Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Teen, Young Adult

Autumn with Barrington Stoke

It's a pleasure to share some of the new October releases for older readers from Barrington Stoke. Accessible, engaging and so powerful, readers will find the vocabulary choices, font, spacing and page tint make all the difference to their success with each book. This group of action-packed, high-stakes stories are sure to be read, shared… Continue reading Autumn with Barrington Stoke

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Weather Well by Vashti Hardy

The Weather Well is the final adventure in the brilliant Griffin Gate STEM series by Vashti Hardy with fantastic illustrations by Natalie Smillie. Full of intriguing gadgets and lots of inventing, readers will be inspired to follow their own passions and use their natural creativity to solve problems. Grace Griffin and her fellow warden, Tom,… Continue reading The Weather Well by Vashti Hardy

Book Review, Chapter Book, Early Reader, Middle Grade Fiction, Teen

Brilliant Summer Books from Barrington Stoke

Every school library, classroom and home should contain books from Barrington Stoke. Their wonderfully captivating content paired with accessible vocabulary, super-readable font and helpful page tint make them some of the best books available for ALL children. From fun, sweet Little Gems for young readers age 5+ to their mature, thought-provoking 11+/13+ Teen and Young… Continue reading Brilliant Summer Books from Barrington Stoke

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Piano at the Station by Helen Rutter & Elisa Paganelli

The Piano at the Station is a powerfully honest and thought-provoking depiction of how some children find school and all its expectations. Young readers will develop insight and empathy for children who struggle to behave or even see themselves in the pages. Teacher readers will find themselves challenged to think carefully about how they respond… Continue reading The Piano at the Station by Helen Rutter & Elisa Paganelli

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan & illustrated by Skylar White

Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan is an inspirational environmental adventure that honours humans' relationship with nature with a call to respect and protect. Set on the beautiful Scottish coast, this story evokes the spirit of majestic whales, the pull of the sea and the magic of the moonlight. It's the summer before secondary school.… Continue reading Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan & illustrated by Skylar White

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Nightjar by Katya Balen

Nightjar is an expertly crafted symphony of emotion bringing together the beauty of the natural world, the challenges of family life and the struggles of growing up while staying true to yourself. It is a gentle and honest story of what it means to thoughtful, caring and responsible - of finding balance, listening and trying… Continue reading Nightjar by Katya Balen

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Operation Banana by Tony Bradman & illustrated by Tania Rex

It's November 1942 - the middle of the second world war. Susan's mum works long hours at the factory while her dad is in North Africa and they haven't heard from him in months. Worries pile on top of worries. Susan just wants to make her mum happy and she has the perfect idea -… Continue reading Operation Banana by Tony Bradman & illustrated by Tania Rex

Book Review, Chapter Book, Early Reader, Middle Grade Fiction, Non-fiction Books, Young Adult

Must-haves from Barrington Stoke

Every school library, classroom and home should contain books from Barrington Stoke. Their wonderfully captivating content paired with accessible vocabulary, super-readable font and helpful page tint make them some of the best books available for ALL children. From fun, sweet Little Gems for young readers age 5+ to their mature, thought-provoking 11+/13+ Teen and Young… Continue reading Must-haves from Barrington Stoke

Book Review, Guest Post, Middle Grade Fiction

Dragonracers ~ Guest Post by Peter Bunzl

In honour of World Book Day 2023 and publication day for the wonderful Dragonracers, I'm thrilled to welcome author Peter Bunzl to my blog with a special guest post! I’ve always wanted to write about dragons. A few years ago, I had an idea about a lighthouse keeper’s daughter who discovers a dragon. That story… Continue reading Dragonracers ~ Guest Post by Peter Bunzl

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult

Frankenstein: A Retelling by Tanya Landman

Gothic Literature is a favourite topic in Key Stage Three English. Dracula, Frankenstein, Edgar Allen Poe... there are so many classic texts to discover. For some children, these texts can be quite challenging with unfamiliar language and a style they just aren't used to. Often, reading another version of their class text helps children build… Continue reading Frankenstein: A Retelling by Tanya Landman