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!

There are footprints in the snow, sunken marks picked out by the moonlight. They weave a path through the forest, round the ring of ancient oak trees and on towards the wooden hut. But there they stop, and the smoke curling out of the chimney is the only sign that anyone is inside. Seven cloaked figures sit round a table, their hoods pulled up despite the fire crackling in the grate.

Any ideas?

I read The Dream Snatcher a while ago now, but we’re going to use it with Year 6 as our text in the Spring Term, so I’m excited to read it again and create some reading and writing plans.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Molly Pecksniff wakes one night in the middle of the forest, lured there by a recurring nightmare – the one with the drums and the rattles and the masks. The Dreamsnatcher is waiting. He has already taken her dreams and now he wants her life. Because Moll is more important than she knows… The Oracle Bones foretold that she and Gryff, a wildcat that has always been by her side, are the only ones who can fight back against the Dreamsnatcher’s dark magic. Suddenly everything is at stake, and Moll is drawn into a world full of secrets, magic and adventure. 

I’m listening to the audiobook of Frostheart: Escape from Aurora which I’m really enjoying. It’s a fast-paced, exciting read with some wonderful characters. I’ve just started Julia and the Shark. I’ve loved all of Kiran’s books, and this is no exception.

I’ve finished The Very Merry Murder Club. I enjoyed this one, but not as much as I thought I would! Maybe short stories aren’t quite my thing! I also picked up a graphic novel at the weekend and read it on Saturday evening. This was a really fun adventure with gorgeous illustrations.

It’s been a week and then some, so I’ve decided to treat myself to Vashti Hardy’s next book, Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon. I loved the first book in this series, and am really looking forward to seeing what mishaps Harley gets up to next!

The Mermaid in the MillPond is a dark, tense and hopeful story intertwining history and myth in perfect symbiosis.  I was absolutely entranced by this richly atmospheric tale with its depiction of the harsh realities of life for children working in Victorian mills; the slow building of the heart-warming friendship that develops between Bess and Dot; and, the symbolism between the mermaid’s situation and that of Bess.

The story is written as a first-person narrative through the eyes of eleven-year-old Bess.  She arrives from a London workhouse to the rural cotton mill with the hope and false promise that life will be better.  However, she soon discovers that the mill’s conditions are bleak and harsh, and desperately longs for escape, determined to leave the life she is forced to endure behind her …

Bess soon hears tales of a terrifying monster – a mermaid – living in the millpond, but she does not believe what she has heard … until she sees something in the water.  Could this creature be just as trapped as Bess?  Will either be able to escape their prison and find freedom?

Bess is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who has suffered loss and is trying to protect herself by acting tough and not caring about others.  But then she meets Dot.  I loved the slow building of the friendship between these two wonderful young girls as they tentatively begin to hope and plan for the chance of a better life, as they build trust and look out for each other. 

This is a fast-paced, tense and exciting adventure with unexpected twists and cliff-hanger chapter endings that had me desperate to read on … utterly unputdownable!

The illustrations by Pam Smy are absolutely stunning:  rich, detailed and expressive, perfectly evoking the dark, yet hopeful, atmosphere, throughout the story. 

The Mermaid in the MillPond is a heartfelt story of grief, of cruelty and of loneliness, but is also a story of survival, of friendship and of hope.  It is a short, but incredibly powerful and moving read, and is one I will certainly be adding to my class library when it is published on 6^th January.

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

There are LOTS of books due for release in January which I am really looking forward to reading. There are a few I’ve been lucky enough to have early access to, so I’ll be enjoying them over Christmas. I’ve read The Mermaid in the Millpond already via NetGalley and will definitely be getting a copy for my class as it’s brilliant!

I’ve taken the synopsis for each of these books from the Waterstones website. Some of these are continuation of series I’ve loved; some are by authors whose previous books I’ve really enjoyed; and, others are by new-to-me or debut authors whose books have caught my interest!

Release Date: 6th January

Release Date: 20th January

Wow! January is starting with a bang for children’s books! I’m looking forward to reading all of these, and adding them to my class bookshelf. Do any of these pique your interest?

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!

All theatres are haunted. Manchester’s Theatre Royale was haunted by a dead opera singer known as Cold Annie. Actors complained of an icy, creeping dread whenever they used the dressing room that had once belonged to her, and stagehands avoided the places she was said to roam late at night.

Any ideas?

I loved Jenni’s first book, The Vanishing Trick, and am really looking forward to this one when I can find time!

Synopsis:

Pull back the curtain and enter a world where mystery and magic take centre stage . . . Twelve-year-old Tig works at the Theatre Royale, cleaning, selling tickets and doing anything else that is asked of her by her tyrannical boss, Mr Snell. But Tig will do whatever it takes to get closer to her dream – to become a Stage Manager and spend her days inventing new ways to imagine and build the intricate machinery and props that bring the exciting productions to life! But when a strange new act – a talking machine – arrives at the Theatre Royale, it moves and behaves in a way that Tig just can’t work out. It’s as though it’s alive somehow . . . And when the machine appears to be hiding a dangerous secret, Tig must race against time to solve the mystery, before everything and everyone she cares about is lost forever.

I’ve almost finished The Very Merry Murder Club: 4 more stories to go. This collection has a good range of mystery stories which have been fun to read so far. I’ve just started listening to Frostheart: Escape to Aurora on Borrowbox, and it has quickly taken me back into this fantastical world. I’m looking forward to listening to the rest of this.

I’ve now finished listening to Sweep. What a story! One of my favourite reads this year. I was completely drawn into this historical fantasy world. Powerful, poignant and hopeful. Truly wonderful. I also read Libby and the Parisian Puzzle which was such a fun read. I absolutely loved the idea of a Travelling School where the children visit many of the sights of Paris – and the food! This is one I definitely think if perfect for younger fans of mystery.

I’m hoping to read Julia and the Shark next. I’ve read all of Kiran’s books and loved them, so I’m really looking forward to reading this one.

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

I’ve really enjoyed my reading month in November, and have read some fantastic middle-grade books. The stand-out books for me this month were Sweep: The Story of a Girl and her Monster, The Chimeseekers and Shipwreck Island. I’ve really enjoyed introducing my class to the Barrington Stoke Young Editor’s work, where they can offer feedback on an upcoming title, which they absolutely loved. I’d definitely recommend this to any other teachers. I also really enjoyed attending a book launch for the first time in what seems like forever. Strictly speaking, it was at the beginning of December, not November, but it was before I’ve written this post! It was so lovely to catch up with some wonderful book bloggers, and meet some authors I greatly admire. And, it was my birthday at the start of the month, so I’ve included a section on the books I was given.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 12 books this month, 7 physical copies, 1 e-books and 4 audiobooks. I think this has been my best reading month for a while.

NetGalley:

My Feedback Ratio is at 96%. I’m trying really hard not to request too many books, but I must admit that it’s very hard as there are some fantastic books on there! I did request The Mermaid in the Millpond, but I’ve read that quickly and submitted my review. I also just had to request A Storm of Sisters, the new Michelle Harrison, but then realised it is a sampler, so I’m just going to have to be patient and wait for the release in February.

Books sent by publishers/authors:

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

Books bought:

I have no control when it comes to buying books that I eventually intend to read and, despite knowing I was getting books for my birthday, I still managed to buy 12 books! From these, I have read Fledgling and The Chimeseekers, and I’ve almost finished The Very Merry Murder Club.

Birthday books!

I got 9 books for my birthday, all of which I might just have hinted at except for Mort which is one my husband read years ago, and wants to see if I’ll like!

That’s a wrap! How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these? Have you any of them on your TBR?

Nature’s Treasures is an absolutely stunning, fascinating hardback delight of a book which is guaranteed to entrance young and older nature lovers from 7+.  If ever a book deserves to be a cherished addition to any school or home bookshelf, it is this one.

It is just as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.  With a holofoil cover, gilded edges, and a breath-taking collection of interior photographs and illustrations enhancing the exuberant descriptions, this is a truly special book.

This wonderful collection of nature’s treasures begins with an author introduction to some of the intriguing objects to be found in the book.  It is divided into four chapters, each with an introductory page:  animals; plants, fungi and algae; minerals and rocks; and objects made by nature.  It has an easy-to-follow format with a contents page, glossary and index.

As an adult, I was completely absorbed in learning about these remarkable objects, so I can only imagine the wonder a child will take from learning about these.  Each of the items has a double-page in the book with gorgeous presentational features including:  amazing close-up photographs; detailed diagrams; gorgeous illustrations; an introduction to the object; and, fascinating facts telling the story of each treasure which clearly show the author’s respect for, and knowledge and love of, nature.  Through words, photos and illustrations, these extraordinary natural creations are placed in the hand of every curious child, taking them on an incredible journey of discovery through the wonder that is our natural and awe-inspiring world.

I love that there are many objects in this book that children can go on a nature spotting adventure to find, and see in their natural environment.  There are even some tips on responsible nature spotting. 

Nature’s Treasures is the perfect gift for curious children who are sure to spend many happy hours absorbed in this treasure trove of objects from the natural world which is presented in a stunning hardback edition.

Thank you to the Publisher and Abi Walton for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m still listening to Sweep on Borrowbox. It is so good! It gives a really powerful insight into the life of young sweeps in Victorian London. Nan and her gollum, Charlie have such a gorgeous relationship. There have been some very poignant moments, and the cruelty shown by the orphan’s owners is heart-breaking; however, there are also some adults who want to help Nan and her friends. I’m also continuing to dip into The Very Merry Murder Club and have now read the first six stories. I’m enjoying the variety in the stories which have all been fun reads, especially Shoe-Dunnit and The Beast of Bedleywood.

I’ve read The Girl who Talked to Trees, a series of interwoven stories told by trees to a young girl trying to save the oak tree in her meadow. I’ve posted my review as part of the Blog Tour. I’ve also read The Mermaid in the Millpond which is being published by Barrington Stoke in January. It is a brilliant, dark and atmospheric story set in the Victorian era which I can highly recommend. I will be writing my review to post shortly.

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by the Publisher. It is one I’ve really been looking forward to so I intend to read it this weekend.

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

The Girl who Talked to Trees is a magical interwoven collection of stories celebrating a young girl’s deep connection to the trees that surround her as they tell her their stories, transporting her to different times and places.    I was utterly entranced by these beautifully written stories resonating with an ecological message of the need to respect and appreciate the natural treasures we have around us.  

This is an exquisite hardback illustrated edition that would make a very special gift for young readers, one to be cherished and returned to again and again. 

Eleven-year-old Olive’s best friend is a 400-year-old oak tree, so when her father decides to cut it down in order to build a summerhouse to impress his friends, this shy young girl decides that she must speak out to protect her friend. Her father makes a bargain with her:  she has seven hours to think of something more impressive than a summerhouse to stop him from cutting down the tree …  Will Olive find a way to change her father’s mind with help from her friend?  Will she be able to keep the promise she makes to the oak trees? 

Seven hours for seven trees and seven stories to tell …

And what wonderfully captivating stories the trees share with her! I absolutely love the idea of listening to the memories of trees, who have witnessed so much, as they tell their stories … stories of danger, of revenge, of change, of hope, of friendship and love … stories that sing with an appreciation of these natural treasures.

Olive is taken on an unforgettable adventure through time and place: to a medieval forest, an underwater forest, into a maze and to Persia and North America.  Each of the stories told by the trees she encounters is a sheer delight imbued with a fairy tale magical quality, but also with messages of the need to preserve, appreciate and protect our trees. 

Before each tree’s story, there is a wonderful illustrated double-page spread about the tree with fascinating tree facts.  And oh my:  the illustrations!  They are absolutely gorgeous:   from the front cover, to the many full-and-partial page internal images and the end pages.  The illustrations are vivid and warm, resonating with the wonder and beauty of the natural world. 

This is a really special book that engenders such an appreciation of nature, and is sure to enchant young readers as they enjoy the magical tree stories and delight in the gorgeous illustrations.  Perfect for children of 8+. 

Thank you so much to Zephyr and Lynda Smythe for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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