What a month – it seemed to last forever! Back to school with my class for one day, then lock-down. It’s been really lovely reading our class story live to the children and catching up with them daily through GoogleMeet. The endless Seesaw marking however!!! It’s been a hard month with work, but I have managed to keep myself together by making sure that I relaxed and read on most weekends. Both my Mum and my mother-in-law have had their first vaccines which is brilliant news for our families. I’ve also started bi-weekly Lateral Flow Tests which have been offered to teachers. I had no problem with the throat swabs (got my husband to do it for me), but the nostril one is a whole other matter! Anyway, one to my bookish month …

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 12 books this month: 8 physical copies, 2 e-books and 2 audiobooks.

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NetGalley:

My Feedback Ratio is currently at 92%. I have requested and been approved to read 2 books this month, both of which I’m very excited to read. There are also a few books that I have been auto-approved to read which I want to get to if I can.

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Books sent by publishers:

I’ve been lucky to have been sent 4 physical books by publishers to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion. I’ve already read and loved The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club, and will be taking part in a Blog Tour later this month. I am currently reading 44 Tiny Acrobats (which is due to be released on 4th February).

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Books I’ve bought:

I have NO self-control whatsoever when it comes to buying new books. I bought 14 books this month. I have NO idea when I’m going to read most of them but, you know, they are patiently waiting for me on my bookcases:

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How has your month been? Have you read any of these?

The Valley of Lost Secrets is a beautifully evocative historical mystery, set in a mining community in the Welsh Valleys at the onset of the Second World War, both heart-breaking and heart-warming, and written with such quality that it effortlessly transported me back to this era and into the lives of this community and its new residents.

At the start of the Second World War, Jimmy Travers and his younger brother Ronnie are evacuated from London to the village of LLanbryn in Wales.  They are hosted by the kind-hearted Gwen and Alun Thomas who are ever patient and give the boys the space they need in order to settle into this new life.  Whilst young Ronnie settles quickly to his new family and life, Jimmy finds it much more difficult and feels that he doesn’t belong. He feels a huge weight of responsibility in caring for his younger brother, and keeps his host family at an emotional distance.  He feels like an outsider, struggling to adapt to this new life in this strange place, and my heart went out to him.

Other children have been evacuated alongside the Travers brothers and it is not long before they meet classmate Florence and Jimmy’s best friend, Duff.  The exploration of how others influence us is clearly shown in the way these two have changed since coming to Wales.  Florence has been placed with a local shopkeeper and her son, Ieuan, who take good care of her, whilst Duff is influenced by the local vicar’s son and his friends who are terrible bullies.  Jimmy’s friendship with Duff is a broken one which leads to him forming new, unexpected friendships elsewhere.

When Jimmy finds himself exploring on his own, he finds a skull hidden in a tree trunk.  This discovery leads him, and his new friends, on a path to solving a mystery that has affected the community for many years, one that leads to the disclosure of past secrets and an opportunity for healing. 

The changing relationships between the evacuated children themselves and their hosts is wonderfully portrayed as time allows the building of trust, and tentative friendships the space to grow and flourish.  I adored the friendship which develops between Florence and Jimmy, and the kindness and care with which she takes Ronnie under her wing.  It is clear that Florence was an outsider at school and treated horribly but, as she opens up more to Jimmy, he begins to understand more about her life in London. Florence is an incredibly sympathetic and gutsy character who has had to deal with a lot in her young life, yet grasps the opportunities and fresh start given to her with both hands.    

I loved the unravelling of the mystery in this story which was cleverly interwoven with brotherhood, healing and community.  A heartfelt story of having the courage to trust, having the strength to open your heart to others despite past hurt, and of brotherhood, family and friendship.  This is a story that deserves to become a children’s classic, and is one I will definitely be recommending in school.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.  I have now bought a copy and was lucky enough to have the author send me a signed bookplate dedicated to my class.

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 monster stood alone on the side of the mountain. He held out his hands. ‘Fly with courage and speed and the will of the stars. If you just do one thing, help return what is ours.’ He parted his claws so there was enough space for the moth to escape.

Any ideas?

I’ve had this one on my bookshelves since publication and its one I’m really looking forward to reading. I think I’ll save it until half term when I can completely switch off and enjoy lots of uninterrupted reading time!

Goodreads Synopsis:

With all the magic of Narnia and the humour of Mary Poppins, this is a future middle grade fantasy classic – and the beginning of an unforgettable journey…

Imogen should be nice to her little sister Marie. She should be nice to her mum’s boyfriend too. And she certainly shouldn’t follow a strange silver moth through a door in a tree. But then… who does what they’re told? Followed by Marie, Imogen finds herself falling into a magical kingdom where the two sisters are swept up in a thrilling race against time – helped by the spoiled prince of the kingdom, a dancing bear, a very grumpy hunter… and even the stars above them.

Have you read this? What did you think?

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:

I don’t mind my strength being compared to a bear’s.

This book in three words:

FOLKLORE, FRIENDSHIP, JOURNEY

Sophie Anderson is, without doubt, one of my favourite middle-grade authors, and a definite must buy author. I have read all three of her books (The House with Chicken Legs, The Castle of Tangled Magic and this one) and loved them all, but I have to say, The Girl Who Speaks Bear is my favourite.

Yanka’s tale is joyous, magical and everything that’s wonderful about immersing yourself in a truly exceptional story.  It tugged at my heartstrings, made me smile with contentment, tense with excitement, and kept me enveloped in the safest, cosiest bear hug imaginable.  The language is exquisite, with a lyrical quality permeating throughout the narrative, which is steeped in Slavic folklore.  It is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever had the privilege to read. 

Yanka was found outside a bear’s cave as a young child and has been raised by her foster mother, Mamochka.  She lives on the edge of The Snow Forest, but as she grows up, she feels more of an affinity for the forest and its creatures, and more of an outsider within her village.  She yearns to discover the roots of her past, so much so that she is compelled to leave her home and begin her journey into the forest to find out who she is and where she truly belongs … a journey that leads to danger, breath-taking revelations and deep-rooted friendships.

I absolutely loved how the storyteller, Anatoly’s folktales are interspersed throughout Yanka’s narrative, separate to the chapters, sprinkling delicious clues to her origins.  The tales are beautiful in their own right, but resonate even more as they reveal a deeper understanding of Yanka’s heritage.  These oral stories within the story really emphasised for me the importance of a nation’s folklore, myths and legends to give readers shared experiences and a connectedness to each other through our shared knowledge of these stories. 

If you have not yet read this one, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you put in on your reading pile: a perfect feel-good read for a cold evening! You can read my full review here.

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!

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I’m currently reading The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club which will be released on 4th February. I’m really enjoying the interaction between the new characters and the fast-paced action. I’m listening to The Light Jar, am on tenterhooks about what is going to happen and feel like there’s going to be tears.

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I’ve finished reading George which I really enjoyed. George’s voice is done brilliantly and I loved her friendship with Kelly. The ending was really uplifting. I also read Uki and the Outcasts which I adored. Uki and his band of outcasts are wonderful, full of courage and strength and supportive of each other. I also loved Rue, the Bard’s apprentice.

I don’t want to wait too long before going on another adventure with Uki, so I’m going to pick up Uki and the Swamp Spirit next.

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

“Empathy is learnable – only 10% of our empathic ability is genetic. Scientists say that
reading builds empathy, and this collection will play a direct role in helping raise an
empathy-educated generation.” Miranda McKearney OBE, EmpathyLab’s founder

EmpathyLab have revealed the 2021 Read For Empathy book collection after an expert judging panel weighed up hundreds of publisher submissions to select 50 of the very best contemporary empathy-boosting books for 4-16 year olds.

The aim is for schools, libraries, families and community groups to use the books to help raise a generation with strong empathy skills. Free downloadable guides, with tips on how to use the books with children and young people in the home or learning settings, are available online for free at empathylab.uk/2021-read-for-empathy-collections. EmpathyLab’s work on the book collection is supported by specialist book suppliers Peters. Schools and libraries can order the books from them at peters.co.uk/empathy 2021.

The primary collection is for 4-11 year olds and consists of 30 books; the secondary collection features 20 books for 12-16 year olds. Many of the books help readers understand the lives of those experiencing tough situations, from witnessing domestic violence to becoming a refugee. Others gently explore everyday situations and emotions, like friendship problems. Several help readers understand the experience of living with autism. The ebullient range of creators, formats and genres helps expand children’s world view and understand others better.

The 2021 Read For Empathy book collection comes at a time when empathising with others has never been needed more. As the judges said, “We have an unprecedented chance to do things differently, building on the wave of community caring we’ve seen in the pandemic. This collection seizes that chance with both hands. The books will help children be their best selves; to think “we”, not “me”. Right now, what could be more important?”

EmpathyLab is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to harness the power of the word – of stories, graphic novels, non-fiction and poetry – to build a more empathetic generation. Each year EmpathyLab select a new contemporary Read for Empathy collection. They also deliver an annual Empathy Day to shine a light on this real life superpower. 2021’s Empathy Day is on 10 June.

This is a weekly meme now hosted by That Artsy Girl Reader.  This week’s theme is New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2020. I read books by lots of authors last year who were new to me. I’ve decided to choose ten authors who were new to be who also have books due to be published later this year. I have noticed that some publication dates are changing, so some of the dates I’ve posted may change too.

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L D Lapinski: I loved The Strangeworlds Travel Agency and am so excited that I have an e-ARC of The Edge of the Ocean via NetGalley. It is due to be released on 15th April.

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Hilary McKay: I read both The Skylarks’ War and The Time of Green Magic last year and loved both of them. I’m really looking forward to The Swallows’ Flight which is due to be released on 27th May.

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Elle McNicoll: A Kind of Spark absolutely blew me away last year, and Show us who you are is one of my most anticipated releases for this year. Luckily, I don’t have too long to wait as it is due to be released on 4th March.

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Phil Hickes: I adored the wonderfully spooky The Haunting of Aveline Jones and am really looking forward to the next one, The Bewitching of Aveline Jones. I’m not sure when it will be released – hopefully by October, ready for Halloween!

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Struan Murray: I listened to the audiobook of Orphans of the Tide last year which was just incredible with a twist I definitely didn’t see coming. I’m so glad I don’t have too long to wait until the sequel, Shipwreck Island which is due for release on 4th March.

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M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman: This is such a fun adventure series that sees Hal solve mysteries as he travels with his uncle aboard some wonderful trains across different parts of the world. I loved The Highland Falcon Thief and Kidnap on the California Comet and am really looking forward to Murder on the Safari Star which is due for release on 4th February.

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Katie & Kevin Tsang: If anyone has read Dragon Mountain, they will understand why I am desperate to read Dragon Legend! I’m so glad I have been approved to read an e-ARC on NetGalley, especially as the publication date for this one has changed and it is now due to be released on 29th April.

Maria Kuzniar: I really enjoyed The Ship of Shadows which is brimming with magic, excitement, danger, twists and revelations, but also with strong female characters, teamwork and friendship. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series, Secrets of the Stars which is due to be released on 8th July.

Sophie Kirtley: The Wild Way Home was one of my favourite reads last year. I loved the time travel element and how clever the writing was not to reveal the gender of Charlie. When putting this post together, I just happened to check if Sophie had another book due for release and was so excited to see that she does! The Way to Impossible Island is due to be released on 8th July.

Alix E. Harrow: The Once and Future Witches is the only adult book on my list. I absolutely devoured this over the Christmas holiday – such an incredible story! I will definitely be buying Alix’s next book, A Spindle Splintered which is due for release on 5th October.

What have been you top reads by authors new to you? Have you read any of these authors?

The Shark Caller is a stunning and powerful story which wove its magic straight into my heart; an unforgettable tale set on the beautiful island of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea; a tale of two young girls from different worlds who find a bond of sisterhood that saves them both.  This is an incredibly moving story that left me in floods of tears, but it also left me filled with hope and reassurance.  An absolute masterpiece that I’m already confident will be one of my top reads of 2021! 

Blue Wing lives with her waspapi, Siringen, after the loss of her parents who were killed by a shark.  He is the village shark caller, a role that Blue Wing is desperate to step into.  Siringen refuses to train her in this magical calling as it is a traditional role passed on through the male lineage, and as he is worried that she is seeking the role for the wrong reason:  in a desperate need to assuage her anger and avenge the death of her parents by killing the shark who took them from her.  Siringen is wise, honest and clever and perhaps knows what is best for Blue Wing more than she does herself, even if she is not willing to accept this.

Both Blue Wing and Siringen have a wonderful affinity with the world they live in, respecting the natural environment and reluctant to let the modern world encroach on their idyll.  They want to keep the traditions of their people alive, despite the changing times.  However, change is forced upon them by the village chief who is intent on modernising the island and opening it up to the outside world.  He has demanded that Siringen look after visitors to the island:  an American professor who has come to study the coral and his daughter, Maple. 

It is no surprise that Blue Wing’s first meeting with Maple is difficult and that friendship does not come easily to the girls who do not seem, at first, to have anything in common.  This story doesn’t shy away from the complexity of emotions that are experienced by both girls as they suffer the pain of grief at the loss of loved ones.  Theirs is not an easy path, but they learn to travel it together as their friendship and trust in each other grows, and as they learn valuable lessons relating to forgiveness and acceptance.

As the girls’ friendship develops, they find themselves caught up in a compelling mystery to uncover the secrets that Maple’s grieving father is hiding, secrets that uncover their family’s history and reveal a longing to change the past …

Some stories have the power to speak to the very core of our being and to transcend time and place; I have found a peace and solace in this story which has helped me deal with my own personal grief.  I am in awe of the emotional depth of this story, of the honest and heartfelt portrayal of the relationship between these two young girls which captured my heart and, yes, broke it a little in order to heal it again.  I mean, how does a writer do that to a reader?  There is magic and power in storytelling and this story has been imbued with its own unique magic that makes it a truly special book, an exceptional story that deserves to be read by both children and adults alike.  As an avid reader of children’s books, I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read:  I really cannot recommend it highly enough!

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne for an e-ARC.  I have ordered a signed copy from the wonderful Rocketship Bookshop.

The January theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot is It’s all about booooooooooks and today’s prompt is for Books you’re excited for in 2021.  There are so many middle-grade books I’m excited for in 2021, and lots I will be excited for – as soon as I know they exist! I’m going to choose books being published from May onwards as I have posted a Blog Post for Anticipated Releases for February until April.

1. I first saw Harklights mentioned on Twitter and was intrigued by it, so looked up the synopsis. It definitely sounds like the kind of book I will love! It is due to be released on 13th May and is published by Usborne.

Waterstones Synopsis:

Wick has always lived in the dark and dreadful Harklights Match Factory and Orphanage, working tirelessly for greedy Old Ma Bogey. He only dreams of escaping, until one day a bird drops something impossible and magical at his feet – a tiny baby in an acorn cradle… As midnight chimes, Wick is visited by the Hobs, miniature protectors of the forest. Grateful for the kindness shown to their stolen child, they offer Wick the chance of a lifetime – escape from Harklights and begin a new life with them in the wild… Winner of the Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, Harklights is a magical story celebrating family, friendship and the natural world, filled with a message of hope for our times.

2. Skyborn by Sinead O’Hart. I have loved all of Sinead’s books: The Eye of the North, The Star-Spun Web and The Ravens’ Call, so I was ridiculously excited when she tweeted that she has a new book, Skyborn, due to be published on 10th June. It is set in a Travelling Circus and, I think, features a character from Eye of the North. Don’t know much else about it yet, but I know I definitely want to read it as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.

3. I adore Vashti Hardy’s writing and have devoured all her books: Brightstorm, Darkwhispers, WildSpark and The Griffin Gate, so I was very excited to discover that she has two books being released this year. Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest (illustrated by George Ermos) is due for release on 1st April, published by Scholastic, and I’ve already included it in my post for February-April Anticipated Releases. Her other book being released this year is Crowfall which is due for release on 1st July, also published by Scholastic.

Waterstones Synopsis:

More high adventure and invention with an ecological twist from the Blue Peter Award winning author of Wildspark and Brightstorm. Cast out from the clockwork island of Ironhold, where mechanical technology controls everything, Orin Crowfall finds himself adrift on a small boat in the middle of the ocean. As Orin and his robot friend Cody struggle to make sense of the events that brought them here, the one thing they know for sure is that Ironhold is in trouble. They need to get back, whatever the cost. Plagued by perilous seas and freak storms, and with a terrifying sea monster on their tail, Orin soon realises their journey won’t be easy. It will take courage and strength, trusting in new friends and embracing the spirit of adventure, if Orin wants to save his home.

4. I have adored all the Unmapped Chronicle series, so I’m really, really looking forward to The Crackledawn Dragon which is due for release on 10th June, published by Simon & Schuster Ltd .

Waterstones Synopsis:

Where the map ends, the adventure begins . . . 11-year-old Zebedee Bolt is on the run. Again. Only this time it’s not the police who find him. It’s an evil harpy called Morg. And when she hauls him into Crackledawn, an Unmapped kingdom that conjures sunlight for our world, Zeb discovers running away only gets you so far. When magic’s involved, you’ve got to pick a side. And though Zeb vowed he wouldn’t trust anyone ever again, he didn’t expect to stumble aboard The Kerfuffle, an enchanted boat belonging to a girl called Oonie and her talking chameleon, Mrs Fickletint. Suddenly, Zeb finds himself on a voyage complete with silver whales, fire krakens and underwater palaces. Can he muster up enough trust in others, and in magic, to summon a dragon, find the Ember Scroll and defeat Morg once and for all? This is a story about saving the world but it’s also a story about trusting friends, and chameleons, even when kingdoms are falling apart. 

5. Shadowghast – The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea. I have absolutely loved this series (Malamander and Gargantis) and am so looking forward to reading the third book, even though it is quite a wait, with publication not due until 2nd September, published by Walker Books.

Waterstones Synopsis:

A creepy magician with a shadowy act. A legend that goes back to the dawn of time. Eerie-on-Sea just got stranger. And darker… A mysterious stage magician has set up in the theatre at the end of the pier, with an act so hypnotic and strange that Herbie Lemon and his friend Violet Parma suspect dark forces are at work. Meanwhile, folk are disappearing from Eerie-on-Sea, and no one knows why. There is an Eerie legend that goes back to the dawn of time, about a creature made of darkness that devours the shadows of the living. But could the Shadowghast really have returned?

6. The Haunting of Aveline Jones was one of my favourite spooky reads in 2020, so I’m so looking forward to The Bewitching of Aveline Jones which is due to be released this year, but I’m not sure when. The author, on Twitter, described it as “Standing stones, crows, magic. How much more solsticey can you get?” and I’m so up for that!

What books are you looking forward to in 2021? Are there any that you’d recommend I read?

There are so many middle-grade books that I’m really looking forward to reading in 2021. A few of those on my list, I’ve been able to read an early copy of, but will be buying the physical copy as I love to be able to add books to my class library.

February Releases

I’ve been lucky enough to read an early copy of A Tangle of Spells and The Shark Caller which are both fantastic reads. I’ve also been approved to read an e-ARC of The Dragon and her Boy. Murder on the Safari Star is series I’m eager to continue. I’ve loved reading the Who Let the Gods Out? series by Maz Evans, so am really looking forward to her new book, Vi Spy Licence to Chill. I’ve chosen the others as I’ve seen them recommended by other authors and bloggers, and feel I will definitely enjoy them. I’m just about to start The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club which I’m so excited to read as I loved the first three books in The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club.

March Releases

I was sent a sample of The Dog that Saved the World and was hooked, so am really looking forward to reading the complete book. I have been lucky enough to read an e-ARC of The Weather Weaver and really enjoyed it. I have an e-ARC of Mort the Meek and Dragon Legend, both of which I’m really looking forward to reading. The Magicians Map, Picklewitch & Jack and the Sea Wizard’s Secret, Dragon Legend, Starfell Willow Moss and the Vanishing Kingdom, The Storm Keepers’ Battle and Orphans of the Shipwreck Island are all books in series that I’ve loved, so I’m very excited to continue them. I absolutely loved Elle McNicholl’s A Kind of Spark last year, so am really excited to read her next book, Show Us Who You Are.

April Releases

I’ve been lucky enough to have e-ARCS or physical proof copies of Everyday Magic, The Strangeworlds Travel Agency The Edge of the Ocean, The Abbey Mystery and The Incredible Record Smashers, so I’ll be reading and posting my reviews before publication. Skin Taker and Agent Zaiba Investigates The Haunted House are both continuations of series I’ve really enjoyed. Featherlight, Starboard and Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest are new books by authors whose books I adore, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy these too!

There you have it! 31 middle-grade books that I’m aiming to add to my bookshelves during February, March and April. Have you already read any of these? Have you any recommendations that you think I’d enjoy?