May 2025 Shrapnel Boys is Jenny Pearson's first historical novel. Led by authentic characters with her trademark spark, this is a funny, heartwarming story with an additional layer of dilemma and emotional depth. It will challenge readers to think about everyone's role in the Second World War and how it affected ordinary people in extraordinary… Continue reading Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson
The Dawn of Adonis is the prequel to one of the most incredible children's books of the past five years - When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle. Readers are transported to the East End of London in 1911 when a baby gorilla is secreted through the docks in an attempt to save its life… Continue reading The Dawn of Adonis by Phil Earle
What could be more perfect for a chilly half-term holiday than a spine-tingling, brain-teasing mystery? Cuddle up with one of these gripping middle grade who-dunnits! School for Fireflies by Erica Gomez (Knights Of) A magical school for extraordinary children, a long-lost diary, a family secret and a decades-old mystery: School for Fireflies has all the… Continue reading Marvellous Middle Grade Mysteries
The first two Bletchley Park Mysteries have been some of my favourite books in recent years. Full of action, mystery and dedication to what is right, they follow a group of children based at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. Uncertain of what their futures hold, they do all they can to support the… Continue reading Wink, Murder: A Bletchley Park Mystery by Rhian Tracey
The Great Theatre Rescue is a wonderful story of embracing our passions, standing up for what we believe in and finding out exactly where we call 'home'. It's pre-war 1930's London. Charley loves spending all her time at The Wren Theatre with her dad and the other performers. Every night, she's spellbound by the The… Continue reading The Great Theatre Rescue by Judith Eagle
The Diary of Anne Frank is a book I'll always remember reading for the first time. Anne's voice poured off the page and she felt like a friend. Her heartbreaking journey has stayed with me for nearly forty years. Anne Frank is an incredibly well-known heroine and role model. Ask anyone to name a holocaust… Continue reading When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman
The Time Travellers series by Sufiya Ahmed continues to take an honest look at history, celebrating the people and cultures who have been ignored in the Western perspective. Readers are encouraged to think about what empire and trade actually meant for those whose lands were being invaded and the lasting impact of this exploitation. In… Continue reading Time Travellers: Secrets and Spies by Sufiya Ahmed
Every December, it's such a joy to take time to look back over all the books I've been privileged to read and review on Scope for Imagination. I’d like to share my favourite books of this year - ones that have challenged me, empowered me, made me laugh, and even made me cry. There have… Continue reading My Favourite Books of 2024
Hunt for the Golden Scarab is the first in a new, intriguing time travel series by master of mystery, M.G. Leonard. Intense from the very first page, readers are pulled into a high-stakes world of music, magic and quests for artefacts that can change the world. Sim and his mum have never lived anywhere for… Continue reading Hunt for the Golden Scarab by M.G. Leonard
Birdie is a beautiful story of family and belonging. Set in 1952 Yorkshire, readers are challenged to face up to ignorance and prejudice. Birdie shows us that courage is more important than fitting in and home is where you find love and acceptance. Young Birdie Bagshaw is the daughter of a Yorkshire mother and a… Continue reading Birdie by J.P. Rose ~ Blog Tour
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