Posts, Articles & Reviews

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Time School We Will Honour Them by Nikki Young

Nadia, Jess, Tomma and Ash are back with another fascinating historical timeslip adventure in the Time School series. The four friends are in Year 7 in a Yorkshire mill town near Leeds when Nadia learns some sad news – her grandfather has passed away. She is asked to give a eulogy at his funeral and… Continue reading Time School We Will Honour Them by Nikki Young

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

After the War From Auschwitz to Ambleside by Tom Palmer

After the War is the book every teacher of the Holocaust needs. This carefully researched and accurate retelling of the horrors and hopes of the Second World War pulls readers in to the reality faced by three brave Polish Jewish boys who find themselves in the serene beauty of the Lake District in the days… Continue reading After the War From Auschwitz to Ambleside by Tom Palmer

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

My Name is River by Emma Rea

Eleven-year-old Dylan dreams of a wonderful future – a future where he grows up on his family’s farm in Wales, builds a treehouse and plays with his friends by the river. Then, suddenly, one phone call changes everything. A huge pharmaceutical company wants to buy the farm and his family will have to leave. Dylan… Continue reading My Name is River by Emma Rea

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Longest Night of Charlie Noon by Christopher Edge

Once upon a time… or once upon a now… Time has so much meaning and sometimes none at all. When Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny become lost in the woods, their night of adventure and mystery gives time an entirely new meaning. This is a book of the unknown – of puzzles, codes, hints and ciphers.… Continue reading The Longest Night of Charlie Noon by Christopher Edge

Book Review, Picture Books

You Are Special by Sam Loman

Kiki is a beautiful, white cat. She’s absolutely adorable but doesn’t feel special like the other brightly-coloured animals she knows. More than anything, she wishes she could be colourful like her friends. On each page, Kiki tries to add a bit of pencil, ink or paint to improve her appearance. Unfortunately, the other animals just… Continue reading You Are Special by Sam Loman

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy & illustrated by Natalie Smillie

Vashti Hardy has done it again! The Griffin Gate is exactly the kind of story children are looking for: adventure, mystery and a strong sense of family – with a bossy robotic raven thrown in! Teaming up with talented illustrator Natalie Smillie, this story jumps off the page and dares readers to go with Grace… Continue reading The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy & illustrated by Natalie Smillie

Book Review, Picture Books

Bloom by Anne Booth & illustrated by Robyn Wilson-Owen

Words have power – power to build up, power to tear down, power to encourage and power to defeat. Words can cause someone to wilt but also help someone to truly bloom. Such is the wonderfully significant message of this beautiful story. Every day, a lovely little girl visited a magnificent flower on her way… Continue reading Bloom by Anne Booth & illustrated by Robyn Wilson-Owen

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher

The Clockwork Crow is an engaging combination of Welsh folklore and clockwork magic. This gothic Christmas tale is a must read for every fan of fairies, frost and mysteries. Seren Rhys is an orphan who has lost everyone close to her. As she travels to live with her godfather and his family is a small… Continue reading The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher

Book Review, Illustrated Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction

A Mummy Ate My Homework by Thiago de Moraes

A Mummy Ate My Homework is the first book in a fun new time-travel adventure series by Thiago de Moraes, the incredibly creative author and illustrator of The Myth Atlas.  11 year-old Henry loves school and learning. He thinks the summer holidays are boring and he can’t wait to get back to finding out new… Continue reading A Mummy Ate My Homework by Thiago de Moraes