Review: Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea

*Written by Emma Swan*
*Illustrated by Katie Saunders*
*Published by Usborne Books*

Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea! is the first in a fantastically fun new mystery adventure series set aboard a ship where a crime has taken place, and a young definitely-not-a-detective is all aboard to solve the case – with a little help from the reader!

10 and a ¼ year old Silver lives aboard the Potentia cruise ship as her mum is the Deputy Cruise Director. She spends most of her time with The Gang – a group of elderly, but young-at-heart, cruise-o-philes, who enjoy back-to-back cruises around the world. They have taken Silver into their hearts, and she clearly adores them, but what she would really like is a BFF who is her own age. Could she possibly find one on the ship’s 2-week Mediterranean summer cruise – a time when more children come aboard?

Whilst on a Venice excursion to the famous Murano glass shop, she meets posh girl Yana, who had laughed at her during the Sail Away Party, but who now invites her to the pool the next day. When the other kids are rude to her and she falls into the pool, Silver finds herself, once again, being laughed at – and rescued by one of her Gang. Despite this disastrous start at her attempt to find a BFF, she immediately forgives Yana, and begins a mission to change herself so that Yana will like her. Will Yana want to spend more time with her if she changes her accent and wears the clothes she suggests? What is Silver prepared to do in order to please the girl who she is desperate to have as a BFF?

When two expensive watches, brought on board by Yana’s uncle and his girlfriend Paula-with-a-P, go missing, Silver sees an opportunity to spend more time with Yana. Although she definitely isn’t a detective, Silver invites Yana to help her solve the mystery of the missing watches – and perhaps she’ll also find a BFF. Will she discover some super sleuthing skills along the way and stop an injustice? Can Silver find the courage to listen to her ‘in-between-ears’ voice and be true to herself? I loved following the mystery as Silver uncovers clues, identifies and eliminates suspects, makes mistakes and fights to protect her friends.

This is a wonderfully action-packed, hilarious adventure with plenty of heart-warming moments, and some important messages about forming genuine friendships and remaining true to yourself. I really enjoyed learning more about entertainment and dining aboard the cruise ship, and the excursions available, especially as I’m hoping to go on my first ever cruise this summer – something my husband has been trying to persuade me to do for years!

I really enjoyed that this book is written in diary format with wonderful doodles and notes. Whilst this is a longer book, I have no doubt that the short chapters, gorgeous, expressive illustrations and chatty, funny, fast-paced style will appeal to younger readers as they break up for their summer holidays. It’s certainly one I’ll be recommending to my class. I also loved how interactive the story is with Silver’s kind and friendly nature shining through, showing friendship towards the reader as she encourages them to interact with her and her adventure – and even write their responses!

I absolutely adored Silver who, understandably, wants to have friends her own age, something that is tricky when she lives aboard a cruise ship where children who arrive do not stay for long. She is torn between her desperation to have a friend her own age and her loyalty to her mum, her ship family (the Gang) and the crew. This leads to Silver doubting herself and others, breaking rules she knows she shouldn’t, and putting herself in difficult situations to gain friendship. Silver’s honesty and genuineness with the reader makes her an incredibly likeable character, even more so because of her fallibility. And I just have to mention the Gang who play such an important, and active, part in Silver’s life – what an absolutely fantastic bunch of octogenarians+ who brought lots of smiles – and how wonderful to see such positive intergenerational relationships.

Embark on the adventure of the summer with the cruise ship kid, and help her solve an intriguing mystery … guaranteed summer fun for readers of 8+.

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

Review: Knight Sir Louis and the Cauldron of Chaos by The Brothers McLeod

Knight Sir Louis and his friends are back for more hilarious mayhem in their sixth fantastically funny and heart-warming adventure, The Cauldron of Chaos. An absolute riot of fun that is guaranteed to bring giggles galore to young readers as they join Knight Sir Louis on his perilous quest.

Knight Sir Louis is racing towards another heroic adventure on his trusty robot steed, Clunkalot, a mission to save the Kingdom of Squirrel Helm from evil, cursed living diamonds intent on world domination. With the help of his loyal, magical sword, Dave, he is able to defeat the diamonds (or is he?), but not without Dave being injured and in need of healing by his maker which means that Louis is in need of a new sword …

His friend, wizentor (wizard inventor) Pearlin is too busy building a theme park for King Burt the Not Bad to help so instead she sends him to ambitious witch, Cilla Da Spell’s market stall where he buys Steve Jabs who has a penchant for mood music, photos and giving directions, but not too sure about the actual jabbing …

When Louis goes to meet his best friend, Catalogue the boar, who is now a Police Inspector, he discovers that his help is needed to help solve a case of thievery, a case that leads towards the Big Bank and a dastardly, greedy villain … the Cauldron of Chaos who steals from the ~~rich~~ anyone and gives to ~~the poor~~ itself.

Can friends Louis, Catalogue and Pearlin come up with a plan to defeat the Cauldron of Chaos and return the stolen riches to their rightful owners? Will joining forces with Cilla Da Spell make the Cauldron invincible? Can diamonds really be a knight’s best friend? And, will they find the perfect cauldron cleanser in Transylwoofia?

Oh my goodness! This was SO much fun! I absolutely loved how playful it is in terms of wacky ideas and language – and the bookish and popular references which made me giggle. I adored the running commentary by the good citizens of Squirrel Helm. I also loved the ‘Choose Your Own’ section where the reader helps the friends decide where to go in Transylwoofia via Chapters A-F – but having to read all chapters to be successful!

The layout of this book will make it incredibly appealing to readers from its many, many brilliantly expressive and lively illustrations over partial and whole pages to its range of fonts to its graphic novel style inserts and commentary asides and insights for the reader.

There is such a wonderful bond of friendship between Louis and his friends which make them a wonderful team when coming up ideas and carrying out their plan. They show courage and determination when facing danger, never giving up and working together to complete their mission. Whilst there are PLENTY of laughs in this adventure, I also really liked that it has strong friendships and a real warmth that young readers will enjoy. A delightful, fast-paced adventure, fizzing with friendship and humour, perfect for readers of 8+.

Thank you to Dannie Price and Guppy Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Maisie vs Antarctica by Jack Jackman

*Written by Jack Jackman*
*Cover artwork by Marco Guadalupi*
*Published by Nosy Crow*

Maisie vs Antarctica is the first in an exhilarating, action-packed new adventure series that took me to the stunning, wild and dangerous Antarctica landscape for an unforgettable, breath-taking father-daughter expedition that held me utterly enthralled.

Eleven-year-old Maisie has something in common with her father: they are both writers. But, whilst Maisie writes exciting, fantastically imaginative adventure stories, her father writes informative books such as ‘How to Wrestle Crocodiles’ and ‘How to Build a Zipwire’. Surely, there must never be a dull moment with a father who writes such thrilling books, but Maisie knows her father has never done any of these things. Whilst she clearly loves him dearly, Maisie is sure that her Dad’s life is full of boring pursuits, like making origami triangles or jigsaws of a cloudless, blue sky.

It is the start of the Christmas holidays, and her Dad is off to Antarctica to research his next book. But this time Maisie convinces him to take her with him … on her first real-life adventure. But she gets more than she bargained for when they get into trouble on their flight and her Dad manages to crash-land their plane. To make matters worse, she discovers that no-one knows where they are. They may be lost with little chance of rescue, but maybe, just maybe, her Dad is not as boring as she first thought and has abilities beyond her wildest imagination! But are these abilities capable of saving them both, or will they lead them into even more danger?

And so begins the most thrilling, fast-paced adventure that kept me eagerly turning pages as Maisie is determined to uncover her Dad’s secret – is he a superhero with supernatural powers? Could he have the ability to teleport? How else could he have saved her from a dangerous encounter with a leopard seal? This is an absolutely gripping read with oodles of action, danger, excitement and humour within the stunning, but perilous, Antarctica landscape. I loved the short chapters with cliffhanger endings which makes it hard to put down, but, as a teacher, I know will also make it a brilliant class read.

I absolutely loved the close bond between Maisie and her father, and really enjoyed their shared adventure. It is clear that Maisie’s Dad would do anything to protect his daughter and keep her safe, but can he keep his determined and curious daughter from discovering his secret? Maisie is the most wonderful young girl: highly imaginative, daring and courageous with a brilliant sense of humour and a thirst for adventure.

Prepare to be lost in an icy, breath-taking adventure where family secrets unfold and true heroes are made … a terrifically thrilling adventure for children of 9+.

Thank you to Hannah at Nosy Crow for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.