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
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
I'm thrilled to welcome author Barabara Henderson to Scope for Imagination with a Q&A about her thrilling new outdoor adventure, I Don't Do Mountains! About the story: Adventures are good things for people in books. But I am not a person in a book. I am Kenzie. I like to READ about adventures, not actually… Continue reading I Don’t Do Mountains by Barbara Henderson ~ Blog Tour Author Q & A
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
Swop is back in his second epic adventure! This absolutely adorable, teeny tiny pup will leap into your heart as he helps his owner Ernie solve a huge mystery! Ernie is really looking forward to his school trip to the Natural History Museum. It was always his favourite place to visit with his dad before… Continue reading Swop: The Daring Dinosaur Detective by Lucy Noguera & illustrated by James Cottell
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
The Appletree Animal Agency is the first book in a charming new series by Katya Balen & Gill Smith. Perfect for fans of Holly Webb, young animal lovers will be completely captivated by the joy of pet ownership and the passion of the characters to look after animals in need. I know the girls in… Continue reading The Appletree Animal Agency by Katya Balen & Gill Smith
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
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