Article, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Reading

Brilliant Books for Autumn

The air is crisp, leaves are falling and nights are drawing in. Autumn is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. I'm really pleased to have written an article for True Education Partnerships with five fantastic books for Autumn! Follow the link to read the article: https://www.trueeducationpartnerships.com/schools/five-brilliant-books-for-autumn/ Click on the covers below… Continue reading Brilliant Books for Autumn

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Island That Didn’t Exist by Joe Wilson

Right from the start, The Island That Didn’t Exist is full of fast-paced action! Twelve-year-old Rixon is shocked when his Great Uncle Sylvester leaves him something in his will – an island that can only be found on an ancient map! Does it actually exist? And, more importantly, how can he get there?! Rixon is… Continue reading The Island That Didn’t Exist by Joe Wilson

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Children of Swallow Fell by Julia Green

What do we need to survive? Is it a warm, safe home with plenty to eat? Is it being surrounded by friends and family? Is it good health and access to medical care? Now, more than ever, we have been thinking about our basic needs and how they are met each day. The Children of… Continue reading The Children of Swallow Fell by Julia Green

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Good Bear by Sarah Lean & illustrated by Fiona Woodcock

The Good Bear is a powerful story of trust, unusual friendships and understanding. Twelve-year-old Thea travels to Norway to spend Christmas with her father and his family.  Leaving her mother and everything familiar behind, Thea must learn that Christmas is not about the traditions, what you do or what you eat, but about being together… Continue reading The Good Bear by Sarah Lean & illustrated by Fiona Woodcock

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Extraordinary Travellers: The Little Museum by Karen Beddow & Lyndsay Macaulay

The Eiffel Tower has been stolen and it’s up to the League of Extraordinary Travellers to solve the case! In the 1920’s, Athena Strong was an incredible scientist and inventor. Despite their brilliance, if her creations were to fall into the wrong hands, it would be disastrous! Now, years later, Lucy and Tom, together with… Continue reading Extraordinary Travellers: The Little Museum by Karen Beddow & Lyndsay Macaulay

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Baboon with the Golden Bum by Jed Lynch & illustrated by Stephen Stone

The Baboon with the Golden Bum is a funny, action-packed mystery with a dark, “film noir” detective feel. Seamus, a turkey detective, is the head of the Free Range Detective Agency. His dry comments, clever sarcasm and random musings lift this story to the next level of children’s detective parodies. Seamus has had no cases… Continue reading The Baboon with the Golden Bum by Jed Lynch & illustrated by Stephen Stone

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Daisy and the Unknown Warrior by Tony Bradman & illustrated by Tania Rex

Daisy and the Unknown Warrior is a powerful and important story commemorating the centenary of the burial of Britain’s Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey in November 1920. Tony Bradman tells the story from the point of view of Daisy, an 11-year-old girl, who lost her father in the First World War. “Missing, presumed dead”, he… Continue reading Daisy and the Unknown Warrior by Tony Bradman & illustrated by Tania Rex

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Queen of King Street by Tom McLaughlin

Queen of King Street is a laugh-out-loud satire of the British Royal Family and their relationship with the rest of the country. When Bertie, the Queen’s younger brother, gambles away absolutely everything in a game of Happy Families, the Royal Family has to give up the crown and everything else. They move to King Street… Continue reading Queen of King Street by Tom McLaughlin

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Tinsel by Sibeal Pounder

Tinsel is a Christmas story for the 21st century. With a refreshing twist on the origin of the Santa Claus story, it shows just how much girls can do! This is the story of Ms. Claus – an orphan named Blanche Claus, whose magical adventure results in the launch of the biggest Christmas undertaking ever.… Continue reading Tinsel by Sibeal Pounder

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Soup Movement by Ben Davis

The Soup Movement by Ben Davis is a powerful and emotional book. Aimed at readers age 8+, it is fantastic story for developing empathy across so many parts of life. Jordan has a past he doesn’t want anyone to know about. All he wants is to be normal, to have friends, to fit in at… Continue reading The Soup Movement by Ben Davis