I, Cosmo - Carlie Sorosiak

I, Cosmo - Carlie Sorosiak

Cosmo is a 13 year old golden retriever who loves his family dearly, in particular the eldest child, Max, and that love is reciprocated - they are best friends. Max's parents are arguing and his biggest fear is that they will divorce. If this happens, Max thinks he and his sister will live with his mum whilst Cosmo will live with his dad. Max is determined not to let that happen, so when his uncle suggests the pair take part in a dog dance competition, Max and Cosmo see this as a way to bring the family back together again. Can they succeed? Can Cosmo learn the moves despite his age?

K's opinion:
This is a story about the love between a dog and his boy - a bond stronger than anything else.  Told from the point of view of Cosmo (which I loved, by-the-way!), it gives us a heart-felt insight into just how loyal dogs can be.  The book was funny, touching and heart-warming, and shows that age means nothing when it comes to loyalty and friendship. Cosmos's voice is strong throughout the narrative and it was clear to me that the book had been written from the heart: it pours out of the pages, from Cosmo and from through the attention to detail.  It's a book I will definitely read again.

O's opinion:
Wow! That's all this book needs. 
However, I should also say that his book showed the devoted love between a dog and its owner, and I found this book to be an astounding story of love, dancing, and what children would do to save their parents divorcing. All it needs is a standing ovation and a "Book Oscar" (as a matter of fact, can I make that a real event?) that would win it the title of "Best-dog themed book that made K cry" (that would be a VERY hard category, I mean, she cries at literally ANYTHING!), but seriously, this book is amazing. Anything that is written by the point of view of a dog, that makes me want one for myself instead of borrowing my grandparents' is a book that deserves the title "Best dog-themed book that made K cry". I loved how Max and Cosmo stopped at nothing to try to win the competition. Unfortunately, I am not aloud to tell you what happened, because it would completely spoil it for you and I want you to go out and read it for yourself!

But be warned: you'll probably want to go out and buy a god at the end of it!

An Unlikely Spy - Terry Deary

An Unlikely Spy - Terry Deary
(Release date: 11th July)

Having read & reviewed The Silver Hand, there were squeals of delight as An Unlikely Spy arrived at home. A follow-on of sorts in that the book features some of the same characters, however, it can be read as a stand-alone.

It's the start of WWII, and life isn't easy for Brigit Furst, as her dad is a German doctor (Marius Furst). As her father is arrested and interviewed for simply being a German living in Britain, her Mum, Aimee, is sent to a special training camp and Brigit is evacuated to Wales; however, she soon escapes and joins her mum at the camp, training as an SOE. The pair are quickly sent to the front line of Nazi-occupied France, Bray-on-Somme, where they must support the French Resistance. But can they succeed? What dangers await them?

K's opinion:
This is a fast-paced, thrilling page-turner of a book with a feisty and determined main character.  Brigit certainly wasn't going to let the small detail of being a child get in the way of what she wanted to do!  I loved returning to Bray, and seeing Aimee as a grown-up took me right back to The Silver Hand, rather like reuniting with an old friend.  I can't wait for the release of this book in July as I know many children in school will be enthralled by it.

O's opinion:
When I saw this book at the front door, I was expecting an enthralling read, full of twists and turns and unexpected character plots. I was expecting a book that would keep me hooked until the very last page, not letting go of me until I had finished. I was expecting a book that would do all of these things, and more … and that's exactly what I got and anybody who has read the book will realise that I am describing, from cover to cover, this book! As much as I tried, I could not for the life of me find any flaws! (Don't worry, I don't actually try to find flaws in amazing books like this one!) Although some lines are in French, the language is easy to understand!!!
This book, although it is flawless, leaves me with questions that are only available to answer by writing another book (cough, cough, Terry!!!), so the only question I will ask is ... wait for it ...

How do you follow a book like that?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

May Round-up

(Publication date: 15th July)

Anna At War - Helen Peters 

(Publication date: 4th July)

Written from the point of view of Anna who is recounting her childhood to her grandson, Daniel, the book begins in pre-WWII Germany where life is becoming increasingly difficult for Anna and her parents who are non-practising Jews.  Unable to get the entire family out of the country, Anna's parents put her on the Kindertransport for England where sh will be looked after but a foster family until  her parents can join her.  She quickly settles into life with Aunty Rose, Uncle Bert, Molly and Frank on their farm but, as war begins, Anna finds herself embroiled in problems and secrets, and she can't tell anybody the truth.

Receiving a proof copy of Anna At War was a very exciting day in our house and the book most certainly did not disappoint!  Anna is a force of nature; fiercely determined and full of courage, she is keen to make the most of every situation and she copes with everything that comes her way with grace.  She is strong and resilient, and is most definitely somebody that reads will want to emulate.

This is a book that has clearly been written with passion and it had us both gripped from the start; it's most definitely a page-turner! Full of emotion, we both found ourselves routing for Anna.  It was impossible to stop reading as we were both desperate to discover what was going to happen to her!

The Starlight Watchmaker - Lauren James

Hugo is a watchmaker in a tiny attic on the edge of campus of an academy where students from all around the galaxy come to study.  Dorian discovers that his time-travel watch is broken and insists Hugo help him...and there begins the adventure!

This is a great book full of unique characters: Hugo is an older-model android who lacks confidence and feels inferior to those around him; Dorian is a duke on his own planet and has an air of superiority about him; Ada is a young island, just a few centuries old.  Together they create an out of this world book that children will love to read.

With a host of unusual characters, The Starlight Watchmaker shows that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.  This is an exciting sci-fi adventure that is bound to capture the imagination and all wrapped up in Barrington Stoke's brilliantly accessible format.

The Lost Tide Warriors  Catherine Doyle 

(Publication date: 11th July)

The second book in the Storm Keepers Island series, we are reunited with Fionn Boyle  on the island of Arranmore.  When Soulstalkers arrive, intent on raising Morrigan, their leader, it's up to Fionn to save the island and its residents by summoning Dagda's army or merrows.  Fionn can't do this alone; however, his grandfather's memory is failing him.  Can Fionn succeed with the help of his friends Shelby and Sam?  Can they save the island?

Fionn is an imperfect, unlikely hero who shows that you don't have to do things alone, that sometimes asking for and accepting help is the bravest thing you can do - he's a brilliant role-model for children today.

This is a book full of magic, suspense and chills that will keep you gripped from beginning to end ... and oh, the ending!!!  Wow!  It's safe to say that we're now waiting for book 3 with baited breath!

Spies in St Petersburg - Katherine Woodfine.

Sophie and Lil are back (yipee!) and this time it's Sophie who's gone undercover, leaving Lil back in England.  However, when Lil overhears that the Secret Service Bureau have heard nothing from her in a month, she takes things into her own hands and heads off to rescue her friend.  With circus performers, spies and secret police to contend with, will the pair be ok?

This is another gripping instalment from Katherine Woodfine and it's guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.  There are twists and turns that will keep you guessing and an ending that will ensure you're desperate for book 3!

The Bookshop Girl - Sylvia Bishop

Property, Michael and Netty Jones all live in a slightly chilly but cosy book shop called The White Hart; however, when they win a chance-in-a-lifetime raffle and become the proud owners of the Montgomery Book Emporium, their lives change forever.  AS they begin their new adventure , who is the mysterious stranger in the grey coat?  What does he want and will he discover Properties big secret?

This is a book I'd been meaning to read for a while and I'm so pleased I did!  I love anything to do with book shops and libraries (Pages & Co, The Dragon in the Library, The Lost Magician...) but I particularly liked the quirkiness of this book: the reason behind Property's name, the idea of the hammocks, the entire concept of the Book Emporium...

Property is an incredibly perceptive and observant young lady (for reasons that will become apparent) and the Gunther makes a perfect side-kick (never has so much been said by a character without a single word being uttered!).

There's just the right mix of adventure and mystery in this book and I'd recommend it particularly to children in lower KS2.

Pog - Padraig Kenny

Penny and David have moved to their  family's run-down house in the forest following the death of their mother.  Curious about the noises from the attic, David sets mouse traps and encounters Pog - a small, fury creature who talks and has promised to protect the house and to make sure nothing gets through the Necessary. What are these creatures from the Necessary?  What do they want?  Can they be stopped?

This is a book about two children who are struggling with their grief; they're missing their mother and are unable to express their feelings.  It's beautifully written, touching and emotional (I cried!).  This is definitely a book worth curling up to read.

Not My Fault - Cath Howe

Maya and Rose are sisters.  They are in the same class at school (11 months separates them) but things haven't been great between the girls since the accident that badly damaged Maya's leg and they no longer talk to each other: 1 is in denial about what happened whilst the other is jealous of her sister.  Now they have a week long school trip together to get through - what will this do to them?

This is a great story about sibling rivalry.  Maya is off the rails: she's angry about her leg and is rebelling instead of talking.  Rose, on the other hand, is being bullied by Maya but remains protective of her sister instead of speaking out.  

A book about family, siblings, learning to talk and not being afraid to ask for help, this is a great read.

Check mates - Stewart Foster

Check Mates - Stewart Foster

Felix Schopp has ADHD which means eh frequently gets into trouble at school - his mind constantly wanders and he finds concentrating difficult.  It's his mum who suggests he spends time with his granddad but, now that his grandma has died, he doesn't want to: all his granddad wants to do is watch German TV and play chess, neither of which appeal to Felix.  However, his granddad has his ways (don't they all?!) and Felix begins to realise that there's a lot more to chess than he first thought ... an awful lot more.

K's opinion

Felix is a complex character: he is missing his gran; he's desperate for attention from his parents; he's struggling to concentrate at school; he's embarrassed by his granddad and his pink car; all he wants is to fit in and not upset his friend, Jake ... in short, he's like most children at the beginning of secondary school.  I think a lot of readers will find they can relate to Felix in some way.

Chess is not something you generally see as a major theme in MG novels but I'm thrilled it's here in this book.  As a parent (and as a teacher), I've spent many hours on the side-lines of chess tournaments; I've enjoyed sharing the triumphs and have helped lessons to be learned from the defeats.  All of these things are shown within the book, as a re the many other benefits of chess and hopefully it will encourage a few more children to enjoy the game.

This is a heart-felt book about family, friendship and finding yourself.  It's about learning who you are, accepting that and appreciating everybody and their differences.

A great book from the first move until the check mate!

O's opinion:

As a lover of chess myself, I was thrilled when this book came through the front door, and WOW, I was not disappointed! From the very beginning, I was hooked in Felix's life, his friends and his granddad. When his granddad cunningly taught him to play chess, I laughed out loud at the way he did it!

Throughout the book, I loved how Felix would rush to his granddad's and play chess with him all night long, and then, further on, to tell him news of the school chess tournament... but I won't spoil the book for you, you'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!

A great book from start to finish, I loved Felix, his granddad, and of course the pink car!

Many thanks to the team at Simon an Schuster for gifting us our early copy.