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!

The stone raven dreamt of flying. She dreamt of rising on currents of warm air and chasing other smaller birds, of swooping into the woods, hungry for a catch. But this pleasant dream was interrupted by a voice. “Help them,” it said, “help them find their way.”

Any ideas?

This is one from my TBR which I bought when it was first published. I’m hoping to get to it soon as it sounds spooky which I love! The cover is gorgeous, and I love the blue foiling on the title.

Book synopsis:

When Hedy and Spencer start seeing cryptic messages appear around their grandfather’s spooky house on Hoarder Hill, their holiday takes a sinister turn. What is their magician grandfather up to? What is he not telling them about the disappearance of their grandmother? With the help of a (talking) stag’s head, an (also talking) bear rug, and other peculiar spirits, the children set out to discover the truth.

This is my new weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

The problem would be the shadow that stretched behind my best friend’s small, fierce, human body … the shadow that grew larger and larger as I watched, spreading across the market stalls and the brick wall behind her, until it loomed over the entire market hall, with its massive tail lashing in anger and its giant jaws opening wide.

This book in three words:

MAGICAL, ADVENTURE, FAMILY

I adored Aventurine’s story in The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart in which she becomes firm friends with the brilliant Silke, whose story I was very keen to know more about so I was very excited to read The Girl with the Dragon Heart which centres on Silke …

This is a truly wonderful story which I read in one sitting, completely captured by Silke and engrossed in the narrative:  filled with excitement, fast-paced action and wonderful characters. 

Silke is an incredibly sympathetic character who has suffered great loss, and has worked hard to make a new life for herself. She is fiercely independent, clever and has a way with words that sees her talk herself out of many tricky situations … but also into a few!  However, the Silke she shows her friends – the bright smile and quick wit – is not her true self as she is hiding deep pain and loss. 

When her past catches up with her in an unexpected way, she finds herself having to make incredibly difficult choices … can Silke strike a bargain with the fairy King and Queen that will save the Kingdom, and herself?

This is a real treat of a story – just like a mug of the best chilli-infused hot chocolate:  heart-warming, rich and completely satisfying – with a kick!

You can read my full review of this superb magical adventure HERE.

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!

I watched Ross Montgomery being interviewed by Anna James on her brilliant Youtube Channel A Case for Books. He read the first chapter of his new book The Midnight Guardians (due to be released in September) which was fantastic. I was then on Twitter and saw that the publisher has put the book on NetGalley so I requested it immediately. I was so excited to be approved to read it today, so it has jumped to the top of my TBR!

This week I finished reading Umbrella Mouse to the Rescue by Anna Fargher which is due for release in July. I really enjoyed Pip and the members of Noah’s Ark mission to help liberate France. I found this story both poignant and uplifting and really felt for the plight of the animals. It has also really engaged my interest with animals who were used during the Second World War. I will be posting my review (which I’ve actually done!) closer to publication. I listened to the BBC Children’s Classic of The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier. It is a fantastic adventure set during the Second World War which I really enjoyed. I now know that I haven’t read it when I was younger! I’ve also read a book which I’ve had on my TBR for a while: Snow & Rose which is based on the Grimm’s fairytale, but without the prince! I enjoyed this story of two sisters, Snow & Rose, who lose their father and their lifestyle. They end up going to live in a cottage with their grieving mother, and make incredible discoveries in the forest. They meet a boy who lives in an underground house, a very unusual little man and animals who are not quite what they seem! The writing is both simple and lyrical, and the images are stunning. I’ve also just finished reading The Wild Way Home which I absolutely loved. It follows the story of Charlie whose new-born baby brother is unwell. Charlie, who has been desperate for a new brother or sister, can’t cope and runs off and travels through time to the Stone Age. An incredible, dangerous adventure follows when Charlie meets Harby who is struggling with his own pain. The friendship which develops is wonderful with the children showing great courage and helping each other accept their pain and fear. This truly is a beautiful story which I would highly recommend.

I intend to read Dragon Detective: School’s Out by Gareth P Jones which is being released in early June.

This is my new weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

Hastily clambering out of their nest and down the pole of the Hanway umbrella, Papa expertly hopped and jumped along its metal stretchers to meet Pip, wrapping his tail around the end of one of its metal ribs to peer out from under the canopy on to shop floor.

This book in three words:

ADVENTURE, FRIENDSHIP, COURAGE

The Umbrella Mouse is one of my favourite books EVER with animal characters. I am currently reading Pip’s second adventure, Umbrella Mouse to the Rescue which is just as brilliant. Pip is a young mouse who has lost her family during the horror of the Second World War. Her only connection to them is the antique umbrella which was their home.

Pip finds herself joining Churchill’s Secret Animal Army, an underground animal resistance movement, and so begins her daring mission to help the Allied powers, a mission which takes her to war-torn France … where she is caught up in the brutality of the war alongside her French Counterparts, Noah’s Ark. 

This is an absolutely amazing adventure story, full of action, tension and heroic deeds, interspersed with the building of heart-warming friendships. The illustrations by Sam Usher are just gorgeous.

You can read more about this wonderful story in my review: The Umbrella Mouse

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!

This is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.  It asks three questions:

1.       What are you currently reading?

2.       What did you recently finish reading?

3.      What do you think you’ll read next?

I still remember my disappointment when I was declined to read The Umbrella Mouse via NetGalley. Of course, I did buy it when it was published and loved it. I was very excited to be approved to read Umbrella Mouse to the Rescue. I’ve just read a couple of chapters so far, and am loving being back with Pip and her friends.

I have read four books this week, all of which I enjoyed. I took part in a Blog Tour for Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer, a fantasy adventure set in a world within our world. This had its own adventure to solve, but also gave an insight into the bigger arc which will be threaded throughout the series. I liked that the main character was leading an ordinary life with supportive parents and friends before finding out her intriguing heritage.

I had requested The Austen Girls on Borrowbox and it was due to be available on 18th May, but it became available earlier. I just couldn’t resist picking this up and read it on Sunday. I am a major Jane Austen fan and read all her books whilst in school. I absolutely loved this story which centres around Jane’s nieces, Fanny and Anna, and portrayed the period perfectly. Fanny and Anna have their grand entry into Society and are caught up in finding husbands. Even though the girls are cousins, their monetary situation is very different: how this affected their choices, opportunities and relationship was fascinating. Fanny also finds herself caught up in a mystery which requires her Aunt’s help. I would highly recommend this one.

I then read Wilde which was incredible, just as I suspected it might be after reading Lily’s review. My heart really went out to Wilde who is determined to fit in to her new school, but immediately draws attention to herself. I loved how she learned to accept who she always knew she was over the course of the book. I do intend to post a review on this one!

I woke up at about 5:00am on Tuesday morning and, as I couldn’t go back to sleep, decided to read. I picked up Perjee and Me which has been on my TBR for ages. Oh my goodness, this was a rather wonderful little story. Caitlin lives on an island with her scientist mother. One day after a storm she finds a tiny ‘alien’ who she names Perjee. He is very unusual to say the least! When Perjee is threatened he grows … and grows until he becomes a threat. The friendship between Caitlin and Perjee is wonderful and the lengths she will go to to help him are incredible. Along the way, she makes another friend as well as some enemies. This is a really touching story which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was so excited to get a proof of this one. I can’t believe I’ve left it so long to read. I’m very much looking forward to delving into this one.

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

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on this Blog Tour and for providing me with an e-book of Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis

Josie James is an ordinary 13 year old until something extraordinary happens during her summer holidays.Whilst staying at her Great Grandmother’s cottage in the country she finds herself swept into the cursed world of Suncroft where it is perpetual winter.Her new friends believe she could be the Chosen One who it is foretold will lift the curse, but there are more pressing matters.The Teardrops of Summer – magical crystals that render the owner immortal – have been stolen. Along with her telepathic husky-dog Protector Asher and her new friends, Josie must race to find the Teardrops and prevent catastrophe for their world.

Review

I really enjoyed this magical fantasy adventure which sees thirteen-year-old Josie James discover an incredible heritage that transports her into an archaic world hidden from our world. The village of Suncroft lives under the blight of an ancient curse which traps it in an eternal winter of darkness. Is Josie the Chosen One, destined to break the curse?

Josie is invited by her Great Nannie Kirk to spend the summer holidays with her in Waterfall Cottage, hidden in the countryside. She soon discovers a secret garden, and that her Nan may well be keeping some truths from her. On the morning before her birthday, she makes a discovery that changes her life forever … a discovery that reveals a world hidden from ours, and one she is keen to visit for “one big adventure.”

Josie finds new friends in Suncroft including the half-elf Filan Flynn and his niece Hannah. She is also given the most wonderful Protector, a young husky called Asher who is absolutely adorable. They can communicate telepathically and strike up an instant rapport.

Josie soon finds herself at the heart of a mystery. The Teardrops of Summer, magical crystals which allow travel between Suncroft and our world, and which furnish the Elder who owns them with immortality, are being stolen. Can Josie and her friends track down the culprit before they are lost forever?

The world-building is superb from the idyllic setting of Great Grandmother Kirk’s country cottage (which I would love to visit) to the quintessentially old-fashioned village of Suncroft with its striking absence of modernity and fascinating use of tunnels.

Josie is a wonderful character who lives an ordinary life: she enjoys school, has some close friends, gets on with her parents and is developing crushes on boys. However, her life changes irrevocably when she finds herself in Suncroft which has hidden dangers for her. She shows great courage, strength and a natural curiosity and resilience when helping to solve the mystery of the stolen crystals.

Whilst this book revolved around the mystery of the stolen Teardrops of Summer, the bigger problem of lifting the curse over the village was enticingly sprinkled throughout: witches, curses, the chosen one, enemies within: plenty of intrigue to make me want to read the next story, especially after the jaw-dropping ending!

The second book in the series is Josie James and the Velvet Knife:

Synopsis

“For you to find the Velvet Knife, you must solve the riddles thrice.” A mysterious hooded figure, known only as the Velvet Knife has appeared in the cursed village of Suncroft. No one knows who he is or what he wants but when he starts leaving riddles around the village, it is time for Josie to return to Suncroft for a second time. With Asher, her faithful husky Protector by her side, Filan, a half elf, and her great grandad, will they be able to solve the clues in time and discover his identity? The Velvet Knife is not the only one causing problems for Josie. Her rival for the position of the ‘Chosen One’ continues to grow stronger, and now he has a Protector of his own. What does all this mean for Josie? Is she destined to lift the wintery curse of Suncroft or will another take her place as the ‘Chosen One’?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK: Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer

Amazon UK: Josie James and the Velvet Knife

About the Author:

Lily Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents who also star in the Josie James series. She is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books. Lily Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local  places and even her old school in her stories. Family and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves popping up throughout the series. Lily Mae also writes for adults under the name of Florence Keeling.

Social Media:

Twitter: @LilyMaeWalters1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josiejames100

Instagram: lilymaewalters

I absolutely adored Saving Winslow which is a beautifully heart-warming and gentle story of the love which develops between two children and a mini-donkey, a love which helps them to open their hearts again after loss, to find hope and to build friendship. This story holds a special place in my heart as I grew up surrounded by many animals on our family farm. I remember with great fondness feeding and looking after chicks, goslings, lambs and calves, so I totally understand Louie’s bond with Winslow. We even had a donkey!

Louie has not had much success with nurturing his collection of rather diverse pets; however, when his father brings home a sickly new-born mini-donkey from his Uncle Pete’s farm, Louie immediately takes him into his heart, and sets himself a mission to save him.

He felt a sudden rush, as if the roof had peeled off the house and the sun had dived into every corner of the kitchen.

Despite warnings that Winslow is unlikely to survive, Louie is absolutely determined to save him. He shows endless patience and gentleness with caring for his new friend, willing him to survive against the odds. 

Louie is worried that he will never find something he is passionate about, but looking after Winslow gives him a real sense of purpose.   This helps him to cope with the aching loss he feels after his older brother joins the army.

Soon after Winslow’s arrival into Louie’s life, his friend Mack brings newcomers Claudine and Nora to see Winslow.  Nora and Louie soon take tentative steps towards friendship.  My heart really went out to Nora who is dealing with her own losses, and fears further pain if she builds a relationship with Winslow and then loses him.  Winslow, however, has other ideas!

The bond that both Louie and Nora develop with Winslow is wonderfully precious and satisfying:  it is a connection that allows both children to find solace after loss, to build trust, to feel hopeful and to find friendship through their mutual love for Winslow. 

I adored Winslow who has to fight to survive, but who thrives under the care of Louie and Nora.  They treat him to sledge rides and take him for walks, but will there come a time when Winslow needs to say goodbye to his home with Louie?  And, if so, will Louie and Nora be willing to let him go?

I worry about the worst, but I hope for the best.

The short chapters and wonderfully warm relationship between the children and the adorable Winslow will appeal to younger readers, but there is also a depth to the story in terms of dealing with loss and relationships which makes this perfect for a wider age range.    

Thank you to Bella at Guppy Books and Amy for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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!

People think that ghosts only come out at night, or on Halloween, when the world is dark and the walls are thin. But the truth is, ghosts are everywhere. In the bread aisle at your grocery store, in the middle of your grandmother’s garden, in the front seat on your bus. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

Any ideas?

This one has been on my TBR for a while now. I have both it and Tunnel of Bones. Reading the first few lines has made me want to move it much closer to the top of my TBR.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassidy Blake’s parents are The Inspecters, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one. When The Inspecters head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn’t sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn’t belong in her world. Cassidy’s powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

Have you read this? Would you recommend I move it up my TBR?

This is my new weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

I felt light-headed too, as if everything was unreal – like I was watching myself in a film.

This book in three words:

MYSTERY, FRIENDSHIP, DANGER

I’ve really been enjoying reading middle-grade historical fiction, and this one of my absolute favourites – ever! It is a gripping historical mystery set during the Second World War, and one which I read in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down!

This is historical fiction at its pinnacle.  It is a story of mystery and revelation, of loss and hope, of togetherness and separation, of prejudice and enlightenment.  It is a story of ordinary people determined to offer help to those in great need … what a powerful message!

You can read more about this incredible story in my review:  Letters from the Lighthouse

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!