and his friends (Lot and Mason) are having their skills tested as they're sent to chase down one of the Double Helix's henchmen with a … Continue reading ‘The Inventory – Gravity,’ by Andy Briggs.
I am absolutely delighted to welcome the magnificent Lou Kuenzler to the blog as part of her 'Finding Black Beauty' blog tour - a beautiful version of the classic 'Black Beauty' with a twist. As well as getting read and review her book, I got to ask Lou about where her desire to work with … Continue reading ‘Finding Black Beauty.’
Welcome to my stop on the 'Chasing Danger - Mystery at the Ice Hotel' blog tour. You are lucky enough to have reviews of both action-packed adventures in this new series from the fabulous Sara Grant. Book 1 - 'Chasing Danger.' In the first instalment in the series we are introduced to Chase (aka Charlotte) as she is seemingly abandoned … Continue reading ‘Chasing Danger,’ by Sara Grant
I AM FEARLESS. I AM FOX. Welcome to the magical world of the fantastic Foxcraft series by Inbali Iserles. Foxcraft - The Taken (book 1) Isla and her brother, Pirie, spend their days blissfully happy. They play, romp and stalk through the woods and fields surrounding their den - taking care not to bump into … Continue reading ‘Foxcraft,’ by Inbali Iserles
Everyone's favourite animal author has just released these two fab new titles about children struggling to fit in to new schools. Furry Friends - Sophie's Squeaky Surprise (illustrated by Clare Elsom) Sophie and her family have just moved to Paris from England and Sophie's having a hard time making friends - the girls at her new … Continue reading A Holly Webb Special!
Jim is back in another death-defying (literally) adventure that will make you laugh your socks off! Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! Jim Wimple has just about come to terms with the fact that his father is, in fact, the Grim Reaper and not an accountant as he had previously believed. To help him … Continue reading ‘Jim Reaper – Saving Granny Maggot,’ by Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by Jamie Littler.
Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for the daring 'Poppy Pym and the Double Jinx' by Laura Wood and thank you to Scholastic for inviting me to take part. Double, double, toil and trouble.... Mystery is afoot in the sleepy town of Brimwell so naturally, Poppy and her friends decide to investigate. But … Continue reading ‘Poppy Pym and the Double Jinx,’ by Laura Wood.
In futuristic Hong Kong, Nat Walker (an orphan heiress) lives on a junk boat with her robot dragon and legal guardian. Nat spends her time zooming through Hong Kong's crowded highways on her slider (electronic hover board), racing between school, home and martial arts lessons. Life becomes more complicated when her guardian, Jamuka, suddenly gets … Continue reading ‘Crimson Poison,’ by Susan Moore.
Everyone knows the famous story of the man-cub Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the jungles of India. This new edition from Alma Classics contains all the Jungle Books and added bonus material for young readers. If if you enjoyed the real-life action film version which has just been released on DVD (or love … Continue reading ‘The Jungle Books,’ by Rudyard Kipling, illustrated by Ian Beck.
Set in murky Victorian London, this story follows Rose Campion, adopted daughter of Thomas Campion (owner of Campion's Palace of Variety and Wonders), as she tries to unravel a series of mysteries and deadly coincidences. Rose was abandoned on the doorstep of Campion's Music Hall as a baby and she loves it there - the greasepaint, … Continue reading ‘Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret,’ by Lyn Gardner.
