The Eye of the North

Emmeline is convinced her life is in danger. Clutching her satchel full of things to keep her alive, she makes her way through life, ready for anything! One breakfast time, she receives a letter from her parents which changes everything.

Put on a ship to sail to Paris where she would find safety, Emmeline meets a young boy called Thing, a scruffy stowaway, and an unlikely friendship develops between them. Chased by the criminals who kidnapped her parents, Emmeline is caught and taken to a villainous scientist, who is determined to summon an ancient creature from the icy depths of the north...

Desperate to save his new friend, Thing seeks help from a secret organisation and sets off in pursuit. 

What follows is an amazing story, combining the adventures of Emmeline and Thing as the one races to save the other. Fast paced and exciting, the book is peppered with fantastic characters and magical creatures, making this an enchanting read. 

Thing is a wonderful character. Haunted by his past, he is loyal and resourceful- a perfect companion for Emmeline, whose upbringing and experiences have made her more reserved and cautious. Rich, atmospheric language describes the settings beautifully and Emmeline's world comes vividly to life. With dangers at every turn, this will appeal to those who love fantasy and adventure.

The Eye of the North       Sinead O'Hart

Stripes Publishing      ISBN: 978-1847159410

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Half-Indian, half-English, Rosina has had to move to England where she is miserable. Her father took her from India when her mother died and she misses the palace she lived in and her aunt, Rani-K, the queen of their kingdom. Things take a dramatic turn when Rosie learns that her father is a spy for the British government and she stows away on a plane to be with him. Finding herself in Nazi occupied France, Rosie needs to be on her guard if she is to help her father with his mission- and survive.

Courageous and loyal, Rosie is an excellent heroine. Left reeling by her mother’s death and angry and confused by her father’s apparent lack of grief and concern for her wishes, Rosie is determined to find out what he is doing, launching herself into the heart of danger. Smart and capable, she is keen to learn the ‘skills’ of spying and quick to take action when needed.

The story does not shy away from some of the harsh realities of life in occupied France, exploring the role of the resistance and the risks they faced in opposing the Nazis. There is tragedy within the unit Rosie’s father is leading and tough decisions have to be made, considering ‘the greater good’.

Rosie’s mixed heritage of her Indian mother and English father also introduces the role of the British Raj in India, the struggle for independence and Gandhi’s non-violent teachings, sure to encourage readers to further investigate this part of history. I wonder whether the final version of the book might include some suggested reading material as there is so much to learn from (as well as enjoy in) this story. I believe this is the first in a series of adventures for Rosie and I look forward to seeing what she gets up to next!

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Sufiya Ahmed

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801990059

A Recipe for Trouble

Alice Éclair might only be thirteen, but she is also an expert pâtissière and France's youngest, keenest spy. For the past year, she has been receiving cryptic messages and puzzles to solve and, although she does not know who they are from, she has her suspicions - which are realised when a final code leads her to a secret meeting.

Alice learns that all the puzzles have been to train her in espionage in the hope that she will undertake a mission to uncover a cunning enemy agent.  Alice sets off on this dangerous assignment aboard France's most glamourous train, posing as a pastry chef. But soon everyone on the train is under suspicion and Alice must use all her baking skills and her cunning to crack the case.

There is much to enjoy in this adventure, Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire! Alice is a wonderful heroine; resourceful and intelligent, yet fallible, she launches herself into her investigation with enviable energy and enthusiasm. There are twists and turns a-plenty and scatterings of red herrings as Alice engineers opportunities to investigate her fellow passengers.  The reader learns to crack codes and can test their own sleuthing skills as the mystery develops - only to be surprised by a sudden shock! There are some tense moments along the way as Alice finds herself facing peril as well as baking pastries.

The story offers plenty to discuss with its Parisian opening, attitudes to women and 'serving' classes and, of course, its many cake references. With a new adventure, A Spoonful of Spying, on its way, Alice is sure to become a firm favourite.

Alice Éclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble

Sarah Todd Taylor

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839940958

Milton the Megastar

In our 2020 Read Aloud winner, ‘Milton the Mighty’, Emma Read introduced us to this loveable little arachnid and his friends, teaching us all not to be scared of spiders! In this, his second adventure, Milton is finding his superstardom is all too stressful and is missing his dad who was last seen in Hawaii. Whilst his friends are as supportive as ever, they can’t help feeling that he has become a bit of a diva. Zoe is also finding things difficult. Although she likes dad’s new girlfriend, Greta and home has been happier recently, so much change takes a lot of getting used to. When a trip to Hawaii comes up, Zoe is determined to take Milton along- it could be his chance to find his dad! But an active volcano and a dodgy hotel developer mean that this might not be the relaxing holiday they were hoping for!

This wonderful story has so much to recommend it! Milton’s anxiety is dealt with sensitively and he is supported by his friends, but not completely indulged as they help him to deal with his feelings. Zoe is also supported and reassured by her father as she struggles to come to terms with her very mixed emotions about her changing situation. The story shows that sharing your feelings and not bottling them up is so important.

Caring for the environment is a strong theme running through the book. Spiders continue to be championed, but this book also raises questions about the impact of travel and tourism. Bradley O’Hair’s extreme views have rubbed off on his son, Dillon, but once presented with another point of view, he is prepared to listen and develop his own ideas.

With wonderful touches of humour and lots of spidery facts, ‘Milton the Megastar’ is every bit as delightful as ‘Milton the Mighty’. Another must read for spider-lovers and arachnophobes alike!

Milton the Megastar

Emma Read, illustrated by Alex G Griffiths

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1912626069

Milton the Mighty

Branded a deadly killer by the media, tiny false widow Milton decides to clear his name. Working with his arachnid friends, Audrey and Ralph, he must make contact with his house human, Zoe, and convince her that he is harmless. But with her father terrified of spiders and Felicity, the owner of BUGKILL, having moved into their street, can this tiny troupe achieve the impossible?

Milton is possibly the loveliest spider in fiction since Charlotte appeared on her web! A wonderful tale of friendship and of what can be achieved by teamwork and perseverance, ‘Milton the Mighty’ also presents a compelling case for respecting spiders and trying to understand rather than fear them. Perhaps #NotScaredOfSpiders should become a real campaign!

Full of humour, the book really tackles the issue of ‘fake news’ and challenges the reader to dig deeper, find out more and use some common sense before believing everything they read. Individuals taking action and standing up for what they believe in, even in the face of ridicule is such a powerful message, beautifully embodied in Milton who has to overcome his self-doubt and feelings of insignificance to achieve his goal.

Just as humans judge spiders, spiders themselves seem to judge one another and it is Ralph who realises that not all garden spiders want something as One Short (who wishes she was called Petal) becomes a valuable ally - and friend, showing the importance of not being prejudiced against others, but getting to know them.

‘Milton the Mighty’ would make a great read aloud, offering plenty to discuss and consider along the way. Hopefully, this ‘teeniest superhero’ will have more adventures very soon!

Milton the Mighty

Emma Read, illustrated by Alex G Griffiths

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1911490814

The House of One Hundred Clocks

When Helena’s father gets a new job, it takes them away from London and the life she knows. Taking Orbit the parrot, her constant reminder of her deceased mother, with her, Helena prepares for a new life in Cambridge. However, her father’s new job is not as simple as it seems and the house they are now living in is not only full of clocks, but full of mystery too. In their bid for a new life, will they end up losing everything?

I loved A M Howell’s first book, ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’ and ‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ was no disappointment. Inspired by the clock collection of Frederic Gershom Parkington, it is a fascinating story full of description, detail and colour. The atmosphere in the house is decidedly eerie with family mystery and heartache threatening to take everything from Helena and her father should the clocks falter.

Grief at the loss of a loved one permeates the story yet the girls find solace and strength in their new friendship and work together to make things better. The villain of the piece comes as a surprise, but encourages the reader to think about questions of inequality and how people are treated can make them act in certain ways. Orbit is a delight- a little flash of mischief and humour!

‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ is an atmospheric, enchanting read, perfect for sharing and reading aloud. Can’t wait to read it to a class!

The House of One Hundred Clocks

A M Howell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474959568

Bone Talk

Living high in the mountains of the Philippines in 1899, Samkad's world is his tribe, his village. Now he is about the have the Cut and become a man. He is desperate to play his part in keeping the tribe safe from their enemy, the head-hunting Mangili, even if it means he will no longer be able to enjoy a good scrap with his friend, a girl called Little Luki. But soon Samkad's life is turned upside down. The manhood ritual he has been eagerly awaiting goes wrong, leaving him confused, and his father leaves the village to locate family Samkad barely knows. When he returns, he brings with him a strange white man, an American with different ways and different ideas. As more Americans appear, things for Samkad and his tribe will never be the same again.

I am ashamed to admit that I knew nothing of the Philippine-American War before reading Bone Talk, nor of the people of the Cordilleras. Candy Gourlay has skilfully blended history and narrative to create a fascinating, compelling story which respectfully explores the traditions and beliefs of the people of Bontok. Their treatment at the hands of the Americans is painful reading; their callous exploitation and mocking of the tribe is starkly portrayed and is all the more poignant for being seen through the puzzled eyes of Samkad.

The story is full of well developed characters. Little Luki is my favourite; feisty, determined and loyal, she defies the tribe's conventions about the role of women and plays a truly heroic role. In contrast, for Samkad, the traditions of his people are not to be questioned. His longing to be a great warrior like his father, to please the ancients and the ancestors, are all evident, yet he is also impulsive and quick tempered when these values are threatened. Kinyo is also an intriguing character; his fascination with the Americans, his initial wish to distance himself from his own people, offer a contrast to Samkad and Luki's suspicions.

The settings in the book are brilliantly described, celebrating the natural beauty of the world. Bone Talk is an amazing story, combining breathtaking adventure with historical detail. The perfect read for inquiring minds!

Bone Talk Candy Gourlay

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788450171

Genie and Teeny Make a Wish

When Grant the Genie is cast out of the Genie World for an accident involving Queen Mizelda, his lamp is damaged and he needs to find somewhere new to live. Having settled into a convenient teapot, Grant meets Teeny, a lost puppy, and the two become best friends. However, they are kidnapped by the very purple-loving and very evil Lavinia Lavender, who has a cunning plan to win the big dancing dog show, beating her old rival. Can a genie who is not very good at making wishes come true save the day?

‘Genie and Teeny Make a Wish’ is the first in a new series which Steven has both written and illustrated. The book is an explosion of the most wonderful pictures, making it instantly appealing. There are even little stars round the right hand side page numbers! The story is written in a chatty, light-hearted tone, often directly appealing to the reader and engaging them with the story. Grant’s magic wishy word is an instant giggle inspirer and will no doubt be adopted by many!

The fact that Grant, a magical being who you would expect to get things right, often makes mistakes is very reassuring and makes a great starting point for discussions around not having to be perfect or live up to impossible expectations. He keeps trying, does his best and everything works out in the end.

There is much fun to be had with the story as well. Children would really enjoy designing Grant a new home in various different containers- a watering can, perhaps, or a kettle - and thinking of hats to add to his collection. There is a page at the beginning of the book for children (or adults!) to list their three (you can’t wish for more wishes so don’t even bother trying) wishes which makes a perfect starting point for perhaps fulfilling some of these and enjoying the idea of others- some wishes should be just for dreaming, I think! As ever, Steven encourages children to have a go at drawing with a step by step guide for drawing Grant at the end of the book and a special page for their picture, encouraging the artist to share their work on social media.

Brilliantly illustrated and full of fun, ‘Genie and Teeny Make a Wish’ is a magical treat, perfect for sharing. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next!.

Genie and Teeny: Make a Wish Steven Lenton

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008408206

Gorilla Dawn

Imara, a young girl abducted from her home village, and Bobo, the son of a wildlife ranger, are imprisoned by rebel soldiers in the heart of the African jungle. When the rebels capture a baby gorilla which they plan to sell, the children vow to return it to the wild and escape. Should the children get caught, the consequences would be terrible...

Gill Lewis writes with a passion for living things which shines through all of her books. 'Gorilla Dawn' is the most thought provoking and challenging yet, looking at issues of exploitation- of children, of the environment, of the planet. It explores the devastating effects of war and how the selfish demands of the West can destroy life elsewhere in the world.

Through the eyes of the children, the reader is challenged to think about their responsibility to the natural world and the need to protect it. Topics like deforestation, civil war, the atrocities and devastation of conflict could all be considered and discussed and children (and adults) might well be inspired to find out more about some areas- for example the illegal/ unethical mining of coltan and the violation of Human Rights.

The children are individual, well drawn characters, allowing the reader to engage with them. Imara's role as 'Spirit Child' and her relationship with Kitwana, the baby gorilla, are particularly interesting.

This is a very touching, emotional story, but the message ultimately hopeful and the ending satisfying. The content and themes make it perfect for children at the 'moving on' stage who are looking for a challenging, but rewarding read.

Gorilla Dawn Gill Lewis

OUP   ISBN: 978-0192739179

Willow Wildthing

Whilst exploring the garden of her new house , Willow meets the Wild Things, a group of children. who invite her to cross the bridge and enter the Wilderness, a place where anything can happen. The Wilderness was once the garden and grounds of an old house that burned down and remains a ‘small patch of green in the grey concrete town’. For the children, the Wilderness is a place where ‘time stretched, rivers ran deep and giant forests grew’… a secret, magical place.

In the first adventure, Willow pursues the Wild Things when they capture her little dog, Sniff. She crosses the bridge and learns that the children need to borrow Sniff to track a monster which has invaded their camp. One of their group, Bear, gave chase when the monster snatched the Wild Thing’s doughnuts and has disappeared. The children hope Sniff can help them find him and so Willow and her faithful dog join them on an adventure to face the swamp monster.

In their second adventure, The Wild Things find another group of children, the Bark Skins, are in the Wilderness. They have taken Mouse, trapping him with the threat of the Ogre Tree, and demanding River Camp- the Wildthings’ base- in return for his freedom. Furious, the Wild Things declare war and decide to train the dragon who lives in the Dragon Gardens to help them defeat the enemy…

In ‘Willow Wildthing and the Shooting Star’, heavy rains have destroyed River Camp. Whilst camping in Raven’s garden, the children see three shooting stars fall into the Wilderness. Determined to find them, the Wild Things set off on another adventure.

The joy of being free to roam the countryside, getting muddy and making camps radiates from these stories. Exploring nature and being part of the great outdoors makes them a breath of fresh air and perfect for inspiring not only a love of reading, but a desire to share in the Wild Things’ outdoor activities. Each book has an activity at the end which is practical and fun for children to try.

There is so much to love about these stories. Sniff is a rescue dog with ‘one eye, wonky teeth and a brave heart’ who no one had wanted, but he is the perfect dog for Willow and is a real hero of these stories. The reader learns much about nature through the stories too. When Willow’s little brother finds a ‘dragon’ in their garden, his parents create a home for it in a tank, but Willow knows it needs to be released and pleads with her parents not to dig up all the overgrown bushes in their garden that form its home. Th threat litter poses to wildlife is also brilliantly highlighted in the third book- so much to think about and discuss.

Willow’s little brother, Freddie, is ill which offers another element to these stories, exploring her feelings about this and the impact that this has on her family. She longs for him to be well enough to join her in her adventures in the Wilderness and the strong bonds of family love shine through the books. This is highlighted by Rebecca Bagley’s wonderful illustrations, themed to the colour of the book’s cover.

These gentle adventures which celebrate the imagination and play, the power of nature and the love of family and friends are a real delight. Perfect for newly independent readers, as Guided Reading texts or for the joy of a shared story, Gill Lewis has worked her magic again!

Willow Wildthing and the Swamp Monster Gill Lewis, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

OUP ISBN: 978-0192771759

Willow Wildthing and the Dragon’s Egg Gill Lewis, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

OUP ISBN: 978-0192771766

Willow Wildthing and the Shooting Star Gill Lewis, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

OUP ISBN: 978-0192771773

A Story Like the Wind

Adrift on the wide ocean in a flimsy boat meant for pleasure, not rescue, a group of strangers huddle together. Each has their own story. Each is clinging to the hope of freedom.

Cradling all he has left, Rami feels lost. As his fellow travellers share their stories and try to share their meagre possessions with him, Rami refuses, saying he has nothing to offer in return. But he has the case he is cradling to his chest which contains a violin...

'Too fragile. Too intricate. Too beautiful. Suspended silence from some other world.'

And so Rami offers music and story with their power to heal and their gift of hope.

I cried as I read this book. That Gill Lewis is a powerful storyteller is no surprise, but in 'A Story Like the Wind' her lyrical writing coupled with the beauty of the illustrations and the poignance of the subject matter left me breathless.

As Rami shares the 'first story' of his instrument, remembered 'in the grain of wood of its body, in the tautness of its strings and in the scroll of its neck', the personal stories of those in the boat become entwined with it. As he plays, his inspiring tale of standing firm in the face of oppression and injustice offers each of them hope and the determination to keep the song of freedom alive.

The illustrations are fabulous. Each one is a real work of art, complementing the beautiful text in the telling of both the stories of the refugees and the traditional Mongolian tale of the origin of the horsehead violin.

If you only read one book this year, make this the one.

A Story Like the Wind

Gill Lewis, illustrated by Jo Weaver

OUP     ISBN: 978-0192758958

Swan Song

Permanently excluded from school, Dylan and his mother are forced to move to live with his grandfather in a tiny Welsh village. Initially, things are difficult- his mother and grandfather are not close and Dylan finds himself without the distractions of games consoles and the Internet. However, things start to change when his grandfather takes Dylan out on a fishing trip and shows him the whooper swans. The peace and beauty of nature helps to restore his sense of wellbeing, but will it be enough to help him when new challenges arise?

Beautifully written, ‘Swan Song’ is a celebration of the healing power of nature. It also sensitively explores mental health issues. Dylan found the transition to secondary school very difficult and struggled to cope with the pressure he felt from the expectations of work. The story acknowledges how friendships change during the transition years as some try to ‘reinvent’ themselves and others can feel left behind as they see their friends move on. As so often happens in real life, Dylan’s behaviour became increasingly challenging as he felt more and more out of control. The curt dismissal of the head at the opening of the book is not my experience of this situation: it is a very long road to this point and one which we work so hard to avoid.

The relationship which develops between Dylan and his grandfather as they bond over their admiration for the swans is very touching. His grandfather’s non-judgemental approach and the trust he shows in his grandson help restore Dylan’s sense of self worth and he is able to relax, finding a sense of calm. This is enhanced by the beauty and tranquillity of their surroundings. Nature has also helped Dylan’s grandfather come to terms with the loss of his wife.

Gill Lewis shines when describing the natural world- her love of nature sings through every line. The threat to the swans’ habitat in the story and the action taken by the community underline the importance of conserving and protecting these spaces. There is so much packed into this short story- it is a joy to read. Another Barrington Stoke triumph!

Excellent for using in guided reading, there is so much to discuss and explore in this book. ‘Swan Song’ is a sensitive, thoughtful story, full of nature’s healing power.

Swan Song Gill Lewis

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-1781129548

The Weather Weaver

Stella is excited to be returning to Shetland for the summer to stay with her Grandpa, even though her parents are leaving her whilst they work. But nothing is as she remembers. Her Gran’s death has changed her grandfather and there is little for her to do. However, everything changes when she meets Tamar, an old lady who lives on the island because Tamar is a weather weaver. Having caught her own cloud, Stella begins to learn this ancient craft, but when the Harken, a sea witch, threatens the island, Stella finds out what being a weather weaver really means.

Wonderfully atmospheric, ‘The Weather Weaver’ is a fabulous adventure, perfect for reading aloud and exploring in depth. The story builds at a pleasing pace, with wonderful descriptions of a place full of myth and magic and the beauty of nature. Stones absorb all sorts of things…our connection to the world around us is beautifully celebrated, reminding us to pause, pay attention- and enjoy.

Stella is a great character, fallible and flawed, but warm, determined and full of family love. Her little cloud, Nimbus, is a true delight- bursting with personality and charm- who wouldn’t want a friend like that? When the final conflict comes, both find reserves of courage and perseverance, working together to keep danger at bay. Stella is also open to understanding that things are not always as they first appear, prepared to give second chances and listen to others, even when others are not.

The story also deals sensitively with grief and loss, showing her Grandpa’s pain and how he tries to cope with this and protect his loved ones.

‘The Weather Weaver’ is an immersive read, with much to recommend it. I hope there will be more stories about Stella and Nimbus to come.

The Weather Weaver Tamsin Mori

UCLan Publishing ISBN: 978-1912979455

The Hungry Ghost

Reluctantly leaving her ill mother in Denmark, Freja is sent to live with her father and his new family in Singapore. She arrives during the month of the hungry ghost, the month where ancient spirits are said to roam the earth and people must leave offerings to their ancestors so that they will not be haunted. Struggling to fit in, with guilt at having left her mother and living somewhere so different, Freja finds freedom exploring Bukit Brown, a place she later discovers is a disused Chinese graveyard. She also discovers that a mysterious girl she keeps seeing is a ‘hungry ghost’ and soon Freja is caught up in a search for the girl’s identity which is tied up in secrets from the past.

‘The Hungry Ghost’ is a highly evocative read, rich in description and giving a strong sense of both place and culture, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the story. Bukit Brown is so vividly described that on searching for photos of the cemetery, you feel as if you are looking a pictures of a place which you have visited. Other places are also full of life and colour with the author obviously drawing on personal experience. A very useful glossary of terms is included at the end of the story, deepening understanding without detracting from the narrative.

The characters are very well developed. Freja’s mix of emotions are sensitively explored as she struggles with her feelings towards her father’s new family and guilt at having left her mother. In searching for the truth about the ghostly girl, she learns much about herself, her family and uncomfortable truths about the colonial past.

‘The Hungry Ghost’ would make an excellent guided reading book for children needing a challenge. It goes without saying that care would be needed when considering issues of loss and mental health, but the richness of culture, the mystery element and the evocative writing offer plenty of opportunities for discussion, research and writing as well as a wonderfully rich vocabulary to explore.

A thought-provoking, moving story, ‘The Hungry Ghost’ offers an excellent read.

The Hungry Ghost H S Norup

Pushkin Children’s ISBN: 978-1782692690

The Eye of the North

Emmeline is convinced her life is in danger. Clutching her satchel full of things to keep her alive, she makes her way through life, ready for anything! One breakfast time, she receives a letter from her parents which changes everything.

Put on a ship to sail to Paris where she would find safety, Emmeline meets a young boy called Thing, a scruffy stowaway, and an unlikely friendship develops between them. Chased by the criminals who kidnapped her parents, Emmeline is caught and taken to a villainous scientist, who is determined to summon an ancient creature from the icy depths of the north...

Desperate to save his new friend, Thing seeks help from a secret organisation and sets off in pursuit. 

What follows is an amazing story, combining the adventures of Emmeline and Thing as the one races to save the other. Fast paced and exciting, the book is peppered with fantastic characters and magical creatures, making this an enchanting read. 

Thing is a wonderful character. Haunted by his past, he is loyal and resourceful- a perfect companion for Emmeline, whose upbringing and experiences have made her more reserved and cautious. Rich, atmospheric language describes the settings beautifully and Emmeline's world comes vividly to life. With dangers at every turn, this will appeal to those who love fantasy and adventure.

The Eye of the North       Sinead O'Hart

Little Tiger     ISBN: 978-1847159410

The Children of Castle Rock

After her mother died, Alice Mistlethwaite has become increasingly withdrawn, constantly reading and writing stories only Barney, her father, is allowed to read. As he is an actor and often away from home, Aunt Patience decides it would be best to sell their home, Cherry Grange, and send Alice to a boarding school in Scotland. Although Alice protests, she finds herself arriving at Stormy Loch, a school with very different ideas about education. 

When she receives a mysterious package from her father with strict instructions not to open it, but to take it to a remote island, Alice seizes the opportunity the Great Orienteering Challenge offers to deliver it...

An adventure story in the tradition of boarding school favourites, 'The Children of Castle Rock' is a great read with lots of action and interesting characters. Stormy Loch offers the perfect setting for the children to escape the adult presence and allows the adventure to develop in the wilds of remote Scotland- beautifully described, leaving the reader longing to visit!

Although an adventure, the story is really focused on relationships- those between children and those with parents. Alice adores her father, choosing to ignore his shadier side and the choices he makes until events force her to realise that he should act like the grown up in their relationship and put her well being above his. Fergus, an extremely clever boy who Alice has become friendly with, is struggling with his parent's acrimonious divorce and Jesse, another friend, feels over shadowed by his older brothers whose confidence and talents make him feel inadequate. There are also some interesting moments in the relationships between these very different friends as the story progresses. 

'The Children of Castle Rock' has much to recommend it for children moving on to more challenging reads. Natasha Farrant has allowed her children to swear in the story as they most likely would do, but has chosen to use asterisks to make this more palatable for adults! (It is very obvious what they would be saying!) A great story with great characters and an unusual ending- what more could you ask for!

The Children of Castle Rock    Natasha Farrant 

Faber      ISBN: 978-0571323562

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk

Having started life in an orphanage, Ben is delighted when kindly Nathan adopts him and fellow orphan, Sam. Together, they live a happy life on the Sparrowhawk, Nathan’s barge, until Sam is wounded fighting in WWI and Nathan is killed when he travels to be with him. Threatened with the prospect of having to return to the orphanage, Ben is determined to find his ‘brother’. Lotti has plenty of reasons to to be unhappy. After her loving parents were killed in an accident, her ghastly uncle and aunt have moved in to her home and are making her life misery.

Their lives collide when Lotti rescues a badly treated dog by stealing it and hides on the Sparrowhawk. As events unfold, they hatch a plan to sail across the channel to France to search for Sam and so their adventure begins…

This is classic storytelling, offering plenty of tension, lots of adventure with love, friendship and laughter mixed in. I loved every page!

Lotti and Ben are wonderful characters- so different, but balancing each other perfectly. Their friendship develops as the story progresses and they know that they can rely on one another. Their dogs are also well rounded characters, adding plenty of humour and pathos! Many other characters add to the flavour of the story as they help or hinder the children on their quest- Lotti’s uncle is up there with the most despicable baddies whilst Frank is wonderful!

The courage and determination of these children is a joy to read about, coming to a satisfying conclusion. The devastating impact of war is felt as the children travel though France, but they face each challenge together and show that family can be created in any form where love, trust and companionship are found.

‘Voyage of the Sparrowhawk’ is a stunning read, beautifully told. Extremely satisfying, it’s a must read!

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk Natasha Farrant

Faber ISBN: 978-0571348763

Crater Lake Evolution

Although more than five months have passed since Year 6 went on their trip to Crater Lake, Lance and his friends are still reeling from the experience. The transition to secondary school has seen been hard and the friends are no longer as close as they were. However, when reports of a explosion at the university leading to the escape of a mysterious creature and a town-wide curfew, Lance knows he and his friends need to work together once more to save Straybridge from a deadly enemy.

Sometimes a sequel fails to live up to the expectation, but that is not the case with ‘Crater Lake Evolution’. Jennifer Killick writes pacey, gripping adventures, full of suspense, but which are also infused with a keen sense of humour, taking the edge off the scary moments.

The plot is really well developed, referring to events at Crater Lake, but not to such an extent that having read book one is essential. Bringing the danger to threaten their own town adds an extra frisson of excitement to this story as family members change and are directly exposed to peril. Friendship is very much at the heart of the story, with team work and trust once again saving the day.

The tricky phase of transitioning to secondary school is explored really well in this story. The friends have grown apart as they are facing this next stage, leading to insecurities and misunderstandings. As the children re-group to face this new threat, they are forced to face some of these problems and share feelings about peer pressure, jealousy and anxiety- reassuring for those in a similar situation.

An excellent sequel, ‘Crater Lake Evolution’ is a deliciously dark adventure, mixed with humour and heart.

Crater Lake Evolution Jennifer Killick

Firefly ISBN: 978-1913102647

Crater Lake

On their way to Crater Lake, a brand new activity centre, Lance and his Year 6 class mates are shocked by the appearance of a blood-stained man who stops their coach, muttering warnings about the centre. The lack of camp staff when they arrive is also disconcerting, but that is nothing to the nightmare that follows. On this school trip from hell, don’t ever fall asleep…

Compelling reading, ‘Crater Lake’ is full of sudden frissons of fear and excitement. Jennifer Killick has managed to capture the dynamics of Lance’s class very well with its different groups and alliances yet she also shows how people are not always what they first appear and should not be instantly judged. Each of the group have been hiding something from the others and as their experiences draw them closer, they find comfort in sharing these with each other.

The reader soon comes to realise that there is far more to Lance than meets the eye, trusting him to lead the group to safety and overcome the dangers of Crater Lake. There are some great moments of humour mingled throughout the story to lighten the tension which are much needed!

This is a read-in-one-sitting, keep-the-lights-on-at-bedtime thriller of a story which is perfectly pitched for our Moving On Category. Just unsettling enough, it is a pacy and exciting read with much to recommend it!

Crater Lake Jennifer Killick

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102203

The Infinite

Elle Bíbi-Imbelé Ifíè is a Leapling. Born on the 29th February, she also has The Gift: she can travel through time. On her twelfth birthday, Elle and a group of students, including her best friend, Big Ben, leap to 2048 on a school visit to the Time Squad Centre. It quickly becomes apparent that things are not as they should be and other Leaplings have been going missing. Having received a message from the future, Elle soon realises that not everyone can be trusted…

What an excellent book! Original, quirky, pacey, intelligent…it was a one-sitting read- and I can’t wait to read her next adventure.

Elle is an amazing character. She is autistic and the author has done an amazing job of explaining how she views the world, her relationships and her obsessions. As the story is told through her voice, it is perfect for building empathy and understanding. I have taught many children who would recognise themselves in both her and Big Ben- and would benefit from the experience.

The plot is something I don’t want to say too much about as everyone should read this book and I would hate to spoil it for them by giving too much away. The story is well constructed and thought provoking with environmental themes and the idea that simple actions really can make a better future.

Richly written and inventive, ‘The Infinite’ is a stunning story with much to recommend it.

The Infinite Patience Agbabi

Canongate ISBN: 978-1786899651