Jodie is a spine-tinglingly haunting and eerie ghost story that kept me enthralled throughout.  Utterly compelling, and so beautifully written.

Jodie is on a residential trip to a field centre with others from her school, but she does not want to be there.  She has been through a lot, and is a loner at school, so spending time with others on the residential is the last thing she wants.  Against the rules, she goes out alone to find a little dog who has been constantly barking and finds herself trapped in an old pickup truck which has been stuck in the cold, thick mud of the saltmarsh – and the tide is coming in!  Will anyone hear her screams?

The story then goes back in time to Jodie’s arrival at the field centre and shares how she has found herself in her current situation.  What has led to her running from the centre?  Can she find a way to save herself, and free both herself and a trapped soul?

This is not only a hauntingly poignant ghost story, but also the story of a young girl struggling to find her voice again after so much difficult change in her life including her brother being sent to prison, losing her home, and having to move to a place where she does not know anyone.  She feels like she doesn’t belong and seeks places where she can be on her own, away from having to interact with others.  Can she find her voice – and friendship- with the girls she has to share a room with?  I really liked the friendships between the other girls which felt natural and real, and was really hoping that Josie would open herself to the possibility of finding friendship with them.

The structure of this story, with its use of different timelines, really drew me in, and I loved the slow reveal of clues, the building of tension and the revelations which really added to the haunting atmosphere. 

The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and complement the haunting, isolated atmosphere of this novella perfectly.  The images of Josie are heart-breaking and really show her loneliness and pain, her feeling of being apart from others.  This contrasts with the joy and closeness shown in the illustrations of the friends she is sharing a room with.  And the final illustration – just perfect!

Jodie is a masterfully written ghost story that is both poignant and hopeful, a story of finding your voice … a powerful and stunning read for 9+.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Roll up!  Roll up!  The Greatest Show on Earth is about to begin … and what an extravaganza it is!  The performance takes place in the Shoebox Theatre and is hosted by Rod the Roach and his troupe of incredible insects as they share the story of Life on Earth from 4.6 billion years ago …

Meet a young Earth finding just the right conditions to support life; learn about the evolution of life on Earth in all its awe and wonder from microbes and fish in the seas to plant and animal life on land including the era of dinosaurs and the first appearance of people; and, look to the future of what’s in store for Planet Earth.

This is a fantastically engaging non-fiction text for curious young minds which is both wonderfully entertaining and brilliantly informative.  I loved the appealing layout, set out as a theatre.  Each double-page spread has the Main Stage with lots of bright and expressive illustrations with interactions from the insect narrators and a conversational, humorous writing style. In the Wings, there is more detailed information which I found absolutely fascinating.  Along the bottom of each page, in the Orchestra Pit, is a Tape Measure of Time which provides a pictorial and written timeline of key events in Earth’s evolution.

I think this is a book that will appeal to both younger and older children in primary schools who, I have no doubt, will enjoy learning and sharing so many engaging facts.  I definitely intend to use it when I am introducing our Evolution topic in science.  I love how this gorgeous book gives a wealth of fascinating facts about the evolution of life on Earth in such a creative, imaginative and fun-filled way.  It is one I would highly recommend to any primary school.

Thank you to Puffin Books for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

It’s my turn on the Celebrating #EarthDay Blog Tour with the wonderful The Rescue of Ravenwood. Thank you to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Rescue of Ravenwood is just sublime storytelling:  an incredibly special story that weaves together nature, home, family and friendship, keeping me utterly captivated throughout. 

Bea and Raffy share a deep-seated love for the special place that they found as young babies.  Bea arrived first with her father and, when he left, she stayed with her uncle Leo.  When Raffy’s mum was looking for somewhere to live, Leo offered to let them stay at Ravenwood.  Eleven years later, and both adults and children have grown into a close family unit with a heartfelt love for their idyllic, sprawling home, surrounded by ancient trees and close to the sea. 

Bea is expecting a visit from her parents, with whom she has a rather fractured relationship, and is disappointed when they change their minds.  Her hurt causes her to uncharacteristically lash out at Noa, a young girl who has been invited to stay with them for the summer as her mother has gone abroad.  Whilst Raffy loves Bea, he can see that she has been unkind to Noa and offers his friendship. 

When Bea’s dark mood lifts and she sees Noa’s appreciation for nature, she finds herself offering to show her something very special:  Yggdrasil, an ancient ash tree, perfect for climbing.  The children envisage a wonderful summer spreading out before them where they can build a tree house in the branches of Yggdrasil, where they can hope to see more seals when they swim in the cove, and where they can hang out in Skidbladnir, their Viking ship. 

But changes are coming, and the children are in danger of losing their precious Ravenwood.  Can they work together to save it when others are conspiring to separate them from each other? Do they have the strength and courage to fight for their home when another is equally determined to take it from them?

This is such a thrilling and deeply satisfying adventure, and one that kept me eagerly turning the pages, completely invested in the children’s mission to save Ravenwood as they faced dangers, manipulations, separation and loss.  I can totally understand their affinity with Ravenwood and their determination to save it, no matter the risks they had to take.  This wonderful home has endured through many, many years; it has changed and witnessed much; and, along with the natural environment surrounding it, offers comfort and joy to those who live there. 

Bea, Raffy and Noa are incredibly sympathetic characters.  They unite in their love for Ravenwood, in their pleasure at enjoying the simpler things in life when other parts of their lives are more complicated and cause pain.  They have a real connectedness with nature that brings them together, a connection that sees them work together to try to save the place that means so much to each of them.

This is a truly fantastic adventure:  exciting, heartfelt and empowering with family, friendship and the importance of nature at its heart.  A definite must-read and one I cannot recommend highly enough!

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour to read more about this fantastic book from these wonderful bloggers.

I’m currently reading Legends and Lattes as it’s been a while since I’ve picked up a book not aimed at children, and this one was a Christmas present! I’m really enjoying it.

I finished reading Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree which I really liked – I’ve posted my review. I also finished The Sky Over Rebecca which was a really wonderful timeslip story with a difference. It was both heart-warming and heart-breaking as Rebecca’s situation, and that of her little brother, is so poignant. As soon as I saw that The Silver Road was available to request on NetGalley, I had to request and read as soon as my request was granted. I adored this story – and have posted my review. I also read Jodie which is an eerie, beautifully told, ghost story with the most gorgeous illustrations. I will be posting my review shortly.

I didn’t get to this last week, so I’m going to try to get to it this weekend.

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

The Silver Road is a stunning fantasy adventure that swept me into a world of magic and myth, of danger and hope, of family and friendship that completely entranced me.  This is a book I really cannot recommend highly enough – outstanding storytelling from a master storyteller who weaves magic into words.

After another difficult day in her new school, Rose Darke is unable to sleep, so she gets up to read her library book.  She is disturbed by a sound on the skylight and, when she goes outside to investigate, she discovers that it is hailing – in April!  Imagine her shock when the hail forms itself into an ice giant who opens his hand to reveal a reddish stone which he gives to her before flying away. 

On her way to school the following morning, she visits two elderly shopkeepers who she has befriended, who are not at all who they seem.  After the stone falls out of her pocket, they tell her that it is a weapon that can be used for either good or evil – and she has been chosen as its Guardian …

And so begins a truly breath-taking, magical adventure as Rose discovers that the magic of the Silver Road, that has cast a protective net over Ireland, is in danger of disappearing.  As the old magic weakens, an ancient evil is awakening.  Can Rose protect the magic of the Silver Road and ensure its regeneration? Can she prevent the return of one who will bring terrible destruction?

Oh my goodness!  This is the MOST incredible, action-packed quest adventure, brimming with magic, with danger, with discoveries … I was swept into a modern world interwoven with the old magic and mythology of Ireland and was completely and utterly spellbound.  I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but be prepared to meet witches, giants, wolves, ancient gods and warriors in a gripping adventure that is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat as the peril reaches a fierce crescendo.  Epically brilliant!

I grew up enjoying tales of Celtic myths and legends, so this is a story that took me back to those tales of my childhood, but with a fresh and modern twist that I loved.  I really enjoyed:  the blending of myth with environmental issues linked to climate change and land development; the power of stories to invoke memories, bring hope and give comfort; and, I must admit, I adored that this was set in modern Ireland, paying homage to its rich folklore heritage, and taking me on a journey to both familiar and unfamiliar places through vivid, lyrical and impressive world-building. 

Rose is an incredibly likeable young girl who has a loving, hard-working family who live on a Council Estate.  She has gained a scholarship to her local Grammar School, but is being bullied and tormented by another girl and her gang who makes it clear that she doesn’t belong there.  Rose feels unable to talk to her teachers or parents and instead escapes into books, and her friendship with two incredible, magical people – Nellie and Gracie – and the wonderful not-cat, Catshee who I adored.  Rose is also grieving the recent loss of her beloved Mamó, who has shared with her the stories that are now coming alive, when she finds herself thrown into an adventure she didn’t ask for.  Rose shows great strength, determination and courage in facing frightening foes, in learning to stand up for herself, and in seeking help when it is desperately needed.

The Silver Road is a mesmerising, unforgettable adventure:  a story of courage and hope, of trusting in old magic and new friendship, in the face of darkness and danger …  an absolute must-read and definitely one of my Books of the Year! 

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I will definitely be getting a copy to share with my class when it is published on 28th September.

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!

Lightning clawed through the coal-black sky, throwing jagged brilliance onto the ruined earth. Cold rain lashed the island like a whip and, far below, the sea writhed endlessly. The land was facing a mighty onslaught, one not seen since the long-ago battle of Moytura three thousand years before.

Any ideas?

Sinead O’Hart is the author I credit with re-igniting my love of middle-grade fiction, so I am always excited when she has a new book coming up, and this time its based on Irish folklore, so I absolutely had to request it on NetGalley – and make it my current read!

Goodreads Synopsis:

The seandraiocht – the Old Magic – isn’t remembered like it once was. Its power is fading…

When Rose is entrusted with a powerful stone by a Frost Giant, she is swept into an adventure full of danger. The stone can be used for great good or great evil, depending on its keeper. It leads Rose to discover the magic that runs through all of Ireland. A magic that is threaded together beneath the the Silver Road. But the Silver Road is under threat.

Now Rose must keep the stone from falling into the wrong hands and embark on a quest to find its rightful owner and keep the magic alive . . .

An adventure only half done is not an adventure at all.

Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree is an absolutely brilliant adventure, with an intriguing mystery at its centre, that completely captured me.

Wendington Jone’s world is changed forever when she is given the news that her anthropologist and explorer mother, who she idolises, has been killed in a car accident following her latest adventure in Australia.  Returning to her family home, she has a midnight visitor who gives her a parcel from her mother:  half of the manuscript for her latest book, describing her search for the mythical Tree of Life, purported to be able to bring people back from the dead. Could her mother have found the mythical tree, and could this have put her in great danger?

Struggling to cope with her grief, Wendington is determined to solve the mystery of what her mother really discovered, and maybe even bring her mother back. This proves a perilous venture, and she soon finds herself running from those who seem intent on getting their hands on her mother’s work, regardless of who they might hurt.

Having found a ticket in her mother’s name to travel to Australia, she boards the SS Pembroke to escape from danger and to follow in her mother’s footsteps to attempt to discover the truth behind the existence of the Tree of Life. 

And so begins THE most incredible voyage as Wendington discovers that she may not have escaped danger, but rather that it has followed her.  I was completely gripped by this mystery which is brimming with tension, peril and brilliantly unexpected twists and revelations.  Who can Wendington trust aboard the ship?  Are there those who are prepared to betray her for their own goals?  The danger really ramps up as the voyage continues, and I was on the edge-of-my-seat as I was desperate to find out who was friend and who foe.  Will Wendington reach her destination, and locate the Tree of Life in its last-known location?  Will she find the answers she so desperately seeks? 

As well as being an intriguing mystery which gave me Enola Holmes vibes, it is also the story of a girl who is grieving the loss of her beloved mother.  Hers is a journey not only to solve the mystery of her mother’s final discovery, but also a journey through the depths of grief to some sort of acceptance and resurrection of hope where she is able to say goodbye and appreciate the strength to be gained from memories.  Wendington has just become one of my favourite characters!  She is astute, curious and quick-witted; a booklover; and, has a keen interest in engineering, a skill she makes good use of.  She has a real inner strength and shows great courage and tenacity when facing grave danger all whilst grieving the loss of her mother.  She is an unconventional young lady, not living by the expectations of the time, and I adored her!

This is an unmissable adventure for readers of 10+ who will be swept into an exhilarating and enthralling mystery.

Thank you to uclan publishing for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Every 15 seconds, somewhere in the world someone buys an Eric Carle book!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Jungle Hide & Seek is a gorgeous, bright and colourful Board Book addition to the Eric Carle Hide and Seek series for babies and toddlers.

It invites them to explore the jungle with the Very Hungry Caterpillar through a series of questions with a finger-trail leading to a lift-the-flap underneath which the answer is revealed.

The glossy board, the vibrant colours and drawings and the playful interactive elements will make this a much-loved addition to the Eric Carle Library. Little readers will enjoy finding the Hungry Caterpillar on each double page as he munches his way through the jungle.

Jungle Hide & Seek introduces a wide range of jungle creatures from birds to mammals to reptiles and insects. My favourite is the slow and sleepy sloth! This follows a question-and-answer format with each double-page asking and answering a question: part of the answer is hidden under a sturdy flap which will encourage curiosity. The book has large, clear text; a rhyming narrative; and, lots of wonderful adjectives, action verbs and sounds which make this a brilliantly interactive and engaging book.

I have no doubt that the Very Hungry Caterpillar’s many young fans will enjoy playing hide-and-seek in the jungle as they learn more about this habitat and its creatures in a fun and interactive way.

Thank you to Puffin Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Treasure Hunters is an absolute gem of a story:  both an exciting, action-packed adventure and a wonderful tale of navigating friendship.

Twelve-year-old Vincent has found making new friends in secondary school difficult.  He has learned how to become invisible to hide his discomfort and awkwardness at being on the periphery of school life.  He also feels that his Dad is trying to get him to be more like his perfect older brother, Ewan, who seems to be good at everything Vincent finds a struggle.  Vincent finds co-ordination and organisation more difficult due to having dyspraxia; however, he has become good at playing his favourite computer game:  Battle Doom, and it is in this world where he doesn’t feel like a failure.

When his school is offered a last-minute opportunity for four students to take part in the annual Wilderness Warrior Challenge, which involves three days of hiking, camping and outdoor survival, Vincent cannot imagine anything worse!  So when he is invited to take part, he immediately rejects the offer, but his parents are convinced that stepping out of his comfort zone will be good for him, and he finds himself taking part in the Challenge with three of his classmates.

Only Lena wants to be on the trip, but she has her own secret reason for taking part.  Just as the others are ready to give in and go home, she reveals her secret to them.  Her deceased Grandpa was convinced that pirate treasure is hidden in the nearby mountain and she is determined to prove that he is right by finding it.  Can they work together to discover the treasure?  Are they the only ones seeking the treasure, or is there a thief on their trail?

I was absolutely gripped by the treasure hunt that the children find themselves on:  a treasure hunt that has plenty of excitement and danger as they each use their strengths to benefit the team and, in so doing, learn more about themselves and each other. I loved that this all takes place within a hiking and camping trip which really reminded me of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  I was prepared for the Silver Award, but was a last- minute addition when someone pulled out for a Gold Award practice in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland so wasn’t prepared.  I still remember the blisters, so I have every sympathy with Vincent! 

Vincent, Lena, Josh and Scarlett feel incredibly real and believable, and finding out more about them as the story progresses really encourages empathy.  They need others to believe in them, to give them a chance to show what they can do – a chance to shine – and to believe in themselves – to be themselves.  And I think this is something that is achieved perfectly through warm-hearted, humorous and empathetic storytelling.  Navigating new friendships is not always easy, and I really liked that the relationships between these four were messy, genuine and at times fractious.  I think many children getting ready to move to secondary school, or starting this journey in a new school, will appreciate the honesty and authenticity of this portrayal of friendship.  This story opens up lots of opportunity for discussion of issues such as poverty, toxic friendships and parental expectations, and will allow children to see themselves in stories, and encourage empathy for others. 

A wonderfully warm-hearted, exciting adventure, perfect for readers of 9+. 

Thank you to Harriet Dunlea and Scholastic for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ve just started Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree, and am definitely intrigued by the synopsis. I’ve also just started The Sky Over Rebecca which is set in Sweden and is one I’m really enjoying.

I’ve read a lot this week as I’m on Easter holiday – and some of these are short! I finished Eternity Engine through a mixture of audiobook and reading the physical copy. This was an absolutely breath-taking read that, as I got further through, I really didn’t want to stop reading – utterly brilliant! I also read Nic Blake and the Remarkables which I enjoyed, but not as much as I thought I would.

It was wonderful to be back with Herbie and Violet in Festergrimm and this time their old enemy Sebastian Eels is back to open Festergrimm’s spooky waxworks. This one focuses on the legend of Ludo Festergrimm, a clockwork maker, who made a mechanical robot to help find his missing daughter.

I also read Boot It! which is a World Book Day book following Sami from Boy, Everywhere. This was a wonderful short read, dealing with racism in football, and definitely think it will be a popular one in class.

I also read The Curio Collectors, another short one by the brilliant dyslexia-friendly publisher, Barrington Stoke. This is set in the Victorian era and follows Lily and Tom who travel the country with Ma Hawker, showing off their collection of curiosities. Lily is tricked in to buying a bag of worthless items, but is is hiding something very important to a young maid. I really enjoyed this charming historical tale.

I also picked up The Haunted Hills which has been on my TBR for ages. It is a powerful, heart-breaking and redemptive story of loss, grief and guilt that completely gripped me, and is one that I became completely absorbed in.  Carl is visiting the Peak District with his parents as he tries to come to terms with a tragic event in his life, which has deeply affected his mental health, in the hope that it will give him time to heal.  Whilst there, he gets lost and is saved by a mysterious boy and his dog.  Could this be the ghost of the Lost Lad or a manifestation of Carl’s own feelings of loss?  I was completely swept into the wild and haunting landscape of the Peak District which proved a perfect background for Carl’s story.  I liked the introspection of the flashbacks to his friendship with Jack as he works to come to terms with what has happened.  I also really liked that his parents are present in such a supportive way. This is an incredibly powerful story of bereavement, guilt and hope.  

I also read Stink which is brilliantly funny, and have posted my review. Finally, I read The Treasure Hunters which I really enjoyed – I will be posting my review tomorrow.

I have only read Our Sister, Again by Sophie Cameron which I really liked, so I’m hoping to pick up Away with Words next.

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