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
When Erin and her mum move to a new flat, she worries about starting over – a new school, new friends, new challenges. Right at the heart of this new community, Erin discovers the Skipton House Community Centre bursting with music, fun and friendship. In between the creche, sports and the food bank, there is… Continue reading The Cooking Club Detectives by Ewa Jozefkowicz
Emmy Levels Up by Helen Harvey & Amber Under Cover by Em Norry are exciting new middle grade novels from Oxford University Press. Both of these brilliant stories feature girls who are fantastic at games. Emmy is a talented video gamer while Amber excels at escape rooms. When real life becomes too difficult, these clever… Continue reading More Than a Game – Emmy Levels Up & Amber Under Cover
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 Evernight has been defeated and the sun has returned, thanks to Larabelle Fox and her friends Joe and Double Eight. White Witches have their souls back and Mrs Hester is no more. It should be a time of celebration and relief. But a new threat is emerging from the mists of the Veil, the… Continue reading Feast of the Evernight ~ Q&A with Ross Mackenzie & Blog Tour
Lisa Thompson has created another empathy-fuelled story that will captivate and inspire readers. Anna feels different from her friends at school. Her family doesn’t have the money for lots of extra-curricular activities and life seems boring. When a new student joins their class, Anna is thrilled to be asked to be her buddy. But Ellie… Continue reading The Small Things by Lisa Thompson
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
Multi-award-winning author Tom Palmer returns with a thrilling naval adventure inspired by the incredible history of the Second World War Arctic convoys.Winter 1942. Teenagers Francis, Joseph and Stephen are Royal Navy recruits on their first mission at sea during the Second World War. Their ship is part of an Arctic convoy sailing to Russia to… Continue reading Arctic Star ~ Q&A with Tom Palmer
The Incredible Record Smashers is the second hilarious and heart-warming adventure from Jenny Pearson, author and primary school teacher, & illustrated by Erica Salcedo. Jenny's debut, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, was a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and is a 2021 Read for… Continue reading Jenny Pearson – The Incredible Record Smashers – Guest Post
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
Scope for Imagination 