Hedley is having a really hard time. Since he lost his mum in an accident, he and his little sister Lilly have been spending weekends at Bridlebank Therapy Activities Centre. Their dad just isn't coping; he struggles to get out of bed and can't even begin to meet their needs. At the centre, Hedley does… Continue reading The Not-So Great Escape by Emma Green
Ice Dancer by Alex Cotter is a powerful story of family, friendship and overcoming grief. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down - finishing it in a day. Dina is struggling to find herself again following the death of her older sister, Sasha. The only place she feels free is out on… Continue reading Ice Dancer by Alex Cotter
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
The World Between the Rain is a bewitching story of loss and being lost then finding yourself again. Magic, the unknown and mysteries beyond human understanding challenge readers to look at grief in a new way and find connections with those they love. Marina and her family are struggling to cope with loss, each dealing… Continue reading The World between the Rain by Susan Cahill ~ Blog Tour
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
July 2023 The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery & Richard Johnson is a beautiful, charming story of friendship, loss and learning to say good-bye. There’s a strange Thing living in the neighbourhood. Who is it? What is it? Why is it so alone? When a little girl decides to reach out in kindness (with… Continue reading The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery & Richard Johnson
Do you know who you are? James' dad is fascinated by family ancestry. On holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, they explore the ruins of an old farm house and other historic family locations. Mum has always been the one in tune with those who have lived before - having genuine ghostly experiences. But this time,… Continue reading Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick
My Name is Sunshine Simpson is a delightful story of finding your way in the world with the support of those precious people who have come before - parents and grandparents who only want the best for you. Karis Sunshine Simpson is finding life tricky. There's a new girl in class who seems to be… Continue reading My Name is Sunshine Simpson by G.M. Linton
In October 2019, I created my first post for Scope for Imagination. Today I'm celebrating my 700th post with a very special book. The Boy Who Made Monsters is everything that's good about children's literature. It is engaging, funny, heartfelt and speaks truth. It does not hide from issues faced by children. Instead, it approaches… Continue reading The Boy Who Made Monsters by Jenny Pearson
Publishing: May 2023 Wild is the kind of story that stays with you. I found myself thinking about it in between reading sessions, wondering what was going to happen next in this fast-paced rainforest adventure. I was worried about the deeply troubled character of Jack and his relationship with his mum. When his father dies,… Continue reading Wild by Ele Fountain
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