Lost On Gibbon Island - Jess Butterworth

Twelve year old Lark isn't happy about missing her gymnastics competition in order to travel to Cambodia with her family so her mum can carry out research about disappearing gibbons for her job as an environmental journalist.  Never in her wildest dreams did Lark think that this trip would lead to her being stranded on a desert island with only a baby gibbon for company.  With no way of contacting the main land, can Lark find a way off the island before it's too late?

Lost On Gibbon Island is written entirely as a series of diary entries that Lark writes once she reaches the island.  Having taken a notebook in a plastic bag, she finds a felt pen on the beach of the island and so begins to detail her days as a way to help her process what's going on.  The first person viewpoint makes this a very personal book that will draw readers in.  Along with her days on the island, Lark intersperses the story of what has lead her to this situation and this is unveiled as the book progresses.  (Shout out to Rob Biddulph whose illustrations boarder each page beautifully).

Lark is a normal twelve year old, upset at being dragged away from her gymnastics competition at the expense of her mum's job again.  However, as the book progresses, you see her resilience kicking in.  As you would imagine, she experiences a full range of emotions and I am pleased that things are difficult for her: it would be all too easy in a middle grade book to have her find drinking water quickly but the reality would be different and I think readers will appreciate the grittier experience more.  She is afraid but calls upon things she can remember from home to help her. and just because things start to get a little easier for her, doesn't mean they remain that way and I felt that gave it a much more realistic feel.  I found it incredibly interesting to read the author's note at the end of the book where I discovered that Lost On Gibbon Island is based upon Jess's own experiences of being stranded on a desert island and I think this is definitely reflected in Lark's experiences.

Within the book, there are so many incredibly important messages quietly woven into the plot: the environmental messages about pollution and plastic pollution appear in the things that Lark finds to help her, things that have been washed up on the beach.  Also, the messages about animal exploitation and the plight of the gibbons; as well as the danger to investigative journalists (again, based on true stories).  This is a book that quietly shouts about some very serious issues in a way that will engage and interest readers.

I'm now going to steal a phrase from a fellow blogger, Paul Watson, 'Now for the teacher bit.'

This is a book that has so much potential in school.  The exploration of diary writing and first person perspective; survival techniques (how to find water, create fire, what food you could eat...); discussion of feelings and emotions at different points in the book; map exploration and children creating their own maps & islands (there's a map at the beginning of the book & I love a good book map!); creative writing based around the island; report writing about environmental issues; newspaper articles about Lark; studying the different animals in the environment... the possibilities are endless and Lost On Gibbon Island would make the most amazing book to study and explore in the classroom from Year 4 upwards.

Out now, Lost On Gibbon Island is an immersive adventure with a heroic main character and the most wonderful baby gibbon.  It's an adventure that will make you think, give you hope and leave you with a smile on your face.  I gobbled it up in under a day and I know that it's going to be a book in demand at school.

Castle Rock Mystery Crew - Vicky McClure in collaboration with Kim Curran

When Jase's auntie offers to take him and his nana on holiday, he imagines a trip abroad, not one to a Castle Rock Caravan Park in Skegness; however, when he gets there he is quick to make friends.  Then, things start to go missing around the park and the crew decide to investigate.  With tips from Jase's nana, who just happens to be a retired chief constable of Nottingham Police, can the crew find the culprit before the end of their holiday?

Written in collaboration with Kim Curran, Castle Rock Mystery Crew is a fast-paced adventure.  The mystery is a page-turner and the clues the crew uncover will leave readers guessing until the end.  I know that Vicky is the founder of Our Dementia Choir and I thought that nana having dementia in the book was sensitively handled.  It will help those readers who have grandparents in a similar situation to understand what is happening and will also raise awareness for with others.  I have had family members who had dementia so I know the impact it can have; books like this are important for children to be able to access.

Readers will love the relatable characters in the crew who, along with Jase's dog, Sherlock, are determined to crack the case and do the right thing.  Family, friendship and adventure all combine to create a great book that will make a great read this summer. 

Publishing 11th May, Castle Rock Mystery Crew is perfect for those who like adventure and I can't wait to take it into school next week.

Never Trust A Gemini - Freja Nicole Woolfe

 

Living her life through her horoscope, fifteen year old Cat Phillips is ready for love as soon as Libra season hits; however, there's just one small problem: her crush is on her best friend Alison Bridgewater who doesn't seem to feel the same way.  Perhaps a boyfriend will help?  And then what happens when new girl, Morgan Delaney arrives at school?  Can Cat's horoscope really be right?  Should she Never Trust A Gemini?

Gooseberries, this is a a funny book full of quirky phrases, teenage antics and the joy of first love.  Cat and her friends look out for each other but aren't particularly nice to others at school, so when Morgan comes along and doesn't seem to care what others think of her, it's a bit of a wake-up call for Cat and I liked that.  Amongst the laughs and the language, there are some serious messages about discovering who you are and friendship.  I also liked Luna's environmental messages which were woven into the plot.

Publishing 1st June Never Trust A Gemini is a funny LGBTQ+ romance for the YA market that will appeal to those looking for a light-hearted escape that will leave a warm glow in your heart.

 

Quiet Storm - Kimberly Whittam

Since she started Year 7 at Daisy Hill Academy, Storm has found life difficult: she is incredibly shy which is making lessons difficult but also her friendships too.  Sport is one of the lessons she finds most difficult, that is until the day she discovers she's the fastest runner in the year and the PE teacher invites her to join athletics club and to represent the school at Manchester's athletic championships. But can Storm overcome her shyness?

I sat down to read Quiet Storm last Saturday morning whilst everyone else was at the beach and I gobbled the entire book in one sitting, finishing it before everyone came home!  This is a book that is gentle yet strong; powerful and life-affirming and will be a book that is guaranteed to help children in school.

Storm is an wonderful character and one I found incredibly relatable.  Her life at home is busy and wonderful, despite the burst pipes meaning they're living with their grandma.  She is able to be herself and is frequently frustrated with her older brother, Isaiah who seems to be incredibly laid back and has everything sorted.  In school, however, Storm is struggling and finds speaking out impossible.  Daily life in school is a struggle and when her best friend Zarrish is asked to buddy a new girl, Melissa, things just get worse.  She feels completely alone and unable to express herself so seems to retreat within herself.  The discovery that she can run well is huge for her, but she needs to be brave.

The more I read of Quiet Storm, the more I loved the book.  Storm is a wonderful character and I was incredibly pleased to see a main character experiencing shyness in this way.  All too often, main characters are confident (don't get me wrong, I love to see this too) but it is important for everybody to be able to see themselves in books and Quiet Storm will help many children to understand that there is nothing wrong with being quiet; it doesn't make you weak, in fact, if anything I think it makes you so much stronger, and we see that in abundance with Storm.  Whilst she is scared about speaking out in lessons and worries about attending athletics on her own, she speaks volumes with her actions.  When friendship issues rise up, she deals with it in her own way and there are so many children who need to see this.  Storm is a character we need in this world and I loved her from the second I met her (admittedly, at times, I felt my heart beating faster for her and I wanted to reach in and help her).  She is relatable and shows that it is possible to be more relaxed and chatty at home with family.  It's easy for people to make assumptions when they meet someone like Storm but this book is a glowing example of how important it is to look beyond first impressions.

Friendships and bullying are both explored within the book and the idea of not being afraid to be yourself shines out of the pages, and not just from Storm (but I won't spoil anything!).  Both of these things will make fantastic discussion points in school.  Family relationships are also wonderfully explored within the book and the way people view Storm in relation to her older brother in particular - sibling relationships are often tricky but this is a new perspective as it looks at how others see them.

Quiet Storm left me with genuine goose bumps, a lump in my throat and a warm glow in my heart.  Since read the book, I have thought frequently of Storm and I already know of children in school who will find this book useful.  I can't wait to take it in next term.  

Publishing on the 8th June, Quiet Storm is guaranteed to be a book that will help children to find their voice and use it. 

The (Un)fortunate Wishes of Nelly Young - Beth Garrod

Nelly Young lives with her dad whom she thinks is the most embarrassing dad ever.  Meanwhile, in school, she is trying desperately to change the reputation she has as being incredibly clumsy.  With an upcoming presentation to senior school students, Nelly sees this as the perfect chance to reinvent herself and plans to use half-term to do this, along with the help of her two best friends, Jasmine (Jas) and Clara.  As the trio start working on this, they begin to list their greatest wishes but never in their wildest dreams do they think they'll come true.  On the first day of half-term, when Jasmine and her mum check-in to their lodge at Camp Chaos, they discover that they have spare rooms so invite Nelly and Clara to join them.  As their wishes continue to come true the trio discover that having your wishes come true may not always be for the best.

This is an absolute joy of a book and one that brought the biggest smile to my face just when I needed it.  The friendship between Nelly, Clara and Jas is so strong and the bond they have shows the loyalty and love they have towards each other and is perfect to show readers what friendship is all about (even when things don't always go your way).  

Set largely at Camp Chaos (please let me visit there!), the week is a host of belly laughs, love and luck (both good and bad!).  Whilst the girls enjoy having their wishes come true, the story also shows us that having your wishes come true can also have consequences (admittedly funny ones here!) so, in amongst the laughter, there are strong messages about thinking about your actions, considering others and understanding that family can come in all shapes and sizes.  

With flamingo dancing, slightly dodgy cake and rollercoaster vomiting, The (Un)fortunate Wishes of Nelly Young is a joyous celebration of friendship, family and finding yourself.

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them) - Nadine Aisha Jassat

 

Nyla's father died when she was four and she lives with her mum and her paternal grandma who 'travels in time' (the phrase Nyla uses when Grandma forgets).  When her grandma believes she has seen her son, she enlists Nyla's help to find him but makes her promise to keep it a secret.  And so Nyla begins to investigate.

I have to say that I was incredibly intrigued by this book when it arrived as I've never read a book told entirely in poetry format before and I was slightly spectacle about how I would find it.  Spoiler alert: I needn't have been.  The characterisation is great and I found I got to know Nyla and her grandma quickly.  She is clearly a strong young lady and, despite only being twelve, she helps to care for her grandma who has dementia.  However, underneath, there is vulnerability having lost her dad so young and, as the book progresses, it becomes apparent that she also struggles to know where she fits in as a mixed-race child (I loved the way Miss Haldi helps with this).  For Nyla, this book is a journey in so many ways: finding herself, discovering her past and finding the true meaning of love.

Dementia is explored sensitively within the book and will be useful for readers who have grandparents going through this.  My great-grandma had dementia when I was young and I remember the feeling of not knowing how she would be (listening to the stories of her past were wonderful though).  The other thing I loved about this was Nyla's love of the library.  Again, as a child, I spent many an hour in my local library and lost in books.  The book took me right back.  

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them) is published on the 25th May and is a glorious read. 

Stink - Jenny McLachlan

 

It's Danny Todd's birthday and he's excited to see what presents he's got.  Most of them he's happy with but the mystery present from his little sister leaves him feeling rather underwhelmed, after all, what eleven-year-old boy wants a stick it to your wall fairy door as a present?  And to make matters worse, she grabs it out of his hand, races up stairs and actually glues it to his wall (to be fair, she also glues a lot of other things around his room at the same time!).  Just when Danny thinks things can't get any stranger an actual real live fairy comes through the door!  Stink isn't quite your usual fairy and is desperate to do some good in order to earn enough nuggets to buy herself a new pair of wings to replace her incredibly battered ones.  However, Stink's magic isn't that strong so earning the nuggets could be tricky.

This is a very funny book with a host of great characters (I particularly liked Professor Najin!) and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions.  Stink's heart is in the right place but she seems to cause so much chaos that you begin to wonder whether Danny will just end up in a whole heap of trouble!  

With an action-packed plot and illustrations to enhance the mayhem, Stink is a book that is guaranteed to put a smile on everybody's face, but don't be fooled: this book is about more than just laughs and mayhem; there are also important messages about friendship and not giving up that readers will be able to relate to.  I know that Stink will be in demand when I take it into school next term.

My Love Life and the Apocalypse - Melissa Weaver

After the apocalypse, the world is being looked after by robots until the Earth has regenerated itself enough for humans to return.  Echo is a synth (part human, part robot) alone in New York who has taken over the highest, most expensive penthouse in the city - well, why not?  There's nobody else around to use it!  Whilst the cleaning bots go about their job, Echo has spent the past three years since he woke-up enjoying himself.  But then one day, he notices an object falling from the sky into the centre of the city.  He races from his apartment to investigate to discover a human girl who was one of the incredibly lucky (and obviously rich) people to have had a ticket to be cryogenically frozen in a pod as the world ended.  It quickly becomes apparent that her space-pod has ejected and landed her in the middle of New York.  Echo is there when she emerges from the pod and introduces herself as Pandora.  With the help of Gort, a HUMANKIND bot, Pandora and Echo discover where they think the other pods are and Pandora is determined to get there to find her father.  And so begins a journey across a post-apocalyptic America in search of life.

Told as a dual narrative (the heart above the character at the beginning of the chapter will tell you whose point of view you are reading), this is a novel that combines sci-fi, romance and nostalgia in a heart-warming and funny YA novel. Echo is something of an enigma as he is both human and robot (although it's often hard to remember he's part robot.  It's been three years since he woke and 97 years since the end of the world and, until Pandora's arrival, his E-Mote chip hasn't been upgrading so he has been living a fairly simple life and seems happy to spend his time watching classic TV (think Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Forest Gump) whilst eating tinned food and strawberry laces.  Once Pandora arrives, however, this changes and the update on his E-Mote chip kicks in, he finds himself very much more of a normal teenager with emotions that he hasn't felt before.

Pandora is a battling so many emotions when she wakes up, after all she's been in an unconscious state for 100 years and the world has entirely changed since she last saw it.  Her anxiety is ever-present but Echo gives her strength and the relationship that builds between them is an enjoyable one to read, especially with some of the phrases that Echo uses from the TV he has watched - Pandora's baffled state was funny to read but the phrases definitely took me back!

The journey upon which they embark is far from easy and the world building is wonderful to read.  With WALL-E vibes mingling with romance, this is a book that will make you chuckle, keep you enthralled and warm your heart.  Perfect for those who are just branching in the YA genre, My Love Life and the Apocalypse is a book to make you think and to make you smile.

Over my Dead Body - Maz Evans

Dr Miriam Price is a brilliant A&E consultant in Westmouth who went missing the day before the book starts.  She is also dead: found on the floor of the apartment she owned surrounded by empty bottles of vodka and pill pots.  The police believe she killed herself, however, Miriam knows differently: she knows she was murdered (but was too drunk to remember whodunnit) and, if she is to make it from Limbo to Eternity, she is going to have to convince the coroner to return a verdict of murder instead of DBM (death by misadventure) as he is expected to.  Not the easiest thing in the world to do when you're dead.  Miriam's only hope lies in Winnie Campbell the neighbour with whom she never got on (to put it mildly!).  As Winnie is the only person who can see and hear Miriam, she needs to convince Winnie to help her prove she was murdered and they need to do this in only a few days.  The big question is, can two people who hated each other work together to prove how Dr Miriam Price really died?

It's really no secret that I'm a HUGE Maz Evans fan - her children's books are funny and wonderfully readable whilst conveying hugely important messages to readers, and I'll happily shout their praises until I have no voice left.  Because of this, the announcement that she was writing a book for adults was incredibly exciting, and then managing to get my hands on an early electronic copy filled me with joy (full disclosure: I *may* have squealed!).  It came at the perfect time and was exactly what I needed. 

You discover at the end of chapter one that the book is being narrated by Miriam which gives it a more personal feel.  It is clear that she is a rather troubled person who, despite being successful professionally, has had a contrasting personal life.  She is blunt, abrasive and pulls no punches when she talks, taking no prisoners when she expresses her feelings; we see this especially when she realises Winnie can see and hear her and needs to persuade her to help.  They've been at logger-heads for years and seem to take pleasure in making life miserable for each other, and this new development doesn't seem to change the way they deal with each other.  The relationship between the pair is brilliant and an utter joy to read.

At its heart, Over My Dead Body is a murder mystery and, with Winnie channelling her inner Diagnosis Murder, there are twists throughout the book that will keep you guessing (they kept me guessing until the very end!).  Combine that with Maz's portrayal of the afterlife and you have an exciting twist on a traditional type of novel.

The writing is a joy to read - dark, pacey and full of humour that will make you laugh out loud (much to my son's annoyance!) - it's Maz's simple observations of everyday life and the way she portrays them that makes the humour so genius ('Death, it appears, is like a perpetual IKEA.'  'This is very like every Premier Inn ever.').  But beware: amongst the laughs, there are poignant moments that will stop you in your tracks and I highly recommend having a tissue ready (I think this is a skill that Maz honed in her children's books!).  

It's only March, and I already feel I've read one of the best books of the year (& it's not a children's book!).  Over My Dead Body is a compelling and unique take on a murder mystery that will have you laughing, will make you cry and will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart.  In short, I can't wait for the rest of the world to read this when it publishes on the 3rd August: it's going to make THE BEST summer read and I urge everybody to pre-order it immediately.  Over My Dead Body is proof that Maz is just as brilliant at writing novels for adults as she is for children and I sincerely hope she is able to find the time to write more.  

Once There Was - Kiyash Monsef

After Marjan's father's sudden death, she is left alone trying to get through school as well as keeping her father's veterinary practice afloat.  But then, one evening after the practice is closed,  she receives a mysterious visitor and her world turns on its axis again for it appears that her father was hiding a very big secret from her: he used to help magical creatures who were hidden in the world.  They are being bought and sold, some are loved whilst others are trapped.  Marjan has a gift for connecting with these creatures and it's up to her to take over where her father left off.  But how will she react when the truth becomes clear to her?

When Once There Was arrived last week, I hadn't heard of it but I was so intrigued that by both the blurb and the cover that it jumped up my tbr pile and I curled up with it on Sunday morning... and didn't really move for the rest of the day! It's one of those books that lures you in and very quickly becomes a 'just one more chapter' type of book.  You want to know more and more about Marjan, her father, the creatures and how everything links together, and it's just too moreish to put down!

Marjan has clearly had a difficult upbringing: after her mother's death when she was young, her father was frequently called away and Marjan never knew where he was going or when he would be back.  For her then to lose him as well, and in such mysterious circumstances, has to be incredibly hard on her.  She is strong though - she has to be - and her independence is evident from the beginning of the book.  I don't know many fifteen year olds who would be able to take on the running of a veterinary practice, still go to school and live on their own (albeit with her next-door neighbour now looking out for her as her legal guardian).  I'm not surprised that she takes the risks she does and follows in her father's footsteps (despite knowing absolutely nothing about where she's going or what will be waiting for her).  But, along with the independent streak that courses through her, there is an element of a risk-taker and a gnawing within her that there is something missing but she doesn't know what.  She is a complex character and this made her incredibly intriguing to get to know. 

Alongside Marjan, there are also the creatures to discover as the book unfolds, and griffon, gnome, manticore, fairies to name a few all make an appearance, but not all are kind and gentle and this gives the book are darker edge - one that I liked. 

Once There Was is an absolutely thrilling read; darker than I had expected and dangerous (I liked that).  Relationships are explored in an adventure that combines a murder mystery with fantasy, and we see the anger that grief can cause and the power that money can wield.  There are twists aplenty (and some I really didn't see coming) all whilst not knowing who to trust along the way.  In short, Once There Was is a brilliant read that will captivate and excite readers whilst keeping them utterly gripped.  

100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Reading for Pleasure - Scott Evans

In case you didn't know, I am an avid reader!  I always have been, even as a child myself - it was, and still is, the perfect way for me to escape, so as a teacher, I have always been keen to share this love with my classes.  Then, once I had my son, I was keen to pass that love on to him too, and thankfully, he became a lover of books too (I have memories of him reading whilst walking round a shopping centre with me having to guide him by his coat!).  It was this shared love that led us to spend hours sat in Waterstones surrounded by books and was why this blog began (we used to blog together about the shared books we read).  He is now doing his A-levels so his reading choices are very different now but that love is still there for him.  I feel this is a somewhat waffly introduction to this post but it gives you an insight as to why I am so pleased to see Reading For Pleasure as the latest book in the 100 Ideas For Primary Teachers series.  I find it easy to blether on about books in school (to be fair, I'll talk about books anywhere to anybody who will listen!) and I do a lot to promote reading in school (this may sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet - it's not meant to!) but this book will be an absolute godsend to anyone who doesn't have that confidence.  It is full of simple yet effective and easy to implement ideas that will help to develop a reading culture in any school.

As I read the book, I was pleased to see many things that I do in there (sounds like I'm trumpet blowing again!) but also some new ideas that I've marked to take into school.  I feel that the beauty of this book is that you can do things as slowly or as quickly as you want to.  Obviously, creating a reading culture in school won't happen over night but there are things that will have an instant impact on children.  Let me highlight one or two for you:

Idea 2: Daily Read. This is something my class always look forward to.  We have our class read after lunch-break and it's a great way to settle everyone down.  I also find that they are quick to settle if I've left things on a cliff-hanger as they are desperate to know what happens next!

Idea 37: Reading by example.  Children seeing you as a reader, so reading when they read.  I always have my current read with me in school on my desk, and sometimes am reading when they come in in the morning - it generates a lot of discussion.

Idea 56: Reading Assemblies.  One of my favourite times of the week is a Friday morning assembly where I'm reading to the school.  I often use picture books and, no matter the age of the children, they love it!

I'm not going to give any more away: you'll have to buy the book!  But, I can tell you that every idea in this book is useful and will generate book interest in school.  The book is divided into clear sections and each idea within those sections is only a page long so they are quick to read and easy to understand (I love that there are 'bonus ideas' that link to other sections of the book).

For me, reading is one of the most important things a child needs in their life for it links to every other area of the curriculum.  If we can also develop a love of reading for pleasure in children, then we give them so much more.  100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Reading for Pleasure is a book that needs to be in every primary school.  I guarantee it will be well used and will help to change lives.