It was with much anticipation that I awaited the arrival of ‘The Light Jar’ - after the brilliance of ‘The Goldfish Boy,’ I knew that I was going to be in for a treat. My patience was rewarded when a copy was finally delivered by my friendly postlady. I'm also thrilled to be hosting an … Continue reading ‘The Light Jar,’ by Lisa Thompson, cover by Mike Lowery.
I am thrilled that the magnificent ‘Sky Song’ is my first review of 2018. I scurried out to purchase it with my book tokens yesterday, read it into the New Year and finished it off today. It’s also just been revealed as Waterstones’ book of the month, so you know you’re in for a cracking … Continue reading ‘Sky Song,’ by Abi Elphinstone, cover by Daniela Terrazzini.
Many thanks to Egmont for sending me the second instalment in the absolutely gripping 'The Huntress' trilogy. The first, 'Sea,' was one of my favourite début novels of the year (click HERE for my review) so I was thrilled have the next one to read as I was desperate to find out what was next … Continue reading ‘The Huntress: Sky,’ by Sarah Driver, cover by Joe McLaren.
Today I am welcoming onto my blog a fantastic new title from Ruth Lauren and Bloomsbury which would be perfect for readers aged 11+ The cover itself only hints at the adventure which lies within... Valor has engineered her arrest so that she can attempt a feat which hasn't been managed in over three hundred … Continue reading ‘Prisoner of Ice and Snow,’ by Ruth Lauren.
A plague is spreading across modern day Britain. People and birds are dying. Legend has it, if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall. Luca Broom could never have imagined that a school trip to Winchester would result in him being magically transported to the legendary kingdom of Camelot where he, … Continue reading Holiday Read #6 ‘The Final Raven,’ by Finian Black, cover by Ed Bettison.
'Anne of Green Gables' is a beloved classic of children's literature with films and stage shows made based on it. Alma Junior have released a newly re-illustrated version with additional bonus material. Set in Canada, the story follows flame-haired orphan, Anne, who gets sent to live on Green Gables Farm with the Cuthberts (who had … Continue reading ‘Anne of Green Gables,’ by L.M. Montgomery, illustrated by Susan Hellard.
I have a confession to make. I have had all three of the Dreamsnatcher series on my bookcase for a little while. All signed. All with beautiful covers. And I was saving them for a rainy day, just to make sure I had something special stashed away when I was in need. Well, a year … Continue reading Holiday Read #4 ‘The Dreamsnatcher,’ by Abi Elphinstone, cover by Thomas Flintham.
Each year, I take a certain delight in spending all the loyalty points I have dutifully built up on my bookshop reward card in the preceding months with my many purchases. Hours can be whiled away as I contemplate how best to spend them. However, my first choice this year was an easy one. Featured … Continue reading Holiday Read #1: ‘A Place Called Perfect,’ by Helena Duggan, cover by Karl James Mountford.
I was first drawn to this book by its intriguing title and the glowing recommendation it had received from Philip Pullman (one of my literary heroes.) Upon commencing reading, it soon because clear that this was going to be a very special book indeed. Narrated by the amazing ape (and first engineer), the sea-faring Sally … Continue reading ‘The Murderer’s Ape,’ by Jakob Wegelius.
I first came across this book when it was nominated for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2017. When I read the opening, I knew that it was going to be an absolutely fantastic story. It seems that the Blue Peter judges agreed, as Podkin duly won its category. An epic adventure in a land where … Continue reading ‘The Legend of Podkin One-Ear,’ by Kieran Larwood, cover by Fernando Juarez, illustrations by David Wyatt.
Some stories truly do stand the test of time, delighting and inspiring generation after generation of young readers. So I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to two reillustrated classics packed full of bonus features from Alma Classics. 'Five Children and It,' by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Ella Okstad. I have fond memories … Continue reading Two Children’s Classics!
I was super-excited to be sent a copy of the third instalment of this prize-winning series. It still features Luke, StarBoy and all their superhuman friends, but with the genius addition of an inter-dimensional toilet! After crash-landing Zorbon the Decider's spacecraft in IKEA, Luke (aka Stellar, aka Evil Twin) sets off to find the parallel … Continue reading ‘My Evil Twin Is A Supervillain, by David Solomons, cover by Laura Ellen Anderson, inside illustrations by Robin Boyden.
My next Easter read was recommended to me by several people and has been compared to the excellent 'Northern Lights' trilogy by Philip Pullman. Well that was recommendation enough for me as I loved that series - I decided that 'Sea' was worth spending one of my birthday book tokens on. 'Sea' follows the fortunes of … Continue reading ‘Sea,’ by Sarah Driver, cover by Joe McLaren.
This stellar second novel from Christopher Edge follows on from the success of his first book, the 2017 CILIP Carnegie Nominated: 'The Many Worlds of Albie Bright.' There's a lot of buzz around all things space at the moment thanks to Tim Peake's stay on the International Space Station, and this book is perfect for … Continue reading ‘The Jamie Drake Equation,’ by Christopher Edge. Cover by Matt Saunders. Illustrations by Spike Gerrell
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.
I've shared the picture books that my nearest and dearest can expect to receive this year, now here are my purchases for older readers... Santa Claude by Alex.T.Smith My favourite dog and his sock sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, are back in a festive adventure. Upon hearing a strange noise in their chimney, Claude and Sir Bobblysock … Continue reading Cracking Christmas Reads!
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.
A Halloween must-have for all would-be monster hunters aged 9-11 years old (or above). But BEWARE , this horrifying handbook is only for the very bravest of readers... Lurking within the pages of this terrifying tome are loads of tips and trivia about ghosts, ghouls and zombies (to name but a few.) A humorous guide … Continue reading ‘The Horror Handbook,’ by Paul van Loon, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Library Girl and Book Boy 