A Stocking Full Of Spies - Robin Stevens

It's December 1941 and May is still determined to leave Deepdean School, so she is thrilled when a bomb drops on the school, destroying the gym (which was empty at the time).  As a result, May and Nuala are sent to stay with Hazel in Bletchley where (along with Eric who is already there) they are given jobs as junior messengers; however, this is a front so the trio can investigate the death of one of the codebreakers.  At first glance it appears to have been Daisy's brother, Bertie, who shot him and it's up to May, Nuala and Eric to find the evidence to prove his innocence - they also need to discover who the real killer was and who the spy at the park is.

Ok, I'm going to have to admit that this is one of those reviews that I've found tricky to write!  Not because the book isn't brilliant - because it completely and utterly is - but because I'm struggling to put together how great I found it!  What I really want to say is, 'OMG, that was amazing!  Go out and pre-order it immediately and then let me know as soon as you've read it so we can discuss the plot in detail!' but I know I need to say more than that so I've given it my best shot - excuse my ramblings!

A Stocking Full of Spies arrived for me on Wednesday (huge thanks to the lovely people at Penguin for this, especially Daisy) which meant all plans were dropped and I spent the day in the garden reading (a terrible hardship, I know!).  Robin's books are hugely popular in school, and have been since they were first published (in fact, she was treated with rockstar status when she visited us way back in 2016!).  The beauty of her books is the timeless quality of them, the joy of the mystery, the puzzle of trying to work out who the culprit is - it's no wonder she's won so many awards for her work.  There's something completely thrilling about the start of one of these books; whilst Robin doesn't shy away from the horrors of the war, there is a joy in the innocence of the time (does that make sense?  After all, the main characters are investigating murders and dealing with dangerous criminals!).  What I mean is, the time period means there are no mobile phones, no social media - it feels more wholesome.

Robin once again has woven her magic to create an intricate plot with twists, a host of believable suspects, and characters who are wonderfully individual (more about that later).  I didn't guess the culprits and, at the end of the book, I sat in awe of how Robin must plot things out - I'd love to have a conversation about her methods (I have visions of the wall full of pictures, notes and string linking everything together).

The book is set in Bletchley, which is a place that has fascinated me since I visited it.  And although the book doesn't focus on the code-breaking, it does give you an insight into what life must have been like for those who lived and worked there.  

I also want to mention the individuality of the characters: we already know that Nuala, Eric and May are very different to each other and that's what makes things work between them (when they aren't arguing!).  I feel that we see more of May's character coming to the fore this time and I think there are many readers who will see parts of themselves in her (something that I think is really important in MG literature).  I also like the individuality of the other characters and the importance of them being able to be themselves at Bletchley.  Robin's author's note at the end explains things far more eloquently than I could so please read it, but it made my heart sing to see this celebrated (as somebody who grew up feeling a bit different to others, I love this, Robin, thank-you).

A Stocking Full of Spies is a thrilling mix of murder, spies, Christmas and mystery; with Hazel and Daisy's return a wonderful added bonus!  It's guaranteed to grip and to keep you guessing until the end!

I could easily gush about A Stocking Full of Spies and the entire series forever and a day, and I'm hugely grateful to Robin for creating books that I return to again and again (they are my comfort reads and Chelsea buns have become a favourite!).  

Before I start sounding like a complete loon, I will simply say that A Stocking Full of Spies publishes on the 11th September.  I already have my copy pre-ordered but I suggest you get one ordered too!  It's a gripping mystery perfect for curling up with as the nights become colder or as a stocking-filler this Christmas.

Detective Society Forever.

The Unfamous Diaries of Daisy Brewster: The Frenemies - Jenny Valentine

It's the summer holidays and Daisy is looking forward to drama club: she's determined to get the lead in the play and intends to channel all her energies into that.  What most people don't know, however, is that Daisy has a cousin in America who just happens to be a famous child actor and the pair lead very different lives.  Daisy can cope when they only see each other over video calls, but then Maxxy comes to stay with Daisy and her family.  This could be the worst thing for Daisy ... or will it?

Dairy books are incredibly popular in school and I know that The Unfamous Diaries of Daisy Brewster is going to be very popular.  Jenny has captured the style perfectly: the chatty writing creates the personal feel; sharing emotions and frustrations; Hannah McCaffery's illustrations are fab and even the lines on the pages make the whole book feel like Daisy's diary instead of a novel.  

We get to know Daisy very quickly and, with an annoying brother, friendship issues and annoying parents, she really is a very relatable character.  Her passion for acting comes through and I can think of several children in school who will love the book because of that.

Daisy and her cousin Maxxy are very different characters; Maxxy is living a life of fame and luxury in Hollywood whilst Daisy is living the life of a typical school girl in England.  And when Maxxy comes to stay, Daisy is forced to make lots of adjustments so Maxxy can share a room with her.  But is there more to Maxxy than Daisy first assumes?

Out now, The Unfamous Diaries of Daisy Brewster is a great read and perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Lottie Brooks, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 

The Legend Of Viking Thunder - MG Leonard

 

Jeopardy's dad is missing and she and Sim are determined to find him.  Along with Sim's mum and their friend Nelson, they find themselves on a perilous journey back to the Viking times, trying to stay one step ahead of the Council of Keys who are determined to arrest Emmett.  Meanwhile, Emmett is intent on locating the the legendary Gjallarhorn which is said to bring eternal destruction if it's blown.  Emmett feels that possessing this will protect himself and his family from the Council.  But they are not alone in their quest and, if they aren't careful, the Gjallarhorn could end up in the wrong hands which would prove disastrous. 

Like the first book, The Legend of Viking Thunder is a book full of adrenaline and adventure from the very beginning.  Weaving through time and navigating the dangers they face, the team are intent on doing what is right but can they really trust Emmett?  

I loved the Hunt For The Golden Scarab in this series and it was wonderful to be able to catch-up with the characters again.  It was also great to be introduced to a host of new characters, some of them definitely nicer than others!

This is the perfect book for history lovers and is an immersive dive into the Viking era - I could see it being a brilliant whole class read during a Viking topic.  Whilst it would be useful to have the knowledge of the first book, it would also make a brilliant stand-alone novel.

Publishing on the 11th September, The Legend of Viking Thunder is a rollercoaster of an adventure through time that weaves suspense and wonderful storytelling perfectly to grip readers and leaving them desperate for the next adventure which is teased at the end of this book (The Impossible Gladiator) - I can't wait!

Wolf Road & Wolf Mountain - Alice Roberts

In Wolf Road, Winter is over so Tuuli and her family are travelling with their tribe to their spring and then summer camps.  But when Tuuli falls behind, she gets into trouble and injures her ankle, which is when she meets the unusual looking stranger who helps her out. 

Wolf Mountain sees Tuuli embark on a wandering (a journey on her own). At 13 winters she's a little young but after the events at the end of Wolf Road (no spoilers), she decides she needs to set out on her own, with only her wolf, Lupa, for company.  But will she find what she so desperately seeks?

I know I was late to Wolf Road, having seen many bookish friends rave about how good it is, and I now completely agree with them.  However, the beauty of being late to the party is that I didn't have to wait to dive into Wolf Mountain (which I think I enjoyed even more than Wolf Road).

The prehistoric setting of this book is wonderful and it's evident to see that Roberts knows her stuff.  The entire book feels authentic in the details and gives a real insight into what daily life would have been like for a prehistoric girl in a way that readers will understand and appreciate.  At the same time, however, Roberts doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life at that time. 

In many ways, the books feel calm and gentle (although you can expect more danger in book 2); it's certainly not an action packed adventure, but it's a book that captures you the more you read and you really feel like you're getting to know the characters.  It's full of emotion and I found myself completely invested in Tuuli.  It's beautifully written and the characters are relatable despite the time difference and the complete difference in daily life.  

These books about resilience and finding yourself; about understanding and accepting difference, and they give readers an insight into prehistoric life, and they are perfect for fans of Wolf Brother, I Am Rebel or Hannah Gold.  

The Midnight Sweet Factory - Clare Povey

When Midnight Treats, a new sweet shop, is due to open in the area everybody is excited, especially when the owner, Melissa Midnight, bills it as 'a sweet shop where magic and science collide.'  But when Joseph unwraps his free gobstopper to find an unsigned note hidden inside from someone claiming to be trapped in the Midnight Forest, he immediately shares it with his sister and their friends.  Things then take an even more sinister turn when the owners of Cousteau's sweet shop announce that their son has gone missing.  Flo and Joseph, along with their friends Funmi and Isaac decide there's no time to lose and begin to investigate what is going on.  But in order to do that, they must find the Midnight Forest and head there themselves, which may prove more dangerous than they could ever imagine.

I'm a huge fan of Clare's books having loved the Bastien Bonlivre duology and been swept away by the first book in The Wanderdays series Journey To Fantome Island, so I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered that I could dive into The Midnight Sweet Factory, the second book in the series, before it was published.  

We catch-up with the four friends at Aderemi Adventure Park where they are enjoying a day of exciting rides, unaware of the adventure that awaits them.  The first chapter also weaves in a reminder of what happened in the first book which I love as it helped to jog my memory and also acts as a great intro to those who are diving straight in at book 2 (which it's perfectly possible to do).

It's the end of the summer holidays and it is clear that the friends' parents have been more cautious since the events of book one; however, the four aren't to be deterred and they know they have to get to the bottom of what is going on.  They make a great team, drawing on their individual talents and, like last time, I really like that we see Joseph and his anxiety being brilliantly explored - it's something many children will experience and Clare is very good at portraying exactly what it feels like and how children can deal with it - it really makes him one of my favourite characters.

There is action and adventure running right through this book and I stayed up way past my bedtime last night in order to discover what happened at the end!  It's a gripping read.  However, I have one piece of advice: have a stash of sweets at hand whilst reading as the book definitely made my mouth water!  Once they reach the forest, I think Clare took inspiration from Willy Wonka and her descriptions are deliciously wonderful.  I also loved the Wonderlandesque inside of the factory and will definitely be using this as inspiration for writing in school - my class will absolutely love it!

Alongside the adventure, there are messages about dealing with emotions, taking care of the natural world, friendship and dealing with events in the past which are all skilfully woven into the book, all of which will make readers think.

Publishing on the 11th September, The Midnight Sweet Factory shows us that Clare has, once again, proved that she is a writer who is able to perfectly capture children's imaginations and The Midnight Sweet Factory will tickle the tastebuds and fire-up the adrenaline.

 

Nature Heroes - Lily Dyu

 

Nature Heroes is a new non-fiction book that tells readers all about 20  ordinary people whose passion for nature lead them to do extraordinary things to help preserve the natural world.

Told in very readable and easy to understand chapters, each story gives readers a unique insight into the lives of these extraordinary people, including what lead them towards the path they are on.  With stories from all over the world, readers will meet some people they know as well as some who are new, but all have an important story to tell.  From understanding gorillas to cleaning up rivers; from rewilding fields to restore the soil to protecting coral, readers will be inspired by each story.

This is a book that will inspire readers to look at what they can do to help and will be one that I will definitely be using in school.

The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good - Kirsty Applebaum

When Fran's mum needs to join her dad on a business trip, Fran is bundled off to her aunt and uncle's for the week. She really isn't looking forward to it as she doesn't enjoy spending time with her cousin Imogen; however, when she gets there, she quickly discovers that something is very wrong, for her aunt and uncle insist that they don't have a daughter, despite her room and things being there.  So Fran sets out to discover what is going on, enlisting the help of Bex who lives a few doors away.  But there's more to this than she first imagines, something involving the nearby Stillness Hall.  Can Imogen discover exactly what's going on before her mum returns in only five days? 

Fran is clearly unhappy about being dumped at her aunt and uncle's and really doesn't want to spend time with her cousin, but all that changes very quickly.  She's a fiercely determined character who will stop at nothing to get to the truth; however, she also learns a few things about herself along the way which would make for interesting discussions. There is a really eerie quality to the plot, both in the idea of Imogen having disappeared and nobody remembering her, and in the parallel narrative that runs through the book which tells the story of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall.  

The entire story is set in and around the grounds of Stillness Hall.  Even just the name conjures up an eerie feel, but there's also Ms Quincey and the gardens which all combine to create an atmosphere that will send shivers down readers' spines.  Add in the idea that a girl has gone missing and her parents seem to have simply forgotten she existed and it all makes for a rather chilling plot, despite its summer setting. 

The mystery is drip fed throughout the book with the story being told from different perspectives (Fran's, Imogen's and the story of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall) that along with the short chapters absolutely guarantees that readers are gripped and won't be able to put the book down.

At its heart, this book is a captivating read about friendship and what it means to be a good friend.  It's wonderfully written with relatable characters that readers will find themselves drawn to.

Publishing on the 11th September, The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is the perfect read for September days would make a brilliant first whole class read of the year.