March 2023 Dragonracers by Peter Bunzl is a brilliant blend of fantasy and history, all wrapped up in the story of the first London to Manchester Air Race in 1910! Ten-year-old Kitty and Harris Hawk are twins who have grown up around the first planes in Britain. Their father is chief aircraft engineer to Britain's… Continue reading Dragonracers by Peter Bunzl
January 2023 Jenni Spangler is one of my favourite middle grade authors. Her stories are full of intrigue, strange objects and characters who always do the unexpected. Valentine Crow and Mr Death goes ten steps further with a unique, gently funny and thought-provoking tale of a young apprentice who is sent to work for the… Continue reading Valentine Crow and Mr Death by Jenni Spangler
March 2023 Finding unexpected treasure is always magical. The Curio Collectors brings the thrill of discovery to life on the page with a historical mystery that will engage readers right from the start. Tom and Lil live in a caravan with their Ma. Travelling from town to town, trying to make money by selling items… Continue reading The Curio Collectors by Eloise Williams & illustrated by Anna Shepeta
March 2023 It's February 1974 and Lesley Parr is taking us on a heart-felt journey into living history. Full of nostalgia for a simpler time, Where the River Takes Us, is a wonderful read for both adults and children. 13 year-old Jason is struggling. Since his parents' tragic death, he and his older brother Richie… Continue reading Where the River Takes Us by Lesley Parr
Secrets Set in Stone is third book in the fantastic Tales of Truth and Treasure series by James Haddell. When I finished book two, The Forgotten Crown, I wanted to read more right away. It was hard to wait, but I got to enjoy the feeling of aniticipation that comes with counting down to the… Continue reading Secrets Set in Stone by James Haddell ~ Blog Tour
It is an privilege to welcome author Tom Palmer to my blog with a guest post in honour of #WorldBalletDay. Dance is such a significant part of Edda's story - her determination, resilience and strength were built through her dedication to ballet. How Ballet Helped Audrey Hepburn Win Her War The night before the Germans… Continue reading Resist & World Ballet Day ~ Guest Post by Tom Palmer
Barrington Stoke books are wonderful in their diversity, ability to evoke thoughtful emotion and incredibly enjoyable stories. Written by top-notch, current authors, they are the gold-standard of quality and appropriateness for today's children. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and… Continue reading Brilliant Middle Grade from Barrington Stoke ~ Autumn 2022
The Mummy's Curse is the second book in an incredible time-travelling adventure series. M.A. Bennett plays liberally with time, taking readers from 1894 London forward to 1922 Egypt and back again. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb on 4th November 2022, this book is even more timely. The… Continue reading The Mummy’s Curse: The Butterfly Club by M.A. Bennett ~ Blog Tour
My Review: The Chestnut Roaster is a uniquely captivating story - atmospheric Parisian history mixed with a healthy dose of fantasy runs through the mysterious catacombs of this engaging city. The villain is truly evil and the children who are determined to stop him are clever, creative and feisty. The adults are unable to help… Continue reading The Chestnut Roaster by Eve McDonnell ~ Blog Tour
Historical fiction from Emma Carroll is guaranteed to be outstanding but The Little Match Girl Strikes Back is something truly special. I have memories of reading the original Hans Christian Andersen story of The Little Match Girl as a child. I have also used it with Year 6 classes near Christmas to help children think… Continue reading The Little Match Girl Strikes Back by Emma Carroll & Lauren Child
Scope for Imagination 