Blog Tour: Bringing Back Kay-Kay

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

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

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

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

Magic of poetry

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

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

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

Storm Child

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

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

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

(Synopsis taken from book)

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

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

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

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

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

Storm Child

Ele Fountain

Pushkin ISBN: 978-1782693888

Published July 2024

You can read my review of ‘Wild’ here.

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

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

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

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

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

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

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

Ash Bond

Piccadilly   ISBN: 978-1800786806

The Brontë Girl

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

                                                                     Charlotte Brontë

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

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

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

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

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

The Brontë Girl

Miriam Halahmy

ZunTold ISBN: 9781915758064

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

Bird Boy

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

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

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

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

Bird Boy

Catherine Bruton

Nosy Crow    ISBN:  978-1839946493

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

Tide Magic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tide Magic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

Clare Harlow, illustrated by Karl James Mountford

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241636053

Published 2nd May 2024

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain

Jess French

Piccadilly ISBN: 978-1800784062

Blog Tour: The Doll Twin

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

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

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

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

The Doll Twin Janine Beacham

Firefly ISBN: 978-1915444479

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

Splinters

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

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

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

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

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

Splinters Rachel Delahaye

Troika

Coming soon…

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

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

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

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

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

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

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

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

Jordan Lees, illustrated by Vivienne To

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241711989

Published 28th March 2024

Aliya to the Infinite City

Since the death of her parents, Aliya has lived in Cairo with her grandfather, Geddo. Recently, he has been acting strangely, disappearing for hours on end and forgetting her birthday. When a mysterious gift arrives, things change dramatically. Geddo is taken away and Aliya finds herself whisked off on a flying carpet by a relative she never knew she had. Finding herself in the Infinite City, she is enrolled as a student at the Infinitum School of Time Travel. But she finds herself a target for the evil forces her grandfather had tried so hard to hide her from- Dorian Darke, a master of time who wants to use Aliya’s special skills for his own devious ends.

Offering an absorbing read, ‘Aliya to the Infinite City’ is a fabulous adventure, full of magic and mystery. Set in an alternate Egypt, Laila Rifaat’s world building is vivid and colourful, seamlessly interweaving cultural details into the story. Mischievous magic carpets, sinister genies and knowledge turbans all feature in this exciting tale!

Discovering that she comes from a long line of time travellers, Aliya has to navigate an unfamiliar world full of mystery and magic. A likeable character, she shows great determination and courage as she tries to uncover details of her family’s past and find her own place in the world. The plot is full of action with many twists and turns keeping the reader well and truly enthralled as the story builds towards its exciting climax, paving the way for more adventures to come. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series!

Aliya to the Infinite City

Laila Rifaat

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1915026354

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

When the Wild Calls

Juniper and Bear are now living in Ennerdale with their father, his new partner, Willow, and their baby, Fern. The life they escaped in the city should be in the past, but neither can rest easy knowing they left their grandmother, Annie-Rose, and friend, Ettienne, behind. When they learn that disease is spreading through the city, Juniper is determined to rescue them and bring them to safety.

Inside the city, there are signs that the tight control held by ruthless leader, President Steel, is weakening. But signs of rebellion by a group called the Polecats have made the authorities more aggressive. Etienne, determined to fight for freedom, soon finds himself in grave danger and in need of rescue from more than the city itself.

I am sometimes reluctant to read sequels, even though desperate to return to the world of a story which I have really enjoyed, just in case they do not live up to the original. However, I needn’t have worried in this case! ‘When the Wild Calls’ offers exactly the same absorbing, heartfelt, powerful read as ‘Where the World Turns Wild’ and it was a joy to revisit them and discover what happened next.

Both Etienne and Juniper’s voices tell this story in alternating chapters, allowing the reader to see events unfolding both inside the city and in the wild. Each has a clear and different voice, full of concerns about those they love, as they recount the events of their lives, one making their way back to the city, one desperate to leave it. Each shows huge strength of character and courage, fighting for what they believe in and remaining loyal to those they love.

The story is beautifully written, glowing with a love of nature and full of careful observations capturing the tiniest details as well as sweeping landscapes. Although Nicola Penfold makes it clear that the places she is writing about are her imagined interpretations, it is obvious these are locations she loves. I love the mention of the Wordsworths’ graves- another marker on Juniper’s journey for the reader to locate!

Like ‘Where the World Turn Wild’, ‘When the Wild Calls’ would make an excellent text for sharing in school, either as a class story, a guided reading text or to inspire work in English lessons. The quality of the writing, its vivid message about the importance of caring for nature and the appealing characters all make the book sure to capture the imagination.

A stunning read from one of my favourite authors!

When the Wild Calls

Nicola Penfold

Little Tiger    ISBN: 978-1788956215

You can read my review of ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ here

Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake

Having been snowed in for weeks, Rabbit is looking forward to Spring. However, when it arrives, it is not as perfect as he imagined it would be. Bear suggests that if they do a little every day, they can soon have everything tidied up, but Rabbit is not interested in this plan. Instead, he sets off in search of his Perfect Vision of how things should be. However, when the island he finds turns out not to be made of chocolate, but something less pleasant, Rabbit realises that the real world might not be perfect, but it’s pretty close!

‘This Lake is Fake’ is the sixth adventure for best friends, Rabbit and Bear, and it is just as poo-filled and big-hearted as all the others! Rabbit is still as impulsive as ever, quick to act and perhaps a little slow to think whilst Bear remains constant and supportive.

In his quest for perfection, Rabbit ignores all the joys of the world he lives in- his friends, the beauty of nature, Bear’s singing- and pursues his unrealistic dream. When reality hits and he finds his vision of perfection to be nothing but an island of bird poo, he is overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and inadequacy, claiming he is a failure and that his life is over. Once again, it takes Bear’s steady, calming voice of reason to help him see that he needs to take one step at a time towards better things rather than expecting instant gratification and perfection! There is so much truth in these modern fables and many of us will see elements of Rabbit in ourselves!

Poo-centric books are not usually my thing, but these books are an exception to this rule and it is amazing how much information about the subject is contained in the Rabbit and Bear books. According to a note at the end of the story, guano islands really do exist- and a quick search on Google proves this to be true. I wonder where this topic will lead them next!

Full of gorgeous illustrations which add so much life and personality to the characters, ‘This Lake is Fake!’ is sure to be every bit as popular as the previous stories in this series- and I hope there will be many more to come. Everyone needs a little Rabbit and Bear style wisdom!

Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake

Julian Gough and Jim Field

Hodder   ISBN: 978-1444947571

You can read my review of Rabbit’s Bad Habit here, The Pest in the Nest here, Attack of the Snack here, A Bite in the Night here and A Bad King is a Sad Thing here.

Winner Takes Gold

Pearl dreams of winning a place on the GB Mini Elite Squad. Her mother, who was a coach at the local club, Bagley End Butterflies, passed away the year before and Pearl is determined to ‘light up the world’ with her shine as mum would have wanted. When her friend, Ryan, wins a place at Leaping Spires training camp as part of the squad without her, Pearl is devasted until a place becomes available.

However, life at the elite training camp is incredibly tough with a strict regime focusing on being better than the best. Rumours about the ‘Curse of Leaping Spires’ start flying around as accidents and mishaps seem to dog the students, leading Pearl and Ryan to suspect sabotage. Just how far will someone go to take gold?

Once I started ‘Winner Takes Gold’, I could not put it down! There is so much to enjoy in these pages.

I have taught many children over the years with a love of gymnastics, some of whom have been involved at a competitive level, and a book like this would be an absolute winner with them. The level of technical accuracy employed in describing the moves will instantly appeal to those who are familiar with them, but these are worked into the plot so seamlessly that they are not off-putting for the non-gymnast. The strong sense of mystery, the thrill of the chase and uncovering the person behind the ‘accidents’ all make this a compelling story.

Pearl shows the level of dedication and determination needed by those who long to be successful. Passionate, she shows a level of unswerving commitment to her sport, constantly pushing herself to achieve and be the best she can. But the story clearly shows that there is more to being successful in any sport than winning accolades and prizes. Friendship, family and personal wellbeing are essential, but just as important are staying true to yourself and being fair and honest.

The book would be an excellent choice for a class story time, sure to encourage plenty of discussion and debate about sporting attitudes and values amongst other things. Although Pearl is at the centre of the story, boys’ gymnastics is also key in the story as Pearl’s friend, Ryan, and the other boys in the squad are shown training and competing.

A great read!

Winner Takes Gold Eloise Smith

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1915026309

The Cloud Thief

Withering-on-the-Sand-Sea, like many other villages, is dependent on cloud deliveries from the Cloud Factory for its survival. With rising prices and smaller clouds, Mara and the other villagers are finding life harder. Worried about Old Bern, who is suffering from the Thwart, Mara overhears a conversation which suggests he might be cured by a piece of cloud. Determined to help, Mara sets off on a quest to the Cloud Factory where she finds things are far more complicated than she thought…

In ‘The Cloud Thief’, James Nichol has created a story which not only offers brilliant world-building and endearing characters, but also plenty to think about. It is thoroughly enjoyable and sure to be as popular with teachers looking for that perfect class read as it is with children choosing for themselves!

Mara intends to steal a cloud from the Cloud Factory to help Old Bern, creating an initial dilemma about whether doing the wrong thing for the right reasons can be justified. Once she sees what is happening to the clouds at the factory- how they are imprisoned, how they are treated- she finds herself faced with yet more questions. The villagers need the water the clouds produce, but does this justify the pain and suffering the process causes? James Nicol skilfully challenges the reader to question the arrogance and greed of humans and look for better solutions which are kinder to all.

On her travels, Mara meets Eban, who lives in the Cloud Factory and gradually, a firm friendship develops between them although each has their secrets. Both are very likeable, relatable characters, with good hearts and good motives, who don’t always get things right, but show determination and courage. Brume, the cloud, is bursting with personality- and I can’t help but hope that there will be more adventures set in this world!

An excellent read!

The Cloud Thief James Nicol

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1915026491

Out tomorrow!

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

The Magician Next Door

Callie and her father have moved away from London, away from her friends, away from her memories. Struggling to settle into her new life in Northern Ireland, she is staring out of her window one night, unable to sleep, when a loud BOOM announces the arrival of an upside-down house in her back garden. When this disappears, Callie is convinced she has been seeing things until the arrival of a magical paper plane brings a message from Winnifred Potts, the magician linked to the house, who is in desperate need of help. She has lost her Wanderlust, the magic which charges everything in the house, protecting it from attack from magical creatures. Can Callie and her new friend, Sam, offer the help Winnifred and her house need?

‘The Magician Next Door’ is -as the title suggests- a story full of magic, imagination and adventure, but it is also about ‘home’, friendship and a sense of belonging.

Having moved for her father’s new job, Callie is overwhelmed by homesickness as well as the loss of her mother. The Rose Building where she lived in London offered not only a home, but a bustling community, with friends and neighbours where everyone knew each other and were like ‘one big extended family’. In the middle of the Mourne Mountains where she is now living, things seem the complete opposite. This sense of loss and longing is vividly conveyed and yet, Callie comes to realise that home really is where the heart is and that, although new friends and new experiences can never replace those we have lost or are missing, they certainly help you work through those emotions and offer hope for the future. Author, Rachel Chivers Khoo, has done a wonderful job of sensitively balancing Callie’s raw emotions with magic and adventure, so the story never feels swamped by these feelings.

The magical house with the turquoise roof and its special connection to Winnifred is a wonderful one and ‘Wanderlust’ is something which we all need a sprinkle of from time to time! The story also touches on the world of Irish folklore and the map at the front of the book is a copy of ‘Sam’s Seven Wonders of the Mourne Mountains’, the one which he gives to Callie, which shows the location of the Leprechaun Tunnel and Finn MacCool’s Rock amongst other things. The illustrations throughout capture the wonderfully quirky nature of the story perfectly, offering plenty of details to enjoy.

I hope there are more stories to come about Callie, Sam, Winnifred and her house as it seems to me that there are so many adventures which they could share! A great read.

The Magician Next Door

Rachel Chivers Khoo, illustrated by Alice McKinley

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529507911

You can read my review of ‘The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice’ here.

The Secret of the Moonshard

Orphan Domino lives with the Science Barons in the Scientarium Celestis, a floating laboratory. Allergic to magic, she is forced to stay here, tormented by the other children, a complex problem for the Barons to solve. However, when a Science Baron returns and requests Domino as his assistant, she discovers that everything she has been told is a lie and escapes to Abzalaymon, a city full of wonders. Pursued by the Barons, Domino discovers magic, secrets and a sinister plot.

This is a breathtakingly good fantasy which no attempt at a summary can possibly do justice to! Domino’s world is so vividly created with such attention to detail and imagination that the reader is immediately captivated and drawn deeply into this compelling adventure.

Domino is a fabulous heroine. Feisty and impetuous, she is trapped in the Scientarium from where she can see the city beneath which she longs to visit. Constantly bullied and despised by the other children and described as ‘an intolerable nuisance’ by the Science Barons, she strikes back by devising pranks to gain revenge, allowing her to feel some small measure of control.  She is just one of the many memorable characters who come to life in these pages.

Should you read this one? Absolutely!

The Secret of the Moonshard

Struan Murray, illustrated by Vivienne To

Puffin   ISBN: 978-0241535585

First reviewed for Reading Zone.

The Past Master

When they are notified that there is trouble in 1999 on New Year’s Eve, Elle and the Leaplings find themselves facing the evil Millennia. They must thwart her plans to manipulate time and save the world.

In the fourth and final book of The Leap Cycle series, Patience Agbabi draws everything together to an exciting and satisfying conclusion for Elle and her friends. A diverse, interesting group, the Leapings face new dangers and old enemies as they work together in the past, present and future to defeat Millennia’s new plan.

Elle has grown wonderfully over the course of the four books. She is still curious and determined, but her confidence has grown with her ability to use The Gift and the support of the other Leaplings. As an autistic character, she is completely convincing, something has been sensitively handled throughout the series by the author.

The complexities of time travel, its consequences, its possibilities, its temptations…everything is skilfully explored, creating a pacy, exciting story which brings the series to its conclusion. Perfect for children who enjoyed science fiction, these stories also offer much to enjoy for those who enjoy an exciting adventure with strong, appealing characters.

The Past Master

Patience Agbabi

Canongate ISBN: ‎ 978-1838855819

You can read my review of ‘The Infinite’ here and ‘The Circle Breakers’ here.

Croaky: Search for the Sasquatch

Croaky Hopper is a fearless frog, desperate to follow in the hops of his TV hero, Tennessee Toad. When he joins the Woggle Scouts, he meets Sheena the mouse and Winston the puffin and is whisked off on his first adventure, Camping in Crystal Creek National Park. However, Croaky soon discovers that the real reason they are there is to search for a Sasquatch and the real adventure begins…

Full of humour and fun, ‘Croaky: Search for the Sasquatch’ is exactly the sort of book my son would have loved when he was younger! Engaging from the very first page, it offers adventure, lots of laughs and a very endearing main character, all enhanced by plentiful, lively illustrations. The text is bold and clear, standing out even against some of the stronger coloured backgrounds and presented in achievable chunks. There are also sections presented in the comic book style, making this a fabulous hybrid of graphic and early novel, sure to appeal to a wide range of readers.

Croaky is a wonderful character. Due to his longing for adventure, Croaky has struggled to make friends, but with in Woggle Scouts, he has found Sheena, a highly organised, badge-loving, clever mouse and the leader of the pack, former adventurer, Winston the puffin. He is a bit impetuous, but he is brave and kind and determined, completing the perfect adventuring team!

At the end of the book, the reader is able to ‘earn’ a pathfinder and looker badge by completing activity pages. Croaky is sure to become a huge favourite and, as this is the first of a series, have everyone looking forward to his next adventure!

Croaky: Search for the Sasquatch

Matty Long

OUP ISBN: 978-0192785183

Published 7th March

Dreamstalkers: The Night Train

Bea Grimspuddle lives in a cottage on Thunderheart Tor with her mother, Ula, and Pip, the owl which Bea has nurtured since finding her as a fledgling. Treated with suspicion by the other villagers, Bea feels more at home with nature. When their dreams disappear, the decision is made to abandon the settlement, but Ula falls ill, leaving Bea determined to remain with her.

Realising her mother has been keeping secrets from her, Bea is amazed by the sudden appearance of a mysterious steam train with a stranger at their cottage. Seizing a chance to save her mother, Bea- and her former friend, Martha Heathsweep, are catapulted into an incredible adventure.

‘The Huntress’ trilogy is one of my favourite series, evocative and beautifully written; ‘Once We Were Witches’ and its sequel, ‘Twice We Make Magic’, are wonderfully magical and imaginative so I had high hopes for ‘Dreamstalkers’- and I was not disappointed!

From the first page, Bea is a captivating character whose devotion to her mother, curiosity, determination and tenacity, make her both believable and engaging. Ostracised by her peers, she has sought comfort in the natural world, becoming distrustful of her peers and so her renewed friendship with Martha is prickly and uncomfortable at first as she learns that she can rely on others and seek their help as she overcomes jealousy, faces danger and uncovers secrets. Martha is also an appealing character whose good heart, loyalty and courage are to be admired.

The world of the Dreamstalkers is one so richly imagined and enjoyable that I closed the book with reluctance when it came to an end. There are so many things details which make it unforgettable and enjoyable - and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

Dreamstalkers: The Night Train

Sarah Driver

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008595029

You can read my review of ‘The Huntress: Sea’ here.