A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll is a story of identity, strength and finding your voice. 11-year-old Addie wants nothing more than to be understood and to be heard. She lives in a world where only a very few people truly understand how she thinks and feels but there are many people who don’t… Continue reading A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Sherlock Holmes meets Dickens in this heart-stopping Victorian mystery. It is the perfect book for anyone who loves to explore the dark, haunted side of a historic city. There are new twists at every turn as Zinnie strives to uncover the truth. This is a wonderful story of challenging female stereotypes and finding strength in… Continue reading The House of Hidden Wonders by Sharon Gosling
Baller Boys by Venessa Taylor is the book every football-crazy child has been waiting for! Aimed at children who absolutely love football, especially boys, this exciting, heart-warming story will encourage even the most reluctant reader to give it a try. Soon they will be swept away in the play-by-play action. I can think of numerous… Continue reading BLOG TOUR: Baller Boys by Venessa Taylor & illustrated by Kenneth Ghann
Mystery and intrigue step up a gear in Kidnap on the California Comet, the highly-anticipated sequel to The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. This second Adventures on Trains story doesn't disappoint as 12 year-old Hal Beck is back riding the rails with his Uncle Nat. This time, they’re in America on… Continue reading Kidnap on the California Comet (Adventures on Trains) by M.G. Leonard & Sam Sedgman
Even when things seem at their darkest, there is always a flicker of light. The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery is so much more than a story about the Second World War. It explores darkness, light, hope and love within layers and layers of meaning. Both the internal and external battles portrayed in this story… Continue reading The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery
Joy by Yasmeen Ismail and illustrated by Jenni Desmond is just that – an absolute bundle of kitten joy! We are smitten cat lovers in our house so this charming book is purr-fect for us! I read it with my son and he giggled and “awwww”ed his way through the entire story. There’s nothing better… Continue reading Joy by Yasmeen Ismail & Jenni Desmond
Dark, mysterious, captivating… The Vanishing Trick pulled me in from the very first moment Leander spotted the strange, black carriage and met the eerie Madame Pinchbeck. “It wasn’t a sin to steal if you only took forgotten things” and this lost, forgotten, empty boy needs nothing more than to belong – to someone, to something.… Continue reading The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler & illustrated by Chris Mould
One of the country’s favourite witches is back with a fun and reassuring take on the challenges of lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic. Winnie the Witch is staying at home with her wonderful cat, Wilbur. Together they listen to the news, try to wash their hands, learn about good hygiene when they sneeze, do their… Continue reading Winnie and Wilbur Stay at Home by Valerie Thomas & Korky Paul
Everybody Worries by John Burgerman is an engaging picture book written to help children cope with worries about Coronavirus. With bright, colourful illustrations on every page, children of all ages will be drawn into its message. It begins with reassurance that everyone worries sometimes – even the most brave, clever, confident people have something they… Continue reading Everybody Worries by John Burgerman
In April 2019, I went to Waterstones for an Easter holiday treat. I chose The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf. I picked it up because the plain cover had all the writing on the back of a boy’s rucksack. When I turned it over and read the blurb, I… Continue reading The Day We Met the Queen by Onjali Q Rauf – Book Review by Lucy, age 10
Scope for Imagination 