February 2022 - Lower Middle Grade It’s the Easter holidays and 9 year-old Joe is thrilled to be back at his Granny’s house with his cousins, Tom and Pip. They love spending time together, especially when their parents aren’t around (and there are biscuits on offer). One of their favourite things to do together, besides… Continue reading The Muddlemoor Mysteries: The Book Club Bank Heist by Ruth Quayle & illustrated by Marta Kissi
The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby takes readers right into the heart of codebreaking, spies and mystery at top-secret Bletchley Park during the second World War. Having visited Bletchley Park in 2019, being able to picture the mansion, cabins and even the back entrance for the motorcyclist couriers took me even deeper into the story.… Continue reading The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby
It is so wonderful to be back with Zaiba, Ali and Poppy in their next mystery! This modern-day Nancy Drew has everything it takes to be a great detective, using all of her observation skills, quick-thinking and powers of deduction that help her to see things other don’t. The Snow Leopard Detective Agency is heading… Continue reading Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret by Annabelle Sami
The Invasion of Crooked Oak is probably the book I share with children most often when covering classes in Key Stage Two. It is exciting, easy to read aloud and short enough to complete in a day or two. Children love to be scared and relish the edge-of-their-seat intensity as Pete, Krish and Nancy face… Continue reading The Horror of Dunwick Farm by Dan Smith, illustrated by Chris King
February 2022 With high-speed, heart-pounding danger; high-tech, environmentally-friendly science; and MacGyver-style engineering, the fifth instalment of the Adventures on Trains series is everything we hoped for and more. We join Hal and his Uncle Nat on a three week adventure in Australia. Hal takes advantage of the stunning landscape to fill his sketchbook with every… Continue reading Sabotage on the Solar Express by MG Leonard & Sam Sedgman, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Since reading the first Violet Veil mystery back in early 2021, my daughter and I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel. It is just as fantastic as the first! With twists and turns, dark secrets and a brilliant cast of characters, it’s a super mystery to get caught up in. Violet is the daughter of… Continue reading The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Misfortune by Sophie Cleverly
Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by Jo Clarke is an absolute delight. Full of spark and intuition, it celebrates the fact that kids can do anything – including outsmarting the adults who think they’re more clever. This fast-paced mystery overflowing with clues took me back to my love of Nancy Drew mysteries as a child.… Continue reading Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by Jo Clarke
Rita Wong and the Jade Mask is a classic crime thriller with a twist. Full of funny, fantastical characters and a dark edge, children will love trying to solve the mystery along with Jade and her dragon friend, Lester Thyme. It’s an ordinary winter’s day when Rita unknowingly follows Lester from Morecambe into the strange… Continue reading Rita Wong and the Jade Mask by Mark Jones & illustrated by Seamus Jennings
Books from Barrington Stoke are so often my go-to recommendations for teachers and parents. First and foremost, they are fantastically engaging stories from some of the best, current authors in the UK. The quality of the writing is incredible and children are soon carried away in the adventures. What makes Barrington Stoke books really special… Continue reading Brilliant Books from Barrington Stoke – September 2021
Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month – September 2021 The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre is a wonderful romp through Paris with a charming bookish mystery. Dastardly villains who don’t care about anyone but themselves think they have a brilliant plan to ensure a terrible writer meets his looming deadlines. Bastien is determined to outsmart… Continue reading The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre by Clare Povey
Scope for Imagination 