Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Pearly Pants - Kaz Penney

 

Will and Tybalt are back and this time they find themselves on the school archery trip to Scotland!  Once in Dunsinaine, they discover that Lord Gracious Dunkin is due to present King James VI with a priceless set of pearly pants; unfortunately, they go missing before they can be handed over and the archery team are prime suspects!  It's up to Will and Tybalt to uncover the real culprits before they are all put to death!

Following the success of their first investigation, The Stinky Stolen Toenails (you can read my review here), Will and Tybalt are at it again in this laugh out loud book.  As the duo follow the clues to the whereabouts of the Pearly Pants, the chaos ensues and readers will be caught up in the action.

With short chapters, a diary style format and illustrations from Sammy Elgie, The Pearly Pants is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face and leave them wondering what Will and Tybalt will be investigating next. 

Royal Institute of Magic: Elizabeth's Legacy - Victor Kloss

 

It's been two years since Ben's parents vanished and he still has no idea where they are.  When he discovers a mysterious note it leads to a place called the Royal Institute of Magic, a place Ben has never heard of but is convinced holds the answers to where his parents are.  With his best friend, Charlie, he discovers how to get there and they find a way inside.  From there, they discover a whole new hidden world of magic and power that will lead to him discovering more about his parents.  But danger lurks.

I have to admit that this book has been sitting on my tbr pile for far too long, and now I've read it, I can't quite figure out why!  This is an utterly immersive adventure that is completely unputdownable.

It's been two years since Ben's parents disappeared and life hasn't been easy for him since.  All he wants to do is to find out what has happened to them and he'll do anything for information, so when the letter appears in a box of their things he's going through, he jumps at the chance to follow it up.  With Charlie by his side, they take a leap of faith and dive into the building that holds the sign on the letter.  Neither of them could imagine what would await them or how much it would change their lives.  

From the start, the book is a rollercoaster of an adventure with wonderful world-building that will mesmerise readers and make them want to head to the Institute themselves.  Modern day mixes seamlessly with magic, dragons, danger and daring, and I'm now desperate to get my hands on the rest of the series.

Royal Institute of Magic: Elizabeth's Legacy is out now and is perfect for fans of  the Skandar series, Nevermore, Felix and the Future Agency, and Amari and the Night Brothers.

 

Fear Files: A Trick of the Light - Christopher Edge

 

Hazel wasn't looking forward to the school residential and hates it even more when she's there as everyone is deliberately ignoring her.  She's feeling very lonely until she meets Alice who is there with another school.  Together, they decide to seek revenge by inventing a legend about a ghost who haunts the stately home they're staying in.  But the further they get with their plans, the more Hazel begins to worry they may be going too far.

This is the second in Christopher Edge's Fear Files, (you can read my review of book 1, Hide and Seek, here) and I loved how creepy it was so I was pleased that I'd decided to read A Trick of the Light in the sunshine!

Wow!  What a deliciously creepy book this is!  Hazel is feeling incredibly lonely and pushed out so meeting Alice seems perfect as she's someone to talk to and seems to understand what she's going through.  Then Alice begins to suggest revenge and Hazel is onboard ... until it seems things are going too far.

The setting is perfect for the book: a school residential in an old, converted stately home; creaking and groaning pipes and floor boards abound; dark corners and plenty of places to get lost in.  Set in the middle of extensive grounds, you just know that something bad is bound to happen!  

Publishing on the 8th October, A Trick of The Light is the perfect book for those who like a scary read; it will have you in the edge of your seat and gripping your teddy for support!  Full of atmosphere and with an ending that will leave you shocked, this is the perfect read as the dark nights take hold.

Operation Doodlebug - Tia Fisher

 

It's 1944 and Stan wants nothing more than to keep his family together, so he's shattered when his dad announces that he has joined the war effort and is going away to fight.  He is left in Croydon with his mother where they spend many evenings in their neighbour's air raid shelter.  When Stan and his mum receive the news that his father is missing, presumed killed, his mother is distraught but Stan clings to the hope that he is still alive somewhere.  When a V1 bomb lands too close to the family home, Stan's mum decides she is sending him somewhere safe and so he, Billie and Nellie are evacuated to Norfolk where a piece of shrapnel Stan has brought with him could hold vital information from a prisoner of war, and Stan, with his friends, is determined to unlock its secrets.

Anybody who knows me, will know that I have a love of middle grade World War II books, so when Operation Doodlebug popped up on NetGalley whilst I was on holiday, there was no question about me reading it!  

The detail in the plot and the accuracy of the historical details are a credit to Tia - it's clear that she researched the period well.  Set towards the end of the war, the book gives you a feel of what life in central London was like as well as how children coped with evacuation.  Many WWII books focus on the start of the war so I found it refreshing that this is set much later and readers are able to understand that the end of the blitz didn't equate to the end of the bombing.  

Whilst I loved the setting, I feel that the friendships in this book are what really make it: Stan is dealing with so much following his father's departure and it's clear he thinks deeply about a lot of things.  Nellie is his neighbour and he looks out for her like she was his sister, especially when they are in Norfolk.  He has a different friendship with Billie who is more fearless; his dwarfism is dealt with sensitively and is woven into the plot seamlessly.  The trio balance each other well and the relationship between them is warm and wonderful to read.

Operation Doodlebug is immersive and exciting, whilst being beautifully written - it has a real feel of a classic novel and one that will be read for years to come.

Operation Doodlebug publishes on the 5th November.

Into Thin Air - S E Durrant

Things are tricky for Luna and her family since they had to close their café, but with both Mum and Dad working, they are managing.  Then Dad leaves in the middle of the night and doesn't come back.  Mum says that he's gone to visit their grandma and that seems plausible to Luna, but then Dad's boss bangs on their front door demanding to see him; Grandma's home calls to ask to speak to Dad and Mum seems to be acting strangely.  Luna is worried and the only people she feels she can trust are Casey, her best friend, and Jade, her younger sister.  Together, they need to piece together the clues Dad has left before it's too late.

Luna is good at maths and counts in prime numbers to stop her anxious thoughts; her one passion is space and she dreams of being an astronaut which is why she follows astronaut Mimi's journey on the space station.  She knows that her mum is struggling so is determined to get to the bottom of things without worrying her.  In stark contrast is her younger sister Jade, who is bouncy and full of energy and confidence.  Together, the one thing they want is to get their father back.

This is a great mystery: with the clues building, the sisters decide to write everything they know down and follow-up on their leads.  This leads to an adventure that takes them on a journey they won't forget.  

Into Thin Air is a book that is quietly powerful with strong messages about family, finance, resilience and sticking together. 

Into Thin Air is out now. 

A Werewolf Ate My Homework - Emily Snape

 

Asher's life has been turned upside down by the arrival of his Mum's fiancé and son in their small flat.  If this wasn't bad enough, Asher is becoming increasingly convinced that Luca (his soon to be step-brother) is actually a werewolf and he needs to find evidence to present to his mum before the next full moon.

A Werewolf Ate My Homework is such a great read and full of fun as well as carrying some heart-warming messages about friendship and blended families.

Asher is not at all happy at the fact that Luca and his dad have moved into their small flat, and is even more annoyed that he and Luca have been forced to share a room.  Their relationship is already a frosty one and this becomes even more strained once Asher suspects he is a werewolf.  With his mum refusing to listen to him, he has no choice but to enlist the help of his best friend, Helga; despite the way he has treated her recently, she jumps at the chance to help.  Readers will love the characters who are relatable and engaging.  

Each chapter begins with the time of day and how long there is until the next full moon and the evidence list is added to at the end of every chapter.  This is a book with just the right amount of spookiness and adventure that will leave readers howling with laughter when it publishes on the 10th September.

Lykewise - Darren Simpson

 

When a travelling salesman passes through Harrowmere, nobody thinks anything is untoward and folks happily buy his mirrors.  And Dunn and his friends think nothing of playing around with an old mirror ritual that will allow you to see your true self.  But then things take a very dark turn in Harrowmere and the locals begin to fear each other as, one by one, they turn nasty.  When Dunn realises what's actually happening, he knows he has to do something quickly if he is to save his village and his friends. 

Like Thirst (you can read my review here), Lykewise is a book that will grip you.  It's folklore style of writing almost lulls you into a false sense of security; however there is a darkness to it that puts you on guard from the beginning.  Set in foggy boglands with sinister goings on from the start, the eerie atmosphere is built well and will have shivers running down your spine, even on the warmest of days.  As the plot unfolds, you begin to realise that the Lykewise is a dark and twisted entity set upon destroying towns and villages for its own pleasure.  The fact that villagers don't know who the next victim will be puts everyone, including the reader, on edge as they try to deduce who has been duped. It's a clever premise for a book and one that will definitely make readers think.  

At 236 pages, Lykewise is a short but perfectly formed read that will appeal to fans of Phil Hicks and Dan Smith.  It's the perfect MG/YA crossover and will have readers gripped when it publishes on the 24th September. 

The Secrets Of Wild Hill: A Pony's Promise - Olivia Tuffin

 

Lottie is back with her pony Patch and this time she is desperately trying to regain the bond they had after he is spooked.  To add to this, tensions are running high at Wild Hill with her parents determined to sell the place, and she feels very lonely since Felix, her best friend, betrayed her.  But when Felix asks for help, she knows she has to be there for him, especially when she learns that it could ruin Felix's family's farm, Highfield Acres.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Lottie's Dream a few months ago (you can read my review here), I was really keen to read A Pony's Promise.  It begins where Lottie's Dream left off and I absolutely loved that the first chapter serves as a recap of the previous book; Lottie lying on the grass thinking back over what's already happened is a great way to do this - I wish more sequels did this!

Lottie has a lot on her mind: she's worried about Wild Hill and the fact that her parents are desperate to sell it; she's missing Felix and she's also very worried about Patch.  All of these issues are worries that readers will have so it's important to see them in books.  It makes Lottie and her friends very relatable.  Then there's the issue of Highfields Acres: she knows that there is an ancient feud between the families and readers learn more of the background to this in A Pony's Promise.  We see Felix's bravery really come to the fore in this book, especially when he realises that he may end up being seen in the same light as his grandfather, despite being very different.  

With just the right amount of danger and adventure, this is a delightful sequel and one animal lovers will thoroughly enjoy.  I'm now looking forward to book 3, The Lost Horse.

The Neverland Thieves - Katie and Kevin Tsang

 

Tom is a patient at Great Ormond Street hospital; Felix is his best friend who continues to visit him even though Tom is grumpy with him; then there's Daisy whose mum is a doctor at the hospital.  The trio end up in the garden where magic starts to swirl, creatures from the chapel come to life and the world of Neverland is calling. With the promise of returning to the hospital by the end of the day, all three dive headfirst into an adventure where they meet mermaids and pirates; they're accused of being thieves and then have to clear their names, but to do that involves taking on a terrifying Beekeeper and his army of wax creatures.

Oh goodness, gracious me, where do I begin with this book?  It's a glorious new adventure that will whisk you away to a world of magic, hope and heart.

Tom is clearly very ill and is struggling with life in the hospital, being isolated and not fully understanding what is happening.  He's even pushing away his best friend Felix.  I love that the book gives us Tom's perspective on his illness but also shows us what it's like for Felix who is trying his best to understand what his friend is going through and to support him with this.  Then there's Daisy who is desperate to spend time in the hospital in order to become a doctor like her mum, but is actually feeling very lonely.  Although they don't know it, the three really need each other and Neverland needs them, which is why a small golden dragon and a bat are woken from the chapel in order to ensure they get there; something of course they can't do without a bit of fairy dust!

Neverland itself is a joy to revisit: whilst there are a host of new characters to get to know, it is also good to have familiarity in some aspects of this magical world (both for adults who are reading it to their children as well as hopefully encouraging a whole new generation of readers to dive into Peter Pan).  Readers will delight at the map and the illustrations that are woven through the book thanks to Kristian Kister, and will take huge amounts of joy in getting lost in the pages of this truly wonderful tale.

I could think of nobody better than Katie and Kevin to take on this incredibly special book.  To honour the brilliance of the original novel as well as paying tribute to Great Ormond Street hospital takes skill and is something the couple do effortlessly and with real warmth (although I know it will have taken much time as well as many tears and rewrites!).  Their style is one that draws you in from the beginning and makes you feel part of every step of the story.  It's a book that deserves to be savoured and is absolutely one that can be read and reread - I predict it will become a classic. 

I fear that this review is never going to do this book the justice it deserves so I'm just going to end by saying: 

Publishing on the 24th September, The Neverland Thieves is a book to pre-order, a book to savour and a book to treasure forever ... and yes, I did hug the book once I'd finished reading it!

Postman Planet The Big Stink - Ben Davis

Nicetopia, as its name suggests, is a planet full of incredibly nice and polite people, but all that changes when Dr Stankenstein dumps enormous amounts of his stink potion into their water supply.  Suddenly, everyone is farting everywhere and without the antidote being administered in 12 space hours, things could be ruined forever.  Thankfully, Postman Planet is at hand to help!

This is a wonderfully light-hearted book full of laughs and adventure that is guaranteed to get even the most reluctant young person reading.  With songs, plenty of mayhem, a host of unusual characters and fab illustrations, I know it's a book that will go down well.

I wonder what adventure awaits Postman Planet next!

How Not To Be A Pirate: The Trouble With Curses - Jenny Pearson

 

Wilbur is a rather reluctant pirate and would much rather be in the kitchen than anything else; however, he needs to pass his Level One Pirate Grading.  There's just a couple of problems: he gets seasick and he's afraid of heights!  Both are an issue when he ends up sailing stormy seas with fellow shipmates and Level One candidates Ellie and Gilbert.  With the task of hunting down the greatest treasure ever known, he will need to muster all the courage he can if he is to succeed and stop the curse that threatens to be unleashed.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Jenny's books (a quick scroll through my blog will confirm that) and she's popular in school too; with two visits and a host of books sold, I already know that How Not To Be A Pirate: The Trouble With Curses is going to be in big demand come the start of term.

Shiver me timbers, I love Wilbur! He's torn between being himself and pleasing his father, Captain Woodblack who is at pains to remind Wilbur that he has 'the blood of the world's best pirates' whenever he talks about cooking.  With skills such as spitting, climbing the rigging and sword fighting to master, things are going to be tough for him, especially as he really doesn't think he has what it takes to be a pirate.

This is such a brilliant book and a swashbuckling adventure with laughs as well as thoughtful messaged woven in (something Jenny does so well).  With Paula Bowles distinctive red and black illustrations providing the perfect accompaniment, How Not To Be A Pirate: The Trouble With Curses is the start of what I know will be a fantasticly pirateastic adventure, so grab your doubloons, then batten down the hatches and be prepared to be swept away as soon as the book publishes on the 13th August.

P.S: This would make a brilliant class read aloud novel for the start of term (especially if you enjoy doing voices!!)

Tadpole Summer - Catherine Bruton

 

Summer is on the way and Frog (whose real name is Frances) is looking forward to spending it with her younger brother, Tad, collecting tadpoles and watching them grow into frogs as they have done for the past few years; however, Frog quickly discovers that things are going to be very different this year.  She has always known that Tad is unwell but when he becomes sick and is taken to hospital, it becomes apparent that things are far more serious than she thought.  Feeling helpless and unwilling to sleep in the bedroom they share whilst he's away, Frog decides to camp in the garden until Tad returns.  But once he's home, things aren't what she expected and she may need to accept that she can't fix everything.

Catherine always writes poignant books (No Ballet Shoes In Syria; Following Frankenstein; Bird Boy) and a quick read of the blurb for Tadpole Summer told me that this was going to be an emotional read and I was right (I really like the warning at the bottom of the back cover), but even thought I knew what would be coming at the end, nothing prepared me for how I felt for Frog and her family.

Frog  is looking forward to the summer with her brother.  Although she's always known that he is sick, it's not something she has really thought about until now.  Emotions and thoughts swirl around inside her but she feels she has to be strong for everyone else.  I loved that we heard all of the thoughts she had, including the difficult negative ones.  Being the sibling of someone with a chronic or terminal illness (SMA-PME in this case) is difficult and Catherine shines a light on this well; from drifting through lessons to trying to find ways to make things better, readers will begin to understand some of what many children actually go through. I'm so pleased that Frog had her Grandad whose calm and reassuring manner felt like a hug.  With her parents concentrating their efforts on Tad, she feels left out and lonely so her grandad's presence is an important one for her.  

Tadpole Summer is a poignant book full of love, the joy of nature and the power of family.  It will absolutely stay with you long after you have finished reading it and I can highly recommend having tissues handy (I cried several times whilst reading it).

We Wait For The Stars - Bridget Hamilton

When Celest's Dad dies suddenly, she feels like everything in her life is falling apart.  With her friends not sure how to behave around her, the distance between them widens and Celeste feels increasingly alone and isolated.  But can new friends help to heal her heart or will those emotions that are being bottled up find a way to come out?  

Celeste is understandably lost following the sudden death of her father who was the heart of the family; her siblings and mum are navigating their way through their own grief and Celeste feels she has no-one to turn to, so when Katie comes along their friendship blossoms as she feels Katie gets her.  They seem to share a love of the beach and she can talk to Katie easily.  Then she meets Reuben at school who shares her love of photography, but she begins to realise that her feelings are growing for Reuben but doesn't know if he feels the same way about her. 

The book feels very honest in its portrayal of Celest's emotions and her day to day feelings; she's a very relatable character which will be important for teenagers who find themselves in the same or a similar situation.  Not only is she trying to navigate her own grief and how that grief is changing the other members of her family, she is also finding her way through her final years at school, the dilemma of what to do at university - she has a lot to cope with and feels very alone at times. 

The book is set in the north-east, in a small village on the coast where Celeste and her family have spent many happy times at the beach, and it's the beach that provides comfort to Celeste throughout the book.  Being a north-east girly myself, I loved that the book is set up here and particularly liked mention of Bamburgh and trips to see Santa in Fenwick's (that really brought back childhood memories!).  The coast is very much part of life in the north-east and I love that it plays a pivotal role of the book. 

Out now, We Wait For The Stars is a beautifully written YA in verse; poignant and touching, it is a story of grief and learning to live and love after the death of a parent.  It's a book that will reach out and grip your heart, and will stay with you long after you have finished reading. 

Goodnight Silver - Abi Elphinstone

Emmy and her family have only just arrived in Mongolia when Emmy heads to collect wood for the fire but ignores her parents' warnings to stay close and quickly becomes lost in a blizzard. In her attempt to avoid a snow storm, she shelters in a cave where she meets the rarest of creatures, a snow leopard. This one is a cub who has lost their mum. Together the lost pair head out to find their way when they come across Tuli, a boy who is desperate to help.  Before long, the pair find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime, trying to avoid hunters, find Silver's mum and find their way home. 

I have a real soft spot for Abi's books and I adore the way she writes. There is something quite magical about it and that rings completely true with Goodnight Silver.  From the start, I need to say that this is a book to be savoured. It's beautifully written and transports readers to a simply magical place.

Emmy is a pessimist by her own admission and is listing everything that could go wrong in the trip before it's even begun.  It is clear that there is something awful that has happened before they came away, something that is weighing on Emmy. She is lost and is looking for answers. Quite by accident, she ends up lost in Mongolia and has no choice but to find answers. She needs to find an inner strength and positivity that she didn't know she had.  In contrast, Tuli is very much an optimist who loves poetry and finds the joy in almost everything.  These two opposites stumble across each other and become a wonderful balance. 

I remember Abi talking when she visited school about writing stories based on maps and creating stories that follow the map. Goodnight Silver demonstrates how well Abi does this, and the map of 'somewhere in Mongolia's Mountains' is beautifully illustrated at the beginning of the book (shout out to Olivia Lomenech Gill for the illustrations) meaning that readers can track Emmy and Silver's journey. And what a journey it is!  Adventure, danger and just the right amount of suspense weave seamlessly in this perfectly crafted tale of hope, finding yourself and learning to let go. 

This is a book full of magic, wonder and utter joy; it's a book to savour (although the temptation to gobble it in one sitting will be real), and it's a book you will want to hug once you have finished reading it (yes, I shed a tear!). Goodnight Silver cements Abi's place as a master of storytelling (as if we didn't already know that).

Get ready to lose your heart to Silver and Emmy when Goodnight Silver publishes on the 27th October. 

Behind The Sky - Megan Angharad Hunter

 

16 year old Deian and seventeen year old Anest meet at a psychiatric facility.  They attend the same school but their friendship doesn't evolve until they attend a birthday party.  From then, they support each other through everything but can they also find a way to free themselves from their own burdens?

Deian and Anest are two very different teenagers: he is quiet and very unsure of himself, all he want to be is 'normal'; Anest, however, is loud and talkative but hides her emotions because she doesn't want to trouble anybody.  The one thing they have in common is that they are both struggling with their mental health.  As their friendship grows, they find it easier to support each other, without being able to always help themselves.  The friendship and support that builds between the pair is lovely to see and really showcases the fact that people struggle differently with mental health issues.

Told in dual narrative, Megan cleverly distinguishes between the two main characters in the way she writes their voices, particularly Anest's.  This is a powerful book that tackles some very tricky issues (suicide, self-harm, panic attacks) and comes with a warning at the front of the book and a list of ways people can reach out if they need help (this is definitely a book for older YA readers).  Things get very dark for both characters at times, particularly Deian, and readers need to be aware of that; however, Megan does this sensitively and in a believable way.

Publishing on the 1st October, Behind The Sky is a heart-felt, powerful YA novel that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.

Yearning Difficulites - Elle McNicoll

Zella loves her job on the school's student radio, the only problem is her co-host is her ex, Dave, who happens to be a complete chauvinist.  Killian, however, is entirely different and seems happy to help Zella get into the writing programme at school that his mum runs.  But to do that effectively, they need to pretend they are dating; Killian has secretly been in love with Zella for quite some time so is happy to play along, but the longer they are 'together' the more it appears they enjoy each other's company, so when it comes time for them to split up, will they realise what everybody else can already see?

Heading back to Lake Pristine is like being wrapped in a favourite blanket: it fills you with warmth and familiarity and makes you want to sink into it and never leave.  Yearning Difficulties is part of Elle's Lake Pristine series so it is lovely to bump into some familiar characters from the previous books as well as getting to know some new people (it is very easy to read this as a stand alone book but I would highly recommend reading Some Like It Cold and Wish you Were Her first).

So, once again, I find myself struggling to put into words how much I enjoyed this book (it's becoming a habit of mine after reading Elle's books!), so I've reverted back to listing everything I loved about it... 

❤️the unrequited love - oh goodness, it's swoonable!

❤️Killian's way with words; especially when he's righting wrongs with Dave (oh       how I envied his ability there!); I really wish I'd been at school with somebody like him

❤️that Zella's self discovery unfold as the plot does - I could relate to much of   what she said, especially as I was always considered different at school 

❤️the way Elle once again seamlessly weaves neurodiversity into the plot and  allows readers to see themselves represented in books

❤️the fact that the characters feel very real and relatable (ok, so Dave is a snake  but I'm sure many of us have come across a Dave in our time)

❤️the support Zella's parents give her, especially when they are called into school

❤️the crisp autumn vibe - I'm very much a summer girl but the book really made me want to carve a pumpkin

❤️the fact that I read the book in Carcassonne and it made me seriously consider heading to one of their jousting tournaments!

❤️the fact that the hopeless romantic in me was glad I had sunglasses on when I read the book (yes, I shed a tear!)

❤️ the fact that I genuinely got lost in the book in the most delicious way

❤️ Killian's desperate desire to do the right thing whilst trying to hide his true feelings 

❤️I didn't want the book to end and didn't want to leave Lake Pristine behind once I'd finished the last page

I could carry on, but it's safe to say that Yearning Difficulties is a book that YA readers are going to adore when it publishes on the 8th October.  It will make the perfect autumn read whilst the leaves are turning brown, the nights are drawing in and the blankets are calling...

The Shadows of Kensington Gore - Ross Montgomery

I've been anticipating The Shadows Of Kensington Gore since getting an early read of Murder At World's End last summer and, despite having itchy fingers, I waited until I knew I could devote time to it before wading in.  And so it was, that I headed to Kensington last week whilst lying on my sunbed at the same time as my husband was thoroughly engrossed in the first book!

Oh boy, people, are you in for a treat!

Miss Decima and Stephen have replaced the remote stately home with an apartment in Kensington and they are bumbling along together. Unlike the other servants in the building, Stephen has a room in the apartment instead of the basement so he can be at Miss Decima's beck and call.  They are desperate to get their teeth into another juicy case but, so far, have found nothing ... until a policeman is brutally murdered on the steps of their building with Stephen as the only witness.  With three young suffragettes as the main suspects,  Decima and Stephen get to work to discover exactly what happened before time runs out.

Decima hasn't changed one bit thank goodness! She's still the feisty, outspoken, potty mouthed aristocrat I came to know and love in Murder At World's End; she has a no nonsense attitude to everything and doesn't suffer people lightly - she is utterly brilliant!

Stephen is grateful for everything he now has but is feeling a little lonely and a bit left out of their detecting at times: is he her partner in detecting or her servant? He often feels the lines are blurred and I like that he grows a bit more bolshy in this book.  Together, they make the perfect pairing and the combination of his sense of justice and her intelligence is a force to be reckoned with.

The historical links to the suffragette movement add real interest to the mystery, and the plot keeps you guessing and smiling.  Ross' ability to maintain drama whilst making readers chuckle is clever and an absolute joy to read. 

Publishing on the 22nd October, The Shadows of Kensington Gore is a triumph of a sequel and I can't wait to see what the pair get up to next (by the way, Mr W is now trying desperately trying to nab my iPad so he can read this!)

We Are All Made of Molecules - Susin Neilson

Stewart lost his mum to cancer nearly 2 years ago. 

Ashley's parents divorced following her father's announcement that he is gay.

Stewart's dad and Ashley's mum have found love again together and so Stewart and his dad are moving in with Ashley and her mum. 

Stewart and Ashley are very different from one another but they need to find a way to get along for their parents' sake.

This is a wonderful book that looks very much at family relationships and blended families.  Stewart is a geeky, gifted child who has, until now, attended a school to cater for like-minded children but with the move he is now starting at the same school as Ashley.  Ashley and he couldn't be more different: she is driven by looks, fashion and popularity, especially when it comes to getting the attention of Jared, the school hunk.  However, Ashley is still coming to terms with her dad's sexuality so hasn't told a soul, not even her best friends.  I loved both characters for very different reasons: Stewart's quirks and his unique way of looking at things I found really endearing; he is happy in himself and this was lovey to see.  Ashley's mis-quoted phrases kept me chuckling throughout.  Although I found her shallow and unlikeable to begin with, she really grew on me. 

Told in dual narrative, We Are All Made of Molecules is full of warmth and humour and deserves to be celebrated with this 10th anniversary edition.  It's an uplifting, feel-good read that reminds readers to 'always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn.  In which case, be a unicorn.'

This is the perfect summer read. 

Texts We Never Sent - G. Forsyth-Read

Texts We Never Sent is a deliciously wonderful YA read about friendship, falling in love and coming of age.

Best friends Nel, Flo, Maggie and Nicole, write texts to to each other to be opened in 2 years but when they read them, things are very different: the 4 girls have drifted apart and the texts reveal that their friendship may not have been everything they thought it was. The girls were hiding things from each other, things they were too afraid to say to their faces.  But now, 2 years later, can they repair those bonds?

The four girls are very different and are clearly experiencing different things in their lives, things that many teenagers will be able to relate to (an abusive relationship, serious illness, discovering their sexuality, wanting different things from life than their parents' had planned for them, body image issues).  Each issue is explored well in an age appropriate way and without getting too heavy, making the book feel like an authentic read.  Friendships in books can often feel unreal but this wasn't the case: there were arguments, differences of opinion, we got to understand how they were feeling and how dynamics can change in friendships - the girls are far from perfect and that's important to see. 

Texts We Never Sent is a moreish book and will make a great YA summer read for those aged 14+.  I know hope that there will be a sequel so we can see what happens next with the girls.

The Summer My Wishes Came True - Radhika Sanghain

 

Ayesha is very excited to spending two weeks of her summer holiday at camp with her best friend, Nikki - the pair have been inseparable for years. However, from the start, things don't go as Ayesha expected: Nikki arrives full of chat about her trip to New York, with a host of clothes that aren't the ones she and Nikki had agreed to take; then Ayesha begins to feel left out when Nikki seems to be favouring their new dorm mates and their love of fashion and musical theatre.  When she hears Nikki saying unkind things about her, she heads to the lake, upset, and lets out her feelings to the nature around her.  The following morning, Ayesha realises that everything she wishes for is coming true and she discovers that she has been gifted unlimited wishes.  At first, it's better food for lunch that she wishes for, but as Nikki drifts further away from her, could wishing for them to be best friends again be the solution?

Radhika's books are always a great read and are popular in school (you can read my reviews here: The Girl Who Couldn't Lie; How To Get Magically Popular) so I was excited to read The Summer My Wishes Came True.

The book has all the ingredients for the perfect read: a summer camp setting with cabins, a lake, camp fires and preparations for an end of camp production.  With friendship issues, and a hint of magic thrown in for good measure.

Ayesha is so excited about heading to camp; it's something she's been looking forward to for a long time and she and Nikki have spent a long time planning every detail.  However, when Nikki comes back from a trip to New York with her dad and her stepmum, everything seems to have changed, and Ayesha doesn't like the new Nikki.  The wishes come at exactly the right time, but the wishes don't necessarily have the effect she wants.  

This is a wonderful book about friendship and discovering that what you want and what you actually need may be two very different things. 

Out now, The Summer My Wishes Came True is a perfect book for the school summer holidays.