Publishing: January 2022 After reading an extract from When the War Came Home and being carried away to South Wales in the time following the First World War, I was thrilled to be able to read the whole story. Absolutely unputdownable, I spent a wonderful afternoon and evening with Natty, Nerys, Johnny and Huw. When… Continue reading When the War Came Home by Lesley Parr
This book comes just in time for my twins’ exploration of Gothic Literature in their Year 7 English lessons. Our house has been full of discussions about monsters and darkness, melancholy and death. Following Frankenstein gives a whole new perspective on a classic story. Maggie has always known the tale of the desperate creator and… Continue reading Following Frankenstein by Catherine Bruton
Mike Barfield & Jess Bradley are back with another fantastic non-fiction graphic novel style book packed full of information that children will love. Following the huge success of Blue Peter Book Award winner, A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu and You, A Day in the Life of a Caveman, a Queen… Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Caveman, a Queen and Everything in Between by Mike Barfield & Jess Bradley
WishYouWas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters is a charming fantasy for younger middle grade readers. Reminiscent of The Borrowers with a lovely Royal Mail twist, it is captivating from beginning to end. It’s December 1952 and a thick smog has settled over Britain. Penny Black’s mum, an airmail pilot, is stuck in France, unable… Continue reading WishYouWas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters by Alexandra Page
Children (and adults) are fascinated by the world of espionage. Going all the way back to ancient civilisations, people have found ways to go undercover and find out just what their enemies are up to. This book covers it all, revealing the secrets of spies throughout history. Do you have what it takes to be… Continue reading Secrets and Spies: The Underground World of Espionage by Anita Ganeri & Luke Brookes
Lightning Strike is a gripping story that paints a heart-wrenching picture of the terrible conditions of London’s East End in the 1880s. Eliza and her family work in a match factory. The phosphorus they come in contact with is pure poison, causing a horrible condition known as “phossy jaw”. There’s little money, never enough to… Continue reading Lightning Strike by Tanya Landman
The Edelweiss Pirates is a powerful, eye-opening story of a group of German teenagers who fought against the expectations of young people under the Nazi regime. Instead of continuing with the Hitler Youth, 14-year-old Josef takes a risk and leaves to join a secret gang – the Edelweiss Pirates. These teens are cool with long… Continue reading The Edelweiss Pirates by Dirk Reinhardt
Hide and Seek is a thrilling historical adventure from acclaimed children’s author and former BBC sports journalist Robin Scott-Elliot whose debut, The Tzar’s Curious Runaways was a Telegraph and an Observer children’s Book of the Year. Summer, 1942. Paris is boiling hot and thirteen-year-old Amélie Dreyfus is hiding in the dark cool of her mother’s wardrobe. The sound of heavy boots signals… Continue reading Hide and Seek by Robin Scott-Elliot ~ Blog Tour
The Week at World’s End has shot to the very top of my list of favourite books of 2021. Pulling me in from the very first line, it took me on a challenging, entertaining and eye-opening journey. I know a book is powerful when I keep going back to it, thinking about the story, characters… Continue reading The Week at World’s End by Emma Carroll
A gripping new historical adventure from East Anglia Book of the Year-winner A.M. Howell. (8 July, Usborne, paperback, 9-12 years) It’s May 1910 and the blazing Halley's comet is drawing closer to the earth, when Nancy is uprooted to start a new life in Suffolk with a grandfather she has never met. Nancy is forbidden… Continue reading Mystery of the Night Watchers by A.M. Howell ~ Blog Tour
Scope for Imagination 