April round-up

What a month it's been in the bookish front for O and I. We had the pleasure of meeting Sharna Jackson on Easter Saturday at Waterstones Durham and, as we've had 2 weeks off, we’ve read a huge number of books! So, without further ado, I’ll get going with our reviews in the order in which they were read...

Rumblestar - Abi Elphinstone. 

What a brilliant book! Read our full review here: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/rumblestar-abi-elphinstone.html

No Ballet Shoes in Syria - Catherine Burton. 

Loved this book so much I reviewed it before O had even started reading it! The review is here: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/no-ballet-shoes-in-syria-catherine.html

Scar - Alice Broadway.

This is the final instalment in Leora Finn's story about division between the inked and the blanks. We don't want to give too much away for fear of spoiling any of the books in the trilogy but we will say this: if you've read the first two books, expect lots of twists and turns in this gripping story that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.  If you haven't read Ink and Spark, you really should! 

We both love Leora's character: her strength and her determination, despite her uncertainties in everything she's been through. 

This is a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy and all three books are perfect for this looking to make the leap from MG to YA.

Malamander - Thomas Tyler.

Herbert Lemon (Herbie) is in charge of the Lost & Found at The Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea when, one day, Violet Parma literally crashes in, in desperate need of help.  Together, they head to the Book Dispensary, looking for answers, only to be given a book about the local legend of the Malamander ... and so their adventure begins.

  Herbie, who has never known his family and isn't completely certain how old he is (12ish), is an independent, self-sufficient young man who, despite first appearances, does have some reservations about throwing himself head-long into every situation. Violet, on the other-hand, is a determined and focused young lady who will do anything and everything she needs to in order to find the answers so she so desperately needs! They are surrounded by a host of quirky characters who live in this interesting but slightly eerie town (it's aptly named!) but who can they trust? Are they all as they first appear and who exactly is Boathook Man?

          This is an unputdownable book with just the right amount of adventure and eeriness to keep you on the edge of your seat.  By the way, I believe every town is in need of a Book Dispensary!

The Middler - Kirsty Applebaum

Fennis Wick is protected by its boundaries and children are constantly reminded that wanderers are 'dirty, dangerous and ... deceitful'. Maggie, a middle child, is feeling ignored in this town where the eldest children are revered as heroes as they are sent to camp aged 14 to fight the Quiet War. However, Maggie meets Una, a wanderer desperate for food and medication for her father and everything changes.

          This book could be set anywhere and I love the fact that the town could be any place in any time. The idea of long, endless summer days hints at an element of carefree life, masking the idea that their eldest will be sent away to war at the age of 14.

          It's clear from the beginning that Maggie feels hidden in the shadows of her elder brother, Jed, who's about to turn 14, so meeting Una gives her something for herself, a purpose she hasn't had before now.  At the age of 11, her voice is strong within the pages of the book. Her relationship with Una is a complicated one and Maggie's struggle with that is clear to see. 

          This book was not as I had expected, beginning gently, with more of a traditional feel to it, then it suddenly shifts and, before you know it, there's almost a dystopian feel. The pace speeds up and you're desperate to discover what will happen.  It's a thrilling book full of sinister elements that explores family, friendships, boundaries and the discovering the truth.

How High the Moon - Karyn Parsons

Set in 1944, in the small town of Alcolu in South Carolina, Ella, is a black girl growing up amongst segregation.  She is happy with her cousins and friends but is always conscious of the racial divide that exists. When her mama invites her to stay with her in Boston, she gets to experience equality - life without segregation. However, when she returns, she discovers that her friend, George, has been arrested for murdering two white girls.

          This is a wonderfully written, historical novel with strong, distinctive characterisation. Told from the point of view of Ella, her cousin Marina and their friend Henry, the story allows MG readers to begin to understand segregation. It's a touching, heart-breaking story about life, friendships, resilience and separation that conveys important messages in an age-sensitive way.  I saw it described as To Kill A Mockingbird for MG and I couldn't agree more. It's definitely worth taking the time to read it.

High-rise Mystery - Sharna Jackson

Living on a London Council-estate in a high-rise block, sisters Nick and Norva discover the body of Hugo, a much-loved art-teacher and antiques dealer, in one of the rubbish chutes.  The pair are soon on the case, determined to solve the crime before the police.

          This is an excellent read with brilliantly strong characters who make the most of modern technology to help them investigate the case. It's great to see diversity in MG fiction and these two independent girls with distinctive voices will be relatable to many children.  They are clever, witty, resilient, determined and resourceful, and their sense of justice will be inspiring to many. This is a modern-day, inner-city Murder Most Unladylike and we can't wait to read more!

The Good Thieves - Katherine Randell.

We just absolutely loved this book.  Here's our full review: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-good-thieves.html

Swimming Against The Storm - Jess Butterworth

Eliza and her sister, Avery, have always lived in their fishing village in the swamps of Louisiana; however, when they're told their village is sinking and they will be forced to leave, the pair enlist the help of their friends and set out in search of the mythical creature 'loud-garou', hoping that proving its existence will help save their home.

          A fast-paced adventure story through the swamps that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Complete with swamp animals and a race to save their home and themselves, this is a brilliant MG read.

A Far Away Magic - Amy Wilson   

Everything is different for Angel following the death of her parents: a new foster family and a new school to cope with; however, she is reluctant to make friends so why is she so drawn to Bavar? Why is it she sees him when nobody else seems to pay attention to him? Could there be a link to the death of her parents?

          This was a captivating story that entwines magic and monsters yet gives you a feeling that there is something lurking in the shadow.

          The pain and hurt experienced by both characters can be felt throughout the book and elements of both characters will resonate.  In Bavar, there is the desire to be invisible, of feeling that he doesn't fit in and with a determination to do things his own way.  For Angel, it could be her desire to shut others out after the death of her parents, throwing a protective barrier around herself, whilst maintaining a quiet determination to seek out the truth of her parents' death.

          This is a story of loss, family (in all shapes and sizes), love, determination to be yourself, friendship, magic and embracing who you are.  It's a dark and mysterious story that felt like it was holding its breath until just the right moment, enticing you in with anticipation and magic.  

Definitely one to read!

Vocabulary Ninja - Andrew Jennings.

I was so excited to receive a copy of this book as I've followed Vocabulary Ninja for a while now.  I use the word of the day idea in the classroom and was looking forward to reading more about his ideas and, I have to say, that I was not disappointed.  This is an honestly written book by somebody with a genuine love of vocabulary and a real desire to make a difference to children's learning.  It's full of useful ideas that can be easily implemented into the classroom.  Some things I already do (we have a sleuth book so we can be vocabulary detectives which is similar to the The Word Explorer's Journey); some things I currently do I will tweak having read the book and there are also many, many things that I will now be working into my teaching (my class loved the nouns v verbs last week).  I am keen to introduce the Picture Processor; the Vocabulary Vault is brilliant and I really like the Scintilating Synonyms grid.

In short, this is a book every teacher needs and I can see my copy becoming very well-worn.  Huge thanks to the Vocbaulary Ninja for this great book!

NE Book Awards 2019

North East Children's Book Awards

I was so pleased when I discovered that my school are taking part in the NE Book Awards, and even more pleased when I saw the short-listed 6 books as I'd already read 1/2 of them!  A few weeks later, and I've now enjoyed them all so here's my blog to let you know my opinions...

The Girl In The Window - Penny Joelson

Kasia is trapped in her bedroom after an illness just keeps getting worse. Sometimes she is able to get downstairs and even meet with her neighbour, Mrs Gayatri. She dropped out of school a year ago and is worried about being left behind in her work. When she sees an abduction of a woman outside her bedroom, and catches sight of another girl in the house opposite, everything changes.

I like this book because it takes dark subjects - child trafficking and mental illness - and makes an amazing story about them that helps raise awareness. I love how, even though Kasia is stuck in bed for some of the time, she can do the most amazing things with her friends. I love how Penny kept me on the edge of my seat, always wanting to find out more, throughout the novel, and how she has written Kasia as a disabled person, but able to do so much - this filled me with joy.

She Wolf - Dan Smith

Set in Northumbria in December, 866, this is the story of Ylva who sets out on an epic journey in search of the three fingered man in order to avenge her mother's death.  Having to cope with the wolves that inhabit the forest as well as the harsh, winter conditions, Ylva must keep her wits about her in order to survive - but can she trust those she meets along the way?

This book is AMAZING!!!!!!! Dan has done it again with a book set in Viking times, a hero who is desperate for revenge and a dog who never leaves her side. Ylva (which means She Wolf) is young and, at first, seems fierce and determined but we soon discover that she is a many layered character and, behind her determined, stubborn exterior, there is a scared girl whose bravery is what drives her on. 
I loved how Ylva was courageous, even in the face of her worst nightmares, and faced up to her enemies. 
 She makes mistakes along the way which is good as nobody gets it right all the time & that is will make her relatable to readers: she's human and often thinks she knows best! I was also particularly fond of the relationship between Ylva and Geri, her dog: the discussion between the pair adds another dimension to Ylva, allowing her to share her inner most thoughts with her best friend.
Ylva's strength in the darkest times made me want to be like her. We should all try to be more like Ylva.

Boy 87 - Ele Fountain

Meet Shif: an ordinary boy who likes chess, maths and racing his best friend home from school. When soldiers come to his door, everything changes. Now he is forced to leave his family with only his best friend for company, and embark on a very dangerous journey. Will he make it to England?

This book is a gripping story of refugees and best friends, travelling from everything they love to find a new life and a story that makes you realise the cruelty and kindness that there is in the world. I loved how Shif never gave up and always stayed positive, even when all seemed hopeless. I loved how Ele took such a grim topic and made this amazing book about it. 

  Boy 87 grabs hold of you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until the very end.  Harrowing and heart-breaking in places, whilst heart-warming in others, this is a must-read book!

SeaGlass - Eloise Williams

Lark is struggling when her family decide to take a break in a campervan park for the half-term holiday. Her mother is ill, her sister has stopped talking and she has fallen out with her best friend. To add to that, is a girl in a green dress following her everywhere, or is her sister playing a trick on her? 
All will be revealed in Seaglass.

Form the start, I was gripped by the mystery and deception in everyone. I loved how Lark was always protective of her sister and was always scared when she disappeared - and she disappeared a lot! Eloise wrote this so well - from the very beginning, I was gripped with the plot, the characters and the emotions. I loved how Lark was so loving with her mother, and helped her Dad because of it.
This is a fabulous book and I loved it from the start right to the end.


A Darkness of Dragons - S.A. Patrick

Patch is trying to make his way in the world as a piper when he is sentenced to serve jail time (a very, very long sentence) for playing a forbidden spell on his pipe which endangers those around him.

Whilst in his cell, he uncovers a secret about the evil Piper of Hamlyn and, after the dragons attack the castle where he's imprissoned inadvertently allow him to escape, he must uncover the truth about the Piper of Hamlyn who is on the loose.

Together with his friend Wren (a girl cursed to live as a rat) and Barber (the outcast dracogriff) they embark on a journey to try to save the day.

From the start, this book is high-paced and energetic, so I had to keep reading to find out what happened. I was intrigued from the beginning and I loved it to the end. This amazing read was a page turner and I couldn't stop reading because, towards the end the suspense increased even further!

I loved Wren because she was determined to help Patch and not think about herself first. She was kind to him and helped him escape and wasn't scared about anything. I was surprised at how helpful Barver was to them and how friendly he was.

The Closest thing to Flying - Gill Lewis

100 years ago, a girl wrote a diary. When Semira finds it, she finds her first friend, one she can relate to, one she can inspire to be. A friend who reaches through time to bring comfort and inspiration.  Semira is a refugee, brought to England with her mother and being 'looked after'  by Robel who claims to be helping them but is very controlling.  When Semira stumbles across the diary, it unlocks a new world to her - that of Henritta (Hen) who lived in Victorian Britain.  As the similarities become apparent, can they help Semira uncover the secrets of her own past and also help give her the strength to be brave enough to do what's right in this life?

I absolutely ADORED this book! The contrast between Hen and Samira was amazing. I loved how Hen and Katherine were free and didn't care about what people thought of them, even when they were looked down upon. This book is a great book about friendship, love and bravery, and it is a stunning story that should be on every bookshelf.

The Good Thieves

The Good Thieves - Katherine Rundell
(Release date: 13th June 2019)

Vita and her mum have sailed to New York to help her grandfather, Jack, whose home (a castle on the outskirts of New York) has been swindled from him by conman Sorrotore.  Determined to avenge the injustice, Vita concocts a plan and, with the help of circus performers Samuel and Arkady, and Silk, a local pickpocket, begins a race against time to restore her grandfather's home and possessions to the rightful owner.

K's opinion:

I love Katherine Rundell's books so was particularly looking forward to this one.  I felt incredibly privileged to be able to read an electronic copy and, oh boy, I wasn't disappointed!  

This is an exciting, fast-paced adventure that made me gasp and kept me gripped throughout.  From the very beginning, I marvelled at the description and choice of vocabulary and the way Rundell weaves it to create magic on the page (I'm an English teacher by day - I I look at the vocabulary almost by default!).  The attention to detail immerses you  in New York life and you quickly feel as though you're in amongst the Mafia-type world next to Vita.  She is a strong lead character whose determination is evident, not least through the fact that she refuses to allow herself to be defined by her weak leg.  She is somebody whose qualities I think many young girls will want to emulate when they read the book and, together with Samuel, Arkady and Silk, will be characters that will stay with readers long after they have read the final page.  

This tale of love, family, friendship and loyalty  is a captivating adventure from the master of story-telling.

O's opinion:

WOW!!! This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through: I even stopped my homework to read it! I have always loved Katherine's books and this is without a doubt her best book yet!

I loved how Vita was always persistent, no matter what the task was, even with her disability.  The way her friends always stayed by her side, whatever the problem, was amazing. This is a characteristic I would love to have (unfortunately, I am a bit of a wuss!!), and would be incredibly fortunate to have friends like that.

This is by far one of the best books I have read this year (so far I am on 31!). I can't wait for Katherine's next!

The Longest Night Of Charlie Noon

The Longest Night Of Charlie Noon - Christopher Edge.
(Due for release 6th June)

Friends Charlie and Dizzy are determined to discover what is hiding in the woods near their home and, along with Johnny, they quickly become lost and scared!  Then night falls and they find themselves trapped and unable to find their way home.  Can they solve the mystery and find their way out of the forest and what is happening to time?

K's opinion

This is a gripping book that will have you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning.  The dynamic between the three characters is great and their very different personalities have to come together and put aside their differences in order to work together.  

I began reading this book to my class just before Easter and they are utterly hooked, often refusing to go home at the end of the day until I've finished the chapter we're reading, and then becoming even more reluctant to leave as the ends of the chapters are often the most thrilling parts!  We managed to reach the half-way mark before we broke up and there have already been many gasps and cries of, "You can't stop reading now!".  They love it just as much as O and I did.  When they knew we'd be writing the blog over the holiday, there were a flurry of quotes that came my way, with requests for them to be included, so here you go:

"It's a phenomenal book and I'm really enjoying it!"

"Amazing!  It's exceptional and the description is perfect!"

"A superb book of surprises!"

"This is an action-packed book, full of adventure and excitement!"

I have to say, that it's also an incredibly thought-provoking book and I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the class react as we make our way through the second half of the book next term (I'll keep you posted!).  I have to admit to shedding a tear (in public!)

O's opinion

WOW!!! This book is fabulous! It was constantly making me think about what was happening and the plot twists were amazing! I loved how Charlie never gave up, not even when it seemed that they were going to be lost in there forever. I loved how Charlie always stayed positive and didn't lose hope.

I have always loved Christopher's books, but this is by far the BEST book he has written!!! What's next?!?!

No Ballet Shoes in Syria - Catherine Bruton

No Ballet Shoes in Syria - Catherine Bruton.

Aya is an eleven year old asylum seeker who has just moved to Britain with her mum and baby brother from Syria.  Whilst making their regular trips to the community center, Aya stumbles across a ballet class which makes her yearn to return to the thing she loved most before the war: dancing.  Taken under her wing by the ballet teacher, Aya finds that life is tough as she tries to earn a place at a prestigious ballet school.  Can her talent help her to succeed and what will happen to her family?

K's opinion:

Normally, I wait until O has read a book as well before doing a full review like this but I just couldn't wait with this book!  Having finished it this morning, the story and the characters are still with me so I wanted to share my thoughts on the book today:

No Ballet Shoes in Syria is an insightful story full of emotion that shows the turmoil that so many children who are asylum seekers must face.  Aya tells her story beautifully, switching between her present situation in Manchester, her past-life in Syria and the difficult and turbulent journey she and her family were forced to make.  It allows young readers (suitable for children aged 9+ in my opinion) to understand the traumas of asylum seekers in an age appropriate and wonderfully written way.  The contrasts between Aya and the other girls in the ballet class show the sacrifices she and her family have had to make and the responsibility that now lies on her shoulders.  

The book is current yet told in a way that makes it feel timeless and is perfect for fans of Onjali Rauf and Noel Streatfield.  It's a story of hope, love and 'the kindness of strangers' which broke and warmed my heart in equal measure.  There are so many important lessons to be learned from this book and, when it's published in May, it needs to be in every school in the country.  I can't recommend this book enough.

Rumblestar - Abi Elphinstone

Rumblestar - Abi Elphinstone

(Due for release, 30th May)

"Life, Casper, is wigglysplat."

Casper is an eleven year old boy who likes routine, lists and timetables, so when he accidentally finds himself in Rumblestar, one of the Unmapped Kingdoms, with Utterly Thankless, a girl who seems to be his complete opposite, things couldn't get much worse!  However, Rumblestar is under threat from an evil harpy called Morg who wants to steal the unmapped magic, and this could have dire consequences for Casper's world (our world) as well as Rumblestar.  As a result, Casper and Utterly head out on the adventure of their lives, but will they succeed and save Rumblestar or will Morg and her army of Midnights defeat them?

K's opinion:

I knew I wanted to start this review with a quote from the book; the problem was that I had too many to choose from (a great problem to have, by-the-way!).  From the opening lines ("The trouble with grown-ups is that they always think that they're right..."), the book is awash with beautiful description and poignant phrases (I'm thinking firmly of Bristlebeard here!) that make you want to dive into the world of Rumblestar and the Unmapped Kingdoms, and experience them first-hand.

And I must give a nod to the characters who help to make this world seem so real.  Casper Tock is a boy of rules & routines, his life rigidly mapped out on his timetables in order to avoid the bullies he fears, so the chaos into which he is plunged seems all too much for this boy who so desperately just wants to go home.  I love the fact that he is a quirky character and not your typical 'boy'.  In a world where we encourage children to be themselves, Casper is a character that I think may will relate to.

  

The there's Utterly Thankless (such a brilliant name!) who seems to live in the moment and finds it incredibly easy to ignore the rules!  Yet there is something more to her and her misbehavior; something that is driving her on and I enjoyed the many layers of her character.  Although she and Casper are polar opposites, they compliment each other perfectly.

And let's not forget Arlo, Utterly's miniature dragon who shows everybody that being small and unable to speak is no hindrance to be inga good friend!

This is a world full of magical creatures, good and bad; from the drizzle hags to the Midnights; from Zip the refreshingly honest and funny hot-air balloon to Bristlebeard, the wise and insightful snow troll, and everything in between.  The variety is what makes this book so good.

Rumblestar is a story full of action and adventure which tells of friendship and being brave, even when you're scared.  It shows us that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and that being a hero can creep up on you quite unexpectedly.

O's opinion:

This book is such a good read: it is full of adventure and humor along the way, with added mystery and scariness! This novel is so well written it makes me want to jump through a grandfather clock and visit Rumblestar!

Casper is my favorite character as he is always on time and is never late, but he is plunged head-first into a world where his special skills mean nothing to Utterly, who couldn't be more different to him! This makes me want to be like him because even though he doesn't know where he is, how he got there, or even if he is going to get home, he still caries on, despite his fears: as long as he's with Utterly everything will be fine - or so it seems ...!!!!!!!!

This is undoubtedly Abi at her best and we don't feel that our words can quite do the book justice.  We can't wait for the next in the Unmapped Chronicles.

March Round-up

March Round-up.

It's been another incredible bookish month for us.

We were privileged to hear Angie Thomas talk about her YA books and her inspirations (O has read and loved both her books; they're on my to-read list for Easter) and we were honoured to help Dan Smith celebrate the launch of his latest book, She Wolf, at Seven Stories (it's a brilliant book so if you haven't already read it, you really should! It's so popular in school that it still hasn't made it to the library as it's snapped up as soon as somebody returns it!)

We've also managed to read a few books as well so here's our views on the books we've read this month!

Wildspark - Hashti Vardy

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/03/wildspark-vashti-hardy.html

The Dragon in the Library - Louie Stowell 

(Publication date: 6th June)

Kit hates reading and loves getting muddy and having adventures; however, her friends, Alita and Josh both love to read.  So when  they persuade Kit to make a quick stop at the library, Kit isn't very happy; however they meet Faith, the librarian and then Kit discovers that strange and magical things happen when she reads a book.  This leads to magic, dragons, adventure and an attempt to save the dragon in the library.  

       This is a wonderfully exciting story of friendship, the power books, reading and libraries (I had an image in my head throughout the book of the local library I used as a child).  Kit is a reluctant reader who is clumsy and makes mistakes - it's wonderful to see this and I'm sure there will be many children who will relate to her.  With great illustrations, this is a perfect books for children aged 7-9.

Starfell - Dominique Valente. 

(Publication date: 2nd May)

Willow lives in the town of Starfell with her family.  Not everybody has magical powers but Willow does: she can find things that people have lost. She lives in the shadows of her mum and sisters, believing that their powers are far more exciting than her own.  So when Moreg Vaine, one of the most feared and infamous witches in Starfell, visits to ask for her help to find last Tuesday which she thinks has gone missing, Willow jumps at the chance.  Armed with a few hastily-chosen belongings and Oswin (the monster from under her bed) all stuffed into a green, shaggy-hired carpet bag, Willow sets out on the adventure of her life.  But as she journeys and meets characters such as Festhering, Noun Sometimes and Essential Jones, can she discover what happened to last Tuesday?

           We liked the quirkiness of the characters, their individuality and the fact that so many of them didn't quite feel they fit into 'normal' society. 

           This is a story about being different, accepting and embracing your uniqueness, and trusting your instincts.  It teaches us that we should love and embrace who we are.

The Closest Thing To Flying - Gill Lewis.

This the story of Semira and Hen (Henrietta): 100 years separate them but a hat and a hidden diary bring them together.  Semira is a refugee, brought to England with her mother and being 'looked after'  by Robel who claims to be helping them but is very controlling.  When Semira stumbles across a hidden diary, it unlocks a new world to her - that of Henritta (Hen) who lived in Victorian Britain.  As the similarities become apparent, can they help Semira uncover the secrets of her own past and also help give her the strength to be brave enough to do what's right in this life?

       A touching story that covers several rather difficult but relevant topics in an age-appropriate way.  It's a heart-warming story that flows well between the 2 time-periods.  With 2 strong, female lead characters, it shows readers that it's good to develop a sense of self and what is right. We also like  Patrick, who doesn't feel the need to conform and is accepted because he is true to himself.

      A great book and definitely one we recommend.

The Great Chocoplot - Chris Callaghan.

Be warned: this book will make you want to eat chocolate!

'In 6 days there will be no more chocolate in the world ... ever!'

And so beings the great Chocopocalypse and mass hysteria abounds round the country as everybody grapples for chocolate before it's gone for good.

         Jelly lives with her parents (her dad has been made redundant and her mum works nights at the local supermarket) and her gran lives in a caravan on the front drive.  Things are tight but they love chocolate and the prospect of no more leads Jelly and her gran to search for the truth about the great Chocopocalypse!

        This is a great read, full of fun and quirky touches (twists on names/places/shows from 'real life').  It's a choctastic book and I can't believe it took us 3 years to get round to reading it! 

My Dad's A Birdman - David Almond.

A touching story of a father who is determined to do whatever it takes to win the Great Human Bird Competition in which competitors need to fly across the River Tyne without falling in!  He decides to take things literally and become as bird-like as possible.  With Lizzie, his daughter, looking after him, the pair set about trying to win the competition.

        This is a touching story told in a relatable way, the book is distinctively Almond in its style and you can hear the Geordie voices coming through - I love it!

        This is a story about love, family, not giving up, having faith and taking risks.  Perfect for children in Years 3 and 4.

Horrid Henry Up, Up and Away - Francesca Simon

O and I loved reading Horrid Henry books when he was young, so it was a real treat when then 100th book, marking 25 years of Horrid Henry books, dropped through the door.  It comprises 4 new stories, packed with the usual antics from Henry, from heading on holiday on a plane, writing a history essay for a school competition, messing up a play and a visit to a water-park. With changes of font style & size, and great illustrations, this is a fun and appealing books that will engage younger readers.  I'm just pleased I'm never around when Henry is!

The Words that Fly Between Us - Sarah Carroll 

(Publication date: May 2019)

This is a YA book about a girl called Lucy who has a supposedly perfect life: her father is a massive name on the property market and her mother is perfectly happy. But on the inside, her bully of a father oppresses her about her 'hobby' of drawing. Can she be the person she wants to be without her father getting in her way?

This book is a great example of standing up to a bullying and Sarah Carroll writes it perfectly. I loved how Lucy tries to help her friend Megan stand up to Hazel, her 'friend' that posts mean comments on her blog. This makes me think that Lucy is a person that just wants the best for her friends. I think everyone should try to be like Lucy and should help their friends through hard times.

This book has a clear message running through the lines: stand up to bullies; your life will be better for it. This is why Sarah Carroll is an amazing author: only good will come from this book.