Monster Bogey - Anna Brooke, illustrated by Owen Lindsay

 

Frank Bear Horace Pickerty-Boop lives with his parents in Snozzle Castle.  The place is very run-down as the family can't afford the cost of the repairs so they only live in two rooms, leaving the rest of the castle unoccupied and dilapidated.  Now, Frank is a nose-picker, and a secret one at that, saving up his pickings over the course of the day and then emptying them into his cupboard when he gets home.  He has amassed quite the pile of bogeys and he is rather proud of his tower, until the night of the storm when his  bogey creation is hit by lightning, bringing it to life!  So now Frank and his best friend, Tiffany, have to keep the monster hidden from his parents.  But then add into the mix a very nosy neighbour, Willamina, who is desperate to get her hands on Snozzle castle, and who knows what will happen.  Can Frank and Tiffany keep the monster hidden from everyone and will Willamina's scheming ways be successful?

Monster Bogey is a laugh-out-loud funny book that is snot to be sniffed at.  Pacey and thoroughly entertaining, readers will be swept along on this gooey tale of deception and mayhem.  You will be willing Frank and Tiffany on but I guarantee that you will also enjoy Willamina's devious ways (I thoroughly enjoyed hating her!).  With illustrations by Owen Lindsay to enhance the excitement, I nose that this book will go down well with fans of Wimpy Kid & Tom Gates fans.

Released on the 5th January, I recommend picking up a copy of Monster Bogey as I know you'll enjoy having a rummage around inside!

The Terror Of hilltop House - Dan Smith

Peter, Krish and Nancy are back in their fourth adventure and, this time, the trio have read about sheep going missing and 'large puddles of weird gunk' appearing.  The local farmer believes that the disappearance has something to do with the research centre located at the nearby Hilltop House, a research centre which specialises in organic bio-fuels and sustainable food crops.  The trio are quick on the case but when their investigation leads them to discover what is actually happening at Hilltop House, it becomes a race to save the village.

I'm a big fan of The Crooked Oak mysteries and they are hugely popular in school (there's a waiting list for the books in my class at the minute, and the more they are read, the more others are keen to join the adventure), so I was incredibly excited when The Terror Of Hilltop House arrived at home.  

The book is fast-paced, quick to get to the action and utterly unputdownable (in my opinion, it's the best book in the series yet).  The book is a delicious combination of hide behind a cushion creepy and can't stop reading, and I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction of carnivorous plants which gave me triffid vibes.  I love that we get to know the characters more as the series progresses and their bravery is inspiring (not that I'm advocating going head-to-head against a host of carnivorous plants - I'd be firmly hiding under my bed!).  This is the sort of action children love to read and imagine themselves in the lead roles, and the relatability of Nancy, Krish and Pete certainly helps readers to do this. 

Dan is a master of suspense writing and knows exactly how to combine that with sinister plot-twists that grip children and adults alike.  The Terror of Hilltop House is a perfect example and I can't wait to see what the trio get up to next.

Released on the 5th January, I already know that The Terror of Hilltop House is going to be a massive hit - I already have a waiting list for it at school!

The Chestnut Roaster - Eve McDonnell

Piaf works as a chestnut roaster in the centre of Paris (on the corner of Rue du Dragon to be precise).  Small for her age, she is often mistaken for being younger that her twelve years, but Piaf is a most remarkable young lady as she remembers every single thing that has happened to her since the second she was born.  It is this gift (or burden) that leads her to realise that the man claiming to be a cousin cannot possibly be telling the truth; this saves her from being kidnapped, something that has happened to several gifted children recently.  And then she discovers that everybody else in Paris believes that it is still 1887, and not 1888 - they appear to have forgotten the last year.  Realising that something is very wrong, Piaf and her twin brother, Luc, determine to discover exactly what is going on, and so embark upon a quite remarkable journey across Paris.

I have a serious love of Paris and an even more serious love of books set in the city, so I really had no choice but to buy a copy of The Chestnut Roaster - I knew I would enjoy it, but until I started reading it, I didn't realise exactly how much I would fall in love with it.  From the very beginning I was transported to the streets of Paris and could picture myself alongside Piaf.  I found myself imagining Rue Du Dragon and Les Deux Maggots; racing around the Île de la Cité with her and venturing into the catacombs (I have determined to visit them next time I'm there).  The description lulled me into the pages of the book and transported me to the city that I love, and I promise it will do the same to you.

Piaf is a tower of strength as a character, despite being so small.  She is plagued by her 'gift' and uses boxes in her brain to help her manage all her memories.  We discover, fairly early in the book, that her twin brother, Luc, is in hospital and she has stepped up to take over his role of chestnut roaster - she clearly feels the weight of responsibility and I saw that throughout their adventure.  Whilst many may see her memories as a gift, she clearly doesn't see it that way - she was an incredibly interesting character and one I grew very fond of.  

There are a host of other wonderful characters within the book; many of whom you will love (Madame Legrand definitely fell into this category form me) and some you will find confusing in the best way (are they good?  Are they bad?  You have no choice but to keep reading to find out!).

The Chestnut Roaster is a compelling, thought-provoking book that will hook you in and enchant you; and the sinister undertones will lure you in and keep you reading.  I promise you that the description will make you yearn to head to Paris and, as you finish the final page, you will hold it in your memory for days, if not weeks, afterwards.   

I know that my love of Paris may make me biased, but I absolutely promise you that this is a book you need in your life - you will thank me afterwards! Oh, and I can highly recommend reading it with a mug of hot chocolate!

Into The Faerie Hill - H.S. Norup

 

Twelve-year-old Alfred has spent much of his life moving around for his dad's job.  This time, they are heading to his granny's, a place he hasn't been to since he was only a few months old.  Alfred is going to stay there whilst his father is working nearby as part of a team who are intent on building a tunnel through a near by hill to provide easier access to the city.  

As Alfred settles in, he gets the feeling he is being watched but puts it down to the numerous carvings of animals his granny seems to be very protective of.  When his dad leaves, he heads out to the car with him where he meets Saga, the daughter of an old friend of his dad.  The pair quickly become friends and Alfred begins helping her in her efforts to stop the construction of the tunnel.  

Whilst all this is going on, Alfred discovers that he can see and speak to faerie creatures.  Mr Tumbleweed is Saga's faerie creature friend, a tree sprite, most people see as a toad, but Saga - only Alfred can understand what he is saying. 

As the campaign to save the hill intensifies, Alfred realises that he is connected to the faeries and this may be the key to finding out about his mother (somebody he never knew and somebody his dad and his granny refuse to talk about).  He determines to enter Faerie in search of answers; however, it seems that the creatures need help from Alfred and Saga as much as he needs help from them.  Can they work together to stop construction of the tunnel and will Alfred get the answers he is so desperately seeking?

This is Helle's third book and, having loved The Missing Barbegazi and falling completely under the spell of The Hungry Ghost, I was very excited to find an early copy of Into The Faerie Hill waiting at home for me.

Alfred is a character I warmed to quickly.  He really doesn't want to be at his granny's but simply can't persuade his dad to change his mind.  He is a strong swimmer but struggles, at times, with the fact that one one of his legs is shorter than the other.  It certainly doesn't define him and doesn't stop him doing anything - I love this and I know it will send a strong message to readers.  I also found Saga a captivating character: where Alfred is determined to hide in the shadows, Saga is happy to stand out and, at times, actively seeks to be different.  She is fiercely determined to protect the hill in any way she can and her eco-warrior fierceness will appeal to readers.

Into The Faerie Hill is a wonderful mix of magic, mystery and folklore that weaves in respecting the environment and the world around us. Family and friendship are strong themes in the book and the message to be proud of who you are sings out of the pages.  This is a story that will lull you in and cast a spell over you so you won't want to leave the village and Faerie.  You'll be torn between gobbling the book in one go and languishing amongst the pages to savour every moment for as long as possible.  

Due for release on the 2nd March, Into The Faerie Hill is a book you should definitely pre-order. 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour: Operation Nativity - Jenny Pearson

Welcome to day 10 of the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour where a group of fantastic bloggers are sharing some wonderfully Christmassy books.  Today it's my turn and I'm sharing my review of Operation Nativity, which I originally shared in August (that most Christmassy time of year!)

Oscar and Molly live in Middlesbrough with their parents but are spending Christmas in Chipping-Bottom in Hampshire at their father's family home.  You see their father is part of the Cuthbert-Andersons who own a rather large family estate where his parents, Lord and Lady Cuthbert-Anderson, still live.  Christmas is a big event there and includes the family performing a nativity play for the rest of the village.  Oscar and Molly's parents have managed to find ways of avoiding Christmases here for the past few years, but this year, as Lord Cuthbert-Anderson is rather ill, they feel they have to go.

On their first night, whilst trying to sleep in the nursery, Oscar and Molly see a bright light in the sky and Molly convinces Oscar that they have to investigate.  Whatever they thought they would find, it certainly wasn't a rather dazed Angel Gabriel who has managed to knock Christmas off course and needs their help to get things back on track before Christmas Day or Christmas will no longer exist.  Sounds easy?  Not if you also need to locate a shepherd, a wise man, a donkey, oh, and Mary and Joseph.  

Can I just say now that Operation Nativity is a gloriously funny celebration of Christmas with all its traditions and I thoroughly adored every minute of it.  I loved the small details and humour that will be as funny for adults as for children - funnier perhaps - and I can absolutely imagine this being a brilliant book to read aloud as a family (or to a class) in the run-up to the festive season.

Every family has their own particular Christmas traditions but the Cuthbert-Anderson's nativity is quite the organised event involving every member of the family, whether they want to be part of it or not.  Old traditions meet with the exuberance of youth as Lady Cuthbert-Anderson organises the carol singing and the play rehearsals, with hilarious results.

The characterisation within the book is really rather wonderful.  I very much enjoyed the Angel Gabriel, Balthazar and Steve: their mannerisms and the way they spoke made me chuckle.  However, it was Molly who stole the show for me.  Her knack for telling the truth and being completely honest is a joy to read and her outfits always unique (she may become my new style icon).  After Molly, never again shall I hear 'Joy To The World' in quite the same way again.

Oscar, although very different to his younger sister, is a wonderful young man who takes the weight of the world on his shoulders but does so with immense style.  I loved his approach to everything (including stealing his dad's clothes).  His love for his grandfather is evident and I found this very touching.

As well as the belly laughs (this book had me laughing out loud on a train from Venice to Florence - great for me, not so good for my embarrassed teenage son who was sat next to me), there are some very important messages about love and family within the book (I recommend having a tissue handy).  Love and celebrate your family (in whatever form your family takes), embrace them for who they are and enjoy those times together for they are the memories you make and hold dear.  I am reminded of the fact that my dad constantly tells my son and I to 'make memories' and I feel that Oscar's grandfather would approve - he is a wonderful character with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and the perfect balance to his wife.

Operation Nativity will make the perfect addition to your Christmas book collection and will be a book you will want to read again and again.

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour:

Jayben and the Golden Torch - Thomas Leeds

Ben lives with his Aunt Samantha who is, quite frankly, a horrible person.  He has lived with her for the past six years and can't remember his life before that, so doesn't remember his parents or why they had disappeared.  Life with his aunt is miserable and so he designs buildings of all shapes and sizes that would impress Gaudi.  And then, one morning as they are leaving for school, Ben has a seizure and wakes up in the Elf world with no memories and no idea who he is - all he has with him is a compass in his pocket with the name Jayben on it, and a torch.

It turns out that, years ago, a giant put a spell on the torch and the elves forgot everything that had happened previously so they now hang their memories in jars so they don't forget.  However, Null  (an evil villain) is determined to find the torch in order to become the most powerful being and so is destroying the forests.  It's up to Jayben to find and use his own magic to light the torch and save the world.  But can the boy who has no idea who he is help to save the world?

Jayben is a rather wonderful character who is trying to navigate the human and elf worlds whilst also trying to understand his seizures.  He is uncertain about what is happening but I quickly noticed that he is a kind and caring character, and always keen to keep those around him safe.  Discovering he is the Ninth Dreamer and  the one who is supposed to save the world is quite the weight for anyone, especially for someone who has no memory of who he is; however, his determination shines through.

I think Jayben and the Golden Torch is the first book I have read where the main character has seizures and it's great to see this being represented in MG fiction.  The use of a page to represent the seizures is a wonderful way to show the memory blank that Jayben experiences when he has these seizures and I am sure it will help children who read the book to feel that they are not alone.  

The world building within the book is vivid and allows you to picture the elf world in all of its glorious detail.  

Released on the 2nd February, Jayben and the Golden Torch is a story of courage, determination and finding yourself, and I can't wait to take it in to school.

The Time Tider - Sinead O'Hart

 For as long as Mara can remember, she and her father have lived in their van and have moved from place to place, never staying anywhere for too long.  She doesn't quite know what her father does as his job but, one day, she grows curious and follows him, and this leads to questions. Her father finally decides it's time to explain to Mara; however, before he can do so fully, they are ambushed and a group kidnap her father, leaving Mara scared and alone. Knowing only that she and her father had been heading to see Lenny, Mara heads off to find him, and discovers things that will change her life forever.  But with the group who have her father still chasing Mara in search of her father's things, intent on using those things for evil, can Mara get to the bottom of things before it's too late?

I have loved all of Sinead's books so I was incredibly excited to see that she had an other book due out, and I was even more excited when I was given early access to it through NetGalley.  I have to say that it jumped to the top of the tbr pile, I got stuck in straight away, and it's safe to say that I wasn't disappointed.

The Time Tider is different from Sinead's other books but I really liked that; there's an element of sci-fi that weaves its way through the pages in a way that doesn't really feel sci-fiy (is that a word?).  Mara is a strong and determined character who has immense inner strength and sense of self.  She has lived a very different life to most children and it is this that gives her the qualities that shine out of her.  She is definitely a character I won't forget in a hurry.

The book tackles themes that will really make you think; mainly those to do with time, harvesting spare time from those whose lives are cut short and whether that should be used by others.  It made me think about the moral implications as well as how I would feel personally about this concept.  The thought of being able to buy time could be incredibly tempting in many situations but the book also highlights the way something like this could be abused.  I guarantee the book will make you think and, on several occasions, I found myself pausing and seriously pondering the plot.  This would definitely be a book I would love to read to my class as I can imagine their thoughts would create some incredible discussions. 

Due for release on the 2nd February, The Time Tider is a thought-provoking book that will grip you and make you think in equal measure.  It's another guaranteed hit for Sinead and a book I would highly recommend pre-ordering.