The Feeling Good Club is a such a wonderful, heartfelt story, told in a journal format, emphasising the importance of sharing your feelings and the enjoyment and advantages to be gained from using mindfulness activities to help you through difficult feelings and times. 

As I was reading, I could really appreciate how beneficial this book would be for children who are struggling with worries and opening up about their feelings.  I loved the mindfulness activities which are also included at the back of the book, and will definitely be looking at these with my class.  This is a wonderful book to use with a class to discuss worries and feelings, and to encourage empathy.

Bella has been given a journal by her best friend, Rohisha, on her last day as she is moving house and going to a new school.  Not only does Bella have the worry of losing her best friend and facing school feeling sad and alone, but she is also nervous about giving a class talk as she does not feel confident in speaking in front of others.  Can her friendship with Rosh survive the move?  Can she overcome her worry about giving the class talk?  

With these big worries, Bella is not looking forward to taking part in a Feeling Good Week at school, but exploring her feelings and becoming more resilient when faced with difficult situations and emotions may be just what she needs.  The activities during the week also gives her the opportunity to begin to form a tentative new friendship with Shazmin and Archie.  Will she be able to open up about her feelings with these new friends?  Will they be able to help her overcome her fears about giving the class talk?  

I loved the journal format which shows Bella as such a genuine, open and chatty ten-year-old who will be incredibly relatable to children as she opens up about her worries and works through them with her family and friends.  I also really enjoyed the use of emojis to show Bella’s feelings at the start of each day, and the fantastic expressive character illustrations and doodles throughout which complement the format perfectly.   I can imagine that lots of children would enjoy keeping their own journal, and even having their own Feeling Good Club. 

I really liked that the adults in this book were supportive towards Bella, trying to help and offering her advice, and also that she felt she could open up to her parents and older sister.  I found this a really positive element within the story.

Not only is this a hugely enjoyable, warm, fun story of finding friendship and overcoming fears, but it is also a brilliant introduction to mindfulness activities which could really benefit young readers.  A fantastic, much-needed addition to school and class libraries. 

This is definitely a story I’ll be recommending to the children in my class, and I’m already looking forward to making Mindful Glitter Jars with them which I think are fantastic!  I’m so glad that this is the start of a series, and am really looking forward to the next one. 

Thank you to Little Tiger for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Please do check out the other stops:

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:

Liska growled under her breath and swung about, swooping down to brush the tops of the highest trees with her paws.

This book in three words:

ADVENTURE, FRIENDSHIP, COURAGE

The Treekeepers is a breath-takingly stunning, epic fantasy quest that enthralled me from the opening lines.  I read this masterpiece whilst sitting in the garden over a day:  living in the magic of the storytelling, drawn into the incredible landscapes of Skyra, and with my heart completely captured by the quest undertaken by a courageous band of friends, intent on saving their world from a terrible threat …  

Liska is a shapewalker who can transform into a griffyx, a creature of myth.  She is training to be a warrior, protecting the forest city of Arborven and its magical tree, the Undrentree.   When she overhears a conversation, Liska realises that the Tree is under threat, but no one will listen to her …  If she is to save her world, she must undertake a dangerous quest to find something that might not even exist in the hope that she can save the Undrentree and her world …

Liska is joined on her quest by Lug, who is a vermispex mage which gives him the ability to summon and control earthworms, not exactly a power that is respected by the other mages, but one that may just be more important than he could ever imagine.  They are also joined by ghost-girl, Elowen, who has spent a lot of time alone, with her secrets and knowledge, and is excited to go an adventure.  And then, there is Fishbone, a kittimew, and definitely not a cat, even if he does have a fondness for rats!

These companions find themselves in a race across the lands not only to save the Tree, but also to stay ahead of a determined and terrifying pursuer.  Will they reach their destination in time to save their world?  Will they find that what they are seeking is only a myth?  This is an action-packed, heart-pounding adventure, brimming with danger, tension and discovery where I was never quite sure whether those encountered would be friend or foe which kept me reading with bated breath. 

The world-building is phenomenal; I felt completely immersed in the sights and sounds of Arborven and its surrounding lands, and their amazing, diverse inhabitants:  mages, wyverns, shapewalkers, treekeepers, gorgaunts, giants and seepers to name a few.  Some of these terrified me and some fascinated.  I loved learning about the tree of shadow and light and the parasitical nature of one’s relationship towards the other compared to the much more symbiotic link between the Undrentree and the treekeepers. Learning about the interconnection between the mages, the treewalkers and the Undrentree, their history and the structure of their society was utterly engrossing. 

Liska, Lug and Elowen are a brilliant band of true friends who together take on a perilous quest and support each other along the way. Liska is a fierce, fiery and impetuous warrior-in-training who follows her own path, but is also desperate to earn approval from her family.  Lug is the lowliest of the mage classes and is a constant worrier and pessimist, yet he shows great courage despite his fear when protecting his friends.  Elowen is lonely and in need of friendship so, when she meets Liska and Lug, she is excited to take part in a quest and proves a font of knowledge.  Together, they take on a formidable foe and show great courage and determination when faced with the unknown, working together in their quest to save their world.

My proof copy has a gorgeous map (which I love referring to) and exquisitely detailed chapter heading illustrations. I have seen the finished copy, and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy which I’m hoping will be in my local bookshop this weekend!

The Treekeepers is an exhilarating, unputdownable adventure of courage, friendship and hope in a battle of light over dark:  a true masterpiece of epic fantasy – and hopefully the start of a new series!

Thank you to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I haven’t got much further with The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley, but I am intrigued by it. I’ve just started The Whisperling which I’m really enjoying.

I have finished Ember Shadows and the Fates of Mount Never which was wonderful. Everyone in Everspring gets a fate card, but Ember’s is blank and, even worse, her sister’s card shows that she will die before her next birthday. Ember decides to take fate into her own hands and travel up the mountain to discover the truth behind the fate cards. I also read The Feeling Good Club which I really enjoyed and think would be a fantastic story for children going through changes in school, or those with worries. I will be taking part in the Blog Tour this Friday. I read Greta and the Ghost Hunters Greta which is a brilliantly funny ghostly adventure which both slightly grossed me out, but also brought fits of giggles. Greta Woebegone’s Gran might talk to her deceased husband, but Greta does not believe in ghosts until the day she is knocked down by a car … Greta’s parents are eager to put Gran in a home and the fact that she speaks to the dead seems a perfect excuse.  Greta is determined to prove that her Gran is not bonkers, and is going to use her ghostly friends to help her …. Grandpa Woebegone, plague victim Percy, and the sinister spectre in the cellar.  Of course, they have to agree to help, and Greta has to try to save them from being exorcised once her parents get wind of their existence! This really is a laugh-out-loud, brilliant adventure from the fantastic choice of names to hilarious situations Greta and her ghostly friends find themselves in.  There are also heart-warming moments as the importance of friends and family are shown. I also read The Tale of Truthwater Lake via NetGalley which is another brilliant historical adventure set in both the past and near future with a focus on climate change and the story behind a lost village. I loved the links made between past and present and the ending was perfect! Finally, I read The Treekeepers which was everything I was hoping it would be: I will be posting my review soon.

I’m hoping to read another spooky one next, The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name.

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

Well, that’s my holidays over, and I’m now set and ready to go back to work – I think! It’s been a wonderfully relaxing summer with plenty of time to read, catch-up and have a few breaks. Below are a few pictures from my holiday back home to Ireland where I visited family, and stayed for a few days on the Donegal coast as well as the Causeway Coast. I then spent a few days in Herefordshire, and visited Hay-on-Wye and the Brecon Beacons.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 15 books this month: 11 physical copies, 3 e-books and 1 audiobook. I’ve posted reviews for 5 of them and have a few more I will be posting in the next week.

NetGalley:

My Feedback Ratio is at 97%. I have three books on my shelf to read, and really want to read them before requesting any more. I am getting close to my 100 Reviews Badge, and am hoping to achieve it before the end of the year. These all sound perfect for spooky season!

Books sent by publishers:

I have been lucky enough to have been sent these books by publishers this month. I think it’s the most books I’ve been sent in single month, and I definitely really appreciate getting sent them. I have read 4 of these, and am really looking forward to reading the rest during September and October, ready for their publication dates.

Books bought:

I’ve bought 6 books this month. I’ve actually managed to read 4 of them already!

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

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is an action-packed, thrilling, wildly enjoyable adventure that kept me utterly gripped throughout.

British-Nigerian Onyeka lives with her over-protective mother.  She hates feeling different and having people stare at her due to her hair, and is desperate to feel that she belongs.  When swimming with her best friend, Cheyenne, she makes an incredible discovery:  her hair has psychokinetic powers which she uses to save Cheyenne from drowning. 

After an argument with her mother and another display of her power, she reveals that Onyeka is a Solari and has inherited her supernatural power from her father, a father who disappeared shortly before they had to leave Nigeria to remain safe.

Onyeka returns to Nigeria with her mother where she is taken to an elite school for Solari, the Academy of the Sun in Lagos where they are taught how to use their powers to keep Nigeria safe.  Onyeka is to train and learn about her powers in the Academy whilst her mother searches for her father, but the Academy may not be quite what it seems …

So begins a fast-paced, heart-racing adventure as Onyeka and her friends unearth hidden truths which lead them into dangerous situations … is there something sinister behind the Academy’s secretive nature and intense interest in the Solari and in keeping their powers hidden from others?  Are the Rogues who attack the Academy the villains they appear to be?  I absolutely loved the twists and turns in this adventure which took me on a such an exciting rollercoaster.  I’m so ready for the next book in this series after that ending!

As well as being an exhilarating adventure, this is also a powerful story of family, friendship and believing in and accepting yourself.  Onyeka has a wonderfully supportive friend in Cheyenne who anchors her, and I loved that this friendship continues after Onyeka leaves London.  I also enjoyed the slow building of her friendship with Adanna who has her own reasons for finding it hard to trust others. Onyeka shows incredible courage and inner strength as she fights to help her friends and uncover terrible truths.

This is an exhilarating, heart-warming adventure that is sure to be a winner with readers of 9+.

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

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

My parents are in the business of death; that is, they run a small undertaker’s practice in the village of Alderley where we live, half a day’s carriage ride from Bristol. My pa, a cabinet maker by trade, fashions simple caskets. Mama lays out the bodies. ‘The dead can’t hurt us’ is a much-used phrase of hers. On the whole, she is right.

Any ideas?

This one sounds perfect for spooky season!

Goodreads Synopsis:

When you’re dead, you’re dead. When you’re gone, you’re gone.
Unless, of course, you’re not.
And that’s where I come in.

The year is 1897, and Peggy Devona can speak with ghosts.

She hides her gift from those afraid of a girl with such powers, terrified of the secrets the dead could reveal through her. But when her best friend is accused of murdering her rich mistress, Peggy knows only she – a whisperling – can save her.

Peggy escapes to her uncle’s psychic emporium in the city, seeking out new ghosts to help her solve Sally’s case.

Yet time is running out, and each step towards uncovering the truth also brings Sally one step closer to the gallows. . .

What do you think? Is this one that grabs your interest?

The Extraordinary Voyage of Katy Willacott is a truly incredible adventure brimming with discovery, danger and daring:  a story which captured me completely as I was swept into an unforgettable journey by the most remarkable young girl as she fights against society’s expectations and chases fallen stars …

It’s 1879, and Katy Willacott dreams of becoming an adventurer like her heroine, journalist and explorer, Fran Brocklehurst.  Imagine her excitement when she gets the opportunity to meet Fran when she visits Kew Gardens to interview Katy’s mother who is a botanist there.  Their meeting is rudely interrupted by naturalist, Sir Thomas Derby who wants to move the herbarium to the soon-to-be-opened Natural History Museum. He displays a rude, condescending and sexist attitude towards women stating that there is no place for females in the sciences and that botany is only acceptable as a hobby.

As if this wasn’t terrible enough, her own father seems to hold similar views if not expressed in such a rude manner.  He works for Sir Thomas at the British Museum and, when he is offered the opportunity to lead his first expedition, Katy is keen to help on the dig.  She is left angry when her father refuses to allow her to go telling her that she is too young; however, Katy knows it has more to do with the fact that she is female than age.

After her father and brother leave, her grandfather shows Katy a newspaper article which reveals that Sir Thomas is undertaking an expedition to Brazil to recover meteorites for the British Museum.  Katy has a keen interest in sailing, nature and astronomy so cannot resist the opportunity to follow her adventurer’s heart …

So begins the most incredible adventure as Katy disguises herself as a cabin boy and gains employment aboard the Alerte on its voyage to Brazil, and what a voyage across the seas it is:  a voyage filled with danger, discoveries and mystery, but also one in which Katy forms friendships and proves herself a worthy, capable and courageous sailor, earning the respect of the captain and crew. 

Once the Alerte arrives in Brazil, Katy soon finds herself on an exciting expedition into the rainforest, along with some new companions, and on the trail of an elusive meteorite.  But the jungle is a dangerous place when there are those intent on destruction, hunting and plundering …  Katy may have adventured into the rainforest to find a meteorite, but she discovers so much more …

This really is an extraordinary, action-packed and breath-taking adventure which transported me into the natural wonders of the rainforest alongside those who appreciated its beauty.  I loved learning more about the flora and fauna from Katy and her new friends.  I don’t want to go into any more detail about the plot for fear of spoilers, but suffice to say that this is a story that will astonish, astound and amaze in equal measure:  a truly engrossing, unputdownable and thought-provoking adventure.

There is so much scope for discussion with the powerful themes within the story including the treatment of indigenous people, colonisation, exploitation of natural resources, trophy hunting, the acquisition of artefacts by museums, and classism and gender inequality in Victorian society.

The world is full of extraordinary women doing extraordinary things.

And I just have to finish with Katy!  What an extraordinary heroine embarking on an extraordinary adventure!  She is curious, empathetic and perceptive with the strength, courage and tenacity to follow her own path, and to learn and change from her experiences.  She is not prepared to accept the place she is expected to take in society as a female; instead, she follows her heart and achieves more than she had dreamed of …a truly exceptional heroine, and a character who offers such empowerment for others.

A stunning adventure of courage, hope and friendship across the sea and into the wonders and dangers of the rainforest, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Little Tiger for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ve just started The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley as my next adult read – definitely think this is one I’ll enjoy. I’ve also started Ember Shadows and the Fates of Mount Never which has started brilliantly. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

I finished The Vampire Slayer’s Survival Guide which I absolutely loved – I have posted my review. I also read Safe which follows on from Flight which I read last week. I will be posting my review as part of the upcoming Blog Tour. I picked up Wingbearer on Saturday as I’m trying to read more graphic novels. I enjoyed this, and think it will be one my class also enjoy.

I was going to read this one this week, but I’ve gone on holiday and we’ve been out and about too much for me to spend hours reading a book in one setting, and I think this is one I’m going to need to read in one sitting! I will definitely be spending hours with this when I get home.

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

I absolutely loved How Not to be a Vampire Slayer so was super excited to read The Vampire Slayer’s Survival Guide and, oh my, what a fantastically funny, heart-warming adventure this is – just perfect for spooky, but not too spooky, season!

It can easily be read as a standalone, but I would bet a bottle of ketchup, that readers will adore Maggie’s first adventure in Goreway too, so it definitely is worth treating yourself to both books to save a return trip to your bookshop.

Now, you might not expect a vampire and a vampire slayer to be best friends.  But what if I told you that the vampire in question is a ketchup-obsessive vegetarian, and the slayer is more partial to protecting and encouraging good dental hygiene than slaying?  When we meet these two friends, Sharptooth Shadow and Maggie Helsby, they are playing hide-and-seek, or is it seek-and-hide?  It is not long before they are joined by friends Ari and Miles discussing graphic novels, upcoming detentions, the dangers of trying to get a vampire to brush their fangs with minty toothpaste and the revelation that, all the supernatural creatures that humans believe don’t exist, DO!  Yes – there’s ghosts, werewolves, zombies, mummies … and they’re about to descend on Goreway! 

Luckily, the enchantments that surround Skeleton Forest will keep them away from Maggie’s vampire friends, and the treasure that is supposedly hidden in the castle so they will soon get bored and go away.  Did I say luckily?  What I meant to say was ‘unluckily’ as the enchantments are in fact weakening, and, as if that wasn’t danger enough, Count Bloodthirst has decided to have them lowered again to allow his humans friends to visit the castle for a tour.  As if the threat from monster treasure-seekers isn’t enough, there is someone even more dangerous hunting them …  will Maggie be able to protect both the vampires and the supernatural creatures from a monster hunter intent on their capture?

This is an absolute riot of a story that brought both giggles galore and shivers of delight as I followed Maggie, Sharptooth and their friends, both old and new, on a fangtastically action-packed, exciting, hilarious adventure that had me eagerly turning the pages in anticipation of what was coming next.  I loved the unexpected revelations, the twists, the daring journey (I’ll say no more but, my goodness – comedic genius and good old-fashioned Indiana Jones mixed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer perfection!).  Mischievous bats, ghosts in the toilets, monsters in the bins, football matches with a difference: utterly brilliant and just so incredibly funny!

What utterly fabulous characters both Maggie and Sharptooth are – definitely some of my favourites ever and, as I read a lot of children’s books, that really is a compliment!  They have such a warm, strong and supportive friendship willing to accept and celebrate differences and to learn from each other.  Sharptooth is a breath of fresh air if perhaps not fresh breath given her penchant for copious amounts of ketchup and her aversion to toothpaste.  Her wonder at the human world, and her honest, unintentionally witty comments and actions, are truly gorgeous.  I love that Maggie is not prepared to accept her destiny of taking up the mantel of vampire slayer, but is true to who she wants to be – a protector of supernatural creatures and a defender of their right to freedom.    

This is a wonderfully enchanting, rib-tickling supernatural adventure with heart-warming messages of acceptance, being true to yourself, family and friendship.  Perfect for those who like their spooky stories with tears of delight rather than shivers of fright.

Thank you so much to Harriet Dunlea and Scholastic for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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:

Neither of them noticed the yellow house disappearing from view as they wound their way deeper into the countryside, through long grass and heather and tufty fields full of wandering sheep.

This book in three words:

MAGIC, ADVENTURE, COURAGE

The Lost Girl King is a truly spellbinding adventure that swept me into the mythical land of youth and into an action-packed, unforgettable quest brimming with daring, courage and wit.

Amy and her older brother Liam have been sent to spend part of their summer holidays with their Gran in an isolated yellow house in Connemara surrounded by mountains.  They adore their Gran who surrounds herself with books of Irish myths and legends; in fact, she has written a book about the Celtic Otherworld, Tír na nÓg.  Amy is curious about the existence of this mythical world, but Liam, who has a love of science and reading, is convinced it only exists in the imagination.

Keen to seek adventure and avoid boredom, Amy soon cajoles her brother into exploring the area when she sees a white hawk and follows it through an unusual waterfall.  Liam, panicked that his sister has disappeared, overcomes his fear and goes after her …

Amy is convinced that stepping through the waterfall has taken them to Tír na nÓg, the land of eternal youth.  She climbs a huge tree and makes a dangerous discovery:  the sun is tied with a chain, unable to set and frozen in time.  Before the siblings can decide their next steps, Liam is taken by the Dullahan, a group of horrific, headless horsemen commanded by the sorcerer ruler, Tarlock.

And so begins an action-packed, exciting adventure as Amy and Liam find themselves caught up in a heart-pounding quest to free the land of Tír na nÓg and its inhabitants.  Will they be able to defeat the sorcerer, Tarlock?  Will they be able to save their new friends and return home before they are trapped forever beyond the waterfall? 

Amy gathers a band of friends who help her on her journey and what a group of friends they are:  Jonah and Conan, the pooka squirrel, from the Greencloaks; and, Oscar de Barra, leader of the Fianna – chosen protectors of the people of Tír na nÓg.  These friendships don’t get off to the best start, but it was so heart-warming to watch them grow. 

Oh my goodness, I was absolutely enthralled as the brilliance and magic of this story was revealed in tantalising, perfectly balanced dual narrative.  I loved following Amy on her quest to rescue Liam, and Liam on his mission to find out more about the curse and the lost girl king who rules in name only over Silverstone Castle.  I loved that each was determined to save the other, and be reunited with their Gran.  The twists and turns, the heart-racing action, the building tension as heroes and villains come closer and closer, and the character interactions made me gasp out loud, shudder, smile, and some parts brought tears.

I absolutely adored both Amy and Liam who have such a strong, authentic sibling bond.  What a fearless, determined and courageous heroine Amy is!  She is not prepared to sit back and let others do the rescuing, and is wonderfully capable of standing up to others to follow the course of her heart, using her quick wits to bring the heroes of Tír na nÓg together to fight for their freedom from a tyrant.  Liam is braver than he thinks and shows incredible fortitude and resilience as he discovers more about the curse affecting Tír na nÓg and fights to be reunited with his sister.

I grew up on a farm with a fairy tree which still stands alone in the middle of one our fields, and which my dad refused to have cut down for fear of the fairies!  Oh, the number of times growing up, I wandered to that tree and, from a distance, imagined travelling to the land of the fey, but I was never quite brave enough to get too close because I believed in its magic!  I think that tree and those stories are the reason I love portal stories and Celtic folklore, so this stunning book was always going to sing to my heart, and bring so much joy to me as a reader.

This is a magical, joyous and exciting adventure brimming with family and friendship, with danger, delight and hope … an absolute must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.