How to Steal the Mona Lisa is a fantastically fun art-heist adventure that is sure to bring giggles galore as the mystery of the lost Mona Lisa unfolds in a series of emails, blogs and news reports.

Mia and her best friend Jake are protesting outside the local opticians as Jake is convinced that the glasses being sold there have mind-control powers.  Mia stamps on her glasses leading not only to broken glasses but to a broken friendship as she feels her conspiracy theorist friend gets her in too much trouble!  Can their friendship be healed as they both join the local secondary school, Colpepper Hall School?

On her first day at her new school, budding artist Mia discovers the terrible news that the art department has been shut down due to both the demolition of the wing it was housed in, and lack of funding.  In other art-related news, the Royal Family have offered a £25 million reward for the recovery of a stolen painting that has been missing for 200 years:  the lost Mona Lisa! 

There have been rumours that it has been hidden in the crypt at Colpepper Hall School. Cue mayhem, mischief and hilarity as – ahem- a criminal mastermind – ahem – is intent on tracking down the missing masterpiece, and taking the reward.  Has the School been infiltrated by criminals?  Is Mr Scales, the Headteacher, a lizard creature in disguise? Could Mia’s parents be notorious art thieves? Or, are these all just the wild imaginings of a boy dreaming up conspiracy theories? 

Whilst Mia is determined to save the art department by gaining 100, 000 signatures on her petition and taking it to Parliament, Jake is gathering followers on his Blog with his conspiracy theories, but could there be a spark of truth in them?  Can these former friends solve the mystery by healing their friendship and working together?

This is a hilarious, fast-paced mystery written in a series of emails between Mia and her Granny; in Blogs written by Jake; and in online news reports, notes and coded messages.  I really liked getting to know Mia through her emails.  She is friendly, chatty and funny, and there is also a real innocence in what she doesn’t notice as she chats to her Granny who is a real globetrotter!  Her parents are obsessed with the family pet, Seabert, so when they suddenly begin to show an interest in Mia’s art, and offer to take her to art galleries, she jumps at the chance cuing some laugh-out-loud museum antics. 

Whilst this story is brilliantly funny, it also has a more serious message around the need to protect the arts in schools, something that Mia really takes to heart in the story.  Visiting the various real-life National Galleries through the story gave a wonderful insight into some of the activities offered by art museums such as sleepovers and workshops.

This has such an appealing layout with the different media forms, fonts and lettering styles, ‘hidden’ words and so many brilliantly expressive illustrations sprinkled throughout.

A sparkling treat of an art-and-fun-filled mystery for readers of 8+.

Thank you to Harriet Dunlea and Scholastic for an early 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 first time I ever saw one of them was the night that I saw my grandfather for the last time. It was a foggy night in Kensington, London. I was five and allowed to come downstairs to my parents’ annual Christmas party, on the condition that I kept quiet and made myself useful by handing out the devilled eggs.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

Edinburgh is a city filled with magical creatures. No one can see them… until Ramya Knox. As she is pulled into her family’s world of secrets and spells, Ramya sets out to discover the truth behind the Hidden Folk with only three words of warning from her grandfather: Beware the Sirens. Plunged into an adventure that will change everything, Ramya is about to learn that there is more to her powers than she ever imagined. 

This is my new weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

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:

Yesterday paused for a moment, listening, her fox ears twitching, urging her towards it.

This book in three words:

ADVENTURE, TEASHOP, FAMILY

Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup is a magical, sparkling gem of an adventure that kept me enthralled throughout:   gorgeously heart-warming, wonderfully whimsical and completely captivating. 

Twelve-year-old Yesterday Crumb has been born with fox ears and has spent her young life imprisoned in a cage, put on show for visitors to the travelling circus where she was left as a baby.  Unbeknownst to Yesterday, her ears, which she loathes, mark her as a strangeling:  a witch who has lost her magical powers due to spending too much time in the human world.  However, all that is about to change when she meets Madrigal, a white-feathered notraven and witch’s familiar, who reveals the truth to her, and frees her. 

Yesterday follows her rescuer into the nearby forest, but loses sight of him and instead finds herself drawn to a stranger, Mr Weep, playing a violin.  When he offers her the chance to get rid of her fox ears, she finds the temptation too great, and signs a contract which places a deadly curse upon her heart.  Will she be able to break the curse before time runs out, and she finds herself at the mercy of Mr Weep?

Madrigal finds her and takes her to Dwimmerley End, THE most extraordinary teashop that moves around on its flamingo legs!  The proprietor of this wondrous establishment for faerie connoisseurs of magical tea and cakes is Miss Dumpling – a tea witch extraordinaire!  She welcomes Yesterday, and offers her an apprenticeship as a tea witch as well as her help in breaking the curse …

And so begins a truly engrossing, exciting adventure as Yesterday and her new friends race against time to find an elusive ingredient needed to break the curse; as they venture to dangerous and dark places; and, as they are thwarted by the minions of Mr Weep who is intent on taking Yesterday from her new friends.  Why is he so determined to separate Yesterday from her found family?  I loved the unexpected twists and revelations, and absolutely cannot wait for the next part of Yesterday’s story. 

The world-building is exquisite, enchanting and incredibly inventive:  it swept me into a world I didn’t want to leave – even if there are some parts I might need Yesterday’s courage to face!  I could happily see myself spending many hours of contentment in Dwimmerley End drinking an assortment of enchanted teas – and maybe a hot chocolate – and eating a varied selection of gorgeous cakes as I faerie-watch, and read a book recommended by Pepperprew, the librarian dragon.  Bliss!

Oh my!  I adored Yesterday who is a fierce young girl who shows such strength, courage and resilience.  She learns to believe in herself and accept herself just as she is.  I loved that she finds a home and family with Jack and Miss Dumpling who offer her support, love and encouragement.  Madrigal the notraven is brilliant – grumpy and sarcastic – but with a heart of gold!  Miss Dumpling is one of my favourite adults in children’s books!  She is wonderfully eccentric, welcoming and kind-hearted and just so full of goodness that she brought a smile to my face every time she spoke! 

I don’t need Clairvoyant Coffee to predict that this fantastically magical, heart-warming adventure will capture the hearts of young readers of 8+. 

Thank you to the Publishers and NetGalley for an e-ARC 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 currently listening to Top Marks for Murder. Daisy and Hazel are back in Deepdean after being away for the last couple of books. To be honest, I’ve listened and haven’t been able to focus on this one. I think it’s because I’m listening in the evening and not whilst going to work, (as I’m off with Covid), and this just doesn’t work for me. I’ll try again when I’m driving to work. I’m also reading How to Steal the Mona Lisa which is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s written in a series of emails, blogs, newspaper reports and notes. I’m enjoying the main character who writes with honesty and humour – a brilliant ‘voice’. I think this is going to be a fun mystery. I’m also reading Like a Charm which I’m absolutely loving. Ramya is such a strong character, and I’m really looking forward to finding out more about what is behind the ‘Glamour’.

I finished listening to Death in the Spotlight which I really enjoyed – such a clever mystery. I think it has tied with A Spoonful of Murder as my favourite in the series. I also finished Mort and am so glad I’ve made a start on this series. I’m not sure how to describe it – strange, surreal and scathingly humorous. I’m definitely going to pick up Reaper Man soon. I then read Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup as I just needed a cosy, fantasy read that I could escape into for a few hours. I adored this book, and will be posting my review very soon. I also read The Secret of the Treasure Keepers, and have posted my review yesterday. I think this is my favourite of A M Howell’s books. Finally, I listened to The Raven Riddle which was a quick, and very fun, read.

I’m not sure I’m ready for the finale of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency but I really want to know what happens after that ending to book 2! I’m also hoping to pick up a graphic novel, The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist.

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

This is a weekly meme now hosted by That Artsy Girl Reader.  This week’s theme is Books On My Spring 2022 TBR. I’ve got so many books I’m looking forward to reading in Spring. I’m lucky enough to have early copies of 8 of my 10 (either sent by Publishers or via NetGalley) and have pre-ordered the other two.

What books have you on your Spring TBR? Are any of these included?

I’m a huge fan of A.M. Howell’s historical adventures and was so excited when I discovered that there was a fourth which, I must admit, might just be my favourite.  The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is a brilliantly absorbing, intriguing historical adventure which builds a sense of mystery so masterfully that I absolutely had to keep reading.  This is not only a gripping mystery, it is also a window into the past, and into the lives of characters who feel so real that it was a privilege to follow their story. 

It’s 1948, and twelve-year-old Ruth Goodspeed and her mother are adjusting to life in post-war London.  The scars of the war are still with them as damaged buildings surround them, there are shortages of electricity and some foods are still rationed.  More personally, Ruth’s parents’ marriage has not survived the war and they are getting divorced, leaving Ruth in danger of losing her home.  When her mother gets the opportunity to have her volunteer work with the British Museum turned into paid employment, she seizes her chance.  Whilst her mother – an aspiring archaeologist – is being interviewed by the stern curator, Mr Knight, Ruth is unable to ignore the persistent ringing of a telephone in his office.

Mrs Mary Sterne, the owner of Rook Farm in the Fens, tells her that she may have found ancient treasure in one of her farm fields.  As Mr Knight is both unapproachable and busy with another excavation, Mary convinces her mother to journey to Rook Farm to investigate the treasure with the hope that her mother can prove herself to Mr Knight and gain the paid employment which has been denied her. 

When they arrive at the isolated Farm, they are welcomed by everyone except for Mrs Sterne’s son, Joe, who wants them to leave.  The family have hit hard times after the death of Joe’s Dad and are struggling financially, so they are keen to discover if they have buried treasure on their land.  After seeing the Roman artefacts which had been found when ploughing, Ruth and her Mum are keen to excavate the site to discover more.  Further treasure is uncovered, treasure that Ruth’s Mum wants to discuss with Mr Knight in London, leaving Ruth behind to help on the farm until her return. 

Ruth is convinced that there are family secrets -as well as treasure – buried at the Farm, and she is determined to uncover them.  What is Joe hiding about the treasure?  When disaster strikes, and the treasure is stolen, will Ruth and Joe be able to work together to find both stolen and hidden treasure, and save both their homes? 

This is such a cleverly layered mystery that completely engrossed me as I pieced together clues and followed the twists and turns with bated breath to discover the truth behind the farm’s treasures.  There is a real sense of urgency as time runs out, and Ruth and Joe race to find the truth behind the treasure.  It is never entirely clear who is a help and who is a hindrance, so characters’ motives really kept me guessing!  I loved that this wasn’t just a mystery about buried treasure, but also a mystery about the secrets which people bury and keep from each other.  I found the unravelling of these secrets both tender and poignant, and filled with hope for the future.

Ruth is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is naturally curious, kind-hearted and determined.  She is also impulsive and, in her eagerness to find answers, doesn’t always make the best choices, but does take responsibility for her choices, which makes her even more likeable and ‘real’.  She is able to empathise with Joe which helps them develop a firm friendship, where they really open up to each other, which I really enjoyed seeing grow throughout the story. 

This is a story of family, of friendship, of secrets and of change.  I enjoyed the parallels between the experiences of both families in post-war Britain despite one living in London and the other on an isolated farm in the Fens.  They have lived through a War that has deeply affected their families and are living under the continued restrictions after it; both have financial difficulties; they have dealt with loss or separation; and they are living through a period of change such as the infancy of the NHS, the beginnings of supermarkets and the modernisation of farm machinery.

Delve into The Secret of the Treasure Keepers to be guaranteed a treasure trove of intrigue, adventure and excitement, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The March theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot is Springing into life and today’s prompt is for Characters with floral names. I took ‘floral’ to also include herbs and trees!

Here are my six books:

• Murder Most Unladylike Mystery series: Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong
• Locked Out Lily: Lily
• Starfell series: Willow Moss
• Bloom: Sorrel Fallowfield
• Where the World Turns Wild: Juniper Green
• Snowglobe: Clementine

Have you read any of these? Do you any floral character names you can add?

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!

Upon a snowy winter’s night, in an old Northern town called SorrowbytheMoor, a door appeared where it had not been before. Most doors have the courtesy to attach themselves to a house, or a school, or a museum, but this door was not nearly so well-mannered.

Any ideas?

I’m currently half way through this, and am absolutely loving it. It’s an incredibly heart-warming, magical story which is exactly what I need at the moment.

Goodreads synopsis:

Yesterday Crumb is no ordinary girl. She was born with fox ears that have cursed her to a lonely life working in the circus and her origins are a complete mystery. But she is about to escape into the adventure of a lifetime when she learns that she’s a strangeling who’s lost her magic. Taken in by Miss Dumpling the flamboyant tea witch, Yesterday is introduced to a magical, walking teashop filled with fantastical customers, a flying teapot turtle called Pascal and powerful spells in every teacup! Yesterday starts to rediscover her magic and to feel a sense of belonging. But a mysterious figure of darkness is working hard to ensure her new life comes crashing down – and it all starts with a deadly shard of ice in Yesterday’s heart… But there’s nothing that can’t be solved with a pot of tea, a slice of cake and a BIG dash of magic!

I’m really loving listening to Death in the Spotlight. I’m so glad I stuck with this series as it is getting better and better. I have the next two requested on Borrowbox! I’m almost finished Mort which is different to anything I’ve read before, but is one I’m really loving.

Strictly speaking, I finished A Spoonful of Murder last week, but I forgot to include it in my WWW Wednesday last week! I’ve also read The Rewilders which is a wonderful story of unlikely friendships and re-wilding a beautiful lynx in the Highlands. I will be posting my review as part of the Blog Tour later in the month.

I’ve loved A M Howell’s last three books historical mysteries, so I’m really looking forward to reading this one next.

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

Thank you so much to Chicken House for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for this exciting adventure , and for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Boy in the Post is a charming, heart-warming and humorous fantasy adventure that took me aboard an enthralling venture brimming with excitement, daring and danger.

At the start of their summer holiday, siblings Orinthia, Séafra and Taber spot an advertisement for paid work, so decide to apply.  When they arrive at Tupenny Mill, they are met by the brilliantly eccentric, and utterly wonderful, Grandy Brock.  Grandy, and his crew of adopted orphans, are creating a postal service with a difference:  a postal service staffed by animal posties!  I absolutely loved meeting the fascinating assortment of animails from baboons franking envelopes to toucans transporting postcards and Sphynx cats licking stamps to – my favourite –snakes spelling out postcodes, and insults!  Just magical!  Grandy offers the children a job training Geronimo the pelican and her son Gungho to deliver mail, a job which the children readily accept.  Who could resist?

The youngest Shalloo sibling, six-year-old Taber, has a real affinity with Geronimo and begins training her; however, when she does not return from her first international voyage to New York, Taber is incredibly upset.  He is determined to find his new friend and leaves a note for Orinthia and Séafra to tell them that he is posting himself to New York to search for Geronimo.

Orinthia and Séafra are determined to rescue their young brother, so decide to follow his lead by posting themselves to New York.  And so begins a fantastically fast-paced, action-packed adventure across land, over sea and through air, as the siblings steal a stamp from the local Post Office and use it to have themselves posted to New York in a freight crate.  Will they be able to keep themselves from being discovered aboard the Royal Mail Steamship sailing across the Atlantic?  Will they find their young brother and his new friend if they make it to New York in time? Could danger be following them from home?

I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers; suffice to say that there are some first-class and unexpected twists and turns which kept me on the edge-of-my-seat.  This is such a thrilling adventure with the sense of anticipation and danger increasing as the plot unfolds, but there are also some wonderful moments of humour.

One cannot discover new oceans unless one has the

courage to lose sight of the shore

The Shalloo siblings are incredibly likeable children.  They have quite different personalities, but have a wonderfully natural and honest sibling bond.  Orinthia wants to be an explorer like her heroine, Ophelia Pearcart, and has a real sense of adventure.  Her brother, Séafra is more cautious and a worrier, yet he shows strength and courage as he faces his fears.  Youngest brother Taber is a nature- lover who has a natural affinity with animals.   All three children are resilient and resourceful, attributes which help them on their incredible adventure.   

An enchanting, exhilarating adventure with courage, friendship and family at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+.

Please do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour.