The Secret Wild is an exciting, action-paced eco-adventure, rooted in friendship and courage, that completely captivated me as I became enveloped in the wonder and mystery of this enchanting adventure.

10-year-old, plant-loving Fern Featherstone spends her time travelling all over the world with her botanist parents as they hunt for rare plants for medical research.  However, when her natural curiosity lands her in danger in the Amazon Rainforest, her parents decide to send her to stay with her uncle as they assume that she will be safer in London than going with them on their next trip … how wrong could they be?

On the flight to London, when a crate opens, a tiny plant rolls towards her.  It seems to understand her, so she decides to keep it:  surely no-one would miss one little plant?  She hides the plant from her eccentric, kind-hearted Uncle Ned, and names it Special.  Special isn’t the only unique plant in London, but the others are much larger and are taking over famous London landmarks.  Many believe this is the work of the Guerrilla Gardener, but who is the Gardener and what is their goal?

When Special becomes unwell, Fern is determined to seek a cure for her friend, and that involves finding out more about where Special has come from … so begins a brilliantly fast-paced, gripping adventure as Fern and her new friend, Woody, find themselves at the heart of an intriguing mystery … a mystery brimming with danger, tension and unexpected twists and turns.  Someone is intent on rewilding London, but will London survive the rewilding?

I really enjoyed the environmental message that was woven throughout the story where we are given a fascinating insight into the awe and wonder of plant life, and the importance of looking after our plants and trees, maintaining balance between humans and nature so that both can thrive. 

I really liked both Fern and Woody, who find a bond through their loneliness, despite their very different upbringings and interests.  Fern has been uprooted from her life travelling the world with her family, and has to navigate both friendship and settling in to a new life in London. Woody has also had upheaval in his life, and is finding it difficult to deal with these changes.  I really enjoyed the tentative and natural building of their friendship which felt really authentic.  They both face their fears and find the courage to stand up for what they believe in, and to help each other when desperately needed.  I just have to add that I absolutely adored eccentric Uncle Ned – a real knight in shining armour!

This is an exhilarating, heart-warming nature-inspired adventure that is sure to delight children of 9+.

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

Thank you so much to Lorraine Keating and Kids Welbeck for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for Hedgewitch.

Giveaway

As part of my stop on the Blog Tour, I am hosting a #Giveaway over on my Twitter account (@marysimms72)where you can find entry details. The prize is a gorgeous hardback copy of Hedgewitch which will be posted from the Welbeck Office. The Giveaway is open to anyone in the UK and Ireland. Good luck to all those who enter!

Review

Hedgewitch is a gorgeously bewitching adventure that completely enthralled me:  an adventure brimming with witchy delights, Faerie tricks and nature-inspired magic.

Twelve-year-old Cassandra Morgan is not allowed outside the boundary of Fowell House, a boarding school where she is unpopular, bullied horribly and alone.  Cassie’s mother had left her there seven years previously, asking her to wait for her return.  When she is called to the Headmistress’s office, Cassie is informed that she is being sent to an orphanage the next morning as her mother is presumed dead.

Booklover Cassie has always found adventures from between the pages of her secret library of books, but is now determined to seek her own adventure by escaping from Fowell House and finding her missing mother.  However, could she be entering a world of danger as children from all over London, including a first former from Fowell House, have gone missing?

It is not long before trouble finds Cassie when she is chased by a gang of creatures carrying knives and nets.  Just as she is about to be kidnapped, she hears a voice telling her to get on the broom she has lifted to defend herself.  Imagine her surprise when she discovers that the voice comes from a cat who has been sent to find her, and that the broom is a witch’s broom which flies them both to safety.  Montague informs Cassie that he has been sent by her aunt, Miranda who has only just learned of her existence.  Oh – and her aunt just happens to be a witch.

Cassie soon finds herself in the village of Hedgely where her aunt is the current Hedgewitch, protecting humans from the faeries who live on the other side of the Hedge, the largest and oldest wood in Britain, situated at the edge of the village.  Whilst Cassie is welcomed by the friendly housekeeper, Mrs Briggs, her aunt Miranda is unfriendly and cold and sets out some rules she is expected to follow, including not entering the Hedge alone.  When she asks about her mother, it is clear that her aunt is not willing to help, so Cassie determines that she will search for her mother on her own.

So begins an incredibly exciting, action-packed adventure as Cassie is drawn inexorably towards the Hedge which holds both nature-filled magic and mesmerising danger.  She finds both friends and enemies in the local coven where she begins her witch-training.  In her search for her mother, will Cassie uncover the truth behind the missing children?  Will she find something that has been missing in her life:  a home, friends and family?  In searching for what she has lost, can she find herself?

Just wow!  This is an utterly captivating story that completely entranced me, reaching the tendrils of its magic from the pages and drawing me into a world that felt irresistibly real.  I adored that the magic was imbued with the beauty and wonder of nature; and, I loved that the Faerie creatures were tricksy and deliciously dark. The unexpected twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat; the danger and deceit gripped me; and, the revelations – oh my goodness:  the revelations!

Cassie is a wonderful young protagonist.  She is determined, curious and courageous.  She is prepared to break the rules for what she believes in, and take risks to help others.  Her kindness towards others is rewarded when she needs help.  I loved the friendships that she forms with her coven friends, Rue and Tabitha. And what can I say about Montague – tetchy, sarcastic – and brilliant! 

The chapter header and interior illustrations are absolutely stunning and really capture the symbiosis between nature and magic, complementing the story perfectly. 

Hedgewitch is a thrilling, magical adventure that is sure to become a firm favourite with readers of 9+.  I absolutely cannot wait for Cassie’s next adventure, Woodwitch.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Thank you so much to Catherine Ward and The Moth for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for The Hunt for David Berman, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I will be sharing my review and a fascinating guest post from the author, Claire Mulligan where she is sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life as a writer.

Review

The Hunt for David Berman is a thrilling war time adventure that absolutely gripped me, and which I devoured in a single sitting.  It is a heart-warming and powerful story of incredible courage found through the bonds of friendship and strength in family.

Robert has been evacuated from London to live with his Grandparents on the Scottish Coast.  His father is fighting in the War, and his mother is in the Wrens.  Finding it difficult to adjust from city to farm life, he is keen to explore the caves along the coastline, hoping to find the treasure alluded to by his grandfather, but instead he finds a boy, David, who has been living in the cave.  David is a Kindertransport child who has run away from the cruel farmer he had been sent to live with, and is trying to survive on his own, terrified that he will be captured and returned to Germany and the Nazis.

David has carried something from Germany that he does not know about, and it is a secret that may well get him killed …  something has been stolen, and a secret agent has been assigned to retrieve it for the Nazis, and he is hunting for a boy … 

So begins an exciting, fast-paced adventure as the boys try to keep David a secret from his grandparents; as they find themselves in dangerous situations; as their suspicions are raised at strange sights; and, as they gradually become aware that one of them is being hunted … 

The parts of the story which are set in the Gestapo Headquarters which give more insight into what has been stolen are chilling, and emphasise the very real danger that David will be in should be found. 

Robert and David are incredibly sympathetic, well-drawn characters who show real strength and courage. They form a close bond of friendship built on trust, empathy and kindness.  Even though they come from different countries, they find understanding through their shared experiences of displacement, separation from loved ones and grief, and each offers the other comfort when needed.  I really enjoyed the part nature played in the story as these two city boys come to appreciate and explore the natural environment and, in particular, I loved the new friend that David makes!

This story gives a heart-breaking insight into the devastation that war has on families.  David’s flashbacks to his life in Berlin and his journey to England are incredibly poignant as he finds himself at the mercy of a cruel foster carer, having suffered both loss and separation.  Robert has also experienced separation and loss which he struggles to deal with, and witnesses how grief affects the mental health of someone he loves.  I found the ending of the story incredibly moving, and thought it was a perfect close.

The Hunt for David Berman is an exhilarating, historical spy-thriller with friendship and family at its heart:  a perfect read for fans of historical adventures of 9+.

Guest Post by Claire Mulligan

My Typical Writing Day

For me a typical writing day involves lots of procrastination. I might clean the fridge, hoover under the beds or empty the laundry basket before finally settling down to write. I don’t think that’s an unusual thing, a lot of writers hate looking at the empty page and the expectant flashing cursor so it’s no surprise I actively avoid starting. However, once the computer is on and perhaps a cup of tea is to hand, I can write for quite sustained lengths of time in one sitting. I write in the dining room – don’t for a minute think of a grand room with a long mahogany table, gleaming silver ware and candles – this space is actually a ‘through room’ meaning that every person (and dog) that lives here treks through it several times a day. It’s a less than ideal setting in terms of interruptions but it means I am on hand for all the things that motherhood brings including nice moments like cuddles. It has the advantage of having a wood stove in it so it’s a warm and cosy spot and it’s close to the kitchen for those all-important snacks.

 I try to write a thousand words or more at a time but more often than not I don’t write on a daily basis so my word count is a sporadic thing – sometimes racing along and sometimes sitting sullenly at the same lonely spot for weeks on end.  If it’s been while and I’m feeling a little twitchy about starting I tell myself I am only writing for half an hour, that way if half an hour passes and that’s all the time I get perhaps a couple of hundred words have been written, and that’s good enough. Or if half an hour passes and things are flowing it can then be stretched to an hour or maybe two. I rarely have the luxury of having a whole free day to myself to fill with writing so making time for those half hours and hours is really important. It can be a slow process and sometimes in the evening when the house is quiet, I will try to squeeze in a little work to try and push my writing along.

On the rare days when I do have a block of free time, I can write a lot in one sitting. That’s mainly because I spend quite a bit of my non-writing time thinking about my characters and what’s going to happen next. It’s a bit like having an over-active sourdough starter bubbling all over the place – it’s ready to go! Writing blocks do happen, though I try to counteract this by preparing a fairly detailed plot for the story to begin with. That plan is flexible as things inevitably change and morph as I write but at least it’s a bit of a roadmap to help when things get a little stuck. Another good trick is to end your writing day or session mid-sentence or mid idea, that way (in theory!) you can pick up where you left off. I sometimes write a whole chapter at a time and begin the next one only by a couple of sentences, and that gives me a jumping off point for the next time I open the computer.

In terms of inspiration, it really does come from anywhere! I try to be open to lots of influences and any little flashes of A Good Idea are immediately written into my notebook or failing that, on to my phone. Likewise with song lyrics, lines from poems, conversations (overheard or otherwise) – all can provide that important beginning point which can then lead in all sorts of fantastic directions!

Do check out the other stops on this Blog Tour:

I’m currently listening to Between Shades of Gray which is just incredible. This is such a powerful, heart-breaking story that has had me in tears as I’ve been driving to work. It tells the story of Lina, her mother and young brother who are forced from their home by Soviet guards and taken by cattle cars to Siberia. The bravery and strength shown by Lina and others at what they are forced to endure is incredible. I’m so glad I decided to listen to this after seeing Rachael on Bellis Does Books recommend it but, my goodness, it’s a raw, powerful and harrowing story.

I finished reading Wilder than Midnight which I really enjoyed – I’ve posted my review. I also read The Map of Leaves which tells the story of Orla who has lost her mother to a sickness which people are led to believe has been caused the plants. Orla can speak to plants, and they are her only friends. She sets out to find the truth behind the sickness which takes her on a dangerous journey with some new friends. I will be posting my review shortly. I also read a couple of books from Barrington Stoke, who publisher dyslexia-friendly books. Fagin’s Girl is an Oliver Twist inspired adventure which I really enjoyed. I’ve just finished The Clockwork Queen which was a wonderful story set in Russia with a fantastic young chess player. I’ll be posting my review shortly.

I didn’t get to this one last week, so I’m hoping it will be my next read – after I’ve finished binge-watching HeartStopper!

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

Wilder than Midnight is a spell-bindingly magical adventure that utterly entranced me from the opening lines.  I was transported into a world that I thought I knew – a world of fairy tales, of forests and castles, of wolves and witches – but instead, I found an intricately woven world, presented in a wonderfully fresh and original way, with a dream-like, lyrical quality that captured my heart and led me on the most breath-taking adventure.

A baby, born in a castle at the stroke of midnight with the Mark of the Witch, is left in Silverthorne Forest, to be raised by wolves and the Forest Folk.  A baby, born at the stroke of midnight, and cursed by a wicked fairy, is locked in a tower until her betrothal.  What tragic secrets and truths will be revealed should these children ever meet?

Saffy lives with her woodsman father and mother in a cottage on the edge of the forest.  She is given a red velvet cloak in exchange for delivering a letter but, on her return home, finds herself lost in the woods and without her protective lavender.  When Saffy finds herself hunted by a wolf pack, she is saved by a girl who has made her home with the wolves, and gives her the red cloak …

Wild Rose is at home in the heart of Silverthorne Forest although she is eager to explore beyond its boundaries and cross the Spindle Wood, a tangled wall of impassable thorny briars, through which there is a tower …

Aurelia has been locked in a tower, hidden from the world, in order to protect her from a curse.  She longs to escape into the forest to find a cure, and has formed a plan to gain her freedom …

This is an utterly mesmerising adventure as the three girls, Saffy, Wild Rose and Aurelia meet and together plot a course to change their destiny.  They are all wonderfully strong, courageous and kind-hearted girls who find friendship in each other.  They celebrate and accept difference, thread their own path, and have a natural affinity with nature. I loved how Wild Rose does not allow others to define her, rises above prejudice and fear and grows into a strong, fearless girl who does not allow others to detract her from her chosen path.

This story is written in three parts:  The Wolf Child, The Cursed Princess and The Stolen Daughter.  These parts are intricately interlaced to form a rich, detailed tapestry embroidered with deeply held secrets, terrible deeds and life-changing revelations.  I adored the fairy-tale references sprinkled throughout, and loved that they were never quite what I expected!

Wilder than Midnight is a heart-warming, magical adventure radiating with friendship, found family and acceptance.  A delightfully captivating read for those of 9+.

Thank you to the Publishers and NetGalley for an e-ARC 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!

Torak woke with a jolt from a sleep he’d never meant to have. The fire had burned low. He crouched in the fragile shell of light and peered into the looming blackness of the Forest. He couldn’t see anything. Couldn’t hear anything. Had it come back? Was it out there now, watching him with its hot, murderous eyes?

Any ideas?

Goodreads synopsis:

Six thousand years ago. Evil stalks the land. Only twelve-year-old Torak and his wolf-cub companion can defeat it. Their journey together takes them through deep forests, across giant glaciers, and into dangers they never imagined. In this page-turning, original, and spectacularly told adventure story, Torak and Wolf are joined by an incredible cast of characters as they battle to save their world, in this first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.

I read Wolf Brother recently, and am hoping to read the rest of the series over the course of the year.

I’ve just started Wilder then Midnight which is just gorgeous – lyrical and magical with a real air of mystery.

I finished DreadWood which is a fantastic middle-grade horror. I’ve posted my review. I saw a teacher on Twitter was inviting people to take part in a read/re-read of The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, reading one book per month. I have read Viper’s Daughter and Skin Taker, but have never read the first six books in the series, so I decided to pick up Wolf Brother. What a book! I was absolutely drawn into this pre-historic world when Torak first loses his father and meets Wolf. Utterly brilliant, and I’ll definitely to reading the rest of this series. I was so excited to be sent Firesong, the final book in the fantastic Brightstorm series. This is definitely a fitting end to the series. There were tears and smiles as I read. I will post my review soon. And – I read another adult book! I was a huge fan of the Joss Whedon Firefly series so have picked up another in the book series, Big Damn Hero which reads just like an episode, reminding me just how brilliant this series is! Finally, I read The Lucky Diamond which is a fun, fantasy quest adventure. You can read my review here.

I don’t go back to work until Monday, and I need to do some school work at some point before then, but I’m still hoping to read The Secret Wild and The Map of Leaves before then!

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

The Lucky Diamond is a thrilling, fast-paced fantasy adventure brimming with magic, peril and monsters:  a gem of a read!

Five years after their uncle has been banished from Lowdar to face the monsters of the Great Forest outside the town walls, siblings Yvonne, Susan, Vicky, Cathy and Alan are surviving on their own, trying to avoid being caught by officials and facing the same terrible fate as their uncle.

When her twin brother, Alan, is ordered to lead a visitor, Colonel Thrand, to the governor’s house, his sister Cathy follows. Whilst doing so, she finds something the Colonel desperately wants, and he unleashes a terrible creature to give chase …

After making a narrow escape, the children discover more about Cathy’s discovery.  She is a magical living creature, a Princess of the Ancient Order of Diamonds, who are guardians of the land, and she needs the children’s help to return to her home.  Lucky gives the children a dire warning:  they must leave their home if they hope to live …

So begins an exciting, fast-paced quest adventure as the five siblings venture with Lucky by sea, through mountains and over marsh where danger is never far away as they are pursued by a frightening enemy; as they confront the monsters of the Great Forest; and are trapped by witches.  Will the children have the courage and resourcefulness to fulfil their quest?  Will they be able to save their new friend from an enemy intent on revenge, destruction and power?

This is a really imaginative fantasy with wonderful world-building, unexpected twists and revelations, likeable characters, and brilliant villains and monsters.  The action moves at a rapid pace which is sure to engage younger readers.  The five siblings have a close bond, and are courageous, resilient and resourceful, looking out for each other and their new friends.  I loved the use of magical items and how these form part of the story arc, but don’t want to say anything more for fear of spoilers.  My favourite character, however, was the talking canoe, Charlie – just adorable!

This was a super enjoyable, action-packed magical adventure, which is perfect for young fantasy fans of 8+.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-book in exchange for my honest opinion.

It’s time for my May anticipated books – another fantastic month for children’s book releases. I have been lucky enough to get a pre-read of a few of these and am really looking forward to adding them to my class library.

I have taken the synopsis for each of these from the Waterstones website.

Release Date: 5th May

The exciting conclusion to the Brightstorm twins’ adventure-packed story!  Arthur, Maudie, and the rest of the Aurora crew are going on a mission to the Volcanic North, where years before their parents discovered the moth that is their family symbol. But their scheming, ambitious aunt, Eudora Vane, is still dedicated to destroying the Brightstorm family name, and the further north the Aurora travels, the more long-buried secrets are revealed…

Is Oakmoss Hornbeam the unluckiest boy in the world? Or has someone cursed him? When a black cat crosses his path, mysteriously blown in by a storm, Oakmoss believes it’s his worst omen yet. But Nightshade, a cat of considerable talents, knows when it’s game on or game over. With the help of newshound Veena Vale and magical crime investigator Dexter Stormforce, she sets out to become a lucky charm for one very unlucky boy.

A fantastical, botanical adventure about friendship, bravery – and finding home in a new place. Fern has spent her whole life in the rainforest, and loves nothing more than climbing, exploring and talking to the trees. When she suddenly has to leave all that behind and move to London, with only an eccentric uncle for company, Fern feels entirely uprooted. But when she meets a little plant that can understand her every word, it seems that things are looking up! That is until strange things start happening in the city: giant lily pads on the Thames, monkey vines on the London Eye, and now her new friend is starting to wilt… Can they solve this growing mystery together – before it’s too late?

Set in a world where plants talk, friendship is hard-won and adventure is around the bend of every river… Orla has lived on her own since Ma died, with only her beloved garden for company. When sickness comes and nature is blamed, Orla knows she must find a cure. Armed with her mother’s book of plants and remedies, she steals away on a river boat with two other stowaways, Idris and Ariana. Soon the trio must navigate the rapids of the Inkwater to a poisonous place from which they may never return…

Years ago, the Emperor used dark magic to steal all the colour from the world. Now he keeps it for himself, enjoying its life-giving power while everyone else must exist in cold shades of grey. That is, until a miracle baby is born – everything she touches turns to colour. But the child’s life is in danger from her very first breath. Soon the Emperor’s murderous Ripper Dogs and Black Coats come hunting.  Can the girl and her adopted father survive in the forest – and what will it take to return colour and hope to the world?

It’s not every day that you find a famous weather woman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is in fact Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven day guardians who keep time in order. But that’s just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mari–and it’s only the start of their adventure. Now, as humanity are forced into a lockdown called the Unmorrow Curse and are forced to repeat the same Saturday over and over again, Buzz and Mari must journey to collect the Runes of Valhalla and awaken the other day guardians, before vengeful god Loki can get to them first.

Arthur, Ren and Cecily are transported hundreds of years into the future once again, where a brand new in-reality adventure game, featuring famous legends from around the world, is the new gaming obsession. But the friends soon uncover a sinister plot by a mysterious raider called Deadlock, who wants to re-create dangerous time-way technology. With the fate of the universe in their hands, the friends must enter a dangerous iSports tournament, that will take them from the lost city of Atlantis to Viking battlefields and subterranean Incan tunnels. Can the friends stop the evil Deadlock and play their way home before time runs out?

It is 1940 and Britain is at war with Germany. Robert has been evacuated from London to his grandparents’ farm in Scotland. While exploring the rugged coastline, he finds a boy living in the caves. The boy is called David and he is a Kindertransport child. David had to leave his mother and grandmother behind in Berlin, and has now run away from his cruel foster family nearby. Meanwhile, at the Gestapo Headquarters in Berlin, it is discovered that an Enigma codebook has been hidden in David’s suitcase. A Nazi secret agent in the UK is instructed to find David, retrieve the codebook and kill the boy …

Release Date: 12th May

Zeina Starborn spends her days dreaming of adventure in the sky and escaping the smog-filled city of Ravenport. So, when she wins the chance to visit the famous Willoughby Whale Hotel – a ginormous structure built on the back of a flying whale – Zeina grabs it. Even clashing with Jackson, spoiled heir to the Willoughby fortune, can’t dampen her excitement. But a series of clues makes her question what she’s been told about this dazzling world of inventors, explorers and mighty sky whales. Zeina and Jackson must put aside their differences to uncover the secret plot around them as they embark on the journey of a lifetime.

On a small island off the Scottish coast, Isla and her family are grieving the loss of her older sister Flora, who died three years ago. Then they’re offered the chance to be part of a top-secret trial, which revives loved ones as fully lifelike AI robots using their digital footprint.  Isla has her doubts about Second Chances, but they evaporate the moment the ‘new’ Flora arrives. This girl is not some uncanny close likeness; she is Flora – a perfect replica. But not everyone on their island feels the same. And as the threats to Flora mount, she grows distant and more secretive. Will Isla be able to protect the new Flora and bring the community back together?

Marty doesn’t have much. Unlike his mum, who has billions of things: newspapers, holey shoes, rusty lawnmowers, broken picture frames – she keeps EVERYTHING! It’s hard to leave the house. Marty does his best to look after her and wonders if anything will ever change. But on Marty’s birthday, Grandad, with a glint in his eye, gifts Marty a very special seed. Grandad hasn’t been this excited since he invented the bum scratcher 2000 or thought he’d brewed wonder fuel from rhubarb leaves! The seed grows bigger and bigger, and launches Grandad, Marty and his best friend Gracie on an impossible, wondrous plan fuelled by love, hopes and dreams.

Uprooted by her single mum along with her troublesome older brother, eleven-year-old Prune Robinson is trying to settle in a new town. She figures she can’t burden her hard-working mother with the fact she’s being bullied. Or the fact that her drawings have started coming to life. But with her brother soon in danger, Prune comes to realise that she can’t hide her power forever; in fact, it might just be the one thing that brings her family back together and saves them all.

Josephine Williams is a future-focused, internet-loving eleven-year-old who is desperate to explore the world beyond her cul-de-sac – and her browser. When she learns about Josephine Holloway – a woman who started the first Girl Scout Troop for Black girls in America – she’s certain she must start her own. Enlisting her friends Margot Anderson and Wesley Evans, the trio begin their quest for their Camping Badge. Drawn to an abandoned factory nearby, they stumble across something strange. A square, ancient television and two tatty armchairs. Beside it, a wooden sideboard with an old photograph of a young, happy couple. What is this? Who, or what, lives here – and why?

Release Date: 19th May

In a digital world it’s hard to know what’s real. Imagine a world where your only friends are virtual, and big tech companies control access to food, healthcare and leisure. This is Jess’s world. But when she turns fourteen, Jess can go to school with other children for the first time. Most of them hate the ‘real’ world, but Jess begins to question whether the digital world is ‘perfect’ after all. Back home, her sister Chloe’s life-saving medication is getting ever more expensive. Determined to help, Jess risks everything by using skills forbidden in the cyber-world, only to stumble on something explosive. Something that will turn her whole world upside down. It’s up to Jess to figure out exactly what is real, and what is fake – Chloe’s survival depends on it.

Release Date: 26th May

After a rather strange encounter with a seagull on her first day of boarding school, Alice Tonks is left with a lot of questions. Why does the bird need her help? And WHY can she talk to seagulls?  Alice is used to being by herself but she can’t solve the mystery alone. With new friends behind her, can Alice harness her magic powers and become the hero she never imagined?

The year is 1726 and the Royal Sorcerer of England is on the hunt for those who are magicborn. When Tempest is captured after accidentally unleashing a power she didn’t know she had, she is taken to Kensington Palace alongside a boy like her, Peter.  Trapped, Tempest and Peter find their magic flickering to life – and with it, long-buried memories. For they are the lost prince and princess of Fairyland, bound by a deadly curse… and now the fairies are coming to get them. A battle is building – one only they can end. But who will survive?

It’s 1939 and war has broken out. Everything has changed at Highbury House school. The pupils have to help cook, clean and wash up, for a start! Then a boys’ school is evacuated to Highbury House, and the girls have to share the building. Justice and her friends are delighted that there are still mysteries to solve, however. Like: why can they hear voices coming from an empty room? And how can there be a face at the window two storeys up?  Then Justice faces her biggest challenge yet. Could there be a spy in their midst?

Do any of these catch your interest? Have you read any already?

The Rema Chronicles:  Realm of the Blue Mist is the first in an enthralling new graphic novel fantasy series and, oh my goodness, it is breathtakingly stunning and completely entranced me from start to finish.

Tabby Simon is a loner who spends her time lying under a tree that leaks a mysterious mist, a tree which has been labelled as a biohazard, and blamed for the death of her scientist father seven years before.  Tabby does not believe this and is determined to discover the truth behind her father’s death.

When visiting her sanctuary, the tree, she sees a stranger with blue hair but, when she tries to speak to him, he disappears.  Drawn again to the tree by a strange light, Tabby finds herself unexpectedly pulled through a portal into another world, Rema, where she meets the stranger again.  Philip tells her that she is no longer on earth, but promises to help her return home.

So begins a thrilling, action-packed and explosive adventure as Tabby finds herself learning more about this magical, breath-taking world, a world that is filled with both wonder and peril.  Will Tabby be able to find her way home, or does she have a greater destiny to fulfil? What secrets is Philip hiding, and could they lead to danger for them both? 

I really liked how the adventure is written in four distinct parts:  Haunted, Geist, The Priestess and The Ghost which gave me a fascinating insight into this richly imagined world, and introduced me to the creation of the world, its political and religious systems, and both external and internal divisions.  I really enjoyed that this world-building was interspersed with plenty of fast-paced action, incredible revelations and character development. 

Tabby is a wonderful character:  curious, determined and courageous.  She finds herself pulled from a world where she feels alone into one where she finds friendship and, dare I say it, a dash of romance!

The manga-inspired artwork, with full colour illustrations, is incredibly beautiful and detailed complementing the mood and emotion of the narrative perfectly. 

This is a superb start to what promises to be a captivating series, and is one I am eager to continue in Kingdom of Water, especially after that ending! Perfect for those in Upper Key Stage 2 and beyond.

Thank you to Kiran Khanom and Scholastic for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.