Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

An Escape in Time (The Time-Seekers series) by Sally Nicholls

An Escape in Time is the third book in the exciting time travelling adventure series by Sally Nicholls. This time, Ruby & Alex step through the mirror at their aunt’s house to meet an aristocrat fleeing the French Revolution. Once again, the children face gender expectations they aren’t used to and the unusual challenges of living… Continue reading An Escape in Time (The Time-Seekers series) by Sally Nicholls

Middle Grade Fiction

Hilarious Hijinks & Laugh-Out-Loud Adventures for Middle Grade Readers

The Monster Spotter's Handbook by Matt Cherry (Firefly Press) Edwin Spook is the last of the Monster Spotters. He thinks a monster is the best thing since toasted bread and loves to live dangerously. Duke is the last of the Monster Catchers. He does all he can to trap four very special monsters who represent… Continue reading Hilarious Hijinks & Laugh-Out-Loud Adventures for Middle Grade Readers

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Crowfall by Vashti Hardy

Vashti Hardy has done it again with an exciting ecological adventure that transports readers to a world where invention and nature struggle to live side by side. Her wonderful, trademark steampunk style moves in a whole new direction in this story of hope, harmony and survival. Meet Orin Crowfall, an intelligent, determined boy who lives… Continue reading Crowfall by Vashti Hardy

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop & Gill Smith

Maria’s Island is a beautiful, heart-felt story of one community’s struggle with the shame, fear and sickness of leprosy. Rita lives in London but every summer she travels to Crete to visit her yiayia (grandma). Mum wants Yiayia to move to England to be closer to them but there’s a very important reason why she… Continue reading Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop & Gill Smith

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter

The House on the Edge is a story of life on the edge: on the edge of family break down, on the edge of loss, on the edge of everything falling apart. Faith and her little brother, Noah, live with their mum in The Lookout – a strange, old house that sits on the very… Continue reading The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Great Food Bank Heist by Onjali Q. Rauf & illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

The Great Food Bank Heist is a very special book giving valuable insight into life when the fridge isn’t full. Nelson and Ashley’s mum does her best to make ends meet on her nurse’s salary but sometimes there are just too many bills to pay. That’s when they have to visit the best kind of… Continue reading The Great Food Bank Heist by Onjali Q. Rauf & illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Middle Grade Fiction

The Bewitching of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes

I have always been fascinated by standing stones but I’m not sure I want to visit the ones in Norton Wick! The Bewitching of Aveline Jones is another deliciously creepy adventure - every page overflowing with suspense and that spine-chilling feeling that nothing is quite as it seems. Aveline is on holiday with her mum… Continue reading The Bewitching of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Be Nice to Aunt Emma by Anne Fine & Gareth Conway

There’s always that one relative who doesn’t quite know how to speak to children or who you just don’t get on with. For Tansy, it’s Aunt Emma. Every time Aunt Emma visits (which is only twice a year), she doesn’t bring Tansy a present, she tells boring stories and Tansy has to give up her… Continue reading Be Nice to Aunt Emma by Anne Fine & Gareth Conway

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Between Sea and Sky by Nicola Penfold

Between Sea and Sky is a powerful story that encourages readers to question what we value and how our actions now will impact the future. Set in a post-climate change society, life is hard. People have lived through the Greedy Years, the Decline, the Floods and the Hungry Years. Nothing is the same as it… Continue reading Between Sea and Sky by Nicola Penfold