The Light Hunters

Since a Monster killed his family, Lux Dowd lives with his grandfather in the town of Daven. Light Hunters used to battle these monsters, saving people until a terrible mistake turned them against Light and those who use it. However, Lux has a secret. He can wield Light and is being trained by his grandfather in secret. When his friend, Maya, is wounded in an attack, Lux uses the Light to heal her, exposing his secret and attracting the attention of a sinister stranger. Lux finds himself drawn into the world of the Light Hunters where he becomes a member of Squad Juno and soon finds himself facing not only Monsters, but also those who would use his powers for evil.

Action packed and full of energy, ‘The Light Hunters’ is an excellent book. For me, it was a one sitting read as I found myself completely absorbed into the story and invested in Lux, hoping things would work out well for him!

Dan Walker’s world building is excellent. From the outset, the reader is aware of the threat posed by monsters and the existence of the mysterious Light Hunters who used to protect his town, but have since been rejected by the townspeople, gathering all the necessary details effortlessly as the story develops. Vivid descriptions bring the setting to life as Lux travels from his home to Dawnstar, the Light Hunters’ HQ and the pacey plot keeps the reader fully engaged as Lux discovers more about his light-wielding powers and with his new found friends in Squad Juno, rises to the challenges Monster hunting brings.

Friendship and family loyalty are at the heart of the story. Lux’s affection for his grandfather is very touching, adding some emotional moments amongst the action. ‘The Light Hunters’ makes an excellent read for those who love fantasy and I’m already looking forward to the next in the series!

The Light Hunters Dan Walker

UCLan Publishing ISBN: 978-1912979103

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger

Lizzie Sancho lives with her family at their Westminster grocery shop which doubles as a tea shop and what her father likes to call ‘literary salon’ in Georgian London, but she is definitely not your typical eighteenth-century girl. With no interest in the latest fashions or society gossip, Lizzie is very observant and intelligent. Her father has been given the role of Othello, making him the first Black man to play this role on the British stage. A trip to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for his opening night ends in disaster after an accident; however, it also leads to Lizzie meeting Dido Belle, an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at Kenwood House, a magnificent residence on Hampstead Heath. The two girls are sure they saw something suspicious at the theatre and soon find themselves on the trail of a mystery…

There is so much to enjoy about this story. Vividly bringing Georgian London to life, it is a historical novel bursting with detail. Lizzie and Belle are based on the real people from Black British history, Elizabeth Sancho and Dido Elizabeth Belle. With so little recorded about the lives of the poor, particularly women and still less Black lives in Britain at this time, the story opens children’s eyes to the presence of the Black community in London in Georgian England. It does not shy away from serious topics such as Black people of being kidnapped and sold to slavers or to work in bondage in country houses in England ‘dressed up and collared, like pets’, the awful existence of those in enslavement in the Caribbean or the work of the abolitionists whilst offering a story of real friendship, courage- and some excellent detection!

From very different backgrounds, the girls make fascinating heroines. Lizzie is surrounded by her large, loving family whilst Belle confesses that she had never been introduced to another Black girl before Lizzie or rarely meets anyone of her own age. She knows she is fortunate to live in such luxury, but has a lonely existence. Together, the girls make the perfect team as they piece together the mystery of what happened at the theatre.

The story moves at a pleasing pace, with scenes of the theatre, the girls’ home lives and plenty of action as they investigate. The ending suggests the possibility of a new case for the girls to solve which I will be very keen to read. In the meantime, I will be reading more about Ignatius Sancho (Lizzie’s father), Dido Elizabeth Belle and other Black British figures from this period.

‘Drama and Danger’ is an excellent read, brilliantly illustrated by Simone Douglas throughout- a must have for all book corners and libraries!

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger

J. T. Williams

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008485252

The Ship of Doom

When Luna is forced to attend a meeting in the Butterfly Room at the Greenwich Observatory, she expects an evening of boredom. But it turns out to be full of surprises. The Butterfly Club is a society with a secret- they travel in time to ‘borrow’ technology from the future. With two travelling companions, Konstantin and Aidan, Luna boards the time train for her first mission which takes them aboard an unsinkable ship- The Titanic.

‘The Ship of Doom’ mingles fantasy with history to create a pacy adventure, making the reader wonder about which event in time they might travel to and what they might find there! Most children have probably heard of the Titanic and know that the children are being sent into a dangerous situation, building tension and posing questions about the ‘butterfly effect’ of any actions they take whilst on board.

The missing key for the cupboard containing the binoculars and ignored warnings of iceberg sightings are factors which contributed to the Titanic’s fate and these events are woven into the story. Historic figures also appear, including Arthur John Priest, a stoker who survived a number of shipwrecks. He plays a significant role in this story, thwarting the children’s attempts to change events. Marconi also features in the story with his ‘marvellous invention’ saving hundreds of passengers. Note at the end of the book offer more information about significant events and characters, offering an excellent stating point for further investigation.

The children- Luna, Konstantin and Aiden- make an interesting mix with little in common, but ultimately drawn together by the situation in which they find themselves. Once on board, they allow the reader to see how social status was reflected on board ship and how the experience of each class differed.

‘The Ship of Doom’ would make a powerful text to use with children, offering plenty of scope for writing in role, research and asking ‘what if..?’ questions whilst enjoying a very engaging adventure. The Butterfly Club’s next adventure is called ‘The Mummy’s Curse’, promising another exciting historical adventure! Look forward to reading that one.

The Ship of Doom M. A. Bennett

Welbeck Flame ISBN: 978-1801300049

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

The Animal Lighthouse

Washed up in a barrel of rum on a tropical island when a baby, Jim has been brought up by his animal family ever since. He helps them to run the island’s special lighthouse which has the dual purpose of keeping ships from hitting the rocks and completely hiding the magical island from the wrong eyes. But trouble is on the horizon as someone has stolen the lighthouse bulb filaments, exposing the island. To make matters worse, a pirate ship is on the way…

Bursting with humour and heart, ‘The Animal Lighthouse’ is a swash-buckling adventure sure to capture the imagination of its readers. A wonderful menagerie of animals support Jim in his action-packed quest and the story is peppered with Ciara Flood’s brilliant illustrations.

Recently, I was delighted to be asked to organise some school visits for Anthony- and these were incredibly successful! Both schools he visited were effusive with their praise for Anthony and the pleasure he had given to their children. One teacher told me: Anthony was fantastic! He had the children captivated and engaged. There was a real buzz from staff and children about his visit. It was interactive and very funny! Another said that her son had enjoyed the talk so much that he has had his nose in the book all weekend.

Lots of happy children were enthused by the event and enjoyed having their copies of the book signed as these comments show!

Alicia: The author was really funny; he made funny voices for the characters.

William: He was really good-he was just the best! I read a whole chapter of his book last night.

Mia: I liked that he was funny. He read the story to us in different voices.

Jenny: He tried to make us all laugh and it actually did work!

High praise indeed!

Many thanks to Anthony for his wonderful visits, to Liz Scott for her support and to Alastair at Books on the Hill in Clevedon for book sales!

The Animal Lighthouse Anthony Burt

illustrated by Ciara Flood

Guppy Books ISBN: 978-1913101527

Magicborn

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

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

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

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

Magicborn Peter Bunzl

Usborne ISBN: 978-1803707570

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review of ‘Cogheart’ here.

The Heart Scarab

Brothers, Renni and Mahu, are complete opposites. Renni, the younger, is an apprentice painter, learning to decorate tombs in the Valley of the Kings whilst Mahu looks for opportunities to make money. When Mahu hatches a plot to rob the tomb of a famous general, Renni reluctantly agrees. He steals the heart scarab from the General’s sarcophagus, leading to the unleashing of dead spirits, magic and mayhem. Renni and Mahu must return the missing scarab before Anubis comes not only for the general’s soul, but theirs as well.

‘The Heart Scarab’ is a pacy adventure with lots of action. Saviour is well known for his excellent historical fiction, effortlessly lacing exciting stories with details from whichever period he is writing about and this, the first in the new ‘Nile Adventures’ series, is rich with information about the ancient Egyptians, their lives and time.

Set in the tenth year in the reign of Ramesses II, the story would make an excellent text for using to support work on the Ancient Egyptians in upper KS2, either as a class story or as a key text to inspire and develop work. The story lends itself to plenty of writing in role, research, non-fiction writing and poetry as well as being perfect for developing reading skills. The story benefits from a section of additional information at the end of the book, including instructions for playing Senet.

The story is atmospheric and includes some dramatic scenes with the angry ghost of the dead general and the curse he lays on the boys. Having stolen the heart scarab and set the train of events in motion, they must now take responsibility for their actions and make things right again. Jo Lindley’s black and white illustrations throughout the book add much to the text.

The children’s adventures are set to continue in The Crocodile Temple, the second book in this series!

The Heart Scarab Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jo Lindley

Maverick Publishing ISBN: 978-1848868144

Please Write Soon

When asked to present a project in school, Solly -Solomon- tells his classmates about his Polish cousin, Bernie. He shares a series of letters which he wrote to Bernie and those he received in return over the course of the war. Through these letters, Solly tells Bernie about his evacuation to the countryside and his experiences there whilst Bernie writes of being sent by his parents from his home in west Poland to the east of the country where they hope he will be safer. As events build, the cousins share their experiences, worries and hopes until Sonny is able to tell his class what happened to Bernie and his family.

Inspired by the true experiences of the cousin of Michael Rosen’s father who was in the Anders Army, ‘Please Write Soon’ is a poignant story which introduces its readers to many events of the Second World War. A photo of Michael Rechnic (the inspiration for Bernie’s story) is included at the beginning of the book, encouraging the reader to remember those who experienced great hardship, fought and sacrificed so much for us today and perhaps inspire those who read this story to find out more about these events - and perhaps explore how they affected members of their own family.

Reading the story helps the reader to understand something of the impact of the war on the lives of real people. For Londoners like Solly, this included evacuation, the fear of air raids, rationing and the destruction of bombing. Solly also writes of the Bethnal Green Tube Station tragedy which took the lives of so many who were trying to get to safety. Solly’s letters are also brimming with little details of his daily life- playing marbles, watching badgers as well as his fears and troubles. Bernie’s letters tell of being sent to a work camp in Russia before becoming a soldier and fighting in Persia and Italy. When his letters are less frequent, Solly worries about what might have happened to his cousin, but continues to send his letters.

There is so much to reflect on and absorb from this poignant story and it would make an excellent text to use in school. The letter format makes the boys’ experiences very vivid, encouraging empathy and understanding in the reader. Events from the war are clearly explained and are sure to encourage children to investigate further. Michael Foreman’s illustrations complement the text perfectly. Using only shades of grey with touches of red, he captures scenes from the boys’ letters beautifully.

The afterword also makes an important read, adding much to the story and exploring Remembrance and its significance today, a very fitting conclusion to the book.

An excellent addition to any library or book collection.

Please Write Soon: An Unforgettable Story of Two Cousins in World War II

Michael Rosen, illustrated by Michael Foreman

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702303180

Day of the Whale

Cam and his mother live in Cetacea, part of Australia which survived the floods, where people worship whales, particularly Big Blue, whose wishes are interpreted by Byron Vos, founder and leader of the area. Everyone is working together to repair the damage caused by their forefathers, but Cam is on a mission of his own. His father is missing and his last words to Cam were Follow Big Blue. Find the truth. With help from his new friends, Banjo and Petra, Cam is determined to discover what happened to his father, but in doing this, they uncover dangerous secrets which might just destroy the world as they know it.

This is one of the best books I have read in ages and I have attempted to write a review of it several times. I can’t do it justice, no matter how hard I try- so here’s my best go! Combining a powerful environmental message with a tale of intrigue and deception, ‘Day of the Whale’ is a compelling page-turner which enthralls the reader from beginning to end. However, it’s also a story which is very hard to review without spoiling for others!

Evocative descriptions bring Cam’s world vividly to life- the relentless heat, the arid landscape and beyond, the ocean ‘like a huge beast shifting in its sleep’ alongside the details of their daily lives as the community strives to make amends for the mistakes of Long Ago- the dirty past.

His mother, lost and depressed since the disappearance of Cam’s father, is desperate for him to ‘be a good Cetacea boy’ and not draw attention to himself, but new friends open Cam’s eyes to new possibilities and different versions of the truth. There is darkness and danger in this world with its struggles for power and control, greed and tyranny- and yet, the story ends with so much hope for the future- for the good in people working together for a common aim.

Petra and Banjo are wonderful characters. Like Cam, they don’t quite fit in Cetacean society. Banjo feels a deep connection to the land and his First Nation’s heritage whilst Petra believes somewhere is ‘only home if you’re free to leave it’. Both challenge Cam to question ‘the establishment’, opening his eyes to new possibilities whilst they try to make sense of the information and mis-information of their world.

I cannot stress how much I loved this book- nor how much I recommend everyone reads it. Nothing I can write will do it justice- just read it for yourself!

Day of the Whale Rachel Delahaye

Troika ISBN: 978-1912745197

You can read my review of ‘Mort the Meek and the Ravens’ Revenge’ here and ‘Mort the Meek and the Monstrous Quest’ here.

The Accidental Stowaway

Esme Leonard- known as Patch- never meant to stowaway on the steamship, RMS Glorious. However, chased by a constable for a crime she did not commit whilst in pursuit of a boy with a skate which is hers, she needs to find a hiding place quickly. When the ship sets sail whilst she is still on board, she realises she has become an accidental stowaway. Luckily, she is a resourceful and capable child, used to fending for herself, but a couple of new friendships certainly help her settle on board, hiding in plain sight. However, things quickly become complicated and a mystery needs solving before the Glorious arrives in New York…

Judith Eagle can always be relied on for an excellent read! Both ‘The Secret Starling’ and ‘The Pear Affair’ are stories which I regularly recommend - and ‘The Accidental Stowaway’ will be joining them!

Often cross and outspoken, Patch is a wonderful character whose complicated background makes her incredibly adaptable and independent. As the story progresses, she shows herself to be loyal and courageous and you find yourself rooting for her at every step of her adventure, desperate for her to have a ‘happy ending’. Lillian and Turo, friends she makes on board, are equally engaging, helping her to solve the mystery they uncover on board- and adding to it! Once exposed, the baddies are deliciously horrible, making the children’s triumph all the more pleasing.

Settings are always something Judith Eagle describes brilliantly and each location Patch finds herself in is vividly portrayed with an effortless skill which enables the reader to visualise each scene. This is one of the many reasons ‘The Accidental Stowaway’ would make an excellent class read, offering inspiration as well as a great story.

Out in August, this is one NOT to be missed!

The Accidental Stowaway Judith Eagle, illustrated by Kim Geyer

Faber ISBN: 978-0571363124

Published in August!

You can read my review of ‘The Pear Affair’ here.

Ready or Not

A couple of weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of hearing Tracy Darnton speak at the Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival. Hosted by Storyville Books (see Brilliant Bookshops post here), this was a fascinating session about an excellent book.

Millie loves the summer holidays when everyone gathers at Creek House in Cornwall and she gets to spend time with the other kids - Matt, Charlie, Jem and Kat, her best friend. However, this year will be very different as they are all struggling to come to terms with Kat having disappeared during a game of hide and seek the previous summer. Having persuaded the others to join her for one final trip, Millie is seeking closure on the anniversary of Kat’s disappearance- and this might be the last chance to discover what really happened.

Completely compelling, ‘Ready or Not’ is an addictive mystery which keeps the reader guessing to the very end. The story is told from Millie’s viewpoint, both from before and after Kat’s disappearance, allowing intriguing glimpses which piece together the bigger picture of the events surrounding the fateful game of hide and seek. Everyone has their secrets- even Millie. Through her letters to Kat, written on the advice of her counsellor, Millie’s complex relationship with her ‘best friend’ is exposed, revealing tensions and frustrations. Newspaper reports and transcripts of police interviews also allow different perspectives on Kat’s disappearance, scattering clues and potential red herrings which really keep the reader on tenterhooks to the very end.

And the ending is a masterpiece! Tracy cleverly manages a whole array of possibilities and potential suspects right to the final page…and even then, different readers come away with different interpretations of the concluding moments. Pure genius!

Ready or Not Tracy Darnton

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953313

You can read my review of ‘The Rules’ here.

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

The Light in Everything

Born in a storm, Zofia is wild, unpredictable and tempestuous. She lives by the sea with her father. Tom is timid and withdrawn, constantly scared of the dark and the thought that his dad might return. The two children could not be more different yet each shares a close bond with their parent. And then their parents meet and before long, their families are blending and there’s a baby on the way. Tom and his mother move into the cottage by the sea and neither child is happy about the situation.

This is a deeply moving and absorbing story which skilfully moves from the viewpoint of one child to the other, allowing the reader to explore their complex emotions, actions and reactions. Each has a coping mechanism- Tom folds paper cranes to control his shaking hands and Zofia heads for the sea to find peace. Each is terrified of the change they are facing, although for very different reasons, and as the story progresses, they each learn to face their fears and find hope in the future.

Emotionally charged as the story is, there are things that should be considered if offering this to a child as a teacher. The fear of being ‘replaced’ by a new baby is very real for many children and the challenges faced by blending more than one household can be very stressful. Zofia’s jealousy is brilliantly captured, showing its self-destructive power. Tom’s also dealing with the trauma of an abusive father and the constant fear he might return. His experiences have also taught him to expect the worst of people- particularly Zofia’s father, the new man in his life. At times, his distress is palpable, making a painful read, but filling the reader with empathy and understanding.

A superb read, ‘The Light in Everything’ is everything we have come to expect from Katya Balen – and more.

The Light in Everything Katia Balen, illustrator Sydney Smith

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526622990

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Escape Room

When Ami arrives at the Escape, she thinks her dad has arranged a treat for her- the ultimate escape room challenge. Along with team mates, Adjoa, Ibrahim, Oscar and Min, Ami learns that their challenge is to save the world, working together to find the Answer. However, from the first challenge, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary Escape Room challenge. Facing a series of perilous scenarios, Ami and her team must work together to find the Answer before it is too late.

‘Escape Room’ is one of those books which grabs you from page one and is impossible to put down. Beautifully plotted, the story has one of the best endings I have read in a long time which makes discussing the plot in detail very difficult without giving the game away!

The game starts as they expect with puzzles to solve and clues to decipher; However, things soon take a darker turn and the children find themselves playing a very different game to the one they expected- one with serious consequences. The children make their way through a series of locations, facing a new challenge in each. The settings (the Bibliothèque Universelle, described as a ‘vast cathedral of books’, sounds like my dream come true) are vividly described, creating the perfect backdrop to the action – and there is plenty of action. Christopher Edge does a marvellous job of building tension, forcing the reader to question everything as they journey alongside Ami and the team.

But there is more to this book than a pacy, intriguing adventure. As with his other books, Christopher Edge challenges the reader to think about… well, I can’t really tell you that without spoiling the plot- so you’ll have to read it to find out!

A fantastic read aloud, ‘Escape Room’ would also make an excellent core text to inspire children’s own writing, drama and debate work. It’s time to play for real…

Escape Room Christopher Edge

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788007962

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Blog Tour: The Map of Leaves

I am delighted to be part of the blog tour for this fabulous book and share my review. ‘A Map of Leaves’ is a must read so I hope you will borrow or buy a copy and enjoy it as much as I did!

Living alone since her Ma died, Orla tends her beloved garden, listening as the plants whisper to her. When sickness comes to the village of Thorn Creek where she lives, Warden Atlas claims that the wild is the cause and must be destroyed. Armed with her Ma’s book, ‘Plants and their Medicinal Uses’, Orla is determined to find a cure and prove the warden wrong and hides on a boat heading upriver to find the truth. Used to being alone, she finds herself unwillingly teaming up with Idris and Ariana, who are also keen to find a cure for this mysterious illness, on a dangerous adventure from which they might never return.

‘The Map of Leaves’ is a wonderful adventure, set in an atmospheric world. Nature is key to the story and the healing power of plants and the importance of wild spaces are celebrated on every page. Each chapter begins with a plant, its Latin name and a brief description of its properties, encouraging the reader to learn more about the plants around us and reminding us of just how much nature gives us. These early remedies and cures are completely fascinating, sure to spark interest and encourage conversations about the development of medicines we have today.

The story also makes us reflect on the impact humans can have on the environment- how nature needs its wild spaces to thrive and for us to thrive in return. It also considers how those with power and wealth can abuse this in pursuit of personal gain and how those who set the rules do not always follow them- sound familiar?! Warden Atlas is ruthless, showing scant regard for anyone or anything, making him easy to despise.

Orla has a deep connection with nature and a deep distrust of those around her. The loss of her mother from the mysterious sickness is so raw that she has closed in on herself, shunning support or comfort from others. As the story develops, she gradually grows to care for and trust Idris and Ariana, although initially she is quite prickly and difficult to be with. Fiercely determined to find a cure for the sickness-Mapafoglia (‘the map of leaves’ named for the lines like an inky map which appear on the skin of those infected)- and to restore her beloved plants to health, she makes mistakes along the way, but learns from them and becomes a stronger person- and one that is far more likeable at the end.

The book would be excellent for guided reading, offering much to think about and discuss as well as a gripping story which children will love. As well as following a quest, the story also shows how Orla changes as a result of her experiences, finding her place in the world, surrounded by the plants that she loves. The book could also be used very successfully as a class text, offering many opportunities to pause and reflect, write in many different ways, research and enjoy a cracking story; however, for me, the attention rich setting of guided reading would work best!

‘The Map of Leaves’ is definitely one not to be missed!

The Map of Leaves Yarrow Townsend, illustrated by Marie-Alice Harel

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1913696481

Many thanks to Laura for inviting me to join this blog tour! Make sure you enjoy some of the other stops in the tour as well!

Our Sister, Again

Isla and her family live on the small island of Eilean Dearg in the Outer Hebrides. Grieving the loss of her older sister, Flora, the family is struggling to cope when Isla notices an advertisement for a support group. Little does she know when she fills this in that the family will be offered the chance to be part of a top-secret trial, recreating Flora as an AI robot. Initially sceptical, Isla’s doubts disappear when ‘Flora’ arrives on the island- it’s as if her sister has truly returned home. But not everyone feels the same way and tension mounts as anonymous threats are made.

A compelling and thought-provoking story, ‘Our Sister, Again’ is a brilliant read. Isla’s family are devastated by Flora’s loss, but whilst her mother grasps at the chance to have her daughter back in this way, her father has many reservations about the project, causing the family to split. The story raises plenty of questions, challenging the reader to think about life, loss and what really makes us who we are, developed by the different points of view raised by various characters through the story as they react to Flora’s return.

Family and friendship are at the heart of the story and each character is well developed and believable. The relationship between the sisters is beautifully handled, particularly that between Isla and her younger sister, Una, whose bond has grown in the face of the family’s grief. There are many poignant moments as the story develops, leading to an interesting and unexpected conclusion.

An excellent book- highly recommended!

Our Sister, Again Sophie Cameron

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953917

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Alice Austen Lived Here

A competition for a new statue of a local historical figure leads Sam and their friend, TJ, to design a statue of Alice Austen. Both children identify as nonbinary and want to see the LBGTQIAP+ community represented in their area. Through their research, Sam finds a further link- not only was Alice Austen queer, she had also lived in Sam’s apartment. Winning the competition becomes even more important to Sam as their history teacher, Mr Watras, seems only interested in white, male figures as inspiration for the statue. With the help of their neighbours, Sam pursues their idea, determined to celebrate the life of Alice Austen and their community.

‘Alice Austen Lived Here’ is a real celebration of queer history and culture. In the face of their teacher’s prejudice and closed mind, Sam is determined to give a voice to the rich history of their community and spread awareness of the contribution made by Alice Austen and use the past to create a more positive future in terms of representation.

Sam is a wonderful character, very comfortable in their own skin and surrounded by a strong and loving network who support them. Their best friend, TJ, is also nonbinary, but although they are the only nonbinary children in their year ( as far as they knew), this is just one of the many things they have in common. One floor below Sam’s flat lives their other best friend, Jess, who is femme, her partner, Val, who is nonbinary and their baby, Evie. Although much older than Sam, they offer advice and support and through conversations Sam has those around them, the reader gains a deeper understanding of their community and history. The story also show Sam and Jess as being overweight and very comfortable in their own skins.

As a reader with little knowledge of this area of America, details about Staten Island are fascinating and I love the fact that the novel celebrates a little known historical figure. Just as Sam stubbornly pursues their research, the story encourages us all to look beyond the white men who are those mostly celebrated in history books- and indeed, statues- and look for those lesser known, but highly significant figures which history taught in schools and through film/television completely neglect. Alex Gino has included a selection of photographs with notes at the end of the book which further interest the reader in this remarkable woman and includes a very interesting author’s note which adds to the story. As TJ and Sam pursue their research, they visit the house Alice lived in before she moved to Sam’s apartment which is actually a museum as described in the book. Sadly, it is much to far for me to visit, but the story inspired me to look at their website to find out more about Alice and her family.

‘Alice Austen Lived Here’ is a thoroughly engaging and thought-provoking read.

Alice Austen Lived Here Alex Gino

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702316166

Alice Austen Lived Here Alex Gino

Scholastic ISBN: 978-1338733891

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency: The Secrets of the Stormforest

A belated happy birthday to L D Lapinski whose birthday was yesterday!

Jonathan and Flick discover that an organisation, not unlike The Strangeworld’s Society, known as ‘The Seren’ are threatening the multiverse, destroying worlds by draining their magic. Although they had been trapped in a world they called Serentegra, they are now free once more and are hunting the suitcase that contains the end of the multiverse. Flick, Jonathan and their friends must find this case first and uncover the secrets of The Strangeworlds Society before it’s too late.

‘The Secrets of the Stormforest’ is the stunning conclusion to the incredible ‘Strangeworlds’ trilogy which has captivated so many children (and adults!). It is always tricky to review the finale to a series for fear of giving things away and spoiling the story for other readers, but I will try!

Throughout the series, each place the children visit is vividly described with a richness of detail which makes it a joy to read. One of the places they journey to in this book is Pendularbor which, with its three suns and sentient plants, is incredibly imagined.

Flick’s strength of character and determination really shine through in this story as she courageously faces events and possibilities which threaten everything she knows and loves. She really begins to believe in herself and what she can achieve, but is also touched by deep grief and regret as events unfold. The supportive love of family and friends once again shines through in this book as her quest is full of action, peril and uncertainty. The Seren are decidedly sinister and the children’s encounters with them are chilling.

It is always sad to reach the conclusion of a series which you have really enjoyed, but ‘The Secrets of the Stormforest’ brings everything to a very satisfying conclusion, leaving the reader full of hope and happiness for Flick and her friends.

An action-packed, brilliantly crafted read, ‘The Secrets of the Stormforest’ is not to be missed!

The Secrets of the Stormforest L D Lapinski

Orion ISBN: 978-1510111035

You can read my reviews of the first two books in this series here.

The Hunt for David Berman

Yesterday, as part of the Blog Tour for this book, I shared a fascinating interview with author, Claire Mulligan about how she started writing and her journey to getting published. I really enjoyed this story and so today, here is my review.

Robert and his little sister, Elsa, have been evacuated from London to his grandparents’ farm in Scotland whilst his father is fighting in the war and his mother is in the Wrens. Finding it hard to adjust to farm life and missing his parents, he explores the caves along the coast, hoping to find the treasure his grandfather’s stories are full of. Instead of pirate gold, he finds a young boy, David, who has been living there. A Kindertransport child, David was fostered by a family on a nearby farm who were cruel, leading him to run away. However, David is unaware that he is carrying something with him which the Gestapo are trying to track down and a secret agent has been instructed to hunt for David Berman.

‘The Hunt for David Berman’ is an exciting, pacy thriller of a tale which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. It offers a traditional romp of an adventure, but one full of historical detail- a perfect combination!

The boys are both very sympathetic characters and their friendship is one built on mutual trust and respect. It is great to see kind, sensitive children at the heart of an adventure like this. Both are separated from loved ones that they are constantly worried about, both have been taken from the lives which they know and can empathise with the other’s experience, offering comfort and support. Robert is genuinely concerned about his friend’s welfare and seeks to help him at every opportunity.

As he shares his memories with Robert, David’s experiences clearly expose the impact of war on the individual. He has experienced the terror of the Nazi’s actions against Jews, seen those he thought to be friends turn against him, lost his father and had to leave his mother and grandmother behind whilst fleeing to an unknown land. Having experienced all of this, he is then exposed to a brutal foster father who sees him as labour on his farm. His friendship with Robert offers him emotional as well as practical support. Although Robert has fared better than David, he also is finding his situation difficult to cope with, resulting in bad dreams which lead to bed wetting.

Scenes in the story focusing on the Gestapo and their hunt for the codebook which has been hidden in David’s suitcase are suitably sinister and there are some very tense moments in the story. However, the ending is deeply satisfying for those who have been caught up in the boys’ story.

‘The Hunt for David Berman’ would be a great book to use in school, both as an excellent story and as the starting point for discussions about events during the Second World War. It also offers much in terms of developing empathy and exploring the importance of getting to know others.

The Hunt for David Berman Claire Mulligan

The Moth ISBN: 978-0956979575

Out 5th May 2020

The blog tour continues…

Blog Tour: The Hunt for David Berman

Today, author Claire Mulligan joins me for the third stop on her blog tour for her debut novel, The Hunt for David Berman, to talk about how she started writing and her journey to getting published.

My Writing journey

When I was thirteen years old I wrote a story for an English class, my very first piece of writing set by my rather formidable teacher in my first year of secondary school. Mr Noonan liked the story so, rather than flinging my copybook to me across the class (which he had done to every other student), he asked me to come up and read it out loud. As I read and my classmates laughed at the funny bits and Mr Noonan smiled encouragingly I saw firsthand the power of the written word. As a child I loved reading and trips to the local library were a weekly occurrence and, under the guiding eye of Rose the librarian, I read a vast amount. Fast forward several decades and as a busy mum I wrote snippets here and there in my spare time. There were lists of words I liked, diaries I managed to keep for only a short time, surnames of people and interesting names over shop fronts, town lands, lines from poems. At that time I worked as a Montessori teacher and story time and picture books were a huge part of the children’s daily life. I read to my own children at home, stories on the sofa in front of the fire, board books the baby chewed on, bedtime books to help us settle down to sleep and I loved all of these books as much as my children did. I loved seeing how utterly engrossed they were in the characters lives or in whatever exciting adventure was happening in the book. I wrote a couple of children’s short stories and they were published in The Caterpillar Magazine. I also wrote a short story (this time for adults) which won third place in the RTE Radio 1 Short Story competition. And these two things really helped to build my confidence. I spent more time day dreaming and thinking of stories. I would walk the dogs each morning and slowly on these walks the beginnings of another story came. I wrote when I got the chance, moments of quiet in the day when the children were at school or late in the evening when the house was finally wrapped in sleep.  I wrote more and more and as this story unfolded it began to change from story length to book length. And so here we are, The Hunt for David Berman is what that story turned into! I was glad to let the characters of Robert and David step out of my imagination and onto the page. When you have a story in your head it’s often all you can think of.  Now I’m working on another book, this time set in 17th century Ireland - it features changelings, old magic and the Otherworld and those characters are dying to have their story told too...

The Hunt for David Berman by Claire Mulligan is published by The Moth on 5th May 2022, £8.99 paperback.

The Secret Sunshine Project

Shortly after the death of their father, Bea, Riley and their mum leave their home in London to stay with their Gran in the country. Last summer, after Riley had come out as gay, the family had had the best day ever at London Pride and memories of this special, colourful day make their current situation seem all the more bleak. As Bea makes new friends, she is concerned by her sister’s sadness and decides to create an event that will put the smile back on her face. However, the village is dominated by the unpleasant Rita Ruckus who is determined that nothing will get in the way of her summer fete…particularly not Bea’s Secret Sunshine Project.

‘The Secret Sunshine Project’ is a delightful story of kindness, love and courage. Bea’s family is close knit, loving and supportive and this shines through in the way in which they throw themselves into the Pride celebrations to support Riley. The joyful descriptions of these celebrations, full of colour, excitement and laughter, are wonderful to read and create a stark contrast to everyone’s emotions following the death of their father. The story clearly shows how grief affects different people in different ways and how people cope with the overwhelming emotions it causes. Bea feels she has to be strong for others, Riley becomes withdrawn and angry and mum struggling to help them whilst coping herself.

The story overflows with fabulous characters- each worth a mention! Bea is just delightful and her devotion to her sister, whilst coping with her own grief, is beautifully captured. Although her summer plans have been ruined, she is determined to make the best of her new situation and bring happiness to others. Gran is the best ever- such a strong, determined woman with such pizazz and such heart- I’d love to have her on my side in an argument!

Understanding and acceptance are strong themes through the book and its positive ending leaves the reader with a real feel-good factor and plenty of hope for the future. Sandhya Prabhat’s fabulous illustrations capture the mood and heart of the story perfectly with the cover illustration being a personal favourite.

A fabulous book for sharing for so many reasons, ‘The Secret Sunshine Project’ is a brilliant story full of a few tears and lots of love and laughter!

The Secret Sunshine Project

Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398517875

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone