‘The Story of a Seagull and the Cat who Taught her to Fly’ by Luis Sepulveda, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

I was very excited to receive a copy of this newly re-illustrated translation from Alma Books. 'The Story of a Seagull and the Cat who Taught her to Fly' was originally written in Italian and has been translated into over 40 different languages!  Its author, Luis Sepulveda, was born in Chile and worked for several years … Continue reading ‘The Story of a Seagull and the Cat who Taught her to Fly’ by Luis Sepulveda, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

‘Elspeth Hart and the Magnificent Rescue’ by Sarah Forbes, illustrated by James Brown.

I was very excited to be sent a review copy of this third and final instalment of the amazing Elspeth Hart series by Sarah Forbes.  Thank you to Stripes Publishing for my copy. For those of you who've missed the first two books, Elspeth Hart is a clever and resourceful heroine who embarks upon a series … Continue reading ‘Elspeth Hart and the Magnificent Rescue’ by Sarah Forbes, illustrated by James Brown.

‘Monster Slayer’ by Brian Patten, illustrated by Chris Riddell

'One dark night, the music and singing woke a monster from a swamp....' Aaaaand, I'm hooked! This gorgeous re-working of the classic Anglo-Saxon tale, 'Beowulf,' is cloaked in dark magic and mystery from the very beginning.  I defy any reader not to be sucked into this tale of maniacal monsters, malevolent magic and heroism after … Continue reading ‘Monster Slayer’ by Brian Patten, illustrated by Chris Riddell

Dear Diary…

Diary-style stories are incredibly popular amongst young readers at the moment, mainly thanks to the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series.  If you're looking for looking for some new books to explore, you might like one of these: Diary of a Taekwondo Master by Shamini Flint   After some prompting from his dad (and against … Continue reading Dear Diary…

‘Create Your Own Spy Mission’ by Andrew Judge and Chris Judge -Talking Their Top Ten Spies

Andrew and Chris Judge are a dynamic duo of brothers who have been collaborating on a thrilling, action-packed spy adventure, 'Create your own Spy Mission.'  We're very excited to be kicking off the blog tour of this brilliant book with a review and special guest post by the authors themselves, who'll be sharing their top 10 … Continue reading ‘Create Your Own Spy Mission’ by Andrew Judge and Chris Judge -Talking Their Top Ten Spies

‘Artemis Fowl and The Opal Deception’ Graphic Novel Version adapted by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

Artemis Fowl is a boy genius, but it's going to take every ounce of his intelligence to outwit his arch-nemesis, Opal Kenobi. The evil pixie has just escaped from  prison and is in the final stages of preparations to begin a war between humans and the fairies. Artemis has lost his memory and doesn't remember his … Continue reading ‘Artemis Fowl and The Opal Deception’ Graphic Novel Version adapted by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

‘How to Capture an Invisible Cat’ by Paul Tobin

Nate Bannister is an 11-year-old genius with a problem.  A big problem.  A big, invisible problem... Every Friday the 13th, Nate does three not-so-smart things.  On this occasion, he super-sizes his pet cat, Proton.  And turns him invisible!  Proton's on the loose, running rampage through the neighbourhood. It's a race against time for Nate, his … Continue reading ‘How to Capture an Invisible Cat’ by Paul Tobin

‘Simon Thorn and the Wolf’s Den’ by Aimee Carter

Simon Thorn is different.  He knows it and the bullies at school know it too.  Simon can talk to animals but he can't let anyone know, particularly not his uncle,  Darryl, who has forbidden him to go anywhere near any animals. When one day a hoard of terrifying, hungry rats swarm his apartment and kidnap his often-absent mother, Simon … Continue reading ‘Simon Thorn and the Wolf’s Den’ by Aimee Carter

‘Jim Reaper Son of Grim’ by Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by Jamie Littler

Jim Wimple's family seem fairly ordinary: annoying (and devious) little sister, health-freak Mum and an accountant Dad.  That is, until Jim becomes desperate to own one of the awesome new Bazoom! scooters. Everyone in town just HAS to have one of the brand new mega cool Bazoom! scooters.  When Jim discovers that Fiona (the cool big sister … Continue reading ‘Jim Reaper Son of Grim’ by Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by Jamie Littler

‘Electrigirl’ by Jo Cotterill and Cathy Brett

Holly Sparkes was just a normal girl until a freak accident gave her a dangerous and strange superpower, turning her into...........Electrigirl! With a campaigner mother, a military father, and a superhero-obsessed younger brother,  Holly is a typical tweenager who just wants to hang out with her best friend, Imogen.  That is, until Imogen becomes obsessed with playing … Continue reading ‘Electrigirl’ by Jo Cotterill and Cathy Brett

‘Nancy Parker’s Diary of Detection’ by Julia Lee

Stolen treasures, sneaking around and a potentially murderous mistress...... Young Nancy Parker could hardly have imagined that her very first job as a housemaid (for the thoroughly modern Mrs Bryce) would turn into a situation worthy of a plot in one of the sixpenny detective novels she loved to read. The plot unfolds through an engaging mixture of diary … Continue reading ‘Nancy Parker’s Diary of Detection’ by Julia Lee