The Colour of Revenge

For five years, Mortimer Folchart, the bookbinder, and his daughter, Meggie, have enjoyed living in peace with their family and friends, leaving past events behind them. However, Orpheus Gemelli is determined to wreak revenge on those he believes betrayed him. With the help of an artist, he traps them all in a grey book, making them disappear into ink and paper. But things do not go quite according to plan and Dustfinger, his stepson Jehan, and a young girl called Lilia must save them all.

Anyone who has read the ‘Inkheart’ trilogy knows what an incredibly complex, richly detailed and absorbing world filled with unforgettable characters Cornelia Funke created. ‘The Colour of Revenge’ takes readers back to the Inkworld - and it was such a joy to return.

For those who have not read the previous books, a summary is given at the beginning of the book along with a list of characters to help them orientate themselves. The summary is written by Orpheus, allowing the reader to understand his motivation and desire for revenge, cleverly setting the scene and instantly piquing interest. However, although this story can be read as a stand alone, I cannot believe anyone will be able to resist reading the others!

Cornelia Funke is a powerful writer, depicting all sides of human nature, and does not shy away from portraying darker emotions, violent deeds and their consequences. The dark power of words, the all encompassing destruction of the desire for revenge, the ease with which some slide form one evil deed to another is all here- and yet so is the power of love, the strength of the bonds of family and friendship, the colours of affection.

‘The Colour of Revenge’ is an absolutely compelling and engrossing read. Although pitched at 9+, I personally would recommend it to older children- those in Y6, 7 and above- to immerse themselves fully in this world and its characters.

Will there be another Inkheart book? I hope so. I thought there would be no possibility of a return after ‘Inkdeath’ and I was obviously very mistaken…so here’s hoping!

The Colour of Revenge

Cornelia Funke, translated by Anna Schmitt Funke

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1913696184

The Story Shop: Detective Dash

In Puddletown High Street, there is the most unusual shop- The Story Shop- which sells stories you can actually BE in. When shopkeeper, Wilbur and his assistant, Fred Ferret find a sleepy sloth in the shop, they decide the best kind of adventure for her is a mystery where she can play detective. With Fred to guide her, Suzy Sloth sets off to solve a puzzling mystery in a museum, locate a missing chef by the seaside and uncover the truth about the Demon Duck of Doom in Watery Bottom.

This is the fourth adventure in ‘The Story Shop’ series from Tracey Corderoy and Tony Neal, although each book can easily be read as a stand alone. Each of the books contains three adventures, presented in chapters which are achievable and offer a sense of satisfaction and encouragement for newly independent readers whilst the enjoyable plots are sure to keep the attention of older siblings should these stories be shared at home.

Humour in both illustrations and text make these stories very appealing. Fred Ferret has his work cut out trying to keep Suzie Sloth awake during their investigations, but together they manage to solve each case and escape back to the Story Shop where he can have a well deserved nap! Children will enjoy spotting the clues and trying to solve the mysteries alongside detectives, Suzy and Fred!

Tracey’s lively writing uses a rich vocabulary and the text is a pleasure to read aloud, offering plenty to discuss and enjoy. This series would make excellent class stories for children in KS1 as well as a very enjoyable bedtime book. Great fun!

The Story Shop Detective Dash!

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953337

You can read my review of ‘Blast Off!’ here, ‘Anchors Away!’ here and ‘Dino Danger!’ here.

Magic Ever After

Bea Black is still enjoying life in Little Spellshire. Things are much easier now her dad knows she is a witch-in-training and is happily in a relationship with Taffy Tallywick. But something’s up- her father seems obsessed with learning magic and Taffy is distracted by some Very Important Thinking which she has to do. Finally, Bea learns that they want to get married (there was kissing) which is wonderful, but means there is much to do…

Full of magical mishaps, strange situations and hilarious happenings, this is such an entertaining and engaging series! Bea is a delightful character, who is easy to identify with. Keen to do well, fit in and have fun, she makes mistakes and can be overly anxious about things, but is full of good heart and determination and is surrounded by good friends (and a loving dad!), meaning everything comes right in the end.

The story is presented in a diary format, highly illustrated and in easily read sections, offering a read which is both achievable and enjoyable and reassuringly familiar to those who have read the other books in the series. The focus of each shifts slightly, keeping the reader interested in Bea’s world and showing the importance of her home and school lives. In this story, more is learned about activities at school with a game of GO with Cats and the very entertaining Eggy Day where each egg delivers a truthbomb, but there is also plenty about her homelife as the wedding approaches and everything finally comes together for the perfect day.

A fabulous mix of magic and mischief, family and friendship, ‘Magic Ever After’ is a great addition to the series!

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Magic Ever After

Perdita and Honor Cargill, illustrated by Katie Saunders

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788956109

You can read my review of ‘Ghostly Getaway’ here.

Adventuremice: Mice on the Ice

Pedro is happily settled into his new life with the Adventuremice, protecting the Mouse Isles from harm. Having previously lived beneath the floorboards of Hilltop House, he has never seen snow before and is very excited about learning how to skate and build snowmice- and about the Frost Fair which happens on Midwinter’s Day. But this year, there is so much ice that they have a serious problem on their paws. Some mice from the Frost Fair Organising Committee are stranded on the mainland where they have been gathering all the tasty treats for the Fair. It’s up to the Adventuremice to save the day!

There is so much to love about the Adventuremice books! Lavishly illustrated, these charming stories are perfectly pitched to engage and entertain young readers who are setting out independently as well making excellent read alouds to share again and again.

Each character is full of personality and children quickly identify their favourite - and perhaps see their own personality traits reflected in them. Pedro sometimes lacks confidence, but his big heart and enthusiasm make him an excellent member of the team. Fledermaus can be impulsive, but is brave and daring. Ivy is so creative, with her brilliant inventions helping the team with their rescues. These well developed characters are perfect for inspiring children to create their own stories about the team- and the ‘How to Draw’ guidance (it’s Ivy at the end of ‘Mice on the Ice’) is sure to inspire them to illustrate their stories as well. Drawing the characters becomes quite addictive as the careful, step-by-step instructions result in very successful pictures- and that success builds confidence!

In this adventure, there is just the right amount of peril, plenty of humour and a very happy ending, all perfect ingredients for a satisfying story. The next adventure is to be ‘Mice on the Moon’ and I am sure that there will be many readers waiting impatiently for this to appear!

Adventuremice: Mice on the Ice

Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

David Fickling ISBN: 978-1788452694

You can read my review of ‘Adventuremice: Otter Chaos’ here.

A Storm of Sisters

When cousin Clarissa needs looking after, the Widdershins sisters and their Granny set off for the Wilderness to look after her. The girls are excited to find that there is not room for them all to stay ta cousin Clarissa’s house and they will be staying at Echo Hall-without Granny. With the mysterious legend of a highwayman, a winter market to explore and the possibility of masked ball to attend, there is much to enjoy, but the town has an eerie past and the girls find themselves caught up in the ghostly happenings at the Hall.

I have loved each of the books about the Widdershins sisters, but I think this is the best yet! Betty, keen to travel and adventurous as ever, is enthralled by the legend of the highwayman surrounding Echo Hall and delighted to find an unsolved mystery in the very place they are staying. Fliss is more concerned with the prospect of a masked ball, having her fortune told and perhaps falling in love whereas Charlie remains as Charlie-like as ever! Together, they make a formidable team, but all their determination and love for family might not be enough to keep them safe in the face of ghosts and devious goings on.

Wintery Wilderness is the perfect backdrop to this story. Atmospheric descriptions help build tension as eerie events develop and the girls find themselves entwined in the mystery of the highwayman. As ever, evocative place names are carefully chosen to enhance the atmosphere.    

Gripping from the outset, ‘A Storm of Sisters’ is an excellent, absorbing read, full of mystery and magic. Just brilliant!

A Storm of Sisters Michelle Harrison

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1471197659

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Suit Up. Step Up. It’s Time to Become a Hero!

Marvin loves reading about superheroes, but is stunned when his grandad passes on his superhero suit and robot sidekick, telling Marvin the suit is powered by kindness and imagination- two things Marvin has plenty of!

When the school Science Fair is thrown into chaos by a Mastermind supervillain and her giant robot, Marvin must suit up and step up to become the hero of the hour.

‘Marv and the Mega Robot’ is a very engaging and accessible read with plenty of action! Marv doesn’t believe he has what it takes to be a superhero, but as his Grandad says, ‘The sky’s the limit when you just believe in yourself.’ The relationship between them is delightful- warm and supportive- just what Marv needs to build his confidence.

A sweet, good natured boy, Marv is a true friend, making a dream team with his best friend, Joe, as they work together on their science project. As a superhero, Marv is marv-elous and Pixel makes the perfect side kick!

The second book, ‘Marv and the Dino Attack’ is every bit as appealing and engaging as the first. Highly illustrated by the excellent Paula Bowles, they are sure to appeal to those children who enjoying sharing a story with their parents and/or are independent readers, no doubt inspiring them to create their own superhero/ villain figures - perhaps based on themselves! I can see them creating their own ‘Top Trump’ style cards like those shown at the back of these books and using them to play games. The books would work well as guided reading texts, offering much to discuss and enjoy as well as a rich vocabulary to explore. They have a fabulous message at heart about kindness and imagination being what makes a true superhero…something we all need to realise! Brilliant stuff!

I hope there are many more in this series to come!

Marv and the Mega Robot

Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles

OUP ISBN: 978-0192780423

Marv and the Dino Attack

Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles

OUP ISBN: 978-0192780447

Christie and Agatha’s Detective Agency: Of Mountains and Motors

Twin sisters and detectives, Christie and Agatha, are delighted when they head off to Scotland to witness Mr Alexander Jr’s daring attempt to drive to the summit of Ben Nevis. However, not everyone is so thrilled by the prospect and it soon becomes clear that someone is trying to sabotage the expedition. Can the girls solve the mystery and save the day?

The second book in this series, ‘Of Mountains and Motors’ mixes historical detail and an entertaining story with some super sleuthing to create a fun, accessible read. Perfect for using as a guided reading text , there is much to enjoy in this slender volume.

Although twins, Christie and Agatha have very different personalities. Whilst Agatha enjoys reading and has dreams of becoming an author, her sister, Christie loves to climb trees and has a great interest in engineering. They make a lively combination, both bringing skills to the process of detection.

The stories full of references to the great Agatha Christie. From the children’s names to the fact they live in Torquay, location of Christie’s childhood home. I love the character of Auguste- Belgian and fastidious, he embodies Poirot and even makes mention of the ‘little grey cells’! It may well lead children to the world of Christie and her novels!

As well as offering an appealing mystery to solve, the story includes real people and real events. Arthur Conan Doyle makes an appearance and the attempt by Mr Alexander Jr to drive a Model T Ford to the top of Ben Nevis really happened. A note about these things is included at the back of the book, offering a starting point for those who would like to discover more!

Illustrated throughout by Roberta Tedeschi, ‘Of Mountains and Motors’ is an appealing and enjoyable story, perfect for newly independent readers! Can’t wait to read their next adventure.

Christie and Agatha’s Detective Agency:

Of Mountains and Motors

Pip Murphy, illustrated by Roberta Tedeschi

Sweet Cherry ISBN: 978-1782268154

Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret

Zaiba and the other members of the UK branch of the Snow Leopard Detective Agency have joined the school History Club. When they learn there is to be an outing to Chisel Bay to see a shipwreck and a priceless artefact recovered from the wreckage. But, when the artefact goes missing, Zaiba’s investigative skills take over and she and her team are quickly on the case…

This is a fabulous series! Zaiba is everything you could want from a young detective- bright, methodical and determined, she closely observes the world around her as she makes her deductions. Through her relationships with others, the reader also knows her to be kind and loving. Although she and cousin Mariam have not always been close, Zaiba is prepared to build bridges and welcome her as a valuable member of the Snow Leopard team. Part of a very warm, loving and supportive family, each of whom plays a role in the stories, Zaiba still feels a close bond to her own mother, constantly consulting the annotated copies of the ‘Eden Lockett’ mysteries she inherited from her mother. Although this book is the fourth in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone as Annabelle Sami does an excellent job of filling in the details as this story builds.

Through the children’s investigations and the History Club’s visit, the reader learns much about smugglers and the East India Trading Company. The story also raises questions about the rightful ownership of historical artefacts, challenging children to think whilst still enjoying the story. An additional note on this subject at the end of the story encourages readers to develop the historical skills of questioning sources and looking at a range of accounts and evidence.

This pacy adventure is an excellent read with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Daniela Sosa’s illustrations add much to the enjoyment of this fresh mystery series. These stories would make brilliant read alouds for a class of budding sleuths and also engaging guided readers.

Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret

Annabelle Sami, illustrated by Daniela Sosa

Make sure you read the other adventures in this series. My review of ‘The Missing Diamonds’ can be found in the ‘Reviews from Another Life’ section.

Sabotage on the Solar Express

Hal and his Uncle Nat are on an adventure down under as billionaire August Reza has invited them on the first trip aboard the Solar Express, winner of the Reza’s Rocket competition. Although excited about the trip, Hal is not too enthusiastic at being reunited with Marianne, August’s daughter; however, she is convinced that something is amiss and seeks Hal’s help with investigating. Shortly after departure, they discover the train has been sabotaged and is hurtling across the outback, out of control. Can Hal and his friends stop the train and expose the saboteur before it’s too late?

I love this series so much! Always full of action, each book is fast paced and absorbing from the off and Solar Express is no exception.

As with Hal’s previous adventures, the setting for his train journey is vividly brought to life. Here, the sights of the Australian outback form the backdrop to their adventure with attention and respect being given to sites sacred to the indigenous peoples. Uncle Nat might quote the guide book entry about Uluru, but Aboriginal beliefs about human relationships with the earth and the respect it should be given are simply, but clearly explained within the framework of the story. The damage being done to the land through mining is also explored and the invention of the Solar Express has come from young Boaz’s (the fourteen year old inventor of the train) desire to use greener ways of powering trains. (There’s even a ‘science bit’ at the end of the book for those who want to know more!)

It is always a joy to read a story which is not only a cracking adventure, but is also full of ‘naturally occurring educational snippets’! Sounds awful, I know, but it’s meant as a great compliment! Whilst reading this adventure, children (and adults) find out (amongst other things) that for children in the outback, remote education is completely normal; that flying doctors take medical care to those in need; that camels were used to help build the Australian railways as well as environmental and scientific facts, allowing the reader to absorb additional knowledge with no effort at all! This adds such richness and colour to a story, making it all the more worth reading.

One of the greatest strengths of this series is the relationship between Hal and his uncle. Built on mutual respect and affection, the two make perfect travelling and crime busting companions. Elisa Paganelli’s wonderful depictions of Hal’s notebook are also a brilliant way of allowing the reader to ‘see’ what Hal has noticed, leading to the solution of the mystery.

Keeping you guessing until the very end, the story is absorbing with many nail biting moments. ‘Solar Express’ would make an excellent read aloud - sure to keep a class hanging on your every word- without needing to have read the previous books. It would also make a brilliant guided reading text, offering plenty to discuss and explore along the way.

‘Sabotage on the Solar Express’ is out in February- and I am already looking forward to ‘The Arctic Railway Assassin’ which is due in October! I’d like to put in a request for an adventure through the Rocky Mountains, a rail trip I took some years ago and loved!

Sabotage on the Solar Express M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman

illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529072655

Wolfbane

When I first read ‘Wolf Brother’, it had just been published and I was lucky enough to find a signed, hardback copy on a table at my local Waterstones. Instantly captivated, I knew then that I had found a treasure to share both with my own son and with the children I teach. Twenty odd years later, it is still a book I reach for when I want to inspire a class and it is still works its magic every time!

I was absolutely thrilled when I heard Michelle Paver speak at Hay a couple of years ago and she explained that she was writing another three books about Wolf, Torak and Renn. The first two of these, ‘Viper’s Daughter’ and ‘Skin Taker’ lived up to my every expectation, transporting me back to Torak’s world as if I had never left. The arrival of ‘Wolfbane’ filled me with equal measures of excitement about discovering what happens and sadness in the knowledge that this is their final story.

With this in mind, it is essential that nothing is given away here about the dramatic conclusion to this much-loved series. The writing is as effortlessly beautiful as ever, with vivid descriptions and compelling characters. Michelle immerses the reader in the period, drawing on her meticulous research and personal experiences to create the richly detailed world of the Stone Age.

Although this adventure could be enjoyed as a stand alone, it is best read as part of the series as all the threads gather together to the final conclusion. So much has happened to Torak and Wolf since their first meeting and their bond remains as strong as ever so when Wolf is swept far from the Forest he loves on breaking ice, Torak will do anything to follow his pack brother and save Wolf from the demon stalking him. Full of suspense and action, Torak and Renn must use all their knowledge and skill and draw on bonds of friendship and loyalty for the final confrontation. No lover of the ‘Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’ is going to want to miss this!

Wolfbane Michelle Paver

Zephyr ISBN: 978- 1789542448

Coming April 2022