Just before Christmas (a couple of years back) we found out that Robin Stevens was coming to one of our local schools to talk to the pupils about her books and writing mysteries, have to say I jumped at the chance to organise something to support the schools librarian and the school (but also to …
Middle Grade
The Goldfish Boy
Matthew is the last person to see Teddy before Teddy goes missing, can Matthew solve the mystery of the disappearance? Only one major difficulty stands in Matthew’s way to do this, Matthew has O.C.D. which makes it near impossible for him to leave his room and interact with people. Lisa Thompson writes a compelling and …
Secrets of a Sun King
In Emma Carrol’s latest historical adventure for Middle Grade we find Lilian and her friends in a race against time to stop the Pharaoh’s curse. Right from the start this goes at a cracking pace that pulls you along in anticipation of the next part of the adventure, set in London and Egypt (and a …
Battle of the Beetles
There was such a wait for Battle of the Beetles, the final book in the trilogy, it was sooooo long, really looooong. The wait was well worth it though as we follow, Darkus, Victoria and Bertolt in their quest to foil Lucretia’s plans for world domination using FrankenBeetles, genetically-enhanced and super-intelligent beetles, whilst completing her …
Pax
I will make this clear right from the start. Pax had me in tears at several points, the whole of the first chapter was so sad I had to put the book away for a week before I went back to it, but once I went back to it I couldn’t put it down. A …
What is Poetry?
Let’s just get it out of the way at the start – I love Michael Rosen. There I said it. ‘What is Poetry?’ is one of the funnest books on poetry I’ve ever read, it seems to be aimed at a young audience, probably middle-grade readers. This doesn’t stop me from saying that this book …
Beetle Queen
Continuing the adventures of Darkus, Victoria and Bertolt, ‘Beetle Queen’ is another wonderfully crafted book. Written by M.G. Leonard, illustrated by Elisabet Portabella and published by Chichen House Publishing, and as with ‘Beetle Boy’ the special edition has a decorated fore edge. Lucretia Cutter has got away at the end of ‘Beetle Boy’ to continue …
The Island at the End of Everything
Based on a real island in the Philippines, Kiran tells the story of Amhi, The Island at the End of Everything a young girl who’s mother is Touched (has leprosy). Different from her previous story ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ in that it doesn’t have a fantasy element, it shares the beautiful storytelling style …