Adventures are best served with a drizzle of moonlight and a sprinkling of stars. 

The Midnighters is a mesmerising gothic adventure that swept me into a world brimming with wonderment, intrigue and anticipation that kept me utterly entranced throughout.

Prague, 1877:  Ema Vašková is the twelfth child born into a gifted, driven family of scientists, at the stroke of midnight on 12^th December 1877 at the exact moment her grandmother, Liliana, dies.  Whilst she is loved and nurtured by her family, she does not find an accepted field of science in which to excel.  Instead, she has a sixth sense for predicting impending doom, a heightened fear of shadows and an uncanny ability to remain unnoticed by others:  abilities that make her feel lost and alone in a world that doesn’t understand her.

When Ema’s parents leave to join their eldest daughter on an expedition, 12-year-old Ema is sent to stay with her mother’s eccentric twin brother, Josef, where she is given her grandmother’s attic room.  At midnight, she looks across to the nearby window of the abandoned house opposite and meets Silvie, a mysterious, fearless girl with a heart for adventure, who promises to take Ema on secret midnight escapades to help conquer her fears.  The girls enjoy exciting monthly adventures across the city until the night Silvie disappears …

Ema is determined to search the city to find her friend and, when she uncovers a clue from Silvie, she is led to the spectacle of the Midnight Guild, a secret society under the city, and into the heart of a mesmerising mystery which pulsates with excitement, danger, twists and revelations.  Will Ema find the courage to face her fears and save her friend?  What secrets are so dangerous that someone may be prepared to murder to keep them hidden? 

I really enjoyed the dark, tense atmosphere with spine-tingling frissons of fear and a sense of almost unbearable anticipation as the mystery crescendoed. This darker mood is relieved with lighter tones as Ema and Silvie explore the city at night not to mention the wonderful Maine Coone, Ferkel, who causes mayhem for Josef – and plenty of baking opportunities!  And then there is the Midnight Guild:  breath-taking, dazzling and intriguing, but also rather intense and beguiling.

Ema is an incredibly sympathetic protagonist who struggles to find her place within her scientist family.  It is only when she meets Silvie, who believes in her, that she feels encouraged to overcome her fears as they build a trusting friendship and undertake daring midnight adventures.  Both girls are enigmas and I was just as entranced by Ema’s intuitiveness, curiosity and journey to self-discovery and acceptance as I was with unravelling Silvie’s secrets. 

The dustjacket and hardback cover illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and really capture the intrigue and wonder of Prague that is to be found within the pages of the adventure. Each chapter heading has a stunning, detailed oval miniature which complements the story perfectly.

The Midnighters is an exhilarating, spellbinding adventure of friendship, fearlessness and acceptance, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Puffin Books for providing me with a gorgeous finished hardback copy of The Midnighters in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on this week’s Blog Tour below:

Oh my goodness! June has been a ridiculously busy month – school production, writing moderation, fundraising week, finishing reports, assessments – and even some actual teaching! But, I still managed to fit in some reading!

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 12 books this month: 8 physical copies, 1 e-book and 3 audiobooks.

NetGalley:

My Feedback Ratio is at 96%. I have requested and been approved for two books this month.

Books sent by publishers:

I have been lucky enough to have been sent these books by publishers this month.

Books bought:

I’ve bought 12 books this month. I’ve read some of these already. I read an e-book of Boy, Everywhere but wanted a physical copy for my class library. I supported the CharChar Literacy charity by buying a hardback copy of The Starspun Web which I have read in paperback, and a couple of other books.

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

I’m currently reading The Blackthorn Branch which I’m really enjoying. It is set in a Welsh village and includes the Fair Folk who have gotten their clutches into Cassie’s brother, and she is in fear of losing him. It is wonderfully atmospheric and dark. Cassie and her cousin Sian have to show incredible courage to try to save Byron. I’m hoping to finish this one this evening.

I have just finished listening to the audiobook of Noah’s Gold which is just BRILLIANT! I absolutely loved the narration and the story which was so funny and heart-warming. The children are all so perfectly portrayed and are incredibly likeable and believable. I’m very tempted to make this my first class read aloud in September, especially as we’ll be going on a residential early in the year! I read The Midnighters over the weekend which I really enjoyed. I loved the Prague setting, especially the Guild under the city. I will be posting my review early next week.

I’m hoping to read The Mermaid Call over the weekend.

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

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

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

It was a night so dusky the streetlamps looked like fallen stars. A night seized by a fierce frost, which crept up the spires of Prague until they glimmered like diamond stalagmites, then inched across the Vltava River until its entire surface was as smooth as marble. It was a night that would bear a new small life. And, alas, a smidge of death.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ema Vašková has always felt different. In a family of famous scientists, there’s not much room for superstition or omens – but they seem to follow Ema wherever she goes. It doesn’t help that she appears to predict events before they happen, and has a peculiar fear of shadows . . . When Ema is sent to stay with her eccentric uncle in Prague, she fears she’ll lose the chance to ever fit in. But then she meets Silvie – a girl who finally sees Ema for the extraordinary person that she is. Soon the girls are meeting for secret midnight adventures, and facing Ema’s fears together. But then disaster strikes. Silvie goes missing – and it’s up to Ema to find her. Now she must gather the courage to hunt the city, find her friend, and uncover the secrets of the one clue Silvie left as to where she might be – inside the mysterious Midnight Guild . . .

I read Darwin’s Dragons earlier this year, and loved it so much that I read it as a class read aloud to my Year 6 class who were spellbound by it.  My Friend the Octopus was, therefore, an eagerly anticipated read, and I can confirm that it is just as enthralling a story:  an utterly gripping Victorian mystery with the most heart-warming bond between a young girl and her octopus friend at its core.

Twelve-year-old Vinnie Fyfe is the daughter of a high-society milliner who is woken in the middle of the night by her mother to take a trip under mysterious circumstances.  Soon, she finds herself separated from her mother for the first time – left in Brighton with her Aunt Bets who runs a popular tea-shop at Brighton aquarium – whilst her mother takes a business trip to Paris.

When her aunt sends her on an errand, Vinnie finds herself in another world, the awe-inspiring world of the aquarium, where she longs to draw the incredible creatures, and where she witnesses the arrival of something that will change her life in the most wonderful and unimaginable way …

Vinnie is introduced to the newest, crowd-drawing arrival at the aquarium:  a giant octopod.  Even though this devil fish frightens Vinnie at first, she is also fascinated by her.  I adored the heartachingly beautiful bond that forms between Vinnie and the octopus she names Ghost, who is playful, intelligent and a master of disguise who communicates with Vinnie through colour.  I loved learning so many fascinating facts about this awe-inspiring creature and thought it was wonderful that the story is divided into three sections, named after the three hearts of an octopus.

Vinnie’s two worlds collide when her London life is brought unexpectedly into focus when she is visited by a former employee of her mother, Mr Jedders, who becomes a blight on her new life.  What unfinished business does he have with her mother?  Why hasn’t Vinnie had any correspondence from Paris?  Could there be something more sinister to her mother’s disappearance? 

Soon, Vinnie and her friends, Charlie and Temitayo, find themselves thrown into a mystery that leads them into terrible danger and unexpected discoveries as they work together to uncover the truth behind her mother’s sudden disappearance. 

I wished I had three hearts like an octopus. 

Then maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much if one got broken.

Vinnie is the most wonderful young girl who has been brought up by a mother who shows her affection, but who is also controlling, expecting Vinnie to follow her choices.  She has led a very sheltered life, focussed on supporting her mother in her millinery enterprise and obeying her wishes.  When she moves to Brighton, she is given much more freedom and, whilst wary of this at first, I love the joy she takes from new experiences such as cycling, sea-bathing and drawing creatures which makes her feel more alive.  Vinnie shows incredible strength and tremendous courage to make her own choices, standing up for herself and what she believes in, despite the pain this causes.  I adored Vinnie’s relationship with Aunt Bets who is warm-hearted, honest and gregarious, encouraging Vinnie to ‘get doing’, to not be scared to make mistakes to help her learn and to enjoy new experiences. 

This story gives both a fascinating and horrifying insight into Victorian Society with the popularity of seaside resorts and aquariums; interest in natural history; the entrenched racism; colonisation; class and gender divisions; the influence of mass media; and, the terrible working and living conditions suffered by many in slums and backstreet workshops. These insights would open so many opportunities for discussion in a classroom as, of course, would finding out more about octopuses.  As a teacher, this is a story I would be very excited to use as a class text for English as it has such rich opportunities for enhancing the curriculum.  I’m already coming up with so many ideas!

I just have to mention how gorgeous this book looks!  The inside covers have fantastic images related to Brighton Aquarium and octopuses; the chapter headings have beautiful drawings of sea creatures; there are newspaper articles; and, factual information related to the Victorians, Brighton Aquarium and octopuses – and even a recipe! 

My Friend the Octopus is an unmissable, heartfelt story of friendship, courage and being true to yourself that is perfect for readers of 9+ who are guaranteed to be endlessly entranced by this exceptional story.

Thank you so much to Laura Smythe and Chicken House Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 

I’ve had a ridiculously busy week and very little sleep so I’ve not picked a book up to read since the weekend. I am, however, listening to Noah’s Gold to and from my drive to work. Wow! Firstly, I absolutely LOVE the narration – it’s just so lovely to listen to an Irish accent – taking me home! And I hadn’t realised this was set in Northern Ireland – so lovely to hear places which are familiar to me mentioned in a story. And then, there’s the story! Noah is so incredibly likeable. This is such a feel good, wonderfully funny story and is exactly what I need now.

I finished listening to the audiobook of The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy which is surreal and genuinely brilliant. I absolutely loved this which would have made me throw my arms in the air a lot (if I hadn’t been driving!) and had me both giggling and confused! I think I definitely need to had to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I also read The Dragon in the Bookshop which I really enjoyed – I will be posting my review as part of the Blog Tour soon. Finally, I read something from my towering bookcases. The Last Firefox is a gorgeous story suited to younger readers which has some wonderful messages about finding inner strength and self-belief. The main character, Charlie, has two dads: I loved this representation of family which is so great to see in stories for younger readers.

This might be ambitious, but I’m hoping to have both of these read by next Wednesday!

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

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 mother says that until the lions have their own storytellers, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. She has a proverb to suit most situations. She says that proverbs are ‘jewels from the ancestors’ to guide us through the challenges of life.

Any ideas?

I love mystery stories and this one, set in Georgian London, sounds so good!

Goodreads Synopsis

Twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House – but they both share a love of solving mysteries. And when their eyes meet in the audience of the Drury Lane theatre one night, both girls are sure they’ve seen something suspicious on stage. Lizzie and Belle soon find themselves on the trail of a mystery – and becoming best friends. But can they work out what’s going on in time to prevent a murder? 

Today, I’m excited to share the stunning paperback cover image (by Kristina Kister) for the brilliant The Book of Stolen Dreams which is being released on 1st September.

You can read my review of this unmissable adventure here.

In order to whet your appetite, you can enjoy reading an extract below:

#GIVEAWAY : You can also go to my pinned tweet (@marysimms72) to enter a giveaway to win a hardback copy of this stunning book which will be sent to the winner by the Publisher.

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:

When Mr Ogg said he didn’t like Smalls, he meant he didn’t like humans.

This book in three words:

FUNNY, FRIENDSHIP, GIANTS

Small! is BIG on hilarity, heart and hope – with a good dollop of yuckiness, smelliness and zaniness.  A tasty treat of an adventure which delighted me, grossed me out ever so slightly and left me with a giant grin! 

On his tenth birthday, Harvey Small gets an odd collection of presents:  a pair of stilts, too-long dungarees and a too-big top hat!  Could this be connected to his recent move to live near a swamp and his GIANT visitor?  Well, that’s a definite ‘yes’ as Harvey finds that his Mum has enrolled him in Madame Bogbrush’s School for Gifted Giants as a boarder.  Will he be able to maintain his disguise and prove himself a gifted giant?  Let’s hope so as, if he’s rumbled, he’s in real danger of being stomped into a sandwich as giants do not like Smalls (a.k.a humans). 

Harvey has had to move schools a lot since his mum and dad split up, something for which he blames himself, making it hard for him to find friends.  Imagine his delight when, for the first time at a new school, he is welcomed by a student who is excited to meet him.  Could he possibly have found a friend in Walloping Toenail?  Of course, there is the small matter that his classmates enjoy Small-bashing – with clubs! 

Just as Harvey is settling in, making a friend, and getting used to a timetable of stomping, clobbering and grunting, not to mention a rather unique menu, their Headteacher, Mrs Mahoosive, brings news to make him quake in his stomping boots.  The Beastly School Board is sending an inspector … is Harvey in danger of having his disguise uncovered?  And, what if he is not the only gifted giant in danger?  Will he be able to save himself and a classmate?

Oh my goodness!  This was such a brilliant read with oodles of giggles, a mystery to solve, a sense of danger, and unexpected twists and revelations.   I can just imagine how much joy children will get from reading this independently or having it read aloud.  There is a real sense of playfulness from the names, the school activities and food, the many opportunities for mishaps and mayhem not to mention olfactory overload and the swamp goblins!  Alongside this, there is a real depth and warmth in the building of friendships, support and trust.

I loved the inclusion of the Timetables, the School Inspectors Reports, the capitalisation and bold text.  I also adored the gorgeous illustrations sprinkled throughout the text which are guaranteed to bring a smile, and complement the story perfectly.  All of these elements make this a really accessible read.

But even the scariest things aren’t quite as scary with a best friend by your side.

Harvey Small is an incredibly sympathetic young boy.  He feels a failure:  failing at school, failing at friendship, and failing at keeping his parents together.  He gets his first taste of real friendship when he meets the endearing, kind-hearted, curious Walloping Toenail and the two form a wonderful bond.  This bond makes Harvey feel like a giant, giving him the strength, courage and self-belief to face danger, and reveal truths – and blue underpants!

Small! fizzes with warmth, humour and acceptance – guaranteed to be a GIANT hit with young readers of 8+.

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

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!

I’ve just started listening to The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – I think this is one I’ll enjoy. I’m still reading The Blackthorn Branch, but have not got as far as I thought I would as I picked up The Last Firefox on a whim, and have continued to read it as it is just the fun, easy read I need now.

I had a nightmare after watching Stranger Things so woke up at 4am and decided read Race to the Frozen North which tells the story of Matthew Henson which is a brilliant novella from Barrington Stoke. This is one I’m thinking about using with Year 6. I also read Small! which was a really fun read with plenty of humour. I will be posting my review shortly. I finished listening to Starboard which I absolutely loved – think this might now be my favourite Nicola Skinner book. I really loved the whole concept of the SS Great Britain taking Kirsten, a reality star who is no longer popular, on a journey to find truths about herself. I really enjoyed the interactions between Kirsten, the ship, the map and the mannequins. The ending was so wonderful – I was definitely choking up.

I was lucky enough to have been sent a proof copy of The Mermaid Call which sounds wonderful, so I’m hoping to pick it up next.

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