(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.
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