Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon - Vashti Hardy

 

Harley is back and this term she is determined to win the Pupil of the Term award so gone is the coloured hair, the tool belt and the tardiness; instead, Harley is focussing on her studies and is adamant she is not going to be distracted, that is until the Monocoles' Marvellous Machines Circus comes to town and she gest curious about Elle Disappearo the Great's act which uses a cabinet to transport a boy to another galaxy.  Sneaking back-stage with Cosmo, Harley just wants to see how the cabinet works so she can try to replicate it herself ... but things don't go quite as she had panned!  Then, to make matters worse, in the days that follow, lots of things begin to go missing, including the moon!  Can Harley work out what's going on and help put things right before it's too late?

I loved Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest when I read it earlier this year  (https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/03/harley-hitch-and-iron-forest-vashti.html ) so I was particularly excited when Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon arrived just before Christmas. I loved being back in Forgetown with all its technology, the inventions and the robots (please can I have my own Sprocket?!) and the idea of being able to get advice by fishing in the Rusty River, and the map at the beginning of the book just added to my delight.

At the beginning of the book we see a dramatic change in Harley whose determination to win the Pupil of the Term award has lead her to take drastic action.  Gone is her unique look and her desire to be different; instead she is determined to be like everyone else and I feel that she looses herself with this.  I won't say anything more for fear for spoiling things but the development is key to the story.

Just like book 1, Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon is a wonderful read that is guaranteed to draw readers in from the start.  The story is pacy, the characters are a joy to be with and George Ermos' illustrations are once again a delight .  Combine that with messages about being yourself and friendship, and I know that Vashti has another guaranteed hit on her hands.  I only have one question: what's next for Harley?!

Dragon Storm Tomás and Ironskin - Alastair Chisholm

 

The master of sci-fi, Alastair Chisholm, has shifted genres for his next venture and has dived into the fantasy world of dragons.  The new series is set in Draconis where dragons once roamed the land but retreated thousands of years ago, following the Dragon Storm and are now nothing more than legend to the residents of the town.

I have been lucky enough to read Tomás and Ironskin which introduces us to Draconis where Tomás lives with his parents.  His father is the local dragonswords maker, as ordered by the king who wishes to be prepared in case the dragons reappear.  Tomás is set to become an apprentice smithy like his father until Malik, one of the kings' clerks, arrives and tells Tomás about a secret society known as the Dragonseer Guild and invites him to join them.  Having seen images of a dragon in the fire, Tomás joins Malik but will he take to the Guild and will he be bale to master his new-found skills?

I have loved both of Alastair's sci-fi books and have been very excited at the prospect of a book for younger readers (this one is aimed at 7-9 year olds) as well as Alasitair writing a different genre, and I was thrilled when I read Tomás and Ironskin.  The book is perfectly pitched and paced so that younger readers will be drawn into the plot.  The setting is vivid and allows readers to imagine themselves in the Guild and part of the lessons - I can imagine so many children at school who will be thrilled at dreaming of this!

I like Tomás as a main character: he is close to his parents and keen to follow in his father's footsteps; however, his curiosity having seen the image in the fireplace and the lure of something new seem to intrigue him.  I'm looking forward to getting to know more of the team (including the dragons) as the series progresses.  

Pacey and full of dragon excitement, Dragon Storm is a series I'm very much looking forward to introducing in school at the start of next term once it's released on the 13th January.

My Favourite Books of 2021

 I have to tell you that this list has taken quite some compiling, the main problem being trying to get the list short enough!  It really has been an other amazing year for books and I apologise in advance to those books who missed the cut!

I know that Nisha's War hasn't been published yet but the book is just too good for me not to include in this list! I am a huge fan of Dan's books but this really is his best yet! (It's out on the 3rd February)

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/11/nishas-war-dan-smith.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-chime-seekers-ross-montgomery.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-book-of-stolen-dreams-david-farr.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-unexpected-tale-of-bastien-bonlivre.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/01/me-my-dad-and-end-of-rainbow-benjamin.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/then-sky-falls-in-phil-earle.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/06/children-of-quicksands-efua-traore.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/06/julia-and-shark-kiran-millwood-hargrave.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/03/starboard-nicola-skinner.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-life-and-time-of-lonny-quicke.html

 I'd been recommended this book by so many on Twitter but I don't think I was prepared for how much this book touched me.  The story of Sami and his family who flee from Damascus after his mum and sister are caught up in a bombing in a shopping centre, we follow their harrowing journey via Turkey to Manchester where the family endure more heart-ache and upheaval.  Told from Sami's point of view, this was a truly unforgettable story which had me in tears on several occasions as I travelled alongside the family and endured the challenges they had to face.  It's an eye-opening book that will help children to understand exactly what people go through as refugees.  It's a book that will stay with me for a long time to come and I'm very pleased I read it.

Oh, wow!  What a book this is!  Combining the story of Cora and Adrien, with Artificial Intelligence and the ethics around this, whilst championing Neurodiversity, this is a must-read book. The strength of Cora and Adrien's friendship is absolutely at the heart of this book and something I can imagine everybody would aspire to. Cora is one of the bravest characters I have read in while with a strength that seemed to seep from the book towards the end. This is a book that will blow you away and will reminds us all that we should never be ashamed of who we are and that our differences are what make us wonderful.

The best of the yet to be published books

There are so many amazing books due out next year and I've been lucky enough to have already read some of them.  All of the books listed below are ones that I wanted to add to my favourites list above so, in order to get round the length of my list, I've added this sub-category!!  

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/10/libby-and-parisian-puzzle-jo-clarke.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-bird-singers-eve-wersocki-morris.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/10/escape-room-christopher-edge.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-storm-of-sisters-michelle-harrison.html

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-secret-sunshine-project-benjamin.html

The Secret Sunshine Project - Benjamin Dean

 

Bea and her older sister Riley live in London with their parents and, when Riley tells her family that she likes girls, they head to London Pride and have the most amazing day celebrating; however, soon after life changes dramatically when their dad dies.  Things gets tough and, with Mum unable to cover the rent on their home, they are forced to leave and head to their Gran's for the summer in St Regent's Vale, a world away from the bustling streets of London. Riley is increasingly withdrawing into herself and both girls are dreading the long summer in such a sleepy village.  But can making friends and an idea help to bring the colour back into their lives or will Rita, the local mayor who rules the village in the most selfish and strict way, thwart their plans?

Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow was the most wonderful book, going down very well in school and, since its release, I have been waiting with great anticipation for Benjamin's next book and it most definitely didn't disappoint.  Full of life and acceptance, this book is a joy to read, although I have to say that I did shed a tear on more than one occasion (both sad and happy tears!).

I loved the idea of the family checking-in on each other by asking them what colour they are.  It's an easy way to explain how you are feeling without having to go into details (and something I'm going to try in school next term!).

The acceptance of who people are and their individuality is wonderfully celebrated throughout this book, from the very beginning when Riley announces that she likes girls and right throughout the book - I don't want to say any more so as not to spoil the book but I adored Norman and loved how supportive Bea and her friends were of Noah.  Family is an incredibly important part of this book and that is seen through the death of Bea and Riley's dad as well as Gran's role in the book; but friendship is just as important: from Bea having to leave her best friend, Lucas, in London, to the new friends she meets in St Regent's Vale: Noah, Robin, Harry, Ziggy and Smudge; they are fiends that every child would want in their lives and remind us all of the importance of kindness and acceptance.

I can't not mention Rita, the village's counsellor who rules with an iron fist and insists on having everything run to her precise rules (including changing your birthday celebrations if they happen to fall at the same time as the village fete!).  She is wonderfully stern and angry and I rather enjoyed her, but the highlight for me was every time Gran and Rita were together - go Gran!

Overall, The Secret Sunshine Project is a joyous celebration of family, friendship, acceptance and being brave; it reminds us that it's good to be yourself and that you can celebrate Pride wherever you are!

Due for release at the end of March, The Secret Sunshine Project is available to pre-order now.

Frankie's World - Aoife Dooley

 

Frankie knows that she is different to other people in her class: she talks too much; she always seems to say the wrong thing and she likes different things to her classmates.  She also worries about the fact that she has to make regular hospital visits as she is to small for her age.  Before long, Frankie wonders whether she might be an alien and decides to try to find her dad to see if he can help her.

I have to admit that I don't read many graphic novels so I was pleased that Scholastic sent this to me (thank-you!). The book is a wonderful way to show children that they are not on their own if they feel different; it is a superb way of introducing children to neurodiversity as well as letting them know that every eleven year old has similar worries, no matter who they are.  We see how Frankie manages to navigate school, manage the bullies and begins to make friends; issues that are relevant to every child.  

Funny and with wonderful illustrations, Frankie's World is a heart-warming book about friendship, finding yourself and being kind to others.  It's an accessible read and the graphic novel will appeal to many who don't particularly enjoy reading longer novels.  I know this will be a popular book when I take it in to school next term.

Frankie's World is due for release on the 6th January.

Sleepover Takeover - Simon James Green

 

Otis and Jagger aren't part of the cool gang at school so don't get invited to any of the class parties; that is until uber-cool Rocco invites them to his 11th birthday party which, if previous years are anything to go by, promises to be an incredibly lavish affair.  Although suspicious as to why they have been given the last minute invite, Otis heads to Rocco's house with Jagger where they find a marquee filled with all the food they could imagine, not to mention a sword swallower, a hypnotist ... it was every child's dream and so Otis made the most of it, taking a particular liking to the chocolate fountain! Following the sleepover, however, Otis wakes to find himself in a wedding dress and chaos all round him, but he has no recollection of what happened.  Then he discovers that nobody else can remember what happened either!  Discovering the truth will involve a mad-capped day around town, but will Otis and Rocco ever discover the truth and where on Earth is Jagger?

The Life of Riley was a brilliant laugh when I read it, and kept my entire school entertained during lockdown earlier this year as it was the first book I read to them during our whole-school live story-time.  Because of this, I was hugely excited when Sleepover Takeover came through the door; I was just in need of something to make me laugh and this did just that ... in huge amounts!

From the very beginning, the plot is fast-paced and funny (both for children as well as adults), and the bits in school with Mr Banerjee, the headteacher, really made me laugh out loud!  It's the attention to details and the little touches and quips that make this such a funny book; the small comments as well as all the antics combine together to ensure that every reader will be laughing and cheered by this book!

It's obvious from the start that Otis and Jagger aren't part of the 'in-crowd' at school, and I like that they seem comfortable with that: they enjoy their friendship and make their own plans (although Jagger is a notorious trickster - I'm glad none of my students have pens that work like his!).  I particularly like Jagger and his sense of style, and the way he helps Otis to choose his outfit for the party.  

Amongst the laughs and the mayhem, Sleepover Takeover has some strong messages to impart to its readers; mainly about not being afraid to be yourself and that good friends will let you be yourself.

Sleepover Takeover is a rip-roaringly funny book that will brighten those dull, post-Christmas days when it's released on the 6th January; however, children be warned: it's probably best not to let your parents read this if you're about to have a sleepover!!

A Storm of Sisters - Michelle Harrison

'Wrap up warm and don't go out...'

For me, Christmas means a host of traditions: putting up the tree, the smell of sausage meat stuffing cooking before the big day, wrapping presents and eating far too many chocolates.  However,  over the past few years, it has also become tradition for me to read the next in the Pinch of Magic series (I have a vivid memory of queueing up outside M&S for my turkey this time last year and reading A Tangle of Spells whilst I waited outside the store!).  This last tradition is something I could happily continue every year (she says, smiling very sweetly at Michelle in the hopes there will be plenty more in the series!) and one I am happy to say I have been able to partake in again this year with the fourth book in the series.

A Storm of Sisters sees the girls (Fliss, Betty and Charlie) accompany their granny up north to the snowy town of Wilderness to help look after Cousin Clarissa who has broken her ankle.  However, when they arrive unannounced, they discover that Clarissa doesn't have the space for them all to stay so the girls are shipped off down Chill Hill to Echo Hall where Clarissa assures them they will be given a room.  Full of excitement at the thought of being on their own, coupled with thoughts of the winter market, a frozen lake and the possibility of a masked ball, the girls set off and meet Mrs Chambers who assigns them room 6, which isn't quite what they expected: the beds aren't made and there are no fresh towels but they decide it must have just been because the maid they saw leaving the room was too busy.  As they settle in, they quickly learn more about the tales of Jack Frost the highwayman and of the ghostly sightings in the hotel.  But when those ghostly sightings become all too real for the girls, they begin to realise that there may be more to the legends than they first thought, and that their family might be in danger. 

I am and always will be a big fan of Michelle Harrison's books but I have a particular fondness of the Pinch of Magic series which I feel just gets better with every book, and A Storm of Sisters is no exception.  The wintery setting of the small town of Wilderness, with its frozen lake and blizzards, coupled with the atmosphere the girls experience in the hotel, instantly create a mysterious tone to the book.  However, there is more to it than in previous books as there is an added ghostly to feel to everything: icy blasts that seem to come from nowhere, clothes being messed-up and fresh flowers dying within a day... there's a positively spooky air that made me glad I was wrapped up under a blanket with a cushion to hug! (In fact, I went into the spare bedroom last night and the lightbulb blew - really made me jump as I had only just put the book down for the night!).  This adds an extra element to things and kept me hooked.

Returning to be with the Widdershins sisters always feels like being back with old friends, and, once again, it's Betty who takes the lead, her curiosity sparked from the moment they arrive at Echo Hall.  Her determination shines through, even in the darkest of times but her love for her family is the strongest things of all.  We see Fliss' desire to find love and, although Charlie is clearly growing up, it was still lovely to see some of her unique phrases still slipping in ('I haven't got a very good remembery.')

A Storm of Sisters is a storming triumph of a book: all of the usual Widdershins excitement with an added sprinkle of spookiness mixed into the magic.  Its tension will have you completely under its spell, but be warned: you may need a cushion to cuddle at times to keep you warm! The book is unputdownable but has left me with a huge desire to find a winter market to wander around (although I think I'll give any frozen lakes a wide berth for a while!).  I can't wait for everyone else to read this as I know they will love it!  My only question now is: what's install next for the Widdershins?

A Storm of Sisters is due for release on the 3rd February.

A Secret In Time - Sally Nicholls

 Alex and Ruby are back and this time the mirror in their Aunt Joanna's house is taking them back to 1947.  Dressed in their new school uniforms, they arrive in a freezing cold Applecott House in post-war Britain to find Colin, Janet and Sheila who are enduring the coldest winter for 300 years.  Things are tough, with food still being rationed and electricity only being used at certain times of the day.  The siblings quickly discover that they need to help the children find a missing piece of jewellery in order to help the children's father (who is still in Japan after the war) clear his name.  Unfortunately, this will involve a perilous hut through the ice and snow.  

I have loved each of the previous books in The Time-Seekers series so I was looking forward to reading A Secret in Time when Nosy Crow sent it my way (huge thanks for that).  The series is a great way to get children interested in different periods in history and also weaves in information that may not always be included in non-fiction books; the stories bring the time-periods to life and make them feel real.  A Secret In Time allows children to step into post-war Britain to see just how much people were still suffering the effects of the war - rationing was clearly still in place and things like the condition of the children's clothes (as well as the amount of clothes children had then) will be a surprise to many children.

The plot is fast-paced and gets straight to the action, which I like, and the illustrations help to add an extra dimension to the book.  Alex and Ruby are fearless in their adventures and I'm looking forward to seeing where they head next.

The Colour of Hope - Ross MacKenzie

 

Many years ago the Emperor of Dominion and his Necromancer stole all the colour from the entire kingdom, forcing everyone to live in shades of grey. But then one day a baby is borne who lives in colour, whose skin and everything she touches turn to colour.  Knowing the danger she is in, her parents flee in an attempt to keep her safe but are attacked and killed by the Emperor's Ripper Dogs and their riders, Black Coats, but not before the little girls' mother protects and saves her daughter.  Shortly after, the girl is found by Sandy, a mage who travels Dominion with his dog Oliver.  Finding the girl, Sandy quickly discovers the girl's secret power and names her Hope. Knowing he has to protect her, he creates a potion for her to take that masks her colour. Over the years, Sandy keeps Hope safe but rumours of a rainbow child quietly spread and the people of Dominion begin to hope that they can find colour again.  But will this put Hope in danger and will colour be returned to Dominion?

I am a big fan of Ross' books and know that anything he writes is going to be wonderfully written, and The Colour of Hope is no different: from the very first page, the descriptions of colour are glorious and draw you in to the story.  The lack of colour through the novel makes you appreciate all of the colour around you and also makes you realise how much we rely on colour in everything we do (how do you explain a colour to someone who has never seen it before? I'll be using the first few pages as a writing exercise with my class to describe a colour as Ross did).

Hope is a girl who is brave and confused, and just wants to be herself in a world where she must hide the essence of who she is. Despite loosing her parents, she is lucky to have Sandy who, along with Oliver, the talking dog, becomes her family (wonderful to see in a world where who we call family can vary so much).

I don't want to say too much about the plot so as not to give anything away, but magic, mystery and adventure are deftly woven into the story with Ross' usual ability to write dark fiction (one of the reasons I love his writing so much!). Hope lives in all of us and most definitely lives in the people of Dominion. With an ending that will leave you breathless, The Colour of Hope is a book that I highly recommend you read when it is released in May.

The Bird Singers - Eve Wersocki Morris

 

Layah and Izzy are spending the summer in the Lake District with their mother, whilst their father is away for work (again). Staying in Rook Cottage which is owned by one of their mum's old college friends, Henry Westwood, the girls aren't looking forward to the summer and intend to take solace by working their way through the cake and scone menus of all the local coffee shops.  However, sinister things start to happen, and Layah is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.  Why is their mum suddenly behaving so strangely?  Where are the unusual feathers coming from? And what is the link between everything?

Over recent years, Eve has sent me many books to review so being able to review her first novel feels like a real privilege and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I found it difficult to believe that The Bird Singers was Eve's first novel! The plot grips from the beginning and instantly creates tension and anticipation which contrasts perfectly against the time of year and the lazy lanes of the village.  The lure of the plot is thoroughly engaging and the drip of information is tantalising and utterly gripping!  

The addition of a sub-plot, woven in throughout the main story, and identifiable by the slightly greyer pages and italic writing, only adds to the mystery and darkness that oozes from the pages and means you are constantly trying to decide how the two plots are connected.

Strong characters (I love Layah's determination and completely connect with Izzy's bookishness!), polish heritage, mythology, family, food (I craved scones whilst reading this!) and bravery shine through in this stunningly captivating debut novel which is guaranteed to be a huge hit with it is released in February - it will definitely be on my recommendations display in Waterstones Newcastle!

The Bird Singers is a beautifully woven story and I couldn't put it down.

Loki A Bad God's Guide To Being Good - Louie Stowell

 

Loki has been a bad god one too many times so Odin has banished him to Earth to live as an eleven year old boy in order to learn how he should behave.  The instructions are simple: go to school, do good deeds and learn how to put up with Thor who has also been sent down to Earth as an eleven year old.  Along with their fake parents (Heimdall and Hyrrokkin), they have to live on Earth for a month without telling anyone who they really are.  During this time, Loki needs to keep a daily diary to prove that he is improving; however, the diary is intelligent so knows when Loki is lying about his day and corrects his entries (much to his annoyance!).  He will gain points for every good deed but will loose points for anything bad; his starting score is -3000 with a target of +3000. At the end of the month Odin will read Loki's diary and decide his fate: return home or be condemned to eternal torture!  

This was a brilliant read and just what I needed! It's funny and clever, and hugely appealing to children (and child-like adults!). The diary format, with the illustrations makes the book accessible to even the most reluctant reader, and Loki's sarcasm and observations about life on Earth as a child, make the book engaging and highly entertaining. 

Loki, as the god of mischief, is determined to rebel against his fate: he can't stand being in such a wimpy body, he doesn't see the point of school and certainly doesn't understand the need to be nice to others.  Yet, there is another side to him, one he needs to access if he is to avoid eternal damnation; he just needs to be able to access it. Can he be the hero he needs to be?

A fab introduction to mythology, Loki A Bad God's Guide To Being Good is Who Let The Gods Out meets Wimpy Kid and will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Marvel.  A guaranteed hit when it's published in February, I just hope there is more to come!

The Forgotten Crown - James Haddell

 

The Forgotten Crown is the much anticipated second novel from James Haddell and the second in the Tales of Truth and Treasure series. 

After the exciting ending to The Lost Child's Quest, Tia is keen to try to uncover more of the secrets about her past. Through her investigations, she discovers more of why she was left on the steps of an orphanage as a baby, but will this lead to more questions?

Starting in London, The Forgotten Crown takes you straight to the action and Tia and her sister, Megan, realise they are not alone in their quest for clues... and these treasure hunters will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. 

Stormhaven Castle, where the Trevelyans live, is still the main setting for the family but the endeavours in The Forgotten Crown take them out and about and it is Tia and Megan who take the lead this time, with Pasco staying at home.  The vivid settings within the castle as well as the Tower of London and Glastonbury Abbey create an atmospheric and immersive read. 

The pace is fast from the start and you will be gripped as the perilous plot unfolds, with the Legend of King Arthur coming to the fore. There is just one problem: the end leaves you desperately wanting more!

When The War Came Home - Lesley Parr

 

World War I is over but the after-effects are still evident and when Natty moves to a new village, she meets two young men who are still adjusting to post-war life. Huw is finding it difficult to forget what he has seen and heard, whilst Johnny has been left with no memory of his past.  As she settles in to her new life and tries to unravel a mystery, Natty learns how to fight for what she believes in. 

Set in a small Welsh village where everyone knows everybody else, When The War Came Home is full of a host of wonderful characters. Nerys is feisty, head-strong and determined to get what she wants but often rushes in with words before thinking.  She always means well but needs to take a moment.

Natty is understandably upset at having to leave her home and that her mum has lost her job whilst trying to support one of her colleagues.  She doesn't want to be living with family she's never met so is resentful, especially of her mum.  She's quieter than Nerys but it's this and her ability to listen and not judge which serves her well with Huw and Johnny who are both suffering in different ways - she cares about them both.

I read When The War Came Home just before Remembrance Sunday (apologies for the delay in the review: COIVD hit and took its time to leave) and it was a timely reminder that war being over doesn't mean that soldiers are no longer suffering.  DTSD and grief are experienced by so many soldiers and this book looks at the issues sensitively, whilst also weaving poverty into the plot (something many families experienced after both world wars). 

As with The Valley of Lost Secrets, When The War Came Home is a beautifully and sensitively written book that will draw you in from the very first page. With family, friendship and resilience at the forefront of this post-war novel, I guarantee that this will be an other hit for Lesley.

Due for release on the 6th January, When The War Comes Home is the post-Christmas hug you need.

Sisters of the Lost Marsh - Lucy Strange

 

Milla lives on the farm with her 5 sisters, their Dadder and their Grammy. Life is tough and the sisters live in fear of their father who believes that the family are cursed. Grace, Milla's oldest sister is set to be married off but, when the Full Moon Fayre comes to town and Grace's fortune is told, she vanishes, leaving the family in turmoil. It's up to Milla to bring the family back together; something which entails her making a long and sometime dangerous journey in search of answers. 

Set during a time when women were trialled for being witches, daily life is clearly tough. All 6 sisters sleep in one room and take it in turns to have the scratchy blanket. It is their Grammy who provides the love, stability and strength whilst their father spends much of his time drinking and threatening them. The arrival of the fayre provides a stark contrast and the heady mix of crowds, stalls and mysterious acts is a far cry from the girls' usual routine. Then, of course, there is Milla's journey which takes her to some dark and sinister places. 

The book is dominated by strong female characters, lead by Grammy whose fierce love of her girls guides them. She has an inner strength that is powerful to read and which is clearly borne out of the love she has for her girls. I think that it is this that gives the girls their strength.  They live in a time when superstition dominates and girls are oppressed, but Milla is strong and won't give up on her sister. She is determined to do everything she can to find her. However, it is Darcey who I believe is one of the strongest of the girls: despite all her father's actions (I won't spoil things), she knows herself and isn't afraid to be herself - I had huge amounts of admiration for her (and for Grammy too).

I have loved all of Lucy's books so being sent a copy of this by Chicken House was a huge thrill. I'm sure that authors must get nervous when a new book is released into the wild, but with Sisters of the Lost Marsh (as with all of her other books), Lucy has absolutely nothing to fear!  Quite the opposite in fact!  This is a triumph of a book. Dark and sinister, this is a powerful story of family, magic and myth that combines vivid story-telling with strong and engaging characters (I have to mention Flint!). You will quickly find yourself lost in this story ... just make sure you don't get lost in the marshes!

Sisters of the Lost Marsh is available to buy now and is perfect for curling up with on these dark, wintery nights. 

Vi Spy Never Say Whatever Again - Maz Evans

 

Vi is back (woo hoo!) and is studying at Rimmington Hall but she isn't doing very well, and unless things improve, she runs the risk of being thrown out at the end of the year (this is made worse by the fact that Russell is doing exceptionally well).  Vi decides that she has no other choice but to try to successfully track down Umbra and finally reveal who Umbra is. But can she do what she couldn't do in book 1?  Will Umbra's identity be revealed? Will Vi succeed at Rimmington Hall? Will Easter and Robert ever be able to be together without fighting?  You'll just have to read the book to find out!

Vi Spy Licence To Chill is a brilliant book and proved incredibly popular in school during lockdown 2 where I read it during our daily live whole-school story-time. The characters were wonderful and I relished the variety of accents I was able to use whilst reading (although I'm not certain how successful they were or how well they went down with the children!) so I was very excited to see the return of some of my favourite characters (cue my breathy Joanna Lumley impersonation for Siren!) as well as the introduction of some new ones (Missy Fit made me giggle but I would hate to be Janet!).  Vi is just as feisty and determined as she was in Licence to Chill. We see that from the very beginning of the book and it continues throughout with varying degrees of success. She thinks she always knows best ... but does she?

Maz Evans is a master of comedy and she's absolutely done it again with Never Say Whatever Again, and you will find yourself laughing out loud throughout.  However, what Maz also does brilliantly, is to weave serious issues into her plots in a way that children will find relatable, will understand and will help them to process things that may be going on in their own lives. Once again, divorce and the issues that can surround new families are seamlessly interwoven into the humour and you will go from crying with laughter to shedding a quiet tear and wanting to hug the characters the next minute. I've said it before, but anybody who can write like that, deserves all the awards in my eyes.

Action-packed, fast-paced and laugh-out-loud funny, with an ending that will leave you immediately wanting to get your hands on book 3 (even though I don't think it's actually been fully written yet!) so you can see how the series ends, Vi Spy Never Say Whatever Again has already caused huge excitement in school (there was actual screaming!) and one girl politely asked me every day after if I had finished it so that she could read it! (She read it in under 24 hours once she got her hands on it!). Due for release in February 2022, I guarantee that this will be as big a hit as book 1, but don't take my word for it; the reviews have already started coming in from school:

'I think this was an amazing book!  I loved how there was a plot twist at the end.  It was incredible and I can't wait for the next one.'

‘I haven’t read many books that are better than this, if any!’

Let's Get Festive - 12 Days of Christmas Blog TOur

It's my turn today to celebrate everything festive in children's literature so, on the 9th day of the Let's Get Festive blog tour, I am sharing one of my favourite Christmas books, Tinsel.

 'It's the tiny, ordinary things that snowball to make life truly magical.'

Blanche Clause is living on the streets of Victorian London and hates Christmas: she's alone and spends the day counting down the seconds until it's over.  But then a stranger gives her a red Christmas bauble, her first ever Christmas present, telling her: 'Never underestimate the gifts you are given.  What you see inside might surprise you.'  Shortly after that, she meets a young girl called Rinki who is thrilled to have found somebody she can call a friend and their friendship becomes something that will change the world forever.  Determined to have her own sleigh and to deliver a present to every child in the world, Tinsel, is the story of how Santa and the Christmas traditions we know and love today came to be.

Ok, so, disclaimer: I love Christmas!  I put the tree up at the beginning of December, play Christmas songs at full volume and will happily read any book to do with Christmas at any point in the year, so I was very much looking forward to diving into Tinsel and starting the festivities early this year (goodness knows, we need it!).  And oh boy, what a book this is!  From learning about the elves to discovering how Santa met Rudolf; from the creation of Tinsel to why Santa dresses in the red suit and beard, this book puts a rather wonderfully feminist twist on things that just make complete and utter sense when you read them!  And as for Santa ... well, I should have known: we women always do have the best ideas!!!

Blanche is a wonderful character, full of spirit and determination, and somebody who knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid of hard work in order to get there.  She's prepared to take chances and is a wonderfully feminist protagonist who will inspire girls and make them want to go out and change the world.

To be fair, this book is full of wonderful characters: Rinki is a delight and full of positivity; Teddy is following his own dreams of creating costumes and being his true self; Cook is everything you could want and a little bit more (Brussel sprout brew anyone?!) , and as for Mr Krampus - well he's just the bad guy you're going to enjoy! OOOh, and I have to mention the Carols and, most of all Eggnog, who is quite possibly the best Christmas tree in the whole history of Christmas!

I read Tinsel to my class last year and was then thrilled that, during an outdoor activity day, whilst groups were collecting bits of wood, the cry of 'Jolly holly!' went out from one of the boys and, before long, the entire class were using it to communicate with each other! It was magical and truly shows the power of a good book.

From mince pie picnics (yes, they are a thing and I desperately want it to snow so I can enjoy one!) to climbing up and down chimneys, this book oozes festive spirit, is guaranteed to put a big smile on your face, make you laugh and leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.  Full of magic, Tinsel is like a hug in paper format, a cosy blanket you'll want to wrap yourself in and is an absolute must read over the festive season!

Don't forget to join the rest of the tour and check-out everybody else's festive recommendations.