Circus Maximus: Race to the Death is a powerful story of strength, daring and truth. Set on the sporting stage of Ancient Rome, Dido dreams of becoming the first girl to race chariots in the grand stadium of the Circus Maximus where the best horses and charioteers compete. Having lost her mother at a young… Continue reading Circus Maximus: Race to the Death by Annelise Gray
The Lost Child’s Quest is the first book in a wonderful fantasy adventure series, Tales of Truth and Treasure. Full to the brim with legends, nature and magic, this story holds a powerful message of hope and trust. Ten-year-old Tia is an orphan. Left in a children’s home at a young age, she has never… Continue reading The Lost Child’s Quest by James Haddell
Windrush Child is a story about what it means to be British and the protection of human rights. Written with compassion, insight and purpose, it delves deep into the realities faced by so many families who were a part of the Windrush generation. Leonard is a small child in 1950’s Jamaica. His parents are very… Continue reading Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah
The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh is inspirational, touching and downright funny! Billy Plimpton has a stammer. As he leaves Year 6 and begins secondary school, he is terrified of others finding out. He does all he can to hide his voice and think of ways to cure his stammer so he can follow his… Continue reading The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter
The Abbey Mystery is a perfect mix of classic Austen style and a Nancy Drew mystery. As a huge fan of both, I was thoroughly charmed from the very first page, laughing to myself at Julia Golding’s earnest girl detective and clever turn of phrase. It’s 1789 and thirteen year old Jane Austen is the… Continue reading Jane Austen Investigates: The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding – Blog Tour
The Accidental Prime Minister Returns in the hilarious sequel to The Accidental Prime Minister by Tom McLaughlin. 13 year-old Joe Perkins is the Prime Minister of England. For him, an ordinary day involves cameras, questions and crowds. He’s grown quite used to all of the attention and making decisions that affect the country (and has… Continue reading The Accidental Prime Minister Returns by Tom McLaughlin
Splinters of Scarlet is a gripping historical adventure with a fascinating thread of fantasy and magic woven into the tale. Life in Denmark in the mid-1800s is hard, especially for orphans Marit and Eve who have no one to care for them. Too old to stay at the orphanage, Marit struggles with the deaths of… Continue reading Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy
The Incredible Record Smashers is a laugh-out-loud story that hits the reader right in the heart. Bravely addressing a challenge so many children face, Jenny Pearson skilfully leads Lucy on a journey of discovery. Caring for a parent struggling with depression is hard. This story does not shy away from that. Through humour, empathy and… Continue reading The Incredible Record Smashers by Jenny Pearson & illustrated by Erica Salcedo
Victoria Stitch. Bad and Glittering has all the ingredients young readers adore – magic, friends, crystals, beautiful colours, flittering wings and betrayal! The gothic feel makes it perfect for dark Autumn nights. With a lengthy, detailed story as well as engaging illustrations and fun characters, it’s a great first step into Middle Grade level. In… Continue reading Victoria Stitch. Bad and Glittering by Harriet Muncaster
It’s the end of the Second World War and the entire world is healing. Memories of the Blitz, loss and hardship continue to haunt those who have survived. Nona and her Uncle Antoni work together to replace the beautiful stained-glass windows in war torn buildings. As they attempt to heal these historic landmarks, they also… Continue reading Glassheart by Katharine Orton
Scope for Imagination 