Ten Delicious Teachers - Ross Montgomery & Sarah Warburton

I'm a big fan of Ross' MG books so the opportunity to review one of his books for younger readers (as well as being the first stop on the tour this week) was an exciting prospect for me, especially one about teachers!

It's the end of the school day, however, the teachers seem to have missed their last bus home (I'm assuming they been working late as they were 'staggering through the playground with a weary, bleary moan...'!).  It's Mr Smith, in his infinite wisdom who decides to lead the team through a short cut he knows ... through the forest!  Now I know I'm no expert, but heading off through the forest at the beginning of a book is never going to end well!  And, true to form, the further through the forest they get, the more the teachers begin to disappear!  Will any of the teachers make it through the forest without succumbing to the monsters that are lurking?  

This is a delightful counting book (despite the idea of teachers disappearing!) with monsters of all shapes and colours to enthral and excite children, and I love the flow and rhyme of the writing and the links between each page.  It's brilliant to read aloud (I've read it more than once to my teenage son and can't wait to read it at school as well!) and I particularly love the ending - very teachery! (Is that a word?!)

As well as wonderful writing, the illustrations are a visual treat for everyone: bright and vivd monsters that children will love to spot and images that children will enjoy spending time exploring, even if they can't read the words yet.  I have to say that I have spent time just musing over the illustrations on each page, picking out the small details that have been included from the words on the mug at the picnic to the creatures and objects lurking in the cave).

As I read, I found myself wondering whether any of the teachers were named/illustrated in honour of anybody; and also wondered which of the teachers I would be (Miss McKenzie if anybody is wondering!  After all, she's wandering around reading a book instead of looking where she's going!).  I can imagine children in school trying to match teachers in the book to the ones they know in school!

With my teacher hat on, I can see this being a very popular book in Key Stage 1 as a counting book and a daily read aloud book; however, as a Key Stage 2 teacher, I can also see so many possibilities: children creating their own monsters; map work; design through a forest; even maths linked to bus timetables at the beginning of the book - the possibilities are endless!  I'm always looking out for books that I can use in assemblies and I can see this going down very well!  The thought of teachers disappearing I'm sure, will appeal greatly to some of the students in school.

Ten Delicious Teachers is a brilliant summer read or one for younger children as they head back to school in September and I'm looking forward to taking it into school at the start of next term!

Due for release on the 5th August, why not pop into some of the other blogs this week?

The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy - Richard Pickard

Marina Minnow lives in the small seaside town of Merlington with her mum, Sally.  Life has been difficult since her dad went missing at sea several years earlier, especially as  the family fishmongers store is struggling.  Marina spends her time daydreaming and telling stories to everyone who will listen to her; however, some of her friends feel that she's just a liar.  It is after one such encounter that Marina runs off before noticing a light on in the ramshackle hut at the end of the old, haunted pier that is no longer connected to the mainland.  Curious, she decides to row out to see who is there and discovers William, a young boy with a big difference: his body is covered in scales, his head is covered in tentacles instead of hair and he has claws instead of hands.  Following a discussion, Marina promises to help him find his father and heads back to Merlington where she tells her friends about William.  Her friends believe that she is simply telling one of her stories and don't believe her ... until William washes up on the shore the following day.  Marina takes him home to her mum and William soon becomes quite the local celebrity; however, there is still the question of his father, as well as why Harold Mole, owner of the majority of the fishmongers in the town and head of The Reverential Federation of Fishmongers is so desperate to get rid of William.

From the very first chapter, I fell in love with Marina and her story-telling ways - her stories are a lovely addition to the book and I'd love to be just like her!  She's a strong character who has a determination to follow her own ideas, no matter what.  Her sense of family is strong which is why she acts the way she does (I won't spoil anything!) but it's also obvious that she cares deeply for William.  And speaking of William: what a brilliant character!  Unusual, loveable, genuine and somebody I'd love to get to know!  I think he's a character that children will love and, with my teacher hat on, I can see so many writing possibilities connected to his back story/his life in the shack...  The town is full of a wealth of different characters but I suspect that the best one to create and write would have been Harold.  He's the sort of character that makes you squirm and I certainly wouldn't want to stand too close to him!

Reading this book made me want to find a village just like Merlington and move there immediately!  The thought of small cottages right on the shore, so much seafood and the community feel (although there are some of the characters I could certainly live without!) is something I would love to be at the heart of.  It's a summer read that will leave you longing for the coast and a bit of fish!

And oh my cod, I have to mention the fishy phrases and exclamations that are scattered through the book as well as the aptly named characters - such a great touch that had me hooked!

Funny and heart-warming whilst combing family, friendship and being yourself, this is one hake of a book but don't trout my opinion, why not go out and snap up a copy when it's released on the 5th August (I'll be getting my claws on a copy of the sprayed edge version from Waterstones where this book most definitely deserves a plaice on my August recommendations display). 

Locked Out Lily - Nick Lake (illustrated by Emily Gravett)

 

Everything is changing for Lily: she's been ill and has been in and out of hospital which means that people have been treating her differently; on top of that, her mum is having a baby.  All Lily wants is to have everything go back to the way it was: to before she was ill and before her mum was pregnant.  The story begins when Lily is in the car with her Grandma Squeak; they have stopped at Lily's house to pick some things up before Lily stays at her Grandma's house, for Lily's parents are at the hospital having the baby.  Once back at her grandma's, Lily is determined to get back home so, once she is certain her grandma is asleep, she sneaks out and heads through the darkness to her own home ... only to discover that her parents are there with the baby, but they won't let her in.  They look like her parents but it turns out they very definitely aren't!  It takes Lily new found friends, Mole, Mouse, Crow and Snake to help her realise that she can be brave enough to get back into her own home and reclaim it.  But she only has one night to evict 'The Replacements'.  Can she do it?

Lily is a wonderful character.  She is clearly going through an awful lot.  Although her illness is never specifically identified, it's clear that it's serious and has involved quite some time in and out of hospital for treatments.  She is simply desperate for a bit of normality but instead is worried that her parents don't have the time for her now the new baby is coming.  She's lonely and in need of friendship which comes in the form of four very different animals.   Each of the animals has a unique personality that seems be just what Lily needs to get her through the night - they arrive just as she needs them most and seem to know just what to say!

The writing has a classic feel to it and the story has a magical quality, however, there is a somewhat sinister undertone that will keep you enthralled throughout (I'll warn you that I found myself in tears at one point in the story!  It came quite out of the blue and I was rather grateful for the sunglasses I was wearing at the time!)

Accompanied by wonderful illustrations by Emily Gravett, this is a wonderfully thought-provoking book that will capture your heart.

Locked Out Lily is due for release on the 30th September.  

The Book of Stolen Dreams - David Farr

 

Rachel and Robert Klein live in Krasnia which is under the very strict rule of Charles Malstain, whose laws make life for everyone tough: children are only allowed out to go to school where the daily routine is very regimented; however Rachel and Robert's parents make life at home as exciting as possible, allowing Robert to explore his love of science whilst also nurturing Rachel's desire to dream by creating adventures within their apartment.  Their father, Felix, works at the North Brava Public Library where he considers the books within its walls to be an extension of his family - he loves words and the books he reads, but there is one book in particular that Felix treasures more than any: The Book of Dreams - a unique book.  It's kept in a locked room for rare books when admittance is by invitation only.  Felix has discovered that Charles Malstain is sending soldiers to remove the book and take it to his palace where it will be burned and he is adamant that this will not happen so takes the children to the library, removes the book and gives it to Rachel and Robert.  However, before they can leave, soldiers arrive.  Felix is able to get the children and the book to safety but he is arrested and later sentenced to a life sentence and hard labour in a prison camp.  This is too much for their mother who, already ill, dies, leaving the children alone.  Both Rachel and Robert know that the most important thing is to protect the book and so their adventure begins.  When they discover the magical truth about the book, they become even more determined to do everything they can to keep the book away from Charles Malstain.  What ensues is a race across not only Krasnia but also across the boarders to Brava.  

When this book arrived, it immediately grabbed my attention and I was desperate to dive straight in but I knew that once I began reading it, I wouldn't be able to put it down so I resisted (with much difficulty) until after the start of the holidays and I'm so pleased I did!  This is the most wonderful book that will grab you in every way.  I literally couldn't put it down and read it in a day!  It's taken me until now to be able to write the review as I needed to be able to put my thoughts into some sort of coherent set of sentences instead of just repeating, 'This book is amazing and everybody needs to read it as soon as it is published!'

So where to start?

I'll start with the writing: the style immediately draws you in, in particular the direct address of the reader in the introduction.  The setting is visually stunning in every way; vivid images are painted that feel very real and will stay with you: for me the idea of it being in another country to my own made it feel more dangerous and exciting.  Krasnia has a very Easter-European feel to it; you can feel the chill in the air and find yourself curious about the narrow streets and the danger that lurks there; however, it's the description of the library that really got me - I love anywhere there are books but this library just felt special, from the courtyard through the side entrance to the smell and the lure of the Rare Books Room - I have to say I've been back and read this bit several times!  

Next the characters: both Rachel and Robert Klein are wonderful characters with an incredibly heavy burden to carry once they are given the book, and everything the could change in their life does: they go from being part of a loving family, to being alone and not knowing who to turn to.  Robert is the older sibling and is clearly brave, taking on the lead in protecting the book initially; however, it is Rachel who is the true hero.  She develops a calmness beyond her years that serves her well.  She is both brave and wise and somebody I know many readers will admire and want to emulate.  However, in complete contrast, you have Charles Malstain (a fitting surname I feel).  His desire for ultimate power leads to an evil and truly scary character who will stop at nothing to get exactly what he wants.  His greed and envy will be something readers will be able to learn from.  I feel that I should also mention Josef Centurion who kept me guessing and I loved as a character, as well as Mitzie who is as fierce as fierce can be and has my utmost respect!

The Book of Stolen Dreams is an ultimate adventure across cities and countries to do what is right, to save families and ultimately an entire country.  It's a book to treasure and one you will want to read again and again; it's a book to become enthralled with.  Readers will find themselves lost in the streets of Krasnia, travelling alongside Rachel and Robert in their adventure.  I guarantee that The Book of Stolen Dreams will stay with you long after you've turned the final page and found the perfect spot for it on your book shelf - it will whisper to you as you pass it, reminding you of its contents and urging you to pick it up again (it's done this to me frequently already!).  It will remind you of the courage of both children and their quest to save The Book of Dreams.

Due for release on the 30th September, I urge you to pre-order The Book of Stolen Dreams copy now!  

Shadowghast - Thomas Taylor

I was lucky enough to be offered a very early read Shadowghast by Walker Books through NetGalley so settled down on my sunbed in a rather warmer and sunnier Ibiza to return to Eerie-on-Sea to find out what Herbie and Vi have been up to.

The summer season is over in Eerie-in-Sea and everyone is looking forward to Ghastly Night, Eerie’s own version of Halloween where the shadowy creature with horns is remembered. However, when a new magic act appears from nowhere with its main magician, Caliastra, claiming to be Herbie’s aunt, things take a dramatic turn in the town, especially when Jenny and then Mrs Fossil both go missing, and Herbie and Vi realise that it’s up to them to find out what is really going on. 

Th Eerie-on-Sea series of books has captured my imagination and my heart from the very first book and so it was wonderful to be back in the town and to catch-up with Herbie and Vi. In many respects,  nothing has changed: Herbie is still working the lost and found at the Gand Nautilus Hotel where Mr Mollusc is sill tormenting him, and Vi is firmly in place as Jenny’s assistant at The Book Dispensary. However, as you may imagine, many things have also changed, namely in the arrival of Caliastra who is claiming to be Herbie’s aunt and knows exactly what happened to him.  As Herbie is so desperate to feel a sense of belonging and family, it’s no surprise that this news turns his head and has him wanting to know more; however, it also comes as no surprise that the very sensible Vi is much more sceptical. The pair work well together, both in the plot as well as characters that compliment each other and it was very good to be back in their company.

The plot itself is gripping and has all the elements of a good Eerie adventure: intrigue, mystery, a sense of trepidation, questions about the past as well as the present, not to mention just enough sinister goings on to give you the shivers!

As with Malamander and Gargantis, Shadowghast is a gripping read that will have you hooked from the first page and I guarantee you won’t want to put it down.

Shadowghast is due for release on the 14th September, I urge you all to head back to Eerie.

The Chime Seekers - Ross Montgomery

I originally posted this review in July when I first read and fell in love with The Chime Seekers and now I am thrilled to be kicking off the blog tour.  Since my writing this, I have been reading the book to my class as our daily reading for pleasure book and they are utterly hooked - you'll find some of their comments at the end of this post.

Yanni is unhappy: he’s just been forced to move house to Fallow Hall with his parents and his sister Ari who seems to scream non-stop and takes up all of his parents’ time. The house has been redecorated but they seem to have missed Yanni’s room which is nothing more than floorboards, an ancient bed and flea-infested curtains. The village is tiny and, just when Yanni thinks things can’t get any worse, the plans his dad suggested for an All Hallows’ Eve movie night are abruptly changed when his parents go out for dinner, forcing Yanni and his cousin Amy to babysit Ari.  Yanni quickly becomes annoyed with Amy an her insistence on playing Orc’s Quest so storms off to check on his sister. Whilst there, his thoughts about the move and his true feelings towards his sister come tumbling out in a fit of anger, but when he turns around, he isn’t alone! Standing in the doorway is a man who manages to get himself invited into the room and seems to be charming Yanni, who believes he may be Mr Edwards, their new neighbour. In a bizarre exchange where Yanni feels he has to fight the urge to be lulled into a false sense of security by the guest, he accidentally tells him that he can have Ari. Instantly, the figure changes, takes Ari and leaves. Amy is quickly on the scene and, whilst Yanni explains the events, the Ari that is now in the house begins to walk up the walls, leaving Amy to state that the real Ari has been taken by a faerie, replacing her with a changeling. Panic-stricken, the pair realise they need to do something and fast as they only have until the end of All Hallows’ Eve to put everything right.  What follows is a race against time and Lorde Renwin, the most powerful faerie there is, to carry out 3 quests and save Ari. But things won’t be easy and Renwin certainly isn’t going to go down without a fight.

Yanni is a boy with an awful lot of mixed emotions pent up inside of him, and who can blame him? After all, he has a new sister who is taking up all of his parents’ time; he’s had to move home which has involved changing schools and leaving all of his friends; the renovations on the house they’ve moved to have missed his room; his dad has bailed on their movie night and he now has to spend it with the cousin he doesn’t get along with.  Who wouldn’t be fed-up? It’s all of this that leads to the rest of the book and is the trigger for the adventure. I wonder how many children reading will be able to associate with Yanni’s feelings? Probably a lot, family life can be tricky at times, especially when change is involved.  However, as the book progresses, we see a change in Yanni as he discovers himself and the strengths he didn’t know he had.  However, I feel the biggest change is that of Amy who is very uncertain of herself at the beginning of the quest and very much hides behind the characters in Orc’s Quest. Sometimes it takes a great adventure to discover who you really are!

There are a host of rather wonderful characters in this book, including the signpost; however, I have to mention Larry who really grew on me as the book progressed and I found myself wanting to hug more and more with every turn of the page! It would also be remiss of me not to mention Lorde Renwin who is a truly evil man/faerie. I often read books where the ‘baddy’ has some redeemable qualities that can appeal to the reader, but not Renwin! He really was despicable and readers will rejoice in hating him (and I can imagine that Ross took great pleasure in writing him!)

There are two main settings in this book: Fallow Hall and The Land of Fae and it’s the latter where the majority of the book is set: a world borne of Ross’ imagination, it’s a special, imaginative, magical, scary and captivating world that will lure and entice you in and that is undoubtedly, in part, down to the wonderful writing.

The plot is fast-paced, wonderfully written, full of twists and will have you gripped. Just when you think things are taking a turn for the better, wham! Something else comes along that you didn’t expect and lures you even further into the book. Set over just a few short hours, the whole thing will leave you breathless …

If I’m honest, I’m really not convinced I’m doing this book the justice it deserves with this review. When I read The Midnight Guardians last year, I thought that it was Ross writing at his best but I honestly believe that The Chime Seekers surpasses it! It has all the hallmarks of a classic novel just waiting to take its spot amongst the other classics at some point in the future …

With my teacher hat on, I can see this making an amazing class novel with unlimited potential for discussions (friendship, family, discovering your self, truth and honesty, live, good versus evil, accepting/embracing change…) as well as creative writing stimulus. 

The Chime Seekers is hands down one of the best books I’ve read this year and I almost feel sorry for the next book I read as The Chime Seekers is going to stay with me for a long time to come.

Available to buy now, if you only buy one book this year, I urge you to make it The Chime Seekers - I promise you won’t regret it.

Some thoughts from my class:

'Action-packed, tense, funny and magical.'

'Moving, daring and exciting, I am always on the edge of my seat while listening to this book.  Excellent!'

'Lots of magic; lots of adventure; you can't find a more thrilling read.'

'Captivating and overflowing with magic.'

'The Chime Seekers is funny and adventurous and I recommend it to anyone who has not read it.'

'Filled with adrenaline, it got my heart pumping.  I love this book!'

I love The Chime Seekers.  It is a thrilling fantasy book with an intriguing feel to it.'

'The Chime Seekers is a brilliant and magical book.  Amazingly good!'

'The Chime Seekers is a magical story that takes you to another world and it's packed with mystery.'

'I love The Chime Seekers and I especially enjoyed the cemetery scene.'

'Incredibly!  It's so annoying when Mrs Wall leaves it on a cliff-hanger!'

Rules for Vampires - Alex Foulkes. Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

Leo is 111 years old and is a vampire who has reached her birth night which means she is about to go out on her first Hunt,  ‘The Hunt of the Waxing Moon, an important rite of passage for every young vampire entering adulthood’ but when your mother is Sieglinde Von Motteberge there is extra pressure, especially when told that no von Motteberge has ever failed to make a kill in their first time out. Deciding to go to the local village of Otto’s End, Leo chooses St Freda’s Home for Unfortunate Children, the orphanage as her target, figuring that nobody would miss an orphan. Leo, however, doesn’t bank on encountering Minna, who is happy to chat, nor does she expect to wake The Orphanmaster, the rather ferocious and despicable owner of the orphanage. When he wakes and a fire breaks out, Leo’s plans are turned upside down and, instead of making her first vampiric kill, she ends up being responsible for the orphanage burning down and the death of Minna and The Orphanmaster.  Minna, as a ghost, quickly finds Leo and updates her, but can they stop the ghost of The Orphanmaster before he acquires his full power and can Leo manage to keep all of this mess from her mum?

This is one of those books that you quickly discover seems to have everything! There’s a lightheartedness to it that entices you in  it with enough spookiness to keep you gripped. Descriptions of the castle, Leo’s elder sister and thoughtful touches such as references to claws instead of hands will all hook readers in, as will the tension that mounts as the book progresses.

Leo is clearly a vampire who is desperate to impress her incredibly foreboding mother but seems to end up getting everything wrong. She appears to live in her elder sister’s shadow (despite the fact her elder sister is actually a toddler) and is thrilled at finding her first ever friend, even if she is a ghost. Thankfully though, she has Marged (her butler who also happens to be a set of armour) on her side and who is always looking out for her.

The Orphanmaster is a truly horrible character (in the best possible way!) and is one readers will love to hate. His threatening manner from the start will engage readers and he’ll be somebody they’ll delight in  hating! His constantly menacing manner allows for some great tension in the book, particularly towards the end, and helps to make Rules for Vampires a gripping read. 

Due for release on the 15th September, and with wonderful illustrations from Sara Ogilvie, this is the perfect book for fans of The Last Chance Hotel or those who read the Amelia Fang books when they were first released. Perfectly timed for Halloween, this is one book you’ll definitely want to get your claws in and your teeth stuck into!

Adam-2 - Alastair Chisholm

Adam lives in a tiny room where he has a very set daily routine, one he is meticulous about keeping. It’s been years since he’s seen or spoken to anyone else (243 years, 8 months, 6 days, 9 hours & 51 minutes to be exact) but that’s ok as his father has said he’ll be back for him.  Then one day, the door is broken down by Linden and Runa, and that is when we discover the truth about Adam: he is a Funk (a robot).  Linden is wary but when Adam helps to save hir and Runa, they take him back to their camp. But will Adam be accepted in a world where humans and funks are at war? 

I remember receiving my proof copy of Orion Lost and devouring it with the realisation that there was a gap in the market for good middle grade sci-if, one that Alastair is doing a very good job at filling. I’ve been shouting about Orion Lost since then and it’s been a huge hit at school (not only with me recommending it but with children exclaiming its brilliance to others as well). So it was with huge excitement that I received my copy of Adam-2, deciding to save it until I could read it without interruption! I have to say that that was quite a test for me but I’m pleased I resisted as I genuinely couldn’t put it down!

Adam is the first character you meet and there is a distinct humanness about him. Although very precise and set in his daily routine, I warmed to him straight away. He’s curious and seems to care in that first chapter, and this continues right the way through the book. Yes, there’s a conflict there in what he’s been told to do by his father and what he believes he should do but that, I think, is undoubtedly one that readers will associate with. Throughout the book, he is determined to do what he believes is right in the world; he listens to everyone but is intent on finding a solution, a way forward that doesn’t involve death - his techniques are to be admired (although the ending … I won’t spoil it, but it took guts! Can Adam have guts?!)

There are a host of great characters in the book but I think, next to Adam, Linden was my favourite. Hir is most definitely conflicted and incredibly wary of Adam, and I very much enjoyed the way ze develops as a character as the story progresses (I’m saying no more than that as I don’t want to spoil anything!).

Finally, I want to say how much I enjoyed the whole thing being set in Edinburgh, all be it a futuristic, rather destroyed Edinburgh (hats off to Dan Mumford for the stunning cover). Having spent much of my childhood there visiting grandparents, it was great to be able to visualise where events were taking place, although I have to say it broke my heart to think of such a beautiful city ending up like that!) and huge apologies now to Alastair: not being a Train Spotting fan, I completely missed the subtle references but I hope others will notice them).

All in all, Adam-2 is another utterly brilliant sci-fi from Alastair: gripping and pacy with a plot that will capture the imagination but also make you think, coupled with strong messages about friendship, acceptance, appreciating differences and learning to live with change, this is a guaranteed hit and one I will most definitely be shouting about.

The House on the Edge - Alex Cotter Blog Tour

 The House on the Edge - Alex Cotter

Faith lives on the edge of the town, on a cliff top that is crumbling, meaning that their house is in danger of being pulled off the edge in the not too distant future.  Her dad has gone missing, which has resulted in her mum retreating to her bedroom, leaving Faith to look after herself, her younger brother Noah, their home as well as her mum.  Juggling all of this is difficult enough but Noah insists that there are sea ghosts in the basement of their home.  Faith also has to cope with her Uncle, who firmly believes that their family home should come to him now their father is missing, believing that long lost pirate treasure is hidden there.  It falls to Faith to keep everything together but then how will she cope when Noah goes missing?  Can she find him, save their house, bring her dad home and work out where the treasure is hidden?

I'd heard good things about this book so I was looking forward to it and I wasn't disappointed.  There's a mysterious feel to the plot that builds from the beginning: the old house, with strange noises during the night; Noah's talk about ghosts and their mum's behaviour all contribute to the atmosphere.

Faith is a strong character who is obviously managing a lot for anyone, least of all somebody her age.  She is terrified to ask for help, for fear of the police coming to take them away from the house of which she is incredibly protective.  I feel there is a metaphor there: she is clinging to the house like she is clinging to her family as it used to be.  She is terrified of change.  

The setting is also rather spectacular, with a rugged coast-line, an ancient house full of history and the lure of the sea just itching to lay claim to the house; you will find yourself transported there, feeling the tug of the wind on your hair.

With pirates, smugglers tunnels and ghosts, this book tingles with mystery and adventure that will have you gripped throughout!

Out now, The House on the Edge has already gone down well with my book group and is a brilliant summer read.

Sister Switch - Beth Garrod

'We can't truly walk a mile in another's shoes until we've tried wearing their socks.'

Erin and Lily are sisters but are complete opposites of each other and constantly bickering.  When a disastrous hair day leads the girls to find a hair dresser in a hurry, they stumble upon The Hairy Godmother tucked under one of the railway arches in town.  Venturing in, they meet Agatha who is incredibly cool.  Whilst tending to their hair, Agatha notices the way the girls are with each other but soon seems to have them both fangirling over her and, in no time, they leave the small salon with perfect hair and a vow to return soon.  All seems well with the world, until they wake up the next morning and discover that somehow, they have switched bodies!  They have no choice but to live each other's lives whilst trying to hunt down Agatha for help; however, this is easier said than done (in both respects): the girls lead very different lives and have very different interests, and Agatha seems to have vanished!  But for how long can they keep this a secret from everyone else, and can they find Agatha before it's too late?

Having a younger sister, this book really appealed to me and, whilst reading it, I couldn't help but imagine how we would have survived in each other's bodies and living each other's lives if this had ever happened to us!  Like Erin and lily, we were very different to each other when we were young!  In the book, Lily, the younger sibling, loves to blog and has a huge following, but in reality, seems to always get things wrong; her dream is to gain a place on TheNicReport, an online magazine run by a girl at school Lily hugely admires.  Erin, however, is smart, full of confidence, trusted by their parents and never seems to be in trouble.  She loves to act and is the captain of the school quiz team.  There's never a hair out of place and she always seems to know what to say.  Erin has her heart set on going to Chinyere Okaford's Drama Academy and is due to play the lead role in Titania in the school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  I think that Lily somewhat lives in her sister's shadow which is quite possibly why they argue so much.  They don't seem to be able to see eye-to-eye and are incredibly focussed on their own lives.  So can the time in each other's bodies help them to see life from their siblings perspective?

Sister Switch is a hilariously funny book full of incidents that will make you laugh out loud.  From Lily trying desperately to avoid having to kiss Erin's boyfriend, to Erin's discussion about dry ice, it's definitely a book that will brighten your day; however, there are also a host of powerful messages subtly woven into the story: learning how to appreciate family and differences; embracing who you are, not to mention a host of lessons in friendship.  Due for release on the 22nd July, Sister Switch is a must-read this summer.

The Howling Hag Mystery - Nicki Thornton

Those of you who have read and enjoyed the Seth Seppi Mysteries (The Last Chance Hotel et al), will be very familiar with Nightshade who's now back in her own book!

Nightshade has gone on holiday and has ended up in Twinhills where she quickly discovers that rumours are rife in the school that the The Howling Hag is causing chaos with her magic.  Raven knows that her family are the only ones in the village who are supposed to be magic (although this is a secret to everybody else) and, along with the new boy, Mortimer Scratch (Morti), and a little help from Nightshade, they try to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on.

I first read The Last Chance Hotel whilst lounging next to the pool in Rhodes 3 years ago and was immediately enchanted by Nightshade's slightly sarcastic manner and attitude so I was thrilled to hear that she'd been given her own book... and also incredibly pleased to read her unique mannerisms and wit are still clearly evident.  She has quite the way with her and most definitely helps Raven develop as a character.  

Speaking of Raven: she's a rather conflicted young lady when we first meet her.  She lives by her mum's  life moto of 'deny everything' which comes in handy when you know that most of your family are magical (all except Raven's dad and Raven) and this is supposed to be a huge secret to everybody else.  Her older sister, Rookery, seems to manage her magic effortlessly and Raven becomes increasingly worried as the book progresses, that she will never find her magical affinity and generally feels inferior to her sister- she really doesn't want to live without magic and this seems to constantly consume her thoughts; something that was evident as magic is a the heart of everything in this book.  

Then there's Mortimer (Morti) who is new to Twinhills but immediately seems to feel as though he belongs.  In his first meeting with Raven, he is full of confidence and insists on solving the mystery of The Howling Hag.  He's determined and apparently afraid of nothing which contrasts Raven.  Their chemistry together is great and, once you add Nightshade into the mix, they make a great detective team.

The Howling Hag Mystery is another absolute hit from Nicki Thornton.  Excitingly magical with a host of wonderful characters and a mystery to solve (I didn't solve it!), I can't wait to see what the team will get up to next ... please tell me we'll be seeing more from Nightshade, Raven and Morti!

Escape from Camp Boring - Tom Mitchell

Will always seems to be attached to his phone; you could even say he was addicted to it.  When he is caught again on his phone in class, it's the last straw for his mum who sends him to a rewilding camp over the half-term break, a technology-free week that promises to reform children by banishing their phones and returning them to nature.  Will tries to deceive the camp leaders by handing over his old Nokia phone whilst hiding his tech phone along with his brother's portable charger, but is rumbled by fellow camp member, Alexa, so his plans are foiled.  The camp is even worse that Will expected and, just when he thinks things can't get any worse, he discovers that what he thought was his brother's portable charger, is in fact his portable hard-drive containing all his artwork which he needs to submit to college before Will's return or he will fail his course.  Will knows that if he doesn't get the work home in time, he will ruin his brother's life so, along with Alexa, as well as Ellie and Zed, he begins a journey through the woods in an attempt to do the right thing for once.

Will, as the main character, is clearly living his brother's shadow.  Robbie seems to be the perfect son (as Will sees it) and, by comparison, Will feels that he spends most of his life unintentionally messing up!  Being banished to the rewilding camp is the ultimate punishment for a boy who can't even get through dinner without being tempted to see why his phone has pinged.  Yet the thought of missing out on the trip to New York with his dad gives him enough of an incentive (although not enough to stop him sneaking contraband in!) to get him through camp.  As a character, he doesn't set out to get himself into trouble, it just seems to happen, but now he has the chance to make a change and to do the right thing for his brother ... but can he succeed without messing up again?

I suspect that thought of this camp will fill most readers (regardless of their age) with fear: a week without access to technology (not even a TV in sight!); I have to admit that I even I come close to breaking out in a sweat at the thought!  The camp itself, however, fills me with utter dread!  The sound of the dormitories, the activities and the cooler, not to mention Faulkner, are guaranteed to ensure that every reader does as they are told with their devices in future! (I'm not going to say any more as I don't want to spoil it for you!). The assembled campers are a very eclectic bunch and not a group who would usually mix; my favourite, however, has to be Zed and his knack of talking about himself in the third person - he made me giggle!  In fact, there are lots of giggles in this book and you'll find yourself chuckling along right the way through the book.

This is a great read, full of laughs, an rip-roaring adventure through the woods and a lesson to us all that technology can most definitely get us into trouble!

Escape From Camp Boring is due for release on the 8th July.