I’ve had a ridiculously busy week and very little sleep so I’ve not picked a book up to read since the weekend. I am, however, listening to Noah’s Gold to and from my drive to work. Wow! Firstly, I absolutely LOVE the narration – it’s just so lovely to listen to an Irish accent – taking me home! And I hadn’t realised this was set in Northern Ireland – so lovely to hear places which are familiar to me mentioned in a story. And then, there’s the story! Noah is so incredibly likeable. This is such a feel good, wonderfully funny story and is exactly what I need now.

I finished listening to the audiobook of The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy which is surreal and genuinely brilliant. I absolutely loved this which would have made me throw my arms in the air a lot (if I hadn’t been driving!) and had me both giggling and confused! I think I definitely need to had to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I also read The Dragon in the Bookshop which I really enjoyed – I will be posting my review as part of the Blog Tour soon. Finally, I read something from my towering bookcases. The Last Firefox is a gorgeous story suited to younger readers which has some wonderful messages about finding inner strength and self-belief. The main character, Charlie, has two dads: I loved this representation of family which is so great to see in stories for younger readers.

This might be ambitious, but I’m hoping to have both of these read by next Wednesday!

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

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!

My mother says that until the lions have their own storytellers, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. She has a proverb to suit most situations. She says that proverbs are ‘jewels from the ancestors’ to guide us through the challenges of life.

Any ideas?

I love mystery stories and this one, set in Georgian London, sounds so good!

Goodreads Synopsis

Twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House – but they both share a love of solving mysteries. And when their eyes meet in the audience of the Drury Lane theatre one night, both girls are sure they’ve seen something suspicious on stage. Lizzie and Belle soon find themselves on the trail of a mystery – and becoming best friends. But can they work out what’s going on in time to prevent a murder? 

Today, I’m excited to share the stunning paperback cover image (by Kristina Kister) for the brilliant The Book of Stolen Dreams which is being released on 1st September.

You can read my review of this unmissable adventure here.

In order to whet your appetite, you can enjoy reading an extract below:

#GIVEAWAY : You can also go to my pinned tweet (@marysimms72) to enter a giveaway to win a hardback copy of this stunning book which will be sent to the winner by the Publisher.

This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books, now with a re-vamped banner!

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:

When Mr Ogg said he didn’t like Smalls, he meant he didn’t like humans.

This book in three words:

FUNNY, FRIENDSHIP, GIANTS

Small! is BIG on hilarity, heart and hope – with a good dollop of yuckiness, smelliness and zaniness.  A tasty treat of an adventure which delighted me, grossed me out ever so slightly and left me with a giant grin! 

On his tenth birthday, Harvey Small gets an odd collection of presents:  a pair of stilts, too-long dungarees and a too-big top hat!  Could this be connected to his recent move to live near a swamp and his GIANT visitor?  Well, that’s a definite ‘yes’ as Harvey finds that his Mum has enrolled him in Madame Bogbrush’s School for Gifted Giants as a boarder.  Will he be able to maintain his disguise and prove himself a gifted giant?  Let’s hope so as, if he’s rumbled, he’s in real danger of being stomped into a sandwich as giants do not like Smalls (a.k.a humans). 

Harvey has had to move schools a lot since his mum and dad split up, something for which he blames himself, making it hard for him to find friends.  Imagine his delight when, for the first time at a new school, he is welcomed by a student who is excited to meet him.  Could he possibly have found a friend in Walloping Toenail?  Of course, there is the small matter that his classmates enjoy Small-bashing – with clubs! 

Just as Harvey is settling in, making a friend, and getting used to a timetable of stomping, clobbering and grunting, not to mention a rather unique menu, their Headteacher, Mrs Mahoosive, brings news to make him quake in his stomping boots.  The Beastly School Board is sending an inspector … is Harvey in danger of having his disguise uncovered?  And, what if he is not the only gifted giant in danger?  Will he be able to save himself and a classmate?

Oh my goodness!  This was such a brilliant read with oodles of giggles, a mystery to solve, a sense of danger, and unexpected twists and revelations.   I can just imagine how much joy children will get from reading this independently or having it read aloud.  There is a real sense of playfulness from the names, the school activities and food, the many opportunities for mishaps and mayhem not to mention olfactory overload and the swamp goblins!  Alongside this, there is a real depth and warmth in the building of friendships, support and trust.

I loved the inclusion of the Timetables, the School Inspectors Reports, the capitalisation and bold text.  I also adored the gorgeous illustrations sprinkled throughout the text which are guaranteed to bring a smile, and complement the story perfectly.  All of these elements make this a really accessible read.

But even the scariest things aren’t quite as scary with a best friend by your side.

Harvey Small is an incredibly sympathetic young boy.  He feels a failure:  failing at school, failing at friendship, and failing at keeping his parents together.  He gets his first taste of real friendship when he meets the endearing, kind-hearted, curious Walloping Toenail and the two form a wonderful bond.  This bond makes Harvey feel like a giant, giving him the strength, courage and self-belief to face danger, and reveal truths – and blue underpants!

Small! fizzes with warmth, humour and acceptance – guaranteed to be a GIANT hit with young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Mikka at Everything with Words for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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’ve just started listening to The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – I think this is one I’ll enjoy. I’m still reading The Blackthorn Branch, but have not got as far as I thought I would as I picked up The Last Firefox on a whim, and have continued to read it as it is just the fun, easy read I need now.

I had a nightmare after watching Stranger Things so woke up at 4am and decided read Race to the Frozen North which tells the story of Matthew Henson which is a brilliant novella from Barrington Stoke. This is one I’m thinking about using with Year 6. I also read Small! which was a really fun read with plenty of humour. I will be posting my review shortly. I finished listening to Starboard which I absolutely loved – think this might now be my favourite Nicola Skinner book. I really loved the whole concept of the SS Great Britain taking Kirsten, a reality star who is no longer popular, on a journey to find truths about herself. I really enjoyed the interactions between Kirsten, the ship, the map and the mannequins. The ending was so wonderful – I was definitely choking up.

I was lucky enough to have been sent a proof copy of The Mermaid Call which sounds wonderful, so I’m hoping to pick it up next.

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

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!

It was the first day of autumn when I came to Blackbird Castle, the trees copper and green, pumpkins growing along the ditch by the side of the road, a moon like a lidded silver eye already visible in the evening sky – in short, an excellent day for a witch to return to her ancestral home. But of course I knew nothing of witches then.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

When a scarecrow climbs over the garden wall, delivering twelve-year-old orphan Zita Brydgeborn a letter saying she has inherited a distant castle, she jumps at the chance of adventure. But little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a centuries-old battle between good and evil. Blackbird Castle was once home to a powerful dynasty of witches, all of them now dead under mysterious circumstances. Zita is the last of her line. And Zita, unfortunately, doesn’t know the first thing about being a witch. As she begins her lessons in charms and spells with her guardian, Mrs. Cantanker, Zita makes new allies—a crow, a talking marble head, two castle servants just her age named Bram and Minnifer, and the silent ghost of a green-eyed girl. But who is friend and who is foe? Zita must race to untangle her past and find the magic to save the home she’s always hoped for. Because whatever claimed the souls of her family is now after her.

This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books, now with a re-vamped banner!

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 picked up the rug and folded it, then offered her my arm to lead her back inside.

This book in three words:

FRIENDSHIP, EMPATHY, COURAGE

Girl 38 is a sensitively and beautifully written story that perfectly weaves the past into the present, and shows how empathising with past events can impact on present ones, how learning about the bravery of others can lead to the strength to change our own path.  Both the past and the present stories within this book captured me completely, and I found the impact Ania’s story had on Kat really powerful, heart-warming and hopeful.

Girl 38 is the courageous comic strip heroine created by Kat, a heroine that she wishes she could be more like as she is finding her own reality difficult to deal with.  Kat has been friends with Gem ever since their first day at school, but theirs is a toxic friendship as Gem is controlling and manipulative with Kat constantly on edge, trying to keep her happy and going along with her plans, even when they make her feel uneasy.  Kat feels under constant pressure to do whatever Gem wants, desperate not to have her turn her bullying attention on her the way she has on others. 

One day, Kat helps her elderly Polish neighbour, Ania Jankowski after a fall.  She feels an instant rapport with her and they soon develop a warm relationship as Ania shares her painting of her best friend Mila from many years previously.  Kat’s interest is immediately piqued and Ania agrees to tell her about her past.  I loved how their relationship developed so that Kat was eventually able to open up to Ania to share her own problems and to seek comfort and strength in their friendship and in Ania’s story.

Ania’s story is woven throughout the narrative, and is one of incredible daring, determination and courage.  Ania lived in Poland during the Second World War.  She watched her friend Mila being taken away.  She had promised she would find her friend, and it is a promise which she intended keeping, no matter what.  I was really eager for Kat to visit Ania so that I could learn more of her incredible story, and I can absolutely see how listening to Ania’s inspirational story gave Kat the courage to face her fears, just like her heroine, Girl 38.

Just after Kat starts visiting Ania, a new boy, Julius, starts at Kat’s school and he soon attracts the attention of Gem who wants to teach him a lesson for taking the attention away from her.  She ropes Kat into helping her and, even though she doesn’t want to and knows she shouldn’t, Kat goes along with her plans which get more and more humiliating for Julius.  As Kat learns more of Ania’s history, will she have the courage and strength to stand up for herself, to be open and honest and to allow herself the opportunity to develop a healthy friendship?  Can she become the heroine of her own future?

The depiction of the relationships in this story felt incredibly genuine from the toxic relationship between Gem and Kat to the growing friendship between her and Julius and her warm relationship with Ania.  Even though Gem is certainly a bully, I liked that the author gave an insight into her insecurity which may go some way to explaining, but not excusing, her bullying.

This is a story that truly captured my heart:  I was completely invested in both Ania’s and Kat’s stories, and enjoyed how Ania’s story impacted on Kat’s present and helped her face up to a difficult situation, changing her future. 

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’m reading The Blackthorn Branch which I’m really enjoying. I love stories with the Fair Folk and these are definitely out to cause trouble! I’m really enjoying the audiobook of Starboard– the narrator is great. I’m loving the idea of the SS Great Britain coming to life and heading out to sea with waning reality star, Kirsten and her former best friend. Kirsten is the reluctant captain of the ship which intends to head to New York. This is great fun and so inventive.

I’ve finished reading Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse and have posted my review. I really enjoyed this which is such a great adventure based on Hindu mythology. Kiki has anxiety and OCD and this is addressed brilliantly by the author. I also read My Friend the Octopus which is the second book I’ve read by this author. I adored Darwin’s Dragon and have read it to my class. My Friend the Octopus is such a brilliant mystery! The friendship which grows between the octopus, Ghost, and Vinnie is gorgeous. I learned so much about these wonderful creatures. I also read Ghost and Bone which I’ve had on my bookshelf for ages. Oscar Grimstone works in an undertakers and has the ability to transform into a ghost. When he meets another ghost in a skeleton carriage, a dark adventure begins where he visits the city of ghosts which overlays our own world. This definitely has some scary moments and some details that might be quite horrific for younger readers, but it completely gripped me and I read it in a single sitting. I loved finding out why Oscar can switch between being living and being a ghost. This does remind me a little of Pratchett.

I’m hoping to read Small! next, and I’ll probably pick up an adult book too, but I’m not sure what yet – maybe The Leviathan, The Sanitorium or The House on the Cerulean Sea!

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

Our Sister, Again is a powerful, poignant and thought-provoking story that absolutely gripped me.  This is a story which resonates with the deeply felt heartache of grief; a story of hope and acceptance; and, of family healing and supportive friendships. 

For three years, 13-year-old Isla and her family have been grieving the death of her older sister, Flora.  This grief has torn the family apart with her dad moving out as he could not accept a decision made by the rest of the family:  a decision to join the Second Chances Homecoming Project which promised the return of Flora as an AI to live again with her family.  In order to keep the Project top-secret, the whole community on the small island of Eilean Dearg in the Outer Hebrides have had to enter an agreement to keep the trial hidden from others. But what if not everyone is happy to keep Flora’s secret?

The ‘new’ Flora is an exact replica of Isla’s sister, having had a digital footprint uploaded using Flora’s extensive social media.  Her mother and sisters are overjoyed to have her back, and are keen to help her fit in to island life again.  However, her father does not believe it is possible to recreate a human, and wants the rest of his family to accept that Flora is gone.  The theme of grief is heartfelt and poignant and permeates the story as family and community are dealing with varying stages of loss, acceptance and healing.

Not everyone on the island is accepting of the project and, when threats are directed towards Flora, Isla is determined to protect her sister from danger.   Will Isla be able to solve the mystery of who is so set against Flora’s return that they may well be willing to cause her harm?  Could someone close be capable of betraying their friendship, or is Flora not the only hidden secret on the island?

This is an incredibly powerful, compelling and absorbing read that raises issues around personhood, ethics and social media.  As a teacher, I love opportunities to discuss ‘What if …?’ questions with my class, and there are so many that can be posed through this story.  What if it is possible to recreate a human based on a digital footprint?  What if we never had to say goodbye?  What if your social media imprint defines you as a person?  What if you were denied fundamental rights because of who you are?  What if you had to fight for freedom from ownership and for your right to exist?  This would be a brilliant class read with so much scope for fascinating book talk!

I really enjoyed the relationships at the heart of this story, and the changes within these. Flora is aware that she is a returnee and cares for her family, but she is also aware that she is different and, as the story progresses, she explores her individuality and humanity.  The relationship between Isla and her younger sister Una is adorable with Isla having stepped into the role of big sister after the loss of Flora.  There is also a gorgeous, supportive relationship which develops as Isla develops a crush on another girl in her football team which is just perfect and really made my heart melt.

And, that ending – it brought tears and smiles – and was exquisite!  An absolute must-read and a brilliant addition to any school library. 

Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

SuperQuesters:  The Case of the Stolen Sun is the first in a fun new interactive STEM series, aimed at children aged 4-8.

Children take part in a series of engaging, interactive and fun quests, each of which encourages the development of a range of STEM skills from pattern recognition and problem-solving to algorithms and coding. There is a really helpful glossary of Stem Skills included at the end of the book.

The story starts with a science problem which Lilli and her two best friends, Bea and Leo, need to work on together to solve.  After holding hands and closing their eyes for some hard thinking, they find themselves in Questland which has had its sun stolen.  Can they track down the culprits, Lord Grumble and his Snapettes, and return daytime to Questland?   Will they learn the answer to their science problem whilst exploring Questland?

So begins a series of eight quests where the reader is actively engaged in helping the new superheroes fulfil their quests by completing STEM-linked activities and games for each one.  Each activity is clearly introduced and there are stickers at the back of the book to use to complete each activity.

When a quest is finished, a sticker can be placed on the Reward Chart at the start of the book.  I can imagine the solving of each quest to be a wonderful opportunity for both collaborative and independent learning although I imagine each child in a group will want their own copy of the book! 

SuperQuesters has a wonderfully unique format with a fun fantasy adventure story interspersed with a range of appealing games and activities to take the reader to the next quest.  The illustrations are gorgeous and I really liked how the background changes from darker to lighter as the quest is followed.  Each quest is made up of the adventure on one page and the STEM activity on the other (often with helpful notes or warnings) which makes it clear to follow.

I can definitely see this appealing to young readers who will enjoy working through the quests with an adult, in a collaborative group, or independently if they are slightly older.  This is a truly fantastic way to encourage a love of STEM skills in a really imaginative and engaging way, and is perfect for both home and school.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and QuestFriendz for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.