Written by S.F. Said, illustrated by Dave McKean (published by David Fickling Books)
Continue reading “Tyger | Book Review”‘Nothing is ordinary,’ said the tyger. ‘Everything is extraordinary. In all of infinity and eternity, that flower exists only in this world; this precise position in space and time. Everywhere else, there is a different flower, or no flower at all. And the same is true of you. Nothing special? You are miraculous beyond measure, both of you.’
By J.P. Rose (published by Andersen Press)
Continue reading “The Haunting of Tyrese Walker | Young Adult Book Review”They began to walk back down the track but Tyrese glanced over his shoulder towards the trees on the mountainside. Even though it was hot and humid, he shivered, his skin tingling. Why couldn’t he shake off the feeling that something or…someone was watching him?
Graphic novels are a great way to get reluctant readers to pick up a book; from Dog Man to Alex Rider, they have kick-started many reading journeys. So I decided to try a few I hadn’t read yet for our newest review selection.
All entries in this round-up are illustrated in full colour.
Continue reading “Graphic Novels for Autumn 2022 | Reviews”
This summer we’ve been diving into some fantastic and gorgeously illustrated non-fiction books, from recent and ancient history, to nature and cultures. We’ve picked some of our favourites to share with you in our short non-fiction review round-up!
Continue reading “Illustrated Non-Fiction Summer 2022 | Review”
By Hannah Durkan (published by Hachette Children’s Group)
‘Who … Who are you?’
This made Zeina bristle. He had seen her just as many times as she had seen him and yet he had no idea who she was. This was just like Aboves; people like Zeina were merely part of the scenery – completely forgettable.
‘Who am I? NOBODY, that’s who!’ She knew she could get into trouble for talking to him this way. After all, he was technically her father’s employer.
Continue reading “Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale | Review”
Edited by Matt Brown & Eloise Williams, illustrated by Max Low (published by Unbound, 2022)
But as well as being really, really old, the stories in The Mab are thrilling and funny and MAGIC. They speak of a time when the gates between the Real World and the Otherworld were occasionally left open. And sometimes, just sometimes, it was possible to step through. Trust me, you’re going to love them.
Continue reading “The Mab | Welsh Folklore Book Review”
Sorry that we’ve been a bit quiet – our editor had COVID, then moved house, but now we’re back! Recently, I’ve been looking for books that might entice reluctant readers, especially boys, to pick them up and have a go. We’re talking not too long, exciting covers, and titles that may really inspire them.
Continue reading “Reluctant Reader Recommendations Pt.1”
By Kirsty Applebaum (published by Nosy Crow, 2021)
But it was only a rabbit. It’ll shorten a few days from me, a week at the most. Talents like this don’t come free, you know. There’s always a price.
Give a bit of life, lose a bit of life.
That’s how it goes.
Continue reading “The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke | Book Review”
Written by Pádraig Kenny and illustrated by Edward Bettison (published by Macmillan Children’s Books)
She slowed down as she reached the yawning opening to her left that led down into the bowels of the house. She crept towards it, one eye on the incline that led deep into the dark. She fought the urge to whisper, ‘Piglet.’ She remembered the words Uncle Enoch and the others were so fond of using.
Piglet is dangerous.
Continue reading “The Monsters of Rookhaven | Book Review”
By Diana Wynne Jones (published by Harper Collins Children’s Books)
“Who is Archer?” said Howard.
The Goon shrugged his huge shoulders. “Archer farms this part of town. Your dad pays, Archer doesn’t make trouble.” He grinned, almost sweetly, and sucked the last bit of bread off the point of his knife. “Got trouble now. Got me.”
Continue reading “Archer’s Goon | Book Review”