The Girl Who Couldn't Lie - Radhika Sanghani

 

'Priya Shah lies. A LOT. She pretends everything in her life is perfect, so she doesn't disappoint anyone.

    But when she puts on a bangle left to her by her Ba - the one person she has always been honest with - she finds herself unable to lie.

    as more things go wrong, and Priya's truth-telling spirals out of control, can Priya learn to be honest without hurting the people she loves?'

Priya is juggling an awful lot of things in her life: her studies and maintaining her grades; her gymnastics training and the possibility of making the teen Olympic team; her best friends Mei and Sami; her parents constantly arguing at home; her younger sister, Pinkie's ADHD... and she has no-one to turn to since the death of her grandma, her Ba, who was the only person she could talk to.  Life is really getting to much for her so it's not surprising when she sobs uncontrollably one night in her bed.  And that's when she remembers the bangle her Ba gave her just before she died, one that help a tale behind it and one Priya feels will help to comfort her.  The only problem is that the clasp has always been broken and she's never been able to wear it ... until now when it magically opens.  However, once she's put it on, she can't take it off again.  And that's when everything changes for her and she suddenly finds herself unable to lie! 

This is a funny story and one that will make readers giggle, but it is also a rather wonderful exploration into when it is right and wrong to lie.  Priya finds herself unable to lie to her teachers, her gymnastics coach or her friends and the results are decidedly mixed!  Whilst, at times, her truths seem to help, there are definitely times when it causes much more trouble (never has Priya had so many detentions!).  As things begin to spiral, Priya finds herself having to decide what means the most to her: does she really want to be part of the teen Olympic team?  Would it be better if her parents just got divorced?  Can she find a way not to miss Sami's Bat Mitzvah?

The Girl Who Couldn't Lie is a wonderful book that will make you laugh and make you think about all those little lies we tell!  I cannot lie: this is a book that I know will go down well in school!

The Girl Who Couldn't Lie publishes on the 9th May.

The Wrong Shoes - Tom Percival

'Will has the wrong shoes - he's always known it but doesn't know how to change it.  

    Navigating the difficulties of home and school when you feel you stick out is tough, but finding confidence with the help and empathy of friends can be all you need to see the way...' 

This is a powerful and emotional story about Will, a boy struggling to cope with the changes life has thrown at him: his parents separating; his dad losing his job and unable to get another one; money running out. Life is tough and all he wants to do is live a normal life.  At the beginning of the book, we see Will struggling with his shoes which are old and worn, so much so that the rain gets in.  He's clearly embarrassed by this but, as a good friend, he is still pleased when his best friend Cameron, shows him his brand new super expensive trainers... that is until he offers to give Will his old pair.  Suddenly their friendship changes and Will feels even more alone.

The Wrong Shoes is a brilliantly written, stark reminder of what so many children face on a daily basis.  For Will, this is the pressure of heading home to a freezing flat, not knowing whether his dad has enough money to feed them; his father needing to borrow from a loan shark and the worry about how they will repay that; trying to keep the truth about what is happening from his mother and her new partner... They are all things a child shouldn't have to worry about but so many do in this day and age. It's terrifying how many have to and that this book is a reality for so many.

The book also shows us how difficult navigating friendships can be in this situation.  Will and Cameron get along well (they have plans to set up their own gaming company) but when he offers him his old shoes, it changes everything.  However, without Cameron, his only friend, it becomes all too easy to fall in with the wrong crowd.  It doesn't take much for everything to go wrong.

I have to say that, as a teacher, I cried when I read how some of the staff at school reacted to Will. You never know what's going on and that needs to be at the forefront of every teacher's mind. Thank goodness for Mr Prince.  Be more Mr Prince.

As Tom says in his author's note, whatever the reason for the poverty, 'it is NEVER the child's fault' but we see that they take on the burden; they struggle to keep up with the latest trends at school; they do their best to keep what's happening to themselves; they get picked on ... life is tough and often nobody knows what is happening. 

The Wrong Shoes is a reality check and a stark reminder of what so many children experience on a daily basis; however, the book is also a beacon of hope.  It will remind children not to give up; to know that things will change eventually (RANDOMISER). The book is about hope and knowing who your friends are; it's about trust and making the best choices.  Publishing on the 9th May, The Wrong Shoes is a book everybody needs to read.

The Things We Leave Behind- Clare Furniss

'Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it's no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city.

    Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home.

    But is there something Clem's not saying?  And how will this journey - and the sisters' story - end?  With the start of a new life?  Or a mirror held up to the past?'

Set in a dystopian London, not too far in the future, the speed at which things change in the book is frightening and within the space of a day, Clem's world is turned upside down. One moment, she's celebrating her fifteenth birthday with friends and family, and the next her step-mother's citizenship is being questioned  simply because her grandparents hadn't been born in the UK.  The civil unrest in London has changed everything and is quite terrifying to read, not least because it is scarily believable. 

Clem is forced to grow-up very quickly and the responsibility she feels is evident. We don't think of people being refugees within their own country, but this is precisely what happens to Clem and Billie. Leaving London with just a backpack in order to head for their grandfather's, they see very different people along the way: those who will help, and those determined to uphold Knight's new regime. It's a story that is beautifully told whilst also being unsettling. 

Clem's story is largely told through her time with Poppy, a counsellor, recapping the time from her birthday to the present day. As she recounts the events, you begin to learn the truth about what they have been through but you also get to know more about her friendship with Mischa - I love that Clem continues to have conversations with her in her head: we see a lighter side to her and it reminds us that she is just a teenager trying to carry a huge weight on her shoulders. 

The Things We Leave Behind is a compelling read that will have you gripped from the beginning. Believable yet terrifying, the end if the book will leave you speechless (my son asked me if I was OK, I gasped so much!).  Publishing on the 14th March, this is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. 

I AM Wolf

Coll lives on Wolf, a creature (Construct) created and driven by the crew's willpower.  However, when another Construct attacks, Coll finds his life changed forever.  Thrown clear of Wolf along with Rieka (a Tock who makes Constructs), they must fend for themselves.  Whilst Coll's primary aim is to track Wolf and return to his crew, Rieka is searching for something different.  Will their journey allow either of them to find what they want?

I Am Wolf is set in a dystopian world where creatures are created and humans live within them, using their combined willpower to power these creations.  Whilst crews must work together, it is evident that each creature is out for themselves and nobody trusts any other Construct.  Life seems hard with crews forever alert to the possible dangers of other creatures; however, the need to use willpower to power Wolf certainly creates a loyalty and that is evident throughout the book, one I saw in Coll in particular. 

When Coll (along with Fillan) and Rieka find themselves thrown out of Wolf and alone, they need to work together. Rieka is determined to find something better whilst Coll is simply determined to get back to Wolf: it's his home, his life and 'I am wolf' is his core belief. 

Before long, the trio meet Brann who was Raven before it was destroyed.  Together, they  create their own creature in order to get to where they need to be but this band of misfits, in their own Construct (Cub), may just discover that working together is so much better than working against each other.

Four very different characters, Coll had spent his life feeling different. Born with limb difference, he feels like he constantly has to prove himself and hates that he isn't trusted to do the things he wants to do on board Wolf. He feels judged for the way he is and not what he can do. His loyalty to Wolf is strong but is it reciprocated?  Rieka is simply searching for a better life.  Fillan is desperately seeking a new family after his died (the pouch he carries holds great significance and symbolism) and Brann is lost after the destruction of Raven.  The battles between the four as they learn to get along together are interesting and can reflect many other walks of life.  This may be a dystopian world, but the messages are relevant for us in our world: fighting isn't the answer; working together always produces better results. 

Alastair is a master of sci-fi and I Am Wolf shows that he has not lost this crown. The world-building is captivating and the concepts thought-provoking. The book will most definitely spark discussion in school and I can't wait to share it with my class after half-term.  Publishing on the 9th May, I Am Wolf is guaranteed to be another hit for Alastair.

Time Travellers Adventure Calling - Sufiya Ahmed

 

Suhana, Mia and Ayaan and thrown together on a trip to Parliament, where they are fascinated by all the history that happened there.  Little do they suspect that they'll be LIVING that history when they are transported back to 1911!

Finding themselves in the middle of a women's suffrage demonstration, they are amazed to see people from all over the world taking part.  Suhana wants to explore but Mia and Ayaan are anxious to get back.  Then they lose each other ... Will they be able to return to the present without changing the course of history forever?

I have read and enjoyed many of Sufiya's books in the past and love the way she incorporates historical facts with adventure whilst also highlighting the ethnic diversity that was alive at the time.  Here, we are taken back to 1911 and discover more about the women's suffrage movement.  The strength of characters, both in 1911, and our modern-day heroes, will help to inspire readers and show them that they are capable of anything.  

The factual information that is woven into the plot is guaranteed to interest even the most reluctant historian and is shared in an engaging way.  

The first in a new series, Time Travellers Adventure Calling is a book that combines friendship, history and adventure in a fast-paced story-line that will leave readers longing for the second in the series.  I wonder where the trio will head to next.

Shadow Fox - Carlie Sorosiak

Bea's family runs a lakeside inn, offering rest and sustenance to weary travellers.  When Bea's nan goes missing, possibly drowned, Bea is sure that it can't be true - and so is the hungry fox that her grandmother was feeding.  Shadow is cross that her supply of fish has dried up and is determined to do something about it.

Soon both fox and child are on an adventure to find Nan, uncover what's happening to all the secret islands on the lake and learn just how far magical powers can take you. 

Carlie has a way of writing books with animals as the main character that perfectly maintain the animal's characteristics whilst simultaneously making them feel real and humanesque: we've met Leonard the cat; Cosmo the dog; Clementine the mouse and now Shadow the fox.  And, although Shadow is very much a wild animal, you still get that wave of emotion and warmth as we accompany her on her adventure which combines magic, fantasy and just the right amount of peril to keep readers hooked.  Bonds are formed and trust explored as the book unfolds and the environmental messages are ever-present.  

Full of love and empathy, Shadow Fox is a beautifully written story that will capture your heart when it publishes on the 11th April.

Bite Risk: Caught Dead - S J Willis

Now that the town of Tremorglade knows the truth, adults are free to Turn without caging themselves in. Life seems to be good, until the Turned start being attacked on Howl Night with shocking consequences.  With an immortal beast on the loose, is someone trying to control the Turned once and for all?

I read Bite Risk over the summer (you can read my review here) and was instantly desperate for the second in the trilogy so when I got the chance to read Bite Risk: Caught Dead it instantly zoomed to the top of my reading pile and I dove in on Sunday afternoon ... and was finished by mid Monday morning!

With a new horror terrifying the town of Tremorglade, things get scary very quickly.  Divided loyalties cause confusion and, at times, Hal doesn't know who he can trust which all adds to the tension.  There are twists and turns a plenty in a book that kept me utterly gripped and on the edge of my seat, and, at times hiding behind my teddy (there are some truly scary elements to the book!).  This is YA horror at its best and a series that perfectly bridges the gap between MG and YA.

Sometimes, when I read a book, I can anticipate the ending but then there are times when the end of a book takes you completely by surprise; Bite Risk: Caught Dead most definitely fell into the second category and I was left with my jaw hanging after the final page!  I promise it will leave you aghast and absolutely desperate for the final instalment. 

Creepy with just the right amount of darkness to it, Bite Risk: Caught Dead makes the perfect sequel to Bite Risk and will be a must-buy when it publishes on the 14th March.

Some Like It Cold - Elle McNicoll

18 months ago, Jasper left the small town of Lake Pristine for university and hasn't been back since; until now.  And her arrival coincides with her sister's very public marriage proposal that Jasper crashes ... literally.  Suddenly life in the town becomes a hive of wedding preparation with only weeks to organise a New Year's Eve wedding. And this makes the real reason for Jasper's return even harder, for she is there to say goodbye (and she has a to-do-list to help her with this). Add a budding film maker into the mix and tensions slowly grow and secrets are bound to be revealed.

This is my fourth attempt to write a review of Some Like It Cold; not because I didn't like the book; quite the opposite: I absolutely adored it; it touched my heart in so many wonderful ways and I know that Jasper is somebody I'm not going to forget.  The problem I have is that I don't feel I'm really doing the book justice with my reviews.  But I need to somehow convey my love for this book, so here goes...

At its heart, the book is a romance with all the ingredients for the perfect love story: an idyllic setting; unrequited love that weaves its way through the book and keeps you wondering whether there will be a happy ending; characters you will fall in love with and some you'll want to slap; a cinema showing classic films; a Christmassy setting... I could go on.  Elle has deftly woven these things together to create a warm hug in a book.

Lake Pristine is a perfectly created small town (so much so I found myself Googling it to see if it really exists!).  It's somewhere where everybody knows each other and nobody ever wants to leave.  From the frozen lake to the central bandstand; the cinema to the market stalls, the town feels warm and familiar and somewhere I would genuinely want to visit. 

However, for me, what makes Some Like It Cold so special is Jasper, the main character: she's popular, she's pretty, she loves design, she's a ballerina ... and she's also autistic.  She feels very real and gives readers a realistic look at what life is like when you spend all your time masking and what happens when over-stimulation occurs; she shows readers how complex life is as an autistic person, but most importantly she shows us that everybody deserves to be seen in love stories.

Publishing on the 3rd October, Some Like It Cold has stolen a piece of my heart.  It's a beautifully told love story with hugely important messages and representation, with the most wonderful heroine at its core.  Elle McNicoll is well-known for her middle grade books that shine a light on neurodiversity (something she does brilliantly well) and this is her first foray into the YA market; I just hope there is more to come, for the YA market absolutely needs and deserves more books from Elle.

Mysteries At Sea: The Royal Jewel Plot - A M Howell

Alice and Sonny are back and this time, they are boarding The Lady Rose and setting sail with none other than the King of England and his companion, Mrs Simpson.  Discretion is the order of the day and the king has insisted upon privacy throughout the trip.  Also on board is a precious opal which is being guarded by a poisonous octopus; however, when both the octopus and the jewel going missing, the race is on to find them before the opal is due to be handed over to its new owner.  With time of the essence, everybody suddenly becomes a suspect and Alice and Sonny begin investigations which could lead them into danger. 

I have always been a fan of AM Howell's writing and the seamless way she entwines history with adventure in a way that captivates and excites readers.  when Peril On The Atlantic published last year as the first in the Mysteries At Sea series, I was delighted (you can read my review here) so I was excited when I was able to re-join Alice and Sonny on their second adventure.

The prospect of weeks onboard The Lady Rose is proving to be an exciting prospect for the pair, even if they've been told they will have to help the rest of the crew with their duties.  It isn't long though, before they realise that things aren't going to be quite as they expected.  The King and Mrs Simpson are the prime focus of everybody's attention which means that some areas of the boat are off-limits; something which frustrates Alice in particular.  When the opal goes missing, things take a dramatic turn and investigations uncover more questions than answers to begin with.  Alice proves, once again, that her feisty character and her happiness to break the rules is what drives them on and leads them to uncover secrets and truths that they couldn't have imagined when they first stepped aboard.  With danger lurking, this second adventure is one that will grip and excite readers in equal measure.

Mysteries At Sea: The Royal Jewel Plot publishes publishes on the 11th April and is an adventure that you definitely want to get on board with. 

Feather - M G Leonard

 

The Twitchers are back for their final adventure and this time it's Ava at the helm.  Whilst on a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum, Ava stumbles across the theft of hundreds of bird skins, but not just any bird skins, these are rare birds of paradise.  Finding a black feather, Ava tries to inform the police that it's a clue but they refuse to listen to her so, ditching her school and risking the wrath of her mother, she takes the train to Briddvale and enlists the help of The Twitchers.  What follows is undoubtedly the gang's most dangerous mission yet, and one that could lead to people losing their lives if they aren't careful.  Can The Twitchers uncover the truth about the theft before it's too late?

MG Leonard first showed us her ability to incorporate her love of wildlife and her talent for writing with the Beetle Boy trilogy (if you haven't read the series, you really must)  and The Twitchers series has confirmed her status as a master of wildlife fiction.  The love of nature and birds, as well as the factual information about ornithology, is captivating to readers (you just needs to see the number of children in my school alone who love this book to know that it is having an impact) and is helping to create readers who care about the natural world around them. 

With each of these books, a different member of the group has taken the lead and this time it's Ava leading the way.  Present at the time of the robbery, she is determined not to be fobbed off.  Her stubborn determination is evident throughout the book and it's not surprising after everything she's been through.  I think her past is what makes her so desperate to help out and why she pushes on when others are urging caution.  I think she is an inspirational character in her sense of bravery as well as her determination to be a good friend; not to mention her resilience in making her voice heard.

This series finale is undoubtedly the most dangerous and gripping yet with some dark twists waiting for readers, and is guaranteed to have you unable to put the books down.  With robbery, murder and plots to kill, Feather is undoubtedly a most fitting end for our Twitcher friends.

Bridget Vanderpuff And The Great Airship Robbery - Martin Stewart

 

Bridget is back and this time she's heading to Paris with Mr Vanderpuff so he can take part in the Grand Prix de la Profiterole; however, when his golden whisk is stolen everything changes.  Without it, Mr Vanderpuff cannot bake so Bridget determines to find it and return it to her dad.  With her new friend Stacy, Bridget begins searching the streets of Paris, but things aren't as simple as they first appear.  Who can they trust and can they find the whisk in time?

This is a series that has very quickly become a firm favourite with me as well as with my class at school.  The books are guaranteed to out a smile on your face ... and to make you crave pastries!  They are an escapism of the very best kind and it's a world you're never quite ready to leave when the book is finished.  

Bridget remains a very logical and independent character whose inventions, sense of determination and adventure are truly infectious.  Having the security of a home and a family in Mr Vanderpuff and Pascal (as well as her best friend Tom) has given her a new lease of life and she is absolutely making the most of it.  As the book opens, she is leading the charge in pursuit of Hungry Horace Harris, the world's most notorious cake thief, and her fearlessness is shining like a beacon.  Her sense of logic and being able to read situations is fascinating and I always love reading her deductions.  It was also lovely to see the relationship between Tom and Pascal evolving and that's something I'm looking forward to seeing more of in The Monster Mountain Mystery.

It's no secret that I have a serious weakness for book set in Paris, so the fact that Bridget and Mr Vanderpuff head there for this adventure was an even bigger treat.  I adored being able to picture Bridget and Stacy as they race through Montmartre, along the Seine and ... well, I won't give the game away but, safe to say, there are crêpes involved and a rather unusual train! (shout to to David Habben whose illustrations are, once again, the perfect accompaniment).

Bridget Vanderpuff And The Great Airship Robbery is a delicious adventure full of charm, hope, daring-do and culinary creations (be prepared to crave cakes and pastries; better still, have a selection at hand to eat whilst you read!).  The book is like a warm hug from an old friend that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and leave a warm glow in your heart.  But the best thing about this book was the reaction I got from a child in my class when they saw it: eyes wide with wonder and jaw open in speechless expectation that reminded me of a kid on Christmas morning.  This series is bringing joy everybody and you need it to bring joy to you.  

The Secret of the Moonshard - Struan Murray

Dominio has lived her whole life on a tiny island just off the mainland, in a laboratory with the Science Barons who have told her that she is allergic to magic.  However, when she discovers that everything she's been told is a lie, Domino escapes and heads to Abzalaymon, a city full of magic and wonder that holds the promise of a better future for her.  It doesn't take long for the Science Barons to follow her though, as they are determined to bring her back to the lab.  With a war brewing between science and magic, could Domino be the one who can save everyone?

Struan Murray became renowned for his world building in Orphans of the Tide and his skills are most definitely evident in The Secret Of The Moonshard. Abzalaymon is a city you will very quickly become immersed in, whether that's wandering the streets with Calvin, discovering the Diner or coming face to face with a thunder lizard, and I personally found myself reluctant to leave at the end of the book. 

Domino was somebody I adored from the very beginning: fiercely independent (some may say wild), she is a character who is full of anger and hatred (what she does to poor Mrs Honeywinkle is unthinkable) and seems determined to cause trouble wherever she goes.  Despite that though, there is something incredibly endearing about her and I found myself routing for her at every possible moment.  She makes the most unlikely of heroes and one who is adamant that her voice will be heard - I love that about her. 

With plot twists that will leave you speechless, The Secret Of The Moonshard is a deliciously dark and  epic page-turner of a book that you will find impossible to put down.  It's brilliantly original, utterly absorbing and the perfect combination of science and magic.   Publishing on the 7th March, this is a book that is begging to be pre-ordered.