Bridget Vanderpuff and the Ghost Train - Martin Sterwart

It's my stop on the #BridgetVanderpuff blog tour and I'm delighted to be sharing my review of this deliciously wonderful book again...

 

Bridget is back and after her adventures in Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape, she is settling into life with Mr Vanderpuff and the elf Pascal in the bakery. With Tom also living in the village, life is great, especially as everyone is getting ready to celebrate the Parade of the Hungry Ghost. Mr Vanderpuff is in full flow with his patisserie creations but can't quite come up with that one master-piece that will wow everyone for the festival. Then talk turns to the mysterious ghost train that has reportedly raced through other towns.   Although Bridget is excited at the prospect, the other residents of Belle-on-Sea are less thrilled, and become even more scared when people start to go missing. Bridget and Tom decide it's up to them to get to the bottom of things before it's too late.

I adored meeting Bridget in the Baked Escape (you can read my review here) so I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered that Bridget Vanderpuff and the Ghost Train was available of NetGalley. The book immediately jumped to the top of my pile and my only regret was that I wasn't prepared with a range of pastries to satisfy the hunger pangs that inevitably come when reading the book - yes, the descriptions of the delicacies in Vanderpuffs are as mouthwatering as they were in book 1. Tom is clearly a frequent visitor to the bakery and is somewhat of an addict when it comes to the pastries (I don't blame him to be fair!). It's so good to see the pair back together but Bridget is clearly the more daring and adventurous of the two. Her inventions are fabulous (as is her hair) and her fearless nature is ever-present. I was drawn to her sense of adventure and the way her powers of observation help her (her first conversation with Lord Dare was great to read). I knew in book 1 that I loved Bridget but that grew after reading her conversation about her favourite book! That is a girl who shares my view of books! 

Bridget Vanderpuff and the Ghost Train will once again sneak into your heart and give it a big squeeze. The writing is delicious and has the air of a timeless classic about it, making it a series that will be read for years.

Ghostly goings-on, daring-do and oodles of mouth-watering creations combine with friendship, love and saving the day in a book that readers will adore. Publishing 31st August, Bridget Vanderpuff and the Ghost Train is guaranteed to warm your heart and leave you craving cake! I can't wait to see what awaits in book 3. 

The After School Crime Club - Hayley Webster

Willow is in Year 6 and always feels like she doesn't quite fit in.  Instead, she loves nothing more than spending time with her Nana and together they enjoying watching old films.  But when Willow's Nana dies, she is left feeling more alone than ever.  Then her mum decides to send her to an after school club in the local book shop to help get her through her SATs and suddenly she finds that she is making friends.  There's just one catch: in order to be accepted into the group, she needs to get involved with some 'fun dares'.  At first, it feels ok, but as the dares get bigger, Willow begins to question what is happening and whether fitting in is worth it. 

The After School Crime Club is the sort of book that I love to read and one that always goes down well at school, so when it arrived in the post last week, it jumped to the top of my reading pile.  

Willow is a character that many readers will identify with; she doesn't feel like she fits in at school, she sits alone when eating her lunch and there are children in her class she's never spoken to.  She generally feels a bit lost and finds the time with her Nana is when she feels herself.  She can talk to her and she loves nothing more than getting lost in an old film - the references to films like Singin In The Rain are wonderful.  Finding it difficult to accept that her Nana has gone, Willow continues to visit her house and uses it as an escape.  The After School Club isn't something she's looking forward to but the group she meets there quickly change her mind.  However, things take a darker turn when Willow finds that she needs to complete dares in order to be accepted.  Things spiral and Willow finds herself in situations she doesn't want to be in, and without her Nana to talk to, she feels that she is loosing herself.

The theme of friendship is explored in detail in this book and will make readers question what makes a good friend as well as how far you should go to keep a friend.  The balance between wanting to fit in and changing who you are will make an interesting discussion point in school, including how to get out situations you may find yourself in and don't want to be.  As well as that, the moral aspect of what defines stealing and whether it is ever right to take things is a thought-provoking one that is highlighted in the book.  I have to admit that I felt uncomfortable at times when reading the book as I just wanted to dive into the plot and help Willow; I found my stomach churning as I imagined myself in Willow' situation.  The After School Crime Club would make an amazing class read and perfect to explore so many different PSHE topics (family relationships; single parents and new partners; grief; friendships; moral dilemmas).  

Publishing on the 3rd August, The After School Crime Club is the perfect read for fans of Tamsin Winter's books and will definitely be in the pile of books I offer to my new class in September when they chose their first reading for pleasure book.

The Beast of Knobbly Bottom Attack of the Vampire Sheep - Emily-Jane Clark

Nine year old Maggie lives with her Mum and her younger sister, Lily in a village called Knobbly Bottom.  Maggie is far from happy about this as there is nothing to do there and she would much rather return to their old home in Leicester.  However, things begin to take a rather unusual turn when Maggie begins to see sheep with red eyes and fangs popping up.  These menacing creatures seem to be determined to take over the world but Maggie has other ideas.  Her mum refuses to believe her so she needs to take things into her own hands.  Can Maggie save Knobbly Bottom before it's too late?

This is a laugh-out-loud read that is full of adventure and capers that will keep readers entertained.  The chatty, first person narration makes Maggie feel like a friend from the beginning and the illustrations by Jeff Crowther compliment the story-line perfectly.

From baguette-wielding sword fights to talking sheep in sun-glasses, this is a book that readers will adore and is perfect for those in lower KS2 who are gaining confidence in their own reading.

Publishing on the 6th July, The Beast of Knobbly Bottom is a guaranteed hit and I can't wait to see what comes next.

 

Alex Neptune: Monster Avenger - David Owens

Alex Neptune is back along with Zoey and Anil, and this time something strange seems to be happening which means that the usually friendly creatures of Haven Bay are becoming angry and disruptive; the locals are not happy, blaming Alex for the change.  So when Alex and his friends discover that it's a deadly parasite that's infecting everything, they decide they have no choice but to do something about it.  But their quest is far from straightforward or safe, and travelling into a storm, as well as into a dragon, are all going to be needed if they stand any chance of saving the day.

I have been a big fan of the Alex Neptune series from the beginning and it they just get better with every book.  Alex has definitely found his feet when it comes to controlling his powers but things need to move to a whole new level if the team are going to overcome this latest problem.  Along the way, they need the help of family and there are even some old friends who creep up along the way.  With the residents turning against Alex, he needs to do everything he can to rectify the situation before it's too late.

This is an epic adventure and one that will have you smiling as well as nibbling at your finger nails with the tension.  The Alex Neptune series is one that is proving popular in school and there have already been children eyeing up my copy of Monster Avenger!

Publishing, 6th July, Alex Neptune: Monster Avenger is a must-read, and I can't wait to see what happens in Zombie Fighter!

The Girl Who Grew Wings - Anna Waterworth

After watching her mother burned at the stake for having two powers/gifts, Icari feels responsible for her twin sister Sephie.  So when they are tested to see which gifts they have, she is determined to keep secret the fact that her sister also has two gifts.  Whilst Icari has always known she was a Healer, Sephie believed she was an Alchemist so is devastated when she is declared to be an Embalmer and is forced to hide her Alchemist skills.  As the pair begin their training, Icari finds herself helping one of the prisoners, Caszeil, whilst Sephie begins to learn how to wrap the dead.  However, when demons from the Underworld rise up, life for both sisters changes in an instant and threatens to never be the same again.

Told in dual narrative, The Girl Who Grew Wings is an epic tale that deftly weaves Greek mythology with sibling relationships - it's an addictive adventure.  Romance threads itself into the plot in a gentle and beautiful way whilst trust is tested in this immersive read.

Desptie being twins, Icari and Sephie are very different characters: Icari is more practical and sensible whilst Sephie seems more daring and reckless.  However, the one thing that shines through the book is sibling devotion, particularly Icari's devotion and sense of responsibility for Sephie.  Frozen with fear whilst her mother was dragged to the stake and burned, Icari has felt the weight of responsibility for her twin sister and it drives her in everything she does.  She is the gentler of the two siblings and her instinct is to Heal; however, as the book progresses, a strength emerges that drives her on and gives her the courage to do some incredibly brave things.  

In this battle of good versus evil, readers will find themselves drawn to this intoxicatingly dark and delicious magical world where death hovers and demons lurk.  Publishing on the 6th July, The Girl Who Grew Wings will entice you in and leave you wanting more.

My Family and Other Romans - Marie Basting

Silvia lives with her father in Northumberland, near Hadrian's Wall.  Dad loves LARP (Live-Action Role-Play) and, because of this, has planned a weekend festival to the cause.  However, just before the festival, Silvia and her dad bump in to Rory Smartwart who is always unkind to her about LARPing.  Annoyed at her Dad, she heads to her bedroom and falls asleep, but when she wakes up to the sound of the smoke alarm, she races downstairs to discover the pizza burning in the oven and her dad vanished.  Determined to try to find him, Silvia embarks upon an adventure that will transport her to Ancient Rome.  But can she find her father and what will she discover on the way?

My Family and Other Romans is split between the small town of Once Brewed (yes, it is a really place in Northumberland!) and Ancient Rome.  Once Brewed is situated close to Hadrian's Wall which makes the perfect place for Silvia's dad and his Roman LARPing.  It's just the two of them, with her mother having left when she was a baby, and the pair seem to muddle along well.  At times, Silvia seems to be the more sensible of the pair, despite being the child: it is she who is worrying about the success of the LARPing festival and she is the one suggesting they need more advertising to make the event a success.  Therefore, it would make sense that, when Silvia realises that her dad has vanished, she decides to take control and find him.  

Once she lands in Ancient Rome, Silvia encounters a whole new world of demi-gods and experiences.  There is strength to Silvia but she does experience uncertainty at times, which is only to be expected when the consequences could be sweeping.  As well as Silvia, readers will be introduced to a host of lesser-known Roman gods and goddesses, some far nicer than others!

The plot is pacey and will have readers laughing along, whilst also providing a wealth of information about Rome.  Those words specific to the Ancient Roman period are conveniently in bold and an explanation provided in the glossary, so as well as laughing along, readers will certainly learn about the period.  But be warned, some facts may make your stomach churn (lamb fries and tersoriums anyone?!).  

Whilst the focus of the book is Ancient Rome, I liked the fact that the book reminds the reader that it is ok to follow your own interests: Silvie and her dad enjoy LARPing which is different to most children's hobbies and this doesn't always go down well with others in school; however, Silvie's interests and skills may just prove useful!  It's an important message for readers to understand. 

My Family and Other Romans is a riot of a book that will have you jumping in your chariot and heading for Ancient Rome.  Perfect as a book to curl up and read (I gobbled it up in a day), it will also make a great accompaniment to a Roman topic in school.  

Just Like Everyone Else - Sarah Hagger-Holt

Aidan loves to run and is good at it, especially fell running; it gives him the space to breathe that he doesn't get at home which is full of noise, love and people for Aidan is one of five children.  In addition to that, his mum looks after children so the house is always busy but at least, being the only boy, he gets a room to himself; something he needs to escape to more and more when he discovers that his mum has offered to be a surrogate to a gay couple, Justin and Atif, who are friends with his Auntie Jo.  Not only that but Aidan is grappling with his own feelings about his sexuality.  In a world where he is desperate to not stand out, can he understand and accept everything that is going on in his life?

Like most thirteen year olds, Aidan is trying to find his place in the world, and is desperate to simply fit in; in fact, he's terrified of standing out and this becomes very apparent with his best friend, Jack, who doesn't seem to care what others at school think (I really loved this about him) but is having trouble with the PE teacher who is picking on him for not being masculine enough (if I could have reached into the book to teach that PE teacher a lesson, I absolutely would have done!).  Living in a such a full house, and where his parents want to talk openly about everything, Aidan needs space and he finds that through his running as it's one of the rare occasions he gets time on his own .  We see his internal struggle as we move through the book and his fear of talking to anyone about how he is feeling, I am sure, will resonate with readers. 

Being a teenager can be a turbulent time and the desire to fit in is a natural one at that age.  Aidan is desperate for his mum and Jack to be like everyone else and we see this in his reactions at various times in the book.  Of course, the big reason is his now internal struggle with his sexuality and this is rocked further by Justin and Artif's increased presence in his life.  Again, I feel that this story-line will resonate with some readers and help them. 

The concept of surrogacy is not one I've read in a children's/YA book and Sarah tackled this very well.  It's a sensitive subject and I found it interesting to see Aidan's point of view as well as that of his parents and Justin and Atif.  The situation felt very real in the book and Aidan's inability to understand why his mum would do this for people they barely know will create some incredibly interesting discussion points.  

Just Like Everyone Else is a wonderfully heart-warming celebration of family in all its forms where the characters will weave their way into your mind so you find yourself thinking about them even when you're not reading the book.  With strong messages about learning to proud of who you are and embracing life no matter what it throws at you, it's a story with acceptance and love at its heart and one that needs to be in secondary school libraries.

This is the first of Sarah Hagger-Holt's books that I've read but it most definitely won't be the last.