Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Day My Brother Got Famous by Jen Carney

The Day my Brother Got Famous is an absolutely lovely story of inclusion and family. The third in Jen Carney's 'The Day My _______ Got Famous' series, it brings readers right back into the heart of Ferris's family. Exploring themes of fostering, SEND and acceptance in diversity, it provides wonderful role models for how to… Continue reading The Day My Brother Got Famous by Jen Carney

Blog Tour, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Anya and the Light Above the Ocean by Amelia Giudici ~ Blog Tour

Exploring time travel, parallel universes and questions of identity, Amelia Giudici has created a completely unique adventure mystery with a metaphysical twist. Anya and the Light Above the Ocean challenges readers to think about what makes us human. Is it emotion, biology, memories, experiences or something else entirely? Through this story of questions and a… Continue reading Anya and the Light Above the Ocean by Amelia Giudici ~ Blog Tour

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Advice from a 12-year-old Nobody by Helen Rutter

Helen Rutter is back with her incredible talent for sensitively portraying very real adolescent dilemmas with humour and heart. Vinny's mum is a viral sensation with her blog "Ask Amanda Anything". With over one million followers on Instagram, she looks like she has everything all figured out but Vinny knows it isn't real. She portrays… Continue reading Advice from a 12-year-old Nobody by Helen Rutter

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away by Sophie Anderson & illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Seven years ago, I discovered the beauty and wonder of The House with Chicken Legs as a part of the outstanding collection of stories shortlisted for the 2019 Leeds Book Awards. It was this group of books and authors that inspired me to begin exploring the depths of children literature in the UK and start… Continue reading The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away by Sophie Anderson & illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Book Review, Interview, Middle Grade Fiction

A Girl’s Guide to Spying by Holly Webb – Author Interview

1. A Girl’s Guide to Spying gives such a unique perspective on the First World War. Why did you decide to focus on Girlguiding? A few years ago I was given a fabulous book called How the Girl Guides won the war, by Janie Hampton. It has a tiny mention – about half a page!… Continue reading A Girl’s Guide to Spying by Holly Webb – Author Interview

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Riley Wright is Always Wrong by Mel Taylor-Bessent & illustrated by Sr. Sanchez

Riley Wright is Always Wrong is the first in a hugely engaging diary series for age 7+. Authentic and completely charming, Riley is a true child of 2026. Set in an accurately hilarious representation of UK primary schools - with varied teacher personalities, BFFs and enemies - readers will feel right at home. This is… Continue reading Riley Wright is Always Wrong by Mel Taylor-Bessent & illustrated by Sr. Sanchez

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Clem Fatale has been Upstaged by Eve Wersocki-Morris & illustrated by Honie Beam

Smart and tough, 12-year-old Clem Fatale is the youngest gangster in 1951 London. With her best friend Gilbert, Clem uses everything she's learned from her jewel thief father and his gang to stop criminals in their tracks and solve even the most complex cases. In the second book in this delightful series, Clem and Gilbert… Continue reading Clem Fatale has been Upstaged by Eve Wersocki-Morris & illustrated by Honie Beam

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Boy vs Reality by James Fox

With a clear, authentic voice, Boy vs Reality takes a critical look at online fame vs everyday family life. Author James Fox encourages readers to consider the truth of what they're seeing online, underlying messages, potential bias and the real person behind the lens. Questions about children's consent, celebrity families and the role social media… Continue reading Boy vs Reality by James Fox

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Impossible Gladiator by M.G. Leonard & illustrated by Manuel Sumberac 

The Impossible Gladiator is the third thrilling adventure in the fantastic Time Keys series by M.G. Leonard. Blurring the lines of what's possible, this incredible time travelling series will have readers listening out for doors to the past, hoping they, themselves, might be a time key. Merging music and mystery with unique characters who show… Continue reading The Impossible Gladiator by M.G. Leonard & illustrated by Manuel Sumberac 

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When the World Ends by Joanna Nadin

February 2026 When the World Ends is a stunningly extraordinary environmental middle grade novel. Exploring a dystopian view of the world after a fictional second pandemic and the war that followed it, author Joanna Nadin challenges readers with a blunt and incredibly powerful view of what the world might be like when Mother Nature fights… Continue reading When the World Ends by Joanna Nadin