Today I have a fast-paced sci-fi adventure to share and a special piece from author, Loris Owen, about the inspiration behind ‘squirls.’ Welcome to the dazzling world of Quicksmiths College of Strange Energy. Kip Bramley isn’t exactly popular. So he is surprised and slightly suspicious when he’s approached by a drone whilst hiding out in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith,’ by Loris Owen.
This summer, I got totally swept away on an adventure with the crew of the plucky Sparrowhawk. Life in the small village of Barton is slowly getting back to normal after the Great War. But not for Ben, who’s living with a woman in the village after his adoptive father was killed in France and … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Voyage of the Sparrowhawk,’ by Natasha Farrant, cover by David Dean.
Today I get to share a brilliant new middle grade novel which would be perfect for budding detectives: ‘The Key to Finding Jack.’ I also have a special piece from the author about what inspired her to choose Peru as the centre of Jack’s adventure. Flick’s elder brother, Jack, is heading off on a gap … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘The Key to Finding Jack,’ by Ewa Jozefkowicz, cover by Katy Riddell.
We’re always on the lookout for new graphic novels in this household as Book Boy is a big fan. He also loves a good mystery adventure so ‘The Inkberg Enigma’ was perfect for him. Miro and Zia both live in the same tiny fishing village nestled at the foot of an ancient castle. When the … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Inkberg Enigma,’ by Jonathan King.
It would seems that people are always looking for new first chapter books for readers who are looking for some that’s still highly-illustrated and engaging, but also a little wordier. Fear not, I have a brand new selection of titles which might just fit the bill! If you still more suggestions, click here. These would … Continue reading Further Fabulous First Chapter Books
Today’s my turn to shout about ‘Rise of the Shadow Dragons,’ the gripping follow up to Liz Flanagan’s award-winning ‘Dragon Daughter.’ Make sure you read Liz’s special piece about some of the main themes in this gripping epic. Joe wakes up smiling with the lingering memory of a dream where he was riding on the … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Rise of the Shadow Dragons,’ by Liz Flanagan.
I was super-excited to dive into this book because I had heard lots of excellent things about it on Twitter and then, I received a most intriguing box of goodies, including a class set of samplers, which went to Book Boy’s school. Freddie Yates likes facts, and that’s a fact. But it’s not all that … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates,’ by Jenny Pearson, illustrated by Rob Biddulph.
I’m kicking off the blog tour for second instalment in Tom Huddleston’s apocalyptic middle grade series - ‘DustRoad.’ I also have a cracking guest post from Tom about some other brilliant apocalyptic tales his readers might also enjoy. Just to fill you in briefly, FloodWorld finds main protagonists Kara and Joe living in the impoverished … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Dust Road,’ by Tom Huddleston
I’m starting wonder if the hit Netflix series, ‘Stranger Things,’ is partly responsible for the slowly growing trickle of spooky, kooky Sci-Fi novels with a good dollop of retro. ‘The Bigwoof Conspiracy’ would definitely fit into that category. Twelve-year-old Lucy Sladan is obsessed with the ‘unexplained.’ And there’s plenty of unexplained occurnaces in her home … Continue reading ‘The Bigwoof Conspiracy,’ by Dashe Roberts, illustrations by Bill Bragg.
I was left feeling bereft after finishing Leonard’s fabulous Beetle Boy trilogy so was extremely excited to see that she was embarking on a new series of books with friend, Sam Sedgman. Let me introduce the first instalment of the new Adventures on Trains series: The Highland Falcon Thief. When Harrison Beck (or ‘Hal’ to … Continue reading ‘The Highland Falcon Thief,’ by M.G. Leonard & Sam Sedgman, illustrations by Elisa Paganelli.
Book Boy is really enjoying graphic novels at the moment. His latest discover is the ‘Hilda’ series. This is fantastic news as there are several other graphic novels, a fiction series and a Netflix show to delve into. But let me share Hilda’s latest adventure with you: After being grounded for sneaking out and discovering … Continue reading ‘Hilda and the Mountain King,’ by Luke Pearson.
A palace, a jewel thief and a daring escape! These are the main ingredients of Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month: ‘The Girl Who Stoke an Elephant’ - debut novel of Nizrana Farook. Make sure you read to the bottom of the post to find this blog’s treasure hunt clue! Chaya doesn’t fit with her … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘The Girl Who Stole an Elephant,’ by Nizrana Farook, cover by David Dean.
My first read of the new year was ‘Little Bird Lands,’ which is the sequel to last year’s ‘Little Bird Flies.’ A story which followed Bridie and her family as they scratched out a living on the remote Scottish Island of Tornish before the arrival of a new lord caused terrible trouble and disruption. You … Continue reading ‘Little Bird Lands,’ by Karen McCombie, cover by Jasu Hu.
Welcome to 2020, everyone! I am exc yes to share more of the bookish delights you can expect to not over the coming year. If you still have book tokens burning a hole in your pocket, I would highly recommended my last read of 2019 and my first review of the new decade: Darkwhispers. Ever … Continue reading ‘Darkwhispers,’ by Vashti Hardy, cover by George Ermos.
I had been saving Frostheart for one of my Christmas holiday reads as I wanted to be able to fully enjoy reading it and immerse myself in its world. It was definitely worth the wait. Ash has never really fitted in with the rest of the Fira people, being passed from one guardian to the … Continue reading ‘Frostheart,’ by Jamie Littler.
I was thrilled to receive a copy of ‘The Conspiracy of Magic,’ because it would give me another opportunity to dive into the magical world of Cass (whom I first met in The Company of Eight.) Things have taken an icier turn with sorcerers and magicians beginning to rebel against the ban on magic. Cass … Continue reading ‘The Conspiracy of Magic,’ by Harriet Whitehorn, cover by Maria Surducan.
#BookBoy is a huge fan of exploring and planning his own mini expeditions so is always very interested in any books I receive which have an ‘adventuring’ theme. I’m going to share four with you which he has enjoyed delving into. ‘Adventures on Earth’ by Simon Tyler (Pavilion) This wonderful book is absolutely packed with … Continue reading Calling all Adventurers!
Sibéal Pounder has imagined what would happen next, following on Eva Ibbotson’s classic tale ‘The Secret Of Platform 13.’ Get ready to revisit The Island Of Mist and its magical inhabitants. When Lina was dragged to the train station by her parents to visit her aunt in Salzburg, the last thing she expected was to … Continue reading ‘Beyond Platform 13,’ by Sibéal Pounder & Eva Ibbotson, illustrated by Beatriz Castro.
Flat Stanley is the classic tale of a boy who’s as flat as a pancake and now it’s available in a new picture book version for younger fans to enjoy! When Arthur Lambchop alerts his parents to an accident which has occurred in the bedroom he shares with his brother Stanley, they seem more concerned … Continue reading ‘Flat Stanley’ – the picture book edition by Jeff Brown, illustrated by Rob Biddulph.
