Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime is a deeply engaging time travelling mystery. Layered with meaning and important questions for young readers while exploring both ancient and modern culture, it would make a fantastic class read aloud alongside an Ancient Greece topic. We're so used to the story of King Minos, Theseus and the minotaur… Continue reading Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime by Jennifer Claessen
Emma Carroll has done it again with an stunning gothic adventure for middle grade readers. The first in a new historical fantasy series, Dracula and Daughters is equal parts frightening, inspiring and intriguing. You will never look at vampires the same way again! Who can resist a story that begins with the sentence: “It’s November,… Continue reading Dracula and Daughters by Emma Carroll
I couldn't wait to be back in the delightfully gothic world of Matilda Lockett and her ghostly friend, Edgar Wilde. Brimming with questions, clues and plenty of peril, readers are whisked away to a richly atmospheric and brilliantly entertaining, supernatural Victorian mystery. As the features of this 19th century detective story unfold, we learn more… Continue reading Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of London by Lucy Strange
The Forest in the Sky is the gripping finale of the epic Greenwild series by Pari Thomson. I was thrilled to have the opportunity for an early read and jumped in full of anticipation of something wonderful. Teeming with life and rich world-building, The Forest in the Sky is a fantastic story of hidden gifts,… Continue reading Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky by Pari Thomson & illustrated by Elisa Paganelli ~ Blog Tour
Journey to 1899 in this magical story of invention, unusual powers, evil villains ... and ice cream! Mason and his father sell delicious ice cream but melting temperatures and a terrible accident with their ice cream cart leave them unable to pay their rent and forced out of business. When a strange invitation arrives summoning… Continue reading A Place of a Thousand Wishes by Sarah Merrett ~ Blog Tour
I loved getting lost in the world of Lindsay Galvin's The Elixir. Set in 17th century England, it explores the healing power of women who understand nature and science. Ann Storer has inherited the gift of healing from her grandmother. Working in her family's apothecary shop, she creates tinctures that help with all sorts of… Continue reading The Elixir by Lindsay Galvin
I adore Susie Bower's writing. Her stories are heartfelt and full of meaning. Gloriously detailed and wonderfully imaginative settings with the most engaging characterisation create books that are completely unputdownable. The Invisibles is just as fantastic as Susie's previous middle grade novels. Focusing on the value of true friendship, courage, honesty and forgiveness, it is… Continue reading The Invisibles by Susie Bower
Emily Windsnap is back with another wonderfully delightful fantasy adventure - her tenth in a series spanning twenty years. This "semi-mer" - half human, half mermaid - is embracing who she is and loves solving mysteries with friends, whether it's under the sea or on land. Valley of the Vikings is full of magic, myth… Continue reading Valley of the Vikings by Liz Kessler
"I believe you're the one who will find a safe and stable way, Fyn. You will be the way between our worlds." Return to Eromlos with 12-year-old Fyn Carter, his best friend Amy and his Grandad Bernie for a second action-packed science fiction adventure. Still searching for his missing father, Fyn is trying to work… Continue reading Fyn Carter and the Legends from Atlantis by Ian Hunter ~ Blog Tour
The Abandoned Theatre is a thrilling teen / middle grade fantasy portal mystery centred on friendship and family. An unusual theatre deep in the woods on the Winnodov property has been shrouded in mystery ever since the night Mr Winnodov disappeared. Now, eight years later, it's happening again. A group of teens sneak into the… Continue reading The Abandoned Theatre by Dana Robertson
Scope for Imagination 