Three ordinary teens with an extraordinary story - People Like Stars explores telling the truth, forming relationships and understanding what makes us who we are. As each teen tells their story, readers are challenged to think about how individuals are connected and how much our actions impact others. Aryton, Stanley and Senna take turns to… Continue reading People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence
Barrington Stoke can always be relied on to create entertaining, meaningful, empathy-filled stories that are accessible and empowering for readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and brings children back for more. These four books, by top UK middle grade… Continue reading Middle Grade Gems from Barrington Stoke
Jenny Peckles Lays Eggs with Speckles by Rachel Emily & Paul Delaney (Farshore) Jenny Peckles Lays Eggs with Speckles is an absolutely brilliant rhyming story about a group of chickens who will do anything to get into a book. Whether it's Chuckleston Barclay who added her own "sparkly" to her eggs or Featherly Botts who… Continue reading Fantastic Picture Books for the Summer Term
The Beck is a beautiful story of finding peace and purpose in the noise of the world. Kyle hasn't spent much time with his grandad so when his parents drop him off in a run-down neighbourhood on the east side of Leeds, he isn't happy. Grandad's eccentricities and his three-legged dog called "Rude Word" make… Continue reading The Beck by Anthony McGowen
May 2025 Shrapnel Boys is Jenny Pearson's first historical novel. Led by authentic characters with her trademark spark, this is a funny, heartwarming story with an additional layer of dilemma and emotional depth. It will challenge readers to think about everyone's role in the Second World War and how it affected ordinary people in extraordinary… Continue reading Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson
It has been wonderful to read and review the three books in the Toby Bean series over the past four years. Sally Doherty has created a young hero who is funny, brave and incredibly caring. Looking after his mum who is chronically ill, he shows resilience in the face of so many challenges yet still… Continue reading Toby and the Siege of Sky City by Sally Doherty
Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Plays Football by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (Nosy Crow) We love Frank and Bert in our house - these fabulously fun stories about friendship are a guaranteed hit when my daughter goes babysitting and with our Brownie unit. Bert always tries his very best but often things go a bit… Continue reading Delightful Picture Books for Spring
February 2025 Journey back to the incredible Land of Roar with the highly-anticipated Dragon Riders of Roar. This fourth book in the Land of Roar series is an imaginatively soaring adventure through a new region of one of our favourite worlds. Of course Win, Arthur's wizard ninja pal, and Mitch, Rose's mermaid witch best friend,… Continue reading Dragon Riders of Roar by Jenny McLachlan
Every December, it's such a joy to take time to look back over all the books I've been privileged to read and review on Scope for Imagination. I’d like to share my favourite books of this year - ones that have challenged me, empowered me, made me laugh, and even made me cry. There have… Continue reading My Favourite Books of 2024
Jenny Pearson's stories are always an absolute delight with true-to-life characters dealing with issues in unique, laugh-out-loud ways. This Christmas break has brought two new books from Barrington Stoke and Usborne that are a joy to read and perfect for children of all ages. Bigfoot and the Wild Boys (Barrington Stoke) - January 2025 Joe… Continue reading Brilliant Books by Jenny Pearson (Bigfoot and the Wild Boys & The Race Against Crime)
Scope for Imagination 