Welcome to the second stop on the time travelling Silver Express on an exhilarating journey through Egyptian history and culture with Laila Rifaat, author of the Aliya series. Make sure you read the fascinating letter from Aliya to her Geddo (grandfather) describing Egyptian clothing and fashions. Visit the other blogs on the tour for more … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Aliya Aboard the Time Train,’ by Laila Rifaat, cover by Gaia Alessi.
I’m thrilled to be showcasing a fantastic debut sci-fi adventure from Sarah Merrett. I was completely hooked in by the isolated setting of the observatory which Reuben and Grandma call home, and intrigued by just why Rueben was forbidden from venturing beyond the walls of the grounds. Sarah has written a wonderful piece about how … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Others,’ by Sarah Merrett, cover by Holly Ovenden.
The teacher in me is thrilled to finally have a quality chapter book centred around the days leading up to the legendary eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the end of the city of Pompeii. ‘Delta and the Lost City’ is told from the perspective of a young wolf-dog and focuses on the growing tumult in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Delta and the Lost City,’ by Anna Fargher, illustrated by David Dean.
Introducing the second adventure in the Pirate Acadmey series - Missing at Sea. This series is actually set in the same swashbuckling world as VAMPIRATES but they can be read independently of each other. Pirate Academy is set five years earlier but there are some cross-over characters, including ‘golden boy’ Jacoby. Author, Justin Somper, has … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea,’ by Justin Somper, illustrated by Teo Staffa.
Polly Ho-Yen is an author whom you can trust to write stories you are going to want to read. They have such heart and always leave me thinking. ‘The Last Dragon’ is no exception. “Yara has only glimpsed the last dragon on Earth twice. She’s got other things to worry about: her sister is in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Last Dragon,’ by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by Charis Loke.
I was thrilled to receive a copy of this brand new Dino adventure for middle grade readers. Unused to be impossible to get good quality dinosaur fiction once readers wanted something wordier than picture books, but now they’re very lucky to have a growing number of titles to choose from - ‘Sar Wylda’ being one … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Sar Wylda and the Legendary Goldbreaker,’ by Jake R. Wilson, illustrated by Kimberley Laura Walker.
I was so pleased to see a sequel to the original Greenwild adventure. I loved the lush setting of this world full of green magic and plants sprouting delicious treats. This time, readers are whisked away beneath the waves as Daisy and her friends seek out her kidnapped mother. “Daisy Thistledown is on a mission. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Greenwild – the City Beyond the Sea,’ by Pari Thomson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.
I love Catherine’s writing so was excited to have been sent an early copy of this to read back in March. However, it is just about to fly the Nosy Crow nest and out into the world for everyone else to get swept away with. “After the tragic death of his mother, eleven year old … Continue reading ‘Bird Boy,’ by Catherine Bruton, cover by Oriol Vidal.
Lucy Strange is one of those authors whose books always get moved straight to the top of my ‘to be read’ pile. Imagine my delight when a rather special package dropped through my letterbox… “Abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak and remote Scottish island, Faye discovers that she and the other pupils have … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Island at the Edge of Night,’ by Lucy Strange.
There is an ever-increasing selection of delightfully creepy reads for middle grade readers. ‘The Doll Twin’ taps right into my horror weak spot - animated dolls (this is as a result of watching a certain film featuring a certain murderous doll when I was much too young!) Thankfully, this new title is age-appropriate and much … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Doll Twin,’ by Janine Beacham, cover by Nathan Collins.
A crumbling mansion, a powerful magic source, and stone gargoyles that come to life? Just some of the ingredients for a fantastic read. Do you think you have what it takes to become a guardian? Read author Tamsin Mori’s special piece about the skills you’ll need… “A crumbling mansion A magical source A living gargoyle … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Gargoyles: Guardian of the Source,’ by Tamsin Mori, cover by David Dean.
There are far too few middle grade titles where gymnastics takes centre stage. I have been on the look out for my niece who is a fantastic gymnast but in haven’t been able find very much. Luckily, I shall now be able to recommend ‘Winner Takes Gold’! “Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning gold in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Winner Takes Gold,’ by Eloise Smith, cover illustrated by Natalie Smillie.
I think anybody with an interest in the world of children’s books will probably be very eagerly awaiting the Spring publication of ‘Keedie,’ the prequel to McNicoll’s barn-storming debut novel, ‘A Kind of Spark.’ ‘A Kind of Spark’ was, for me, in the first wave of real voices stories which featured neurodiverse characters written authentically … Continue reading ‘Keedie’ by Elle McNicoll, cover by Kay Wilson.
One of the things I love most about Autumn is the opportunity to cwtch up with a good book and a blanket so it seems very apt that I have a special post from author, Jennifer Claessen featuring her top tips for a cosy read. I have been very much looking forward to catching up … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘November Witches,’ by Jennifer Claessen, cover by Heidi Cannon.
There is a huge appetite for titles like this: a collection of strange, unnerving, and sometime ghoulish tales suitable for upper primary readers. ‘Strange Tales’ features nine such stories inspired by folklore and myth from Daniel’s travels around the world. Make sure you read Daniel’s piece about his work as a storyteller and what inspires … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Strange Tales,’ by Daniel Morden, illustrations by Anne Glenn.
Today I am sharing the second Maggie Blue adventure. I would highly recommend reading the first instalment (Maggie Blue and the Dark World) if you haven’t already, but readers who are new to the series will still be able to enjoy this latest instalment without any prior reading. “Maggie Blue is adjusting to a quieter … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Maggie Blue and the White Crow,’ by Anna Goodall, cover by Sandra Dieckmann.
I absolutely love this series and would highly recommend it for anyone aged 7+. It is packed with the most anarchic fun you’re ever likely to encounter, it’s bursting with hilarious illustrations, and it has the ability to make you laugh out loud on a train. What more could you want?! “Venture back to Grimwood … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster,’ by Nadia Shireen.
The Cold War Era is a period of history I know very little about and is not something which I have often seen featured in children’s fiction. However, there is a steady trickle of books beginning to fill the bookshelves with the aim of bringing to life this slightly neglected era. ‘Sweet Skies’ is certainly … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sweet Skies,’ by Robin Scott-Elliot, cover by Holly Ovenden.
As the parent of a car-mad son, I have spent a lot of time searching for fiction and non-fiction books which would be suitable for middle grade and tween readers. It has proven incredibly difficult to find anything that is either a picture book or aimed at adults. To save you scouring the bookshops like … Continue reading Car Crazy?
I was totally blown away when I opened up the package containing this stunning book, my imagination completely captured by the fantastical creatures dreamed up by Raoul to inhabitant a hidden continent completely unspoilt by mankind- Terra Ultima. The entire book is based on the premise that a mysterious new continent has just been discovered … Continue reading ‘Terra Ultima: The Discovery of a Hidden Continent,’ by Raoul Deleo.
Library Girl and Book Boy 