The Invasion of Crooked Oak is probably the book I share with children most often when covering classes in Key Stage Two. It is exciting, easy to read aloud and short enough to complete in a day or two. Children love to be scared and relish the edge-of-their-seat intensity as Pete, Krish and Nancy face… Continue reading The Horror of Dunwick Farm by Dan Smith, illustrated by Chris King
February 2022 With high-speed, heart-pounding danger; high-tech, environmentally-friendly science; and MacGyver-style engineering, the fifth instalment of the Adventures on Trains series is everything we hoped for and more. We join Hal and his Uncle Nat on a three week adventure in Australia. Hal takes advantage of the stunning landscape to fill his sketchbook with every… Continue reading Sabotage on the Solar Express by MG Leonard & Sam Sedgman, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Based on an intriguing Russian folk poem, Nightingale the Robber, telling of a mysterious man with bird-like features and a powerful, dangerous whistle, The Thief Who Sang Storms, is a captivating story of grief, finding hope in even the darkest of places, and the importance of unity in diversity. Readers will be completely mesmerised by… Continue reading The Thief Who Sang Storms by Sophie Anderson
Since reading the first Violet Veil mystery back in early 2021, my daughter and I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel. It is just as fantastic as the first! With twists and turns, dark secrets and a brilliant cast of characters, it’s a super mystery to get caught up in. Violet is the daughter of… Continue reading The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Misfortune by Sophie Cleverly
Song of the River is another fantastic, heart-felt story from Gill Lewis and Barrington Stoke. The power of the river reflects the power of Cari's emotions as she comes to terms with the loss of her dad and her new life in the countryside. Mum is trying to follow her dreams with a cottage and… Continue reading Song of the River by Gill Lewis
In honour of my 500th post for Scope for Imagination, I'd like to share my favourite books of this year. Not all have been published in 2021 but I have had the pleasure of reading them between January and December. (I have a few more great books to read in the next couple of weeks… Continue reading My Favourite Books of 2021
The Hunt for the Nightingale is a wonderfully unique story of loss, grief and the healing power of the natural world for anyone who has ever lost someone special. Bird-loving Jasper is waiting for his big sister Rosie and their beloved nightingale to return to their garden. When they don’t arrive, he decides the only… Continue reading The Hunt for the Nightingale by Sarah Ann Juckes
It was wonderful to read a sneak peak of the fourth book in Michelle Harrison’s brilliant A Pinch of Magic series – A Storm of Sisters! The Widdershins sisters are back. It’s deepest winter. Betty, Fliss and Charlie are visiting their cousin, Clarissa, in far away Wilderness. This enchanted town has an eerie past with… Continue reading A Storm of Sisters by Michelle Harrison
The story of 11 year-old Bruno Beck and his dog, Frida, stopped me in my tracks. Honest and powerful, it is an emotional portrayal of life in East Germany in 1945. Russian troops are moving in and people are being forced from their homes. Essentially, millions of people become refugees in an instant. Bruno and… Continue reading Bruno and Frida by Tony Bradman & illustrated by Tania Rex
Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by Jo Clarke is an absolute delight. Full of spark and intuition, it celebrates the fact that kids can do anything – including outsmarting the adults who think they’re more clever. This fast-paced mystery overflowing with clues took me back to my love of Nancy Drew mysteries as a child.… Continue reading Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by Jo Clarke
Scope for Imagination 