The Not-So Great Escape - Emma Green

Things have been tricky for Hedley since the accident that killed his mum: his dad's legs 'no longer work'  so he spends his days in bed.  As a result, Hedley spends weekends at Bridlebank Therapy Centre where he shares a room with Aiden who seems intent on bullying him.  Heldey prefers to play things safe all the time whereas Aiden is happy to take risks.  So what happens when the pair are sent to help out at Farmer Bert's Petting Farm?  A stolen alpaca, an accidental robbery and a night on the run is what.  But when the unlikely group become an internet sensation, can the adventure help Hedley learn that playing it safe isn't always best?

Hedley hates taking risks and spends his life calculating the the risk of everything he does.  His life has changed immeasurably since the accident and this is clearly what drives what he does.  He is protective of two things: his sister and the hat his mum gave him; not that his room mate Aiden respects that.  Aiden clearly has his own issues and his father's ever changing occupations when he talks about him hints as to why Aiden is the way he is.  Although the boys appear very different, it is clear as the book progresses that they need each other.  Aiden is the mastermind behind the alpaca heist and his unique take on everything is humorous to read.

The Not-So Great Escape is full of laughs and capers as the mad-capped adventure unfolds whilst Aiden, Hedley and his sister Lilly help to return an alpaca to the home they believe it should be in.  Along the way, quite by accident, the mis-matched group become famous and the media updates at the ends of chapters creates a unique update,

The book is huge amounts of fun and the plot is fast-paced but, woven into that are some strong, important messages for readers, with an ending that I really didn't see coming (it stopped me in my tracks and I was grateful I wasn't reading it in public...).  Perfect for fans of Jenny Pearson, The Not-So Great Escape is a story about finding yourself, friendship and learning to move on, and is going to be a huge hit when it published on the 1st January.

The Golden Monkey Mystery - Piu Dasgupta

Roma attends Miss Oliphant's School For Young Ladies where she spends her time reading and following her burning desire to become a doctor, something unheard of for women.  Whilst on a walk one day, Roma stumbles across a monkey, but not just any monkey, a rare golden leaf-eater monkey usually only found in a secret location in the Himalayas hundreds of miles away.  With no concern for her own safety, she runs into the forest to follow the monkey, followed by Birala the cat.  Roma is determined to catch the monkey in order to return it to its rightful home, but the journey is far from easy.  During the chase, she will face bandits who are on the hunt for the Snakestone, a jewel with immense power.  Along the way, she is befriended by siblings Max and Arabella, but will they prove more of a hindrance than a help?  A race across India, and a race against time, can Roma do the unimaginable and get to the monkey and the Snakestone before the bandits?

I read Piu's debut novel, Secrets Of The Snakestone, last year and instantly fell in love with it (you can read my review here) so it was with huge amounts of excitement that I settled into a train journey to London earlier this week with The Golden Monkey Mystery.  The books link together through the Snakestone jewel but follow very different paths; where Secrets Of The Snakestone is set in Paris, The Golden Monkey Mystery is set in India.  The book opens with a prologue which describes the theft of the Snakestone jewel one hundred years earlier.  We then jump to Roma who wakes from a nightmare.  Unable to return to sleep, she heads to the school library where she writes a letter to Sir Horatio Bancroft-Pratt expressing her desperate desire to attend his medical school in order to become a doctor.  From the very beginning, readers see Roma's fierce independence and headstrong nature, and it continues throughout the book.  But behind everything, I think she is lonely: she never knew her mum who died in childbirth, and her father is absent; her only friends seem to be the school cook and Birala the cat who she talks to (and who talks back to her).  I feel that she needs this adventure almost as much as the monkey needs rescuing - are they rescuing each other?

Along the way she encounters Max and Arabella who are spending the summer in India.  Max is clearly desperate for an adventure and is determined to join Roma; however, he proves very naïve.  His younger sister, Arabella, is very spoilt and seems to have spent her life getting everything she wants, which is what gets them into this mess.  An unlikely trio, the adventure is something none of them realise they absolutely need.  

The Golden Monkey Mystery is an adventure that will weave its way into your imagination and won't let go.  Amongst the action, readers will delight in the richness of the descriptions of the landscape that really bring the setting to life in all its glory.  Danger and daring combine wonderfully in this novel that is going to be an instant hit in school, and the lure of a book that hasn't yet been published will excited my students.

Publishing 15th January, The Golden Monkey Mystery is a book that is guaranteed to banish the January blues and fill readers with warmth. A word of warning though: read this when you have time to abandon everything else as you won't be able to put it down!

 

Lilly's Monster

Since the tragic death of her brother, Holly has been struggling. Her family are simply trying to hold things together and decide that time away from home would help.  However, when they arrive at the cottage they have rented, it quickly becomes apparent that there is something else there: a restless spirit in the form of a small child called Lilly desperate to relive the past. But can Holly discover the secrets to Lilly's past and help her family before it's too late?  

This is a gripping psychological thriller that will set your heart racing.  Holly is desperately holding the truth of her brother's death inside her, terrified that her family will hate her if she reveals what really happened. The holiday is supposed to be a chance for them to begin to heal but it quickly turns into very much the opposite.  Lilly's appearance at first, makes her seem just like a lost little girl, but then things slowly begin to take a very dark and sinister turn and everybody seems powerless to stop it.

Holly is hurting, who wouldn't be? She is terrified by the truth of what happened, is consumed with guilt and is now dicing with death herself in an attempt to purge her feelings.  She's pushing everyone away but Lilly's arrival changes all of that.  Both characters are dealing with grief in very different ways and the twists that are woven into the plot show how difficult escaping abuse can be.  I don't want to say too much more as I don't want to give anything away, but this is a book that explores some strong themes in its 280 pages.

Publishing 6th November, Lilly's Monster is an emotionally heart-racing, terrifyingly gripping supernatural YA horror that will stay with you long after you've read the final page. 

Beastopia - Chrissie Sains

Digby loves his pet mouse Cheddar; however, as Digby's tenth birthday approaches, he is becoming increasingly anxious about The Curse of The Tenth Birthday which seems to strike the pets in his family - they just vanish.  Determined that Cheddar won't befall the same fate, Digby and his friend Tai set about staying up all night to watch over his precious pet.  What begins as a sleepover to protect one small mouse quickly develops into something far larger and more exciting than either Digby, Tai or his sister Mog could have ever imagined, for they are about to discover the magic of Beastopia. 

Chrissie Sains' Alien In The Jam Factory series is a real favourite of mine and the cuddly Fizzbee that sits in my office is a firm favourite with children of all ages in school (including children who have moved up to Senior School and come back to see me ... and always have to see Fizzbee too!).  Because of this, I was excited at the prosect of a new series, especially one that involves a host of new creatures to get to know.  Beastopia is an adventure into a new world where magical creatures need protecting and involves a quest to earn the right to be the ones to take on the role of protectors.  

The plot is action-packed and full of fun with just enough peril to keep readers guessing.  Readers will love Digby, Tai and Mog (I really liked that she has diabetes and shows that monitoring glucose levels means that it won't limit what she can do) and will be desperate to adopt the creatures (well, most of them!).

Once again, Jenny Taykor has worked her magic to create illustrations that perfectly capture the plot - they're just fab.

Out now, Beastopia is a fab book that will delight readers and will leave them wanting more!  I'm already excited for book 2.

Sad Girl Hours - Anna Zoe Quirke

Ella and Saffron meet one night at university whilst celebrating an early New Year's Eve.  They bond instantly but, unbeknownst to Nell, Saffron suffers with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which she is determined to keep hidden at all costs.  Nell decides that Saffron's dislike of autumn can be changed and creates a to do list for the pair of all the best things to take part in as the nights draw in.  But whilst the pair grow closer, will they remain just friends or will romance blossom?

This is a beautifully written story with so many wonderful messages woven through the pages.  Saffron is struggling hugely but is terrified to let any body close enough to her to know exactly what's going on.  As she and Nell grow closer, Nell realises that there's something Saffron is holding back, but she can't get her to open up.  Mental health is treated so much better than it ever used to be but there are still people who feel that it is a taboo subject.  So many times, I wanted to reach into the book and hug Saffron (and help her).  It's not until the relationship she has with her parents is revealed that you begin to understand why she approaches things the way she does.  

Shining a spotlight on SAD in such a brilliant way will help so many people.  I know that I hate the winter (I say that sitting on a sunlounge in Spain dreading returning to the UK knowing that months of cold and rain await me...) but SAD is a whole different level; if this book helps just one person to understand the condition and reach out for support then that will be a good thing. 

I also really enjoyed the relationships between the characters and the exploration of sexuality - the positivity and the freedom was wonderful to read. 

Told in dual perspective, Sad Girl Hours is a wonderful YA romance story of acceptance, bravery and  being yourself ... it will also give you a host of autumny things to do now the clocks have gone back! 

Witchlight - Dominique Valente

 

When the Department of Isle-Spark Regulation begin to meddle in the palace, Princess Victoria thinks she may lose her magical powers; meanwhile Eglantine's magical home seems to be unwell and it can't stop sneezing!  But the house isn't the only magical being that is unwell and with gargoyles and dragons getting sick, it seems there is more to this illness than first meets the eye, and it's up to Miss Hetty's Secret Society of Witches to get to the bottom of what is going on before it's too late.

Having read and loved Witchspark last summer (you can read my review here), I was excited to catch-up with Eglantine, Princess Victoria and their friends.  Like book 1, Witchlight is a book full of enchantment that is guaranteed to put a smile on everybody's face.  The characters are in real danger at times, and there are certainly characters who are determined to deliver evil, no matter what depths they have to sink to; however, this book is the most wonderful cosy read, and perfect for this time of the year.

Eglantine makes such a great hero - she's brave and determined, and won't let anything stop her, even when she discovers what may lie in store for her.  Friendship and resilience are definite themes that run through the book, as does prejudice - prejudice against magic and the prejudice Eglantine comes up against due to her limb difference.  

Out now, Witchlight is a true story of good versus evil, and one that will feel like reading a hug.  

Wild Journey - A. M. Dassu

Wild Journey is a set of five short stories about five children in different countries who all have some sort of journey to make, and all are connected by the flight of starlings migrating in their murmuration.  Jamal in Egypt nursing an injured starling back to full health; Ella on holiday in Marrakech who becomes separated from her family during an overnight trek on camels in the Sarah Desert; Aaron on the edge of a forest in Asturias in Spain who helps a wolf; Isabelle in Ludes, France visiting her grand-père listening to a bedtime story about her uncle; Yusuf a refugee from Syria who begins his first day at school in England without being able to speak the language.

Each story can be read independently but all are connected both in the theme of journeys.  I love watching murmurations and I'm lucky enough to live close to a field where I can stand and watch the spectacle (in fact, I often see them gathering on the roofs of the houses opposite me); it's a sight I will never tire of and one that always fascinates me and I love that Az has used this to connect her stories in this wonderful book.  It's the idea of hundreds of tiny birds working together as a team to make incredibly journeys; their resilience is to be admired.  

With the children in Wild Journeys, none are expecting the journey they end up making in their story, and all grow in strength and character from their journey (both internally as well as outwardly); whether that's learning when to let go; learning when to trust their instincts; developing inner strength; accepting when they get things wrong; developing an appreciation of those around them - each story is different but with very strong messages from which children can learn. 

The book is beautifully written and celebrates diverse backgrounds and family set-ups. Resilience appears in every story as does empathy and hope (something Az does brilliantly in each of her books).  

I have to mention the striking illustrations by Joe Lillington that perfectly compliment the book; the colour pallet and the double page illustrations in particular are lovely. 

Publishing on the 6th November, Wild Journey is a stunning book that will soar into readers' hearts and will sweep them away on their own journey around the world.  It's a book that readers will return to again and again, and one that I will definitely use in school.  I can't wait to celebrate this book on Wednesday with Az at the launch.

Ice Dancer - Alex Cotter

Dina and her brothers are spending time at their Aunt JJ's in Sheffield. It's a far cry from their life in Wales and things are tense from the start.  Desperate to avoid the tension, Dina heads to the nearby ice rink to escape in the only way she knows how: skating.  Although she makes friends, it quickly becomes apparent that there are also people there who are out to sabotage her at any cost.

There is so much going on in Dina's life, not least of which is the death of her big sister Sasha.  As the story develops, you discover more about Sasha and why Dina feels the need to be close to her.  This part of the story really highlights what it must be like for families to lose a child (I can only begin to imagine the heart-break and impact).  Dina's love of skating is what saves her when tension at JJ's becomes too great.  And whilst she makes friends and discovers her confidence, it is also clear that not everyone wants to see her skating with Rosie - someone is out to get her.  The clues are drip fed but, I have to admit, that I didn't guess who it was!  

This is a book about healing, about finding yourself and finding inner-strength.  It's about coming to terms with the past and looking to the future.  It's about having the courage to break the rules for the right reasons and to show people what is possible when you look beyond the norm.

Out now, Ice Dancer is a wonderful book to curl up with and I can already think of several children in school who will be desperate to get their hands on this. 

Mech Brigade - Jamie Russell

Set in a dystopian future, Mech Brigade tells the story of thirteen year old Miles who lives with his mum in a high-rise world where deadly alien Spinners threaten everything.  On his birthday, Miles decides to join the military, hoping to fight the war against the Spinners, and also discover what happened to his father, the legendary Professor Riley who has been MIA since Miles was only a few months ths old.  Training is brutal but Miles is tough and determined, however, the longer he is there, the more he begins to think that all is not what it may seem. But is he prepared for what he is about to discover?

I love an MG sci-fi book and Jamie proved his sci-fi writing status with his Skywake trilogy which is hugely popular in school, and  Mech Brigade most definitely cements Jamie's sci-fi writing credibility. 

Mech Brigade feels grittier and darker, and I liked that. This is a world where Earth is under permanent threat, as is the rest of the universe; life is no picnic for Miles and his mum, and there seems to be no end in sight.  On top of that, Miles quickly discovers that the war against Spinners is far worse than anybody has been portraying. As a character, he's tough and absolutely determined to find out what happened to his father, a man he has put on a pedestal.

The book is fast-paced and a gripping read that will entice readers from the very beginning.  What I particularly like is the fact that, as the plot unfolds, there are questions that will be raised for readers: questions about ethics, morals and what we would do in the same situations. I'd love to read this book aloud to a class to see what different opinions people would have.

I already know that Mech Brigade is going to be a huge hit at school, for when it arrived on my desk it caused an instant frenzy of children desperate to borrow it -there is already a waiting list!

Mech Brigade is out now and I know I won't be the only person desperate to know if there is more to come from Miles and Ironclad (a brilliant character, by the way!).

Up Above The City - Clare Weze

This Christmas holidays have begun and Jake is being forced to spend his days at his Mum's work, bored.  But when his camera picks out a girl in a window, he begins to investigate, and what he discovers leads to an adventure he will never forget.

This book was so much more than I was expecting. I love an adventure book and this has all the ingredients for that (deception, secrets, invisibility, daring) but then you add in the refugee element  (the hundreds of people being duped into thinking they're heading somewhere better, only to be deceived; the desperation of people whose only dream is to to keep themselves and their family safe...) and suddenly the book becomes so much more poignant. 

It's a truly gripping read (I read it in one sitting today) with two of the bravest main characters. Jake already has so much on his mind with his parents separating and Christmas being so close, not to mention being kicked out of holiday club, but all of that pales when he meets Laine, and he becomes desperate to help.

Out now, Up Above The City is a story of bravery, friendship and hope that will touch people's hearts, and is certainly a book I won't forget in a hurry. 

Finn's Epic Fails - Phil Earle

Finn is eleven and is trying desperately to navigate life without too much embarrassment; however, he doesn't factor in his siblings, his lycra-loving father, school and his teachers into this equation. With only his friends Google and Laszlo for support, can Finn successfully navigate Year 7 without too many epic fails?

Phil Earle is a master when it comes to writing gripping war-based novels and his books are hugely popular in school (as well as with me!). Finn's Epic Fails is a very different genre but definitely shows Phil's diversity as a writer. From the start, the book is laugh out loud funny (that first scene in the school swimming pool had me howling!) and the laughs just keep coming. 

The fail-o-meter at the start of each chapter gives you a hint as to how how disastrous the event is going to be for Finn who is a brilliant character that readers will be able to relate to.  The middle child, he is battling a younger and an elder sibling, both with their own unique ways to torment him. Elder brother Jonah seems to love himself as much as he hates Finn, and will do anything to make life miserable for him (sharing a room together just adds to Finn's misery!).  Younger sister Maisie seems to like Finn ... but loves unicorns far more and will do anything to make her life more unicornified (clearly not a real word but it seems to fit!). Then you add in Finn's dad whose love of cycling since the divorce has lead to a worrying obsession with lycra ... poor Finn doesn't stand a chance!

This is a chatty, first person novel that is a whole heap of entertaining.  Phil's observations on school life had me giggling away to myself ... I just hope they don't give any of the students at my school any ideas!

With a diary-style font and illustrations by Al Murphy which perfectly compliment the plot, Finn's Epic Fails is a book that is going to be hugely popular. Publishing 29th January, it's going to be the perfect pick-me-up for those January blues when the weather is grey and miserable.  The start of a new series, I'm already excited to see what's in store next for Finn. 

Murder At Christmas - Fleur Hitchcock

Grace is incredibly excited to be away from boarding school for the Christmas holidays. And spending it with her mum and brother Billy at their Aunt Mollie's hotel.  At first, everything is perfectly, but when her mum goes out for the morning and doesn't return, Grace and Billy begin to  worry. Shortly after that, a dead body is discovered on the stairs at the hotel.  What on earth is going on and can the siblings, along with their new friends, get to the bottom of things before Christmas Day?

The arrival of a new Fleur Hitchcock murder mystery is always exciting, but combine that with the Christmas theme and the book zoomed straight past my reading pile! Fleur has a way of writing murder mysteries that grip readers without being too scary, all whilst maintaining the drama and the action. This series is one that is very popular in school and I know that Murder At Christmas will not be in my office library for long. 

Set in Bath in a small, luxury hotel that is run by Grace's aunt, the book exudes a Christmassy feel from the start: ginger bread and chocolate treats, rooms with thick carpet and a cosy feel, Christmas trees, breakfasts to make your mouth water, and staff that are always willing to help ... heck, I wish this hotel were real as I'd be there in a flash!  The place gives off a lovely, cosy, homely vibe ... but there is definitely something going on and Grace and Billy are determined to get to the bottom of it. 

All Grace wants is a relaxing Christmas holiday with her family. She hates her new boarding school and has missed her family who have moved to Australia due to her mum's job.  But when her Mum goes missing, it's Grace who has to step up and become the adult. You can feel the weight of responsibility on her shoulders as she tries desperately to work out what's going on and who she can trust - it's a lot, especially when she also feels she has to take charge of her younger brother, Billy. 

This is such a great book. To be fair, the entire series is superb, so I don't know why this one would be any different! Perfect for curling up with and getting lost in in the run up to the festivities, Murder At Christmas will make you want to embrace the holiday season whilst also checking in on your family! The plot is easy to follow but will keep readers guessing. It's an action packed whodunit with a rollercoaster of an ending that is guaranteed to put you in the festive mood and I absolutely loved it!

The Beast From Beneath - Martin Howard

The second in the Mallory Vale and Maggoty Skull series sees the dynamic duo battling a Nightmare that has taken root in Aunt Lilith after she decided to try to improve her psychic powers.  As Lilith realises that being able to hear the dead isn't all she thought it would be, Mallory and Maggoty have to undertake a perilous journey into the depths of Carrion Castle in order to find a solution to the problem before it's too late.

I adored Mallory Vane And The Curse of Maggoty Skull (you can read my review here ) and I'd been waiting for The Beast From Beneath since finishing book 1!

Whilst mastering her new skills , and discovering just how powerful she can be,

Mallory goes from strength to strength in this book and seems to be the one heading the household this time.  Maggoty's desperate desire for a new and expensive wig, her new role as a necromancer and Aunt Lilith's predicament certainly keep Mallory busy and her strength of character shines through - she's very much becoming a strong person whose reluctance about her powers have given way to confidence.

Maggoty remains one of my favourite ever fictional characters! His attitude, manner and way of speaking all made me laugh and add a light-heartedness to the book.  I love the humour, darkness and Death that lurk in this brilliant book that is perfect for this time of year.

The Beast From Beneath is another guaranteed hit for Martin (it's already been borrowed from my office library twice in the past week) and I sincerely hope that Mallory and Maggoty will be back. 

So, as predicted, The Beast From Beneath is already a hit at school and I have a review from a student to add to my own:

The Beast From beneath was a good book because the mysteries were dark yet funny (because of the one and only Maggoty Skull).  It was also really cool when Mallory could summon people who had gone to the afterlife.  Maggoty's constantly, annoying jabbering about the Eleganza made me smile, it was also pretty emotional when Maggoty ... (I'm redacting this bit as a spoiler!!).  I have noticed that Mallory becomes a bit darker throughout the series, making me wonder if one day she will finally become a dark necromancer like her relative.  Todd was really funny, always randomly appearing out of Aunt Lilith's ear saying something about food.  I really enjoyed this book and I hope there will be another one.