Recent Reading

In the past two weeks, I've read 3 books, talked about books A LOT in school, held Year 6 Book Group (amongst much excitement) and managed to get the April edition of the school book newsletter out to children, staff and parents just in the nick of time last night!  

The highlight of the week was coming in to school on Friday morning (after Book Group on Thursday after school), to discover that one of the group had devoured 3/4 of When The Sky Falls by Phil Earle in an evening!  The child in question isn't the biggest reader but he was loving the book so much that his reading record said he'd read for 4 hours on Thursday evening!  I love it when books have that effect on children (and adults!).

So what have I read?

The Beast of Harwood Forest - Dan Smith

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Dan's books so it's always an exciting time when a new one arrives in the post.  The Beast of Harwood Forest follows on from The Invasion of Crooked Oak, with the children on a school residential to Heathland Camp.  As they approach the camp, Pete noticed some derelict buildings on the edge of the forest that turned out to be the abandoned Harwood Institute, which is out of bounds.  However, screams from the forest lure Pete, Nancy and Krish to investigate so, armed with Krish's torch, they head into the forest in the middle of the night ... only what they discover isn't at all what they expected...

I love the suspense and mystery in this book.  It grabbed me from the very beginning and had me suitably spooked until the end (I read the book during the day as I wasn't quite brave enough to read it once it got dark!).  With short chapters and accessible language, but aimed at Y6, this is a book that I know is already in demand in school (I already have one girl asking for it on a daily basis!). And with brilliant illustrations from Chris King, this is another big hit from Dan and Barrington Stoke. I had planned to visit Harwood Forest; however, now I've read the book, I'm not certain I'm brave enough!

Otherland - Louie Stowell

I'm a big fan of The Dragon in the Library series so I was hugely excited when Otherland dropped through the letterbox... in fact, it jumped to the top of the TBR pile, and I wasn't disappointed!

Myra and Rohan have known each other since the day they were born, and spend every birthday together.  However, they appear to be complete opposites so their celebrations end in disaster every time, and this year is no exception as Myra manages to set fire to the shed!  It is this event that leads to Rohan's sister being stolen and taken to Otherland, where the Fairy Queen is going to turn her into a changeling unless Myra and Rohan can complete 3 tasks. 

This is a brilliant read!  Portals, fairies, quests to conquer and dresses with pockets!  What's not to love about this book?  Nothing, that's what!  I absolutely adored the relationship between Myra and Rohan who seemed to bicker constantly in a very real sibling sort of way, and Mabs was an absolute joy!  With lots of twists and turns to keep you gripped, this is a guaranteed hit.  It's not often I finish a book mid-week during term time but I stayed up late one night to finish this as  I couldn't put it down.

Released 6th May.

The Three Impossibles - Susie Bower

Mim has lived her life within the walls of the castle she calls home, looked after by Foggy (Miss Fogarty) her governess, and rarely seeing her father.  The day she was born, Mim's mother died and a curse was placed over the castle, which hasn't been broken since.  When Mim's father decides she should become a princess and behave in a more ladylike manner, Mim finds it difficult to forego her usual inquisitive ways and she becomes utterly determined to understand exactly what is happening.  Setting out on the adventure of her life, she finds that she will need to solve The Three Impossibles if she wishes to save her new-found friends and bring life back to the castle.

This is a captivating adventure with the most determined main character.  Her refusal to conform is a joy to read and will be an inspiration to many readers.  With mers, wings, magic and friendship, this book will go down very well with my class in school.

Due for release 3rd June.