The Thursday Murder Club meets Adventures on Trains in this absolutely brilliant new middle grade mystery series from author Emma Swan and illustrator Katie Saunders. I first spotted Cruise Ship Kid on the Usborne New Books Showcase a few weeks ago. I was completely charmed by both the premise of the story and by the… Continue reading Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea by Emma Swan & illustrated by Katie Saunders
Fast-paced, witty, and utterly captivating, Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is a standout new middle-grade mystery with a unique setting and overflowing with charm. A clever twist on the "femme fatale" archetype, Clem is smart and tough. It's 1951 and she's London's youngest crook. With a notorious jewel thief for a father, she’s an expert… Continue reading Clem Fatale has been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki Morris
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
Swop is back in his second epic adventure! This absolutely adorable, teeny tiny pup will leap into your heart as he helps his owner Ernie solve a huge mystery! Ernie is really looking forward to his school trip to the Natural History Museum. It was always his favourite place to visit with his dad before… Continue reading Swop: The Daring Dinosaur Detective by Lucy Noguera & illustrated by James Cottell
The Forbidden Atlas is the thrilling sequel to Sam Sedgman's The Clockwork Conspiracy - one of my favourite books published in 2024. Readers are transported to the intrigue and beauty of Paris as they race with Isaac, Hattie and Leon through dark streets and even darker catacombs in search of the key to an incredible… Continue reading The Forbidden Atlas by Sam Sedgman
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
Jenny Pearson's stories are always an absolute delight with true-to-life characters dealing with issues in unique, laugh-out-loud ways. This Christmas break has brought two new books from Barrington Stoke and Usborne that are a joy to read and perfect for children of all ages. Bigfoot and the Wild Boys (Barrington Stoke) - January 2025 Joe… Continue reading Brilliant Books by Jenny Pearson (Bigfoot and the Wild Boys & The Race Against Crime)
The Birthday Cake Thief is the first in a delightful new Little Gems series for young readers age 5+. Absolutely iconic Vashti Hardy, this vibrant story is a fabulous combination of STEM, action-packed adventure, engaging mystery and family connection. A bionic unicorn and a cog bunny named Gearlop join Hana and her new friend, detective… Continue reading The Moonlight Mystery Agency: The Birthday Cake Thief by Vashti Hardy
The Great Fox Revealed by Justyn Edwards is the thrilling and highly-anticipated conclusion to The Great Fox Illusion series. With its captivating mix of mystery, magic, and adventure, this third instalment brings readers back into the suspenseful world of young Flick Lions, a resilient and determined heroine who has won over readers with her intelligence… Continue reading The Great Fox Revealed by Justyn Edwards
The Travelling School Mysteries is one of the best mystery series for middle grade readers. Overflowing with clues, suspects and plenty of red herrings, children are able to immerse themselves in the genre and attempt to solve the mystery right along with the characters. Libby is a delight - brave, determined and such a good… Continue reading Libby and the Egyptian Escapade by Jo Clarke
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