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Book cover for review: image shows a grand old manor house with a red front door and long windows. The windows directly above the door are lit up, while one on the bottom right is boarded up. The manor is surrounded by snow, and a line of shadowy tress stands behind it. Above the manor rises a full moon in a starry sky. This is all flanked by two leafless trees, one on each side, close to the viewer. In the branch of the left tree lies a white squirrel. Across the snow in front of the house is the title "The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor", and underneath the subtitle "A Christmas Mystery".
Book Reviews

The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor: A Christmas Mystery | Review

Kim

Written by Eva Frantz, illustrated by Elin Sandström (pub. Pushkin Press, 2023)

‘It’s her!’

The white thing disappeared too quickly for Flora to see what it was, but for a few horrible moments she thought she had seen a pale face peering in at her and whispering.

But the room was on the first floor, so surely no one could be peeking in up there?

Flora lingered in the doorway, dead still.

Did she dare go over to the window and look?

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Book Gifts Advent Calendar 2024

Lynda

Welcome to our advent calendar for 2024! We read some wonderful books throughout the year that we think would make great gifts for young readers, so we’ve hidden them behind our advent doors. From fiction to nonfiction, poetry to picture books, as well as a few bookish treats, there’s something for everyone!

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Book cover for review: image shows a young girl dressed in furs and wearing a deer skull on her head, carrying a bow. She has one hand on a large white reindeer walking beside her. It has packed bags strapped to it. They're walking through the snow in a dark forest. The title "Fia and the Last Snow Deer" is inscribed in gold above them.
Book Reviews

Fia and the Last Snow Deer | Book Review

Kim

Written by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (pub. Puffin Books, 2024)

Suddenly I know what I have to do
to keep Solas safe.
The prophecy says the sacrifice must be given
freely,
              gladly,
                             with hope.
Nothing about
blood                  sadness              despair.

Continue reading “Fia and the Last Snow Deer | Book Review” →
Book recommendations covers for Oct 2024
Book Reviews

Monthly Book Recommendations: October 2024

Lynda

Welcome to our monthly book recommendations post for October! There are still a few spooky titles in our list from last month, but we were also looking forward to non-fiction November.

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Book cover for review shows a young boy in a shabby black suit standing amongst a crowd of people against a light blue background. The people are silhouetted in blue, green, and white, with no facial details, causing the boy to stand out. Above is the title 'The Boy in the Suit' in large letters.
Book Reviews

The Boy in the Suit | Book Review

Kim

By James Fox (Scholastic, 2024)

I pulled again on Morag’s wrist, so hard I felt my veins popping out of my forehead. Why couldn’t they just let her go? I wished Morag and I had the power to turn invisible. I wanted us to run away and forget all about this stupid funeral.

That’s when the camera flashed. Bright white, right in our faces. “Oh dear,” a man’s voice sneered. It was the newspaper photographer from earlier. “What’s going on here, then?”

Continue reading “The Boy in the Suit | Book Review” →
Book recommendations covers for Sep 2024
Book Reviews

Monthly Book Recommendations: September 2024

Lynda

Welcome to our monthly book recommendations post for September! Last month we read some very spooky books, some not-so-spooky books, and some that aren’t really spooky at all. And we enjoyed each and every one of them!

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Book cover for review shows a dark-haired girl with her hood up and wearing a dark green cloak riding a pale horse. Behind her sits another young girl with long blond curls and a red cape flowing behind them. She's looking back over her shoulder, with her arms clasped around the girl in front. The background is green with floating leaves, the title 'Not for the Faint of Heart' written above them in gold.
Book Reviews

Not for the Faint of Heart | Young Adult Book Review

Kim

By Lex Croucher (Bloomsbury, 2024)

‘It wasn’t meant to be violent,’ Mariel said reluctantly.
‘What?’
‘The kidnapping,’ Mariel snapped. ‘I may have been overzealous with my instructions. It was just meant to be…fast.’
‘Ah, yes. A nice clean abduction, with proper attention paid to the procedures.’
‘Stop being so dramatic. You’re just on loan.’
‘You shouldn’t kidnap innocent people, Captain,’ Clem said sharply. ‘People might get the wrong idea about you and your merry mates.’

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Book recommendations covers for August 2024
Book Reviews

August 2024 Book Recommendations

Lynda

August has been a busy month, what with travelling (and maybe seeing a few bookshops on the way!), as well as prepping for our next big giveaway. We always find time to fit in a few books here and there though!

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Book cover for review shows a stream flowing through a green forest, the trees dappled with gold. Along the bank three children walk, their aims outstretched for balance. In the middle, over the stream between the trees on either bank, the title 'The Worlds We Leave Behind' is picked out in gold.
Book Reviews

The Worlds We Leave Behind | Book Review

Kim

Written by A. F. Harrold and illustrated by Levi Pinfold (pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024)

And only now did he really wonder at the oddness of everything.
Only now?
This woman who spoke so strangely.
This cottage in a clearing that couldn’t possibly fit in the woods he knew.
The rain that was drumming on the windows from heavy dark clouds that hadn’t been there twenty minutes earlier.
Oddness held the door open for fear to step in.
‘I think I’d best get going,’ he said.

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Book recommendations covers for summer 2024
Book Reviews

Summer 2024 Book Recommendations

Lynda

Hurrah for summer! A time to relax, rejuvenate, and read, read, read. Here we share just some of the many brilliant books we’ve enjoyed this summer so far.

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