Songs for Ghosts book cover for review - image shows a young Japanese woman in a kimono holding a biwa. She has a blue filter over her. The landscape around her is puffy like clouds, a pale pink colour, with large blue flowers growing from it. White butterflies fill the red sky above.
Book Reviews

Songs for Ghosts | YA Book Review

By Clara Kumagai (Zephyr, 2025)

‘Who are you?’ I burst out. ‘How did you—’

She raised her head slowly. Her hair was long and dark and straight, half-covering her face, a pale oval. Her lips moved, but I couldn’t hear what she said. Benny quietened. Her eyes were like mine.

There was a noise from another room – my room – and I half-turned towards the sound, then remembered, caught myself and whirled back to the crib. There was nobody there, no woman, nothing. Only Benny, blinking his eyes, clenching and unclenching his little hands.

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The Song Walker book cover for review shows an orange desert under a harsh sun. Two girls are walking - on the left, a white girl in a black dress carrying a metal case. On the right, a black girl in dungarees pointing off and leading the way. In the centre of the image is a green bird, with the book title around it in blue.
Book Reviews

The Song Walker | Book Review

By Zillah Bethell (published by Usborne Publishing, 2023)

The bottle is removed from my lips. I try calling out for it to be returned, but then a hand – wet with water – runs over my brow, cooling my forehead. It feels so good.

“Wait here,” the voice says. “I will be back soon. A few minutes. Don’t move.”

I hear feet scrunching against the dirt. Running. Away from me. I raise my arms in the air. Please don’t go, I try saying, but nothing comes out of my mouth. Please stay. Don’t leave me alone here.

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lockdown children's book reviews
Book Reviews

Lynda’s Lockdown Library 3 | Picture Book Reviews

Welcome to the third entry into our Lockdown Library series! Although some children are back in school, we know that there are plenty who are still at home. So we’ve gone through our collection and found some wonderful picture books that are great for keeping the spirits up!

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