Gloam

Since the death of their mother, Gwen and her younger brother and twin sisters have been left with their step-father, Henry. Instead of thinking about how things have changed, she focuses on looking after her family until they move to The House, the former home of their late grandmother. When Henry announces that he has a job interview, he asks local baby sitter, Esme, to watch the children, much to Gwen’s annoyance. Although everyone else seems to like her, Gwen finds the babysitter slightly sinister and takes an immediate dislike to her.

As creepy things start to happen, Gwen quickly realises that she will have to take action. As Esme’s power grows, Gwen is forced to face her nightmares to save her family.

I made the great mistake of reading this at night, in a strange room whilst away from home! The spooky setting, evil villain and the building sense of malevolence all combine to make this a chilling and compelling read for those who like a good scare!

Having shouldered much of the responsibility for looking after her younger siblings, Gwen is outraged when Henry suggests that he will be finding help to look after them. Capable and responsible, she is the only one who doesn’t initially take to Esme Laverne, the pretty, practically perfect help babysitter, who appears in their home. With her concerns dismissed by everyone else, Gwen is determined to unmask the evil of this woman who has wheedled her way into their home and the affections of her family, finding the inner strength and resourcefulness needed to show everyone she (Esme) is really a monster.

Devious and calculating, Esme makes a chilling opponent! Proving that beauty on the outside does not equate to beauty on the inside, her actions are calculated to divide and conquer the family, seeking to isolate and punish any defiance. Just the sort of villain readers will love to hate!

Perfect for children who love a scary read!

Gloam

Jack Mackay

Rock the Boat ISBN: 978-0861549528

Published 14th August 2025

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks

Alice Tonks is about to start life at Pebblewood School, affectionately known as ‘Pebbles’, like her grandmother and mother before her. Anxious about being away from her grandmother who understands her, Alice is worried about making new friends as others do not always understand her autism and are not always kind or accepting. However, when a seagull speaks to her, Alice learns that she is a Switcher, a human who can talk to, and understand, animals. The seagull- Agent T- tells her that animals are being snatched and the LSPDA (the Loyal Society for the Prevention of Danger to Animals) needs her help. Whilst trying to solve this mystery, Alice must also navigate school life, learning who to trust and who her real friends are.

I loved this story so much! It is one of those books which could easily be spoilt by a careless review revealing too much so I shall proceed with caution!

Alice is a lovely character- so easy to empathise with, particularly as she struggles to be what she perceives as ‘Nice Alice’, a version of herself which is ‘acceptable’ to others, but is so tiring and difficult to maintain. What the reader comes to know is a very kind, loyal and honest girl, a good friend with a great admiration for Beatrix Potter. Her abilities as a Switcher are very well handled as she (and the reader) has much to learn about what she can actually do and her talents are gradually revealed as the story progresses. Alice might be an unlikely hero, but she comes to learn the importance of being true to herself, doing things her way and succeeding.

Friendship is key to the story and Alice makes friends with Ottie, her room mate, and Tim, who was kind to her on the first day. Both of these children are harbouring secrets of their own and Alice’s relationships are further complicated by the unwanted and unpleasant attention of Kelcie and Lexi, girls in their year group. In Constance, the library cat, and other animals, Alice also finds comfort and companionship as she strives to help them and solve the mystery.

The plot has some very satisfying twists and turns and a wonderful setting of school and seaside. ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks’ would make an excellent class read, not only for having an autistic character centre stage and sympathetically portrayed, but also for being a cracking adventure, sure to cause gasps of ‘noooooo!’ when it is closed at the end of story time as the children will be desperate for more!

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks Emily Kenny

Rock the Boat ISBN: 978-0861542055