What a month! I’ve had my first experience of teaching Year 3, having moved from Year 6 and, oh my goodness, I don’t think I’ve ever been so exhausted in a first few weeks of teaching! Moving Year groups was a big adjustment for me, and moving to the Junior School was a big adjustment for my new class. I’m loving getting to know my new class who are the most wonderful group of children. And of course, I’m loving reading to them every day and sharing books with them.
Books I’ve read:
I’ve read 12 books this month which, considering how much I’ve been working and napping in the evening, is ok with me!
NetGalley:
My feedback ratio is at 99%. I haven’t requested any books this month and have two on my shelf to leave feedback for.
Books sent by publishers:
I am grateful to have been sent 21 books by publishers this month which is the most I’ve ever received in a single month.
Books bought:
I’ve bought 3 books this month.
How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these?Have you any of them on your TBR?
Written by Lindsay Galvin Cover Illustration by Gordy Wright Published by Chicken House Books
The Great Phoenix of London is the fourth of Lindsay Galvin’s incredible historical adventures, and this time she’s taking the reader back to 1666, and the start of the Great Fire of London … and what a terrifically thrilling adventure, brimming with great danger and feats of courage, awaits the reader…
December 1664: 9-year-old Gil and his family witness a comet streaking across the sky, and a glowing rock falls to the earth: a heaven-stone. Roly, Gil’s toddler cousin, will not settle without the stone, so it is taken in to their Grandparents’ home, but could it be a harbinger of ill omen?
Two years later and Gil has lost relatives, including his father, to the Plague. Visiting his Grandparents home in Pudding Lane, he is witness to a bakery fire that sparks an inferno, one that relentlessly sweeps through the London streets igniting fear in its citizens as they desperately seek to outrun the fire and seek safety.
As riots and fights break out, Gil is separated from his Grandparents and cousin Roly. He is helped by new friend Jennet who promises to get him to safety, and his mother. In his satchel, Gil carries the heaven-stone, a stone that soon hatches revealing a bird of myth, a bird of fire … a phoenix. But could someone else be prepared to stop at nothing to possess this legendary creature of fire?
And so begins a gripping, fast-paced adventure as Gil attempts to outrun the rapidly spreading fire and reach his mother. There is a palpable sense of urgency and danger, not only as the fire spreads, but as mob mentality heightens the peril. And for Gil, there is an added threat as he is pursued by a determined cold-hearted stranger intent on taking possession of the fabled bird at any cost. Now, this is how to write an unputdownable, page-turning adventure! I loved the short chapters with many cliffhanger endings which made it just impossible not to keep reading. I just had to follow Gil through the burning streets of London as he strives to protect his magnificent, magical new friend. Can Gil outrun the great fire that threatens the city of London, and be reunited with his family? Can he keep his extraordinary newly-born friend from the clutches of a cold-hearted pursuer?
This is a truly breath-taking read that brings this historical period expertly to life for readers, sweeping them effortlessly into the story – and then bringing a wonderful twist to the adventure with the inclusion of a glorious mythical creature in the phoenix. I absolutely adored every moment learning about this incredible creature, but I don’t want to spoil this experience for readers. Suffice to say that meeting this magical fiery creature will bring both wonder and heartache.
Gil and Jennet are both really likeable characters who both clearly adore their families. I enjoyed that they have a more fractious path to friendship as they each have their own priorities. Building trust and friendship is not easy for either as they have lost so much, and as they face terrifying danger from the fire which may see them lose even more. Jennet is such a strong character who is forthright and a risk-taker, and who shows such bravery as she faces danger for her new friends. Gil is a kind-hearted, courageous young boy who is prepared to stand up for others even when this puts him in danger. I loved the bond of friendship that develops between the phoenix and Gil, and how they are determined to protect each other, and think this is such a special part of the story.
A truly unforgettable, mesmerising story of courage and friendship as an inferno brings chaos, but a creature of myth brings hope … an unmissable adventure for readers of 9+.
Thank you to Lynda Smythe PR and Chicken House Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of The Great Phoenix of London in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Aisha Bushby Illustrated by Patri De Pedro Published by Barrington Stoke (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)
The Shop-Witch’s Quest is a charming, magical adventure bringing a hero and a shop-witch together on a quest that shows the value of working together and of appreciating others.
13-year-old shop-witch Laurel sometimes wishes to be a hero, undertaking daring adventures, but instead she works in her parents’ magic shop, Witch Wares Emporium. A newly opened shopping centre just outside her village of Elfingham has led to competition for business – and an often-empty Emporium.
When a hero, carrying a sword and wearing newly polished boots, enters the shop, Laurel gets an order for the magical items Aliya will need for her first heroic quest, an order that may help save the shop from going out of business. But when she cannot provide one item from her list, Aliya refuses to purchase any of the items from Laurel.
Worried that she will lose her home if the shop closes, Laurel takes her cat-familiar, Bedlam and hero Aliya on a quest to find the item, and save her parents’ shop. Can Laurel become a hero and complete the quest before it is too late for Aliya to complete her own quest?
This is a gorgeous adventure that had me smiling throughout. I loved the array of magical items from mega-hearing earrings to self-writing parchment to bright-ideas lamps. I also loved the many types of witches from smith-witch to potion-witch to garden-witch. I can just imagine the fun young children would have discussing these and coming up with their own ideas. A wonderfully imaginative, creative opportunity!
I loved the friendship that develops between Laurel and Aliya, despite a tricky start. Working together allows them each to appreciate what the others does, and to share their worries. They prove to their families that they can be successful and Laurel realises that being a shop-witch brings its own adventure. I just have to mention cat-familiar Bedlam who is brilliant – bossy and wise, with heart of gold!
The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and complement this magical adventure perfectly.
An enchanting, magical adventure, perfect for young readers of 7+.
This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This one is for ages 7+ with a reading age of 7.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy of The Shop-Witch’s Quest in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Jim Cockin Cover Design by Nell Wood Cover Illustration by Martha Vine Published by Lightning (an imprint of Eye Books)
Ghost Tide is a gripping, ghostly adventure that held me absolutely enthralled throughout with its eerie atmosphere, sense of foreboding and chilling occurrences.
Fourteen-year-old Charlie does not want to leave his friends in London behind during the Christmas holidays, but his mum is working nights and his dad is working abroad. So Charlie finds himself sent to stay with his Uncle Patrick and his daughter, Ariel, in the coastal town of Dunstrand in East Anglia.
Charlie arrives at the isolated, run-down Darkwater House to discover that there is no wi-fi access, but there is laughter from an empty room. Deciding to explore the beach, Charlie finds a strange locked brass box, a box that a stranger in an antiques shop warns him is dangerous. But before he can heed this advice and throw the box back into the sea, the box is opened … and something sinister escapes …
And so begins a chilling, spine-tingling mystery as the two cousins unite in their quest to stop a terrifying presence from wreaking havoc on the local community as it seeks something it has lost. Can they discover what has been freed from the ‘box of souls’? Will they be able to re-capture what should never have been released before harm comes to others? I absolutely loved the coastal, wintery setting, the perfectly-gauged building of tension, the ever-increasing danger as the children become more isolated and the revelation of secrets that made this a real page-turner that frequently sent shivers down my spine.
This story starts with an intriguing prologue which is blended into the mystery brilliantly as clues are uncovered by two daring and determined children. I loved learning more about the history of Dunstrand and visiting its museum, antiques shop and lighthouse giving a real sense of time and place. I really enjoy spooky, supernatural stories that bring frissons of fear: the ominous happenings, the terrifying presence and the real sense of peril and threat certainly make this a scary read – but not too scary for readers of 9+.
There is initially friction between Charlie and Ariel as neither really wants to be in Darkwater House. Ariel is grieving the loss of her mother which is causing her to lash out at her father. This makes Charlie feel uncomfortable, especially as Ariel does not hide that she doesn’t want him there. However, their shared ability to sense the supernatural brings them together and helps them to work as a team with determination, strength and courage when battling the presence that has been released from the ancient box.
A strikingly spine-chilling, mesmerising ghostly tale, guaranteed to bring shivers of delight and fright to young readers of 9+.
Thank you to the Jim Cockin and Eye Books for sending me an early copy of Ghost Tide in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Dev Kothari Cover Illustration by Tara Anand Published by Walker Books
Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Bringing Back Kay-Kay. I have a wonderful piece from Dev Kothari to share with you where she reflects on train journey adventures.
Growing up in a small town near Mumbai, in India, I walked or cycled to school, to the shops, to my best friend’s flat. To get to nearby towns, we took buses mostly, rickshaws and taxis were a luxury. And for farther distances, like when we’d visit my grandparents or go on a rare holiday or two, we’d take the train.
And it was during those travels, especially the long, overnight ones, that my love for train journeys began. Whether it is because of the rhythm of the carriages jostling on the tracks, or the views from the windows, or the serendipitous encounters with fellow passengers, travelling on trains has always felt like adventuring to me.
When I was 18 years old, I was lucky enough to be chosen to go on a very special train journey that brought together students from all over the world, to travel across India on a 20-day adventure.
Since then, I’ve ventured on trains in many different countries like Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S, to name some.
The more I travel by trains, the more I love it. I think that’s why the mystery-adventure in Bringing Back Kay-Kay is centred around a train journey too. Even though I didn’t set out to do so when I began writing it, I was very happy when the idea occurred to me. I loved bringing in and exploring different elements of train journeys. I think the best bit was writing the people that Lena meets like Stan the Man and Chacha and Singh Madam. What is interesting is that I had no idea when I was writing the story that these characters would appear. It was as if they were all waiting to be discovered – I’m sure that they’re all semblances of people that I came across one time or the other myself on a train somewhere.
I hope that my book is able to convey some of that sense of adventure and joy that I’ve experienced to the readers. And wouldn’t it be absolutely wonderful, if it inspirits them to adventure on trains themselves too?
Author Information
Dev Kothari grew up in a sleepy hamlet near Mumbai, where she read obsessively, wrote furtively and daydreamed endlessly. She won the Commonword Diversity YA novel prize in 2018 and went on to study for an MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University. This is her debut novel. Dev lives in north London. You can find Dev on Twitter: @DevyaniNK and Instagram: devyani_nk
Bringing Back Kay-Kayby Dev Kothari (Walker Books) available now.
Written by David Owen Illustrated by George Ermos Published by Usborne
Alex Neptune: Zombie Fighter is the fourth amazing adventure for Alex and his friends Zoey and Anil in this action-packed, exciting and fun series … perfect for readers of 9+.
Out on their rowing boat, Alex Neptune is teaching his friends, Anil and Zoey, how to control their sea magic when a heavy fog creeps towards them. Racing it back to Haven Bay with the help of the new Water Dragon, they watch it blanket the town. When Alex arrives home and the pirate Brineblood’s skull begins to glow, he knows that the fog is bringing danger … and he’s not wrong! Hidden in the fog are frightening crab spiders ridden by creepy cloaked zombies … and they’re looking for their master, Brineblood.
And so begins a thrilling, fast-paced adventure as Alex, Anil and Zoey discover that the only way to stop the zombies from resurrecting Brineblood is to find a powerful weapon: a trident. There’s only one problem – it has been broken into three pieces. Actually, there’s two problems – each piece has been hidden in a perilous place. Can the children enter each of these places, overcome the danger there, and use their sea magic to retrieve the trident pieces before the zombies hunting them catch up? Can they trust in an old acquaintance to help save Haven Bay from the zombie hunters?
I absolutely loved being back with Alex and his friends for another incredible, page-turning adventure. The zombies, relentlessly hunting on the backs of huge spider crabs, are seriously creepy and gross. I really felt the danger and tension as they hunted for Brineblood’s skull whose twisted magic holds power over them. It felt like the children could never escape them as they get closer and closer to catching them as the friends are focussed on retrieving the hidden trident pieces.
Alex, Zoey and Anil make such a wonderful team with such a strong friendship, always ready to support and encourage each other. They face great danger with courage, determination – and a sense of humour! I really liked that the children’s families, especially Bridget (she’s seriously sassy and brilliant!) and Grandpa, are such an active part of the adventure, helping and supporting them in their mission. I also really enjoyed that the sea animals remain such a pivotal part of the adventure, helping their friends to save Haven Bay and its people.
This is an exciting, magical and humorous adventure brimming with wonderful friendships, courage and danger, and is a brilliant continuation of a series I’ve absolutely adored. I cannot wait to join this wonderful team in their next adventure: Dragon Champion.
Author Information
Having worked as a freelance games journalist and taught on a BA Creative Writing course for three years, David Owen’s debut novel, Panther, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and was followed by three further highly acclaimed YA novels. Alex Neptune is his first series for younger readers, born of his love for nail-biting heists, fantastical monsters and heartfelt friendships.
Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Usborne for providing me with a copy of Alex Neptune, Zombie Fighter in exchange for my honest opinion.
Do check out the other stops on this week’s Blog Tour below:
Written by A.M.Howell Illustrated by Marco Guadalupi Published by Usborne
The Royal Jewel Plot is the second adventure in the Mysteries at Sea series which started with Peril on the Atlantic. This is another terrifically thrilling, twisty historical mystery that kept me utterly enthralled throughout.
It’s August 1936, and 12-year-old Alice is boarding the Lady Rose, a luxury steam yacht which she and her older brother Sonny have inherited from their grandfather. She is excited that she will be sharing the voyage with none other than King Edward VIII who has chartered the yacht to take a trip around the coast of Yugoslavia with his friend, Mrs Wallis Simpson.
Whilst exploring her new home with Sonny and the captain’s son, Don, they meet another guest: a poisonous octopus, Olive, who is guarding a priceless black opal. But when both the octopus and opal disappear, Alice and Sonny find themselves thrown in at the deep end of another mystery. And this time, their new home and the jobs of its crew are at risk if they don’t find the opal in time to hand it over to its owner.
So begins a fantastically enthralling, exciting mystery as Alice and Sonny work together, in a race against time, to discover the identity of the thief and their motive for stealing the opal. Their list of suspects grows ever longer – and even includes the king – as their investigation leads to uncovering secrets, discovering possible motives for committing the theft, and unravelling a trail of truths and lies. I absolutely loved following the intriguing clues as suspicion falls on different people, as danger increases, and as their investigations lead to some wonderfully unexpected revelations. Can these daring sleuths unmask the culprit before time runs out?
I loved the setting of the Lady Rose, a luxury steam yacht sailing around the coast of Yugoslavia and also enjoyed that Alice and Sonny get to disembark to explore Dubrovnik – somewhere I definitely now want to visit. I really enjoyed the 1930s historical context of the story with reference to the impending war, the king’s later decision, the role of women in society and the relationship between the paparazzi and the Royal Family.
I really liked being back with Alice and Sonny as they get to know each other as siblings. These children are incredibly likeable as they work together, and grow deeper bonds, as they investigate the crime aboard the yacht. Alice sees the Lady Rose as her new home and is eager to sail into adventures whereas Sonny, who has spent much of his life at sea, is keener to try living on land where he can have more pets than Rocket, his adorable mouse. Alice is curious, tenacious and willing to break rules whereas Sonny is more cautious, but their shared determination, resourcefulness and courage make them a perfect sleuthing team.
All aboard for another marvellous mystery at sea, guaranteed to lead young adventurers of 9+ on a terrific treasure-trail full of twists and turns. I am now eagerly anticipating the next mystery at sea in The Hollywood Kidnap Case.
Author Information
A.M. Howell has always been inspired by the stories around her, and how imagination can unlock the secrets of the past. Her thrilling historical mysteries have garnered great critical acclaim, winning both the Mal Peet Children’s Book Award, and the East Anglian Book of the Year Award, as well as being shortlisted for lots of other prizes. A.M. Howell lives in Suffolk with her husband and two sons.
Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Usborne for providing me with a copy of The Royal Jewel Plot in exchange for my honest opinion.
Do check out the other stops on this week’s Blog Tour below:
Written by Alexandra Sheppard Illustrations byBex Glendining Published by Faber Children’s Books
Alyssa and the Spell Garden is a magical, mesmerising contemporary fantasy that blossoms with community spirit, family and friendship.
Eleven-year-old Alyssa is spending the summer holidays with her Great-Auntie Jasmine in North London, who she has never met before, whilst her parents are working. Arriving at Jasmine’s Teas, she quickly discovers her Great-Auntie’s love for plants as she has a greenhouse and an allotment with a wide variety of plants. Although Alyssa feels welcomed, she gets upset by something she sees which provides the catalyst that releases her hidden magical powers causing chaos in the teashop.
After her Great-Auntie reveals that her family have magical powers, she invites Alyssa to attend the magical school she runs in her spell garden to learn to control her powers, and help ensure that the magic of the spell garden survives. Her great-grandmother had planted the spell garden, which uses the magical properties of plants to protect the community and help neighbours, when she arrived from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation. This is a legacy that the family have continued as Keepers are trained to take care of the magical plants used in spells. But why has this family heritage been kept a secret from Alyssa by her mother?
Alyssa feels a real sense of belonging as she is welcomed into the spell garden by the other children including her cousins, Rosalie and Rue. But the magic is fading and along with it the protection that it offers the community. Will Alyssa be able to discover what is causing the magic to fade before the community also disappears? And, what will she do if she discovers that she is to blame through a decision she has made?
I really enjoyed this captivating adventure and loved the use of magical plants to make healing teas and protection spells. I loved that the children who attended the magical school did not need to have magical powers in order to learn how to use the magical plants for spells. They are a group who care about their community and looking after it which brings its own magic. This is a story that also addresses some important urban issues around eviction and gentrification of an existing community as well as the importance of having natural spaces in built-up areas.
Alyssa is a wonderfully sympathetic young girl. She is struggling to come to terms with her parents’ separation and worrying about fitting in and making friends at the magic school. Feeling a sense of belonging as she makes friends and learns about her family really helps her control her magic and settle in to the community that she is determined to save when it is threatened.
The chapter heading illustrations of plants are exquisite; I loved that each of the plants included a property that leads into the writing perfectly.
A wonderfully enchanting adventure blooming with the magic of friendship and family and the spirit of community, perfect for readers of 9+.
Thank you to Faber Children’s Books for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Luan Goldie Cover and Interior Illustrations by Amy Nguyen Published by Walker Books
Skylar and the K-pop Headteacher is a sparklingly fun, heartwarming adventure where friendship, family and K-pop fandom harmonise perfectly.
Eleven-year-old Skylar and her best friend, Dana, are enthusiastic, loyal superfans of K-pop sensation, AZ8. Unable to attend their upcoming concert, they have planned to watch their comeback video at Dana’s house. When her parents won’t allow Skylar to go to Dana’s house, she shows her frustration, and is grounded for a week with her AZ8 merchandise being confiscated and watching their online videos banned.
The only item Skylar has managed to keep is her bunny ears hat, a replica of the one worn by her favourite member of the band. When she is caught wearing it by super-strict headteacher, Ms Callus, it is also confiscated. This proves the last straw for Skylar who is fed up with grown-ups telling her what to do, so she decides to confront Ms Callus to get her hat back. But Skylar gets a lot more than she bargains for when she wishes she was in charge … and finds that she has switched bodies with her headteacher.
And so begins a brilliantly funny, fast-paced adventure as Skylar’s love for dancing and AZ8 doesn’t diminish despite the aches and pains of her 71-year-old body, and leads to her uploading a video which goes viral … but will Ms Callus welcome the internet fame? Be prepared for lots of giggles as an impulsive 11-year-old must take on the responsibility of running a school and changing its strict rules whilst maintaining her dedication to her favourite boyband. Will she be prepared to risk being stuck in the wrong body for the opportunity to meet her favourite K-pop band?
This story has some wonderful messages around following your dreams no matter your age, self-belief, empathising with others, environmental activism, and the importance of family and friendship. I really liked the friendship between Skylar and Dana which felt really genuine with their falling out, making up and shared obsession with AZ8. I also liked that Skylar, through her absence, really learns to appreciate her family and their close bond.
A delightfully fun and warm-hearted adventure guaranteed to find its own fandom in readers of 9+.
Skylar and the K-pop Headteacherby Luan Goldie (£7.99, Walker Books) is available now.
Luan is an award-winning author and a former primary school teacher – her exceptional voice and sharp, witty dialogue combine with her knowledge of exactly what makes her young readers giggle to make a perfectly laugh-inducing read for both kids and grown-ups.
Thank you to Lorraine Keating and Walker Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy of Skylar and the K-pop Headteacher in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Méabh McDonnell Cover Illustration by Erin Brown Published by The O’BrienPress
Enter the Witchwood – if you dare! Into the Witchwood is a dark, thrilling, magical adventure that took me on an incredible journey through the Witchwood: a story that utterly enthralled me from start to finish.
Rowan is peering through her Nana’s window, watching her using magic, rather than attending her 13th birthday party. She is grieving the loss of her mum who disappeared in the Witchwood surrounding their home six months before, a wood that she is forbidden to enter as she has been told there is a malevolent witch at the bottom of an ancient well at the centre of the wood. But Rowan is determined to enter the Witchwood and bring her mum home … hoping that being a witch will help her succeed.
What she is not expecting is that her younger sister Lila and her neighbour, Farid, will follow her into the wood; what she is not expecting is that she has been tricked by the witch; and, what she is not expecting is that she has to make a terrifying bargain …
And so begins a dark, dangerous and twisting tale as Rowan, Lila and Farid must follow the rules of the woods to try to escape the clutches of the witch. They face terrifying challenges, trickery and danger as they learn to work together to overcome the obstacles in their path, but can they outwit the witch in the well, or will she trap them in the Witchwood?
I really enjoyed the allusions to folklore and fairytales from the witch in the woods luring children into her lair to the dangerous enchantment of a fairy ball and the mystical nature of the trees. I just also have to mention one creature in this story who stole my heart: Tali! I’d definitely like a Tali to be on my side – even if I might not always be prepared for the acerbic wit!
The Witchwood is a perfect setting, richly described, and really enhances the ominous, at times chilling, atmosphere which permeates the adventure as the tension builds irresistibly, making this an unputdownable read. I really felt the sense of danger and uncertainty every time one of the children broke a rule of the woods, not sure what to expect, and eagerly turning pages to find out what would happen.
Rowan is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is grieving the loss of her mother and struggling to accept that she has gone. This grief manifests itself in her lashing out at her family, especially her younger sister Lila, and in her making a decision that puts herself and others in danger. She shows tremendous courage in facing her fears, in taking steps along the path of healing and acceptance and in keeping memories alive – even when they hurt.
A mesmerising, magical and transformative adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+.
Thank you to The O’Brien Press for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Book Craic 