What a book-buying month March is going to be! There are LOTS of books due for release which I am so excited to read. Some of these are continuations of series I love; others are next books by favourite authors; a few new-to-me authors; and, a few debut authors. All of these have caught my interest, so I won’t be able to resist adding them to my TBR!

I have taken the synopsis for each of these from the Waterstones website except for The Rewilders synopsis which I’ve taken from the Publisher’s website.

Release Date: 3rd March

Starfell is on the edge of disaster. The fight against Silas, the wizard determined to steal all magic for himself, is far from over – but how can Willow make a difference when her powers have been taken? With the help of her friends, the young witch sets off to the treacherous Mountains of Nach. There, she hopes to find the Craegun, a powerful beast believed to restore anything that has been lost – for a heavy price. The mission is fraught with danger, but there’s no turning back… or the magic of Willow’s world will be lost forever.

Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he’s made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier. Because Cadno isn’t just any fox: he’s a firefox – the only one of his kind – and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail. Swept up into an unexpected adventure to protect his flammable friend, Charlie’s going to need to find the bravery he never thought he had, if he’s going to save the last firefox…

Once a year, weather weavers from all over the globe come together at the Gathering, to trade weather magic and stories. Stella and Nimbus can’t wait to meet other weather weavers, but they’re in for a frosty welcome. Tamar has always been a rule-breaker. This time, she’s broken the law, but it’s Stella who’ll lose everything if the trial goes badly. Can Stella and Nimbus thaw the hearts of the council elders, or will winter tear them apart?

Orphan Ettie Shaw is penniless and homeless on the streets of London when she is spotted by her older brother Joe. Joe has fallen in with a notorious pickpocket gang run by a man called Fagin, and Ettie has to disguise herself as a boy so she can come back with him to Fagin’s lair. At first Ettie is able to help out with mending and other domestic jobs, but when one of the other boys falls ill, Fagin demands that Ettie go out pickpocketing with Joe and everything goes horribly wrong …

Grace’s family are wardens of the Griffin map, using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. And now there’s someone new on the team: Tom Eely, who has been training hard to become a warden. Grace and Tom reckon they’re ready to tackle a mission together, but they’re disappointed when Mum sends them to a quiet mountain village where ravens have been pestering the locals. Surely they won’t be any opportunities to use their exciting gadgets or combat skills there? But as the pair investigate, the situation becomes more puzzling. Why does it seem like the ravens are protecting something? And are the villagers’ tales of a mountain witch really to be believed? Grace and Tom will have to use all their wit, skill and courage if they want to solve the raven riddle …

Luna thinks that an evening at her aunt’s butterfly club sounds deathly boring. But it turns out that the meeting, held in the Butterfly Room at the Greenwich Observatory, is not at all as Luna expects. The Butterfly Club is a society with an unusual secret . . . they use time travel to plunder the future for wonders. Together with her friends, Konstantin and Aidan, and a clockwork cuckoo, Luna boards the Time Train. The gang travel to 1912 and find themselves aboard a great ship travelling from Southampton to New York. They locate a man called Guglielmo Marconi and his new invention: the wireless radio. But as the ship heads into icy waters, they discover its name: The RMS TITANIC. Can Luna and the boys save Marconi and his invention from the doomed ship? Can they get the radio back home to the Butterfly Club? And how will their actions change the rest of time?

1945. War has ended, but for sisters Isobel and Flora the struggles still continue. They’ve lost their father and had their home destroyed in a bombing raid, and now they must go to live with their aunt and her awful husband Mr Godfrey in their ancestral home, Splint Hall. From the moment of their arrival it seems that this is a place shrouded in mysteries and secrets. Who are the strange men who arrive with packages at night? What is the source of the strange blue sparks coming from the ground? And why do the locals seem to hate their family so much? As the girls begin to unearth an ancient myth and family secret, the adventure of a lifetime begins.

The real world is a hostile place for twelve-year-old Bren, his schooldays stalked by vicious bully, Shaun, and his family life fractured at home. Ever since his sister Evie died in an accident, Bren’s only safe space is Furthermoor, an imagined world of mechanised trees and clockwork animals, where Evie is still alive. In Furthermoor, no one can hurt Bren… until the mysterious Featherly arrives. Now Bren is forced to confront his deepest fears and decide if his place in the real world is worth fighting for. 

In the wake of a tempest hitting her town, Morwenna is left to take care of a stranger washed ashore. The storm is just another of many that have plagued the town for years – people blame the tide singers, legendary sea people who are said to charm storms with their singing. Morwenna has never believed the tales, but when she is left alone with the stranger, she realises this is no ordinary girl. Can the stories be true? Can the girl control the tides with nothing more than her voice? Her arrival brings danger of a different kind, and Morwenna must draw on all the courage she has in order to stop a conflict that could destroy her home…

Ray is getting used to life as Rainbow Grey – she now has ALL the magical weather powers at her fingertips, although she hasn’t quite mastered them yet! When all of the cloud creatures start disappearing – including Ray’s own beloved cloud cat, Nim – Ray and her friends have a mystery to solve. Ray is sure that a dark magic is behind the disappearances. Can she work out what is going on before cloud magic is lost forever and Earth is destroyed by the ultimate storm?

Mystery-lover Libby is excited but nervous when she’s sent to live with her aunt while her mother is working abroad. Aunt Agatha is the headmistress of an extraordinary travelling school that moves from country to country. Libby joins it in Paris, where she is just starting to find her feet when her aunt is arrested, accused of a daring jewel robbery. Can Libby and her new best friend Connie find the real thief and save her aunt? 

Cameron Battle grew up reading The Book of Chidani, cherishing stories about the fabled kingdom that cut itself off from the world to save the Igbo people from danger. Passed down over generations, the Book is Cameron’s only connection to his parents, who disappeared one fateful night two years ago. Ever since, his grandmother has kept the Book locked away, but it calls to Cameron. When he and his best friends, Zion and Aliyah, decide to open it again, they are magically transported to Chidani. Instead of a land of beauty and wonder, they find a kingdom in extreme danger, as the queen’s sister seeks to destroy the barrier between worlds. The people of Chidani have been waiting for the last Descendant to return and save them… is Cameron ready to be the hero they need?

Siblings Orinthia and Seafra Shalloo accept a summer job from eccentric Grandy, who has collected a menagerie of furry and feathered posties known as animails. The children are especially fond of Geronimo, a homing pelican. But when the big bird fails to return from a delivery, Taber – the youngest sibling – is devastated; so much so, he mails himself to New York, where Geronimo was sent. Orinthia and Seafra follow suit, stealing a precious stamp and hopping in a freight crate – and soon all are embarked on an extraordinarily daring first-class adventure … 

The country is gripped with Mona Lisa Fever! The Royal Family has announced a huge reward for the return of a missing version of the Mona Lisa, stolen from their palace over 200 years ago. But in the town of Colpepper, Mia has a different art problem: she loves art, but her underfunded school is closing down the art department! But there’s more to her school than meets the eye. Little-known local legend has it that the historic building contains a hidden vault, perhaps containing the Lost Mona Lisa! So Mia has no idea that scheming criminals are hiding among the school staff. Meanwhile, Mia’s former-best-friend Jake has endless conspiracy theories that always seem to get Mia in trouble. His latest ones are about the headmaster being a lizard person, and that maybe Mia’s parents are The Fish, a renowned art thief who has never been caught. True, Mia’s parents are acting strangely, taking evening courses in acrobatics and dressing in tight, black jumpsuits. And lately there have been a lot of weekend trips to art galleries all over the country… bah!

Release Date: 8th March

Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the townsfolk to lose their library, their school, their park, and all sense of what it means to be generous, and kind. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever orphans of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town’s problems are. When one of the orphans goes missing from the Orphan House, all eyes turn to the Ogress. The orphans, though, know this can’t be: the Ogress, along with a flock of excellent crows, secretly delivers gifts to the people of Stone-in-the-Glen. But how can the orphans tell the story of the Ogress’s goodness to people who refuse to listen? And how can they make their deluded neighbours see the real villain in their midst? The orphans have heard a whisper that they will ‘save the day’, but just how, they will have to find out.

Release Date: 17th March

Yesterday Crumb is no ordinary girl. She was born with fox ears that have cursed her to a lonely life working in the circus and her origins are a complete mystery. But she is about to escape into the adventure of a lifetime when she learns that she’s a strangeling who’s lost her magic. Taken in by Miss Dumpling the flamboyant Tea Witch, Yesterday is introduced to a magical, walking teashop filled with fantastical customers, a flying teapot turtle called Pascal and powerful spells in every teacup! Yesterday starts to rediscover her magic and to feel a sense of belonging. But a mysterious figure of darkness is working hard to ensure her new life comes crashing down – and it all starts with a deadly shard of ice in Yesterday’s heart…

The seas have parted to reveal the remains of humanity’s lost empire and opened a path from Shipwreck Island to the Enemy’s City. Now only Ellie Lancaster and her orphan friends can prevent a terrible war. As Kate marches north at the head of her army, panic infests the City as the Enemy’s strength grows. For the parting of the seas has also uncovered the Eternity Engine, a dreadful machine from before the Drowning, with the power to remake the world – or destroy it forever…

Billy, Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei are back in their hometowns, missing each other and their dragons. While out surfing one morning, Billy panics when a water dragon emerges out of the waves, and soon strange sightings are being spotted all over the world. Meeting back in Dragon Realm, the friends, their dragons and two new acquaintances join forces to investigate. But what unravels is a dastardly plan concocted by an evil baddie and a human and dragon battle that will go down in history. It’s up to Billy and friends to save the world, but can they do it?

Release Date: 24th March

Esme is annoyed and braced for boredom when she’s sent to stay with her gran for the weekend, until she discovers a terrible mistake. Cora, the abandoned kitten Gran found on the Rothiecraig Estate, is in fact a wild lynx kit and she is growing—fast! Suddenly, Esme find herself on a dangerous mission to rewild Cora, along with Callum Docherty for company, the school’s ‘bad boy’, and Shug, the worst guard dog in the world. The situation takes a terrifying turn when the children pitch their tents on a bleak Highland moor and hear wolves howling outside…

Release Date: 31st March

Twelve-year-old Ellie can’t help that she’s a witch, the most hated member of society. Determined to prove her worth and eschew her heritage, Ellie applies to the Fairy Godmother Academy-her golden ticket to societal acceptance. But Ellie’s dreams are squashed when she receives the dreaded draft letter to serve as a knight of King Arthur’s legendary Round Table. She can get out of the draft-but only if she saves a lost cause. Enter Caedmon, a boy from Wisconsin struggling with the death of his best friend. He first dismisses the draft as ridiculous; magic can’t possibly exist. But when Merlin’s ancient magic foretells his family’s death if he doesn’t follow through, he travels to the knights’ castle, where he learns of a wicked curse leeching the knights of their power. To break the curse, Ellie and Caedmon must pass a series of deathly trials and reforge the lost, shattered sword of Excalibur. And unless Ellie accepts her witch magic and Caedmon rises to become the knight he’s meant to be, they will both fail-and the world will fall to the same darkness that brought King Arthur and Camelot to ruin.

Sam’s life has always been strange. After all, his family have no idea that he’s half monster, half fairy. But now he’s keeping an even bigger secret. He alone has the power to bring monsters to life! (He’s even got a tiny gargoyle hatchling hidden in his sock drawer.) When Queen Maggie finds out, she’s delighted. She wants Sam to create her a whole new legion of vile ogres. When he refuses, she vows that she will destroy everything Sam holds dear. And so the stage is set for a final battle, one that will determine not just Sam’s future, but that of the whole of monsterkind …

The Island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. The humans live on one side of the island, and the alkonosts – the bird-people – live on the other. But it wasn’t always this way… Linnet wishes she could sing magic, like her father, Nightingale – and bring the two sides of her island together again. For her land has been divided by a terrible tragedy, and Linnet has been banished with her father to the deepest swamps, leaving behind her best friends, Hero and Silver. So when her father is captured, Linnet must be brave and embark on a treacherous journey. Through alligator pools and sinking sands, she finds new friends. Yet without her singing magic, Linnet discovers something even more powerful. Something that could save her father, and heal the broken heart of her island once more…

It’s basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary. What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they’re all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .

February 1948. Ruth has been whisked off to the lonely Rook Farm to investigate the discovery of long-buried treasure with her mother. But at the farmhouse, she finds secrets lurk around every corner. Joe, the farmer’s son, is hiding something about the treasure, while land girl Audrey watches their every move. But before Ruth can find out more, the treasure is stolen… With a storm coming, Ruth must race to uncover the secrets of the treasure keepers before all of their lives are changed forever.

What if you could communicate with a whale? Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad’s whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum. Dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free.

Reporter-in-training Kate is back for a new adventure! Be swept downriver on this exciting jungle cruise in search of the mysterious Silver Wibbler bird… When Kate and her mouse Rupert sail through the jungle home of the legendary Silver Wibbler, they know there’s a story to be sniffed out. Why else would the Bird Brigade be on board? Their fearsome leader General Hornbill is convinced the Wibbler is a myth but young Bird Brigader Bertie is determined to prove him wrong. Can Kate help Bertie uncover the truth? 

Bea’s family are happy. Like, really happy. Like, kind of gross but also cute happy. So when they visit London Pride together and have the ultimate day out, Bea doesn’t think her family could possibly get any happier. But a year later, a grey cloud is following Bea’s family around. Dad has passed away, and without him around they have no choice but to pack their bags and move to the countryside to live with Gran. With Bea’s big sister, Riley, taking the news hard, Bea will do anything to cheer her up. So with the help of new friends, The Secret Sunshine Project is formed – Bea’s plan to bring Pride to the countryside and a smile back to Riley’s face. There’s just one teeny tiny problem – the village mayor. A grumpy old woman who’s on a mission to rain on Bea’s parade…

Wow! March is definitely going to be an epic month for children’s books! Do any of these pique your interest?

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:

“We’re going to meet with the designer of the Solar Express this afternoon,” said August.

This book in three words:

ADVENTURE, DANGER, ACTION-PACKED

Hal and his Uncle Nat are back for their fifth thrilling adventure in Sabotage on the Solar Express.  And, oh my, it’s utterly brilliant:  an exciting, edge-of-your-seat, action-packed adventure that left my heart racing at both the danger and intrigue. 

Enjoying a well-deserved summer holiday in Australia, Hal and his uncle, Nat are sightseeing and taking train excursions including travelling aboard The Ghan, the longest passenger train in the world, to Alice Springs where they meet old friend and billionaire tech entrepreneur, August Reza.  He has invited them to be amongst the first passengers to travel on board an environmentally sustainable train of the future, The Solar Express.  The train has been designed as the result of a competition run by August, a competition won by a brilliant fourteen-year-old, Boaz Tudawali.

Hal and his uncle soon find themselves aboard The Solar Express, ready to enjoy its maiden voyage from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek.  As the train and its passengers begin their journey, they make a shocking discovery:  the train has been sabotaged and everyone aboard is in danger … will Hal be able to uncover the saboteur, and help stop the runaway train before a catastrophe befalls the hapless passengers?

Just wow!  I was absolutely gripped by this action-packed, fast-paced, adventure with its unexpected twists and revelations.  The ever-building sense of danger was brilliantly portrayed through the use of time constraints, unexpected discoveries that increased the risk to those on board and through the actions of passengers which aroused suspicion.   I loved that, whilst trying to avert disaster, Hal is ever the detective, still determined to discover the identity of the saboteur by gathering evidence through his sketches. 

The relationship between Hal and his uncle Nat is so wonderful, built on mutual trust and respect.  Nat worries for his nephew in this one, but trusts his decisions.  Hal is an incredibly likeable character who is clever, perceptive and incredibly skilled at piecing together clues through his sketching.  I enjoyed his friendship with Marianne and Boaz and how wonderfully they support each other and come together as a team.  I really enjoyed getting to know Marianne better and really liked her strength, courage and her natural ability to lead and take the initiative in difficult situations. She feels a responsibility for those on board the train and is determined to help, even when this puts her in danger.  Boaz has been given freedom and support to explore his interests by his parents, and is a truly gifted young inventor who has a social conscience; he is also a quick-thinker and a risk-taker, traits that all three children need as they endeavour to avert catastrophe.

The detailed illustrations which are scattered throughout the story are such an integral part of this series.  They are stunning and really capture the action and excitement of the story as well as the wonderfully expressive characters.  I enjoyed the comic-strip feel to some of these illustrations which included speech and action call-outs. 

This adventure also offers plenty of opportunity for discussion around conservation, sustainable energy and STEM links to engineering as well as the geography of this area of Australia.

This feels like an action-movie on paper with a brilliant cast of characters and an adrenaline-inducing plot that kept me utterly engrossed throughout.  A blockbuster read!  I can’t wait to head off to the Arctic in the next adventure.

Thank you to the Publisher, MacMillan Children’s Books for an early 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’m about halfway through Hedgewitch and am absolutely loving it. The world-building is an ode to nature – just gorgeous. Cassie is a wonderful character as she discovers that she is related to a witch coven and runs away from her Boarding School to Hedgley. This one has Faeries, witches, a sarky talking cat – exactly my kind of read! I loved I, Cosmo so decided it was about time I picked up My Life as a Cat. Leonard is from an alien species who get to travel to earth to spend some time in a form of their choice. Leonard decided to be a Ranger in Yellowstone, but ended up as a cat named Leonard! I’m really enjoying this. I am also listening to the audiobook of Aftershocks after reading a brilliant review by the wonderful Veronica Price. I’m completely engrossed in this which is such a powerful read which deals with some heavy topics such as the devastation caused by a natural disaster and grief. Learning about the Endlanders belief system is so absorbing and I am eager to find out how this concludes.

So far this year, I’m keeping to my resolution of trying to read more adult books! I finished listening to The Lamplighters which I enjoyed but not as much as I thought I would. I also finished Sabotage on the Solar Express. This is such a brilliant series. I will post my review shortly.

I absolutely loved The Five Realms series, so I absolutely couldn’t resist Carnival of the Lost.

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

Nisha’s War is a stunning, hauntingly atmospheric wartime adventure which swept me into a ghostly tale of loss, forgiveness and hope; a powerful depiction of the trauma caused by war and of healing within a family.

1942:  13-year-old Nisha and her mother have escaped the horrors of the Japanese invasion of Malaya to live in her father’s ancestral home on Barrow Island on the North West coast of England.  When they arrive at the imposing Barrow House, they are made to feel less than welcome by Nisha’s grandmother, the formidable Mrs Barrow who informs them that there are a set of rules which she expects to be followed, rules which are shared with them by the kind-hearted housekeeper, Mrs Foster.

When Nisha’s mother falls seriously ill with a suspected recurrence of malaria, Nisha finds herself alone and in desperate need of a friend.  Encouraged to explore outdoors by Mrs F, Nisha discovers a beautiful, secluded walled garden, and catches a glimpse of a boy, but why has Mrs F told her there is no one else living on the island?

Later, she wakes to find herself on the path leading to the mysterious weeping tree which sits on the cliff edge, beckoned towards it by the boy she has seen earlier.  Despite being forbidden to go near the tree, she finds herself inexorably drawn towards it where she meets the boy, Twig.  He asks for her help in finding three lost treasures which he cannot reveal to her and, in return, he will save her parents.  Nisha cannot resist the enigmatic bargain, and finds herself in a race to find the treasures before the full moon turns from gold to silver.  Will she be able to save her family before hope is lost? 

This is a perfect melding of the historical and the otherworldly which kept me utterly gripped throughout as danger creeps ever closer, time runs out, and secrets are uncovered. The evocation of wartime, of a sense of eeriness and of an isolated island are brilliantly portrayed.  The loss of colour, warmth and hope in Nisha’s life following the invasion of her once-happy home is powerfully portrayed in the descriptions of the island, but hope has the chance of returning through her quest and her relationships with those she meets. 

Nisha is an incredibly sympathetic character whose life in Malaya is revealed through extracts from her ‘Truths’, a series of diary entries which tell of her life in Malaya and her traumatic escape from Singapore, haunted by her own ghosts which follow her to her new home.  Learning about Nisha’s experiences as war tore her life apart was heart-breaking. She is a young girl who faces racism, loneliness and fear, but has the inner strength and courage to face that fear, to forgive, to accept and to heal her family.  Whilst Nisha faces prejudice due to her Anglo-Indian heritage, she also forms some wonderful friendships, especially with a young boy, Jamie, who she meets whilst on a visit to the nearby village.  I also really enjoyed the relationship which develops between Nisha and her grandmother which is incredibly heart-warming.

This is a thrilling, engrossing wartime adventure:  a story of family and friendship, of belonging and acceptance, and of loss and hope.  I cannot wait to share this one with my class, and can highly recommend it to anyone of 9+.

Thank you to Chicken House Books for an early 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!

It is said to have happened, some moons ago, that three children and their jinn went on a perilous voyage in search of a cursed city covered entirely in brass. The trees were covered in brass, as were the houses, and the palace that stood tall in the middle of the island. And, perhaps the most peculiar thing of all, the people were covered in brass too.

Any ideas?

The Sahar Peninsula lies just beyond the horizon, but it isn’t the easiest place to get to. No maps will take you there, nor can it be charted by gazing up at the stars, or down at a compass…

Farah and her lizard jinn, Layla, are travelling through a vast desert – returning to their village home after their adventures with Amira and Leo in Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found. Farah is desperate to see her sister again, but then she discovers a hidden city – full of people who have concealed their magic for many years. At first Farah thinks she has found new friends, but everything is not what it seems and dark magic lies just beneath the surface …

Have you read this? What did you think?

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:

Smelled a bit funny to me, like the school stock cupboard.

This book in three words:

FAMILY, ADVENTURE, HAPPINESS

Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List is another absolute corker:  a wonderfully touching, laugh-out-loud, action-packed adventure with the enduring strength of family bonds at its heart.

11-year-old Frank Davenport has inherited almost half a million pounds by a step-grandmother who no-one in his family has told him about.  Nor have they mentioned that he has a grandfather who lives less than half an hour away in Autumnal Leaves Residential Home.  The money is left with the proviso that it be used to care for his namesake, Grandpa Frank.  And, oh my goodness, does young Frank take that instruction seriously and enthusiastically.  He is determined to track his grandpa down and look after him – whether he wants him to or not!  And what better way to ensure that his grandpa has the best time ever than by creating his very own personalised Bucket List!

Of course, grumpy Grandpa Frank may not be quite as enthusiastic as his grandson about all the madcap adventures that have been planned for his enjoyment, but sometimes we just have to go with the flow and accept that others know the best ways to make our hearts happy! 

And, I mean, what could possibly go wrong with taking an octogenarian hot-air ballooning, taking part in your first-ever dog show with a Newfoundland, swimming with ‘dolphins’, a parkour experience and monster-trucking.  And, by that, I meant to say:  what doesn’t go wrong?

The bucket list experiences that Frank arranges for his grandpa lead to oodles of hilarious moments that had me both giggling merrily and saying aloud ‘Oh no!’ as things don’t quite (understatement of the year!) go to plan.   I’m not going to say any more than that but, whether you’re a chortler or a chuckler, guaranteed laughs are coming your way. 

Young Frank Junior is THE most wonderful, kind-hearted, young boy who I absolutely adored.  He finds it difficult to make friends as his family move around a lot due to his dad’s penchant for wheeler-dealing a la Delboy Trotter which necessitates the family running from trouble.  Frank tells his story in such an honest, chatty, quick-witted manner that I found incredibly endearing.  This is a real testament to the strength of the writing:  I was completely drawn into Frank’s story and was completely invested in him and his family.

I adored the relationship between grandpa Frank and Frank Junior from their very first meeting when Frank finds himself eating bourbons off his grandpa’s belly (don’t ask!).  Both Franks are lonely, searching for happiness and in need of a friend:  they find each other, and the close bond that they develop is incredibly heart-warming.

This story deals with some difficult issues such as fractious family relationships, debt and memory loss in a sensitive manner which is a perfect opportunity to build empathy.

The illustrations are brilliantly lively, humorous and expressive and complement the story perfectly.  My favourite has to be the ‘swimming-with-dolphins ‘experience – the expressions made me right giggle! And those chapter headings – brilliant!

This is an incredibly heartfelt story bursting with humour, warmth and that special je ne sais quoi that imbues all of Jenny’s gorgeous adventures.  A special read that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Thank you for Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne for an early 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’m continuing to listen to The Lamplighters which I’m not loving, but I am enjoying. I’m definitely invested in finding out what has happened, and have just about got used to the time shifts and different viewpoints. I’m about half way through Sabotage on the Solar Express and am really loving it! This is such a wonderful series.

I’ve finished Escape Room which is another brilliantly fast-paced, exciting story with a fantastic twist and ending. Christopher Edge always keeps me guessing and then throws something in which is unexpected. This one had a powerful environmental message too. I was sent a copy of Nisha’s War which jumped straight to the top of my TBR. I absolutely loved this war time ghost story. It is incredibly atmospheric and blends history and the supernatural brilliantly. I will post my review soon.

I think I’ll try a witchy book next so will probably read Hedgewitch which is being published in April.

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

I’m honoured to be part of the Blog Tour for this incredibly exciting adventure. Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Zephyr for inviting me to take part. Today, I will be sharing a Guest Post by Annelise about her Five Favourite Historical Novels for Children alongside my Review.

My 5 Favourite Historical Novels for Children by Annelise Gray

Growing up, I loved reading books set in the past. It felt like an adventure, to go places that were both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. The best ones had characters you fell in love with and who stayed with you long after you turned the last page. When I’m writing the Circus Maximus series, I try to keep that balance in mind. I want you to feel as if you’re there with my main character Dido in ancient Rome, experiencing all the sights and tastes and smells of her world. But it’s also important to me that the books shouldn’t feel like a history lesson. Dido’s story – of a girl fighting against the odds to achieve her dream in a man’s world – is a universal one. It’s her spirit and her heart that I hope draw you in and make you want to keep reading.

The following five examples of historical fiction are all favourites of mine and I would recommend them to any reader, young or old.

The Eagle of the Ninth – Rosemary Sutcliff

Set in second century Britain, The Eagle of the Ninth tells the story of a Roman officer, Marcus Flavius Aquila, who learns that his father’s legion has mysteriously disappeared to the north of Hadrian’s Wall. Accompanied by his faithful slave, Esca, Marcus sets off on a dangerous journey to discover what has happened to his father and to try to recover the legion’s eagle standard. Sutcliff paints landscape through prose better than almost any writer I can think of and it’s an absolutely gripping read which, for me, sets the benchmark for all Roman historical fiction.

For the King – Ronald Welch

I don’t see people talking about this Carnegie Medal winning author much these days but I think they should because he’s such a skilled writer. For the King is one of his series about different generations of the Carey family. Set in the English Civil War, it centres on Neil Carey, who is reluctantly dragged into the conflict and finds himself on opposite sides to his cousin and best friend. Welch’s historical knowledge really shines off the page and it’s a beautifully written story about betrayal, honour, family, grief, loss and the pointlessness of war.

The Secret Countess – Eva Ibbotson

I love the lightness and gentle wit of this historical romance by the great Eva Ibbotson (first published as A Countess Below Stairs) about a young Russian aristocrat who flees to England during the Russian Revolution and becomes a housemaid. But the historical setting and period detail – from the costumes to the food – is also satisfyingly and exquisitely drawn. My literary equivalent of hot chocolate and buttered toast on a rainy night.

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

Not strictly written for children, I know, but it’s a favourite of several of my Year 8 students and understandably so. The story’s narrator is Death and it follows the path taken by Liesel – the book thief of the title – who learns about the power of words from her kindly foster father while enduring the horrors of the Third Reich. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel that left me more emotionally wrung-out and yet also uplifted. It also has one of the best last lines in any book ever.

The Skylarks’ War – Hilary McKay

This is quite simply one of the best novels that I’ve read in the last few years. I loved it so much that I gave it as a gift to any number of people, from my twelve-year-old goddaughter to a friend in her seventies. It’s such a tenderly drawn portrait of growing up, and the characters are all wonderful, from kind, clever Clarry – trying so hard to please her unaffectionate father – to Simon the Bony One, nursing his doomed love as the shadow of the First World War looms. I haven’t yet read the follow up, The Swallows’ Flight, but I am saving it as a treat.

My Review

Circus Maximus:  Rivals on the Track is the terrifically thrilling next adventure in the Circus Maximus series:  an epic adventure which hurtled me straight back into the exciting and dangerous world of chariot-racing and kept me utterly gripped as I was mesmerised by its young heroine’s courage and determination in the face of constant threat and rivalry. 

Dido and her beloved horse, Porcellus have left behind the Circus Maximus in Rome where she was the only girl ever to have been victorious in a race.  She is now living with her uncle, Scorpus and his family in Utica, North Africa where he trains charioteers and horses for the arena.  When Dido overhears a conversation at the market, she learns that a bounty has been put on her head by the Emperor Caligula who is determined to see her return to Rome.  Dido is equally determined that she will never race for him, but will she be able to keep her true identity from her pursuers and the Emperor?

When her uncle’s business comes under financial threat, Dido decides to disguise herself as the boy Leon, and race for prize money with Porcellus and her new one-eyed horse, Jewel, who she has rescued from being sent to the mines.  After arriving home from a race in Utica, she meets her uncle’s brother, Barca, who reveals that he wants them to join forces to race in the new circus in Thugga in order to save both their stables.  At first Scorpus refuses but, following a disaster at his stables and dangerous revelations after a visit from an old enemy, Scorpus has no choice other than to take his family to Thugga.

And so begins the most incredible, action-packed, perilous adventure as Dido fights to overcome her demons, as she uncovers family secrets, as she faces rivalry both on and off the track, and as she is hunted by a merciless enemy.  Will her decision to race again put her at risk of capture?  Can she overcome the dangers of the race to secure victory and honour for her family? 

This enthralling adventure gives such a rich insight into the heart-pounding danger and excitement of chariot racing with its zealous supporters, faction rivalries and the incredible courage and risks taken by its charioteers and their horses:  a real feast for the senses!  As well as the on-the-track action, I also really enjoyed the rivalries and friendships which built outside the track, especially the friendship and respect which develops between Dido and Danel. I was so moved by the struggle within Dido’s extended family as they slowly recover from having been torn apart by a painful past.  Secrets are revealed, old wounds are opened and healed, and sacrifices made that kept me just as fascinated and invested in the story as the excitement of the track.  

Central to this exceptional historical adventure is the story of a courageous, strong and resilient young girl who fights for her friends, for her family and for herself.  I really enjoyed the depth of Dido’s bond with Porcellus and Jewel which is heart-warmingly portrayed.  The horses are wonderful characters within the story and I loved how they interacted with each other and had such strong, individual personalities.  Jewel has to be a new favourite!

Circus Maximus:  Rivals on the Track is an exhilarating, action-packed historical adventure, brimming with palpable excitement, danger and revelations that made this a gripping, edge-of-your-seat, unputdownable adventure.  It is also a story of friendship, courage, resilience and family pain and healing.  I can’t wait for the next adventure in this series!

Please do check out the other posts on the Blog Tour:

I can’t decide if January went quickly or seemed to last forever! I went back to work at the start of January after a wonderful Christmas break. Don’t think I’ve ever felt quite so drained trying to manage home learning, live lessons and children in class. Diving into some fantastic books this month has definitely helped!

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 11 books this month, 9 physical copies and 2 audiobooks. I’m trying to read at least one adult book each month, and this month it was The Whistling which has definitely encouraged me to pick up more adult books. I’ve also had a couple of re-reads which is quite unusual for me: one as I was using it in class (The Dreamsnatcher) and the other as I wanted to re-read for a Blog Tour (The Beast and the Bethany: Revenge of the Beast).

NetGalley:

My Feedback Ratio is at 95%. I have only requested one book from NetGalley in January: While the Storm Rages. I haven’t been approved yet, but I’m crossing my fingers that I will be! Only have to wait until June if I’m not! I’m aiming to get my 100 Reviews Badge this year, and am currently on 75 Reviews, so I might achieve it!

Books sent by publishers:

I have been lucky enough to have been sent these books by publishers this month. Rivals on the Track and Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List are gorgeous finished copies: I had been sent proof copies in previous months.

Books bought:

I’ve bought 11 books this month and have managed to read one of them so far!

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

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

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

The train crawled into Bealmouth and groaned to a halt. There was no clatter of doors as passengers disembarked from dark and lonely carriages. There was no quiet bustle of relatives meeting, or of young soldiers uttering last farewells. Here, on a grey spring evening, only one door opened at that desolate station. Only two wretched figures stepped down on to the platform.

Any ideas?

Synopsis:

Malaya, 1942. Nisha’s home is destroyed by war and she and her mother, Amma, flee to her father’s ancestral house in England, perched on a cliff top on the cold Northern coast. When Amma falls gravely ill, Nisha is left to face her formidable grandmother alone.

Grandmother’s rules are countless, and her Anglo-Indian granddaughter is even forbidden from climbing the old weeping tree. But when a ghost child beckons Nisha to sit under its boughs, and promises her Amma’s life in return for three truths, its pull proves irresistible…

A thrilling historical ghost story; full of adventure, grief, guilt, forgiveness and belonging A fresh angle on a wartime story: the prejudice Nisha faces as a refugee feels particularly relevant today.

Have you read this? What did you think?