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 the first day of autumn when I came to Blackbird Castle, the trees copper and green, pumpkins growing along the ditch by the side of the road, a moon like a lidded silver eye already visible in the evening sky – in short, an excellent day for a witch to return to her ancestral home. But of course I knew nothing of witches then.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

When a scarecrow climbs over the garden wall, delivering twelve-year-old orphan Zita Brydgeborn a letter saying she has inherited a distant castle, she jumps at the chance of adventure. But little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a centuries-old battle between good and evil. Blackbird Castle was once home to a powerful dynasty of witches, all of them now dead under mysterious circumstances. Zita is the last of her line. And Zita, unfortunately, doesn’t know the first thing about being a witch. As she begins her lessons in charms and spells with her guardian, Mrs. Cantanker, Zita makes new allies—a crow, a talking marble head, two castle servants just her age named Bram and Minnifer, and the silent ghost of a green-eyed girl. But who is friend and who is foe? Zita must race to untangle her past and find the magic to save the home she’s always hoped for. Because whatever claimed the souls of her family is now after her.

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:

I picked up the rug and folded it, then offered her my arm to lead her back inside.

This book in three words:

FRIENDSHIP, EMPATHY, COURAGE

Girl 38 is a sensitively and beautifully written story that perfectly weaves the past into the present, and shows how empathising with past events can impact on present ones, how learning about the bravery of others can lead to the strength to change our own path.  Both the past and the present stories within this book captured me completely, and I found the impact Ania’s story had on Kat really powerful, heart-warming and hopeful.

Girl 38 is the courageous comic strip heroine created by Kat, a heroine that she wishes she could be more like as she is finding her own reality difficult to deal with.  Kat has been friends with Gem ever since their first day at school, but theirs is a toxic friendship as Gem is controlling and manipulative with Kat constantly on edge, trying to keep her happy and going along with her plans, even when they make her feel uneasy.  Kat feels under constant pressure to do whatever Gem wants, desperate not to have her turn her bullying attention on her the way she has on others. 

One day, Kat helps her elderly Polish neighbour, Ania Jankowski after a fall.  She feels an instant rapport with her and they soon develop a warm relationship as Ania shares her painting of her best friend Mila from many years previously.  Kat’s interest is immediately piqued and Ania agrees to tell her about her past.  I loved how their relationship developed so that Kat was eventually able to open up to Ania to share her own problems and to seek comfort and strength in their friendship and in Ania’s story.

Ania’s story is woven throughout the narrative, and is one of incredible daring, determination and courage.  Ania lived in Poland during the Second World War.  She watched her friend Mila being taken away.  She had promised she would find her friend, and it is a promise which she intended keeping, no matter what.  I was really eager for Kat to visit Ania so that I could learn more of her incredible story, and I can absolutely see how listening to Ania’s inspirational story gave Kat the courage to face her fears, just like her heroine, Girl 38.

Just after Kat starts visiting Ania, a new boy, Julius, starts at Kat’s school and he soon attracts the attention of Gem who wants to teach him a lesson for taking the attention away from her.  She ropes Kat into helping her and, even though she doesn’t want to and knows she shouldn’t, Kat goes along with her plans which get more and more humiliating for Julius.  As Kat learns more of Ania’s history, will she have the courage and strength to stand up for herself, to be open and honest and to allow herself the opportunity to develop a healthy friendship?  Can she become the heroine of her own future?

The depiction of the relationships in this story felt incredibly genuine from the toxic relationship between Gem and Kat to the growing friendship between her and Julius and her warm relationship with Ania.  Even though Gem is certainly a bully, I liked that the author gave an insight into her insecurity which may go some way to explaining, but not excusing, her bullying.

This is a story that truly captured my heart:  I was completely invested in both Ania’s and Kat’s stories, and enjoyed how Ania’s story impacted on Kat’s present and helped her face up to a difficult situation, changing her future. 

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’m reading The Blackthorn Branch which I’m really enjoying. I love stories with the Fair Folk and these are definitely out to cause trouble! I’m really enjoying the audiobook of Starboard– the narrator is great. I’m loving the idea of the SS Great Britain coming to life and heading out to sea with waning reality star, Kirsten and her former best friend. Kirsten is the reluctant captain of the ship which intends to head to New York. This is great fun and so inventive.

I’ve finished reading Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse and have posted my review. I really enjoyed this which is such a great adventure based on Hindu mythology. Kiki has anxiety and OCD and this is addressed brilliantly by the author. I also read My Friend the Octopus which is the second book I’ve read by this author. I adored Darwin’s Dragon and have read it to my class. My Friend the Octopus is such a brilliant mystery! The friendship which grows between the octopus, Ghost, and Vinnie is gorgeous. I learned so much about these wonderful creatures. I also read Ghost and Bone which I’ve had on my bookshelf for ages. Oscar Grimstone works in an undertakers and has the ability to transform into a ghost. When he meets another ghost in a skeleton carriage, a dark adventure begins where he visits the city of ghosts which overlays our own world. This definitely has some scary moments and some details that might be quite horrific for younger readers, but it completely gripped me and I read it in a single sitting. I loved finding out why Oscar can switch between being living and being a ghost. This does remind me a little of Pratchett.

I’m hoping to read Small! next, and I’ll probably pick up an adult book too, but I’m not sure what yet – maybe The Leviathan, The Sanitorium or The House on the Cerulean Sea!

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

Our Sister, Again is a powerful, poignant and thought-provoking story that absolutely gripped me.  This is a story which resonates with the deeply felt heartache of grief; a story of hope and acceptance; and, of family healing and supportive friendships. 

For three years, 13-year-old Isla and her family have been grieving the death of her older sister, Flora.  This grief has torn the family apart with her dad moving out as he could not accept a decision made by the rest of the family:  a decision to join the Second Chances Homecoming Project which promised the return of Flora as an AI to live again with her family.  In order to keep the Project top-secret, the whole community on the small island of Eilean Dearg in the Outer Hebrides have had to enter an agreement to keep the trial hidden from others. But what if not everyone is happy to keep Flora’s secret?

The ‘new’ Flora is an exact replica of Isla’s sister, having had a digital footprint uploaded using Flora’s extensive social media.  Her mother and sisters are overjoyed to have her back, and are keen to help her fit in to island life again.  However, her father does not believe it is possible to recreate a human, and wants the rest of his family to accept that Flora is gone.  The theme of grief is heartfelt and poignant and permeates the story as family and community are dealing with varying stages of loss, acceptance and healing.

Not everyone on the island is accepting of the project and, when threats are directed towards Flora, Isla is determined to protect her sister from danger.   Will Isla be able to solve the mystery of who is so set against Flora’s return that they may well be willing to cause her harm?  Could someone close be capable of betraying their friendship, or is Flora not the only hidden secret on the island?

This is an incredibly powerful, compelling and absorbing read that raises issues around personhood, ethics and social media.  As a teacher, I love opportunities to discuss ‘What if …?’ questions with my class, and there are so many that can be posed through this story.  What if it is possible to recreate a human based on a digital footprint?  What if we never had to say goodbye?  What if your social media imprint defines you as a person?  What if you were denied fundamental rights because of who you are?  What if you had to fight for freedom from ownership and for your right to exist?  This would be a brilliant class read with so much scope for fascinating book talk!

I really enjoyed the relationships at the heart of this story, and the changes within these. Flora is aware that she is a returnee and cares for her family, but she is also aware that she is different and, as the story progresses, she explores her individuality and humanity.  The relationship between Isla and her younger sister Una is adorable with Isla having stepped into the role of big sister after the loss of Flora.  There is also a gorgeous, supportive relationship which develops as Isla develops a crush on another girl in her football team which is just perfect and really made my heart melt.

And, that ending – it brought tears and smiles – and was exquisite!  An absolute must-read and a brilliant addition to any school library. 

Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

SuperQuesters:  The Case of the Stolen Sun is the first in a fun new interactive STEM series, aimed at children aged 4-8.

Children take part in a series of engaging, interactive and fun quests, each of which encourages the development of a range of STEM skills from pattern recognition and problem-solving to algorithms and coding. There is a really helpful glossary of Stem Skills included at the end of the book.

The story starts with a science problem which Lilli and her two best friends, Bea and Leo, need to work on together to solve.  After holding hands and closing their eyes for some hard thinking, they find themselves in Questland which has had its sun stolen.  Can they track down the culprits, Lord Grumble and his Snapettes, and return daytime to Questland?   Will they learn the answer to their science problem whilst exploring Questland?

So begins a series of eight quests where the reader is actively engaged in helping the new superheroes fulfil their quests by completing STEM-linked activities and games for each one.  Each activity is clearly introduced and there are stickers at the back of the book to use to complete each activity.

When a quest is finished, a sticker can be placed on the Reward Chart at the start of the book.  I can imagine the solving of each quest to be a wonderful opportunity for both collaborative and independent learning although I imagine each child in a group will want their own copy of the book! 

SuperQuesters has a wonderfully unique format with a fun fantasy adventure story interspersed with a range of appealing games and activities to take the reader to the next quest.  The illustrations are gorgeous and I really liked how the background changes from darker to lighter as the quest is followed.  Each quest is made up of the adventure on one page and the STEM activity on the other (often with helpful notes or warnings) which makes it clear to follow.

I can definitely see this appealing to young readers who will enjoy working through the quests with an adult, in a collaborative group, or independently if they are slightly older.  This is a truly fantastic way to encourage a love of STEM skills in a really imaginative and engaging way, and is perfect for both home and school.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and QuestFriendz for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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!

The potion was a sludgy, toady green that seemed to writhe as it was stirred. Cassie urged it, with all her might, to bubble and boil. Sian intoned the magic words, ‘Hocus hokum, fix what’s broken!’ Nothing happened.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassie’s older brother Byron has fallen in with the wrong crowd – it’s soon clear these boys are wild, reckless and not human at all. They are tylwyth teg – Fair Folk, who tempt humans down into the dark places of the world. And Byron is tempted. When he goes missing, Cassie and her cousin, Siân, follow his trail to an old abandoned railway tunnel which goes down and down into Annwn, the underworld. Here they find that the tylwyth teg are restless – and angry. Their leader, Gwenhidw, wants to protect Annwn from the damage humans are doing to the world. Byron is part of her plan. But Cassie won’t let her big brother be part of anyone’s plan. Can she rescue her brother before it is too late?

Thank you so much to Sarah Farmer and Hachette Children’s Group for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse is Kiki’s second adventure into her magical sketchbook Kingdom of Mysore and which she refers to as Kikiverse!   This can easily be read as a standalone as it gives some cleverly interwoven snippets into the first adventure which allows the reader to dive straight into this adventure although, I must say that, even you haven’t read the first adventure, these snippets are definitely going to make you want to pick it up.

I’m going to start by saying that I absolutely LOVED this exciting, fast-paced adventure that I devoured in a single sitting.  It transported me seamlessly into a richly imagined, vivid world which blends aspects of Kiki’s life in London with her knowledge of India and its Hindu mythology creating a magnificent tapestry of mythology, creativity and fantasy that was utterly fascinating and a real feast for the imagination.

Kiki has left behind her magical kingdom and returned to London with a friend from that adventure, not expecting to ever be able to return.  Imagine her surprise when she returns from school to discover that she has an unexpected visitor who should never have been able to enter her world.  Lej, one of her rebel friends from Mysore, tells her that the kingdom is in grave danger and needs her help. The River Kaveri has vanished leaving no source of water.  Kiki is determined to help, leaping into her sketchbook, back to Mysore, and into another thrilling, action-packed adventure …

When Kiki cannot paint the River Kaveri back into existence, she learns its story:  more than 100 years before, the kingdom was threatened with destruction by the demon, Sura, and in order to save it, Princess Kaveri became a river, but she was betrayed … Will Kiki and her rebel Crows be able to break the curse, free the Princess and save the kingdom? Is there more than one truth within the myth?

Just wow!  I absolutely couldn’t put this down as I was taken on the most exciting, action-packed adventure brimming with danger, twists and revelations that made me gasp.  I don’t want to give any spoilers, but suffice to say that nothing is quite what it seems!  There is a real warmth which flowed through the messages and characters, especially those relating to kindness, healing and forgiveness, and is something I really enjoyed in the story and which made me really invested in it.   

Kiki is the MOST wonderful character: kind, creative, courageous and determined, but also dealing with mental health issues related to compulsiveness and anxiety. I loved that she opens up to her mum about her OCD, talks about her feelings, accepts herself, and gets help which I think is such an important message to help young readers who may be struggling with their own mental health, and to encourage empathy in others. I loved the camaraderie between Kiki and the Crows, the group of friends she created in her world. There is plenty of opportunity for quick-witted humour, support and disagreements through these friendships which made the relationships feel really authentic. I must mention Simha, the lion and Numa, the gargoyle: I guarantee these two will make you giggle!

This is a dazzling delight of a story, perfect for readers of 9+ who will be transported into an unforgettable adventure to save a kingdom.  I so hope that there will be more adventures for Kiki and her friends as this is a world I’d love to return to.

Author

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

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:

The woods swallowed her like a calm ocean, full of gentle rustles and creaks and the drip, drip of dew falling from leaves.

This book in three words:

NATURE, ADVENTURE, FRIENDSHIP

The Map of Leaves is a thrilling, wild-hearted adventure which utterly gripped me:  a story of nature, healing, accepting friendship and fighting back.  An extraordinary adventure that is perfect for nature-lovers and adventurers of 9+.

12-year-old Orla Carson has lived alone on the edge of the village of Thorn Creek since the death of her Ma, surrounded by her wild garden filled with plants which are her only friends:  friends who she talks to and who respond to her.  I found this symbiotic bond between Orla and the plants utterly enchanting and loved how they offered comfort, advice and warnings whilst my heart ached at the fear and pain that she felt emanating from them as their existence is threatened. 

When a terrible sickness comes to Orla’s village, the Warden blames nature and is determined to get rid of plant life in order to protect the people from this sickness.  Orla does not believe his assertions and has noticed that the plants themselves are suffering.  With her Ma’s book which hides its own secrets, Plants and their Medicinal Uses, she steals away in river boat -along with two other stowaways, Idris and Ariana – determined to find a cure and to discover the truth behind the invading sickness …

So begins an exhilarating, wild adventure brimming with danger, revelations and twists as each of the three children have their own reasons to follow the river and seek answers.  Will they discover the origin of the sickness before it decimates their village and beyond?  Will they be able to save those they love?  Will they find the strength and courage to trust in each other and work together to reveal the truth?

Orla is one of the most complex characters I have met in middle-grade, and someone I was privileged to get to know and understand.  She is roiling in anger, hurt and grief so lashes out as a way to protect herself from further pain.  She is fiercely independent and has put up a shell to protect herself and to survive on her own, and this leads to difficult interactions as she struggles to overcome prejudice and let her guard down, and to trust in others.  When she slowly and tentatively allows Idris and Ariana into her life, she finds a growing strength to believe in herself, and in the bonds of friendship.

There are some wonderful messages about the importance of respecting nature and looking after our environment so that it can look after us.  I loved the reference to herbal remedies under each chapter.  There are also themes of greed, and grasping for power, spreading poison through words and deeds, to the detriment of communities and the natural environment.

The Map of Leaves sings to the heart of nature, to the bonds of friendship, and takes the reader on a breath-taking, unforgettable adventure.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House Books for a proof 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’m just started two books. The Blackthorn Branch is definitely intriguing. If a book mentions Fae/The Fair Folk, I’m always eager to read it. I loved this influence in The Clockwork Crow series, but I definitely get the feeling this one is for top end Primary and into secondary. I’ve also just started Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse which I’m really enjoying, especially the interactions between the characters. I think this is going to be a quick read for me today.

I’ve finished When Women Were Dragons. It took me quite a while to get into this but, when I did, I really enjoyed it. I loved the relationship between Alex and Beatrice and I felt the book really took off when the two girls became the central part of the story. I also finished the audiobook of Show Us Who You Are which was fantastic. Cora is such a strong, honest character and her friendship with Adrien is just gorgeous. Chapter 13!! I also read The Consequence Girl which I couldn’t put down. This is another brilliant sci-fi adventure where Cora lives with her carer on a mountain in the world of Colony which has three main living areas remaining. Cora has an ability which the rulers of Colony want to control and, when her whereabouts is discovered, she goes on the run. This is a fast-paced, danger-filled adventure linked to changing the past and how its effects this ripples through time … I now definitely need to read Adam-2! I also felt like a return to Starfell so read Willow Moss and the Magic Thief which I absolutely adored. Starfell’s magic is being drained and it is in danger of dying. Willow is determined to get her magic back in order to stop Silas from harming Starfell further. She is joined on an action-packed adventure by her old friends which, of course, includes the adorable Oswin. I love the messages of being true to yourself, hope and friendship, and Willow is one of my favourite characters ever!

I’m hoping to read My Friend the Octopus next which I’m really looking forward to as I loved Darwin’s Dragons.

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

Well, where did May go? It’s been a busy month with the run-up to SATs (so glad they’re over!) and, although I always think the summer term will be less hectic after SATs, it never is. I’m currently on half-term which involves report-writing, but I’m also aiming to enjoy some reading.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 13 books this month: 8 physical copies, 1 e-books and 4 audiobooks.

NetGalley:

My Feedback Ratio is at 98%. I have two books to read and review on my NetGalley Shelf. I now have a physical copy of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun. NetGalley has a publication date of 6th July, but I think this must have been moved forward.

Books sent by publishers:

I have been lucky enough to have been sent these books by publishers this month. I will be taking part in Blog Tours for a couple of these in June.

Books bought:

I’ve bought 14 books this month which is a fair few more than I’d normally get but, on the plus side, I’ve actually read a few of them and some are for my class library as I’d only read e-ARCs. And I will read them all – eventually!

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