The Letter with the Golden Stamp

I can't remember how old I was when I first started collecting stamps. But I've got a whole shoebox full of them now.
Mam used to help me collect them ... Before she got so ill that she lost her job, her friends...everything.
Now it's my job to take care of her and protect her - and my little brother and sister too. But to do that, I have to make Mam a Secret. A secret no-one can ever find out about. Not even my best friends at school, or Mo, our postman.
Or the stranger living in the house across the street. The one no-one has seen, but who I know is spying on us.

(Taken from the blurb)

Any new book by Onjali goes straight to the top of my teetering TBR pile and I read this the moment a copy landed on the doormat. However, it has taken me quite a while to review- not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because the story affected me so deeply.

Over the years, I have met many ‘Audrey’s- children coping with all manner of responsibilities and cares, constantly worrying about their home situation and the threat of the authorities finding out and separating them from their loved ones. ‘The Letter with the Golden Stamp’ is a deeply poignant story which shines a light on the hidden world of child carers and offering them the empathy and compassion they deserve.

Audrey is an absolute delight, quite young for her age in some ways and yet older than she should be in others. The events of the story unfold as she recounts to Sergeant Anita and Mrs Rogers in New Scotland Yard everything that has led her to being so far from her home in Wales. Her innocent desire to be honest with the police allows the reader to learn about Audrey’s life, her mother’s poor health, their ‘Sunshine Days’ when her mother is in less pain and Audrey can go to school without worrying, the days which Audrey misses from school and the occasional shoplifting so that the family can eat. There were moments when I had to put the book to one side and have a little sob as her situation rang so true and her courage, loyalty to her family and selflessness reminded me of children I have known.

And this is what Onjali does so well. Through engaging, entertaining stories and endearing characters, she highlights the situations of those in need with compassion and kindness, offering hope. Audrey is less alone than she thinks- Mo, the postman (everyone needs a lovely postman!), Mrs Davies from the shop and other neighbours are all concerned for the family and trying to help and Audrey comes from a close, loving family whose situation could have been so different had her mother not become ill.

For those who live like Audrey, the book will offer hope and recognition; other will gain empathy and understanding, perhaps be slower to judge and quicker to understand.

A beautiful book!

The Letter with the Golden Stamp

Onjali Q Rauf

Orion ISBN: 978-1510108929

The Shade Tree

When a rich man claims that the shade of a tree belongs to him and refuses to let the villagers take shelter in it, a young traveller offers to buy it from him. Delighted by what he considers the young man’s foolishness, the rich man accepts his offer and the traveller shares the tree’s shade with the villagers. However, as sun began to set, the shadows grow longer until they cover the rich man’s house and the traveller points out that wherever the tree’s shade falls now belongs to him. Eventually, the rich man gives up his house and moves away, leaving the traveller to enjoy the house and allow all the villagers to enjoy the tree’s shade whenever they desire.

‘Wave’ by Suzy Lee is one of my absolute favourite picture books and I had great fun planning work to inspire writing from this wordless treasure so I was very excited when, whilst researching books for the FCBG ‘Myths and Legends’ booklist I am writing, the lovely Catherine Ward suggested I look at ‘The Shade Tree’, another of her books.

Text and illustration combine perfectly in this retelling of a Korean folktale. The characters are presented as silhouettes, giving them an ‘every man’ quality so suited to the nature of folklore, whilst the tree takes centre stage, lush and verdant, and yet there are plenty of details to notice- the coins tumbling from hand to hand, the actions of the villagers, the fury of the rich man! A gatefold spread cleverly shows the lengthening shadow with the traveller dancing along in the shade, right up to the greedy rich man’s house.

The timeless wisdom of the tale offers plenty to discuss and enjoy with kindness and quick wit triumphing over greed. The style of illustration used may well inspire children to create shadow puppets with which to re-enact this story, other folktales - or perhaps to create their own!

A magical retelling!

The Shade Tree

Suzy Lee, translated by Helen Mixter

Greystone Books ISBN: 978-1778400186

Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse

Pinch Perkins lives on Tricky Dragon Lane, in the heart of London’s magic quarter. Impulsive and curious, she is determined to discover who is cursing magical Londoners- including her mum- who are left in an enchanted coma known as the Sleeping Beauty curse. Reluctantly teaming up with her annoying neighbour, Henry de Sallowe, Pinch sets off in an incredible race against time to save her mother and the other Sleepers!

Such a sort summary of such an action-packed book! ‘Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse’ is an absolutely brilliant read and one which I would highly recommend to readers young- and not so young!

Much has been made recently in some quarters about longer books being too much for children to sustain- and this is a longer read; however, I have taught many children over the years (including recently!) who thrive on such books, loving the detail and world building they offer, allowing the reader to sink into that world and experience it with the characters. These readers need books like this one - and have as much right to them as those who find joy in shorter, quicker reads have a right to those! For those who love to be absorbed into a story, Pinch Perkins offers a wonderfully detailed, highly imaginative, compelling read.

Pinch is a very appealing character whose determination to save her mother and the other Sleepers leads her into all manner of situations, meeting fairies, knights, ancient evils and modern perils along the way. As her friendship with Henry develops, they make a great team, supporting and complementing each other as they face dangerous situations like the court of the Fairy King and Queen- Ronnie and Tania!-and meeting the tricky Bucca.

Evocative descriptions, moments of humour, captivating characters and a pacey, exciting plot combined with a deliciously imaginative world make this a book which would make an excellent read for engaging a class and one which I will be recommending highly to friends and colleagues! I am aware that this is a somewhat waffly review for which I apologise- but I loved ‘Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse’ very much and cannot wait to read her next adventure!

Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse

Cathy FitzGerald, illustrated by Chloe Dominique

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008603373

Published June 2024

Knowing the Score

Coming home from her Y6 residential, Gemma is really looking forward to seeing her mum. It’s always been just the two of them and they are very close. Deep down, however, Gemma feels she would really like to get to know her Gran and her mum’s brother, Uncle Joe, a bit better, but a mysterious falling out between them and Gemma’s mother makes this impossible. But when her mother is invited on a free holiday with friends, Gemma sees this as a golden opportunity to uncover the truth and put her family back together again.

Family relationships can be difficult with long standing tensions, rivalries and estrangements seeming unfathomable to those on the peripheries. In this excellent story, Ros Roberts explores the complexities of family ‘politics’ in a gentle, relatable manner. Gemma is a very likeable, genuine little girl who has a very close, loving relationship with her mother, but is curious about other members of her family. Her uncle turns out to be a fun-loving, generous, kind man who is delighted to be forming a relationship with her, leaving Gemma even more confused about the secrets she feels her mother is hiding from her. Her reaction as she pieces things together is sensitively handled, enabling readers to empathise with her.

Gemma is not the only one to be experiencing some family difficulties. Uncle Joe’s relationship with his girlfriend, Lexi, and her daughter, Minxie and Minxie’s relationship with her parents show the complexities of blended families and children navigating a path between separated parents.

Tennis is new to Gemma and although initially reluctant, she decides to have a go and ends up discovering something new which she really enjoys. The story really shows the importance of the focus being on fun in sporting activities rather than children being driven by their own- or their parents’- ambitions.

There is so much to enjoy and explore here with children in upper KS2/ lower KS3. It is a lovely book, sensitively written and full of positivity and hope. Great read!

Knowing the Score

Ros Roberts

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788956765

Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwold

When they decided to retire, Hera chose to live in a little village called Hockwold-cum-Wilton with her husband, Zeus, King of the Gods. Gradually, they were joined by many of the other gods which is how Hannah Messenger, granddaughter of Hermes, and her friends ended up living there. On the day, Hannah gets her powers, something weird happens and the protections on the village which make it impossible for mortals to see anything ‘godlike’ going on disappear and all the Gods and their descendants completely lose their memories. Hannah, Dylan, Amy and Alastair alone can remember who and what they are. When the God’s objects of power start to go missing, they need to stop the thief at all costs!

Fabulously funny, ‘Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Huckwold’ is a brilliant read. It’s the sort of story I love to read aloud to a class, offering plenty of opportunities to ‘do the voices’ and one which is sure to have them moaning when you stop reading! It’s the sort of book where a burst of discussion, sharing ideas about what might happen next, thoughts about particular characters or just saying how much they are enjoying the story follows every session and children regularly ‘remind’ you that it’s nearly time to read!

The plot offers a pacy adventure, a touch of mystery, plenty of humour and a tortoise called Dolio! Children are sure to be inspired to discover more about the Greek gods from the snippets which are threaded throughout the story and enjoy seeing the links between the gods and their descendants- for example, Hermes was the messenger to the gods (amongst other things!), explaining Hannah’s surname. Dylan’s poem is a great way of remembering who’s who in Zeus’s family tree and is sure to become a popular one to learn by heart!

Friendship, teamwork and trust are central to the story as Hannah comes to better understand both her family and friends as she seeks to save the objects sacred to the gods which are being stolen from houses around the village. I would love there to be more adventures for Hannah and her friends as this was such an enjoyable and engaging read!

Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwold

Briony Pearce

UCLan Publishing ISBN: 978-1915235978

Published on the 6th June 2024

Bertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle

After her BESTest friend and fellow inventor, Finnius, stole her invention, Bertha left the city and moved far away, to a workshop hidden high in the trees where no one could steal her ideas. Here, she busies herself working on new inventions until one day, a rumble in the jungle disturbs her work. To help her discover the cause of the disturbance, Bertha creates Blink, a highly-excitable mechanical bird who is bursting with questions! With Blink, Bertha finds the courage to leave her tree house and explore the world outside. Can they discover where the noise is coming from?

Bursting with lovely illustrations, ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ is a delightful little story, perfect for newly independent readers.

With Blink’s support, Bertha overcomes her fear of leaving her treehouse home and learns to trust again. The two characters are real opposites with Blink being outgoing, curious and little impulsive whilst Bertha is cautious, somewhat reserved and focused on her inventions. Together, they make a great team, complementing each other, and being ready for any mission! As the story ends, they are ready to face a new challenge, setting the scene for a new adventure- and a new book!

The story is told through both illustration and text, making it very engaging and offering plenty of opportunities for the reader to ‘read’ the additional visual details and develop their own ideas. Some of the speech is presented using speech bubbles, perfect for using to develop understanding of speech punctuation.

The engaging combination of friendship, humour and adventure is sure to make this new series from Nicola Colton as popular as her ‘Jasper and Scruff’ books!

Bertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle

Nicola Colton

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788956437

You can read my review of Jasper and Scruff here and Take a Bow here.

I am Wolf

Coll is Wolf.

He lives with his clan on a Construct, a huge technological “creature” driven by the clan’s combined willpower. Together they roam their world, fighting other clans and absorbing them into their own.

But when a new and dangerous Construct attacks them, Coll is thrown clear from Wolf and left behind. Now he must survive life on ground and get back to his clan. He is helped by Rieka, a “Tock” who makes the Constructs work. She promises Coll a way to return, but can she be trusted? And what is she really trying to do…?

When Coll uncovers the truth, it destroys everything he thought he knew about his clan, the world they live in, and even himself. In a world full of danger, and suddenly without meaning, can he find a way back?

(Book blurb)

This is an excellent adventure which would make an excellent class story. There are echoes of ‘Mortal Engines’ at first glance; however, this is a very original and compelling story.

Coll is a great character. Being part of Wolf means that different is bad, and due to his prosthetic arm and leg, Col stands out as being different. With his mother being Alpha, he is constantly seeking to prove that he deserves his place on the Construct and is not there simply because of their relationship. When he becomes stranded from his clan, he has to learn to trust others, to accept advice and to value himself as an individual, capable of flourishing with a new pack, no longer feeling the need to constantly prove himself. Impatient and, at times, impulsive and bad-tempered, he also shows surprising moments of kindness, making him a very relatable, flawed and engaging character. His relationships with the other characters who become part of his new crew are also drawn with great skill and individuality- Fillan is my favourite- but he, Rieka and Brann are all well developed, offering plenty to reflect upon and discuss, showing how unlikely friendships can develop and opposites can attract and work well as a team!

The action is constant, creating a pacey, exciting adventure, sure to engage and inspire the most reluctant reader! It is a world with so much more to explore, making it a huge relief to realise that it is the first of a trilogy with ‘I am Raven’ coming soon!

I am Wolf Alastair Chisholm

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839945311

You can read my review of ‘Orion Lost’ here, ‘The Consequence Girl’ here and ‘Dragon Storm’ here.

These Stolen Lives

Six years ago, Mora survived the Skøl invasion, an event which destroyed her family, stole the land and means that she must pay for the right to live. As a ‘repayer’, someone who has lived life without paying, she owes the Skøl a debt and her life is no longer her own, but at least she wasn’t culled like so many others- a fate still facing anyone who can’t pay. When she learns that Zako, a twelve-year-old boy she has known all his life, has tried to kill his owner, the magistrate, Valour Venor, soon to be governor of the North Western Counties, Mora knows she has to act. However, in freeing Zako and smuggling him to tenuous safety, Mora and her friend, Kit, find themselves drawn deep into a perilous and dark mystery.

‘These Stolen Lives’ is an incredibly powerful, hard-hitting novel which mingles raw events of past invasions and occupations with imagined details of a fantasy world. The brutality of the Skøl and the law-enforcing Branders, the constant racism, inequality and fear in which the indigenous peoples suffer daily are so vividly described that the story is not an easy read, but one which challenges and forces the reader to reflect and empathise.

And yet, through all the hardship, moments of joy, of kindness and of love shine through. The kindness and courage of the Scarlets who agree to shelter Zako make a stark contrast to the brutality and ignorance of Venor; the blossoming feelings between Mora and Kit is worlds away from the threat of sexual assault. The importance of cultural heritage and the powerful identity this forges is clearly shown as the oppressors try to destroy and the oppressed remember.

Against this chilling background, an extremely tense and compelling mystery unfolds, taking the reader to the very edge and then allowing them to relax for a moment before dealing a crushing blow at the end. There must be a sequel coming…

These Stolen Lives

Sharada Keats

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702325120

The Tree that Sang to Me

Since his older sister, Jen, left home, Kai has been struggling. Believing it all to be his fault, he can’t stop compulsively tugging at his hair, leaving sore patches, and his parents, consumed by their own feelings, seem unaware of his emotional turmoil. Life at home and at school feels impossible, so he seeks solace in the branches of a tree on a patch of wasteland where he feels he belongs. Here, he meets Sky, a girl with brown hair that hangs in her eyes, wearing bright blue Docs covered in tiny yellow flowers and an unexpected and healing friendship develops…

Of the many, many books I read, I can only review a selection and sometimes, I miss some which I have really enjoyed. Serena Molloy’s first book, ‘Wider than the Sea’ is one of these so I was determined to review ‘The Tree that Sang to Me’ which tempted me the moment I saw its beautiful cover by George Ermos.

As a great poetry lover, I expect a great deal from a novel told in verse! In ‘The Tree that Sang to Me’, Serena Molloy has created something very special, telling Kai’s heart wrenching story with great compassion and care, allowing the reader to understand and empathise with his feelings as they unfold. He tries so hard to be a ‘better’ version of himself to gain his parents’ attention, desperate for them to notice him whilst carrying the guilt of his ‘secret’. He is sure that it is his fault that his sister is not living at home (I will say no more about this so as not to spoil the story!) and is sure that she hates him.

Whilst carrying his burden of guilt and feelings of loneliness at home, Kai also has to navigate some unpleasant bullies at school. When his mother shaves his head due to his trichotillomania, Josh and the other boys call him ‘Buzz’, but Kai feels this is better than the mean words they hurl at Caleb, another boy in their class, who is the main focus for their spite. Kai’s confused feelings towards Caleb are sensitively captured as he (Kai) struggles with wishing to stand up for Caleb and feelings of self-preservation and guilt as he is relieved the negative attention isn’t focused on him. There is so much to think about and discuss here.

Sadly, there are many children who will identify with Kai in one, or indeed, both of these situations and his story may help them to navigate their own difficulties. Full of hope, the healing power of nature love and friendship, the story is ultimately up-lifting and affirming. It is such a joy to see a sympathetic portrayal of a teacher as well- Mr P encourages Kai to explore his feelings, causing Kai to utter ‘I don’t think someone has to die to make you feel like that’, a moment in the story which had me sobbing! I also love the way Jen introduces Kai to the story of ‘The Children of Lir’- ‘the thing with stories….sometimes just sometimes there’s bits of truth buried way down deep in them.’

Perfect for sharing as a class story, there is so much to recommend this lovely verse novel which would make a brilliant starting point, not only for much discussion, but also for encouraging children to express their own feelings in poetic form. Oh- and if you haven’t read ‘Wider than the Sea’, you really should read that too!

The Tree that Sang to Me

Serena Molloy

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444968439

Toxic

Jessica is used to travelling the world with her parents, whose lives are dedicated to the study and preservation of amphibians. Finding herself in the heart of the rainforest, she tries not to resent the nomadic lifestyle which prevents her from forming real relationships and being settled. However, when she meets a local girl, Renata, they strike up a friendship. As Tom, the previous researcher, leaves the research station, he gives Jessica a strange book called ‘Trekking Backwards’ which tells the very strange story of a man called Hadley Cavendish-DuPont…

When they learn that the incredibly beautiful cosmetics billionaire, Anura Hegarty, has just bought the section of rainforest where Renata lives, the girls are initially delighted. But when it turns out that Anura is in pursuit of eternal youth and will stop at nothing to get it, they find themselves in the middle of a perilous adventure!

Mitch Johnson is well known for tackling ‘big issues’ through his very accessible and readable books. ‘Toxic’ challenges the reader to think about the irresponsible and destructive actions of huge, faceless companies and their impact on the environment, and the damaging culture of ‘perfect’ beauty and youth, but also about the responsibilities of the individual.

Highly engaging, the book is extremely atmospheric, evoking the sights and sounds of the rainforest, balancing its beauty and its dangers. The story is sure to generate interesting in this fascinating location and its creatures- particularly the frogs! Messages about the terrible destruction of this special environment are obviously at the heart of the story, but so much passion and love for the natural world is expressed that the reader can’t help but feel themselves growing indignant alongside Jessica and Renata. It is beautifully managed, making it an excellent text to share as a class story or guided reading text, rich in things to discuss and explore.

The story also raises questions about the evils of a culture which promotes false notions about beauty and the importance of eternal youth, pressurising young women in particular to be constantly striving for an idea of perfection which is impossible to achieve. There is much I could say about thus, but I would hate to spoil the story for anyone who hasn’t yet read this wonderful book.

There is much to recommend this excellent book!

Toxic Mitch Johnson

Orion ISBN: 978-1510111929

You can read my review of Pop! here and Kick here.

Blog Tour: Bringing Back Kay-Kay

Today, I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘Bringing Back Kay-Kay’. Sensitively written, it is a beautiful exploration of sibling love, a gripping mystery and a celebration of the power of poetry.

For me, ‘Bringing Back Kay-Kay was a one-sitting read! Beautifully written, the story is about Lena, whose brother, Kay-Kay, goes missing whilst on a school trip. Overcome with grief, their parents put their trust in the police and hope that they will find him. However, Lena is sure that one of Kay-Kay’s friends knows more than he is letting on and so sets off on a quest to find her beloved brother and bring him home.

The story unfolds through Lena’s thoughts, actions and memories, building a picture of her complex family relationship. She feels like the ‘difficult’ child, somehow lesser than her perfect brother, almost, at times, unwanted and yet her closeness to her sibling is never in doubt. As she searches for Kay-Kay, she explores her memories and realises just how much her brother does for her- and starts to understand just how difficult things have been for him. Discovering his poetry, Lena discovers how he feels the weight of parental expectations bearing down on him and comes to understand her brother even more. I cannot recommend this book highly enough- it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster whilst engaging you fully in an excellent and carefully constructed adventure.

Poetry has always been very important to me, both personally and as a teacher, and it is a joy to see how Kay-Kay was able to express his inner feelings in this way and how his sister responded to his words. Below, Dev Kothari explains why she chose to use poetry in her story.

Magic of poetry

I’ve always found poetry magical. I still remember some of the poems I learnt at school, while growing up in India, like P. B. Shelley’s Mutability or Christina Rossetti’s Who Has Seen The Wind or Bhawani Prasad Mishra’s Satpura Ke Jungle. Even then, I was struck by the power of verse – it’s ability to connect with you at a deeper, emotional, instinctual level. Over the years, I’ve read a lot of poetry works. But it took me a while to figure out the kind of poetry that speaks to me. Verses that are simple yet profound, that make time stop for me, that make me feel. The poetry of Rumi and Mary Oliver, of Wisława Szymborska and Do Jong Hwan, of Gulzaar saab and Michael Rosen. My life is so much richer because of the gifts of poetry. And I think that’s why it makes its way into my writing too, in some shape or form. In fact, my very first attempts at writing, right from my childhood were in the form of poems. So, it’s probably not a surprise that there’s poetry in Bringing Back Kay-Kay too. When I began writing it, I didn’t particularly set out to make Kay-Kay a poet. It just turned out that way, when I wrote the scene about Lena finding one of his poems in an old copy of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (naturally!). Of course he’s a poet, I thought. In that instant, suddenly, Kay-Kay became real to me. I love that Kay-Kay is able to pen his thoughts and worries, dreams and fears through poetry. I love that Lena and the readers get to know him better through his poems. And I love that I get to spread some of the magic of poetry through this story. Wouldn’t it be an absolute joy and privilege, if reading this story inspires young people to read more poetry and write it too?

Bringing Back Kay-Kay by Dev Kothari (£7.99, Walker Books) available now.

 Many thanks to Dev Kothari and the lovely team at Walker Books for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. Keep an eye out for the other stops on the tour to find out more about this wonderful book!

Storm Child

Maya's life is about to capsize. After her dad's fishing boat is ravaged by a relentless storm, her parents make the decision to start over-by moving to a tropical island.

Far from her friends and her beloved clifftop home, Maya embarks on an adventure that promises sunshine, surf and fresh beginnings. But as she makes friends with local islander Kalani, Maya soon realises that paradise is not always what it seems…

Swept away by a storm much larger than herself, can Maya bring her family back home again?

(Synopsis taken from book)

Ele Fountain has done it again with another compelling, absorbing read which challenges the reader to reflect on many things.

Maya loves the thrill of surfing. As a Penrose, she has salt water running through her veins, living where her family have always done, on the cliffs over the bay bearing her family’s name. They have been struggling and when her father’s boat is destroyed by a storm, Maya’s parents decide to move to the other side of the world, leaving her feeling out of control.

Beautiful though her new home is, Maya is plagued by loneliness and waves of homesickness. And when she meets Kalani, her awareness of the fragility of nature grows and she is forced to reflect on the consequences of decisions, whether made on a personal, on a family, on a community or even a global basis, and the importance of staying true to who you are and what you believe in. The story beautifully weaves together themes of friendship, environmental issues, being a ‘global citizen’ and of being yourself.

With wonderful descriptions throughout the story, the sea- its sights, sounds, dangers and healing- is a constant presence. Although Maya and her family have moved to paradise, events of part two cleverly echo those of part one, showing the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and that it is important to follow your heart.

I have never yet read a book by Ele Fountain that I haven’t really enjoyed, but there is something very special about this one. Highly recommended!

Storm Child

Ele Fountain

Pushkin ISBN: 978-1782693888

Published July 2024

You can read my review of ‘Wild’ here.

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

Peregrine Quinn has always loved hearing her godfather, Daedalus’s stories about being an immortal, but when they visit the Bodleian Library and the portals that connect the Terran Realm with the Cosmic Realm mysteriously shut down and he is kidnapped, she finds herself thrust into a desperate race to rescue him before an ancient evil is unleashed on the world. With help from dryad librarian, Rowan Strong, and Olympus Inc. liaison Callimachus Thorn, a faun, the fate of the world is in Peregrine’s hands.

What a story! ‘Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm’ is packed with magic and myth, action and adventure, making it an unputdownable read from the very first page.

Rich in references to Greek mythology, the plot romps along at a pleasing pace with many surprising twists and turns- and plenty of humour. The story moves from Oxford to the rivers of London and into the Under-Underground, transportation for Immortals to sites of significant Cosmic interest, and the dangers of the Under Realm, with each location being vividly brought to life.

Peregrine makes an amazing heroine as she faces challenges with determination, courage and ingenuity. Impulsive at times, her relationship with Rowan Strong, who likes to play by the rules and as a career Librarian finds a ‘lack of adequate information…particularly stress-inducing’, is wonderfully captured as the two come to appreciate and rely on one another.

‘Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm’ would make an excellent class read, offering plenty to discuss and enjoy- and more to look forward to in future books in the series.

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

Ash Bond

Piccadilly   ISBN: 978-1800786806

The Brontë Girl

‘I am just going to write because I cannot help it.’

                                                                     Charlotte Brontë

When her mother and twin brothers die from the Haworth ‘miasma’, Kate finds herself struggling to keep what’s left of her family together and out of the Workhouse. She takes a cleaning job at the Parsonage, working for the Brontë family under the watchful eye of their servant, Tabitha Aykroyd. Her dreams of writing seem fruitless as she has little time and no encouragement from her father, sister or Luke Feather, the young farmer who wants to marry her.

However, when Charlotte Brontë discovers Kate’s passion for reading and learns of her ambitions, she supports Kate, challenging her to question ideas about equality and follow her dreams. But day to day life in Haworth is hard so how will Kate ever escape?

People visiting- and living- in Haworth today are used to a picturesque little town with a cobbled main street full of quaint, interesting independent shops. It is a place full of charm- and the appeal of its link to the Brontë family. However, Miriam Halahmy has done an excellent job of introducing the reader to life and conditions in the ginnels - the passageways - of the town in the 1840s when poverty and illness were common and many who lived there struggled to survive.

Kate is bright and determined, desperate to pursue her dreams and leave the grinding poverty of her everyday life for something better. Marriage seems like her only escape, but although Luke Feather seems like he should be the answer to a better life, Kate is unsure whether she actually loves him and is frustrated by the fact that he doesn’t recognise her dreams or think that she needs them. Women should be fulfilled by marriage and children as far as he is concerned. With encouragement from Charlotte, Kate is influenced by the ideas of the Brontë sisters and seeks her own future.

Although the novel gives a tempting glimpse of the lives of the Brontës, the story does not focus on their lives, but offers a thought-provoking, often poignant story, clearly exposing the inequalities of gender, wealth and circumstance which stunted the development and success of so many poor women of this time. Thoroughly enjoyable, ‘The Brontë Girl’ is an engrossing and challenging read.

The Brontë Girl

Miriam Halahmy

ZunTold ISBN: 9781915758064

You can read my review of ‘Always Here for You’ here.

Bird Boy

‎ Sent to live with his uncle in the Lake District, Will is faced with a life far removed from the one he is used to. When he makes friends with Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan, he finds the confidence to explore and the two boys discover an osprey nest. As they watch the birds, naming them, Will feels a deep connection with the smallest chick, Whitetip, so when, on a stormy night, Whitetip is knocked out of the nest, Will is determined to save her.

Catherine Bruton is well known for her empathetic, sensitive books and in ‘Bird Boy’, she has excelled herself. This is a story about migration- for humans and birds- about starting again, about healing, about hope. Deeply poignant in places, the story is written with great honesty and tenderness.

In Will, Catherine has done an amazing job of portraying a traumatised child, offering the reader glimpses of the life he has had with his mother and the strategies he has adopted to help himself cope. Struggling to come to terms with his recent bereavement, he is taken from all he knows to live with an uncle he barely knew existed whilst a new life with grandparents he has never met on the other side of the world. The beauty and solace of the mountains, the friendship he finds with Omar – and the local community- and the desire to save the helpless chick, all help Will to begin to heal and find a new sense of peace.

There is so much to recommend this book. I sobbed in places, gasped in others and ultimately, felt uplifted and hopeful for Will’s future- and that of Omar and the ospreys. It is an incredibly powerful, beautifully executed story- not to be missed.

Bird Boy

Catherine Bruton

Nosy Crow    ISBN:  978-1839946493

You can read my review of ‘No Ballet Shoes in Syria’ here and ‘Another Twist in the Tale’ here.

Tide Magic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

Amongst the cobbled streets and misty alleyways of Shelwich, magic rises and falls with the Tide. When the Tide is out, the magic ebbs to a low murmur. When the Tide is in, the magic is high - and Tide-blessings are at their strongest.
For most people, the Tide-blessing they are born with is nothing more than a simple party trick: eyes that change colour, or the ability to recite a poem backwards. Some, though, are blessed with more powerful gifts. Telepathy. Flight. Or, in the case of Ista Flit, being able to transform to look like someone else. Anyone else...
Ista has come to Shelwich in search of her missing father, and she'll do anything to find him - even work for Shelwich's most notorious thief. Then she meets Nat and Ruby, both struggling with their own search: Nat for his little brother, Ravi, and Ruby for her sister Saf. As more strange disappearances send shockwaves through the town, they must form a tentative friendship and draw on all the Tidemagic they can to unravel a mystery that leads to an old, abandoned theatre, and to the ancient caves beneath Shelwich. But what they find there will be far more than they have bargained for... (synopsis taken from publishers)

Oh my word! What an incredible story! I was lucky enough to find a copy of ‘Tide Magic’ in the goodie bag I received at the FCBG Conference last weekend and finding myself awake bright ad early on the Saturday morning, thought I would give it a go- and I could not put it down.

From the outset, the book is rich in imagination and brilliantly constructed world building. Added to this is evocative, descriptive writing which is a pleasure to read- and a delight to read aloud, making this a brilliant choice as a class story- or guided reading text- offering so much to discuss and enjoy.

Bold and loyal, Ista is a brilliant character and the reader is quickly invested in her story, intrigued by her Tide-blessing and the deal she has entered into with the mysterious Alexo Rokis. Although she tries to convince herself (and everyone else) that she is ‘dangerous’, Ista is actually kind-hearted and caring, leading her to find the friendship with Nat and Ruby which she didn’t think she needed. The ending of the story makes it clear that there are more adventures to come for this plucky and endearing heroine- and I can’t wait for what comes next!

Tantalising mysteries are entwined through the story as Ista’s search for her father leads her, Nat and Ruby into a dark and devious plot, liberally strewn with red herrings to keep the reader guessing and second guessing who is behind the appearance of the ominous grilks, hideous monsters, and the disappearances happening across the town, right to the very end of the book!

I cannot recommend this one highly enough! I was hooked from the first line.

Tide Magic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

Clare Harlow, illustrated by Karl James Mountford

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241636053

Published 2nd May 2024

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain

Kayla is a cadet Sky Rider, training at the Sky Academy in Sophiatown. Her only friend is her pangron, Faro, and when he is stolen from her, she will stop at nothing to get him back.

Alethea is a healer living in the Blue District, the poorest in Ataria. She is trying to continue her father’s work, helping others, particularly against the Scourge, a deadly disease killing many in the city and beyond. When her grandmother shows signs of the disease, Alethea knows she must leave the city to seek a cure.

Rustus also lives in Ataria- but in the Red District. Desperate to gain positive attention from his disdainful father, he is determined to come first in the Scorching Ceremony, a test by which the Unscorched become the Scorched- esteemed warriors of the Atarian army. But when he fails this initiation, he is banished to the Beastlands.

And here their worlds collide-and they find themselves an unlikely team, united in a quest to save Faro and find a cure for the Scourge…

Hearing Jess French speak at the FCBG Conference this weekend reminded me of just how much I enjoyed this book- and that I hadn’t reviewed it! Jess’s passion for nature and living things shines through the world she has created which in many ways reflects our own.

The care and attention to detail used in building the world of Ramoa, where the story is set, is phenomenal! Readers share in Rustus’s wonder as he sees the plants and creatures outside the city walls for the first time, realising that he has been misled by those within. Alethea’s passion for plants, her curiosity about them and respect for what they can do is infectious. Atmospheric and evocative, Jess’s writing is a joy to read- and read aloud!

Time is devoted at the beginning of the book to the development of each character, making the reader feel invested in each and ready to join them on their quest. Rustus, Alethea and Kayla are very different personalities from very different backgrounds yet they complement each other brilliantly. Kayla is the most resistant to relying on and working with others as her experiences have taught her to be wary, but she learns to trust, finding that true friends are worth having and can be depended upon. Rustus is a great example of how people are not always what they seem -or are expected to be- finding his place in the world- a place not defined by his father.

The plot romps along at a pleasing pace and would make an excellent class story or guided reading text. As well as an exciting and engaging tale, there is so much to discuss, explore and enjoy here such as showing respect and understanding for the plants and creatures of the world, working in harmony with the world rather than exploiting its bounty, empathising with and getting to know others rather than labelling and judging. Fortunately, the ending sets the scene for more books to come as I was very reluctant to leave this world as the story came to an end. Loved it!

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain

Jess French

Piccadilly ISBN: 978-1800784062

Blog Tour: The Doll Twin

Since the death of her parents, Una has been living in a children’s home. Missing her lighthouse home and the moods of the sea, she find life here hard, her ways infuriating Matron who calls her ‘Una the Unwanted’ and ‘Una the Unstable’. When the Smiths arrive and decide that they want to adopt her, Una is thrilled both by being wanted and by returning to live by the sea. But her new home, Copperlins, although impressive, is strange and leaves her feeling unsettled. The villagers of Knifely Stifling are wary of the house- and its inhabitants- but Una strikes up a friendship with Mary, a village girl, giving her a feeling of belonging. However, she cannot pretend that the strange occurences and noises in Copperlins are not happening and one night, she comes face to face with life-sized doll which looks just like her…

Sounds intriguing? It most certainly is! ‘The Doll Twin’ is a deliciously spooky read which keeps the reader guessing with the plot making twist after turn as poor Una finds herself facing peril, unsure of who she can trust and how she will survive.

I love the character of Una. Desperate to be a ‘good’ daughter, she struggles to mould herself to be the daughter she thinks the Smiths want whilst trying to hold on to being herself and doing what she thinks is right. Her curiosity, courage and loyalty are all severely tested yet she faces and overcomes many challenges, including being confronted by a life-sized copy of herself who she comes to know as ‘Ani’, an Animated Curiosity. I don’t want to spoil the story so I will say no more about this…

The story is wonderfully atmospheric, with locations and buildings taking on a life of their own, adding much to moments of tension or great emotion. The sea ebbs and flows through Una’s life, offering peril, sanctuary and home. ‘The Doll Twin’ is an excellent read- one not to miss!

The Doll Twin Janine Beacham

Firefly ISBN: 978-1915444479

Many thanks to Janine and the lovely people at Firefly for asking me to take part in this Blog Tour! Make sure you look at the other stops and find out what everyone else thinks about this brilliant story.

Splinters

With her best friend moving to Scotland, Jean is only consoled by the thought of spending the summer with her first boyfriend, Leon. However, when he tells her that he is off to America for three weeks and her parents announce the family are moving house, her holiday does not go to plan and things get worse as, on his return, Leon seems changed towards her. No longer the loving boyfriend who went away, he is cold and distant, determined only to get his hands on a strange mirror in Jean’s possession, a mirror which seems to reflect a world of different choices and possibilities.

Intriguing from the first page, ‘Splinters’ is another stunning read from Rachel Delahaye. It is also going to be very hard to review without spoiling it for any future readers- and I really don’t want to do that!

Jean really represents all of us at some time or another. Things are not going smoothly for her and she is experiencing her fair share of teenage angst, heartache, friendship and family problems- all the things which make you start to question the choices you have made- the what ifs - about life. However, she really learns that the grass is not always greener and that what might appear to be the ‘unadventurous simplicity’ of someone else’s life is no better than your own. The story is brilliantly constructed, keeping the reader constantly guessing - and perhaps challenging them to reflect on what their own choices might (or might not) be!

Character is something Rachel does really well and different facets of personality are skilfully explored here, how the ways we react to others, how we handle situations, how our choices affect our lives. No life is perfect, but the one we have is the one we should focus on. As well as being an extremely gripping read, the story offers much to reflect upon. In the end, there are still choices to be made, leaving the reader wondering which one Jean finally makes.

There is so much to recommend ‘Splinters’- not least the way music has been used throughout the story! It is a deliciously dark tale, full of suspense and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Splinters Rachel Delahaye

Troika

Coming soon…

You can read my review of ‘Day of the Whale’ here and ‘Electric Life’ here.

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

Benjamin Creek does not believe in magic, preferring science, logic and reasoning until he is led into the impossibly magical world of Wreathenwold. With a girl called Elizabella, Benjamin finds himself on a perilous quest to find Elizabella’s missing twin, Edwid, making a promise he is determined to keep to bring the twins home safely.

This is one of those books where attempting a summary is useless as trying to capture this magical adventure in a few words is impossible! Fantastic, detailed world building and compelling characters make this a book not to be missed.

From the opening page the reader is drawn into this world where a boy who lives in a bookshop called Once Upon a Time receives a mysterious package containing a doll which starts his adventure. A lover of logic, Benjamin finds himself thrown into a world completely outside his comfort zone. As his reluctant decision to accompany Elizabella on her journey to find her brother leads to a tentative peace and then a firm friendship, Benjamin learns much about himself and how he views the world. The two make a perfect team as their differing personalities lend each other strength- the one being governed by logic, the other impulsive courage and determination.

In a plot which is fast paced and full of action, the parallel world Benjamin finds himself in is ruled by a fearful monster where the population is controlled by the sinister masked Hanged Men and anyone straying too far from their home will forget how to return and become lost. Twisting through moments of fear, great tension and peril, the story balances these with touches of poignancy, making it well rounded and engaging.

There is so much to recommend ‘The Whisperwicks’, not least the loving description of the bookshop and sentiments like ‘I’ve never met a reader who wasn’t special in one way or another…’. Carefully constructed, thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable, it is one of those must read books which no one should miss!

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

Jordan Lees, illustrated by Vivienne To

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241711989

Published 28th March 2024