Maisie VS Antarctica - Jack Jackson

Maisie's dad is a writer, but not normal books!  He writes books about how to do things (How To Wrestle A Crocodile, How To Build A Zip Wire, How To Defuse A Bomb).  He'll head off for a couple of days and then will write the entire book when he gets back, and Maisie has no idea how he knows to do these things.  At the beginning of the Christmas holidays, he announces that he's heading away again to prepare for his latest book, How To Survive in Antarctica.  However, when the neighbour who usually looks after Maisie says something has come up, he thinks the trip will be off ... until Maisie persuades him to take her along.  Unfortunately, things don't go according to plan and their plane crashes into Antarctica, stranding them and the pilot.  With no one around, things look bleak, but then Maisie begins to notice strange things about her dad and she's determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.

The plot of most children's books are based on the main characters losing their parents and all other adults so that they can have their adventure, so the idea of Maisie VS Antarctica being based around a daughter going on an adventure with her father intrigued me.  From the start, Maisie's voice is strong and I thoroughly enjoyed the first person narrative: she's a real character and not afraid to voice her opinions to her dad.  It's just the two of them and has been since Maisie's mum died just after she was born.  She knows that her dad works hard looking after her, but freely admits that she thinks her father is boring!  It's obvious they are close so it comes as quite a surprise when Maisie begins to realise that something strange is happening with her father, and it's her determination to get to the bottom of this that shows what a strong (and stubborn) character she is. I absolutely adored her and I know that other readers will too. A shout out too to Guillermo the pilot: I loved his character and his friendly manner; I got the opinion he's a big friendly giant.

This is a fast-paced adventure that is full of peril but also full of humorous touches that will make you smile.  The book was one that captivated me from the start and I really didn't want to put it down (reading it in Paris was a bad idea as I had no choice but to stop reading; still, it gave me an excuse to enjoy the café culture more - stopping for a drink gave me the perfect excuse to read a few more pages!).

With chapter headings that mirror the titles of her father's books, facts about Antarctica and survival woven into the adventure, and a gentle look at grief, Maisie VS Antarctica is a book that would make a brilliant read aloud book in the classroom.  

My proof copy came with a letter from Jack, which made an interesting read, and I was thrilled to see that this is the first in a new series.  I can't wait to see what adventure awaits Maisie and her father next.  Maisie VS Antarctica publishes on 10th October and I don't feel I've quite done the book justice so please just go out and pre-order it so you can experience the joy I felt reading it for yourself. 

Raz Beri - Matt Stephens

I'm delighted to be part of the Raz Beri blog tour; today I'm sharing an extract from the book:

Raz Beri – Extract one

I could feel my heart pound against my ribs. I could hear the blood inside my ears.

‘What about me?’ I said. The words hung in the air like a fart at a tea party. I must be mad. What was I thinking? I felt like I was rolling into a black hole but I had to do it. I had to show them. I had literally dragged myself through mud to get here. There was no way I was going to miss this moment.

Rio and Danny Cash started to laugh but stopped when they realised that no one else was.

‘Oh, you’re serious,’ said Danny Cash. There was silence for ages. ‘No offence mate, but how are you gonna score a goal?’

I said, ‘Yeah, I’m serious, Danny.’

Wow, it felt good.

‘Danny, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that you can score with any part of your body except for your arms. Are you good enough to cross the ball at my head height?’

He looked a little offended. ‘Yeah, course I am.’

‘Well,’ I said. ‘I’m going to ask my mate Rio to help me.’

Even Mia was looking at me like I was mad, now.

‘Billy…’ she whispered.

Rio was stood there with his mouth open. Literally. Lower jaw hanging, lips parted like a Venus Fly Trap.

‘Rio mate, do you remember at dinner time,’ I said, ‘when we were messing around and you were seeing how fast you could push me?’

Rio stared at me disbelievingly. I was making it up at high speed as I went along. I had never, never spoken more than a short sentence before in front of an audience. They were hanging on my words, no one was laughing. It felt great.

‘Well, I want you to push me as fast as you can straight at the near post. Danny, I’m relying on you to beat your man and put the ball on my head. I know you can do it. OK Rio? Let’s go.’

The Blurb

Billy has cerebral palsy and he's had enough of his classmates treating him differently.  But then Mia arrives and announces a school visit from her uncle: a famous footballer.  Maybe being a star footballer in front of his classmates will help Billy prove to his class that he can be just like them.  But when even the famous footballer turns out to be just as bad as the school bullies, Billy begins to realise that perhaps he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone but himself. 

My Review

Told in the first person, Raz Beri is a book about accepting difference.  The bullies in this book are truly awful and the name calling and acts of bullying really made me wince.  But there is an uplifting quality to the book as well and I loved to see Billy's confidence grow as the book progressed.  The friendship that builds between Billy and Mia is lovely to see and is pivotal to the book.

Bullying, friendship and family all feature strongly in this book that reminds us all that we deserve to be proud of who we are.  I'm sure that this book will go down well in school this term.

Raz Beri is out now.

The Great Farm Rescue - Helen Peters

'Hannah's beloved farm is once again under threat as their landlord wants to sell up and evict them all.  With homelessness looming, Hannah is determined to raise the money to buy the farm and secure the family's future once and for all.

But she's also just landed her dream part int he school play - alongside her absolute worst enemy, Miranda.  How is she going to act the part AND raise two million pounds to save the farm in just six months?' 

This is the first of the Hannah's Farm series that I have read and I have to say that I'll be heading back to read the first two books in the series.  As a book, it was easy to get into and it didn't matter that I hadn't read the others as I quickly got to know that characters and the farm on which they live.  

Hannah is thrilled at landing her dream role in A Midsummer Night's Dream and is completely committed to rehearsals until her father's accident lands him in hospital, leaving them to run the farm.  It's at this point that they realise how desperate things have got in terms of finances, and when they learn that the landlord is putting the farm up for sale; they are terrified that they are going to lose their home.  It's undoubtedly a team effort to raise the money and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their efforts. 

This is a heart-warming book with family and friendship at its heart; the links to the environment are deftly woven in and the sense of community is a joy to read.  The Great Farm Rescue is a book that will leave you with a smile on your face and is a perfect summer holiday read.  

Amari And The Despicable Wonders - B. B. Alston

 

War is raging between the Bureau and the League of Magicians (led by Dylan), and Amari is caught in the middle and, without her magic, she feels powerless to help.  Now that her brother Quinton is back he's determined to protect Amari, whilst she is hell-bent on putting a stop to Dylan.  Meanwhile, Dylan is on a mission to destroy the Bureau, the council, and all magic; he is power-hungry and has lost all sense of reason.  The only way to stop him is to locate the Despicable Wonders, but using them could have devastating consequences. 

I'm a huge fan of the Amari series, as are many of the children at school, so being sent an early copy of Amari And The Despicable Wonders was hugely exciting.  Needless to say, it jumped to the top of my reading pile and I savoured every minute of it.

Everything has changed for Amari: whilst she is thrilled to have her brother back, she is also coming to terms with the loss of her magic and the destruction Dylan is causing.  She continues to be strong-willed and resilient but this time she has to contend with the fact that her brother is determined to protect her which leads her to frequently become torn between keeping her brother happy and doing what she feels is right for the Bureau.  She's not perfect and makes mistakes, as well as spending much of time realising that it's her actions at the end of book two that have lead to this situation.  The relationship between Amari and her friends really grows in this book and they are all tested to their limits - the bond they have is wonderful to see.

Amari And The Despicable Wonders is an action-packed thrill of a read.  With darkness seeping in, there is also heart and hope shining through.  I promise the ending will leave you breathless and I guarantee that this is a book that you need in your life - just be prepared to want to forget everything in favour of reading the book: it's utterly immersive and absolutely brilliant. 

Amari And The Despicable Wonders publishes on the 29th August.

Hero Wanted! - Mark Powers, Illustrated by Coraline Muce

Grace's life changes completely when she is abruptly woken in the middle of the night by a horse in her back garden.  She is then informed by a girl, also named Grace, that it is her destiny as the fifteenth Grace to win the Worthy War.  She is immediately taken to Brokenshire where she has to battle a host of magical creatures to save the world.  But can a twelve year old girl, a quick-witted horse and a vegan t-rex do what all the other Graces before her haven't done?  

With absolutely no sword skills, Grace is forced into a quest that she is completely unprepared for; however, she realises that it's a way to escape the fact that she's recently damaged her brother's guitar so throws herself into it.  Grace is a wonderful character and proves that even the very best heroes make mistakes and get things wrong.  She learns as she goes along and her determination and bravery are wonderful to see, as is her desire to get to the bottom of why the war between the People of the Day and the People of the Night is raging.  

Hero Wanted! is a book full of magic, adventure, laughs and a host of quirky creatures (Wellingtonia is a particular favourite!).  With wonderful illustrations by Coralie Muce, this is a book that will bring joy to all who read it. 

The Dagger And The Flame - Catherine Doyle

'In Fantome, a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, beautiful buildings, and secret catacombs, Shade-magic is a scarce and deadly commodity controlled by two enemy guilds: the Cloaks and the Daggers – the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother’s murder, 17-year-old Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary with the Cloaks, Sera’s heart is set on revenge. But are her secret abilities a match for the dark-haired boy whose quicksilver eyes follow her around the city? Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers. And Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farmgirl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before… As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome’s underworld, Sera and Ransom are consumed by the push and pull of their magic, and the deadly spark and terrible vengeance that keeps drawing them back together…'

I've read and loved all of Catherine's middle grade novels and have also read book 1 of the Twin Crowns series (written with Katherine Webber) so I was keen to read The Dagger and the Flame... and I wasn't disappointed.

A YA book, The Dagger And The Flame centres around Sera and her fight to stay alive following the murder of her mother.  The pair lived a life between the Daggers and the Cloaks, providing shade magic, but now that her mother has been killed Sera knows that her life will never be the same again.  She claims sanctuary amongst the Cloaks and is desperate to avoid the Dagger (Ransom) tasked with killing her; however the longer the chase goes on, the closer the pair become.

There's a gothic feel to this fantasy that oozes danger and darkness in a way that completely draws you in.  Told through a dual point of view, the chemistry that builds between Sera and Ransom is compelling; the romance that builds works well with the plot and will keep readers intrigued.  With plot twists that keep you on your toes, the book is one that I found a compelling read and left me needing to know what the second part of the duology holds for the characters. 

The Dagger And The Flame publishes on the 29th September. 

Sprouts - Sibéal Pounder

'In the year 4024, Christmas is everywhere. Santa Claus rules the world and the Big Day happens EVERY DAY! There are holographic elves to grant your wishes, travel is by flying sleigh, and all food is served as candy canes, in any flavour you can imagine!

Not everyone gets to celebrate 24/7 though. Gryla Garland is a witch banished to the Mince Pie Isles, where Christmas comes but once a year. All she’s ever wished for is to join the festive world.

But when Santa’s daughter, Merrilee Claus, comes crashing into her life, Gryla realises Christmas every day might not be such a good thing after all. With the real magic of Christmas long forgotten, it’s up to Gryla, Merrilee and a lot of sprouts, to bring the magic back …'

It's really no secret that I love Christmas and that I adored Tinsel (you can read my review here) so when I saw Sprouts, I squealed with delight and it jumped to the top of my reading pile (which meant that I read it in 40 degree heat whilst lying on a sunbed!).

Set in the future, the book is based around the idea that every day is Christmas for everybody except the witches who have been banished to Mince Pie Isles where they still only celebrate it once a year.  Now, I know I love Christmas but the thought of celebrating it everyday would fill even me with dread!  And it's this opinion drives Merrilee to find Gryla in order to try to stop the Krampuses that were created in order to protect everyone from the witches and to ensure that Krampus Code is kept.  Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, things seem to have become rather unpleasant.  

Like Tinsel, Sprouts is a Christmas story with a difference and is one that readers will adore.  Perfect as a stand-alone book, it's also a wonderful book to read after Tinsel as there are some wonderful references that readers will spot - I loved this!

Publishing 26th September, Sprouts is guaranteed to fill you with Christmas spirit, put a smile on your face and leave you craving candy canes!

 

Friends Always And Forever - G. M. Linton

It's the summer holidays and although Sunshine is nervous about the move to secondary school, she is also incredibly excited as she is about to head off on the holiday of a lifetime with her family to Jamaica!  As well as seeing where her grandparents grew-up, she also ends up helping to organise a secret wedding!  

This is the third book in the Sunshine Simpson series and its arrival put the biggest smile on my face (it felt only appropriate to read the book whilst sitting in the sunshine!).  I've loved getting to know Sunshine and her family and it's so nice to see them enjoying their holiday in Jamaica.  Her Auntie Sharon's lottery winnings are paying for the trip, so luxury is the order of the day.  When they arrive, Sunshine is thrown into a frenzy of wedding planning but it's also lovely to see her discovering her heritage.  I also love the way the book keeps Grandad Bobby as a presence which helps to show readers that grief takes time but the memories can help.  

Of course, it wouldn't be a Sunshine Simpson book if things didn't go wrong and the plot will have readers giggling.  The book is full of warmth and heart and, once again, Sunshine lives up to her name.  

A perfect read for those who are nervous about the transition to Secondary School, Sunshine Simpson: Friends Always And Forever will put a smile on everybody's face. 

 

Gold Medal Mysteries: Peril On The Pitch - Ellie Robinson

Seb, Hannah and Maria are back together and this time they are in Miami at the World Football Championships.  It quickly becomes apparent that one of the goalkeepers has gone missing and the trio are determined to find her.  But can they succeed before the final?

I read Ellie's first book in the Gold Medal Mysteries, Thief On The Track, after meeting her at a Simon and Schuster showcase last year (you can read my review here) so it was good to see the trio back together again and to see their friendship develop; however, finding a missing goalkeeper is far more dangerous that a missing gold medal, especially as the first thing they need to do is decide whether she has vanished of her own accord or has been kidnapped.  The story is gripping and and the stakes are high with a plot that will keep readers guessing.  

The book is perfect for sports fans and Ellie's love of sport shines through.  I know that Peril On The Pitch will be perfect for fans of football and will appeal to reluctant readers.  Publishing on the 15th August, I know this book will be just as big a hit in school as Thief On The Track and I can't wait to see what they get up to next.

Storm Of Lies - Sophie McKenzie

Hollie, her best friend Parker, along with Rex, are carrying out a research project for school about the local sea-wall defences.  They begin with a tour of Mayes Cranston Engineering, the company who redeveloped the sea-wall, and where Hollie's mother works; however, things don't go as planned and the trio end up in trouble which leaves Hollie grounded.  From there, things seem to go from bad to worse for Hollie, especially when she thinks she's discovered that there may be a major problem with the sea-wall, but nobody else believes her.  So when her great, great aunt Louella predicts that a storm is coming, can Hollie fight to prove that she is right?

This is a brilliant book full of adventure and suspense with an environmental element that will make readers think.  I gobbled the book up in a day and it left me breathless!

Hollie is struggling with the fact that her father left them and that her mother is always busy with work.  From their first visit to Mayes Cranston, Hollie ends up getting into trouble with the others and resents her mum being so strict with her.  As with many teenagers, she reacts very differently to the way she is thinking and things spiral.  It's this that leads her to discover the possible issue with the sea-wall and she becomes determined to prove that she is right, which causes much more tension between her and her mum.  I'm sure that there are many teenagers who will be able to relate to Hollie's emotions being very different to the way they react.  

Family, friendships and fighting for what think is right all combine to make Storm Of Lies a heart-stopping read that you won't be able to put down when it publishes on the 29th August.

 

Evenfall: The Golden Linnet - Alexander Armstrong

Sam lives with his father in their house in Durham.  Life has been difficult since the death of his mother and he spends a lot of his time caring for his father who is unwell, with only Ken who works at the university where his dad is employed, who regularly comes round to help.  Along with his only friend, Ish, Sam is able to cope, just.  When he turns thirteen, however, strange things begin to happen and his life takes a dramatic turn.  Discovering that he is part of an ancient secret society who have protected the world for decades changes his world forever.  He now needs to get to grips with his new powers and find the other members of the Order of the Evening before the power they have falls into the wrong hands. 

Wow!  I am going to say from the start that this book absolutely blew me away and is undoubtedly one of the best books I've read this year.  I'm generally wary of celebrity authors but it is clear that Alexander Armstrong has talent when it comes to writing middle grade fiction.  I had heard nothing but good things about Evenfall: The Golden Linnet from book buddies, and their praise was absolutely warranted.  

The book is set largely in Durham (where Alexander went to school).  Being from the North-East, it was clear to see that he knows the city well and it was great to be able to visualise events as they unfolded.  It's an incredibly clever and intricate plot that weaves between locations (New York and Cambridge as well as Durham) and people (Sam, as well as those intent on seizing the power from the Order of the Evening, and those trying to protect it) and it's a book that will keep readers on their toes in the very best way - I was torn between savouring the book and being unable to put it down.  

Sam is a hero in so many different ways: he cares for his father without question or grumbling, he is calm but a quick thinker and he longs to have the sort of family life his friend Ish has (Ish is a brilliant character, by the way!).  Readers will warm to Sam instantly.  

I really don't feel that I am doing this book the justice it deserves so I will simply say that The Golden Linnet is a book that you have to pre-order before its publication on the 12th September (I read my copy on NetGalley and can't wait for my physical copy to arrive).  I haven't read anything like it in middle-grade fiction (think DaVinci Code for middle grade) and its intricate plot and brilliant world-building will captivate and intrigue in equal measure.  With stunning illustrations peppered through the book, The Golden Linnet comes with just one warning from me: once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down so make sure you cancel your plans before you begin!