Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Pirates of Darksea by Catherine Doyle

Catherine Doyle is synonymous with completely gripping Irish adventures surrounded by the roaring sea and the most unusual magic. From the very first page, readers will be held under the spell of the legend of the secret kingdom of Darksea deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. A place where pirates collect stardust to… Continue reading Pirates of Darksea by Catherine Doyle

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Royal Jewel Plot by A.M. Howell

Following on from the brilliant Peril on the Atlantic, readers set sail with Alice and Sonny on a second exciting adventure. https://scopeforimagination.co.uk/2023/06/24/peril-on-the-atlantic-by-a-m-howell This time, the pair are cruising the Mediterranean on their father's new steam yacht, the Lady Rose. This isn't just any boat - there's a poisonous octopus onboard guarding a rare opal and… Continue reading The Royal Jewel Plot by A.M. Howell

Blog Tour, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Girl on the Fly by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl ~ Blog Tour

Girl on the Fly celebrates everything that's important to young teen girls - balancing friendships with family, huge ambitions and finding out what's truly important. 13 year old Kamaria loves to run. It's just two weeks until the regional championships and Kam wants nothing more than for her relay team to come out on top.… Continue reading Girl on the Fly by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl ~ Blog Tour

Book Review, Picture Books

Super Spring Picture Books

Rabbit & Bear: This Lake is Fake! by Julian Gough & illustrated by Jim Field (Hachette Children's Books) The Rabbit & Bear series is wonderful for readers who love a fantastic dose of fun illustrations with their stories. With large, well-spaced print, brilliant humour and just the right amount of poo humour, developing readers will… Continue reading Super Spring Picture Books

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Storm Child by Ele Fountain

There will be storms in everyone's life. It's how we deal with them that reveals their true impact. Storm Child by Ele Fountain challenges readers to reflect on the storms in their own lives and what is truly important to them. With short chapters, high-stakes action and a clear voice, readers are right in the… Continue reading Storm Child by Ele Fountain

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Little House by Katya Balen

Katya Balen has done it again with an honest and oh so powerful story of family, personal growth and challenging world issues. Little House is a beautiful shorter read with all the accessibility features Barrington Stoke has to offer combined with Katya Balen's distinct style. Written in first person, there is unmistakable character voice and… Continue reading Little House by Katya Balen

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorick Goldewijk

If you could step into just one memory, which one would you choose? Movies Showing Nowhere is the most intriguing story of family, loss and identity. Cate is lonely. Her mother died just as Cate was born and her father is, more often than not, lost in his own world. Only her pet rabbit listens… Continue reading Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorick Goldewijk

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Day My Dog Got Famous by Jen Carney

The Day My Dog Got Famous is a delightfully funny middle grade story of family, frenemies and the best pet ever! Ferris Foster is a brilliant hero who wants nothing more than to win the Year 5 art challenge with his Astoundog cartoon and to earn enough money with his home-made comic book, The Hoot,… Continue reading The Day My Dog Got Famous by Jen Carney

Book Review, Picture Books

Winter Picture Book Round-Up

A dozen delightful picture books to share with young readers. A Horse Called Now by Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey (Nosy Crow) The storms of life come and go but at this moment all is well. Now, the soft spoken horse, is a gentle presence in the farmyard. When all the other animals are worried… Continue reading Winter Picture Book Round-Up

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Fallout by Lesley Parr

July 2024 When I spotted Fallout on NetGalleyUK, I knew I needed to request it (despite my teetering TBR pile). It demanded to be read immediately, leaping past the rest of my current reads. I'm not sure how I feel about my childhood being the setting for historical fiction but this 1980s Cold War Welsh… Continue reading Fallout by Lesley Parr