Summer 2022 has been so jam-packed with brilliant children's books that it would be very easy to miss some real gems. Game Changer by Tom Palmer (Rebellion) Tom Palmer is an author with so many incredible talents. From his stunning historical fiction to his action-fuelled football adventures, his books are must-haves for school libraries. Timed… Continue reading Super Summer Reads You Might Have Missed
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name is something totally different. I was intrigued by the amazing proof box that arrived last week and it jumped up my reading pile. I wasn't disappointed. This story is a very special combination of creative characterisation, magical evil, a captivating mystery and ever-evolving relationships. Told from the… Continue reading (A Girl Called Corpse) The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name by Reece Carter
Sometimes you come across a story that jumps off the page so visually that it seems like you're watching a film instead of reading words on a page. Mia and the Lightcasters is one of those books. Packed full of action, mystery and personal struggle from the very first page, readers will be swept up… Continue reading Mia and the Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy ~ Blog Tour
The Wind Child by Gabriela Houston is a wonderful journey through traditional Slavic folklore. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson and The Girl Who Speaks Bear, this story weaves the reality of human grief and desire with magical powers not always understood or controlled. Mara is the granddaughter of the God of the Winter Winds.… Continue reading The Wind Child by Gabriela Houston
The Dragon in the Bookshop is a powerful story about childhood bereavement, friendship and finding strength. Ewa Jozefkowiez gives her characters a voice even when they're unable to speak. When Kon's father dies, he finds comfort in quiet. More than anything, he wants to be the intrepid explorer Dad always encouraged him to be -… Continue reading The Dragon in the Bookshop by Ewa Jozefkowiez ~ Blog Tour & Guest Post
Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic is just the book my dance-loving daughter would have adored when she was a little bit younger. Just like my little girl, Autumn is a twin who is trying to find where she belongs. When Sparkledale Dance Academy opens up for auditions for the Black Cats dance squad, Autumn can't wait… Continue reading Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic by Emma Finlayson-Palmer & Heidi Cannon
I sat down to make a start on A Flash of Fireflies and ended up reading the entire thing. I was completely drawn in by the magic and mystery of this unique story - a completely enchanting twist on fairy tales, forests and witches. Hazel's world is turned upside-down. Sent on her own from Kuwait… Continue reading A Flash of Fireflies by Aisha Bushby
Catherine Doyle is back with another heart-pounding fantasy middle grade adventure. If you loved The Storm Keeper Trilogy, then don't miss this magical tale. Sister and brother, Amy and Liam, are visiting their grandmother in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland. Far from home, friends and their usual entertainment, they only have each other… Continue reading The Lost Girl King ~ Catherine Doyle
Get lost in a forest of intense imagery, incredible creatures and an intriguing mystery that will leave readers searching for clues at every turn. There is no time to catch your breath in this galloping story of one girl's quest to find answers about herself, her family, an abandoned research centre and the strange boy… Continue reading Zo and the Forest of Secrets by Alake Pilgrim ~ Blog Tour
The natural world has a magic all its own. Even though we know so much about how plants grow, reproduce and fill our world, it is still inexplicably wondrous to be surrounded by something so alive - the damp shadows of the forest, the new shoots of a seed, the medicinal powers not created by… Continue reading The Magic of Nature in Middle Grade
Scope for Imagination 