The Boy With Big Decisions - Helen Rutter

 

Fred is about to start secondary school, one which his parents have chosen for him.  He is due to attend The Gains School, the place his father went to; however, Fred would prefer to go to Browtree High which has a much better art department.  Fred is desperate to tell his parents (Madeline and John - they don't like being called Mum and Dad) that he doesn't enjoy the sports teams they have him on, and he is desperate to do art, but he doesn't seem to be able to find his voice.  Then, on the morning of the first day of term, dressed in his Gains uniform, he finds a Browtree jumper hidden in the bushes next to the bus stop.  What should he do?  Should he go to Gains as his parents intend, or put on the Browtree jumper and head there?

And this is where the reader comes in.  Fred finds it difficult to make decisions in his life; after all his parents make all his decisions for him, from what to eat, what to wear and what to go to school.  When faced with making a choice for himself, he becomes paralysed and the choice is handed over to the reader. 

And this is how the book continues: any major decision Fred has becomes the responsibility of the reader.  Because of this, the plot can go in several different ways and I loved the idea of being able to go back and reread the story, changing the decisions I made for Fred.

I really felt for Fred throughout the book: it is clear that he doesn't feel as though he is the son his parents want, and he struggles with that: where his parents want him to follow in their footsteps, he wants to pursue his love of art.  As the book progresses, readers will see that his mum is battling her own struggles (she spends her days cleaning, needs set routines and feels the need to control everything - even Fred's bedroom is decorated to her design and not his) and this seems to consume her time.  Fred feels alone and needs a way to develop express himself; depending on which path the reader takes, depends on how Fred learns to do this.

I'm a big fan of Helen's books and you'll find reviews for all four of her previous middle grade books on my blog, so I was delighted when Tina Mories at Scholastic sent me a copy of The Boy With Big Decisions.  I was even more delighted when I discovered that it's a book where the reader chooses the plot.  I curled up with the book on Sunday morning and spent a delightful morning getting to know Fred.  I first decided to let him head to Browtree but I will admit that once I'd finished the first read, I went back and changed the decisions several times - I love the idea of discovering the different ways things could pan out for him (a bit like the film Sliding Doors).  It's a great take on a novel and I know that the book is going to be a huge hit in school (I'd love to read it as a class novel to see which way the class would take the story).  Full of heart and a great way to look at empathy, The Boy With The Big Decisions is guaranteed to be a big hit with children when it publishes on the 10th April.  

Escape Room Game Zero - Christopher Edge

 

Eden loves an escape room and is very good at them, but can she succeed in The Escape, the ultimate escape room?  Following Ami's messages to Eden, she's heading in but things are far more dangerous than she imagines and as she and her teammate, Ted, hunt for the keys to unlock The Escape, Eden begins to realise that this is an escape room she can't stop playing.

I'm a huge fan of Christopher Edge's books and I loved Escape Room (you can read my review here).  Christopher is brilliant at combining adventure with science in a way that really engages readers makes them think, and Escape Room Game Zero is no exception: when Eden enters The Escape she quickly meets Ted who instantly believes that Eden is an NPC, a non-player character; something Eden disagrees with.  One thing's for certain, they are going to need to work together if they are to survive.

Like book one, Game Zero is an adrenaline rush of an adventure with cliff-hanger chapter endings that mean this is an unputdownable book (I gobbled it up in under a day!).  The levels created in the game are vivid and it's easy for readers to believe they are playing alongside Eden and Ted.  With dangers and uncertainty everywhere they turn, it really is a fight for survival.  But, along the way, Eden has one more problem to deal with for the longer she is in The Escape, the more difficult she finds it to remember anything about her life before she entered.

Publishing 5th May, Escape Room End Game is guaranteed to grip even the most reluctant reader and creates an unforgettable experience.  One of the Year 5 classes in school currently has Escape Room as their class novel and they are already excited to get their hands on this thrilling sequel - I know there's going to be a queue at my office door on Monday morning when I take the book into school. 

Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret - Abi Elphinstone

 

Ember and Arno are back for their third adventure.  This time, it's the start of the Christmas holidays and after a trip to see Rusty, the pair are on their way to meet Ember's dad for lunch when they are kidnapped and flown to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, where the evil Tabitha Bone hopes to use their skills with magical creatures to develop her wonder skincare company.  The pair will need to have their wits about them if they are to save the creatures and themselves.  

Anybody who knows me, will know how much love I have for Abi's books and this series captured my heart from the first book.  (You can read my review of Ember Spark And The Thunder of Dragons here and Ember Spark And The Frost Phoenix here) so the chance to read an early copy of Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret was too great to resist.

Once again, the book is full of love and joy, wrapped up in Abi's uniquely wonderful way of writing (I will always adore the names she creates for characters).  However, this time, danger lurks from the beginning, with a kidnapping and a a host of magical creature's lives at stake as well as their own.  Ember and Arno are opposites who compliment each other perfectly: whilst Ember is feisty and loves the thrill of adventure, Arno is measured and prefers to plan everything, and it's this combination that helps them to navigate the danger they face.  

It was wonderful to be back with so many familiar characters as well as getting to know some new ones.  There are some truly dastardly characters that readers will love to hate Ember Spark And the Unicorn's Secret is everything I hoped it would be and more: full of magic and possibility, reading it is like being wrapped in a warm embrace, catching up with a friend you haven't seen in a while, and the perfect escape from reality.  

Publishing 24th April, Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret is a book that needs to be pre-ordered. 

Deep Dark -Zohra Nabi

There is something wonderful about holding a physical book in your hands and turning the pages, allowing the story to seep into you, but... there is also the lure of NetGalley which allows bloggers like me to read books before they're available in print. When I discovered that Deep Dark was on NetGalley, I hesitated for all of 5 seconds before hitting the 'read' button and diving in.

Deep Dark is very different to the Kingdom series but is just as wonderful. Upon opening the book, readers are transported to Victorian London and to the plight of the many homeless children forced to make a living on its streets.  For Cassia, her life changed when her father's shipping business went bankrupt and now she and her father lives in Fleet Prison, having made the long journey from India in a failed attempt to sort things out. Whilst she is allowed to wander free during the day, her father is confined to their squalid apartment.  As a result, Cassia has no choice but to fend for herself, making money by selling ballads and by teaching the piano, all in an attempt to escape to a better life.  But strange things are happening and children have been going missing all summer.  With nobody willing to help, Cassia and her friends, Felix and Tao, decide it's up to them to save the missing children.  However, what they uncover proves far more sinister than they could have ever imagined and saving the children becomes more urgent than ever. 

Where the Kingdom duology (you can read my reviews here:  The Kingdom Over The Sea   The City Beyond The Stars ) transports readers to the rich and vibrant world of Zahaira, Deep Dark brings to life the gritty reality of so many street children who were forced to live on the streets of London, stealing food and making money any way they can.  Zohra's descriptions are vivid and brings the streets of London to life for readers who will find themselves visualising the city as they read.  

Cassia is a fiercely independent and tough character who has a heart of gold; after all she's had no choice. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and desperate to do the right thing.  Life has been far from easy for her and the move from India to London must have been difficult enough but to then have to grow up in prison and fend for herself, it's a wonder she isn't full of spite and bitterness.  She is a truly wonderful character, full of resilience and gumption in the face of adversity - readers are going to love her. Along with her friends, Tao and Felix (characters who couldn't be more different from each other), she is determined to do right by the street children of London, and nothing will stop her.

At its heart, Dark Deep is an unputdownable adventure that will grab readers from the very beginning.  I stayed up way too late last night reading it as I just couldn't put it down and I know that it's going to be a huge hit when it publishes on the 27th March.  The Kingdom books showed us how well Zohra writes and Deep Dark firmly establishes her as a must-read writer.  There are a select group of authors whose books I will read without even looking at the blurb and Zohra has firmly established herself in that group.  If you only pre-order one book this year, make it Dark Deep - I promise you won't regret it. I'm now very much looking forward to getting my hands on a physical copy as I know how much my class are going to love it.

Alice With A Why - Anna James

Alyce is living in England in 1919 with her grandmother at Specula House, a place that was, until recently, full of recovering soldiers; however, now that the war has ended it is a much quieter place.  Even more so as Alyce's father died during the war and her mother has taken her baby brother off to look after her own mother, leaving Alyce (with a why) with Alice (the original).  Unsure as to how to move forward with this new situation, Alyce wanders into the garden where she is hit (literally) with an invitation to a rather mysterious tea party.  Considering the invitation to be more useful if it's turned into a boat, Alyce does just and that, and it is proving a rather successful decision until Alyce falls into the water and ends up on an adventure that she will never forget.

Let me just say from the start that I adore everything about this book.

From the moment I began reading Alyce With A Why, I knew it was going to be something special and I wasn't wrong.  From the style of writing to the humour subtly woven in, to the play on words that leads to confusion which is so perfectly timed and cleverly written, this is a book that will delight readers of all ages.

During the was Alyce's grandmother, Alice, transformed the family home, Specula House, so that the place could house and tend to soldiers injured in the fighting.

 

As well as nursing the soldiers, Alyce's grandmother, Alice, entertained them with magical stories of a place called Wonderland, but people believed they were just that, stories to help those in recovery.  However, now the war is over, the soldiers have gone and the house is empty.  Alice is clearly mourning the loss of her father and is feeling lost.  She wanders to the pond in an attempt to feel closer to him but the unorthodox arrival of the invitation changes everything.  The adventure that Alyce goes on is the most magical thing.  However, her trip to Wonderland is more than just aphysical journey, it's a journey that shows her how resilient and brave she can be; she learns how to face challenges and she discovers what she can actually do.  It's a journey that will inspire readers.

Some books demand to be gobbled up in one sitting (I do that a lot!), then there are the books that beg to be savoured and Alyce With A Why is one of those books. I have patiently eeked this book out from Sunday evening until Thursday, treating myself to a few pages at a time, being sure to read and appreciate every word, for that's what this book needs and deserves.  You need to immerse yourself in this wonderful world of fantasy and dreams, of long loved characters and journeys that will transform and bring joy.

There's a comforting warmth to this book that's like being wrapped in a hug, one you never want to leave.  You cannot help but get lost amongst the pages and I can't wait to get hold of a physical copy and to see the illustrations that I know will only further enhance the story.  Some books stay with you long after you've finished the final page and Alyce With A Why is most definitely one of those books.  I know it's only March but this is already guaranteed to be one of my favourite books of the year.  

Publishing on the 19th June, Alyce With A Why is destined to become a classic and Anna deserves all success that this book is guaranteed to receive. 

FCBG blog tour - Rebecca Cobb ‘A Wild Walk to School’

The Children’s Book Award is the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by children. It is owned and coordinated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and is highly respected by teachers, parents and librarians. It has brought acclaim and strong sales to past winners such as J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times. The award has often been the first to recognise the future stars of children’s fiction and has the ability to turn popular authors into bestsellers.

The idea for my book ‘A Wild Walk to School’ came from our real life walk to school every day with our two daughters. I love the way that they can create games out of everything - if they see fallen leaves, or a low wall to climb along, or a bump in the road then they pretend it is lava to jump over, or a tightrope to walk across or a sleeping giant’s tummy to tiptoe around so that they don’t wake the giant. As we walk, they get lost in these elaborate and imaginative adventures but they are completely oblivious to my worry about the time pressure not to be late getting there. I’m always fascinated in the way that children view the world in comparison to adults and our daily school walks seemed like a perfect example of this juxtaposition, where my priorities are very different to my children’s. I thought it would make a funny book if I could show both points of view of this journey, which is an epic adventure full of excitement and peril for the children, while the mum is unfazed by the erupting volcano, huge precipice or sleeping giant and is more worried that their uniform might get dirty and that they might be late for school. 

But then I thought it would be a funny surprise if at the end of the book the mum has been inspired by the children and has her own imaginative adventure. You get a little hint that she might be thinking about this on the penultimate page if you look at the puddles and see that she is reflected in the water with the rainbow of the umbrella following along behind her. 

I created the illustrations for the book on watercolour paper using ink, watercolour paint, gouache paint, drawing pencils and coloured pencils. I like to use a mixture of materials like this because it creates all different kinds of mark making in the pictures. 

I often include real things from our home in my illustrations and the bedroom in this book is a bit similar to our daughters’ bedroom with the same bunk beds and some of their actual toys on the floor. There is also a drawing of their pet guinea pigs on the wall. While I was working this book we were in the process of knocking our kitchen down so that we could re-build it, so I chose to draw our old kitchen in the story as a way of preserving it because it doesn’t exist any more. 

I like including something in the pictures to spot on every page so I gave the girls in the story a little black and white cat who follows them to school. This cat is inspired by my own childhood cat who would always walk along with me to the end of the road whenever I went somewhere.

Also, I really love volcanoes so one of the things that I was most excited about making this book was that it gave me a great excuse to include a volcano and I had a lot of fun painting that page!

Children across the UK are encouraged to get involved. Copies of the books can be purchased at a discount from our partner supplier Heath Books here [link https://www.heathbooks.co.uk/federation-of-childrens-book-groups-childrens-book-award-2025/] and online voting will be opened at the conclusion of the blog tour. The deadline for voting is Friday 9th May and category winners and the overall winner of the most popular children’s book published in 2024 will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 7th June, attended by representatives from all our local groups and livestreamed on the FCBG YouTube channel.

The Falling Boy - David Almond

 

'Nothing is the same for Joff this summer.  His dad is ill, his mam is working, there's a new kid in town.  He can't wait to escape each day and explore with his dog Jet.

But there's one place he's not allowed to explore.  Above the town sits the Chapel of Doom, ancient and crumbling, with warning signs and the legend of the Falling Boy.

And when Joff's adventures take him beyond the boundaries, he discovers something unexpected, something truly magical...'

David Almond has a very distinctive way of writing that makes wonderful use of dialogue that draws readers in and makes them feel as though they are living the story alongside the characters.  The long summer stretching out should be an exciting time for Joff but this is a strange and difficult time for Joff, not only is he battling his emotions around his dad's illness, he is also experiencing changes in his friendships.  He doesn't quite know what to do with his time and I can imagine many readers will understand this feeling; six weeks with no concrete plans can feel daunting.  It must be difficult for his parents who are trying desperately to shield him from the worst of his father's illness without keeping him in the dark; the love they have for him is evident to see.  With his friendship with Dawn developing, the pair end up wandering up to the Chapel of Doom, an abandoned chapel with numerous do not enter signs.  Of course, this doesn't deter them and the time they spend there creates something very special and healing.  I won't spoil things but the end of the book, but I will say that it will fill your heart and warm even the hardest soul.

Out now, The Falling Boy is a wonderfully soothing book about coping with family illness, change, friendship and hope.  

Serial Chillers. The Witch In The Woods - Jennifer Killick

During a school trip, Travis and Zayd being paired up with Danielle and Seline for their project is met with much consternation - they don't get along and there is history between Travis and Danielle.  It's Saline who instantly takes control which is not unexpected as she's always bossy, but when she announces they'll be researching the legend of Blood-Eyed-Mary, the boys begin to have their doubts, especially when she announces that their work will involve a field-trip into the heart of Mary's Woods. Just a quick trip in, long enough to get some evidence for their project; but all is not what it seems and strange things are afoot. Is the legend of Blood-Eyed-Mary just that or is there more to things than they know? One thing's for certain, their trip into the woods is going to be one they will never forget.

There is a reason that Jennifer Killick is known as the queen of MG horror. Her Dread Wood series propelled her to that title and enabled her to wear the crown with pride, and Serial Chillers clearly shows why she is so deserving of the title.

Serial Chillers The Witch In The Woods is a book I've been anticipating since first hearing about it, so arriving home on Friday evening to find a copy waiting for me (huge thanks to the lovely folks at Farshore) meant that my plans for Saturday were immediately changed as curling up with the book became my priority. 

Serial Chillers is set in the small town of Hazard where the place is famous for its sinkhole, its numerous tragedies and its unsolved mysteries; in fact the town actively encourages tourists to visit because of these things. By the end of chapter one, you get the distinct impression that life in Hazard is not a jolly holiday but one that comes with risk and a constant sense of darkness.  Jennifer builds an image of a macabre (to steal Mrs Tiwana's word) place that's better to visit for a few hours than live in.  The chills build from the very start of the book. 

Then there are the characters. Jennifer has a real knack for creating believable, multi-layered characters that readers will want to get to know. Travis and Zayd, Danielle and Seline are very different and I loved the disdain between them at the idea of working together; the dialogue between them feels very real.  

The plot is fast paced, gripping and a master-class in horror writing for kids: the town's history woven into the present day; the visit to the woods at dusk; unexplained events; phones low in charge; chapters that end in cliff-hangers ... the whole thing is brilliantly crafted to keep readers on their toes and on the edge of their seat.  The chills are there in abundance and I jumped on more than one occasion, but in true Killick fashion, there is also humour woven in that will definitely make readers chuckle!  

Serial Chillers The Witch In The Woods is a book that will scare and delight in equal measure. I can absolutely see it being an epic book to read aloud to a class (and those cliff-hanger chapter endings will guarantee cries of, 'Just one more chapter!').

My class is completely obsessed with the Dread Wood series and we're currently in the depths of Deadly Deep (they're determined to get through the entire series as class readers by the end of the academic year!). I know that taking Serial Chillers into the classroom on Monday morning is going to cause all sorts of squealing and chaos, and I'm looking forward to seeing their excitement.

Serial Chillers The Witch In The Woods publishes on the 27th March and I'm already desperate for more! This series is going to be my new obsession! 

Under A Fire-Red Sky - Geraldine McCaughrean

With the war looming, four young people sit on a train waiting to be evacuated.  But each decides they don't want to go.  They climb out of the carriage window and head back home to Greenwich, forming an unlikely friendship.  But as the Blitz unleashes its barrage of bombs on London, turning the sky ragged with flame, can the friends keep each other close and safe?

Reading the author's note at the beginning of the book, it is clear to see that the setting for Under A Fire-Red Sky is not the main character, as can often happen with books set during WWII; instead it's the four main characters, Olive, Lawrence, Franklin and Gremlin (Susan) who take centre stage in the book.  From completely different backgrounds, the four come together almost by accident and by virtue of the fact that none of them want to be evacuated.  As you get to know each one, you discover much of the reasons behind their actions and your affection for each grows.  That said, the book doesn't shy away from showing exactly what people when through in the Blitz and it can make a darker read at times - I liked that. 

Inspired by her father who was a fire fighter during the Blitz, Geraldine perfectly captures the time in this immersive read that deserves to be savoured.  I mainly read WWII books that are aimed at middle grade readers so it was refreshing to absorb myself in this YA.  

Under A Fire-Red Sky publishes on the 10th April.

Race To Imagination Island - Mel Taylor-Bessent

Imagination Island: a place where anything you imagine comes to life, and the time has come to find four new protectors to dream, invent, explore and observe.

Ten year old Luca is terrified of everything and he feels he's the last person qualified to head to the island. But when he and his siblings discover the lightstream that can take them to the quest, it's Luca who is pulled through, transporting him to a competition that terrifies him but has the potential to change his life forever. 

I'm a huge fan of Mel's Christmas Carolls series but I have to admit that I'm woefully late to the party when it comes to Race To Imagination Island (huge apologies!).  My World book Day token allowed me to rectify that and yesterday evening, with an Easter egg for company, I curled up and headed in.

Oh boy, this is a gloriously inventive read and a joy-filled page turning adventure, and I adored every single page!  Filled with humour and the most vivid world-building, this really is a feast for the imagination.

Luca is a most unlikely hero whilst also unwittingly being the perfect candidate for the job.  His siblings tease him for acting younger than his ten years as he prefers imaginative play instead of computer games; he is terrified of everything and his anxiety rules his life.  When he ends up being drawn to the island through the lightstream, he is convinced that he wants to head straight home, so why can't he?  All he has to do is imagine himself there.  Perhaps the island, the competition and the new friends he is making are doing him more good than he thinks?

As well as being a lesson in how to use your imagination, The Race To Imagination Island is a reminder to be brave, to be true to yourself, and that sometimes taking a risk is worth it.

Now, how long do I have to wait until I can get my hands on book 2?!

Dragonborn - Struan Murray

Life has been tough for Alex since her father's death and she misses him terribly, especially as her mum insists in a daily regime of incredibly strict rules. But when, Oliphos, a mysterious man, appears and informs her she's actually a dragon, everything changes in an instant.  However Alex's new life comes with danger: Drake Midna, the greatest dragon, is preparing for war against humans ... unless somebody can stop him in time. 

Wow! Where do I begin? For me, Struan Murray is a wonder with a pen and skilled at building the most vivid worlds, and Dragonborn is no exception. Skralla comes alive on the pages and brings with it a host of wonderous characters. It's the place where humans who have discovered they are actually dragons go to learn their skills but it's also a place where dark secrets lurk, ones that are bound to come out eventually.

Alex's life changes in every way possible. Still reeling from the death of her father, she discovers that everything she thought she knew is different, including herself. Murray portrays her grief brilliantly and as she wrestles with her internal thoughts and worries for so long, she begins to wonder if she will ever find her true self. 

I don't want to include spoilers in this review so there is much I want to say but won't.  However, I will say that from the beginning, the book lures you in and haunts you in the very best way whilst you're not reading it. Murray is a master at weaving in unexpected twists that make you gasp and this book was no exception - the end had me particularly gripped (to the point where I literally couldn't get out of bed until I'd read the last page ... then had to sit for a while to fully absorb and process everything I'd read.  The book hangover was real!).

Dragonborn is a stunning exploration into finding yourself, finding the truth and finding a way through your grief.  It's a book that will stay with you and will absolutely leave you wanting more.  

Publishing on the 1st May, I sincerely hope there will be more to this series.

The Doughnut Club - Kristina Rahim

Quinn and her family are heading on holiday and she is expecting the usual week of high action activities, but things take a very different turn when her mums announce that she and her brother (who both know they are donor conceived) have 16 donor siblings.  This begins a whirlwind of a week for Quinn who is desperate to discover all she can about these siblings, including whether her worst enemy is one of them. But the more she discovers, the more isolated she feels and Quinn needs to find a way of reconnecting with her family whilst also discovering the truth.

At school, the kids call books like this 'real life stories' and they are always a big hit as it helps readers to see themselves in books as well as to understand issues that are important to them. The Doughnut Club does a wonderful job of portraying family life (squabbles on holiday, seeking food out of the breakfast buffet...) whilst seamlessly weaving in some incredibly important topics: same sex parents and donor conceived children, as well as navigating friendships and family life.

The note above highlights how important books like this are, and the style of writing, as well as the different ways families approach the subject in the book, will allow children to understand the topic of donor conceived children without being overwhelmed. The Doughnut Club is an important book and one that should be in every school.

Tomorrow morning sees the start of a new half-term for me, which means there will be a queue at my office door of children returning their half-term reads and desperate to see what new books I'm adding to the shelves after the holiday. I guarantee that The Doughnut Club (publishing 8/5) will be borrowed before the start of registration! It's a book full of joy, warmth and inclusivity that deserves all the praise that is guaranteed to come it's way.