Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Tigers in the Tower by Julia Golding

Lose yourself in the rich symbolism and powerful messages of The Tigers in the Tower by Julia Golding. Sahira faces the jungle of Georgian London with no one but two majestic Indian tigers. Having lost her parents to fever on the treacherous sea voyage from Calcutta to London, Sahira must fend for herself and fight… Continue reading The Tigers in the Tower by Julia Golding

Activity Books, Book Review, Non-fiction Books

Find Tom in Time: Ming Dynasty China by Fatti Burke with The British Museum

Find Tom in Time is a series of fantastically fun non-fiction books with a twist! Page after page of puzzle-solving adventures make them incredibly appealing.  They will be snatched up by every child who spots them! With clear historical overviews and detailed facts on every page, they are so much more than just search and… Continue reading Find Tom in Time: Ming Dynasty China by Fatti Burke with The British Museum

Book Review, Early Reader

The Pharaoh’s Curse by Holly Webb & illustrated by Sarah Lodge

The Pharaoh’s Curse is the second book in the Museum Kittens series by Holly Webb. In this charming story, four little kittens love living in the museum and want to protect the special treasures housed there. One day a new item arrives in the Egyptian Gallery – a piece of papyrus from the Book of… Continue reading The Pharaoh’s Curse by Holly Webb & illustrated by Sarah Lodge

Book Review, Non-fiction Books

The Humans by Jonny Marx & illustrated by Charlie Davis

The Humans is the ultimate guide to ancient civilisations for children. Celebrating how amazing humans are, it showcases the diversity, creativity and ingenuity of civilisations over time. With a focus on accomplishments and the rise and fall of groups of people, it highlights the inventions, technologies, practices and traditions that made each unique. From the… Continue reading The Humans by Jonny Marx & illustrated by Charlie Davis

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher

The lilt of haunting music carried on the breeze; a soft, velvety laugh; a magical toy carousel turning in the night – The Velvet Fox is the spine-tingling sequel to Catherine Fisher’s brilliant story, The Clockwork Crow. Seren and Tomos have become firm friends in Plas-y-Fran since their first dangerous encounter with the magical Tylwyth… Continue reading The Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher

Book Review, Picture Books

Timothy Mean (and Lucy) and the Time Machine 2 by William A.E. Ford & illustrated by Marcelo Simonetti

Timothy Mean (and Lucy) and the Time Machine 2 is the wonderfully fun sequel to Timothy Mean and the Time Machine. This rhyming fantasy fiction story is full of adventure. Timothy will do anything to avoid playing with his sister and doing his chores so he jumps into his time machine to journey to incredible… Continue reading Timothy Mean (and Lucy) and the Time Machine 2 by William A.E. Ford & illustrated by Marcelo Simonetti

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Orphans of St Halibut’s by Sophie Wills & illustrated by David Tazzyman

The Orphans of St Halibut’s is a wonderfully dark, Dickensian comedy of errors with chapter after chapter of hilarious, twisted escapades. Eight-year-old Herc, big sister Tig and their friend, Stef (along with Pamela the goat) are the only orphans left at St Halibut’s Home for Waifs and Strays in the dreary town of Sad Sack.… Continue reading The Orphans of St Halibut’s by Sophie Wills & illustrated by David Tazzyman

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Time School We Will Honour Them by Nikki Young

Nadia, Jess, Tomma and Ash are back with another fascinating historical timeslip adventure in the Time School series. The four friends are in Year 7 in a Yorkshire mill town near Leeds when Nadia learns some sad news – her grandfather has passed away. She is asked to give a eulogy at his funeral and… Continue reading Time School We Will Honour Them by Nikki Young

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

After the War From Auschwitz to Ambleside by Tom Palmer

After the War is the book every teacher of the Holocaust needs. This carefully researched and accurate retelling of the horrors and hopes of the Second World War pulls readers in to the reality faced by three brave Polish Jewish boys who find themselves in the serene beauty of the Lake District in the days… Continue reading After the War From Auschwitz to Ambleside by Tom Palmer

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Longest Night of Charlie Noon by Christopher Edge

Once upon a time… or once upon a now… Time has so much meaning and sometimes none at all. When Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny become lost in the woods, their night of adventure and mystery gives time an entirely new meaning. This is a book of the unknown – of puzzles, codes, hints and ciphers.… Continue reading The Longest Night of Charlie Noon by Christopher Edge