Tadpole Summer - Catherine Bruton

 

Summer is on the way and Frog (whose real name is Frances) is looking forward to spending it with her younger brother, Tad, collecting tadpoles and watching them grow into frogs as they have done for the past few years; however, Frog quickly discovers that things are going to be very different this year.  She has always known that Tad is unwell but when he becomes sick and is taken to hospital, it becomes apparent that things are far more serious than she thought.  Feeling helpless and unwilling to sleep in the bedroom they share whilst he's away, Frog decides to camp in the garden until Tad returns.  But once he's home, things aren't what she expected and she may need to accept that she can't fix everything.

Catherine always writes poignant books (No Ballet Shoes In Syria; Following Frankenstein; Bird Boy) and a quick read of the blurb for Tadpole Summer told me that this was going to be an emotional read and I was right (I really like the warning at the bottom of the back cover), but even thought I knew what would be coming at the end, nothing prepared me for how I felt for Frog and her family.

Frog  is looking forward to the summer with her brother.  Although she's always known that he is sick, it's not something she has really thought about until now.  Emotions and thoughts swirl around inside her but she feels she has to be strong for everyone else.  I loved that we heard all of the thoughts she had, including the difficult negative ones.  Being the sibling of someone with a chronic or terminal illness (SMA-PME in this case) is difficult and Catherine shines a light on this well; from drifting through lessons to trying to find ways to make things better, readers will begin to understand some of what many children actually go through. I'm so pleased that Frog had her Grandad whose calm and reassuring manner felt like a hug.  With her parents concentrating their efforts on Tad, she feels left out and lonely so her grandad's presence is an important one for her.  

Tadpole Summer is a poignant book full of love, the joy of nature and the power of family.  It will absolutely stay with you long after you have finished reading it and I can highly recommend having tissues handy (I cried several times whilst reading it).

We Wait For The Stars - Bridget Hamilton

When Celest's Dad dies suddenly, she feels like everything in her life is falling apart.  With her friends not sure how to behave around her, the distance between them widens and Celeste feels increasingly alone and isolated.  But can new friends help to heal her heart or will those emotions that are being bottled up find a way to come out?  

Celeste is understandably lost following the sudden death of her father who was the heart of the family; her siblings and mum are navigating their way through their own grief and Celeste feels she has no-one to turn to, so when Katie comes along their friendship blossoms as she feels Katie gets her.  They seem to share a love of the beach and she can talk to Katie easily.  Then she meets Reuben at school who shares her love of photography, but she begins to realise that her feelings are growing for Reuben but doesn't know if he feels the same way about her. 

The book feels very honest in its portrayal of Celest's emotions and her day to day feelings; she's a very relatable character which will be important for teenagers who find themselves in the same or a similar situation.  Not only is she trying to navigate her own grief and how that grief is changing the other members of her family, she is also finding her way through her final years at school, the dilemma of what to do at university - she has a lot to cope with and feels very alone at times. 

The book is set in the north-east, in a small village on the coast where Celeste and her family have spent many happy times at the beach, and it's the beach that provides comfort to Celeste throughout the book.  Being a north-east girly myself, I loved that the book is set up here and particularly liked mention of Bamburgh and trips to see Santa in Fenwick's (that really brought back childhood memories!).  The coast is very much part of life in the north-east and I love that it plays a pivotal role of the book. 

Out now, We Wait For The Stars is a beautifully written YA in verse; poignant and touching, it is a story of grief and learning to live and love after the death of a parent.  It's a book that will reach out and grip your heart, and will stay with you long after you have finished reading. 

Goodnight Silver - Abi Elphinstone

Emmy and her family have only just arrived in Mongolia when Emmy heads to collect wood for the fire but ignores her parents' warnings to stay close and quickly becomes lost in a blizzard. In her attempt to avoid a snow storm, she shelters in a cave where she meets the rarest of creatures, a snow leopard. This one is a cub who has lost their mum. Together the lost pair head out to find their way when they come across Tuli, a boy who is desperate to help.  Before long, the pair find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime, trying to avoid hunters, find Silver's mum and find their way home. 

I have a real soft spot for Abi's books and I adore the way she writes. There is something quite magical about it and that rings completely true with Goodnight Silver.  From the start, I need to say that this is a book to be savoured. It's beautifully written and transports readers to a simply magical place.

Emmy is a pessimist by her own admission and is listing everything that could go wrong in the trip before it's even begun.  It is clear that there is something awful that has happened before they came away, something that is weighing on Emmy. She is lost and is looking for answers. Quite by accident, she ends up lost in Mongolia and has no choice but to find answers. She needs to find an inner strength and positivity that she didn't know she had.  In contrast, Tuli is very much an optimist who loves poetry and finds the joy in almost everything.  These two opposites stumble across each other and become a wonderful balance. 

I remember Abi talking when she visited school about writing stories based on maps and creating stories that follow the map. Goodnight Silver demonstrates how well Abi does this, and the map of 'somewhere in Mongolia's Mountains' is beautifully illustrated at the beginning of the book (shout out to Olivia Lomenech Gill for the illustrations) meaning that readers can track Emmy and Silver's journey. And what a journey it is!  Adventure, danger and just the right amount of suspense weave seamlessly in this perfectly crafted tale of hope, finding yourself and learning to let go. 

This is a book full of magic, wonder and utter joy; it's a book to savour (although the temptation to gobble it in one sitting will be real), and it's a book you will want to hug once you have finished reading it (yes, I shed a tear!). Goodnight Silver cements Abi's place as a master of storytelling (as if we didn't already know that).

Get ready to lose your heart to Silver and Emmy when Goodnight Silver publishes on the 27th October. 

Behind The Sky - Megan Angharad Hunter

 

16 year old Deian and seventeen year old Anest meet at a psychiatric facility.  They attend the same school but their friendship doesn't evolve until they attend a birthday party.  From then, they support each other through everything but can they also find a way to free themselves from their own burdens?

Deian and Anest are two very different teenagers: he is quiet and very unsure of himself, all he want to be is 'normal'; Anest, however, is loud and talkative but hides her emotions because she doesn't want to trouble anybody.  The one thing they have in common is that they are both struggling with their mental health.  As their friendship grows, they find it easier to support each other, without being able to always help themselves.  The friendship and support that builds between the pair is lovely to see and really showcases the fact that people struggle differently with mental health issues.

Told in dual narrative, Megan cleverly distinguishes between the two main characters in the way she writes their voices, particularly Anest's.  This is a powerful book that tackles some very tricky issues (suicide, self-harm, panic attacks) and comes with a warning at the front of the book and a list of ways people can reach out if they need help (this is definitely a book for older YA readers).  Things get very dark for both characters at times, particularly Deian, and readers need to be aware of that; however, Megan does this sensitively and in a believable way.

Publishing on the 1st October, Behind The Sky is a heart-felt, powerful YA novel that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.

Yearning Difficulites - Elle McNicoll

Zella loves her job on the school's student radio, the only problem is her co-host is her ex, Dave, who happens to be a complete chauvinist.  Killian, however, is entirely different and seems happy to help Zella get into the writing programme at school that his mum runs.  But to do that effectively, they need to pretend they are dating; Killian has secretly been in love with Zella for quite some time so is happy to play along, but the longer they are 'together' the more it appears they enjoy each other's company, so when it comes time for them to split up, will they realise what everybody else can already see?

Heading back to Lake Pristine is like being wrapped in a favourite blanket: it fills you with warmth and familiarity and makes you want to sink into it and never leave.  Yearning Difficulties is part of Elle's Lake Pristine series so it is lovely to bump into some familiar characters from the previous books as well as getting to know some new people (it is very easy to read this as a stand alone book but I would highly recommend reading Some Like It Cold and Wish you Were Her first).

So, once again, I find myself struggling to put into words how much I enjoyed this book (it's becoming a habit of mine after reading Elle's books!), so I've reverted back to listing everything I loved about it... 

❤️the unrequited love - oh goodness, it's swoonable!

❤️Killian's way with words; especially when he's righting wrongs with Dave (oh       how I envied his ability there!); I really wish I'd been at school with somebody like him

❤️that Zella's self discovery unfold as the plot does - I could relate to much of   what she said, especially as I was always considered different at school 

❤️the way Elle once again seamlessly weaves neurodiversity into the plot and  allows readers to see themselves represented in books

❤️the fact that the characters feel very real and relatable (ok, so Dave is a snake  but I'm sure many of us have come across a Dave in our time)

❤️the support Zella's parents give her, especially when they are called into school

❤️the crisp autumn vibe - I'm very much a summer girl but the book really made me want to carve a pumpkin

❤️the fact that I read the book in Carcassonne and it made me seriously consider heading to one of their jousting tournaments!

❤️the fact that the hopeless romantic in me was glad I had sunglasses on when I read the book (yes, I shed a tear!)

❤️ the fact that I genuinely got lost in the book in the most delicious way

❤️ Killian's desperate desire to do the right thing whilst trying to hide his true feelings 

❤️I didn't want the book to end and didn't want to leave Lake Pristine behind once I'd finished the last page

I could carry on, but it's safe to say that Yearning Difficulties is a book that YA readers are going to adore when it publishes on the 8th October.  It will make the perfect autumn read whilst the leaves are turning brown, the nights are drawing in and the blankets are calling...

The Shadows of Kensington Gore - Ross Montgomery

I've been anticipating The Shadows Of Kensington Gore since getting an early read of Murder At World's End last summer and, despite having itchy fingers, I waited until I knew I could devote time to it before wading in.  And so it was, that I headed to Kensington last week whilst lying on my sunbed at the same time as my husband was thoroughly engrossed in the first book!

Oh boy, people, are you in for a treat!

Miss Decima and Stephen have replaced the remote stately home with an apartment in Kensington and they are bumbling along together. Unlike the other servants in the building, Stephen has a room in the apartment instead of the basement so he can be at Miss Decima's beck and call.  They are desperate to get their teeth into another juicy case but, so far, have found nothing ... until a policeman is brutally murdered on the steps of their building with Stephen as the only witness.  With three young suffragettes as the main suspects,  Decima and Stephen get to work to discover exactly what happened before time runs out.

Decima hasn't changed one bit thank goodness! She's still the feisty, outspoken, potty mouthed aristocrat I came to know and love in Murder At World's End; she has a no nonsense attitude to everything and doesn't suffer people lightly - she is utterly brilliant!

Stephen is grateful for everything he now has but is feeling a little lonely and a bit left out of their detecting at times: is he her partner in detecting or her servant? He often feels the lines are blurred and I like that he grows a bit more bolshy in this book.  Together, they make the perfect pairing and the combination of his sense of justice and her intelligence is a force to be reckoned with.

The historical links to the suffragette movement add real interest to the mystery, and the plot keeps you guessing and smiling.  Ross' ability to maintain drama whilst making readers chuckle is clever and an absolute joy to read. 

Publishing on the 22nd October, The Shadows of Kensington Gore is a triumph of a sequel and I can't wait to see what the pair get up to next (by the way, Mr W is now trying desperately trying to nab my iPad so he can read this!)

We Are All Made of Molecules - Susin Neilson

Stewart lost his mum to cancer nearly 2 years ago. 

Ashley's parents divorced following her father's announcement that he is gay.

Stewart's dad and Ashley's mum have found love again together and so Stewart and his dad are moving in with Ashley and her mum. 

Stewart and Ashley are very different from one another but they need to find a way to get along for their parents' sake.

This is a wonderful book that looks very much at family relationships and blended families.  Stewart is a geeky, gifted child who has, until now, attended a school to cater for like-minded children but with the move he is now starting at the same school as Ashley.  Ashley and he couldn't be more different: she is driven by looks, fashion and popularity, especially when it comes to getting the attention of Jared, the school hunk.  However, Ashley is still coming to terms with her dad's sexuality so hasn't told a soul, not even her best friends.  I loved both characters for very different reasons: Stewart's quirks and his unique way of looking at things I found really endearing; he is happy in himself and this was lovey to see.  Ashley's mis-quoted phrases kept me chuckling throughout.  Although I found her shallow and unlikeable to begin with, she really grew on me. 

Told in dual narrative, We Are All Made of Molecules is full of warmth and humour and deserves to be celebrated with this 10th anniversary edition.  It's an uplifting, feel-good read that reminds readers to 'always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn.  In which case, be a unicorn.'

This is the perfect summer read. 

Texts We Never Sent - G. Forsyth-Read

Texts We Never Sent is a deliciously wonderful YA read about friendship, falling in love and coming of age.

Best friends Nel, Flo, Maggie and Nicole, write texts to to each other to be opened in 2 years but when they read them, things are very different: the 4 girls have drifted apart and the texts reveal that their friendship may not have been everything they thought it was. The girls were hiding things from each other, things they were too afraid to say to their faces.  But now, 2 years later, can they repair those bonds?

The four girls are very different and are clearly experiencing different things in their lives, things that many teenagers will be able to relate to (an abusive relationship, serious illness, discovering their sexuality, wanting different things from life than their parents' had planned for them, body image issues).  Each issue is explored well in an age appropriate way and without getting too heavy, making the book feel like an authentic read.  Friendships in books can often feel unreal but this wasn't the case: there were arguments, differences of opinion, we got to understand how they were feeling and how dynamics can change in friendships - the girls are far from perfect and that's important to see. 

Texts We Never Sent is a moreish book and will make a great YA summer read for those aged 14+.  I know hope that there will be a sequel so we can see what happens next with the girls.

The Summer My Wishes Came True - Radhika Sanghain

 

Ayesha is very excited to spending two weeks of her summer holiday at camp with her best friend, Nikki - the pair have been inseparable for years. However, from the start, things don't go as Ayesha expected: Nikki arrives full of chat about her trip to New York, with a host of clothes that aren't the ones she and Nikki had agreed to take; then Ayesha begins to feel left out when Nikki seems to be favouring their new dorm mates and their love of fashion and musical theatre.  When she hears Nikki saying unkind things about her, she heads to the lake, upset, and lets out her feelings to the nature around her.  The following morning, Ayesha realises that everything she wishes for is coming true and she discovers that she has been gifted unlimited wishes.  At first, it's better food for lunch that she wishes for, but as Nikki drifts further away from her, could wishing for them to be best friends again be the solution?

Radhika's books are always a great read and are popular in school (you can read my reviews here: The Girl Who Couldn't Lie; How To Get Magically Popular) so I was excited to read The Summer My Wishes Came True.

The book has all the ingredients for the perfect read: a summer camp setting with cabins, a lake, camp fires and preparations for an end of camp production.  With friendship issues, and a hint of magic thrown in for good measure.

Ayesha is so excited about heading to camp; it's something she's been looking forward to for a long time and she and Nikki have spent a long time planning every detail.  However, when Nikki comes back from a trip to New York with her dad and her stepmum, everything seems to have changed, and Ayesha doesn't like the new Nikki.  The wishes come at exactly the right time, but the wishes don't necessarily have the effect she wants.  

This is a wonderful book about friendship and discovering that what you want and what you actually need may be two very different things. 

Out now, The Summer My Wishes Came True is a perfect book for the school summer holidays. 

Helping Hero - Nicci Johnson

Pres is having a difficult time of things: leaving foster carers to go and live with her Aunty Janelle means moving to Birmingham, starting a new school and giving up riding, the thing she loves the most. But when she stumbles across Stableheart, a stables in the heart of the city, she meets Hero, a rescue horse, and this could be just what she and Hero need.

Pres really does feel very alone at the start of the book. She was put into foster care when she was very young and can barely remember her mum. Now she has been uprooted from her foster carers to live with an aunt she doesn't know, and it means that every part of her life has to change. School in the city is completely different and overwhelming which is why she runs off one afternoon and stumbles across the stables. Before long, the stables have contacted the school asking for volunteers to help out and Pres is one of the students chosen. It becomes evident that she has a way with horses and she and Hero bond immediately which helps her to begin to make sense of everything. But when her Mum wants to see her, that throws everything back in the air again.

Helping Hero is a lovely story, perfect for animal fans, about discovering yourself and finding the space to make sense of the world. It's a gentle story that deftly weaves themes such as depression, friendships and being in care into the plot in a way that readers will understand. I really enjoyed it. 

Wishbound - Clemency Brown

 

Leonie has magical abilities but she, along with children like her, are kept on the island of Onske in a school where they are taught how to manage their magic before they are sold to rich families who use them to grant wishes.  Leonnie, however, has other ideas and is determined to run away and find a life in the real world. After being sold, and whilst being transported to her new family by Jackson the body guard, she manages to escape and, with Jackson in tow, begins a new life where she even makes a friend, Cress.  But, despite their best efforts, they can't stay hidden forever, and when the past catches up with them, Leonnie realises that she may need to risk everything in order to be free.

Wishbound is a wonderful read that will appeal to so many people.  Magic combines with adventure and a dollop of daring in a plot that will pose many questions in readers' minds.  Leonnie is a truly determined character who has had no choice but to fend for herself.  Despite being alone, she refuses to accept her fate and fights with everything she has.  She manages to carve out a lovely life for herself, but when the past catches up, everything she has built comes crumbling down.

This really is an exciting read with wonderful friendships (some more expected than others); I also loved that Cress is deaf: it's not something you see a lot of in MG fiction (certainly not the books I have read) so this was refreshing to see.  The biggest thing for me though are the moral questions that this book will raise: essentially, Leonnie and her friends on Onske are sold as slaves, with no choice but to do the bidding of those who have bought them once the 'binding ceremony' has been carried out.  The potential to discuss freedom, slavery and the rights and wrongs of what happens, would be very interesting in school; the idea of being able to have every wish granted compared to people being free would certainly provoke many different opinions.

Wishbound is out now and is a wonderful story of freedom, friendship and being yourself.

Soul Feeder - Jennifer Killick

Caiden and his best friend Sam enjoy helping Caiden's dad out with his house-clearing business, but when they arrive at Miss Kinski's house, they get far more than they bargained for.  The house feels different to any other they've been in before, and with rumours about how Miss Kinski's body was found, the boys begin to think there is something not right about the house and its contents.  Then, once they are back at the warehouse, they realise they may have brought something evil back with them and if they aren't careful, they could be the next victims. 

Jennifer is the queen of MG horror and Barrington Stoke are world class in producing accessible books for children with dyslexia so a collaboration was always something I would find exciting. 

At 97 pages, Soul Feeder is short but perfectly formed.  From the beginning, the plot drip-feeds hints that something is not right and the mysterious atmosphere begins to build, but not too much which leaves the reader keen to know exactly what is causing the problems.  The description of the contents of the house also helped to build the atmosphere, with severed heads and sacrificial knives not the usual things you would expect to discover when clearing a house.  Things ramp up quickly and when Caiden and Sam return to the warehouse, you know the book is building to a crescendo and oh boy, it's a heart-stopping finale that readers will love. 

Soul Feeder is a fast-paced, scary read that will tempt even the most reluctant of readers.

Finn's Epic Fails: Downhill From Here - Phil Earle

 

After coming into some money, Finn's gran is taking the family on holiday to Tenerife, and Finn is allowed to take a friend; through a very technical decision process (picking a name out of a hat) Google is that lucky friend and, along with the rest of the family, they head off for what should be a wonderful holiday.  However, things go wrong from the very start, with a luggage mix-up, a terrible hotel with rats, an embarrassing brother and a partying Gran, Finn realises that this may not quite be the holiday he was hoping it would be, and then his mother turns up and things just get worse!  Can Finn really turn the week around so he has at least some wins?

Finn's first outing had me howling with laughter when I read it (you can read my review here) so I was thrilled to find an early copy of the second book waiting for me at home last week.

As expected, Downhill From Here is just as funny, possibly even more so!  The book centres around Finn's holiday to Tenerife and I loved that there are so many things in the book that will be relatable to readers: holiday swimming pools, the breakfast buffet, parents wearing embarrassing clothing, Grans suddenly out partying all night (ok, I can't quite relate to that one but I can certainly imagine!).  Readers will be transported to the sunshine and the waterpark with Finn and will find themselves laughing and cringing at what happens to him.

Phil's chatty style of writing in the book means that, once again, Finn's endearing personality shines through the pages, and with Google at his side, he can just about manage Jonah's antics ... well almost!  With illustrations from Al Murphy and Finn's Fail-o-meter signalling the start of every chapter, this is another guaranteed hit.

I read the first 4 1/2 pages to the whole school in assembly on Friday and had the entire place in fits of giggles ... staff too!  They are now desperate to get their hands on the book so I suspect there will be a queue at my office door for it on Monday morning.

Publishing 2nd July, Finn's Epic Fails: Downhill From Here is the perfect accompaniment to anybody's summer holiday ... just check the elastic on your swim shorts before you hit the pool!!

Python: The New Recruit - S J Wills

Zach Thorne is your typical fifteen year old, except for the fact that his dad is a notorious crime boss, running the family corps.  When Zach calls the police just before his aunt is about to carry out a hit on somebody, he suddenly finds himself as the one they want to kill.  To protect him, he is given a new identity and is put into protective custody.  Not long after that, he is offered a chance to change everything: to become part of a deeply secret government agency known as Python, an elite group of teenagers.  His first day on the job isn't really the glamorous affair he imagined as he spends the day with his new 'crew' wandering round a shopping centre trying to gather intel on The Manicurist, a rival crime boss of his father's.  The day starts slow but then things take a rather dramatic turn and Zac and his fellow agents find themselves in a fight for their lives.

Ok, so most of you will know that I'm a huge fan of the Bite Risk series (one of my class is currently reading my copy of the fist book), and it was by chance that I stumbled upon Python on NetGalley. To say that I squealed and raced through the book I was reading at the time so I could begin it would be an understatement! (by the way, you'll find reviews of Bite Risk, Bite Risk: Caught Dead, Bite Risk: Cold Blood on my blog, just click the links).

Oh my goodness, what a rush of excitement this book is! From the start, the action and adventure takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride which makes it a book you simply won't be able to put down (be warned: this book will keep you reading late into the night!).

Zac really goes through the ringer as the plot unfolds. Without his father, he feels alone and is desperate to go home but he knows it's too dangerous.  The relationship with his dad changes in so many ways over the course of the book (I won't say too much so as not to spoil anything) and his life really does turn upside down.  He may only spend a day with the Python team but it's a day he'll never forget; after a rocky start, they have no choice but to bond as their skills are seriously put to the test.  Zach discovers more about himself in that one day than any other, and it's a day that changes things forever for him. 

Python: The New Recruit is a book where the twists in the plot keep on coming!  Just as you think you've got everything straight in your head an other curve ball hits you!  It really is a book where you never quite know who you can trust.

Told from the points of view of multiple characters, the book is a real adrenaline rush of a read that will have you utterly gripped, completely breathless and will  leave you with a serious book hangover.  Publishing 2nd July, I'm already desperate for book 2 and my class are counting down the days until this book is released! (one child even asked if they could borrow my iPad so they could read my electronic copy!!).

Questers Academy: The Box Of Locks - Sam Hay Blog Tour

 

Questers Academy: The Box Of Locks is a thrilling new book by Sam Hay that is already going down a storm in school as proven by these quotes from my students:

"I love this book because it's full of mystery and excitement, meeting friends along the way.  It's like the book gives you every key except the key which stops you from reading at 12.00am!"

"Questers Academy is a brilliantly imaginative adventure that masterfully blends mystery with high stakes wonder.  It's a captivating journey that invites readers to unlock the power of curiosity and courage."

"It's a masterfully crafter parade of a story that leaves you eager to unlock the next chapter."

You can read my full review here (although I feel my students have said it much more eloquently than me!).

Today, I'm delighted that Sam has written an article for my blog about whether you could be a super-recogniser like Tom.  I'm definitely not but could you be?

Could YOU be a Super-Recogniser?

Tom Friday, the main character in Questers Academy, has an incredible superpower. He can remember faces, even if he’s only seen them for a few seconds.

This isn’t something I’ve made up. There really are people with this skill. Maybe you could be one of them! 

I’ve always thought I was quite good at remembering faces. (Not names, unfortunately, which would be more useful as a writer visiting schools!) But faces? Yep. I like to think I’m good at them.

I notice it most when I’m watching TV. I can usually pick out actors I’ve seen before.

I’m even better at face-matching - recognising similar face shapes and characteristics in different people. My kids laugh when I suddenly spot one of their mates in a movie. Well, not actually one of their friends, but someone who looks very similar. And when I point it out, they usually see it, too. 

But my interest in faces doesn’t mean I’m a super-recogniser.

Real super-recognisers can recognise faces they’ve briefly seen, even when that person has changed. Perhaps they’ve got a new hairstyle. Or a new beard and moustache. Or they’re wearing a hat and sunglasses. Or even a mask.

Super-recognisers can spot faces in a crowd of thousands. Imagine going to Wembley and being able to pick out someone you’ve only briefly seen once before.

Not many people can do this. Less than 2% of the population are thought to possess this skill. And they’re in high demand. Many work with the police to identify criminals.

Being a super-recogniser may partly be an inherited skill. If one of your parents has an eye for faces, you might have it too.

So, am I a super-recogniser?

Well, I took the free tests on the University of Greenwich’s super-recogniser website.

https://www.superrecognisers.com

And the answer?

Probably not. I was above average. But not quite super-recogniser level.  Disappointing. So for now, I’m going to stick to spotting my friends and family in movies. But who knows. Maybe YOU are an actual super-recogniser! If so, there’s a secret summer at the Natural History Museum who’d love to hear from you. #QuestersAcademy

 Questers Academy: The Box Of Locks is out now.

The Day I Was Erased - Lisa Thompson

Things aren't going too well in Maxwell's life: his parents are always arguing; he's constantly in trouble in school and then he upsets his best friend.  Fed up with everything, he visits his elderly neighbour, Reg, and whilst looking through his cabinet of curiosities, he manages to somehow erase himself from his life!  He quickly discovers what life would be like if he'd never been born and then begins the desperate race to see if he can reverse what has happened and return to his old life.

Lisa's books are always brilliant reads: the characters are relatable; you're easily absorbed within their lives and they are incredibly popular in school!  The Day I Was Erased reminds us of the importance of valuing family and friends; of making sure we consider others and of appreciating what we have.  It's a feel-good book (think It's a Wonderful Life for children) and a must-read.

The Hexton Chronicles: The Trouble With Magic - Amy Wilson

Born in Hexton, Fray has lived away from the town since an incident with his parents when he was small.  But now the magic that has been hidden is rearing its head so he is back, but not everybody is pleased to see him.  Many of the town's residents blame him for the the fact the the town's magic has been broken and he needs to try to regain their trust.  However, there are those who believe that Fray could be the solution to the town's problems.  With Fray in possession of a Croxometer, one of the most powerful magical objects in existence, he must protect himself and the device whilst also trying to save Hexton.  But can Fray live up to his legacy?

Fray is a complex character: he's just lost the person who had been looking after him so feels very alone; he isn't really aware of his magic or of what lead to his parents disappearing all those years ago.  Really, he's just looking for answers and someone to help him but he finds that the people of Hexton aren't always friendly towards him.  His magic is growing and he finds himself quite out of his depth with everything, especially as he learns more about his background and the fact that Hexton is loosing its magic.  He suddenly becomes the focus of everyone's attention as a way to save the town - it's a lot of responsibility. 

I've always been a fan of Amy's books and her ability to weave a world of magic and intrigue from the words on the page.  The Trouble With Magic is no exception: the town of Hexton comes to life as you read and you find yourself swept through the streets with Fray.  The writing and the adventure merge seamlessly to create a magical story that will leave you wanting to know what is going to happen next. 

Perfect for fans of Anna James, Vashti Hardy and Michelle Harrison The Hexton Chronicles: The Trouble With Magic publishes on the 10th September.

 

Shadow Thieves Island Of Skulls - Peter Burns

Tom and his friends from Beaufort's School, along with The Corsiar, are heading to the Île Tête de Mort (The Island Of Skulls) in search of treasure, hidden by the Duke of Nimes in the caves on the island, but he also hid a terrifying weapon.  It's up to Tom and his friends to locate the treasure without encountering the weapon.

Although now a firm member of the school, there are still those who doubt Tom and this becomes apparent during the trip. His bravery is ever evident at so many points during the book, as is his loyalty. But that will be seriously tested. With secret agents, mysterious side missions and danger lurking round every corner, Tom and his friends will need to keep their wits about them if they are to survive.

Shadow Thieves was a brilliant book (you can read my review here) and Island Of Skulls is just as brilliant.  Once again, the book has all the elements of a gripping read: adventure that keeps on coming; a remote island with caves and tunnels that are rigged with bobby traps (think Indiana Jones); twists and turns in the plot that will keep you on your toes... it's no wonder I couldn't put the book down.  

Publishing on the 4th June, Island of Skulls is a gripping read that will leave you desperate for The Iron Mountain (the extract at the end of this book was just a deliciously cruel teaser!!!)

Young World - Soman Chainani

When a new president of the United States of America needs to be elected Benton Young jokingly claims he is the most suitable candidate. At 17 years old, why not let someone young run the country instead of people too old to know what people really want?  What starts out as a social media stunt becomes a reality when the majority of the public agree. Before anyone knows it, Benton has been elected to the most powerful job in the world. And this has started a chain of events across the world where members of the Revolting Youth party are being elected in several countries.  But is the dream the same as reality?

Known for his fantasy series, The School For Good and Evil, Soman has made a big switch for this book, landing firmly in the world of reality. It's a gritty read where politics, ideology and subterfuge merge. Teenage hormones and life/world changing decisions don't necessarily go hand in hand and that becomes evident as the plot unfolds.

Benton quickly finds that having been elected to the role of POTUS doesn't necessarily make things plain sailing, he needs to form a cabinet and has to deal with opposition from (Mummer and Skully).  He also has to deal with G8 and other young inexperienced leaders. But are their motives all well intentioned as his are?

I read a copy of this on NetGalley, but even there it's easy to see that this is going to be a very visual book: maps, posters, transcripts, charts ... all combine with the diary narrative to plot this story.

How many of us have said that we could do a better job than the world leaders? Well, this gripping YA takes a look at the darker side of teenagers becoming world leaders. 

Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Young World publishes on the 4th June. 

Outlaws - E L Norry

Three friends, three different circumstances but all three looking for one thing: friendship.  Will is trying cope as a carer for his mum whilst also looking after his younger brothers.  Scarlet is in foster care and is desperate to stay where she is.  Robyn is living with her grandfather, helping him in his bike shop whilst her dad is working in Italy; she's just starting at this school and wants nothing more than to keep her head down. However, when the new head starts acting erratically and like a power-crazed monster, the three friends wonder what's going on. Together the they decide it's time to help those in need.

Outlaws is told in triple narrative to really give you an insight to the lives of each main character and it makes for effective reading.  

For different reasons Will, Scarlet and Robyn are scared that aspects of their home lives will be discovered. They worry about saying too much and everything coming crashing down around them. With their headteacher being so discriminatory, picking on the most vulnerable kids in school, they feel they have no choice but to accept what's happening to them (when you read the book, you will understand why the head is somebody I wanted to punch in the nose for so many reasons). But as things get worse, they realise they have no choice but to find a way to help those who need it the most.  I know Will, Scarlet and Robyn meet in after-school detention, but they are good kids just trying to do everything they can to make things right. 

Publishing on the 2nd July, Outlaws is a story about acceptance in so many different forms: accepting yourself, accepting those who are different to you, accepting that it's ok to get things wrong at times.  It's about friendship, being strong, standing up for yourself and searching for justice.