The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name is something totally different. I was intrigued by the amazing proof box that arrived last week and it jumped up my reading pile. I wasn't disappointed. This story is a very special combination of creative characterisation, magical evil, a captivating mystery and ever-evolving relationships. Told from the… Continue reading (A Girl Called Corpse) The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name by Reece Carter
What's your 'Spark bird'? I think mine was probably the Golden Eagle I saw while sitting on top of a hill north of Fort William in 2000. We saw an Osprey from kayaks on Loch Lomond this week and it doesn't become any less magical spotting such beautiful creatures soaring overhead. Spark by M.G. Leonard… Continue reading Spark by M.G. Leonard
Sometimes you come across a story that jumps off the page so visually that it seems like you're watching a film instead of reading words on a page. Mia and the Lightcasters is one of those books. Packed full of action, mystery and personal struggle from the very first page, readers will be swept up… Continue reading Mia and the Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy ~ Blog Tour
I love how Barrington Stoke historical fiction whisks readers away on wonderful journeys into the past. Without a wasted word, we find ourselves right at the centre of a new time and place. Peter Bunzl's The Clockwork Queen is another of these masterpieces. Eighteenth century Russia, Catherine the Great, high-stakes chess and Trojan horse style… Continue reading The Clockwork Queen by Peter Bunzl
Fast fashion is cheap, but somebody has to pay. Stitched Up by Steve Cole is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading it. An eye-opening glimpse at the reality of fast-fashion, sweat shops and human slavery in the modern world, it will cause readers to think twice about where… Continue reading Stitched Up by Steve Cole
The Wind Child by Gabriela Houston is a wonderful journey through traditional Slavic folklore. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson and The Girl Who Speaks Bear, this story weaves the reality of human grief and desire with magical powers not always understood or controlled. Mara is the granddaughter of the God of the Winter Winds.… Continue reading The Wind Child by Gabriela Houston
The delightful duo of Herbie Lemon and Violet Parma are back in this thrilling Frankenstein - King Kong - Madame Tussauds gone wrong mash-up. My family adores this series but Festergrimm just might be our favourite (keeping a special place in our hearts for the original, Malamander.) This story is laugh-out loud funny (I'm planning… Continue reading Festergrimm by Thomas Taylor
I have been eagerly awaiting Orla and the Wild Hunt by Anna Hoghton and it is more than I could have ever hoped for! Dark folklore combines with the unbreakable spirit of children to create a story packed full of peril, sacrifice, loyalty, friendship and love. Orla doesn't sing anymore. The death of her mum… Continue reading Orla and the Wild Hunt by Anna Hoghton ~ Blog Tour
The Mermaid Call is just my kind of book - folklore, mystery, truth and standing up for what you believe in. It encourages children to be proud of who they are and not be afraid of being unique. I was completely enchanted by the story, unable to put it down until I had finished. Since… Continue reading The Mermaid Call by Alex Cotter
The Dragon in the Bookshop is a powerful story about childhood bereavement, friendship and finding strength. Ewa Jozefkowiez gives her characters a voice even when they're unable to speak. When Kon's father dies, he finds comfort in quiet. More than anything, he wants to be the intrepid explorer Dad always encouraged him to be -… Continue reading The Dragon in the Bookshop by Ewa Jozefkowiez ~ Blog Tour & Guest Post
Scope for Imagination 