The Hollywood Kidnap Case is an absolutely unputdownable combination of cosy crime and intriguing historical fiction. Set in the tumultuous period between the world wars - the summer of 1936 - A.M. Howell has combined the golden age of ocean travel with the golden age of Hollywood glamour. Nods to Shirley Temple, Judy Garland and… Continue reading The Hollywood Kidnap Case by A.M. Howell
My Grandma's Magic Recipes is a series of beautifully lyrical picture books that play with language through rhyme, alliteration and absolute joy. Celebrating the turning of the year, Zee and Grandma plant and harvest seasonal vegetables and have so much fun turning them into delicious foods. Whether it's pizza toast made with home-grown tomatoes or… Continue reading My Grandma’s Magic Recipes by Ella Phillips & Camilla Sucre
Sarah Ann Jukes is a “must read right away” author for me. Each of her middle grade novels is completely heartfelt and incredibly engaging. These are stories that will leave you thinking long after the book has closed and cause you to reflect on your relationships with others... and yourself. Storm Seal is a beautiful… Continue reading Storm Seal by Sarah Ann Juckes
Bird Boy by Catherine Bruton is one of the stand out books of 2024. Heartfelt and honest, it is a beautiful celebration of the natural world combined with a story of healing and hope. The power of the relationship between an osprey chick and a heart-broken child will captivate and challenge readers in equal measure.… Continue reading Bird Boy by Catherine Bruton
"Love is stronger than fear, stronger even than death." Ettie and the Midnight Pool is a beautiful, lyrical story of heartache, family and truth that celebrates the wildness of the natural world. 11-year-old Ettie's story is carefully woven with the story of Orpheus and Eurydice as she (and the readers who adventure with her) are… Continue reading Ettie and the Midnight Pool by Julia Green
Tony Bradman and Sally Nicholls write fantastically honest and real stories for children. When Saturday Comes & Too Nice help readers understand the challenges of families splitting up and trying to balance the needs of two parents. When Saturday Comes by Tony Bradman & Tania Rex Daniel loves football! His team, the Haybrook Rockets, are… Continue reading Stories of Family from Barrington Stoke
September 2024 The Boy in the Suit is an incredibly moving and powerful novel for readers age 9+ (and the adults who care for them). So compelling and real, I struggled to put it down. I wanted to step into the story and look after ten-year-old Solo who is so funny and charming but also… Continue reading The Boy in the Suit by James Fox
Vashti Hardy has done it again - combining STEM and a futuristic vision with a heartfelt story that leaves readers thinking long after the book is closed. Yet North and the Only One is a completely unique story. It feels different from Vashti's other adventures. With so much emotion and so much unknown, readers become… Continue reading North and the Only One by Vashti Hardy
Stories by Gill Lewis are always gentle and heart-warming but with an incredibly strong message. A champion of nature, she leaves her readers with a sense of responsibility for taking care of our world. The Island Vet series continues in this manner. It promises to be an absolutely charming series for readers age 7+ full… Continue reading The Island Vet: Pirates and Sea Monsters by Gill Lewis & Irina Avgustinovich
Gargoyles: Guardians of the Source by the incredibly talented Tamsin Mori is the first book in a magical new series. Full of old family secrets, powerful creatures and unknown magic, this gripping story will have readers on the edge of their seats. I was completely captivated by it and couldn't put it down! Callen's Dad… Continue reading Gargoyles: Guardians of the Source Book 1 by Tamsin Mori ~ Blog Tour & Guest Post
Scope for Imagination 