"Thirteen-year-old Samim is a loyal friend, a gifted chess player - and a refugee. Even after her makes the long, dangerous journey from Afganistan to the UK, his safety isn't guaranteed. Can Simon convince the authorities to let him stay?" Meticulously researched, My Name in Samim tells the eye-opening story of so many young people… Continue reading My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle
There are no women in history - or that's how it appears when you read history books going all the way back to the very first in the year 731. Author Philippa Gregory is determined to right this wrong, first through Normal Women: 900 Years of Women Making History published for adults in 2023, and… Continue reading Normal Women Making History for 900 Years by Phillippa Gregory
Barrington Stoke can always be relied on to create entertaining, meaningful, empathy-filled stories that are accessible and empowering for readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and brings children back for more. These four books, by top UK middle grade… Continue reading Middle Grade Gems from Barrington Stoke
Jenny Peckles Lays Eggs with Speckles by Rachel Emily & Paul Delaney (Farshore) Jenny Peckles Lays Eggs with Speckles is an absolutely brilliant rhyming story about a group of chickens who will do anything to get into a book. Whether it's Chuckleston Barclay who added her own "sparkly" to her eggs or Featherly Botts who… Continue reading Fantastic Picture Books for the Summer Term
Who were you born to be? Alex Evans isn't sure. Ever since her dad's death, she's felt lonely and frustrated. Her mother's strict rules and seemingly irrational fear of potential dangers keep Alex close to home and away from the forest she loved to explore with her father. When, finally, out of pure frustration, flames… Continue reading Dragonborn by Struan Murray
Travel back to 1645 and the English Civil War with the ever insightful historical children's author Ally Sherrick. Readers will be drawn into this dangerous adventure of rebellion, spies and deceit as they discover what it really means to be fearless and true. Merriweather Pryce is the daughter of an English nobleman who has left… Continue reading Rebel Heart by Ally Sherrick ~ Blog Tour
Snails of the Unexpected is a delightfully unique gastropod adventure by Terrie Chilvers. Following the brilliant Michael The Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog series, a pair of determined snails take centre stage as they try to save their way of life and prevent slugs from taking over. Things get political when these slow-moving campaigners reach Downing… Continue reading Snails of the Unexpected by Terrie Chilvers ~ Blog Tour
Grace Darling has always been a heroine in our house. At the age of three, my daughter was completely enthralled by a boat trip out to the Farne Islands while on holiday in Northumbria. She loved the lighthouse, the puffins and the story of Grace Darling's bravery as she helped her father rescue nine people… Continue reading Becoming Grace by Hilary McKay
June 2025 I was thrilled to receive an exclusive, numbered early edition of Escape Room: Game Zero including a link to the most perfect soundtrack playlist. Incredibly atmospheric, this scarily futuristic sci-fi adventure pulls readers right inside the game - just like the main character, Eden. Fantastically modern, this story draws on everything children love… Continue reading Escape Room: Game Zero by Christopher Edge
A thrilling story of friendship, loyalty and inner strength, The Watcher is the second book in the outstanding Gargoyles series by Tamsin Mori. Book one, Guardians of the Source, was one of my favourite books of 2024. The Watcher picks up where Guardians of the Source left off. The evil ghasts have been defeated and… Continue reading Gargoyles: The Watcher (Book 2) by Tamsin Mori
Scope for Imagination 