10 more teaching days, and I’m crawling to the finish! I am, however, very excited that Vashti Hardy is coming to visit our school tomorrow. Then, there’s just SATs results, production, leavers’ celebration and assembly to complete as well as finishing off topics. I haven’t done an awful lot of reading in June, but I did venture in to London on my own (a first!) for the launch of The Boy Who Made Monsters which was brilliant, not least because I got to meet some wonderful bloggers IRL. I really hope we get to meet up at future events.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 9 books in June: 5 physical copies, 2 e-books and 2 audiobooks. None of these are from my Beat the Backlist Challenge so still 30 to go!

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 14 books by Publishers this month which I think is the most I’ve ever received in a month. I have read and reviewed the first 6 in the image below, and will catch up on the others over the summer holidays. There are a couple which aren’t being released until September so I have a bit more time for them.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 96%. I requested and have been approved to read two books.

Books bought:

I’ve bought four books this month, but who knows when I’ll get to read them!

How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these? Have you any of them on your TBR?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Harlon sees the lantern beams slicing up the mountainside towards her home. They’ve come at last, the people called the Automators. The red symbol on their black uniforms is a fist closing round the earth and now it’s closing round her family too: they’ve come to take her brother and her sister, Ash and Xeno. But she and Ma won’t let them.

Any ideas?

I’ve just finished this incredible book which I have no doubt will be a book of the year for me.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When animals talk, it’s time humans listened: Harlon has been raised to protect her younger siblings, twins Ash and Xeno, and their outlawed power of communicating with animals. But when the sinister Automators attack their mountain home they must flee for their lives. Xeno is kidnapped and Harlon and Ash are separated. In a thrilling and dangerous adventure they must all journey alone through the ice fields, forests and oceans of Rumyc to try to rescue each other and fulfil a mysterious promise about a lost island made to their mother.

Calling the Whales is an uplifting story of courage, friendship and trust that echoes with a powerful message of caring for our coastal environment. 

Tulsi and her best friend Satchen live in the fishing town of East Shawle on the Scottish Coast.  Looking forward to the summer holidays, they are enjoying a night-time race up the Craig, an ancient hill with a replica monument of a whale’s jawbone.  As Tulsi looks out to sea, she senses that something is out of place, so the best friends decide to investigate …

Rowing out to the island, they hear strange noises as they begin their search.  Could the cries be coming from the seabirds, or something else?  When the children discover that a magnificent sea creature needs their help, they are determined to save it, despite the danger they face from an incoming storm … Will they be in time to save the creature, or will they be the ones in need of saving?

I loved this gorgeously told story with its appreciation of the wildness and beauty of nature, with its message of caring for the environment, and with the hope that is given through the children’s courage and determination in protecting the environment from the harm that is being caused.  I also loved the element of spirituality and the bonds of friendship that form.

Tulsi and Satchen clearly care deeply about the environment, and especially the harm that is being done to the seas and the creatures who live there through pollution and commercial fishing.  These young conservationists take part in beach cleans and sponsored events to raise money.  This is a great way for children to become aware of ways in which they can help care for the seas and oceans.  I liked the inclusion of a section at the end of the book which gives readers ideas for ways they can help, including supporting charities like Authors4Oceans and learning more about oceans and marine life.

The black-and-white illustrations are stunning and really evoke the wildness and beauty of the coastal environment; the dangers faced by sea creatures and the need to protect our wonderful world; and, the close friendship between Tulsi and Satchen.

This is an exciting adventure for readers of 9+ with a heartfelt environmental message radiating throughout.

This book is published by Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages.  This one is for ages 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy of this wonderful book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m still reading Mountainfell as my evening read and am really enjoying it, especially Erskin link to the animals including Sorkel -definitely a magical read. I’ve just started listening to Ruby Redfort Look Into my Eyes which has been recommended by a superfan in my class. I think this is one I’m going to enjoy. I have spent a good part of today reading The Song That Sings Us which is the most gripping read. I’m completely invested in this story and can’t wait to see where it takes me. The writing is just brilliant.

I finished listening to Bite Risk which is definitely one of my favourite reads this year. I loved the premise of the story and the unexpected twists that really did take me by surprise, and the ending was just perfect! I also read three short reads over the weekend: Crow and Calling the Whales from Barrington Stoke and Tiny the Secret Adventurer the start of a new and adorable series. I have posted my reviews for Crow and Tiny and will be posting my review of Calling the Whales tomorrow.

I’m aiming to read The House Trap next.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

I’m such a huge fan of Jenny Pearson’s heartfelt, humorous stories that have all found a place in my heart:  stories that bring both laughter and tears, written with such tenderness, warmth and hope.  The Boy Who Made Monsters is another absolute belter!   A beautifully poignant, humorous and hopeful story of family, friendships and the courage and strength it takes to face monsters. 

Benji McLaughlin and his older brother, Stanley have been sent to live with their Uncle Hamish on the edge of Loch Lochy in Scotland where he runs a holiday cabin lettings business.  Their parents have been missing-at-sea for over five months and, whilst everyone else believes them to be dead, Benji lives with the hope that they are still alive, and that they will be reunited as a family again.  

He instantly feels the magic of Loch Lochy, the place where his father grew up, and wonders if it could become a home whilst he waits for the return of his parents.  His brother Stanley is much more reluctant to give this new life a chance, especially when he discovers that his uncle is having money problems and is in danger of losing his home and business. 

Being a visionary and a believer in the impossible, Benji is determined to come up a plan to make enough money for his uncle so that he can pay off the debt he owes to the monstrous Gregor McGavin.  And what a plan he devises – all thanks to spotting a monster in the Loch.  What better way to draw in tourists than to prove that Loch Ness isn’t the only Scottish Loch with its very own monster!  The only problem is that the Loch Lochy monster is rather camera-shy …

Luckily for Benji, he has his new friends Murdy McGurdy (what a brilliant name!) and Mr Dog, to help him fulfil his mission.  Can they prove that there is a monster in the lake, no matter what it takes?  Cue action, hilarity and mishaps aplenty as these daring friends attempt to pull off the impossible whilst dealing with mean girls, runaway carts and water dunkings. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but suffice to say that tears of laughter are guaranteed alongside moments of fear and realisation that made my heart ache for both brothers – and Murdy.

Benji is just the most wonderful young boy:  curious, funny, chatty and an eternal optimist.  He is empathetic towards others and is a loving and kind-hearted brother, nephew and friend:  someone who is there for others when they need him.  Whilst his brother has accepted the loss of their parents and is struggling with the pain of grief and with feelings of guilt, Benji is in denial.  He is not prepared to accept that he will never see his parents again and hides his pain and grief deep inside where it sometimes escapes as feelings of sadness that overwhelm him.  His journey to truth, acceptance and the start of healing – with the help of family, friends and professionals – is honestly and sensitively portrayed. Children are shown that grief affects people in different ways and that it takes time, help from others and taking a first step to allow healing to begin.  This is a story that will speak to anyone who has lost someone they love, and encourage empathy in others.

I just have to mention Uncle Hamish who I absolutely adored.  He is dealing with his own grief at the loss of his brother and is surrounded by memories of growing up with his brother in their family home, a connection that Benji also feels keenly.  I can’t imagine how frightening and heart-breaking it must be for him to be in danger of losing that home.  Despite his own worries, he is determined to make a home for his nephews and make them feel welcomed.    He so obviously wants the best for the boys, and treats them with such kindness – even if they do sometimes take advantage of this!  There is something else he does that makes me teary just thinking about it!

The black-and-white illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful and complement both the humour and warmth of the story perfectly.

The Boy Who Made Monsters is a beautifully told story of family and friendship, of truth and acceptance, of love and hope.  It’s a story that utterly captivated me, and left me smiling through my tears with that fuzzy, warm feeling that makes this such a special read, and one I cannot recommend highly enough for readers of 9+.

Author Information:

Jenny Pearson has been awarded six mugs, one fridge magnet, one wall plaque and numerous cards for her role as Best Teacher in the World. When she is not busy being inspirational in the classroom, she would like nothing more than to relax with her two young boys, but she can’t as they view her as a human climbing frame. Her debut novel, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and selected as a Waterstones Book of the Month.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/J_C_Pearson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/J_C_Pearson/

Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Usborne for providing me with a copy of The Boy Who Made Monsters in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour below:

Tiny the Secret Adventurer is the first in an illustrated new series for younger readers of 5+, and it’s absolutely adorable:  a big adventure for a tiny creature with a heart filled with kindness.

When the smallest sunflower blooms at Oakwood Primary School, it holds a wonderful surprise:  a tiny creature resembling a human child who names herself Tiny.  She spends most of her time alone in the sunflower patch, sometimes venturing out to listen to a young girl read.  Wondering what it would be like to have friends, she plucks up the courage to ask some mice if she can join them in their games.  Instead of welcoming her, they are horrible to her, and she runs back to her sunflower.

Overhearing a group of animals talking, Tiny learns that they don’t think she belongs in the garden as she’s different to them, and just like the humans who ruin their home.  Will she ever be able to find friendship and acceptance without judgment, or is she destined to spend her time hiding from both humans and animals?

Tiny may be no taller than a forefinger, but she has a big heart, so when she discovers that Frog is in grave danger, she is determined to help him, but soon realises that she cannot carry out her plan without help from the other animals.  Can she persuade them to join her in her rescue attempt?

This is the most wonderful, heart-warming story of accepting difference, finding the courage to stand up for yourself and others, working through difficulties and finding friendship.  Tiny is just utterly gorgeous:  kind-hearted, courageous and willing to take risks to help others.  Her willingness to support and aid those who need it has a really positive impact on the other animals.

This wonderful story is beautifully illustrated in black-and-white throughout.  I love how the illustrations are so expressive and really show the personalities of the animals as well as celebrating nature.

This is the start of an adventure series which I have no doubt young readers are going to adore:  heart-warming and joyous with a tiny creature who makes a BIG difference!

Thank you to Usborne for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Crow is a darkly humorous, intriguing and empathetic tale, exploring the anxiety that children can feel around moving house, changing schools and forming new friendships.

Hattie has reluctantly moved from Bristol to the village of Little Plug in Somerset with her chef father (who has got a new job), her older brother, Oliver and her pet rat, Sid.  Feeling worried and nervous about starting a new school, Hattie reveals some things that she had not intended to.  After an awkward silence and a difficult lunch in which she finds it hard to make friends as she is expecting to fail, she leaves, feeling sad and lonely. 

But, after finding a den in an oak tree, she feels better, and wants to keep it for herself, so she builds a scarecrow – Crow- to protect her den from the other children.  Imagine her surprise when, following a storm, Crow arrives at her home, ready to protect her, but Hattie insists that he must protect her den by scaring away the other children.  Although Crow has enjoyed dancing and playing with the other children, his loyalty to Hattie proves stronger, so he becomes scarier and scarier … until he even begins to frighten Hattie.  Can Hattie overcome her fears before Crow makes finding new friends impossible?

I found this an absolutely fascinating read and think it opens up lots of opportunity for discussion about children’s anxieties related to change.  Hattie has found the transition to a new home and school difficult and misreads lots of situations with the other children, making it so much more difficult for her to form friendships.  I enjoyed the fantasy element with Crow creating physical barriers and manifesting fear, and feel that this can be used to sensitively explore children’s own fears and the barriers that they may create for themselves when facing change.  Hattie hides how she is feeling and is uncomfortable around new people, misreading the offers of friendship from others as she does not expect to make friends.  On a surface level, she may come across as unlikeable and mean, but I feel this is a coping mechanism to mask her worries and fears, and her inability to read situations.

The full-and-partial page illustrations throughout are gorgeous, expressive and complement the darkly humorous nature of the story perfectly.

This is a heartfelt story of overcoming anxieties and finding friendship, sometimes when it is least expected!

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages.  This one is for ages 7+ with a reading age of 7.

Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy of this wonderful book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.