The Midnight Sweet Factory - Clare Povey

When Midnight Treats, a new sweet shop, is due to open in the area everybody is excited, especially when the owner, Melissa Midnight, bills it as 'a sweet shop where magic and science collide.'  But when Joseph unwraps his free gobstopper to find an unsigned note hidden inside from someone claiming to be trapped in the Midnight Forest, he immediately shares it with his sister and their friends.  Things then take an even more sinister turn when the owners of Cousteau's sweet shop announce that their son has gone missing.  Flo and Joseph, along with their friends Funmi and Isaac decide there's no time to lose and begin to investigate what is going on.  But in order to do that, they must find the Midnight Forest and head there themselves, which may prove more dangerous than they could ever imagine.

I'm a huge fan of Clare's books having loved the Bastien Bonlivre duology and been swept away by the first book in The Wanderdays series Journey To Fantome Island, so I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered that I could dive into The Midnight Sweet Factory, the second book in the series, before it was published.  

We catch-up with the four friends at Aderemi Adventure Park where they are enjoying a day of exciting rides, unaware of the adventure that awaits them.  The first chapter also weaves in a reminder of what happened in the first book which I love as it helped to jog my memory and also acts as a great intro to those who are diving straight in at book 2 (which it's perfectly possible to do).

It's the end of the summer holidays and it is clear that the friends' parents have been more cautious since the events of book one; however, the four aren't to be deterred and they know they have to get to the bottom of what is going on.  They make a great team, drawing on their individual talents and, like last time, I really like that we see Joseph and his anxiety being brilliantly explored - it's something many children will experience and Clare is very good at portraying exactly what it feels like and how children can deal with it - it really makes him one of my favourite characters.

There is action and adventure running right through this book and I stayed up way past my bedtime last night in order to discover what happened at the end!  It's a gripping read.  However, I have one piece of advice: have a stash of sweets at hand whilst reading as the book definitely made my mouth water!  Once they reach the forest, I think Clare took inspiration from Willy Wonka and her descriptions are deliciously wonderful.  I also loved the Wonderlandesque inside of the factory and will definitely be using this as inspiration for writing in school - my class will absolutely love it!

Alongside the adventure, there are messages about dealing with emotions, taking care of the natural world, friendship and dealing with events in the past which are all skilfully woven into the book, all of which will make readers think.

Publishing on the 11th September, The Midnight Sweet Factory shows us that Clare has, once again, proved that she is a writer who is able to perfectly capture children's imaginations and The Midnight Sweet Factory will tickle the tastebuds and fire-up the adrenaline.

 

Nature Heroes - Lily Dyu

 

Nature Heroes is a new non-fiction book that tells readers all about 20  ordinary people whose passion for nature lead them to do extraordinary things to help preserve the natural world.

Told in very readable and easy to understand chapters, each story gives readers a unique insight into the lives of these extraordinary people, including what lead them towards the path they are on.  With stories from all over the world, readers will meet some people they know as well as some who are new, but all have an important story to tell.  From understanding gorillas to cleaning up rivers; from rewilding fields to restore the soil to protecting coral, readers will be inspired by each story.

This is a book that will inspire readers to look at what they can do to help and will be one that I will definitely be using in school.

The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good - Kirsty Applebaum

When Fran's mum needs to join her dad on a business trip, Fran is bundled off to her aunt and uncle's for the week. She really isn't looking forward to it as she doesn't enjoy spending time with her cousin Imogen; however, when she gets there, she quickly discovers that something is very wrong, for her aunt and uncle insist that they don't have a daughter, despite her room and things being there.  So Fran sets out to discover what is going on, enlisting the help of Bex who lives a few doors away.  But there's more to this than she first imagines, something involving the nearby Stillness Hall.  Can Imogen discover exactly what's going on before her mum returns in only five days? 

Fran is clearly unhappy about being dumped at her aunt and uncle's and really doesn't want to spend time with her cousin, but all that changes very quickly.  She's a fiercely determined character who will stop at nothing to get to the truth; however, she also learns a few things about herself along the way which would make for interesting discussions. There is a really eerie quality to the plot, both in the idea of Imogen having disappeared and nobody remembering her, and in the parallel narrative that runs through the book which tells the story of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall.  

The entire story is set in and around the grounds of Stillness Hall.  Even just the name conjures up an eerie feel, but there's also Ms Quincey and the gardens which all combine to create an atmosphere that will send shivers down readers' spines.  Add in the idea that a girl has gone missing and her parents seem to have simply forgotten she existed and it all makes for a rather chilling plot, despite its summer setting. 

The mystery is drip fed throughout the book with the story being told from different perspectives (Fran's, Imogen's and the story of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall) that along with the short chapters absolutely guarantees that readers are gripped and won't be able to put the book down.

At its heart, this book is a captivating read about friendship and what it means to be a good friend.  It's wonderfully written with relatable characters that readers will find themselves drawn to.

Publishing on the 11th September, The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is the perfect read for September days would make a brilliant first whole class read of the year. 

Small Wonder - Ross Montgomery

Tick lived a quiet life in the forest with his grandfather and his brother Leaf.. After his grandfather's death, Tick takes over responsibility for the care of his younger brother; after all, his grandfather taught him well how to protect himself and Leaf and this is useful when the Hunter from Drenish arrives at their cabin.  Tick knows he has to flee, so with only their horse Pebble and a knife, the trio head out into the winter forest.  With the Hunter and his hawk on their tail, Tick is intent on getting the trio to the King's Keep, a castle in the mountains where Tick believes they will be safe.  However, time is not on their side as he knows the gates of the castle soon will close as the Drenish draw in.  With danger lurking at every bend, Tick is going to have to draw on all the skills his grandfather taught him if he is to reach his destination safely and on time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Ross is a versatile writer whose work I always look forward to reading; whether it's scaring me with Christmas Dinner of Souls (which famously kept me awake in a hotel room on my own!), to the magic of Spellstone or the mystery of The Chime Seekers; not to mention his picture books.  I Am Rebel saw him travel back in time and write from the perspective of a dog, and his first novel for adults The Murder At World's End is a triumph.  He is a writer who seems to be able to create magic whenever he puts pen to paper, so I was utterly thrilled to get home from my recent holiday to find a signed copy of Small Wonder waiting for me. I'm sure it will come as no surprise that the book completely by-passed my tbr pile and I began reading it on Sunday evening.

Can I say from the start that the book is just wonderful?  In his foreword, Ross talks about his desire to write a book with a simple story and to tell it well and I can uncategorically say that he has absolutely done that.  Small Wonder (the name his grandfather used for Tick) is an epic adventure of good versus evil and a classic story set in a time when knights and kings ruled their castles and bandits stalked the land.  

Told from Tick's point of view, the book is all about the journey that he and his five year old brother make on their horse, Pebble.  Faced with having to flee the only home they've ever known without warning, Tick needs to rely on all his strength and the lessons his grandfather has taught him (I love that you get his grandfather's voice throughout the book through Tick's memories of what his grandfather had told him).  Danger lurks at every turn and it's impossible for Tick to know who to trust, and readers will find themselves rooting for Tick and willing him on.  He is a character who is both brave and tender, loyal and fierce, but most of all, he's a boy who's simply doing everything he can to keep his brother safe.  

Publishing on the 28th September, Small Wonder is a timeless tale of bravery and finding inner-strength that will have readers desperate for 'just one more chapter'.  My class are going to love it!  

Champions of the Galaxy - Tola Okogwu

 

When a spaceship arrives over the Houses of Parliament in London, everyone expects the worst and a taskforce is set up to make contact; however, they are rather surprised to learn that the Onni are there to help Earth, informing them that they are about to be invaded.  The Onni take 91 children from across the planet to prove that Earth is worthy of their help.

Kola is 12 years old and has, until the invasion, been preparing to be part of the first team from the new UK Space Agency to include a child to head on a 3 month mission to orbit Earth; however everything changed when the Onni arrived.  So he is surprised to discover that he is one of the 91 chosen children.  But can he and the other children prove their worth and save Earth?

TolÁ's Academy of the Sun series is absolutely brilliant and I have been privileged enough to hear TolÁ speak at the Simon and Schuster bloggers brunch in the past so finding Champions of the Galaxy on NetGalley met with sequels of delight last week, especially as it's a sci-fi book and I love a bit of sci-fi.

The book is pacey and the action starts from the very first line:

Usually with sci-fi novels, the plot revolves around aliens descending to invade Earth so I really liked the idea of the Onni being there to help humanity.  

The plot quickly moves to space, to the Onni craft where the children have to prove their worth but the group Kola is put into comprises a group of children who are very different and it quickly becomes apparent that they could lose everything if they don't learn to work together.  It's a fast-paced, action-packed story that readers will struggle to put down.  With a host of fab characters, the book is guaranteed to be a big success with readers as it feels like a new kind of sci-fi and one that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

There are strong themes in the book about understanding people's differences and learning to work together, and about friendship and family which will make wonderful discussion points in school or at home.  

Publishing on the 25th September, Champions of the Galaxy left me desperate for a second instalment!

  

Swanfall - Sophie Kirtley

Pip struggles at school, especially when it comes to concentrating; he's also worried that his best friend is finding new friends.  The one thing Pip loves is nature, particularly birds. As with every winter, Pip is excited about the annual swanfall, a time when the arctic swans make their way back to the wetlands where he lives with his mum.  It's his mum's job, with him, to record the arrival of the birds and catalogue exactly which birds arrive, using their distinctive markings to help.  But this year, Pip's mum is called away and Pip is inadvertently left home alone when the swanfall begins.  And along with it comes a feeling that Pip is being watched.  Something is different and feels wrong and it's going to be up to Pip to discover exactly what is going on.

I love Sophie's books, a quick flick back through my blogs will show you that (in fact, I remember reading The Haunting of Fortune Farm whilst on holiday this time last year, so I was thrilled when I stumbled across Swanfall on NetGalley whilst on holiday last week.  

Sophie has a way of writing books that link so nicely with folklore which gives her stories a timeless fell to them and Swanfall is no exception.  The links with the poems in the book Pip finds, the songs and the legends that are woven into the plot all contribute to creating a novel that will definitely stand the test of time.  

I love Pip as a character, especially his love of nature and the way he embraces what he loves; however, I also like the exploration of friends expanding their friendship circle whilst others feel left behind - it's natural for Pip to worry about Tommo; this is something that happens in school and in life) and it was lovely to see it explored here; it will open up discussions and will help readers to understand that it's ok. 

Swanfall is a beautifully woven story that embraces legend and nature in a plot that will captivate readers.  It's a story about being brave, being yourself and trusting your instincts. 

Publishing, 6th November, Swanfall is the perfect book to curl up with when it's cold and wintery outside. It's another guaranteed hit for Sophie that will warm your heart. 

The Bother With The Bonkillyknock Beast - Karen Foxlee

Mary-Kate is back in her third monster-hunting adventure and this time she's off to stay in a very quiet castle in Scotland with her Granny, so Mary-Kate is convinced that absolutely nothing dangerous can happen there.  However, when she reaches the castle which is located on the edge of a Loch in the village of Bonykillyknock, she discovers that her granny has actually taken her to the 93rd World Society of Monster Hunters' Conference! It isn't long before thing take a turn and Mary-Kate is once again in the thick of things hunting for a monster.

This is such a delightful series and I was thrilled to see Mary-Kate return in a third adventure.  She is such an endearing character and a rather unlikely hero.  Her desire for routine and her anxieties make her a most thoughtful detective and that's what I love about her.  As well as making new friends, she catches up with some familiar characters which is nice to see.

In a world full of violence, terror and war, this series of books is a welcome rest-bite with a gentle feel to them.  They're a big hit in school and I know this one won't be on my office bookshelf for long next term.