The Impossible Gladiator is the third thrilling adventure in the fantastic Time Keys series by M.G. Leonard. Blurring the lines of what's possible, this incredible time travelling series will have readers listening out for doors to the past, hoping they, themselves, might be a time key. Merging music and mystery with unique characters who show… Continue reading The Impossible Gladiator by M.G. Leonard & illustrated by Manuel Sumberac
February 2026 When the World Ends is a stunningly extraordinary environmental middle grade novel. Exploring a dystopian view of the world after a fictional second pandemic and the war that followed it, author Joanna Nadin challenges readers with a blunt and incredibly powerful view of what the world might be like when Mother Nature fights… Continue reading When the World Ends by Joanna Nadin
March 2026 I'm so excited to be back with Silver in her unusual life as a cruise ship kid! Her mum is the Cruise Director on a huge ship which means most of 10-year-old Silver's life is spent on board - including ship school, meals and making friends. Many of her friends are members of… Continue reading Cruise Ship Kid: Kidnap at Sea by Emma Swan & illustrated by Katie Saunders
Now that the sparkly magic of Christmas has passed, we can dive into something a bit more scary. When I say "a bit", I actually mean "a lot"! I made the mistake of reading this book in a deserted car park, on my own, in the dark (while I waited for my son to finish… Continue reading Demon Hunters: Soul Feeder by Jennifer Killick & illustrated by Marina Vidal
A trip to Jorvik Viking Centre in York is a museum visit you'll never forget. This fascinating historic site is the inspiration for The Accidental Vikings. Karen McCombie captures all the unique features of this amazing place. I first visited Jorvik when I was 9 years old and still remember travelling back in time in… Continue reading The Accidental Vikings by Karen McCombie & illustrated by Annell Bray
The Blitz Sisters is a lovely story of how three sisters try to make sense of life and do their best to carry on through all the challenges of the Second World War. With gas masks to contend with, fear of evacuation and new hardships as war is declared, Lydia, Peggy and Teddy are forced… Continue reading The Blitz Sisters by Judith Eagle
Every December, it’s such a joy to take time to look back over all the books I’ve been privileged to read and review on Scope for Imagination. I’d like to share my favourite books of this year – ones that have challenged me, inspired me, made me laugh, and even made me cry. There have been some… Continue reading My Favourite Books of 2025
Hedley is having a really hard time. Since he lost his mum in an accident, he and his little sister Lilly have been spending weekends at Bridlebank Therapy Activities Centre. Their dad just isn't coping; he struggles to get out of bed and can't even begin to meet their needs. At the centre, Hedley does… Continue reading The Not-So Great Escape by Emma Green
This pair of thought-provoking, discussion-building short novels by Tanya Landman are exactly what Upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 teachers have been looking for. Designed specifically for seriously struggling or reluctant teen readers, they are incredibly accessible but look really cool. There's definitely nothing embarrassing or babyish about these books. They can also… Continue reading Thrilling, Accessible Teen Fiction by Tanya Landman
Ice Dancer by Alex Cotter is a powerful story of family, friendship and overcoming grief. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down - finishing it in a day. Dina is struggling to find herself again following the death of her older sister, Sasha. The only place she feels free is out on… Continue reading Ice Dancer by Alex Cotter
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