Keep Your Friends Close

When Chloe Roberts is cheated out of being Head Girl at Morton Academy by her supposed best friend, Nikhita Patel, everything changes. No longer assured the benefits which this position brings and having been dumped by her boyfriend, she finds herself clinging to her position in the school’s secret society, Jewel and Bone. Then Chloe stumbles upon the ‘Book of Crime and Punishment’, the misdeeds committed by Morton students recorded along with a fitting punishment, and suddenly it seems as if certain marked entries match up with the deaths of members of Jewel and Bone. And it looks as if Chloe is next…

Pacy and tense, ‘Keep Your Friends Close’ is a compelling, ‘can’t put it down until finished’ read!

Hardworking and competitive, Chloe has her sights set on the bright future offered by being a member of Jewel and Bone and being Head Girl of Morton Academy. Having spent the previous year on course for the top spot, she is devastated when one of the girls in her friendship circle deprives her of this by cheating. Pushed to the fringes of the group and finding herself sharing a room with girls who are not part of the ‘elite’, Chloe realises how unpleasant Nikhita can be and, to her horror, is forced to acknowledge that she (Chloe) has also behaved badly towards others. Knowing that her only course of action now is to work harder than ever to secure the future she longs for, she tries to adapt to her new life at school, making friends with her new room mates.

Readers are kept guessing as Chloe strives to unpick the mystery. As the tension mounts and sinister event follows sinister event, her nerves are stretched to breaking point, leading to a twisted ending. The story poses many questions about power and privilege and how far people are prepared to go gain and keep these, offering plenty to think about.

Set in 1999, the book is set at Morton Academy which some readers will recognise as the setting for ‘Win, Lose, Kill, Die’. ‘Keep Your Friends Close’ works perfectly well as a stand alone, although true fans will enjoy recognising some details.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Keep Your Friends Close

Cynthia Murphy

Penguin ISBN: 978-0241712788

Tuck and Tina and the Lost Fortune

Tina lives in a hole in the wall of Room 123, Boone School, where she enjoys listening to lessons and watching the children enjoy their days. Wishing for a friend of her own, Tina is delighted when a new class pet, a mouse called Tuck, arrives. He’s not exactly what she had in mind and she’s sure he’s going to be nothing but trouble. However, when they discover that the school is facing closure, the two mice work together to locate the secret fortune rumoured to be hidden somewhere in the building, determined to save their home.

‘Tuck and Tina and the Lost Fortune’ is a delightful story, the first in a new series aimed at younger readers. Full of gentle humour and lovely illustrations, the adventures of these two mice are sure to engage and entertain.

Tuck is a bundle of energy, sure to cause chaos wherever he goes, the very opposite of the timid, well behaved Tina. As they work together to solve the mystery, however, Tina comes to realise that they make a good team, showing that opposites really can attract and form good friendships. Although it is easy to judge people on first appearances, getting to know them is so important.

Children are sure to enjoy spotting things which Tuck and Tina miss in their search for the lost fortune whilst giggling at their antics as they strive to save their home. I look forward to seeing what these two little mice get up to next!

Tuck and Tina and the Lost Fortune

Jess Brallier, illustrated by Jack Keely

Penguin ISBN: 978-0241704257

NNFN2023 Bloggers’ Tour: The Fossil Hunter

Today’s review for the NNNFN2023 Bloggers’ Tour is ‘The Fossil Hunter’ by Kate Winter. As her contribution to the story of modern science is becoming more recognised and valued, biographies of her life and work for children are starting to appear- and this is a real gem!

There is so much to recommend this book that it is hard to know where to start! Initial attraction might be the stunning illustrations. The cover is wonderfully tactile, inviting the reader to run their fingers over the vertebrae of a dinosaur and the stones it lies amongst whilst a bonnetless Mary points to the wonders of the ancient sky above her. The opening end papers show a sepia scene with Mary, her father, brother and little dog, Tray, seeking the fossils which became their livelihood whilst the back end papers show modern fossil hunters, following in her footsteps. Throughout the book, the illustrations form an integral part of Mary’s story, bringing scenes to life and creatively supporting the text. A number of fold-out pages are cleverly used to deepen the reader’s understanding of events in Mary’s story.

By putting Mary’s life, experiences and achievements in context, the author has emphasised the extent and significance of her achievements. Throughout her life, she (and her family) experienced grinding poverty and her place in society as both a woman and a member of the working classes meant that her work was barely acknowledged in her lifetime- and beyond. Her passion and determination are fully recognised, but so are her struggles and frustrations.

‘The Fossil Hunter’ is packed with fascinating information, presented in a very appealing, accessible manner. Quotes from Mary herself, background information about fossils and dinosaurs, contextual information about her times and other fossil collectors and fossil finds around the world all combine to make this an essential read for anyone interested in the life and work of Mary Anning. Can’t recommend this one highly enough!

The Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Unearthed the Truth about the Dinosaurs

Kate Winter

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241469880

Flora and Nora Hunt for Treasure

Best friends, Flora and Nora, are cats with very different personalities and they are both off on a sea-faring adventure to find the Secret Treasure. When disaster strikes, their boat is destroyed and they are separated. As Flora starts to panic and as Nora starts to cry, each is consoled by asking themselves what the other would do in that situation and things start to look brighter. Ultimately, the two are reunited, realising that their friendship is worth so much more than treasure.

Friendship is such a wonderful thing and this lovely book is a brilliant celebration of how friends can support and complement each other. The two cats have different strengths- Flora, we are told, has brilliant ideas whilst Nora has an organised tool box, but together, they face everything the voyage throws at them. Their separation only makes them appreciate each other more. Standing beside a huge mound of Secret Treasure, they are too busy being reunited to even notice these riches, only seeing the value in each other. Although there is lots of humour, the story also offers plenty to discuss about the things which are important in life.

The delightfully quirky, brightly-coloured illustrations are full of details, making them really engaging and full of things to notice. This is a story which will become a firm favourite, with many re-readings being demanded! An absolute joy!

Flora and Nora Hunt for Treasure

Kim Hillyard

Penguin ISBN: 978-0241488607

You can read my review of Mabel and the Mountain here.

The Whisperling

There’s no such thing as ghosts…unless you need their help.

Peggy Devona is a Whisperling. She can talk to those who have passed, should they wish it, during ‘the burn’, the moment when their spirit is at its most powerful. However, in the small English village where she lives, there are many who are afraid of such people so she hides her ability. However, when her best friend, Sally, is accused of murdering Lady Stanton, the rich lady she works for, Peggy knows she must use her gift to save Sally from the gallows.

I absolutely adored this story and found the note from the author at the end of the book really fascinating. Compelling from the outset, the story has a wonderful gothic feel as it explores Victorian attitudes to death and the afterlife as well as the harsh realities of punishments and labour conditions at this time.

Peggy is a wonderful character. Fiercely loyal, her friendship with Sally means the world to her and she shows great courage, determination and resilience as she works to solve the mystery surrounding Lady Stanton’s death. Sent from her home for her safety when the villagers discover that she is a Whisperling, she escapes to Bristol to live with her Uncle Bletchley, who runs seances at his Psychic Emporium. Here, she meets Cecily and Oti, the girls who work for her uncle, and learns to trust them as they help her in her quest to save Sally.

There is so much to love about this story…but I would hate to spoil it for anyone so am reluctant to say too much. The references to Bristol are fascinating and there are moments of great poignancy and love throughout. Highly recommended to one and all!

The Whisperling

Hayley Hoskins, illustrated by Kristina Kister

Puffin Books ISBN: 978-0241514504