It was an absolute pleasure to be able to head off to our usual spot in Ibiza this July. I'm aware that many people won't have that luxury this year and I'm grateful for the chance we had - it was a holiday we had booked last year so to actually be able to enjoy it was an absolute pleasure!
As you might imagine, reading played a big part in the holiday and I managed to finish 11 books! In fact, as a family, the books we took just about filled our carry-on suitcase!
It felt like such a luxury to be able to just sit in the sunshine (with a cocktail or two!) and read! So, here's a summary of the books I read in the order in which I read them:
Adam 2 - Alastair Chisholm (release date: 5th August)
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/adam-2-alastair-chisholm.html
Shadowghast - Thomas Taylor (Release date: 14th September)
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/shadowghast-thomas-taylor.html
Rules for Vampires - Alex Foulkes (Release date: 16th September)
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/rules-for-vampires-alex-foulkes.html
Lightning Falls - Amy Wilson (Release date: 19th August)
Lightning Falls is a ghost house where guests stay for the atmosphere and the ghostly goings-on, and Valerie has lived there happily for as long as she can remember. She's a ghost, after all, although she's the only one of the ghosts who gets older and who can eat. However, things are changing: star-storms are becoming more frequent and are causing problems for the guest house. Then one day, as her thirteenth birthday approaches, she meets Joe and everything changes. He introduces her to the bridge beyond the viaduct that leads to a whole new, magical world, the world of Orbis that Joe believes is Valerie's real home. Danger and truth await Valerie if she is brave enough to take the plunge.
This is a beautifully written book full of ghosts, magic, family and just enough tension to keep you absolutely gripped. With characters that will charm you and a plot that will lure you in, this is a stunning read and, I think, Amy's best book yet.
The Chime Seekers - Ross Montomgery (Release date: November 2021)
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-chime-seekers-ross-montgomery.html
The Edelweiss Pirates - Dirk Reinhardt (Release date: 26th August)
A powerful book that had me in tears several times. Largely written as diary extracts, the book tells the story of Josef and his life during WWII when he made the decision to leave the Hitler Youth and join the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of resistance teenagers whose desire to rebel against the Nazi regime was, much of the time, dangerous and deadly.
This is a compelling and emotional read that I found absolutely fascinating, especially the different perspective. I know that this book was the inspiration for Dan Smith's My Brother's Secret which is also a book I highly recommend. I'm incredibly grateful to Pushkin Press for sending this book my way and I'm grateful to Rachel Ward for translating it into English.
The Burglar's Ball - Julia Golding (Release date: :22nd October)
Jane's sister is invited to attend a ball at her old school and takes Jane along for company; however, when they arrive, they discover that things aren't going as well as expected for the school. When priceless jewels are stolen during the ball, it's up to Jane to get to the bottom of the mystery.
It was lovely to be back with Jane and her investigative ways; her spirit and refusal to conform to expectations make the book a refreshing read, whilst also trying to guess who the culprit was. With Grandison the dog as well as Deepti and Arjun back along for the adventure, this is a brilliant, quick-paced sequel that can also be read as a stand-alone. It's already gone down well at school and I know it will be loved by many more children next term.
The Book of Stolen Dreams - David Farr (Release date: 30th September)
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-book-of-stolen-dreams-david-farr.html
Locked Out Lily - Nick Lake (Release date: 30th September)
https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/locked-out-lily-nick-lake-illustrated.html
How To Survive Without Grown-ups - Larry Hayes (Release date: 19th August)
Eliza and Johnnie's parents have gone to Mars ... and they're never coming back! Realising that something isn't quite right, it's up to Eliza and her genius younger brother to get to the bottom of what's going on and save their parents before it's too late! A journey to a remote island full of wonderful inventions and a suspect recluse of an owner, a race through space and a vampire squid all make this a hilarious, fast-paced story that will make a perfect end of summer read.
Pax Journey Home - Sara Pennypacker (Release date: 7th September)
A year after Pax and Peter went their separate ways, we rejoin them again. Pax is now a father and his focus is protecting his family, whilst Peter, determined to be independent, has left Vola and has joined the Water Warriors; however, his thoughts return on a daily basis to Pax and he finds it difficult to lay his past to rest. But what happens when they find each other again?
It was wonderful to be back with Pax and Peter again. The writing is just as beautiful as book one and is full of heart and emotion. You'll find yourself completely immersed in the lives of both fox and boy once more. It was a privilege to be able to glimpse the next part of their journey.
Giften - Layla Suzan (Release date: 2nd September)
Ruthie is a Giften which means that she can give life to the land around her, raising crops from dead soil. A wonderful git to have but one that the the army in the City are keen to harness so life is dangerous. The book follows Ruthie, her family and her friends, and her quest to save everything.
A gripping YA novel that will be perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and a perfect book for Year 7+.
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