Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Teen

My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle

"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

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Middle Grade Gems from Barrington Stoke

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

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Dragonborn by Struan Murray

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

Blog Tour, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Rebel Heart by Ally Sherrick ~ Blog Tour

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

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Becoming Grace by Hilary McKay

Grace Darling has always been a heroine in our house. At the age of three, my daughter was completely enthralled by a boat trip out to the Farne Islands while on holiday in Northumbria. She loved the lighthouse, the puffins and the story of Grace Darling's bravery as she helped her father rescue nine people… Continue reading Becoming Grace by Hilary McKay

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Gargoyles: The Watcher (Book 2) by Tamsin Mori

A thrilling story of friendship, loyalty and inner strength, The Watcher is the second book in the outstanding Gargoyles series by Tamsin Mori. Book one, Guardians of the Source, was one of my favourite books of 2024. The Watcher picks up where Guardians of the Source left off. The evil ghasts have been defeated and… Continue reading Gargoyles: The Watcher (Book 2) by Tamsin Mori

Blog Tour, Book Review, Guest Post, Middle Grade Fiction

I Don’t Do Mountains by Barbara Henderson ~ Blog Tour Author Q & A

I'm thrilled to welcome author Barabara Henderson to Scope for Imagination with a Q&A about her thrilling new outdoor adventure, I Don't Do Mountains! About the story: Adventures are good things for people in books. But I am not a person in a book. I am Kenzie. I like to READ about adventures, not actually… Continue reading I Don’t Do Mountains by Barbara Henderson ~ Blog Tour Author Q & A

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Clem Fatale has been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki Morris

Fast-paced, witty, and utterly captivating, Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is a standout new middle-grade mystery with a unique setting and overflowing with charm. A clever twist on the "femme fatale" archetype, Clem is smart and tough. It's 1951 and she's London's youngest crook. With a notorious jewel thief for a father, she’s an expert… Continue reading Clem Fatale has been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki Morris

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Teen

Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods by Jennifer Killick

The first book in the new Teen Horror series Serial Chillers is everything you could hope for and more! Witty, dark and downright horrifying, Jennifer Killick has raised her game. The Witch in the Woods is next-level creepy and will have you avoiding any local woods for the foreseeable future. I settled right into the… Continue reading Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods by Jennifer Killick

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

How to Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing by Cressida Cowell

May 2025 How to Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing is the first in a new series of How to Train Your Dragon stories. Introduced as a set of shorter adventures discovered on a beach amongst papers belonging to Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, this delightfully funny and hugely engaging book is perfect… Continue reading How to Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing by Cressida Cowell