Review: The Others

*Written by Sarah Merrett*
*Cover Design and illustration by Holly Ovenden*
*Internal Illustrations by Ewa Beniak-Haremska*
*Published by Everything With Words*

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.

Review: The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell

*Written by P.G. Bell*
*Illustrated by George Ermos*
*Published by Usborne*

The Beanstalk Murder is a terrifically twisty murder mystery that kept me utterly spellbound as I followed Anwen and Cerys to the Sky Kingdom to solve a gigantic whodunnit …

Apprentice meadow-witch Anwen Sedge is attending the weekly market in Old Stump trying to avoid trainee sorceress Cerys Powell who she blames for sabotaging her entrance exam to attend the Academy of High Magic. Cerys is not at all impressed with the way Anwen is exacting revenge which leads to an argument between the two. However, something much worse than pigeon poop falling from the sky is about to change their lives …

A giant falls from the sky, flattening the village of Old Stump. When Anwen and her Grandma Eira examine the body, Anwen makes a discovery: the giant has been murdered and dumped in their village! Despite no contact between giants and humans since the signing of a treaty at the end of the Great Beanstalk War, Eira is determined to seek justice and let the giants know what has happened to one of their own. Luckily, she just so happens to have an illegal magic bean which she plants to grow to the Sky Kingdom so that she can send a message to the giants. Unfortunately, her plan doesn’t quite go as she had intended and Anwen and Cerys find themselves at the top of the beanstalk and facing the giants whose King is missing …

And so begins an incredibly exciting, action-packed mystery as Anwen and Cerys discover that a royal murder has been committed, but who could be the culprit and what possible motive could they have? Anwen is determined to use her witchy-skills and her now-diminutive size to her advantage to solve the colossal case and drags Cerys into her investigations whether she likes it or not. But can these two daring young sleuths keep themselves safe whilst all around them there is giant danger for the tiny duo? I absolutely loved the twists and turns, the secret revelations, following the trail of clues and red herrings … and loved that I didn’t have a clue who the culprit was, but enjoyed guessing – and being proved wrong!

This is an ingenious twist on a fairytale and murder mystery and I can see so much scope both for another adventure in this world and for other fairytale murder mysteries to join this one. The world-building is fantastic! I loved wandering around the Sky Kingdom Palace, meeting some of its wonderfully helpful animal characters and would love to spend some time in Fortune Hall. I loved both the Folk Magic linked to an appreciation of nature that Anwen uses and the High Magic that Cerys excels at from projection to glamour.

I loved seeing how Anwen and Cerys begin to work together as a team and slowly build friendship despite a fractious relationship. Cerys is incredibly driven to attend the Academy of High Magic and is proud of what she has achieved so much so that she can appear boastful and derogatory about Anwen’s Folk Magic skills. Anwen is an astute, keenly observant and curious young girl who gives as good as she gets. I loved that both girls come to accept and respect both their own, and each other’s, magical abilities which leads to a much closer friendship.

A wonderfully warm-hearted, magical whodunnit that reaches giant-sized heights of delight, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Usborne Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

WWW Wednesday

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?

Review: Shipwrecked written by Jenny Pearson and illustrated by Nick East

*Written by Jenny Pearson*
*Illustrations by Nick East*
*Published by Usborne*

Well, that was spectacularly stupendous! Shipwrecked is the PERFECT summer read which swept me into a desert island adventure sparkling with exciting escapades, giggles galore, and fantastic friendships.

Sebastian Sunrise is excited to have won a place on the Climate Avengers Summer Camp with best friends, Lina and Étienne. Unfortunately, Sebastian has a penchant for finding trouble so when he loses a volleyball game, he finds himself challenging the winners to a boat race. What could possibly go wrong? Well, there is the storm, the overturned boat, the being lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the being hit in the face by fish falling from the sky, and … oh, yes … the being stranded on a desert island.

And so begins the most wonderfully action-packed, laugh-out-loud, heart-warming adventure as the three children become castaways on an island which offers plenty of surprises and challenges. Will these three friends be able to work as a team to survive on the island, or will its challenges and hardships prove too much for them?

Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved spending time with Sebastian, Lina and Étienne on Sunshine Island as they learn how to survive by using the resources on the island to build shelter (and not just any old shelter!) and find food and water, as they work together to protect young turtles from dangerous pirates and as they never give up hope of seeing their families again.

Lina has been reading Lord of the Flies and is determined that they won’t descend into savagery as she leads the group – but she does have a hatchet and is willing to use it! Be prepared to meet the most amazing animals in the majestic Tarquin Tarantino who lays her eggs on the beach; in the free-spirited I’ll-do-it-my-way goat Giuseppe Garibaldi; and in the patiently-waiting-to-sting-you jellyfish Julian Jehoshaphat. The humour in this adventure flows perfectly and brought so many smiles from the banter between the friends to the hilarious situations they find themselves in as they practise their survival techniques whilst trying to have fun! Burnt bums, toileting trials and blongberry bewitchment await …

As always with Jenny’s characters, Sebastian, Lina and Étienne are incredibly likeable and genuine, and I found myself immediately warming to them, but unable to stop myself giggling at how they deal with the situations they find themselves in. Each learns more about themselves as they face the challenges and joys of the island and show their individuality and strengths. They have very different personalities, but they use their strengths to work together as a team, supporting each other and deepening their friendship as they learn to survive on the island and protect its inhabitants from harm.

My proof copy does not have the illustrations by Nick East, but I have no doubt that they’ll be a perfect addition to enjoy when I buy the published copy.

The perfect summer getaway to an unforgettable, hilarious and heart-warming desert island adventure, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Usborne Publishing for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Summer I Saved the Wild by Rachel Faturoti

*Written by Rachel Faturoti*
*Cover Illustration by Mirelle Ortega*
*Published by* Hodder Children’s Books
*(an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group)*

The Summer I Saved the Wild is a powerful and heartfelt eco-adventure in which nature-loving Kamaria’s life is forever changed when her summer brings new people, new creatures and new adventure … a story that completely captivated me as I followed this courageous young girl on her quest to save mythological creatures desperately in need of her help.

During her summer, thirteen-year-old Kamaria is sent a journal and letters posthumously by her beloved Aunty Fisayo, a zooarchaeologist, who encourages her to believe in herself through her positive messages as she shares details of her Asoca adventure. Kamaria loves nature so, when she discovers that the Wilderness Wanderer competition is taking place in her home town of Pennyville, she is determined to take part in the hope of winning an opportunity to attend an eco-camp in Sweden where one of her best friends from her virtual school lives. But will her overprotective parents allow her the freedom to take part on the series of quests that form the competition? This problem is solved by the arrival of her cousin, Precious, who offers to team up with Kamaria for the competition so that her parents, with conditions, allow her to take part. Precious has her own condition for helping Kamaria: she wants her to keep a secret, a secret that requires Kamaria to lie to her parents as Precious pursues her own dream …

And so begins a powerful and evocative adventure as both the fragility and regenerative nature of the environment and family relationships are explored; as a community comes together, through the courage and strength of a young girl finding her voice, to save something precious and vital; and, where the freedom is found to follow your dreams. I loved the magical realism elements within this adventure with the link between the mythical creatures, the connection to the emotions of others, care for the environment and the messages in the journal.

Kamaria is an incredibly likeable and sympathetic young girl who clearly loves nature and has a real connection with and desire to save the flora and fauna of her local natural environment, but she also finds it difficult to find her voice in a world where her parents are over-protective, have kept secrets from her, and where she feels she cannot speak out against others even when they bring her distress. I loved the connection she has with her beloved Aunty Fisayo through the entries she has written in the journal she sends to Kamaria three years after her death. I also really enjoyed the friendship that forms between Kamaria and Precious as they work together to support each other to pursue their dreams, learning more about each other as their friendship deepens, but also having fractious moments which made the friendship feel genuine.

An inspirational eco-adventure where a deep and heartfelt connection to nature proves a catalyst for both personal and environmental change. An empowering read for those of 9+.

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

WWW Wednesday

I’m reading Aliya to the Infinite City which I’m really enjoying. I love the use of flying carpets, time travel and an alternate Egypt. I’m listening to the audiobook of Rainbow Grey: Eye of the Storm which is just as gorgeous as the first one – Rainbow and Nim are such a wonderful combination.

I listened to the audiobooks of Murder at the Museum and Death at the Lighthouse which are wonderful murder mystery whodunnits. Montgomery Bonbon/Bonnie Bonnie Montgomery is such a brilliant character and I love that her Grandad is her able assistant. Such a fun series! I also read I am Rebel which will is fantastic – a definite contender for a book of the year! I have posted my review.

I didn’t get to The Summer I Saved the Wild last weekend, but I’m hoping I will be able to get to it this weekend.

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

Review: I am Rebel by Ross Montgomery

*Written by Ross Montgomery*
*Cover Illustration by* *Keith Robinson*
*Published by Walker Books*

I am Rebel is a wonderfully warm-hearted adventure that brought smiles and tears as I followed a most courageous and loyal friend’s epic journey through danger, loss and separation in the hope of being reunited with his human. Told from the perspective of a faithful, loving and good dog, this is a heartachingly tender, humorous and unforgettable tale of bravery, hope and true friendship.

Rebel has lived his whole life with his best friend, Tom, who found him as a pup and brought him to his parents’ sheep farm where the two have become inseparable, bonded by love, loyalty and friendship.

But their idyllic life is torn apart when the King’s guardsmen threaten Tom’s parents’ livelihood with a demand for higher taxes. Whilst his parents are not prepared to defy the King, 12-year-old Tom seethes with the injustice meted out by a tyrannical King, and joins a rebellion against him, a decision which sees him leaving Rebel behind as he heads to war …

But Rebel knows that his human is marching into terrible danger, and he is determined to find him and bring him safely home before it’s too late … and so begins an epic quest as Rebel digs deep for the courage to leave his home for the first time ever, to follow the boy he loves most in the world and to never give up hope that their unbreakable bond will bring them back together before war can separate them forever … Rebel is a beacon of courage, hope and love, but will this be enough to save his human when he needs him most?

This is not only an action-packed, thrilling adventure, but is also one that pulls at the heartstrings as Rebel faces terrifying danger and takes heart-racing risks to find Tom. But he also makes some wonderful new friendships with other animals along the way and proves himself to be a true friend, helping those in need despite his own desperate need to be reunited with Tom. One friendship in particular, with Jaxon the masterless dog, is the most beautiful portrayal of the growth of a strong, loving friendship, one where the discovery of the true meaning of freedom flourishes and where love challenges each to confront inner truths, conquer fears, loss and separation, and ultimately find where their heart truly belongs.

I’m Tom’s dog, and he’s my human. We belong to each other.

Not since Cosmo in I, Cosmo have I found a dog I have adored as much as Rebel. He is the BEST dog! He is torn away from his idyllic world by a decision, which he doesn’t really understand, made by the boy he loves more than anything in the world, a boy who saved him when he was a pup, and one who he is now determined to save from the horrors of war. Rebel never wavers in his love for, and loyalty towards Tom, even when he has some doubt over Tom’s love for him. He has such a big heart and a boundless capacity for love, empathy and friendship that engenders loyalty and reciprocal friendship in others.

An incredible and heart-warming story of friendship, belonging and the indestructible bond between a good dog and his boy. Perfect for animal lovers and adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

WWW Wednesday

I’m listening to Murder at the Museum which is a brilliant mystery with a really likeable protagonist in Montgomery Bonbon/Bonnie Montgomery – and I love that she has Grampa Banks by her side. I’m also just about to start I am Rebel which I’m so excited to read.

I’ve finished listening to Kyan Green and the Infinity Racers which I really enjoyed – fast-paced, action-packed and great fun – I’m looking forward to reading the next book. I also read Betty Steady and the Toad Witch which is a book for younger readers which was brilliantly funny and is one I think my new class will love. I also finished listening to Which Way Round the Galaxy which is wacky and utterly brilliant – I loved Cressida Cowell’s narration. Finally, I read another wonderful book for younger readers, Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Seeds.

I’m hoping to read The Summer I Saved the Wild next.

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

Blog Tour Review and Extract: Pirate Academy Missing at Sea

*Written by Justin Somper*
*Illustrations by Teo Skaffa*
*Published by uclan publishing*

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea, the second book in the Pirate Academy series. I will be sharing my review of Missing at Sea and an extract from Book 1: New Kid on Deck.

Review: Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea

Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea is the second book in the Pirate Academy series which opened with the wonderfully exciting New Kid on Deck and this one is just as sea-tastically thrilling as Barracuda class face new challenges and dangers in this swashbuckling adventure …

It’s 2507 … and four weeks after Barracuda class’s last adventure when they stood up for the ideals of the Pirate Federation, who control the world’s oceans, and fought against those who would usurp their position, the newly-established League of True Pirates who intend to take control of the oceansthrough foul means.

Barracuda class are fizzing with excitement as they prepare for the Oceans Bound weekend where they will face a series of challenges to test their pirate skills … without their teachers. But, when the class learn that Jasmine’s Uncle Noah, a member of the League of True Pirates, has escaped from the Pirate Federation’s prison, they find themselves in dangerous waters … Could the unscrupulous League have seized control of the Oceans Bound weekend for their own nefarious purposes? Can Jasmine, Jacoby, Neo and their friends work together to defeat these villainous pirates?

And so begins an absolutely riveting, fantastically thrilling adventure as Jasmine, Jacoby and Neo encounter peril from some terrifying challenges. I mean, who wants to encounter snakes, spiders, sharks and skulls on a weekend adventure away from class? The increasing danger and tension as I followed the story kept me on the edge of my seat and, I must admit, I gasped at the unexpected revelations which make me desperate to read the next adventure.

wound one Barracuda and you wound us all

Barracuda class have such strong bonds of friendship and make a wonderfully supportive team, always showing courage and a willingness to come to each other’s aid when faced with danger. Like all friends, they enjoy plenty of banter, some disagreements, healthy competition and even a little jealousy, something that makes them feel more genuine as a group.

Both Neo and Jasmine have been through a lot of turmoil with the loss of a parent, and parents who have been missing for months, which made my heart ache for them so I loved the emotional support that they offered each other. Despite how frightened they are by what has happened to their parents and the threat of the League, neither lets fear hold them back, showing great fortitude as they face deadly dangers and difficult decisions.

The partial-and-full-page illustrations are fantastic – energetic, expressive and highlighting both the strong friendships within the story and the peril Barracuda class face.

An action-packed, swashbuckling delight with a shiver of danger and a heart of friendship, perfect for young adventurers of 8+.

Extract from Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck

Enjoy this extract from Chapter 2 where we first meet the New Kid on Deck:

The boy stood on the burning deck. At least, it was easy to imagine that the deck was burning, as the setting sun turned the light from pale gold to the deep orange of flames.

He was alone on the deck of the old “Scavenger”. It was a small sailing ship which had seen better days. Nowadays, it was mostly used to trawl for any bits and pieces washed into the shallows. The stuff nobody wanted anymore. Like him.

The boy had a pair of binoculars pressed tight against his eyes. He was watching the arrival of the fine pirate ships in the distant harbour. Seeing a flicker of movement, he raised the binoculars to see the sprawl of buildings that crept up the hill and people racing down it. Even through his binoculars, they looked like ants.

He felt rough hands grab him by his collar, giving him a start. He had been watching the harbour and the hill so intently, he hadn’t heard the telltale footsteps. Now, he could identify his attacker from his rotten breath alone. As his binoculars fell, he found himself looking into a red face, with angry eyes and a largely toothless mouth.

“I thought we agreed you’d stay below decks until I gave you the all-clear.”

The boy’s eyes narrowed. “I was bored. We’ve been travelling for so long and I know every inch of that cabin . . . not that there are many inches to get to know.”

The man spat – something yellowish-green dripping slowly down from his blistered lips to the deck below – then shook his head. “You ungrateful so-and-so. There’s many a lad of your age and position in life who’d be mighty thankful for a cabin to call his own and fish-scale broth for his supper.”

“A cabin barely a metre from port to starboard? It’s more like a dog cage! As for your vile—”

Before he could finish, he was grabbed roughly again, this time one hand gripping his collar, the other tugging his left ear. In this painful position, he was dragged over to the very edge of the foredeck.

He knew there was no point in struggling. This thug was three times his size and packed with muscle.

The muscled thug yanked the boy up and over the edge of the deck, so that he seemed to be flying over the side. He felt queasy – not for the first time that night. Was this how it was going to end – dropped into the icy water, in the darkening night, having to swim for it? He wasn’t the strongest swimmer. He wasn’t the strongest anything.

Thank you to Graeme Williams and uclan publishing for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy of New Kid on Deck.

Do check out the other stops in the Blog Tour:

June Wrap-up

This has been such a busy term! Reports finished, teacher assessments entered, production rehearsals going well … but I am completely exhausted, and so looking forward to a break.