I absolutely loved meeting Aliya in her first adventure, Aliya to the Infinite City so was really excited to return to her time-travelling world in Aliya Aboard the Time Train and what a thrilling, action-packed and danger-filled adventure it turned out to be! 

Twelve-year-old Aliya’s grandfather, Geddo, is determined to keep her safe after she was nearly killed by rogue magician, Dorian Drake which is why she finds herself having afternoon tea and playing riddle bingo with sphinxes rather than exploring the city she has come to love. After managing to sneak out of the tearoom, she goes to meet with her mentor, Professor Nigm, but the Smithy is attacked and he sends her back to safety …

Fearing that Aliya could once again be the target of Dorian Drake, her grandfather arranges for her to leave the Citadel aboard the Silver Express, a time-travelling train on an exclusive tour taking its passengers back through Ancient Egyptian history.  Once aboard, Aliya meets up with her pod from the Infinitum Time-Travel Academy … but it is not long before someone aboard is murdered …

And so begins the most gripping, fast-paced adventure which had me on the edge of my seat and eagerly turning pages as I followed Aliya and her friends in their dangerous mission to unmask a killer.  This is an adventure that is brimming with danger and tension, with unexpected twists and turns, and that really builds to a crescendo as truths are slowly revealed.  I absolutely loved following the intriguing clues, never quite sure of who to trust and who may be hiding secrets or being manipulated by others. 

I loved that the adventure takes place on a luxurious time-travelling train with stops for excursions into Egyptian history.  This sense of being trapped both out of time and on a train really increased the levels of tension and peril making it feel as if Aliya is in a race to find the culprit before they have the opportunity to strike again. 

I really enjoyed learning about characters’ motivations and reasons for the choices they make and the actions they take which makes them feel much more real.  I also really liked the blend of history, mythical creatures and magic brought together through a time-travelling world in which peoples from the past and future are brought together – a brilliant concept that completely fascinated me.

Aliya rejoins her friends from the first adventure aboard the Silver Express and I really enjoyed how their friendship develops, including overcoming barriers, as they face the danger on the train together.  They each have their strengths, whether that be the abilities which have allowed them to enter the Time-Travel Academy or their different personalities, and these help them to become a strong team when faced with terrible danger.

Hop aboard for an absolutely riveting adventure, racing through time to an Ancient Egyptian past where peril awaits and magic threatens … perfect for adventurers of 9+.

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

This review now features on Twinkl Australia at https://www.twinkl.com.au/blog/how-does-reading-promote-healthy-development-for-children

Hero Wanted! is a fantastically fast-paced, wonderfully wacky adventure that completely captivated me as I followed a brilliant young hero through a madcap quest to save the people of Brokenshire from a war that is keeping them apart.

Twelve-year-old Grace Parker is woken at midnight by a strange noise outside – a beautiful white horse eating the front hedge.  Before she can take photographic evidence, her bedroom door flies open to admit a figure in bronze armour holding a sword.  This figure, who just so happens to look very like Grace, gives her Swickstipe, her sword, and tells her that Grace must, as prophesied, now replace her as the fifteenth and final Grace and help the People of the Day win the Worthy War.  She directs her to Wellingtonia, the horse eating her hedge, who take her to complete her quest.

Why would a twelve-year-old with no sword skills whatsoever agree to undertake such a quest?  Well, Grace has done something against her twin brother that she rather regrets and what better way to avoid your parents’ wrath than to leave a dying doppelganger in your place and go off to become a hero?

It is not long before Wellingtonia has taken Grace through her dinner lady’s shed and into the county of Brokenshire … and so begins the most hilarious, action-packed and brilliantly zany adventure that is guaranteed to bring giggles galore and gasps of delight and shock as Grace and her sharp-tongued horse find themselves joined in their quest by a vegan T-Rex.  Can Grace fulfil the prophecy and defeat the Fearsome Foe – just as soon as she discovers what it is!  Can she learn the real reason for the hostilities between the People of the Day and the People of the Night? Be prepared for magic, mayhem, danger, a myriad of one-of-a-kind characters and unexpected revelations and happenings that kept me eagerly turning pages. Bomber geese, trigger wolves, sword-wielding dodos and venom goblins await in the pages of this absolute riot of an adventure … but who are allies and who foe?

Grace makes a wonderful, if unexpected heroine. Whilst she makes mistakes and is rather clumsy, she is also resilient, curious, kind-hearted and courageous – definite hero qualities!  She does not just accept her role as the saviour of one group, but questions how the war began and whether the prophecy is correct.  There is also a wonderful message in the story about mutual respect and standing against prejudice.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are absolutely amazing and really complement the fun and energy of the adventure by bringing these brilliant characters to life through images as well as the words of the author.

A terrifically fun quest adventure brimming with heart and humour, guaranteed to delight young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending me a copy of Hero Wanted! in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m reading the first Spellcasters book which I’m really enjoying, especially seeing how the friends will use their magic. I’ve also just started a book I’ve had on my TBR since it was published: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches which I think is one I’m going to really enjoy.

I’ve read quite a lot this week as I’m enjoying my holiday and lots of spare time. I have read Mayowa and the Sea of Words which was a really enjoyable fantasy where books could hold emotions that could be drawn out. I read a gorgeous picture book, Luminous which is a blend of narrative and factual information. I have posted my review. I have also posted reviews for three other books I’ve read this week: The Others, The Secret of Golden Island and The Beanstalk Murder. Finally, I read a really fun fantasy quest adventure, Hero Wanted!. I will post my review tomorrow.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so am looking forward to reading the next one, Aliya Aboard the Time Train.

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

Luminous:  Living Things That Light Up the Night is a stunningly beautiful picture book exploring the fascinating natural phenomenon of bioluminescence through the eyes of a young child and adult as they wander through the night learning about living creatures who produce their own light.

The text is made up of beautifully descriptive poetic narrative which encourages creativity, curiosity and imagination. Alongside this narrative, there is a range of fascinating scientific information about bioluminescence in a wide range of living organisms both on land and in water habitats including fireflies, glowworms, anglerfish and vampire squid. Did you know that foxfire is a light made by bioluminescent fungi glowing and growing on rotten wood?  Or that the crown jellyfish uses light like a burglar alarm by creating bright blue flashes when it is attacked?

I think the blending of poetic narrative in larger font (which a young child could enjoy on their own) and the amazing factual information in a smaller font (which may be better shared between an adult and child) is a brilliant way to introduce the science of bioluminescence in an appealing and educational manner.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning and depict the journey of child and adult through this incredible world where living organisms produce their own light to camouflage, to hunt and to defend.  The artwork of the living things that the child and adult discover is created against a black backdrop with vibrant primary colours of light:  blue, red and yellow in a range of shades. 

This beautiful picture book shines a light on a fascinating phenomenon in nature that is guaranteed to captivate and absorb young readers as they explore the illustrations, engage their imaginations and learn fascinating facts about bioluminescence in living organisms.  A wonderful book to enjoy and share with young readers of 4+.

Thank you to Catherine Ward and Greystone Kids Books for sending me a paperback copy of this gorgeous picture book in exchange for my honest opinion.

And it’s the summer holiday! It’s been a very busy end of term and a chance to say goodbye to my wonderful Year 6 class after a fantastic production of Oliver! and celebration afternoon with food, inflatables, a photo booth and T-shirt signing. I spent the first few days after school finished setting up my new Year 3 classroom – with lots of books which I am looking forward to sharing with my new class as well as some planning – more to go, but I’m now enjoying a break with lots of reading catch-up before heading to Disney World later in August.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 16 books in July: 12 physical books and 4 audiobooks.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 97%. I have requested and been approved to read two books this month.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 9 books by Publishers this month. 

Books bought:

I have bought six books this month.

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

The Secret of Golden Island is an absolute winner!  Exciting, empathetic and heart-warming, a story that took me on the most wonderful, unmissable adventure with two exceptional young children as they work together to discover an island’s secret.  

Yakov and Skylar first meet after a football match in which he scores the winning goal and she is suspended for fighting after a cruel comment from another.  During the match, Yakov enjoys a brief moment of feeling that he belongs before his thoughts quickly return to the family and friends who he has had to leave behind to escape the war at home.  Skylar’s beloved Grandpa has had a stroke and she longs for the times she has spent fishing and sailing with him, no longer feeling that she fits in with her family and friends.

These two meet again at Dead Man’s Beach where they have gone to seek solace after upsetting realisations and news.  Their shared pain and loneliness brings connection and they open up to each other, tentatively seeking the friendship each so desperately needs. They share with each other that they have come to the beach as they felt the island which overlooks it calling to them … and then they see someone on Golden Island putting up a sign:  ISLAND TO WIN! 

They each want to win the island to keep promises made and to keep hope alive, but how can two children possibly win an island whilst keeping it a secret from their families?    What lies will they need to tell?  What barriers will they have to overcome?  How far are they prepared to go to help those they love?

So begins the most thrilling adventure as Yakov and Skylar sail to the island to learn more about the owner’s competition to win the island and meet the other competitors who are equally determined to win the contest.  I absolutely loved this daring adventure as Yakow and Skylar work as a team to overcome difficult circumstances, as they find and follow clues to reveal the secret of the island and as they make painful and courageous decisions in dangerous situations. 

I absolutely loved the evocative description of the island with its hidden caves, wildlife and unspoilt habitat but with a hint of a secret past … a place capable of healing pain and one which deserves to be appreciated and cared for.  I really felt the healing power of the island as Yakov and Skylar enjoy its peace and beauty, as they face their fears through listening to its song and as they open themselves to trust and friendship.

Yakov and Skylar are incredibly likeable and sympathetic young children who find each other just as they need friendship, and what strength, courage and joy they find in that friendship.  They both feel loneliness, guilt and fear, but find connection, a sense of belonging and healing through their firm bond of friendship, and cathartic experience on the island.  

An exceptional, heartfelt and exciting adventure which glows with the warmth of friendship, resonates with a song of hope and flows with an appreciation of the natural environment.  Perfect summer adventuring for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

The Others is a dazzling historical science-fiction adventure that kept me utterly entranced from start to finish:  a breath-taking, unforgettable story of connection, friendship and hope.  

Reuben’s world is small, living in an observatory with his astronomer grandma and black cat, Inky, never having ventured beyond its gates, yet yearning for adventure, a yearning that is only somewhat satiated through the books he reads including War of the Worlds.  Reuben’s insulated existence is in contrast to the vastness of the universe which his grandma has been attempting to connect with over the past ten years, sending out signals into space – and, at last, she has received a response …

When something falls from the night sky, his Grandma goes to investigate, leaving Reuben alone as she cannot risk anything happening to him due to his rare eye condition.  But, when his Grandma doesn’t return home, Reuben goes in search of her and finds something he has been longing for …. someone who could become his friend.  Archie agrees to help him find his Grandma, but instead they find an unconscious girl with blue light emanating from her skin.  Frightened by something they cannot understand, they both run …

It is not long before Reuben connects his own loneliness with the girl being left alone.  Feeling the need to protect her and keep her safe, he brings her home and gives her a name:  Blue. 

Meanwhile, Professor Pinfield learns that a spaceship has crashed and, with cold, ruthless determination, he sets out to exploit what it has brought for his own aggrandisement through winning the prestigious and wealth-bringing Pierre Guzman Prize for proof of communication with an alien life form.

And so begins the most incredible, stunning and thrilling adventure as Reuben faces a world that holds wonder, danger and secrets in his mission to protect Blue and reunite her with the others who she is searching for.   Can he help Blue escape the clutches of a ruthless pursuer, intent on exploiting alien life for his own selfish reasons?  Has he lost the only home and family he has ever known?  I really enjoyed both the ethereal quality underpinning the narrative and the rising tension as the inexorable pursuit brings both danger and revelations.  I’m a huge fan of classic science-fiction, both in books and film, and am so pleased that more and more middle-grade science-fiction books are being published – and this is a brilliant addition to this genre.

I absolutely adored Reuben, Blue and Archie as they navigate a new world for each of them, a world where connection and friendship brings both hope and empathy, a world where curious minds explore and find joy and wonder in new experiences, and a world where discoveries bring enlightenment and a sense of belonging.  But it is also a world where danger threatens to bring despair, and where great courage, determination and ingenuity is needed to stand together against exploitation, cruelty and prejudice.

The detailed illustrations throughout are absolutely stunning and complement both the otherworldliness and the darkness and light within the story perfectly.

This will most definitely be one of my Books of the Year and is one I cannot recommend highly enough to those of 9+. 

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

I have about 100 pages of The Beanstalk Murder left to read and I’m really loving it. It’s a wonderful mystery with plenty of twists and turns and I still don’t have a clue who did it!

I am trying to catch up on reading for my new Year 3 class so read two gorgeous books for younger readers, Lola and Larch Fix a Fairy Forest and Lola and Larch Save the Sunshine Spell. I love the friendship between human and fairy and how they work together to defeat the evil fairy, Euphorbia Spurge. I also read Shipwrecked which I absolutely adored with its mix of heart and humour. I have posted my review today. I also read and loved The Hollywood Kidnap Case which is the third Mysteries at Sea adventure. I am hoping to post my review tomorrow.

I’m hoping to read The Others next.

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