The Girl Who Speaks Bear - Sophie Anderson

The Girl Who Speaks Bear - Sophie Anderson
Yanka has never known where she comes from, having been found as a baby by Mamochka who then raised her.  Never quite feeling like she fits in in the village (she's known as Yanka the Bear as she's so much taller than the others), she has always longed to know about her past.  When she wakes after a fall to discover there is something very different, she determines to head into the forest in search of answers.  With a host of animal friends to help her, can Yanka discover what she yearns to know?

K's opinion:
I don't think my meagre words can possibly do justice to this stunning book but I'm going to give it a go...
          This book fizzles with magical beauty and there's a calmness to the writing that welcomes you in and wraps you in a warm embrace.  It's a perfectly woven mix of traditional tales and Yanka's story which, together, very much give the book a timeless quality (I already know that this book will still be being read many years from now).  As the story unfolds, the pace gathers and the excitement builds, leading towards a powerful message at the end of the book that I believe every child (and adult) needs to read and understand.  The book is very much about family, friendship, being brave and finding yourself, and you see Yanka find strength in herself as you turn the pages: as the story unfolds, so does her courage.  As for Mousetrap, why he just makes the perfect companion and the appearance of a house with chicken legs just goes to show that, in stories, as in life, some paths are destined to cross.
          If you only read one book this year, please, please make it this one!  Sophie has just proved herself to be one of life's word magicians and I can't wait to welcome her into school in September so the children can fall under her spell!
          
O's opinion:
I think that everyone, at some stage of their life, will be able to relate to Yanka's story: not thinking they fit in, then finding themselves; and when it comes to tackling problems, I know that some people choose to stay at home and talk, however, Yanka heads off into the forest instead: a very unorthodox way of approaching problems! Throughout the book, I loved Yanka more and more: from saving Yuri to helping Sascha. I loved how she never gave up trying to find who she was, even when it became really tough and she had to go miles on her own, without any company apart from her pet, Mousetrap. In some ways more than others, we should all be like Yanka: facing fears with friends.
          I really enjoyed this book and when it comes out in September, it should be on everyone's wish-list.

June Round-up

June Round-up

I think the highlight of this month was definitely the North-East Book Awards in the 4th June.  It was wonderful to see so many authors (& huge congratulations to Ele Fountain for winning with Boy 87) but I think the highlight of the evening was O winning an award as the best reviewer for his blog-post - it was such a wonderful surprise!  

Here's the post he won the award for, in case you're interested: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/05/ne-book-awards-2019.html

Anyway, on to this month's reads:

An Unlikely Spy - Terry Deary.

(Release date: 11th June)

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/an-unlikely-spy-terry-deary.html

I Cosmo - Carlie Sorrosiak.

(Release date: 1st August)

https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/i-cosmo-carlie-sorosiak.html

Fire Girl, Forest Boy - Chloe Daykin.

(Release Date: 4th July)

Maya has escaped form the people she thinks have kidnapped her and is now trying to find her way through the jungle.  

Raul is returning to his childhood home, haunted by the past but determined to help save the forest.

When the pair meet, they realise they need to work together to help each other out.

Told as a duel narrative, this story has two very strong characters both of whom have strong voices.  It's a fast-paced novel, full of action that will grip readers from the first to the last page.  Covering activism and environmentalism, family and learning to move on, this is a book that is guaranteed to be another hit for Chloe.

The Umbrella Mouse - Anna Fargher.

Set in 1944, during WWII, Pip (a mouse) lives with her family inside an umbrella in a shop in Bloomsbury, when one night a bomb directly hits the shop, killing her entire family.  Devastated and lost, Pip takes the umbrella (the first in England) and vows to take it to Gignesse in Italy to the umbrella where her mother's family live.  And so her adventures begin.  In order to make her journey, she must join Noah's Ark, a band of animals fighting alongside the resistance in France.  Where will her adventures take her?  Will she make it to Italy?  You'll just have to read the book to find out!

          Brave and feisty, you soon forget that Pip is a mouse and become completely absorbed by the fast-paced adventure within this book.  The band of animal characters really feel quite human in many respects and, although their animal qualities are still very much evident, their different characters are relatable and you very quickly find yourself routing for them.

          This story is a great way to portray the events of WWII, D-Day and the French Resistance in a way that will appeal.  Full of tension and with a host of heroes (none more-so than Pip), the book captures the war-time spirit and imparts many positive messages within its pages.  We highly recommend this book and completely understand why it was chosen as Waterstones book of the month.

And Then I Turned Into A Mermaid - Laura Kirkpatrick.

Molly Seabrook lives with her mum and her sisters in a lighthouse and helps out in the family's fish and chip shop ... handing out  leaflets whilst dressed as a haddock!  her best friend has joined the popular gang at school - Molly thinks she has enough to be worrying about ... and then she discovers she's a mermaid!  As the story unfolds, we discover how Molly copes with school, her family and trying to keep the fact she's a mermaid a secret - not so easy when you live right next to the sea!

          This is an entertaining book with great characters and some relatable issues (apart from the mermaid bit, of course!).  

          A book about growing-up, family and friendship, this book is great at helping us realise that this it is ok to be different because we're all different.

A Girl Called Justice - Elly Griffiths.

After the death of her mum, Justice Jones is sent to Highbury House Boarding School for the Daughters of Gentlefolk.  Having been home-schooled by her mum, Justice finds everything strange and different to begin with; however, she quickly discovers that there has recently been a death at the school, one of the servants, and decides she needs to investigate.  She thinks there's a murderer on the lose - can she resolve the mystery in time?

          What a great character Justice is - strong (despite desperately missing her mum), determined, brave (despite her fears) and she always has the perfect way of responding to those who aren't nice to her.  I think she's a character that many children will want to emulate.  This is a book that will make children want to go to boarding school (despite the cold bathrooms, terrible meals and murders!) and is perfect for fans of the Murder Most Unladylike series as well as the Scarlet and Ivy series.

Mo, Lottie and The Junkers - Jennifer Killick.

Mo's dad disappeared before he was born and now, 10 years on, he and his mum are moving in with his new stepdad and stepsisters, Lottie and Sadie.  Their old house is just across the street from where they now live and Mo and Lottie quickly begin to realise that something very strange is now happening there and it's up to them to uncover the truth.  Who are the new neighbours?  Who is sending them the cryptic notes and what are the Junkers?  Can Mo and Lottie unravel the mystery before something serious happens?

          With the book taking the format of a transcript from Mo and Lottie who are videoing their adventures, you get both perspectives of the story which is great.  I enjoyed the dynamic between the pair and the contrasts between them (quiet and organised versus outgoing and gregarious) and I also liked the inclusion of the 'new family' dynamic.  This is a fun and adventurous book with an original, intriguing plot and some crazy baddies.  It's a definite recommendation from us!

Kat Wolf Investigates - Lauren St John.

With a love of animals and a mum who's a vet, Kat is very much looking forward to their new life in Bluebell Bay.  She helps her mum out in the surgery and starts her own pet-sitting business, but then, in a town where' there's only every been one crime, things take a sinister turn when Kat begins pet-sitting for a parrot in the town's most high-tech mansion.  Can Kat and her new best-friend, Harper, unravel the mystery?

           I enjoyed the adventure and the involvement of animals within this book.  The story is full of adventure and spirit, and this is reflected in Kat whose independent nature and fierce determination shine through from the very beginning.  The plot keeps you on your toes with lots of twists and turns, and the setting sounds idyllic!

           This book will be perfect for fans of the Murder Most Unladylike books.

My Cousin Is A Time Traveller - David Solomon.

Luke and his superhero brother, Zack, are back with the rest of the members of S.C.A.R.F..  Together with Luke's cousin, Dina (who just happens to be a time traveller!), they need to save the world from take-over by the machines.  In the final book of the series, will they succeed?

          What a great read!  Funny, full of action and fast-paced, the book will definitely make children (and adults) want superpowers!  The observations on life are spot-on ('As soon as Serge returned from the toilet, the others decided that they needed to go to.'!!!) and I know that this book will be as big a hit as the previous ones ... however, I definitely won't look at my toaster or the washing machine in quite the same way again!

Frostheart - Jamie Littler.

(Release date: 3rd October)

Ash is worried about his parents and is desperate for them to return home to the stronghold where they live, a place that is completely isolated because of the creatures that lurk beneath the Snow Sea.  However, when he discovers his singing has magical powers, everything changes and he joins a band of explorers on the Frostheart who need his help.  But can they also help him find his family?

          This is a book full of wonderful characters and thrilling adventure with some laughs thrown in for good measure.  A perfect book for fans of Cressida Cowell's books.

Spaced Out.  Space Poems chosen by Brian Moses & James Carter.

What a wonderful set of poems!  We've thoroughly enjoyed reading these and they will make a great addition to the classroom next term.  They're perfect for end of the day reading or as part of a bigger space topic.  There's something for everyone in here!

How To Be An Astronaut - Dr Sheila Kanani & Sol Linero.

This non-fiction book is rather wonderful!  Full of incredibly interesting information about space, becoming an astronaut, being in space and also what happens back down on Earth, the book will appeal to a wide range of children.  With an easy to read format and plenty of bright pictures, I love this book.  I have to say though, that my favourite section was the one about unusual space jobs ... I quite fancy trying my hand at being a spacecraft salesperson!!!

I, Cosmo - Carlie Sorosiak

I, Cosmo - Carlie Sorosiak

Cosmo is a 13 year old golden retriever who loves his family dearly, in particular the eldest child, Max, and that love is reciprocated - they are best friends. Max's parents are arguing and his biggest fear is that they will divorce. If this happens, Max thinks he and his sister will live with his mum whilst Cosmo will live with his dad. Max is determined not to let that happen, so when his uncle suggests the pair take part in a dog dance competition, Max and Cosmo see this as a way to bring the family back together again. Can they succeed? Can Cosmo learn the moves despite his age?

K's opinion:
This is a story about the love between a dog and his boy - a bond stronger than anything else.  Told from the point of view of Cosmo (which I loved, by-the-way!), it gives us a heart-felt insight into just how loyal dogs can be.  The book was funny, touching and heart-warming, and shows that age means nothing when it comes to loyalty and friendship. Cosmos's voice is strong throughout the narrative and it was clear to me that the book had been written from the heart: it pours out of the pages, from Cosmo and from through the attention to detail.  It's a book I will definitely read again.

O's opinion:
Wow! That's all this book needs. 
However, I should also say that his book showed the devoted love between a dog and its owner, and I found this book to be an astounding story of love, dancing, and what children would do to save their parents divorcing. All it needs is a standing ovation and a "Book Oscar" (as a matter of fact, can I make that a real event?) that would win it the title of "Best-dog themed book that made K cry" (that would be a VERY hard category, I mean, she cries at literally ANYTHING!), but seriously, this book is amazing. Anything that is written by the point of view of a dog, that makes me want one for myself instead of borrowing my grandparents' is a book that deserves the title "Best dog-themed book that made K cry". I loved how Max and Cosmo stopped at nothing to try to win the competition. Unfortunately, I am not aloud to tell you what happened, because it would completely spoil it for you and I want you to go out and read it for yourself!

But be warned: you'll probably want to go out and buy a god at the end of it!

An Unlikely Spy - Terry Deary

An Unlikely Spy - Terry Deary
(Release date: 11th July)

Having read & reviewed The Silver Hand, there were squeals of delight as An Unlikely Spy arrived at home. A follow-on of sorts in that the book features some of the same characters, however, it can be read as a stand-alone.

It's the start of WWII, and life isn't easy for Brigit Furst, as her dad is a German doctor (Marius Furst). As her father is arrested and interviewed for simply being a German living in Britain, her Mum, Aimee, is sent to a special training camp and Brigit is evacuated to Wales; however, she soon escapes and joins her mum at the camp, training as an SOE. The pair are quickly sent to the front line of Nazi-occupied France, Bray-on-Somme, where they must support the French Resistance. But can they succeed? What dangers await them?

K's opinion:
This is a fast-paced, thrilling page-turner of a book with a feisty and determined main character.  Brigit certainly wasn't going to let the small detail of being a child get in the way of what she wanted to do!  I loved returning to Bray, and seeing Aimee as a grown-up took me right back to The Silver Hand, rather like reuniting with an old friend.  I can't wait for the release of this book in July as I know many children in school will be enthralled by it.

O's opinion:
When I saw this book at the front door, I was expecting an enthralling read, full of twists and turns and unexpected character plots. I was expecting a book that would keep me hooked until the very last page, not letting go of me until I had finished. I was expecting a book that would do all of these things, and more … and that's exactly what I got and anybody who has read the book will realise that I am describing, from cover to cover, this book! As much as I tried, I could not for the life of me find any flaws! (Don't worry, I don't actually try to find flaws in amazing books like this one!) Although some lines are in French, the language is easy to understand!!!
This book, although it is flawless, leaves me with questions that are only available to answer by writing another book (cough, cough, Terry!!!), so the only question I will ask is ... wait for it ...

How do you follow a book like that?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

May Round-up

(Publication date: 15th July)

Anna At War - Helen Peters 

(Publication date: 4th July)

Written from the point of view of Anna who is recounting her childhood to her grandson, Daniel, the book begins in pre-WWII Germany where life is becoming increasingly difficult for Anna and her parents who are non-practising Jews.  Unable to get the entire family out of the country, Anna's parents put her on the Kindertransport for England where sh will be looked after but a foster family until  her parents can join her.  She quickly settles into life with Aunty Rose, Uncle Bert, Molly and Frank on their farm but, as war begins, Anna finds herself embroiled in problems and secrets, and she can't tell anybody the truth.

Receiving a proof copy of Anna At War was a very exciting day in our house and the book most certainly did not disappoint!  Anna is a force of nature; fiercely determined and full of courage, she is keen to make the most of every situation and she copes with everything that comes her way with grace.  She is strong and resilient, and is most definitely somebody that reads will want to emulate.

This is a book that has clearly been written with passion and it had us both gripped from the start; it's most definitely a page-turner! Full of emotion, we both found ourselves routing for Anna.  It was impossible to stop reading as we were both desperate to discover what was going to happen to her!

The Starlight Watchmaker - Lauren James

Hugo is a watchmaker in a tiny attic on the edge of campus of an academy where students from all around the galaxy come to study.  Dorian discovers that his time-travel watch is broken and insists Hugo help him...and there begins the adventure!

This is a great book full of unique characters: Hugo is an older-model android who lacks confidence and feels inferior to those around him; Dorian is a duke on his own planet and has an air of superiority about him; Ada is a young island, just a few centuries old.  Together they create an out of this world book that children will love to read.

With a host of unusual characters, The Starlight Watchmaker shows that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.  This is an exciting sci-fi adventure that is bound to capture the imagination and all wrapped up in Barrington Stoke's brilliantly accessible format.

The Lost Tide Warriors  Catherine Doyle 

(Publication date: 11th July)

The second book in the Storm Keepers Island series, we are reunited with Fionn Boyle  on the island of Arranmore.  When Soulstalkers arrive, intent on raising Morrigan, their leader, it's up to Fionn to save the island and its residents by summoning Dagda's army or merrows.  Fionn can't do this alone; however, his grandfather's memory is failing him.  Can Fionn succeed with the help of his friends Shelby and Sam?  Can they save the island?

Fionn is an imperfect, unlikely hero who shows that you don't have to do things alone, that sometimes asking for and accepting help is the bravest thing you can do - he's a brilliant role-model for children today.

This is a book full of magic, suspense and chills that will keep you gripped from beginning to end ... and oh, the ending!!!  Wow!  It's safe to say that we're now waiting for book 3 with baited breath!

Spies in St Petersburg - Katherine Woodfine.

Sophie and Lil are back (yipee!) and this time it's Sophie who's gone undercover, leaving Lil back in England.  However, when Lil overhears that the Secret Service Bureau have heard nothing from her in a month, she takes things into her own hands and heads off to rescue her friend.  With circus performers, spies and secret police to contend with, will the pair be ok?

This is another gripping instalment from Katherine Woodfine and it's guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.  There are twists and turns that will keep you guessing and an ending that will ensure you're desperate for book 3!

The Bookshop Girl - Sylvia Bishop

Property, Michael and Netty Jones all live in a slightly chilly but cosy book shop called The White Hart; however, when they win a chance-in-a-lifetime raffle and become the proud owners of the Montgomery Book Emporium, their lives change forever.  AS they begin their new adventure , who is the mysterious stranger in the grey coat?  What does he want and will he discover Properties big secret?

This is a book I'd been meaning to read for a while and I'm so pleased I did!  I love anything to do with book shops and libraries (Pages & Co, The Dragon in the Library, The Lost Magician...) but I particularly liked the quirkiness of this book: the reason behind Property's name, the idea of the hammocks, the entire concept of the Book Emporium...

Property is an incredibly perceptive and observant young lady (for reasons that will become apparent) and the Gunther makes a perfect side-kick (never has so much been said by a character without a single word being uttered!).

There's just the right mix of adventure and mystery in this book and I'd recommend it particularly to children in lower KS2.

Pog - Padraig Kenny

Penny and David have moved to their  family's run-down house in the forest following the death of their mother.  Curious about the noises from the attic, David sets mouse traps and encounters Pog - a small, fury creature who talks and has promised to protect the house and to make sure nothing gets through the Necessary. What are these creatures from the Necessary?  What do they want?  Can they be stopped?

This is a book about two children who are struggling with their grief; they're missing their mother and are unable to express their feelings.  It's beautifully written, touching and emotional (I cried!).  This is definitely a book worth curling up to read.

Not My Fault - Cath Howe

Maya and Rose are sisters.  They are in the same class at school (11 months separates them) but things haven't been great between the girls since the accident that badly damaged Maya's leg and they no longer talk to each other: 1 is in denial about what happened whilst the other is jealous of her sister.  Now they have a week long school trip together to get through - what will this do to them?

This is a great story about sibling rivalry.  Maya is off the rails: she's angry about her leg and is rebelling instead of talking.  Rose, on the other hand, is being bullied by Maya but remains protective of her sister instead of speaking out.  

A book about family, siblings, learning to talk and not being afraid to ask for help, this is a great read.

Check mates - Stewart Foster

Check Mates - Stewart Foster

Felix Schopp has ADHD which means eh frequently gets into trouble at school - his mind constantly wanders and he finds concentrating difficult.  It's his mum who suggests he spends time with his granddad but, now that his grandma has died, he doesn't want to: all his granddad wants to do is watch German TV and play chess, neither of which appeal to Felix.  However, his granddad has his ways (don't they all?!) and Felix begins to realise that there's a lot more to chess than he first thought ... an awful lot more.

K's opinion

Felix is a complex character: he is missing his gran; he's desperate for attention from his parents; he's struggling to concentrate at school; he's embarrassed by his granddad and his pink car; all he wants is to fit in and not upset his friend, Jake ... in short, he's like most children at the beginning of secondary school.  I think a lot of readers will find they can relate to Felix in some way.

Chess is not something you generally see as a major theme in MG novels but I'm thrilled it's here in this book.  As a parent (and as a teacher), I've spent many hours on the side-lines of chess tournaments; I've enjoyed sharing the triumphs and have helped lessons to be learned from the defeats.  All of these things are shown within the book, as a re the many other benefits of chess and hopefully it will encourage a few more children to enjoy the game.

This is a heart-felt book about family, friendship and finding yourself.  It's about learning who you are, accepting that and appreciating everybody and their differences.

A great book from the first move until the check mate!

O's opinion:

As a lover of chess myself, I was thrilled when this book came through the front door, and WOW, I was not disappointed! From the very beginning, I was hooked in Felix's life, his friends and his granddad. When his granddad cunningly taught him to play chess, I laughed out loud at the way he did it!

Throughout the book, I loved how Felix would rush to his granddad's and play chess with him all night long, and then, further on, to tell him news of the school chess tournament... but I won't spoil the book for you, you'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!

A great book from start to finish, I loved Felix, his granddad, and of course the pink car!

Many thanks to the team at Simon an Schuster for gifting us our early copy.

April round-up

What a month it's been in the bookish front for O and I. We had the pleasure of meeting Sharna Jackson on Easter Saturday at Waterstones Durham and, as we've had 2 weeks off, we’ve read a huge number of books! So, without further ado, I’ll get going with our reviews in the order in which they were read...

Rumblestar - Abi Elphinstone. 

What a brilliant book! Read our full review here: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/rumblestar-abi-elphinstone.html

No Ballet Shoes in Syria - Catherine Burton. 

Loved this book so much I reviewed it before O had even started reading it! The review is here: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/no-ballet-shoes-in-syria-catherine.html

Scar - Alice Broadway.

This is the final instalment in Leora Finn's story about division between the inked and the blanks. We don't want to give too much away for fear of spoiling any of the books in the trilogy but we will say this: if you've read the first two books, expect lots of twists and turns in this gripping story that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.  If you haven't read Ink and Spark, you really should! 

We both love Leora's character: her strength and her determination, despite her uncertainties in everything she's been through. 

This is a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy and all three books are perfect for this looking to make the leap from MG to YA.

Malamander - Thomas Tyler.

Herbert Lemon (Herbie) is in charge of the Lost & Found at The Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea when, one day, Violet Parma literally crashes in, in desperate need of help.  Together, they head to the Book Dispensary, looking for answers, only to be given a book about the local legend of the Malamander ... and so their adventure begins.

  Herbie, who has never known his family and isn't completely certain how old he is (12ish), is an independent, self-sufficient young man who, despite first appearances, does have some reservations about throwing himself head-long into every situation. Violet, on the other-hand, is a determined and focused young lady who will do anything and everything she needs to in order to find the answers so she so desperately needs! They are surrounded by a host of quirky characters who live in this interesting but slightly eerie town (it's aptly named!) but who can they trust? Are they all as they first appear and who exactly is Boathook Man?

          This is an unputdownable book with just the right amount of adventure and eeriness to keep you on the edge of your seat.  By the way, I believe every town is in need of a Book Dispensary!

The Middler - Kirsty Applebaum

Fennis Wick is protected by its boundaries and children are constantly reminded that wanderers are 'dirty, dangerous and ... deceitful'. Maggie, a middle child, is feeling ignored in this town where the eldest children are revered as heroes as they are sent to camp aged 14 to fight the Quiet War. However, Maggie meets Una, a wanderer desperate for food and medication for her father and everything changes.

          This book could be set anywhere and I love the fact that the town could be any place in any time. The idea of long, endless summer days hints at an element of carefree life, masking the idea that their eldest will be sent away to war at the age of 14.

          It's clear from the beginning that Maggie feels hidden in the shadows of her elder brother, Jed, who's about to turn 14, so meeting Una gives her something for herself, a purpose she hasn't had before now.  At the age of 11, her voice is strong within the pages of the book. Her relationship with Una is a complicated one and Maggie's struggle with that is clear to see. 

          This book was not as I had expected, beginning gently, with more of a traditional feel to it, then it suddenly shifts and, before you know it, there's almost a dystopian feel. The pace speeds up and you're desperate to discover what will happen.  It's a thrilling book full of sinister elements that explores family, friendships, boundaries and the discovering the truth.

How High the Moon - Karyn Parsons

Set in 1944, in the small town of Alcolu in South Carolina, Ella, is a black girl growing up amongst segregation.  She is happy with her cousins and friends but is always conscious of the racial divide that exists. When her mama invites her to stay with her in Boston, she gets to experience equality - life without segregation. However, when she returns, she discovers that her friend, George, has been arrested for murdering two white girls.

          This is a wonderfully written, historical novel with strong, distinctive characterisation. Told from the point of view of Ella, her cousin Marina and their friend Henry, the story allows MG readers to begin to understand segregation. It's a touching, heart-breaking story about life, friendships, resilience and separation that conveys important messages in an age-sensitive way.  I saw it described as To Kill A Mockingbird for MG and I couldn't agree more. It's definitely worth taking the time to read it.

High-rise Mystery - Sharna Jackson

Living on a London Council-estate in a high-rise block, sisters Nick and Norva discover the body of Hugo, a much-loved art-teacher and antiques dealer, in one of the rubbish chutes.  The pair are soon on the case, determined to solve the crime before the police.

          This is an excellent read with brilliantly strong characters who make the most of modern technology to help them investigate the case. It's great to see diversity in MG fiction and these two independent girls with distinctive voices will be relatable to many children.  They are clever, witty, resilient, determined and resourceful, and their sense of justice will be inspiring to many. This is a modern-day, inner-city Murder Most Unladylike and we can't wait to read more!

The Good Thieves - Katherine Randell.

We just absolutely loved this book.  Here's our full review: https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-good-thieves.html

Swimming Against The Storm - Jess Butterworth

Eliza and her sister, Avery, have always lived in their fishing village in the swamps of Louisiana; however, when they're told their village is sinking and they will be forced to leave, the pair enlist the help of their friends and set out in search of the mythical creature 'loud-garou', hoping that proving its existence will help save their home.

          A fast-paced adventure story through the swamps that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Complete with swamp animals and a race to save their home and themselves, this is a brilliant MG read.

A Far Away Magic - Amy Wilson   

Everything is different for Angel following the death of her parents: a new foster family and a new school to cope with; however, she is reluctant to make friends so why is she so drawn to Bavar? Why is it she sees him when nobody else seems to pay attention to him? Could there be a link to the death of her parents?

          This was a captivating story that entwines magic and monsters yet gives you a feeling that there is something lurking in the shadow.

          The pain and hurt experienced by both characters can be felt throughout the book and elements of both characters will resonate.  In Bavar, there is the desire to be invisible, of feeling that he doesn't fit in and with a determination to do things his own way.  For Angel, it could be her desire to shut others out after the death of her parents, throwing a protective barrier around herself, whilst maintaining a quiet determination to seek out the truth of her parents' death.

          This is a story of loss, family (in all shapes and sizes), love, determination to be yourself, friendship, magic and embracing who you are.  It's a dark and mysterious story that felt like it was holding its breath until just the right moment, enticing you in with anticipation and magic.  

Definitely one to read!

Vocabulary Ninja - Andrew Jennings.

I was so excited to receive a copy of this book as I've followed Vocabulary Ninja for a while now.  I use the word of the day idea in the classroom and was looking forward to reading more about his ideas and, I have to say, that I was not disappointed.  This is an honestly written book by somebody with a genuine love of vocabulary and a real desire to make a difference to children's learning.  It's full of useful ideas that can be easily implemented into the classroom.  Some things I already do (we have a sleuth book so we can be vocabulary detectives which is similar to the The Word Explorer's Journey); some things I currently do I will tweak having read the book and there are also many, many things that I will now be working into my teaching (my class loved the nouns v verbs last week).  I am keen to introduce the Picture Processor; the Vocabulary Vault is brilliant and I really like the Scintilating Synonyms grid.

In short, this is a book every teacher needs and I can see my copy becoming very well-worn.  Huge thanks to the Vocbaulary Ninja for this great book!