Children’s book reviews
This is a weekly meme now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Girl Reader. Today’s is a freebie and, as it’s spooky season, I’ve decided to choose books with ghosts: 5 I’ve read and 5 on my TBR!
Group 1: The ones I’ve read! These all have fantastic depictions of ghosts and make perfect atmospheric reading for this time of year.
Group 2: The ones I want to read! These are all on my TBR. The blurbs and reviews I’ve read make me very keen to read them.
It is two months since Suzy’s first adventure into the Union of Impossible Places, the events of which are told in The Train to Impossible Places. She has missed her friends from Trollville, so is incredibly excited to receive a secret invitation to re-join The Impossible Postal Express.
When Suzy arrives in Trollville, she is reunited with her friends, the crew of the Postal Express, and is overjoyed to be taking on her role as Postie again! But, of course, things do not run smoothly. Just as the train is about to be inaugurated by the wonderfully eccentric Troll King, the first earthquake ever to shake Trollville occurs, and chaos ensues as everyone in the city is put in danger.
I absolutely adored the sense of community spirit and resilience amongst the citizens of Trollville as they immediately begin to pull together to repair the damage to the city. After all, they are masters of invention.
Whilst trying to find a part to make a repair, Suzy inadvertently stumbles on an unsavoury creature whose villainous plan may very well destroy the city which she has come to view as a second home. Not being one to accept defeat, Suzy finds herself in a race against time – with the aid of her friends – to foil his plan and save Trollville, and the rest of the Union from destruction.
This is an incredibly fast-paced, magical adventure which utterly enchanted and delighted me as it led me on a thrilling journey, full of danger and discoveries which are just so cleverly interspersed throughout the story that I had just had to keep reading, especially as many chapters ended on cliff hangers which made this an unputdownable book.
The world-building is incredibly rich and fizzing with inventiveness; it is enhanced even further by the delightful images by Flavia Sorrentino. I absolutely loved being shown the city of Trollville, Cloud Forge and the Uncanny Valley.
This story felt like going home as I got to catch up with many of the wonderful characters from the first book, including Suzy’s best friend and Postmaster of the Postal Express, Wilmot; Ursel who is a very protective bear; and, members of the Old Guard who are retired from the Postal Service.
Suzy is a truly wonderful young girl. She has a deep-seated interest in physics and is fascinated by Troll technology which is a fusion of science and magic (fuzzics). She is strong-willed, ingenious and brave, prepared to risk her own safety to protect her friends. I adored the camaraderie between the friends: their friendship was filled with warmth, humour and an overwhelming desire to look out for each other, no matter the consequences.
I loved the title of this book, but I don’t want to spoil it by explaining why it is called The Great Brain Robbery – just read it and find out! This is a perfect magical adventure for children of 8+. I really hope I get to join Suzy on the Postal Express again.
Thank you to Toppsta and Usborne Publishing for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The October theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot, is Autumn feels and today’s wish is for: Witch-y books. I love this prompt as there are just so many books with magic and witches that I adore. I’ve chosen six of my favourite middle-grade books which have witches/magic.
Despite failing her evaluation to become a fully-fledged witch, Arianwyn Gribble, is sent to Lull to continue her apprenticeship. She is soon taking on the role of town protector, making charms and banishing dark creatures, although everything doesn’t always go according to plan. She is the most wonderful character, and I’m so excited to read her next adventure, A Witch Alone as part of Believathon.
Willow Moss is born into a family of witches, but does not have any of their exciting powers. Finding lost things does not seem a very important magical trait until a whole day – Tuesday to be precise – goes missing, and the most powerful, feared and revered witch in Starfell comes asking for help! This book is full of adventure, friendship and the most wonderful kobold, Oswin! I’m so looking forward to her next adventure!
This is a wonderful contemporary magical tale. Clementine does not fit in and one day discovers a hidden house, filled with Snowglobes, holding trapped magicians. She discovers a past that helps her understand who she is. A beautifully lyrical story by one of my favourite middle-grade authors.
I adored this book which has one of the most unique magical systems I’ve ever read about. Rayne is a reluctant spell breather who must go on a daring adventure in order to save her town from the monster curse that has overrun it. Review coming shortly.
I devoured this one and the second book, The Little Grey Girl, over one weekend earlier in the year. On the night her Aunt dies, the Raggedy Witches come for Mup’s Mam, intent on luring her back to Witches Borough.
This is the story of the three Widdershin sisters who discover they are trapped on their island by an ancient curse, one they are determined to break. I adored this story and was so excited when the author, Michelle Harrison, announced that the second book in the series, A Sprinkle of Sorcery is being released on 6th February.
I’m so excited to be taking part in this Readathon which is a month long celebration of middle-grade books, taking place from 1st – 30th November. This has been made for me!
It is being run by the wonderful Gavin Hetherington who has set up an account on Twitter dedicated to this. You can find it under Believe in the Impossible Readathon @Believathon. If you haven’t already seen his introduction, and you are interested in taking part, you can watch his Youtube introduction via this link: Believe in the Impossible Readathon Announcement.
There is a compendium that has all the prompts for books to read. There are ten prompts and the group read. You can choose to read 4 books, or complete all 10. I definitely want to read all 10 – and the group read!
It was so hard to choose my ten books as I am lucky enough to have so many amazing books on my TBR. I’ve decided to read books that are part of a series: either ones I have and have not yet started, or which are the second book in a series.
So, on to my 10 books:
Prompt 1: A book featuring magic
I’ve chosen A Witch Alone by James Nichol. I read The Apprentice Witch earlier this year and was introduced to Arianwyn who I completely adored. I can’t wait to visit her again. This time she’s a newly qualified witch who has been set a dangerous secret mission.
Prompt 2: A book featuring a myth or legend
I’ve chosen The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander. I found this one one a few months ago whilst doing one of my favourite activities: browsing in my local bookshop! I have a vague recollection that I might have read this many years ago, but I’m not completely sure! This is the first book in The Chronicles of Prydain, and is a fantasy adventure inspired by Welsh mythology.
Prompt 3: A book with real life issues
I’ve chosen Ghost by Jason Reynolds. I bought this one for the Readathon as I’ve wanted to get it for a while, and this seemed like a good excuse! I think this might be quite a hard-hitting book but with an ultimately uplifting ending!
Prompt 4: A book set in the past
I’ve chosen The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras who is an American author who adores all things Scottish! I read the first book in this series The Mad Wolf’s Daughter earlier this year, and immediately bought this one. I loved Drest who is a strong female protagonist in a male-dominated medieval Scottish lowlands who becomes a legend through her daring and bravery.
Prompt 5: A book with a strong sense of friendship
I’ve chosen The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club by Alex Bell. This is another one that I’ve wanted to read for ages – and it’s the one Gavin has chosen for this prompt. The blurb for this book just makes me want to dive in now. Stella joins the Polar Bear Explorers Club on an expedition to the Icelands where she meets danger, adventure and snow pirates – and makes important new friendships. I’ve read another couple of adventure books this year set in icy places: Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy and Eye of the North by Sinead O’Hart. They were both amazing stories, so I have high hopes for this icy adventure!
Prompt 6: An atmospheric or creepy book
I’ve chosen Potkin and Stubbs by Sophie Green. I’m going to thank the lovely Lily over at Lily and the Fae for this one! This one is described as ‘An atmospheric page-turner with a hauntingly good mystery at its heart’ (Gareth P Jones), so perfect for this prompt!
Prompt 7: A seasonal book
I’ve chosen The Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher. I adored reading the first book in this series, The Clockwork Crow at the start of the year. This one is set in autumn, and sounds like it would also be perfect for Prompt 6!
Prompt 8: A book with an animal character
I’ve chosen The Gift of Dark Hollow by Kieran Larwood. This is the second book in The Five Realms series. The first book, The Legend of Podkin One-Ear is one of my favourite reads this year, and I have The Beasts of Grimheart and Uki and the Outcasts on my TBR. These books are set in an imaginary world where rabbits become heroes. The storytelling and world-building are incredible, and the images by David Wyatt are stunning.
Prompt 9: A classic children’s story
I’ve chosen The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston which was first published in 1954. I’ve chosen this one for a slightly unusual reason, and one related to work. One of the comprehension extracts I completed with my class was from this story, and it really caught my interest, so I’ve decided to read the whole atmospheric ghost story.
Prompt 10: Re-read childhood favourite
I’ve chosen my favourite book ever, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis. I absolutely, completely and utterly fell in love with this book at primary school, and read all of The Chronicles of Narnia in quick succession. I’ve re-read it quite a few times since. Last year was the first time I read it to one of my classes and I loved how much the children loved this classic. Looking at the prompts, I think this one covers all of them!
AND FINALLY …
The Group Read!
This is the only book that can be read before the Readathon starts in November – and I’m going to enjoy it next week whilst I’m on half term – bliss!
I’d love to hear from anyone else taking part in Believathon. It’s always exciting to see what other people have chosen for their prompts.
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?
Oh, the irony of counting out change for a fifty-dollar bill while “Mo Money, Mo Problems” plays in the background.
Any ideas?
I was very excited to find this book post when I arrived home today. I’m so glad I’ve got a week off as I have a quite a lot of book review commitments I need to complete before Believathon in November! Not that I’m complaining: I get to read books for a week!
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the author of the New York Times best seller Dear Martin – which Angie Thomas, the best-selling author of The Hate U Give, called “a must read” – comes a pitch-perfect romance that examines class, privilege, and how a stroke of good luck can change an entire life.
Meet Rico: high school senior and afternoon-shift cashier at the Gas ‘n’ Go, who after school and work races home to take care of her younger brother. Every. Single. Day. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she – with some assistance from her popular and wildly rich classmate, Zan – can find the ticket holder who hasn’t claimed the prize. But what happens when have and have-nots collide? Will this investigative duo unite…or divide?
Nic Stone, the New York Times best-selling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out, creates two unforgettable characters in one hard-hitting story about class, money – both too little and too much – and how you make your own luck in the world.
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’m currently reading The Great Brain Robbery which is the second book in The Train to Impossible Places adventure. I loved the first book, and this is such a welcome return to this incredible world.
I recently finished The Secret Starling which is a wonderful mystery adventure set in 1970s Yorkshire and London. It was a really heart-warming story with an intriguing mystery and great friendships. Hoping to post my review this weekend. I also read A Most Peculiar Toy Factory which I found much more creepy than I expect, but it really is a fantastic story, with brilliant ending!
It’s time! I’m taking my first step on my Believathon journey by reading the Group Read. I’ve really been looking forward to Frostheart as it looks like a really fun read. I’ve more or less finalised my list and will be posting my final choices next week.
Both Owen and the Soldier and A Most Peculiar Toy Factory are published by Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly books. They both have a Reading Age of 8 and an Interest Age of 8-12. Both these books are written by popular children’s authors who write middle-grade fiction. Lisa Thompson is the author of The Goldfish Boy, The Light Jar and The Day I was Erased. Alex Bell is the author of The Polar Bear Explorers‘ Club books.
This poignant, beautifully written story really tugged at my heartstrings. It is a short story, but it packs so much into those pages.
Owen hasn’t seen his Dad in two years, his Mum is struggling at home, and he finds making friends difficult. Until the day he encounters a crumbling stone soldier sitting on a memorial bench in his local park.
He begins to talk openly to him, sharing his fears, worries and dreams. The soldier helps assuage some of his feelings of intense loneliness. I loved the genuine regard he shows towards the soldier and what he represents: showing respect in remembrance of the sacrifices made by fallen soldiers.
His English teacher is keen for him to write and recite a poem at the opening of the school library, but he refuses to do it as he doesn’t like speaking in front of others.
When the town Council decides to remove the stone soldier, it becomes the catalyst to propel Owen into taking action which forces him to confront some of his fears.
His courage in the face of his terror is both heart-breaking and heart-warming as he faces up to his fear of public-speaking:
My poem is about my Dad … And I’d like to dedicate it to the stone soldier who sits in the memorial garden.
I must admit, I cried when I read his poem which is so touching, given how it resonates with him. The ending of this story is uplifting and demonstrates the importance of seeking help in difficult circumstances.
This is a terrifically creepy and really rather chilling read which had me on the edge of my seat throughout, eager to turn the next page, but worried about what I might discover.
Shadows of teddy bears flit across windows. Dolls whisper behind closed doors.
Hoggle’s Happy Toy Factory has been closed for five years amid rumours of strange and evil occurrences, until the day that the new owner, Marmaduke J Hoggle, re-opens it. Ten-year old Tess Pips is intent on saving her family farm from closure, so is determined to overcome her reluctance to work there when it becomes apparent that Mr Hoggle will only employ children in his factory.
The build-up of tension and sense of dread which pervades the Pips’ children’s entry into the factory is brilliant. Of course, it is not long before they have reason to be afraid. The sinister goings on in the factory are ominously portrayed, giving the reader that edgy, jumpy feeling that watching a horror movie gives … and the chapter cliff hangers are just perfect for adding to this.
The use of sights, sounds and unexpected twists play a large part in building the creepy atmosphere: doors painted with manically grinning toys.
The clever use of horror fantasy, magical creatures, and an incredibly eerie setting leads the reader on an irresistible path to unravel hidden secrets and make new discoveries … The action is fast-paced and relentless in a good way. So much plot happens in this short story, but I can’t talk about it because I’m too worried about giving away spoilers, and this story needs to be read without knowing what to expect in order to have the full impact it definitely intends to have on the reader.
Tess is a wonderfully strong protagonist who overcomes her fears to protect her siblings and has a very matter-of-fact approach which helps her deal with whatever the factory throws at her … and it sends a lot her way! Can I just say … the ending … oh my … the ending!
The October theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot, is Autumn Feels and today’s wish is for: Autumn coloured books. When I think of Autumn colours, I always think of the leaves changing colour from rich greens to wonderful reds, oranges, golds and yellows. So these are the colours I’ve chosen for my six books today.
This is a book I’ve had on my TBR since it was published, so I really need to get round to reading it. It is a re-telling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin which definitely appeals to me.
I picked this one up at my local library as both the blurb and front cover captured my interest.
I loved the first book in this series, Cogheart, so am looking forward to catching up on the rest in the series.
Even though The Switching Hour has a drought and heat at its centre, the colours and bare tree also make me think of Autumn. I love the colours on Scavengers.
I adored Nevermoor, the first book in this series. I’m hoping to catch up with this in my half term as it is quite a lengthy book, and I want to be able to savour it in one sitting!
The Unimaginary Friend is a delicious treat of a story, wrapped up in Guy’s wonderful, humorous story-telling and Pete’s spectacular, Gothic-like illustrations which complement the story perfectly: a book to be savoured – or devoured – in one sitting.
‘Ol Skeleton Keys may be a little scary on the eyes, even though he’s a rather dapper chap, but goodness, is he THE most marvellous creation of a brilliant imagination. Which is just perfect, as this is a story wholeheartedly celebrating the power and wonder of the imagination.
Imagine if what we imagined could become unimaginary, no longer trapped in our minds, but joining us in the real world: what a brilliant concept! Mr Keys became unimaginary many years before the story he shares with the reader. He is a fantastically engaging character – a real gentleman of bones with a set of keys for fingers which open portals to other places– using old-fashioned language and creating new vocabulary in a playful and clever way. Fantabulant!
And strange things can happen when the imagination runs wild.
Skeleton Keys introduces us to ten-year-old Ben Bunsen on his tenth birthday. Ben’s family moves around a lot which has made it difficult for him to form real friendships. But he does have an imaginary friend, the Gorblimey, who is always there for him – in his imagination. After a disastrous birthday party, Ben imagines the Gorblimey into existence. At last, he has a best friend, of a rather nervous and fearful disposition, but one who is prepared to protect Ben.
Enter Skelton Keys! He has felt ‘The Twitch’ that warns him a dangerous unimaginary friend is on the loose, and he is on a single-minded mission to send it to Oblivion. Unfortunately for Ben, the unimaginary he has set his keys on is the gentle, nervous and kind-natured Gorblimey! Could Skeleton Keys have made a mistake, even though his Twitch is never wrong?
So begins an incredibly fast-paced, fun-filled adventure with just the right amount of delightful scariness … an adventure brimming with secrets to be unravelled, danger to be overcome and unimaginary friendships to enjoy.
There is just so much for young readers to enjoy in this story which is perfect for 7-9 year olds. I’m definitely a fan of ‘Ol Mr Keys and am really looking forward to the next time he shares one of his stories.
This is an absolute magical treasury of a story which I utterly adored, from the wonderfully delightful characters to the interweaving of fairy tales into the fabric of the story. The illustrations are truly stunning and completely captivated me as I journeyed through this richly-drawn world, meeting the most fantastic characters, and becoming caught up in their lives and stories.
Following a wish upon the legendary cloud horses, each of the Guardians of Magic finds a magical item which has been specially made for them in order to help them protect the magic of Thrynne from those who seek to destroy it.
The Guardians, Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba live in different towns in Thrynne, each of which has its own problems, from mafia-like rats to tree-destroying Tin men to giant-slaying princesses …
Each of the Guardians becomes displaced from their home for different reasons linked to their magical items and happenings in their towns, but I won’t delve into this any more for fear of spoilers. Eventually, they find refuge and a home in the Tumbledowns – a place which collects people who don’t fit in elsewhere – where they come together to hatch a plan to protect the ancient magic …
I adored all three Guardians who are extremely likeable, brave, resourceful and determined to protect the magic of the Forever Tree. I loved that they wished on cloud horses: the granting of their wishes leads them on an action-packed, magical adventure which unites them in friendship and a shared path as Guardians of Magic.
The homage to fairy tales throughout this gorgeous story is just brilliant. I loved how familiar characters took on lives outside their tales, and were often represented in a completely different light to what a reader might imagine.
The heart of this story relays important messages related to the need to protect the natural environment from destruction, to fight against prejudice based on preconceived notions, and the importance of finding a place where we can belong.
The Cloud Horses are the creation of dreams – I can’t wait to see where their adventures with the Guardians leads them next. Oh, and don’t we all want our own cloud horse … just a little more wishing and believing in magic should do it!
This is a superbly enchanting and heart-warming adventure which is perfect for readers of 8+. I’m very much looking forward to introducing it to my class who I know will be just as entranced by the characters and adventure as I was.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an e-ARC in return for my honest opinion. I loved it so much that I have also bought a hardback copy for myself.
Book Craic 