Mondays are Murder

After the death of her friend, Ivy, Kay thought she had left Longrove for good. However, when her parents go on a cruse to celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary, she finds herself sent back there, ‘dumped’ on her Uncle Dara and her cousin, Nikki. Just as she thinks things can’t get any worse, she finds a letter on her bed, a letter telling her that there will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday - and her murder on Monday.

From the first page, ‘Mondays are Murder’ is a gripping read, full of red herrings and twists which all build to a very satisfying conclusion.

As well as the death of Ivy, Longrove is also full of memories of her Aunt Sandra, Nikki’s mother, idolised by Kay for her ability to solve puzzles and the work she used to do as a detective. Whilst looking through some of her things, Kay and Nikki discover a notebook which suggests that Aunt Sandra was conducting her own investigation into Ivy’s death, adding another layer of intrigue and mystery to the story, intertwining with the girls’ determination to discover the identity of Monday and prevent Kay’s predicted murder.

Flashbacks to past events are interspersed through the action, affording readers a glimpse of the events which led to Ivy’s death and offering clues and misdirection along the way. The plot is skilfully constructed, combining murder mystery with thriller whilst exploring family dynamics, relationships and grief. Dark in places, the combination of compelling action, appealing characters and an atmospheric setting make this a compulsive read!

Mondays are Murder

Ravena Guron

Usborne ISBN: 978-1805075707

Witchspark

Eglantine lives in a magical house called Huswyvern, one of just three sentient houses in the land. But she needs to find her Witchspark to maintain its magic and as her family and home are threatened by the machinations of her uncle and the evil Whistlewitch, Eglantine turns to Miss Hegotty’s Course for Aspiring and Ungovernable Witches for help, an illegal correspondence course.

Meanwhile, in Kensington Palace, Princess Victoria is desperately trying to hide her Witchspark as not only is magic forbidden within the palace walls, but royals are not allowed to be magical. Like Eglantine, she turns to Miss Hegotty for help…

Anyone who has read the ‘Starfell’ series knows that Dominique Valente has a real talent for creating engaging, endearing characters. No one who has read those stories will be able to forget the very loveable Willow Moss and in ‘Witchspark’, Dominique has worked her magic again with the very different, but equally loveable Eglantine Bury.

Eglantine knows she must bond with Huswyvern for it to survive. Furious at a change in the law which means that the house passes to the eldest child, not the eldest son, her Uncle Lichen will go to any lengths to take possession of the house. That she is a girl, that she is different (she had been born with one arm ending just past her elbow), that she has, as yet, no magic, all seem to him to be good reasons for her not to inherit the house. His prejudices underline the key messages about believing in yourself and standing up to intolerance which sing through this story.

Princess Victoria’s stifling experiences at the Palace echo those of the real Princess Victoria who later became Queen. The ‘Kensington System’ was a set of elaborate and very strict rules created by her mother and Sir Conroy to keep her under their control. Readers feel a great empathy for the princess as she not only struggles to maintain her identity under this control, but is also forced to try and hide her growing magic. Her friendship with stable-boy, Eoin Murphy, and the wonderfully named rat, Lord Byron, is all the more delightful for being absolutely the last thing they would have allowed!

There is so much to love about this story and it would make an excellent class story or guided reading text with plenty to discuss and enjoy. The magical world created here is beautifully constructed, so imaginative and appealing, that readers find themselves instantly captivated and immersed in Eglantine and Victoria’s story. Thank goodness this is the first in a series- but how am I going to wait for the next one?!

Witchspark

Dominique Valente, illustrated by Eleonora Asparuhova

Usborne ISBN: 978-1805314998

You can read my review of ‘Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief’ here.

The Beanstalk Murder

When a dead giant falls from the sky and crushes her village, Old Stump, trainee meadow-witch Anwen’s bad day suddenly becomes much worse. On examination, the body of the giant leads Anwen and her grandmother, Eira Sedge, to suspect he has been murdered. Anwen and a trainee sorceress, Cerys, take a message to the land above, via a beanstalk, where they find themselves tiny in a land of giants and determined to solve the crime!

‘The Beanstalk Murder’ is a fantastic read, combining a classic murder mystery with hints of a fairy tale favourite! Engaging characters and a twisty plot keep the reader guessing to the very end!

The relationship between Anwen and Cerys adds much to the story. Initially enemies, when the two girls find themselves thrown together in a land so completely alien to their own, they are forced into an uneasy truce. Cerys has been accepted at the Academy of High Magic whereas Anwen believes Cerys sabotaged her entrance exam. The two are at loggerheads with Cerys referring to Anwen, a Meadow Witch, as ‘ditch witch’ and Anwen causing a seagull to follow Cerys around and poo on her! As the girls spend time together, each learns more about the other, discovering the importance of looking beyond first impressions and working as a team. Anwen is impulsive and instinctive with a warm heart and insatiable curiosity and her skills as a Meadow Witch play a big part in solving the mystery, leading her to value what she has and what she is rather than envying Cerys.

The murder is so well constructed with clues and red-herrings skilfully threaded through the story, encouraging the reader to don their deerstalker alongside the girls to uncover those responsible. Their size in a giant world both helps and hinders their investigation, but nothing deters them in their quest. Although the giants of the Sky Kingdom and the humans below are alienated, the two sides develop a new understanding, seeing past their differences.

I really hope there will be more adventures set in this wonderful world!

The Beanstalk Murder

P G Bell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1805312536

Published 1st August 2024

You can read my review of ‘The Train to Impossible Places’ here, ‘The Great Brain Robbery’ here and ‘Delivery to the Lost City’ here.

You Could Be So Pretty

Beauty comes at a price. And girls must pay.

Belle Gentle follows the rules of The Doctrine to the letter and is so close to ‘Having It All’. The Doctrine helps girls navigate the world now the Bad Times are over by offering guidelines for how to behave. She’s the prettiest Pretty in school, A Chosen One in her spare time, and she’s about to win The Ceremony, making her family proud.

Joni Miller is an Objectionable. Although she is despised by others for rejecting the Doctrine, this is her Choice. She is determined to win the Scholarship into the Education so she can change things- but her biggest rival is perfect Belle.

Being far older than the target audience for this book, I found it deeply disturbing and sad- and yet, as I closed it, I was filled with the hope that for those reading it, it will provoke thought and discussions. The story offers a blistering look at a dystopian ‘future’ where the expectations on girls to be effortlessly perfect, whilst bearing all the responsibility for the reactions which they might ‘incite’ from men, are overwhelming. This is a society where violence against women is normalised, with degrading, dehumanising Smut (pornography) a part of every day life and where any girl who doesn’t find this arousing, fun and healthy is a Frigid. And yet, much of this sounds chillingly familiar, reflecting the everyday realities faced by many girls today.

And this is where Holly Bourne skilfully turns this into more than just another dystopian tale. The society she portrays in intensely suffocating with something on almost every page which causes the reader to feel both intensely uncomfortable and furious…and provoke reflection. Women are told that they have won equality, that they have choice, but ‘choice means nothing if you feel you have no other option than to choose what everyone chooses…if there are significant consequences for not following the established path.’ Powerful stuff.

The other strength of this story is in the characterisation. Joni and Belle are girls you come to care about. The novel opens with glimpses of their past which put them each on the path they have taken in life, instantly creating empathy. Belle is particularly fascinating as she finds herself questioning- and seeking to justify- things which make her intensely uncomfortable. Being an ‘Invisible’, my heart ached for both these girls - and all the women in the story- and for those in real life whose experience is similar.

A note at the beginning of the book warns the story might be triggering, but Holly Bourne should be commended for writing this book. For me, its importance is on a par with ‘Asking for It’ by Louise O’Neal- and that’s saying something.

Clever and compelling, startling and stirring, this is a must read.

You Could Be So Pretty Holly Bourne

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474966832

Peril on the Atlantic

In July, 1936, the Queen Mary sets sail across the Atlantic and Alice can't wait for the summer of adventure that lies ahead. At last, she is able to accompany her sailor father on board ship. But whilst he is focused on winning the prestigious Blue Riband, Alice finds herself witness to an attack on a steward by the name of Joseph Wilks. Determined to uncover the truth, Alice, with the help of fellow passengers, Sonny and Miriam, and bellboy, Charlie, start to uncover a devious plot of sabotage and intrigue. As tension and danger mount, they need to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

What a brilliant story! Historic detail has been skilfully balanced with a gripping plot which is engrossing to the final page. Information- and misinformation- builds the mystery to its satisfying conclusion, leaving the reader ready for more in Alice’s next adventure.

Keen for adventure and delighted to at last be able to accompany her father on his travels, Alice is an engaging character. The friendships she builds whilst on board with Sonny, Miriam and Charlie evidence her kind, accepting nature and the story benefits greatly from their team work and resilience as they work together to solve the puzzle.

In the best Agatha Christie tradition, the action swells towards the final denouement, with all the red herrings and false starts falling away to reveal the culprits. There is plenty of tension and just the right amount of peril to keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the final reveal.. but I can’t say any more about this! Read it and see if it surprises you too!

Scattered with historical details, ‘Peril on the Atlantic’ is a brilliant read, perfect for sharing as a class story or for using as guided reading text. It is exactly the sort of story I would have loved when I was younger and is every bit as good as ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’, ‘The Secret of the Treasure Keepers’ and ‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’. I can’t wait to read the next of the ‘Mysteries at Sea’ series!

Peril on the Atlantic A M Howell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1801316743

You can read my review of ‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ here and ‘The Secret of the Treasure Seekers’ here.

The Song Walker

Waking up alone in the middle of the desert, a young girl wearing a black dress, one shoe and carrying a heavy case, struggles to keep walking. She has no idea who she is, where she has come from or where she is going to when she meets Tarni, a young First Country Australian girl who is on a quest of her own. Together, the girls embark on a trek across the Australian Outback in search of answers.

‘The Song Walker’ is one of those very special books which makes you slow down towards the end as you don’t want to leave the story behind. From the very first page, it is completely compelling, immersing the reader in the girls’ world. Beautifully constructed, the plot unfolds perfectly with hints and details guiding the reader as the story reaches its climax.

Evocative descriptions bring the landscape to life with its shimmering heat and unique flora and fauna. It makes the perfect backdrop for the girls’ journey as they learn much about each other and themselves. The story shows great respect for, and understanding of, Tarni’s beliefs and cultural background, encouraging the reader to find out more by offering links to websites where they might find out more.

I read this in one sitting, completely immersed in the story. So many threads are woven into the story, developing empathy, sparking conversation and encouraging reflection that this would make an excellent text to share with children in upper KS2 as a class read or as a key text from which to develop work. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!

The Song Walker Zillah Bethell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474966856

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

All Four Quarters of the Moon

Making mooncakes with Ah Ma for the Mid-Autumn festival was the last day of Peijing’s old life where everything and everyone was familiar. As her family starts their new life in Australia, everything is different- new home, new school, new language, new customs- but her family also seem to be changing. Ma Ma is no longer smartly turned out and stays in the house; Ba Ba is home more, but retreats to his study; little sister, Biju, needs support and Ah Ma keeps forgetting things. Peijing feels she needs to help everyone else whilst feeling lost and alone herself.

This is a lovely story for many reasons. The bond between the two sisters is beautifully captured as it matures and develops in response to the girls’ new circumstances as they have to reevaluate the cultural traditions and familial obligations they have been brought up with in light of the new world they find themselves in . Each chapter is punctuated by stories told by Biju, her versions of the traditional tales told to her by Ah Ma, stories which unite the children and help them make sense of the world. The ‘Little World’ the girls create also changes in their new environment, eventually becoming something the whole family shares in.

The story is told in four part- through the four quarters of the moon- and as the moon changes so does Peijing and those around her. Big-hearted and loyal, Peijing is a wonderful character whose relationships within her family and with her new best friend, Joanna, show how empathetic and caring she is. It is a really comforting, reassuring read, as everyone comes to find their place in the end, being valued for who they are as they adapt and change to their new lives.

There is so much to discuss and enjoy in this lovely story, making it perfect for guided reading or for reading aloud. The rich cultural references, the wonderful characters, the sense of how we are all similar no matter how ‘different’- everything mingles perfectly, making this a story not to be missed.

All Four Quarters of the Moon Shirley Marr

Usborne ISBN: 978-1803704326

Mathematics for Beginners

Part of the very popular ‘For Beginners’ series, ‘Mathematics for Beginners’ is a fascinating introduction to the history of the subject as well as the different stands it covers, such as numbers and probability. It is the perfect book for those children who want to know why they have to learn about mathematical concepts, encouraging them to see the possibilities and connections of the subject, perfect for budding maths boffins who thrive in this area- and perfect for reflective teachers who might want to deepen their own understanding of the subject and add a little something extra to lessons.

Each double spread is both attractive and easy to navigate with text sectioned into manageable chunks. Contents, index and glossary are included, allowing children to use their reference skills or dip in and out of the text as interest is piqued. The use of speech bubbles is engaging as characters either discuss certain points or speak directly to the reader to explain or comment on something. El, Nina and Marcus 3.0, a robot, act as guides through the book with El ending up convinced that maths is ‘vast and varied’, not ‘boring’ as she maintained at the outset.

The book could also be used for Guided Reading sessions and offers links to other subjects. The history section obviously could be used alongside work in other subjects and the computing section explains many things we might just take for granted. Much of the mathematical content is relevant to the primary curriculum with teachers easily able to guide children to relevant sections if they wish to, but there is plenty here for older children as well. A great addition to library and book corners, this is one for home and school!

Mathematics for Beginners

Sarah Hull and Tom Mumbray, illustrated by Paul Boston

Mathematics expert: Dr Audrey Curnock

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474998543

Magicborn

Since the day of the Almost Drowning, Tempest has lived with her two fathers, the kind men who saved her. She can remember nothing of her life before this time nor how she can understand her robin, Coriel, when he speaks to her, but is happy living at the Ferry Keeper’s Cottage with Prosper and Marino. When a sinister stranger arrives at the river crossing, he convinces her to ferry him across the river despite her misgivings and she finds herself caught up in his hunt for a Wild Boy. The stranger, Lord Hawthorn, is the Royal Sorcerer, who recognises Tempest as Magicborn and takes her along with the Wild Boy back to Kensington Palace where things are not as they seem.

Telling two intertwined stories, ‘Magicborn’ is an incredible adventure, full of magic and mystery, friendship and deception. Set in 1726, the story takes place in an alternate version of England and in Fairyland as events surrounding Tempest and Thomas, the Wild Boy, unfold.

Relationships are very much at the heart of this story. The three children, twins, Tempest and Thomas, born princess and prince of Fairyland, and Kwesi, unwilling apprentice to Lord Hawthorn, learn to trust and value one another in the face of great danger and deception. Kwesi’s story is deeply poignant and its telling adds another layer to the book, offering much to contemplate and discuss. Tempest’s foster-fathers offer a stark contrast to her birth mother, showing how complex families can be and how blood ties might not be the most important factor in these.

Completely absorbing and compelling, the story moves swiftly, capturing the reader’s imagination. ‘Magicborn’ would make an excellent read aloud for a class and being the first in a new series, offers the promise of more spell-binding stories to come!

Magicborn Peter Bunzl

Usborne ISBN: 978-1803707570

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review of ‘Cogheart’ here.

The Secret of the Treasure Keepers

Ruth lives in post-war London with her mother, who volunteers at the British Museum. Money is short as her parents are getting divorced and they might have to leave their much-loved home so her mother is keen to gain a paid position at the museum. However, irritable Mr Knight, curator of British Collections, has to be convinced and it is whilst her mother is at interview that Ruth answers the phone in Mr Knight’s office, taking a message from a lady from Rook Farm who has made a discovery. When circumstances mean Mr Knight does not get the message, Ruth and her mother embark on the long journey to Rook Farm, south of Ely, where treasure and adventure awaits…

‘The Secret of the Treasure Keepers’ is a beautifully written gem of a story which children will love. With atmospheric locations and plenty of secrets, there is so much to enjoy in these pages.

The story is full of wonderful characters- all hiding secrets- who the reader becomes really invested in as the story progresses. Ruth is easy to empathise with; desperate to keep her family home and happy memories, her efforts to support her mother are admirable and although she makes some blunders along the way, her determination to solve the mystery of the treasure is admirable. Joe, son of Mary Sterne, owner of Rook Farm, is also brilliantly observed.

The impact of the war is keenly felt throughout the story. Although set in 1948, times are still so hard for everyone with families suffering loss and food shortages and the landscape scarred by bomb damage. Many children’s stories focus on the war period, leaving children with a sense that when the fighting ended all returned to normal. ‘The Secret of the Treasure Keepers’ allows for discussions about the aftermath for everyday people, perhaps encouraging children to talk to those (like my parents) who experienced this time, developing their understanding.

If anyone manages to read this story without being inspired to take up archaeology, I shall be surprised! The excitement of the digs, the details of the finds are so brilliantly described it really makes the reader want to take part. The author’s note explores her own fascination with treasure seeking and her love of the British Museum, encouraging readers to visit and to see finds like the Mildenhall Hoard. The book would make an excellent class story to accompany work on the Anglo-Saxons and the discovery of Sutton Hoo- or simply as a story to enjoy. It would also be perfect for Guided Reading, offering much for a group to get their teeth into!

This is A M Howell’s fourth title- each is an excellent read!

The Secret of the Treasure Keepers A M Howell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474991117

Out on 31.3.22

Furthermoor

Since his sister, Evie, died in an accident, Bren has been struggling. His family life has fractured and each day at school is made a misery by Shaun, who constantly torments him. Increasingly, Bren withdraws to Furthermoor, an imagined world reached when he picks up his sister’s watch, where Evie is still alive. Here, he feels safe until the arrival of the sinister Featherly, forces Bren to confront his deepest fears and face the real world once more.

Darren Simpson is well known for his thought-provoking stories and is not afraid to tackle challenging topics. ‘Furthermoor’ explores loss and how grief impacts those left behind. Bren’s family is devastated by Evie’s death and Bren’s anguish is almost palpable as he struggles to cope not only with his own loss, but change in his parents. In Furthermoor, he comes alive, shaping the world to his and Evie’s needs and feeling in control once more. The contrast highlights the way in which he tries to numb his daily existence by withdrawing. However, Featherly’s invasion of Furthermoor begins to destroy the safe haven Bren has created, forcing him to confront reality and begin to heal.

Bren is also on the receiving end of a targeted campaign of bullying and humiliation by Shaun. Here again, Darren Simpson taps into raw emotions, writing with great empathy and sensitivity, but not shying away from harsh reality. The differing approaches of Bren and new boy, Cary, to Shaun’s actions offers much to discuss.

Darren’s writing is always full of description and detail, bringing both the real and imagined world to life. ‘Furthermoor’ is perfect for those looking for a challenging, thought-provoking read.

Furthermoor Darren Simpson

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474976701

Publishing 3rd March 2022

Darren’s other books, ‘Scavengers’ and ‘The Memory Thieves’, are also excellent books, well worth reading!

The Thief Who Sang Storms

The island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. It is home to Linnet, an alkonost, one of the bird-like people with magical songs who inhabit the island. Three years previously, alkonosts and humans had lived peacefully together on the island, but a tragic event, which killed the queens of Morovia and Linnet’s mother, has caused a time of fear and division. The magical alkonosts have become objects of suspicion and have been driven into exile by Captain Ilya, leader of the royal guard, known as bogatyrs, who has taken charge as the Crown Heir Vasha is too young to rule.

Linnet and her father, Nightingale, now live in the Mournful Swamps, but she wants nothing more than to restore peace and harmony to her island, hoping that her magical song will be the answer to Morovia’s problems. But her magic hasn’t arrived and when Nightingale is captured, Linnet must find another way to mend the broken heart of her home.

Sophie Anderson is well-known for her powerful and moving stories and personally, I think this is her finest yet. Her characters are always well developed, easy to empathise with and full of life, set in well developed worlds.

This story is deeply poignant as Linnet struggles with her own pain, as well as her father’s ‘cloak of grief’, at the loss of her mother. However, throughout the story, she comes to realise that those we love are always with us in the memories we carry. Themes of friendship, love, unity and hope are also woven throughout the story as Linnet and her friends face the suspicion and division deeply rooted in their society. I defy anyone not to shed a tear or two as the story builds to its climax.

There is so much that I could write about ‘The Thief Who Sang Storms’, but it would be awful to spoil such a magical, beautiful story for anyone else. Suffice it to say that this is now one of my firm favourites which I can’t wait to share with children everywhere!

The Thief Who Sang Storms Sophie Anderson

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474979061

Published 31st March 2022