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.
Well there couldn’t be a better choice of read to usher in the advent of the Year of the Dragon! Paper Dragons is an intoxicating new adventure from Siobhan McDermott. Be sure to read Siobhan’s piece about how she developed the magical setting of Wengyuen. “An extraordinary destiny unfolds . . .Twelve-year-old Zhi Ging has … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm,’ by Siobhan McDermott, cover by Yuzhen Cai.
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.
Today I’m sharing the story of two sisters who left their home in Ireland to start a new life in New York City. “Crossing the ocean for a new life I looked up and the American flags on the roof seemed miles and miles away in the blue, blue, sky. I looked along the street, … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sally in the City of Dreams,’ by Judi Curtin.
Guy Bass is such a fantastic author that I always look forward to any new release from him. When I saw the cover of Scrap, I was even more excited as it was so dramatic - a silhouetted figure atop a mound of parts. And what’s that in the background? “The year was Something Something. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Scrap,’ by Guy Bass, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio.
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.
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.
I raced through this book! A superb read from Jeffrey Boakye which explores the complexities of growing up as a black youth from an estate, alongside a backdrop of pure 90s joy - cassette tapes, Gladiators, rap battles, the internet? What’s that? ‘Kofi had an idea . . . one big lightning bolt of an … Continue reading ‘Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer,’ by Jeffrey Blakey.
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?
At the moment, it would seem that children’s books steeped in African mythology are having a bit of a moment. This is very lucky for readers because wow, that’s a rich seam to mine! Adébísí’s Jujuland series is centred on West African lore and is jam-packed with feuding tribes, demons, and powerful magic. Make sure … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight,’ by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí, illustrated by Simone Douglas.
When I read that Tania Unsworth was inspired to write this by the hidden, forgotten corners that no one ever noticed, I was intrigued. As a child, I spent a lot of time imagining what it would be like to set up camp in a secluded spot and live there. Luckily, I never had to … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Nowhere Island,’ by Tania Unsworth, cover by Kimberley Walker.
There is a slowly increasing range of scary books for middle grade readers to enjoy - supply is finally catching up with demand! In my experience, it has always been tricky to find a ‘horror’ title which is scary but not too scary. ‘Shiver Point’ fits the bill nicely as it’s just the right balance … Continue reading Holiday read #1: ‘Shiver Point: It Came From the Woods,’ by Gabriel Dylan.
Recently, the children I work with have become fascinated by a couple of old magic sets we have available for break times. Watching them try and master the ‘cup and ball’ trick or to guess my card has really brought home to me the power of magic to inspire awe and wonder. And those are … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Wonder Brothers,’ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton.
I am sure that lots of you will already have read, and loved, Kelly’s ‘Front Desk’ series. If you’re wanting more of her poignant, prejudice-confronting, and heart-warming writing, you need to take a look at ‘Finally Seen.’ Luckily for you, I have an extract of the second chapter for you enjoy! (Scroll down) “A gripping … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Finally Seen,’ by Kelly Yang.
This book immediately jumped to the top of my to-be-read pile when it arrived. Due the nature of the children I work with, and the anxiety my son suffers from, I was intrigued to read a middle grade title which primarily focusses on that theme and is drawn, partly, from the author’s own experiences. ‘Josh … Continue reading ‘Worrybot’ by Simon Packham, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan.
Library Girl and Book Boy 