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!).