An Escape in Time is the third book in the exciting time travelling adventure series by Sally Nicholls. This time, Ruby & Alex step through the mirror at their aunt’s house to meet an aristocrat fleeing the French Revolution. Once again, the children face gender expectations they aren’t used to and the unusual challenges of living… Continue reading An Escape in Time (The Time-Seekers series) by Sally Nicholls
Maria’s Island is a beautiful, heart-felt story of one community’s struggle with the shame, fear and sickness of leprosy. Rita lives in London but every summer she travels to Crete to visit her yiayia (grandma). Mum wants Yiayia to move to England to be closer to them but there’s a very important reason why she… Continue reading Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop & Gill Smith
The House on the Edge is a story of life on the edge: on the edge of family break down, on the edge of loss, on the edge of everything falling apart. Faith and her little brother, Noah, live with their mum in The Lookout – a strange, old house that sits on the very… Continue reading The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter
Two worlds collide in this heartfelt, inspiring story of owning who you are and asserting that “normal is not the way”. Questions of “What is normal?” and “Who is actually normal?” weave their way through the pages as Dara and Mothgirl help each other to love themselves and what the future holds. It is wonderful… Continue reading The Way to Impossible Island by Sophie Kirtley
When the Sky Falls is a powerful story full of truth: truth about humans, animals and how we’re not really all that different after all. Set in London in 1941, we meet Joseph – kind of a reverse evacuee, sent to live with Mrs F when his father is killed and he has no where… Continue reading When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle
When I spotted Jenni Spangler had written a second book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! The Vanishing Trick was one of my favourite books of 2020 so I knew The Incredible Talking Machine was going to be something special. I was right! The Incredible Talking Machine is a cleverly crafted story… Continue reading The Incredible Talking Machine by Jenni Spangler & illustrated by Chris Mould
Wolfstongue is a story of connection – connection to the earth, to animals, to yourself. Silas likes being by himself. A stammer and the bullies who torment him force him to keep to himself, to keep quiet and face the world alone. But when he finds an injured wolf on the cycle path, he becomes… Continue reading Wolfstongue by Sam Thompson & illustrated by Anna Tromop
The House of Serendipity: Sequins and Secrets is a charming story with a unique and refreshing voice. Two young girls from very different backgrounds find they share a dream – to design and create the most beautiful clothing. In 1920s London, fashion is everything for the young girls of the debutante season. The right dress… Continue reading The House of Serendipity: Sequins & Secrets by Lucy Ivison
Young Jane Austen is back with another mystery full of determination to right the injustices of the world. It’s 1789. Jane and her older sister, Cassandra, have been invited to return to their old school for a ball. All the excitement of an Austen novel leaps off the pages. There are dresses, jewels and dance… Continue reading Jane Austen Investigates: The Burglar’s Ball by Julia Golding
It’s May 1910 and Halley’s Comet has been spotted streaking across the sky. Everyone in England is on edge. Is it safe? Will gas from the tail poison them all? Twelve-year-old Nancy is fascinated with comet but worried about her mother and all the things she isn’t telling them. Then, one morning, she and her… Continue reading Mystery of the Night Watchers by A.M. Howell
Scope for Imagination 