Article, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Reading

Our Brightstorm Journey

There is no doubt the Brightstorm trilogy by Vashti Hardy is incredibly important to our family. Following the adventures of boy/girl twins, Arthur & Maudie, they have given our own twins, Tom & Lucy, the opportunity to follow a positive, loving twin relationship that is so like their own. We first met Vashti Hardy when… Continue reading Our Brightstorm Journey

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Victoria Stitch. Bad and Glittering by Harriet Muncaster

Victoria Stitch. Bad and Glittering has all the ingredients young readers adore – magic, friends, crystals, beautiful colours, flittering wings and betrayal! The gothic feel makes it perfect for dark Autumn nights. With a lengthy, detailed story as well as engaging illustrations and fun characters, it’s a great first step into Middle Grade level. In… Continue reading Victoria Stitch. Bad and Glittering by Harriet Muncaster

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

School for Nobodies by Susie Bower

School for Nobodies is one of those books that forces you to stop and think once you’ve finished reading it. There are so many layers of meaning and symbolism that come together in the final scenes bringing the story to an intense and powerful conclusion. Flynn is adopted. Her “parents” refuse to talk about her… Continue reading School for Nobodies by Susie Bower

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Scarlet & Ivy by Sophie Cleverly

My twelve-year-old daughter is currently completely immersed in the Scarlet & Ivy series by Sophie Cleverly. Recommended by a like-minded friend, she is thoroughly enjoying these stories and is reading faster than she ever has before - she can't get enough! Recently, someone asked if I had a review of the series. I didn't so… Continue reading Scarlet & Ivy by Sophie Cleverly

Article, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Twins

Darkwhispers: Into the Unknown

Darkwhispers is Vashti Hardy’s second book about Arthur and Maudie Brightstorm – twins who live a life of exploration and adventure. Following on from their expedition to South Polaris to find out the truth about their father’s disappearance in Brightstorm (published by Scholastic in 2018), Arthur and Maudie set off on another journey with their… Continue reading Darkwhispers: Into the Unknown

Article, Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Twins

Brightstorm and the Power of Boy/Girl Twins

Brightstorm written by Vashti Hardy and published by Scholastic is a part of the resurgence of high quality middle-grade (age 8-12) literature in the United Kingdom in recent years. Children, parents, teachers, all lovers of timeless stories are absolutely spoilt for choice when looking for their next great read. It is the story of twelve-year-old… Continue reading Brightstorm and the Power of Boy/Girl Twins