Review: The Not-So Great Escape by Emma Green

Written by Emma Green
Cover Illustration by Jack Noel
*Published by Usborne Publishing Limited*

The Not-So Great Escape is a hilarious, heartfelt and action-packed adventure that completely captivated me as I went on the wildest, most chaotic adventure with characters who now have a forever place in my heart.

It’s been a year since twelve-year-old Hedley’s life has irrevocably changed following the death of his mother. Attending Bridlebank Therapy Centre with his younger sister Lilly, Hedley has to endure bullying from Aiden who seems to delight in being horrible to him. Whilst Hedley weighs up the risks of any action he might take and errs on the side of staying as safe as possible, Aiden has no such reservations and relishes any opportunity to cause trouble. When the two boys find themselves with a weekend job helping on a Petting Farm, it is not long before Aiden gets Hedley into a snot heap of trouble!

When he fears that he will be blamed for the theft of prize alpaca, Duke, Hedley finds himself on the run with Aiden and Lilly as they attempt to take Duke to a rescue centre. But Duke is anything but an obedient companion, although he is a loyal one, causing so much mayhem that he becomes an overnight internet sensation!

Be prepared for chaotic escapades with a petrol station hold-up, an inadvertent robbery, a night spent camping-with-a-difference in a haunted wood and a hitch hike in a caravan that I will never forget. Whilst this unstoppable adventure has giggles galore and plenty of ‘eugh’ moments, it also has some incredibly heartbreaking and poignant occasions as Hedley learns to take risks, risks that help him accept a truth he has been running from.

Oh my goodness! Hedley is the most wonderful young boy who has found a place in my heart. He is struggling to deal with his grief following his loss as well as coping with his dad’s poor mental health, keeping his emotions firmly locked inside and weighing up the level of risk before making choices. But, when Aiden is instrumental in causing Hedley to go on the run, will he find the courage to take risks and accept a truth he has been hiding from?

Whilst I can see children enjoying this for its chaotic, laugh-out-loud shenanigans, it is also a story that addresses difficult issues sensitively including grief, bullying and poor mental health. Reading about these issues in stories will enable some children to see themselves reflected in the story whilst encouraging empathy in others.

Escape into this exciting adventure, brimming with humour and heart, and a loyal woolly friend who might just change a life. Perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Usborne for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

25 Favourite middle-grade reads of 2025 …

I’ve read 170 books this year and most of these are middle-grade so it was really difficult to choose only 25 books. I’ve made my choices based on ones that have really stuck in my mind and which I have written reviews for. There is no doubt that my reading tastes tend towards fantasy and horror books – just as with my adult book choices and are what I gravitated towards as I grew up.

Below, I have posted a link to my review for each of these books:

Review: Ice Apprentices by Jacob North

Review: Dragon Riders of Roar

Review: Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas

Review: The Boy at the Window

Review: Shadowhall Academy: Ghost Story Society

Review: Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods by Jennifer Killick

Review: After by Pádraig Kenny

Review: Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson

Review: Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns

Blog Tour Review: A Place of a Thousand Wishes

Review: Gloam

Review: The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

Blog Tour Review: Naeli and the Secret Song by Jasbinder Bilan

Review: Dracula & Daughters by Emma Carroll

Review: The Museum of Lost Umbrellas by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Review: Small Wonder by Ross Montgomery

Review: Peregrine Quinn and the Mask of Chaos by Ash Bond

Review: Riverskin by Mike Edwards

Review: The Feathered Book

Review: Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King

Review: Hero the Highway Girl by Penny Chrimes

Review: The Book of Stolen Dreams: The Final Battle

Review: Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley

Review: Fear Files: Hide and Seek

Review: Sword of the Sun

Have you read any of these? What have been your favourite books this year?

Top Ten Tuesday

It’s been a long time since I’ve participated in Top Ten Tuesday, but I’m going to try to start this up again. This is a weekly meme now hosted by That Artsy Girl Reader. This week’s theme is Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf. My most recent additions to my bookshelves are a mixture of adult books which I was gifted as Christmas presents, young adult and children’s books I got by using my Waterstones points as well as those I have bought myself.

12 for 12 … 12 middle-grade releases for January

I’ve been thinking of regular blog posts for my Blog next year to add to my reviews and Blog Tour and posts.

I’ve decided to start a monthly Blog Post, which I’m calling 12 for 12 …, focussing on twelve newly published middle-grade books that I’m looking forward to reading for each month of the year. Some of these, I will have been lucky enough to have been sent by publicists/publishers or been approved to read via NetGalley whilst others I will be purchasing myself either as a first-time purchase to read, or to replace a proof copy I have been sent. After reading these books, I will either add them to my class or school library.

My 12 middle-grade recommended/anticipated releases for January with release dates are:

1st January

8th January

15th January

29th January

I have restricted myself to 12 books for each month but, of course, that does not mean that I won’t read and/or purchase more as I read other Bloggers’ reviews and see recommendations on social media or from browsing bookshop shelves.

Are any of these on your TBR? Have you already read any? What other books published in January would you recommend?

Review: Magpie Girl by Rowan Foxwood

Written by Rowan Foxwood
Cover Illustration by Crystal Kung
Internal Illustrations by Tim Banks
*Published by Usborne Publishing Limited*

Magpie Girl is an utterly enchanting story, a story of belief and connection, of family and friendship, that completely captured me and swept me into the most magical adventure.

Thirteen-year-old Lavender Wild, the magpie girl, talks to birds, has a talent for finding lost things and even grows magpie feathers and has flying dreams as she sleeps. Whilst Lavender longs for adventure beyond her village of Maidswell, her father is reluctant to let her out of his sight as she had gone missing for four months five years before. So it is that Lavender finds herself accompanying her father to the home of Lord and Lady Noble to make a delivery, hoping to avoid a meeting with their son, Kit, who had been her best friend before she disappeared but who now seems to despise her even though she does not understand the cause for his dislike.

But when an earthquake occurs and Kit’s father goes missing on his annual pilgrimage to the Cries, a dormant volcano in the Ironridge Mountains, these two former friends find themselves setting out together on a perilous rescue mission. And so begins a truly magical adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed these two courageous and determined children on their dangerous, heart-pounding quest. A quest where family secrets are revealed, where a fractured friendship begins to heal and where a fabled firebird rises … Can these two work together to defeat the firebird before their village faces its flames?

I love stories which are inspired by folklore and mythology and these are seamlessly woven into this magical adventure as Lavender and Kit meet deities, daemons and witches as well as the firebird, some of whom prove allies but others frightening foes, one in particular that sent a shiver down my spine. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I really enjoyed discovering the breath-taking connections within the story as well as the re-connections that are made.

This captivating adventure is set in the same world as the spellbinding Heartseer, with some familiar characters, but can easily be read as a stand-alone although I have no doubt readers who have not already read Heartseer will want to seek it out after reading this story.

I absolutely adored both Lavender and Kit and loved following them, not only on their quest to save Kit’s father, but also on their journey towards self-belief and re-connection as their friendship heals and trust returns. Whilst Kit is cautious and careful, Lavender is torn between her happiness to have returned home and her longing for adventure. Their quest proves transformational for both, bringing hope of new beginnings, freedom to be themselves and an inner strength gained from being true to themselves.

The full-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the magic, warmth and adventure perfectly.

A mesmerising, magical adventure, glowing with the warmth of family and friendship, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Usborne for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Monthly Wrap-up: November

This has been the hardest month I’ve had this year due to lots of family health problems which has seen two of my brothers in hospital, a cousin with a terminal cancer diagnosis, and my mum undergoing tests for suspected cancer – now it’s the interminable 2-week wait! I’ve also been visiting my mother-in-law in hospital but, with a 6 hour round-trip on a Saturday, it’s been hard to find time to read. Meanwhile, my hectic school life continues … but at least Christmas is nearly here!

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 12 books this month. My highlights were Swanfall and Silent Night (both middle-grade) and The Book of Witching (adult).

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 98%. I requested one book in November which is a young adult book that I’m really excited to read as I loved The Spellshop, an adult book by the same author.

Books sent by publishers:

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

Books Bought:

I’ve bought 9 books this month. Hopefully, I’ll find time to read some of them over Christmas!

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

Review: A Sycamore Hill Mystery: The Vanished Girl by Natasha Mac a’Bháird

Written by Natasha Mac a’Bháird
Cover Illustration by Lauren O’Neill
Published by The O’Brien Press

The Vanished Girl is the second book in the A Sycamore Hill Mystery series, set in 1960s Donegal – and what a wonderfully exciting return to the Sycamore Hill Boarding School this proved to be as friends Clare, Rose and Molly find themselves immersed in another mystery, a mystery brimming with danger and intrigue that completely captured me from start to finish.

Following a long weekend away from Sycamore Hill to attend her aunt’s wedding, Clare returns eager to tell her friends all the details. However, her news is somewhat overshadowed by the announcement that a new girl is starting mid-term, and one of the girls from St Anne’s dormitory will need to move out to allow room for her. Clare is immediately curious as to why a new girl would be starting part way through the term: could this be a new mystery for the sleuthing trio to solve?

When the girls meet their new dorm mate, Amy, she shares that she has started to board as her dad has a new job and the family are in the process of moving house. Despite Clare having some doubts about the truth of this information, it is not long before the three friends are welcoming Amy into their group, especially as she appears just as keen as they are to take part in the upcoming school musical and to get a place on the hockey team alongside Clare.

After a brilliant audition by Amy, Clare can’t help but wonder if she’s a film star. So why then does the new nun, Sister Eva, who has come to help out with staging the musical, deny such a talent from taking part in the performance? Why do the teaching staff not allow Amy to leave the school grounds or take part in any activities that would bring attention to her presence at the school?

Clare and her friends decide to, once again, become a sleuthing trio to reveal the secrets that Amy is hiding from them. But could her secrets be more dangerous than they first suspected? Could Sister Eva be spying on Amy and, if so, are her intentions to keep her safe, or to harm her?

I absolutely loved being back at Sycamore Hill Boarding School with Clare and her friends as they work together to solve a mystery brimming with intrigue and danger. I was never quite sure who the girls could trust and really enjoyed following them as they determinedly uncovered clues. I couldn’t stop turning pages as the danger increased and the courageous sleuthing trio took more risks to help their new friend even when this put them in increasing peril.

The friendship between Clare, Rose and Molly is such a wonderful part of this story, feeling really genuine and supportive as they look out for each other and take Amy into their group.

I love that this story is set in an isolated boarding school which I think is a perfect setting for a mystery as there is such scope for the friends to go sneaking around to discover clues but also opening themselves to the possibility of getting caught which increases the tension.

An absolutely gripping and fantastically exciting return to Sycamore Hill for another mesmerising mystery brimming with secrets and danger, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for sending me a copy of this book. It was my decision to read and review the book any my review is my honest opinion of the book.

Review: Anya’s Quest written by Jasbinder Bilan and illustrated by Jane Ray

Anya’s Quest is a stunning and powerful story, inspired by Hindu mythology, that took me on an unforgettable journey along the Ganges to listen to nature’s song of hope and healing … an utterly enchanting read.

8-year-old Anya is grieving the loss of her mother three years before. She wakes in the early morning from a dream that she can’t quite remember: a dream of her mother, a white flower and a lullaby …

Whilst Anya’s father gives her all the gadgets and toys she could ever want, he does not give her the one thing she craves: his attention. It is not surprising that she feels jealous and lonely when she sees Mahi playing in the snow with her mother, the cook, as it brings back memories of time spent with her mama. When her friend is unable to visit due to the roads through the Himalayan mountains being blocked with snow, Anya’s father sends Mahi to play with Anya. However, Anya is rude to her and orders Mahi to go outside and build her a snow figure.

Later, feeling ashamed of her unkindness towards Mahi, Anya ventures outside to find her, but slips on the ice – and wakes to see the Goddess Ganga in the moonlight with her river dragon and spirit companion, Makara who pulls her chariot. Ganga has a quest for Anya to complete, and takes both her and Mahi on an incredible journey through the Himalayan mountains and along the course of the Ganges, a journey into the past and towards a future of hope … Can Anya remember her spirit song, discover her spirit animal and re-connect with nature?

I absolutely loved this stunning story with its blend of Hindu mythology, and powerful environmental message of the need to protect our planet from the harm humans are doing to it. I really liked that the message is one of hope and empowerment. Both the writing and illustrations are awe-inspiring and take the reader on the most magical journey of self-discovery, connection with nature and hope … mesmerising.

Anya is a sympathetic young girl whose grief, loneliness and jealousy initially leads her to be unkind and reject Mahi’s friendship, but she opens herself to new friendship as she searches for her spirit song and connects with Mahi through their shared appreciation of nature and desire to protect the planet through their actions.

The full-colour illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous and really encapsulate the enchanting quality of this story from the wintry scenes through the mountains and along the river to the depiction of Hindu Gods and Goddesses to the heart-warming images of family and friends surrounded by nature.

An absolutely captivating story with full-colour illustrations, perfect for children of 7+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy of this stunning book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blog Tour: Silent Night by Emma Read

*Written by Emma Read*
*Cover Illustration by Tom Clohosy Cole*
*Published by Chicken House Books*

Silent Night is a thrilling horror science-fiction adventure that is THE perfect read for wintry nights, a story that completely enthralled me from start to finish.

It’s a stormy Christmas Eve and thirteen-year-old Masen is spending the Christmas holidays with his extended family in an old cottage in South Wales. With not enough room for everyone in the cottage, Masen, his younger brother Joss and cousin Conor spend the night in the caravan parked on the drive.

When the boys wake up on Christmas morning, the storm has gone and snow is falling. Excited, they race into the cottage, eager to begin their Christmas Day with present opening, only to discover that there are no adults in the house. How is it possible that their families have disappeared on Christmas Day?

And so begins a brilliantly chilling, action-packed adventure as Masen, Conor and Joss find themselves caught up in a nightmarish mystery. Can they discover what has happened to their families? Can they find out what is wrong with the adults in the town who have left their homes? And, can they trust those they meet who have promised to reunite them with their parents?

I absolutely loved this atmospheric, horror sci-fi which is perfect for a middle-grade audience and beyond. There is a real sense of unease as the danger increases inexorably making this an absolute page-turner. I really enjoyed the pervading sense of threat, and the unexpected twists and revelations, as Masen slowly discovers the chilling truth, putting himself and others at terrible risk. Inspired by The Day of the Triffids, this thought-provoking adventure will open up some great discussions around ethical science.

Masen is a wonderfully sympathetic young boy who has an anxious nature. He shows incredible courage, inner strength and determination in discovering the truth about what has happened to the adults, putting himself at risk to help and protect others. I really liked the friendships that he forms with other children he meets, even when these are tested, and the bond that strengthens with his cousin Conor.

A terrifically thrilling and chilling read, with the strength of family and friendship at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+ to enjoy on a cold, winter’s day.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House Books for inviting me to join the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Review: Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley

*Written by Sophie Kirtley*
*Cover Illustration by Ben Mantle*
*Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books*

Swanfall is a magical, wintry adventure, lyrical and mesmerising, a story imbued with the wonder of nature and the bonds of friendship, that completely captivated me.

Eleven-year-old Pip has been living with his mum in Keeper’s Cott on the wetlands for four years. He is excited to welcome the return of the Arctic swans in their annual migration from Siberia to Rushy Lake, especially his three favourites: Moonshadow, Midnight and Silver, recognisable by their unique beak markings. This swanfall is a magical experience for nature-loving Pip and is an event that he helps record each year with his mum who is a wetlands ranger. But when his mum is called away to help another ranger, circumstances find Pip alone …

Awoken in the middle of the night, Pip opens the door to discover the ground laden with snow and the call of the first swans arriving. Discovering footsteps in the snow, Pip begins to wonder if an ancient story, discovered in a donated book, could be more than just a legend …

And so begins the most magical, mesmerising adventure as Pip and his friends work together to discover the incredible, heart-breaking truth behind the legend of three siblings who disappeared in tragic circumstances many years ago. Could the book Pip has found at the mobile school library hold the key to unlocking a tragedy? Could the songs appearing in the book, and whispered in the air, reveal a way to break a terrifying curse?

This is an absolutely gripping, thrilling adventure brimming with risk and danger, with breath-taking discoveries and revelations that, coupled with the short, often cliff hanger chapter endings, made this a story that I read in one sitting.

I really enjoyed the atmospheric, wintry setting on the wetlands with snowstorms and frozen lakes which have the ability to both hide and reveal, to bring both fear and hope. I adored reading Irish folklore tales when I was growing up in Ireland, and The Children of Lir is one of my favourites, so I loved how this myth is intricately woven into this contemporary story with some wonderful twists.

Pip is an incredibly likeable young boy, someone who finds it difficult to remain focussed in school, and who is worried about losing his best friend when he begins to form other friendships. He is much more confident when surrounded by the wetlands habitat and helping his mum with her work in recording the annual swanfall. I loved how teaming up with others to solve the mystery brought Pip into a wonderfully supportive friendship group with a real sense of strength and belonging.

A spellbinding story of friendship, connection and belonging, perfect to snuggle up with on a cold, wintry day to be enveloped in an unforgettable adventure.