Blog Tour, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The War of the Heavenly Horses by Roland Chambers ~ Blog Tour

Billy wakes up in the middle of a battlefield. Galloping hooves pound the earth. Surely he will be trampled? The Heavenly Horses or Ferghana are the fastest most beautiful horses ever. The Emperor Wudi of China wants them for his cavalry. The Horse King won't let him have them. Billy's new friend, Han, son of… Continue reading The War of the Heavenly Horses by Roland Chambers ~ Blog Tour

Blog Tour, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith ~ Blog Tour

Eloise has a bit of a history with swords, particularly stabbing people with swords. Indeed, it is said that she was once an Olympic fencer. Others say she won three Commonwealth gold medals. And some whisper that she could kill you in a duel. Probably. Luckily, she has since discovered the pen is mightier than… Continue reading Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith ~ Blog Tour

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Feather by M.G. Leonard

Take flight with Ava, Tara, Jack, Terry, Ozuru, Twitch and Tippi in another fantastic adventure as they try to solve the mystery of a dangerous museum heist! Feather brings us to the end of M.G. Leonard's wonderful seasonal quartet of stories celebrating bird watching, friendship and the natural world. This series is so refreshing -… Continue reading Feather by M.G. Leonard

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre: Abridged for Young Readers by Patrice Lawrence

It's been a long time since I first read Jane Eyre. This version from Walker Classics took me right back to when I read the original (about age 15). Jane is a compelling heroine. She proves herself to be an intelligent young woman with so much to offer yet the world rejects her. Readers can… Continue reading Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre: Abridged for Young Readers by Patrice Lawrence

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Time School: We Will Comfort Them by Nikki Young

We Will Comfort Them is the fourth and final Time School book. Each book in this wonderful historical series for middle grade readers is completely engaging and full of emotion. One by one, the four main characters have had an opportunity to learn something significant about themselves and their family history. They've experienced first hand… Continue reading Time School: We Will Comfort Them by Nikki Young

Book Review, Chapter Book

Sidney and Carrie Have a Party by Lisa Thompson & illustrated by Jess Rose

Little Gems books from Barrington Stoke are perfect for children in Reception and Key Stage One who are ready to add some variety to their reading diet. Pitched between picture books and chapter books, these early readers give children the feeling of an older book with accessible vocabulary and spacing to help them on their… Continue reading Sidney and Carrie Have a Party by Lisa Thompson & illustrated by Jess Rose

Book Review, Chapter Book

Harley Hitch Takes Flight by Vashti Hardy

Whenever I'm asked for class novel recommendations for Year 2, Harley Hitch is always my answer. This sparky inventor with regularly changing hair colour is enthusiastic and ready for anything! Along with her delightful robot dog, Sprocket, and her best mate, Cosmo, she's the most wonderful role model for anyone interested in how things work.… Continue reading Harley Hitch Takes Flight by Vashti Hardy

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Fright Bite by Jennifer Killick

The arrival of Fright Bite by Jennifer Killick was one of the highlights of the Christmas break for my son, Tom, and me. This series is a definite favourite in our house! Fright Bite is the creepiest Dread Wood adventure yet! Once again, the members of Club Loser face their dreaded enemies, the Latchitts. These… Continue reading Fright Bite by Jennifer Killick

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Creatures of Killburn Mine by Dan Smith

The Creatures of Killburn Mine is the fifth book in the deliciously creepy Crooked Oak science fiction series for readers age 9+. After battling with strange pods at a fracking site, a terrifying beast on school residential, a forest full of spiders, and carniverous plants, the gang are facing their next adversary. There's no end… Continue reading The Creatures of Killburn Mine by Dan Smith

Book Review, Teen

Northern Soul by Phil Earle

First love is never easy. 14-year-old Marv is head over heels for new girl Carly. He doesn't know what to do or where to turn - should he ask his best mate Jimmy or his croc-wearing dad for advice? He's completely out of his depth and not sure either will be much help. Just when… Continue reading Northern Soul by Phil Earle