I have to admit that this Christmas has been a quieter one in terms of getting out and seeing family; however, looking on the positive side, it's been a great time for me to curl up with chocolate and enjoy a few books. My round-up of my holiday reading is below. There are some links to reviews I've already published and some new reviews as well, all listed in the order in which I read them.
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2020/12/jane-austen-investigates-abbey-mystery.html
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-tangle-of-spells-michelle-harrison.html
Featherlight - Peter Bunzl (Released 15th April)
Deryn's father is the lighthouse keeper on Featherstone Island but when her mum goes into labour, Deryn is left alone to watch over things. When a fishing boat finds itself in trouble just off the island, Dery must rely on the help of a very special bird to help prevent disaster.
This is a wonderful story with an incredibly brave character at the heart of it. Deryn is a strong young lady who is determined to do the right thing and not to let anybody down - her qualities are admirable and will inspire readers. With a mix of magic, adventure and family, this is a joy to read. Featherlight appealed to me especially as, growing up in the North-East, I am very familiar with the true story of Grace Darling, a local girl who was one of the inspirations for the book. Once museums are back open again, I'll certainly be going back.
The prequel to Rumblestar, Ever Dark is the story of Smudge and her monkey, Bartholomew, who set sail from Crackledawn in an attempt to stop Morg, the evil harpy who is determined to steal Crackledawn's magic.
This was as wonderfully written as I have come to expect from Abi's writing. The description paints vivid pictures of wonderful new worlds that emerge from the page and allow you to imagine you are there with Smudge as she ventures on her quest.
Smudge is a determined character but rather clumsy; she's full of heart and kindness, and is very much a character that readers will want to get to to know; however, I have to say that I had a real soft spot for Bartholomew, the monkey whose grumpiness is rather endearing, as is his loyalty to Smudge.
Full of positive messages and full of adventure, this edition of Ever Dark is being published in a dyslexia-friendly format and is available to buy from 7th January - it will just about help get me through to May when I can dive into The Crackle Dawn Dragon!
Luna and her family have just moved into their first home which means a new school and making new friends. Luna finds this difficult, especially as she is worried about everything at home. However, when her school announces a family Bake Off competition, she feels that this will be the answer to everything and is desperate to enter with her mum. There's only one problem: she hasn't seen her mum in several days.
This is one of those wonderful books where you find yourself completely immersed in the main character's life so quickly that you just want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen. Luna is a sensible girl but one who is known to catastrophise - she sees the worst possible outcome in everything and worries about things. However, this leads her to be a rather wonderful big sister and a daughter, looking out for her dad as much as she can. She finds making friends at school hard so she is pleased when the boy who lives on her street is actually in her class. Together, the pair become firm friends.
Full of friendship, family and messages for adults about not hiding things from children, this is a book that I know will go down well in school.
Hal and his Uncle Nat are back on their third adventure and this time they're venturing on safari in Africa on a journey that will take them from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. From the very beginning of the journey, Hal's detective senses are twitching and he feels that something is not as it may seem, but he doesn't expect one of the guests to be murdered. With a retired detective on the train, investigations begin in earnest; however, can Hal and his new friend Winston get to the bottom of things before they reach the end of the line?
It was great to be back with Hal and his uncle who have such a wonderful relationship. But there was also a host of other characters to get to know and love (or hate) this time, in particular Chipo, the mongoose, who was such a loveable character.
Full of action and suspense, this is a fast-paced novel that will have you on the edge of your seat, and I guarantee there's an ending you won't see coming! Most definitely Hal's most dangerous but mist exciting adventure yet and I can't wait to board the next train with him.
Freddy Spicer's parents are currently working as Brussel-sprouts farmers in Outer Castonga ... or so he believes. In fact, they are secret agents working on a highly classified mission. Completely oblivious to the strange goings on around him, Freddy just wants his parents to come home so he can have a birthday party at Blast Yourself Bonkers!
Written in letter format, this is a hilariously funny book and Freddy's obliviousness to the strange events that are going on around him (his very glamorous new neighbour falling for his grandad; the unusual gadgets he keeps finding, the much older pupil who arrives at school...) make things even funnier. Oh and the sprouts, I have to mention the sprouts which poor Freddy is forced to eat all the time (with the obvious consequences!). You'll find yourself rooting for Freddy whilst laughing along with him. A great read!
Written in 1912, this is the classic story of Bobby, the Sky Terrier who befriends Auld Jock in Edinburgh. The pair become inseparable, so much so, that when Jock dies, Bobby refuses to leave his side, returning to his grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard every evening to lie with him. Despite the efforts of the Lord Provost, Bobby will not be moved and, as a result, changes the lives of all those around him.
This has always been one of my favourite stories, especially having spent so much time in Edinburgh as a child (it's where my father is from), and it's a wonderful story of loyalty and perseverance that's guaranteed to warm even the hardest of hearts.
This beautiful cloth bound edition of the book is even more special to me as it was a Christmas present from my son. Having remembered me mentioning it some time ago, he took himself to Waterstones and ordered a copy for me (and also bought me my very own JellyCat elephant!) This edition will take pride of place on me shelves and will continue to make me cry every time I read it!
Mirabelle is one of the monsters who are part of 'the family' who live at Rookhaven Manor which has, for years, been separated from the rest of the world by glamour. However, a fault in this results in orphans Jem and Tom stumbling across the house. Tom is unwell which forces the pair to stay for a week and, during this time, Mirabelle and Jem become friends. However, there is danger lurking that threatens everybody in the manor, meaning the the monsters and humans need to help each other in order to survive.
I had heard so many good things about this book so I was thrilled when I unwrapped a copy on Christmas Day and I most certainly wasn't disappointed. It's a deliciously dark and sinister book that hints from the very beginning of secrets that are waiting to be revealed as the story unfolds. The wonderful range of unusual characters only adds to the atmosphere and I found their different characteristics interesting - I particularly liked the chapters written from Piglet's point of view, although they were rather chilling and, in many respects, towards the end, thought provoking.
This is a beautiful book both in its gothic writing but also in the illustrations by Edward Bettison which most certainly add to the atmosphere. I shall miss 'the family' now I've finished the book but am pleased I got to visit Rookhaven, just for a while.
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-storm-keepers-battle-catherine-doyle.html
A wonderful picture book about what happiness is and where you may find it. This is a perfect book for children (and adults actually!) which will help them to understand happiness. It's one that will be heading in to school with me and is a book that will be used again and again in assemblies, with my classes and with individuals.
We all have hopes and dreams for our children and this book so beautifully puts it down on paper. We want our daughters to dream big and be whatever they want to be - there should be no limit to their dreams. Although it is titled Dreams for our Daughters, I feel that this is a message that is important for all children to understand. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is a book that will help girls realise that they should follow their dreams.
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