The Girl Who Grew Wings - Anna Waterworth

After watching her mother burned at the stake for having two powers/gifts, Icari feels responsible for her twin sister Sephie.  So when they are tested to see which gifts they have, she is determined to keep secret the fact that her sister also has two gifts.  Whilst Icari has always known she was a Healer, Sephie believed she was an Alchemist so is devastated when she is declared to be an Embalmer and is forced to hide her Alchemist skills.  As the pair begin their training, Icari finds herself helping one of the prisoners, Caszeil, whilst Sephie begins to learn how to wrap the dead.  However, when demons from the Underworld rise up, life for both sisters changes in an instant and threatens to never be the same again.

Told in dual narrative, The Girl Who Grew Wings is an epic tale that deftly weaves Greek mythology with sibling relationships - it's an addictive adventure.  Romance threads itself into the plot in a gentle and beautiful way whilst trust is tested in this immersive read.

Desptie being twins, Icari and Sephie are very different characters: Icari is more practical and sensible whilst Sephie seems more daring and reckless.  However, the one thing that shines through the book is sibling devotion, particularly Icari's devotion and sense of responsibility for Sephie.  Frozen with fear whilst her mother was dragged to the stake and burned, Icari has felt the weight of responsibility for her twin sister and it drives her in everything she does.  She is the gentler of the two siblings and her instinct is to Heal; however, as the book progresses, a strength emerges that drives her on and gives her the courage to do some incredibly brave things.  

In this battle of good versus evil, readers will find themselves drawn to this intoxicatingly dark and delicious magical world where death hovers and demons lurk.  Publishing on the 6th July, The Girl Who Grew Wings will entice you in and leave you wanting more.

My Family and Other Romans - Marie Basting

Silvia lives with her father in Northumberland, near Hadrian's Wall.  Dad loves LARP (Live-Action Role-Play) and, because of this, has planned a weekend festival to the cause.  However, just before the festival, Silvia and her dad bump in to Rory Smartwart who is always unkind to her about LARPing.  Annoyed at her Dad, she heads to her bedroom and falls asleep, but when she wakes up to the sound of the smoke alarm, she races downstairs to discover the pizza burning in the oven and her dad vanished.  Determined to try to find him, Silvia embarks upon an adventure that will transport her to Ancient Rome.  But can she find her father and what will she discover on the way?

My Family and Other Romans is split between the small town of Once Brewed (yes, it is a really place in Northumberland!) and Ancient Rome.  Once Brewed is situated close to Hadrian's Wall which makes the perfect place for Silvia's dad and his Roman LARPing.  It's just the two of them, with her mother having left when she was a baby, and the pair seem to muddle along well.  At times, Silvia seems to be the more sensible of the pair, despite being the child: it is she who is worrying about the success of the LARPing festival and she is the one suggesting they need more advertising to make the event a success.  Therefore, it would make sense that, when Silvia realises that her dad has vanished, she decides to take control and find him.  

Once she lands in Ancient Rome, Silvia encounters a whole new world of demi-gods and experiences.  There is strength to Silvia but she does experience uncertainty at times, which is only to be expected when the consequences could be sweeping.  As well as Silvia, readers will be introduced to a host of lesser-known Roman gods and goddesses, some far nicer than others!

The plot is pacey and will have readers laughing along, whilst also providing a wealth of information about Rome.  Those words specific to the Ancient Roman period are conveniently in bold and an explanation provided in the glossary, so as well as laughing along, readers will certainly learn about the period.  But be warned, some facts may make your stomach churn (lamb fries and tersoriums anyone?!).  

Whilst the focus of the book is Ancient Rome, I liked the fact that the book reminds the reader that it is ok to follow your own interests: Silvie and her dad enjoy LARPing which is different to most children's hobbies and this doesn't always go down well with others in school; however, Silvie's interests and skills may just prove useful!  It's an important message for readers to understand. 

My Family and Other Romans is a riot of a book that will have you jumping in your chariot and heading for Ancient Rome.  Perfect as a book to curl up and read (I gobbled it up in a day), it will also make a great accompaniment to a Roman topic in school.  

Just Like Everyone Else - Sarah Hagger-Holt

Aidan loves to run and is good at it, especially fell running; it gives him the space to breathe that he doesn't get at home which is full of noise, love and people for Aidan is one of five children.  In addition to that, his mum looks after children so the house is always busy but at least, being the only boy, he gets a room to himself; something he needs to escape to more and more when he discovers that his mum has offered to be a surrogate to a gay couple, Justin and Atif, who are friends with his Auntie Jo.  Not only that but Aidan is grappling with his own feelings about his sexuality.  In a world where he is desperate to not stand out, can he understand and accept everything that is going on in his life?

Like most thirteen year olds, Aidan is trying to find his place in the world, and is desperate to simply fit in; in fact, he's terrified of standing out and this becomes very apparent with his best friend, Jack, who doesn't seem to care what others at school think (I really loved this about him) but is having trouble with the PE teacher who is picking on him for not being masculine enough (if I could have reached into the book to teach that PE teacher a lesson, I absolutely would have done!).  Living in a such a full house, and where his parents want to talk openly about everything, Aidan needs space and he finds that through his running as it's one of the rare occasions he gets time on his own .  We see his internal struggle as we move through the book and his fear of talking to anyone about how he is feeling, I am sure, will resonate with readers. 

Being a teenager can be a turbulent time and the desire to fit in is a natural one at that age.  Aidan is desperate for his mum and Jack to be like everyone else and we see this in his reactions at various times in the book.  Of course, the big reason is his now internal struggle with his sexuality and this is rocked further by Justin and Artif's increased presence in his life.  Again, I feel that this story-line will resonate with some readers and help them. 

The concept of surrogacy is not one I've read in a children's/YA book and Sarah tackled this very well.  It's a sensitive subject and I found it interesting to see Aidan's point of view as well as that of his parents and Justin and Atif.  The situation felt very real in the book and Aidan's inability to understand why his mum would do this for people they barely know will create some incredibly interesting discussion points.  

Just Like Everyone Else is a wonderfully heart-warming celebration of family in all its forms where the characters will weave their way into your mind so you find yourself thinking about them even when you're not reading the book.  With strong messages about learning to proud of who you are and embracing life no matter what it throws at you, it's a story with acceptance and love at its heart and one that needs to be in secondary school libraries.

This is the first of Sarah Hagger-Holt's books that I've read but it most definitely won't be the last.

 

Bite Risk - S J Wills

Sel lives in the small town of Tremorglade where life is pretty normal ... apart from the fact that one night of every month, when the moon is full, all adults have to be locked away as they turn into ferocious werewolves (the Turned as the locals call them).  The community has the routine sorted: cage the adults away with raw meat for them to eat; set traps in case any of them should chance to escape, and then lay low until morning (well, that's what the adults think; however, the children use the night as a night of freedom).  However, as the book progresses, the routine begins to go wrong with the Turned escaping and Sel and his friends beginning to realise that all may not be as it seems.  But, can Sel and his friends uncover the truth before it's too late?

I'm reading more and more YA and when I saw that this would be perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Skulduggery Pleasant, I was sold!

This is a fast-paced plot, with the book opening on Confinement Night (the night of the full moon) and the world-building is vivid and believable - Tremorglade seems to have come through the Disruption more unscathed and the town appears to run smoothly, with routines perfected.  That is until things begin to go wrong, the first of which is Sel's mum escaping.  It is this that triggers Sel's  curiosity about exactly what is going on in the town.  Along with Elena, the pair begin to investigate and what they discover could change things forever.

I can honestly say that I was gripped by this book.  Just dark enough to send a chill down your spine; adventurous enough to ensure you want to read just one more chapter; and with twists you won't see coming.  Bite Risk is a book that will grab you by its claws and will sink its teeth into you, meaning you just want to devour every deliciously thrilling page.  

The first book in a trilogy, I'm already hungry for book 2.

Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape - Martin Stewart

 

Bridget lives in the Orphanage for Errant Childs with her best friend Tom.  They don't live a happy life due to Miss Acrid, who runs the orphanage; however, they know that they will be fine as long as they have each other.  Bridget is brilliant at inventing things and prides herself on being able to pick any lock imaginable (which comes in handy when Miss Acrid repetedly locks her in the dungeons).  Once a year, the orphanage is opened up to families who come to choose a child.  Bridget is never aloud near the families and this is year is no exception.  But her world is turned upside down when she discovers she is the only child left in the orphanage; that is until Mr Vanderpuff arrives to whisk her away.  But will Miss Acrid allow her to go?  Will she and Mr Vanderpuff be a perfect match?  And will she ever see Tom again?

I began reading Bridget Vanderpuff and the Bakes Escape on Friday evening and as soon as I read the opening line, I knew I was going to enjoy the book.  And I have to say that the writing remained just as beautiful throughout the book.  It lulls you into the pages and makes you feel safe (even though Bridget initially isn't); there is a timeless quality to it that embraces you and makes you feel positive and loved (a bit like Mr Vanderpuff's cakes) and it's written in a way that I know will appeal to readers of all ages, now and for many years to come.

Bridget is the most wonderful character: a brave individual who isn't afraid to try new things, has amazing hair and is a brilliant inventor (please can I have my own paraskirt?).  It's clear that the life she is living in the orphanage is a horrible one with the worst bully in the world (Miss Acrid definitely gave me Trunchbull vibes but actually made Trunchbull look like a pussy cat!) but she seems to put a positive spin on things, especially with Tom around.  I was thrilled when Mr Vanderpuff turned up for her and delighted in the relationship that builds between them.  Mr Vanderpuff truly is the most patient man I have ever read about!  He is ever calm and always happy but, beneath the surface there is a sadness there; one Bridget is determined to help him with. 

I have to mention Mr Vanderfuff's cake shop: please, please let me know exactly how to get to it so I can just devour everything he makes!  The descriptions will leave your mouth watering and your stomach grumbling; and the idea of the way his creations make customers fell is something I think we all need.  

Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape is a delightful story of love, hope and never giving up that will whisk you away to a world of cakes, croissants and culinary creations (some of which may need a hazard warning!).  It will fold you in its embrace and leave you with a smile on your face and a warm glow in your heart ... as well as a desperate urge to eat cakes!  It's a book that will bake your day brighter and will leave you wanting more; it's a feast for the mind as well as the eyes (David Habben's illustrations are wonderful).  Love is beaten into every page and oozes out from the covers.  If you need a story that will put you in a good mood, then you have to buy Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape.

Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend Blog Tour

 It's my stop on the Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend blog tour today and I'm thrilled to be sharing my review of the book which is already going down well in school.

Vivi is about to move from a remote area of Wales to central London and on the morning of the move she sneaks out very early to head to the lake where she thinks she can hear a mysterious voice calling her.  The lake is one she is familiar with as she swims there often, but this time she is confronted by a terrifying monster and she only just manages to escape (with help from Dara, the sword Excalibur and Gelert, a ghostly dog who can talk).  Shell-shocked, Vivi returns home, and she and her mums make the move to London where she begins a new school.  So imagine her surprise when she bumps into Dara on her first day.  It turns out that Dara and Vivi were destined to find each other as part of a group who share the soul of magical legends.  But when children start going missing, can Vivi use her new ability to control water (along with help from her friends) to save them and protect the world from the monsters?

This is a book the combines myths with modern-day England and Wales in an adventure that will grip readers.  It's an immersive read that will transport you from London to Unlands in the blink of an eye.  

Vivi and her friends make four incredibly strong main characters and, even though it takes them a while to trust each other and let their guards down, they will be adored by readers.  I loved the representation within the book with neurodiversity, LGBTQ+, disability and different ethnicities all woven in.  It is important for children to be able to see themselves in books and to understand that they can be heroes, and Vivi Conway and her friends will show them that in great dollops.  

Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend is a spellbinding story of courage, adventure and being your authentic self.  

Student opinion: one of the children in my class brought the book back on Tuesday, having read it over half-term and said: 'If you like myths like King Arthur, read this amazing book filled with dreams, stories and adventure.'

Rosie Raja: Mission To Cairo - Sufiya Ahmed

 

Rosie and her father are back undercover and this time they are heading to Cairo.  Their cover is that they need to make sure that the city's artefacts are safe but, in reality, they are there to discover who the British traitor is working amongst the troops.  The question is, in a city full of people from different countries, who can Rosie and her father trust?

I thoroughly enjoyed Rosie's first outing as a spy (you can read my review of Rosie Raja: Churchill's Spy here) and it has been a big hit in school.  So I was excited when Rosie Raja: Mission to Cairo arrived - I knew I would have to read it immediately as it will be nabbed from me as soon as I get to school on Monday.

Rosie is much happier at the beginning of this book than she was at the beginning of book 1, and is rightly proud of her accomplishments with her father in Paris.  As a result, she is raring to go when they receive another mission, but things aren't always as she would expect.  Whilst her father is posing as an Egyptologist, she finds it difficult to bond with one of her father's contacts who is annoyed at the idea that Rosie and her father will remove precious artefacts from the country.  If Rosie is going to pull over the mission, she needs to work out how she can befriend this girl without breaking cover.  However, there are also other dangers that must be considered and Rosie needs to prove herself once again as worthy of her new title.

Taking in the sites of Egypt, Rosie Raja: Mission to Cairo is a book that shows boldness and bravery, and would make a perfect read aloud whilst doing a WWII topic.

The Stormy Life of Scarlett Fife - Maz Evans

The third and final book in the Scarlett Fife series sees the main character desperately trying to squash her BIG FEELINGS all over again in her determination not to cry so she doesn't make it rain... and she feels she has lots to not cry about, the biggest of which is her granny not having woken up from an operation.  Then she has to try to find something she is good at for Rainbow Class Has Talent.  With so many things going on at home, Scarlett just needs to squash her feelings so she doesn't get wet!

I love Scarlett and the laugh-out-loud humour that comes with her.  She is blunt and I love her thoughts and observations on the world around her.  I also love her BIG FEELINGS.  I know she doesn't but they really do help children to understand how to cope with things.  This time, it's looking at how to cope with family changes (new babies on the way as well as the death of her granny) and changes to friendships.  Maz is the queen of weaving humour with very important messages and she does this ever so brilliantly in The Stormy Life of Scarlett Fife.  So many children reading the book will have to cope with moving house, losing a grandparent, as well as the imminent arrival of new siblings, and the humour within this book, as well as the hugely important messages, will help them to navigate that.

A brilliant end to the series; I defy anybody not to have BIG FEELINGS as they finish the book (especially when they read the acknowledgements) .The Stormy Life of Scarlett Fife is the perfect addition to any school or home library.

 

Friends and Traitors - Helen Peters

Nancy is starting a new job as a housemaid at Stanbrook stately home on the same day that Sidney's girls school arrives from Essex, having been evacuated there due to the war.  As both girls try to settle into their new lives, it becomes apparent that there are secrets being kept and meetings being held in the middle of the night which lead both Nancy and Sidney to believe that something sinister is going on.  But what exactly is happening and can they get to the bottom of things before it's too late?

I have a weakness for books set during World War II so I was thrilled when a proof copy of Friends and Traitors arrived for me.  

The book is a perfect mix of mystery and adventure, whilst also showing how difficult it was for those who had family members on the front-line.  For Sidney, it's her brother who is away, flying in the RAF.  She is clearly incredibly proud of him but when his letters stop arriving, she becomes worried.  It must have been such a difficult time for everyone and difficult for children today to understand, after all, we live in an age when messages take seconds to send to anybody, no matter where in the world they are.  

Sidney, clearly isn't happy with her room mates and friendships are difficult for her since the school's arrival at Stanbrook.  Whilst Nancy seems to be settling nicely into her new job, the girls from the school are definitely looking down on her, especially when she is able to answer school questions they can't.  The book will open readers' eyes to the idea of class which was much more evident in 1940s England than it is today.  Nancy has had to leave home to work so that she can support her family; whilst Sidney and her friends are living a much more relaxed, luxurious life in their boarding school.  For Sidney, investigating their suspicions takes her mind off her brother; however, for Nancy, there is much more at stake, for if she is caught, she will lose her job and the only income her family have.  However, I feel it is Lucinda who highlights things the most with her treatment of Nancy.

Publishing on the 6th July, Friends and Traitors is a brilliant mix of adventure and friendship that will entice readers from Year 4 upwards and will make a great accompaniment to a WWII topic.

How To Die Famous -Benjamin Dean

 

Abel Miller is on his way to Hollywood, having landed one of the lead roles in a major teen blockbuster series, Sunset High.  This is the third reboot of the series which has been cancelled before due to a curse that seems to plague the series.  Now, as Able heads to begin filming, not only will he be acting, but he will also be surreptitiously reporting back to Hannah Wilkes at the Daily Eye newspaper for he is determined to expose Omnificent, the film company behind Sunset High, and their treatment of its staff.  After meeting Lucky, Ryan and Ella, his co-stars, Abel quickly realises that the beneath the surface of the glamour and glitz of acting, there is a very different, much darker world; one that can be deadly.

Having read and loved Benjamin's MG books (Me, My Dad & The End Of The Rainbow (review here), and The Secret Sunshine Project (review here)), and devoured Benjamin's first YA novel The King Is Dead (review here) on a sunbed last July, I was rather giddy when I saw his upcoming YA, How To Die Famous, on NetGalley. I downloaded it immediately, knowing that a train journey to London would be the perfect opportunity to get lost in the Hollywood hills.  

From the very beginning, you know that this is going to be a book full of drama with the prologue ending with the sentence 'One of us is dead.'  It gives the reader a sense of anticipation and suspense from the very beginning and this carries through the entire book.  Far from the glitz and glamour of the film industry, How To Die Famous shines a spotlight on the darker, controlling side of the film industry which made me shudder on many occasions.  I know that the book was based on Benjamin's time as a celebrity reporter and is fictional but it did make me wonder how much of this goes on behind the scenes of the film industry; it's a life that many young people aspire to yet one that the book quickly shows readers isn't all that it seems.  When you can't leave your hotel without being mobbed by paparazzi; when you can't be yourself and have to live the life you are instructed to, and when you aren't given the time to grieve, all in the name of building audience excitement for the show, it makes you realise that the glitzy outward appearance hides a much darker side; one that is showcased chillingly in this book.

The four main characters are very different from each other and I liked the four person perspective of the narrative.  Lucky has recently lost his mother and is finding it difficult to come to terms with this, which results in him backing bad choices, especially in terms of drink.  Ryan is a young black actor who is only too aware that this life could end at any moment, and Ella is the girl Omnificent want to be their new leading lady - on the surface she has everything anybody could possibly want but there is much behind the scenes that is making her miserable.  Then there is Ryan, the young English actor heading towards his big break, but why is he determined to expose the world he is about to enter?  

How To Die Famous is a deliciously thrilling book full of twists, stalkers, curses and suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat.  In fact, not only did I read it on the train without pausing, but I also found myself reading it on the tube in London and even whilst at dinner as the book was compelling and utterly unputdownable.  

Publishing on the 20th July, How To Die Famous is the perfect summer YA read and I predict that it will be seen around many a poolside this summer.