My first read of 2025 was a new middle grade mystery from BookTrust’s Writer in Residence, Patrice Lawrence. You know that you’re going to get a quality reading experience when you crack open one of Patrice’s novels so I went in with high hopes (especially as other bookish people had said how good it was!) … Continue reading ‘People Like Stars,’ by Patrice Lawrence, cover by Michelle Brackenborough.
Today's my stop on the blog tour for the final instalment of Jennifer's 'Witches' trilogy. If you haven't already read them, make sure you find yourselves copies of 'The October Witches' and 'The November Witches' to read first. You can get to know the characters ahead of time by reading Jennifer's exclusive piece about the … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The December Witches,’ by Jennifer Claessen.
Introducing ‘How to be a Revolutionary,’ a great introduction to the world of politics for middle grade readers wrapped up in a compelling story of blended families, fighting for a cause, and hope. Be sure to read Lucy’s exclusive piece about why she decided to write this wonderful book! “What do you all come here … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘How to be a Revolutionary,’ by Lucy Ann Unwin, cover by Selom Sunu.
Today’s featured book is perfect now that spooky season is well and truly upon us - a haunting portal thriller, partly inspired by the author’s fervent childhood desire to track down the wardrobe which would grant her entry to the magical realm of Narnia. Be sure to read Susan’s special piece about how the Irish … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The World Between the Rain,’ by Susan Cahill.
My first festive share of the season and it’s an absolute stonker! Introducing ‘Sprouts’ by Sibéal Pounder. Be sure to read Sibéal’s piece about women as festive characters - Mrs Claus and Christmas witches finally get the recognition the deserve! “In the year 4024, there lived a young girl with jet black hair who truly … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sprouts,’ by Sibéal Pounder, cover by Sarah Warburton.
I always look forward to a new book from Lindsay; her writing always manages to beautifully combine historical fact with the magical and mythical. Ever since her debut middle grade title, Darwin’s Dragons, I have been a big fan. “London, 1666 When fire breaks out, eleven-year-old Gil is separated from his family in the chaos. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Great Phoenix of London,’ by Lindsay Galvin, illustrated by Gordy Wright.
Bridget is back in another cake-flinging, chaos-creating adventure! This whole joyful series is a treat for readers, and don’t worry if you haven’t read the other instalments yet; there’s enough backstory woven in for newbies to pick up what is going on. “Bridget Vanderpuff is the Best Worst Baker in the World. A recipe for … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Bridget Vanderpuff and the Monster Mountain Mystery,’ by Martin Stewart, illustrated by David Habben.
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.
Library Girl and Book Boy 