The Valley of Lost Secrets is an evacuee story that focuses on the most important aspect of that endeavour – the day to day lives of the children who were sent from their homes to places so very different from what they knew. Twelve-year-old Jimmy and his six-year-old brother, Ronnie, are evacuated to a village… Continue reading The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr
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… Continue reading An Escape in Time; A Chase in Time & A Christmas in Time (series) by Sally Nicholls & illustrated by Isabelle Follath and Rachael Dean
It’s 1835 and cabin boy Syms Covington is travelling with Charles Darwin to the Galapagos Islands. As they study so many incredible creatures, they have no idea what discoveries Syms will make when he goes overboard in a storm trying to save Mr. Darwin and ends up all alone on an unexplored island. Readers are… Continue reading Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin
Circus Maximus: Race to the Death is a powerful story of strength, daring and truth. Set on the sporting stage of Ancient Rome, Dido dreams of becoming the first girl to race chariots in the grand stadium of the Circus Maximus where the best horses and charioteers compete. Having lost her mother at a young… Continue reading Circus Maximus: Race to the Death by Annelise Gray
Windrush Child is a story about what it means to be British and the protection of human rights. Written with compassion, insight and purpose, it delves deep into the realities faced by so many families who were a part of the Windrush generation. Leonard is a small child in 1950’s Jamaica. His parents are very… Continue reading Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah
The Abbey Mystery is a perfect mix of classic Austen style and a Nancy Drew mystery. As a huge fan of both, I was thoroughly charmed from the very first page, laughing to myself at Julia Golding’s earnest girl detective and clever turn of phrase. It’s 1789 and thirteen year old Jane Austen is the… Continue reading Jane Austen Investigates: The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding – Blog Tour
I'm delighted to have been asked by True Education Partnerships to write an article about books to commemorate Remembrance Day. There are so many wonderful stories to choose from. Please visit the True Education Partnerships website to read the article: https://www.trueeducationpartnerships.com/schools/stories-to-mark-remembrance-day-schools/ Click on the covers below to find out more or purchase on-line from Amazon.… Continue reading Stories for Remembrance
Splinters of Scarlet is a gripping historical adventure with a fascinating thread of fantasy and magic woven into the tale. Life in Denmark in the mid-1800s is hard, especially for orphans Marit and Eve who have no one to care for them. Too old to stay at the orphanage, Marit struggles with the deaths of… Continue reading Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy
The air is crisp, leaves are falling and nights are drawing in. Autumn is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. I'm really pleased to have written an article for True Education Partnerships with five fantastic books for Autumn! Follow the link to read the article: https://www.trueeducationpartnerships.com/schools/five-brilliant-books-for-autumn/ Click on the covers below… Continue reading Brilliant Books for Autumn
Daisy and the Unknown Warrior is a powerful and important story commemorating the centenary of the burial of Britain’s Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey in November 1920. Tony Bradman tells the story from the point of view of Daisy, an 11-year-old girl, who lost her father in the First World War. “Missing, presumed dead”, he… Continue reading Daisy and the Unknown Warrior by Tony Bradman & illustrated by Tania Rex
Scope for Imagination 