June 2025 Anna James is a favourite author in our house. The first book in her Pages & Co series, Tilly and the Book Wanderers, will always be considered one of those very special books that made my younger daughter a reader. Since she also adores Alice in Wonderland (with a special request for me… Continue reading Alice with a Why by Anna James
Inspired by Jacques Cousteau, the adventures of ocean explorer Sandy Fin take readers to a wonderfully imaginative world set in the same universe as the delightful Bridget Vanderpuff series. The sea and shore is the most amazing place - full of fascinating objects, light and shadows and unusual creatures. Sandy Fin and his friend Lily… Continue reading Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing by Martin Stewart
Three ordinary teens with an extraordinary story - People Like Stars explores telling the truth, forming relationships and understanding what makes us who we are. As each teen tells their story, readers are challenged to think about how individuals are connected and how much our actions impact others. Aryton, Stanley and Senna take turns to… Continue reading People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence
The Thursday Murder Club meets Adventures on Trains in this absolutely brilliant new middle grade mystery series from author Emma Swan and illustrator Katie Saunders. I first spotted Cruise Ship Kid on the Usborne New Books Showcase a few weeks ago. I was completely charmed by both the premise of the story and by the… Continue reading Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea by Emma Swan & illustrated by Katie Saunders
The Forest in the Sky is the gripping finale of the epic Greenwild series by Pari Thomson. I was thrilled to have the opportunity for an early read on NetGalley and jumped in full of anticipation of something wonderful. Teeming with life and rich world-building, The Forest in the Sky is a fantastic story of… Continue reading Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky by Pari Thomson & illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Sally and the Lost Photograph is the delightful sequel to Sally in the City of Dreams by Judi Curtin. Sally and Bridget are more settled in New York and starting to feel like real Americans. Letters from home bring mixed emotions - they miss their family but life is exciting as they learn to make… Continue reading Sally and the Lost Photograph by Judi Curtin
"Thirteen-year-old Samim is a loyal friend, a gifted chess player - and a refugee. Even after her makes the long, dangerous journey from Afganistan to the UK, his safety isn't guaranteed. Can Simon convince the authorities to let him stay?" Meticulously researched, My Name in Samim tells the eye-opening story of so many young people… Continue reading My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle
Barrington Stoke can always be relied on to create entertaining, meaningful, empathy-filled stories that are accessible and empowering for readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and brings children back for more. These four books, by top UK middle grade… Continue reading Middle Grade Gems from Barrington Stoke
Who were you born to be? Alex Evans isn't sure. Ever since her dad's death, she's felt lonely and frustrated. Her mother's strict rules and seemingly irrational fear of potential dangers keep Alex close to home and away from the forest she loved to explore with her father. When, finally, out of pure frustration, flames… Continue reading Dragonborn by Struan Murray
Travel back to 1645 and the English Civil War with the ever insightful historical children's author Ally Sherrick. Readers will be drawn into this dangerous adventure of rebellion, spies and deceit as they discover what it really means to be fearless and true. Merriweather Pryce is the daughter of an English nobleman who has left… Continue reading Rebel Heart by Ally Sherrick ~ Blog Tour
Scope for Imagination 