When I Was a Wolf by Liz Flanagan and illustrated by Nikola Aronova is a beautiful story of family, friendship and dealing with complex feelings. Jasmine absoloutely loves wolves. She doesn't believe in the stereotype of the 'big bad wolf'; she believes they are magical creatures - powerful yet wise. Jasmine also loves spending time… Continue reading When I Was a Wolf by Liz Flanagan & illustrated by Nikola Aronova
Murder on a Midsummer Night is the first in a cosy murder mystery series for readers aged 9+. Published by Barrington Stoke it makes a cracking mystery accessible to everyone who loves a good whodunnit. It's the night of Sir Percy's summer party at Mulberry Hall. Fairies, goblins, kings and queens, and woodland animals fill… Continue reading Murder on a Midsummer Night by Lucy Strange & illustrated by Hannah Peck
My last review was for How to Steal Time by Christopher Edge - a thrilling puzzle-based adventure exploring quantum computing, artificial intelligence and the power of human consciousness. Moral dilemmas about what we could do if we knew the future leave readers thinking. https://scopeforimagination.co.uk/2026/05/03/how-to-steal-the-future-by-christopher-edge/ The Time Engine by Lindsay Galvin is a great companion text… Continue reading The Time Engine by Lindsay Galvin
Storm Bird Magic is the fifth book in The Island Vet series by Gill Lewis which celebrates wildlife, nature and community. Tia lives on Gull Haven Island with her mum who is the local vet. There's excitement in the air as the most impressive ships arrive for The Tall Ships Race. Incredibly old and powered… Continue reading The Island Vet: Storm Bird Magic by Gill Lewis & Irina Avgustinovich
The Runaway Tortoise is another delightful story about caring for pets from the Barrington Stoke Little Gems collection. Written by Holly Webb, it has the same gentle empathy as her other animal tales. Ava's family has inherited her grandad's tortoise, Albert. Tortoises are fascinating animals that can live up to 150 years but Ava thinks… Continue reading The Runaway Tortoise by Holly Webb & Ocean Hughes
Join Hana for her third exciting adventure with Ace, an amazing talking cat and her partner in the Moonlight Mystery Agency. After being told off by her dad for being too slow on one of their walks, Hana is glad to get away to the magical world of Moonlight and solve another case. It's the… Continue reading The Moonlight Mystery Agency: The Case of the Race by Vashti Hardy & Agnes Saccani
Tom Palmer, master of historical fiction for children, is back with another stunning story of real people facing the challenge and terror of war. If the Invader Comes takes readers to 1940s Cornwall. The threat of Nazi invasion looms over Britain as survivors return from the defeat at Dunkirk. Everyone is on high alert and… Continue reading If the Invader Comes (Allies series: Book One) by Tom Palmer
Big Words by Luke Palmer is one of the most powerful books you'll read this year. Exploring masculinity for teen boys and what it means to be strong, it unpicks layers of friendship, forgiveness and trust. Kiln, the local waste ground, is a forbidden place (which makes it all the more appealing for Sam and… Continue reading Big Words by Luke Palmer
Helen Rutter is back with her incredible talent for sensitively portraying very real adolescent dilemmas with humour and heart. Vinny's mum is a viral sensation with her blog "Ask Amanda Anything". With over one million followers on Instagram, she looks like she has everything all figured out but Vinny knows it isn't real. She portrays… Continue reading Advice from a 12-year-old Nobody by Helen Rutter
A trip to Jorvik Viking Centre in York is a museum visit you'll never forget. This fascinating historic site is the inspiration for The Accidental Vikings. Karen McCombie captures all the unique features of this amazing place. I first visited Jorvik when I was 9 years old and still remember travelling back in time in… Continue reading The Accidental Vikings by Karen McCombie & illustrated by Annell Bray
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