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”Tag: mystery
The Monsters of Rookhaven | 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”Libraries 4 Schools 2021 Review Round-Up 3
Looking for something to read this bank holiday weekend? We’ve got you covered, in our most recent review round-up! A great selection of books for older and younger readers, we’ve got something for everyone!
Continue reading “Libraries 4 Schools 2021 Review Round-Up 3”Libraries 4 Schools 2021 Review Round-Up 2
Welcome to our most recent review round-up, where we take a quick look at just some of the books you might like to add to your school or personal bookshelves. And what a great selection we have for you!
Continue reading “Libraries 4 Schools 2021 Review Round-Up 2”A Secret of Birds and Bone | Review
By Kiran Millwood Hargrave (published by Chicken House)
She checked her neck again, feeling for the clasp. She searched the front of her tunic, down her trouser legs, all the way to her shoes. Then she felt her neck again.
But she was not mistaken. There was no sign of the locket. It was gone.
It matters, Sofia. Keep it safe, always.
Continue reading “A Secret of Birds and Bone | Review”The Valley of Lost Secrets | Book Review
By Lesley Parr (published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
‘One boy, I believe,’ Mr Bevan says.
One.
I think I might be really sick, properly sick, all over my shoes sick. I just want to go home.
I’m gripping Ronnie’s shoulder so tight I must be hurting him but he’s just watching her. Then the woman called Mrs Thomas looks at me and I get the same smile.
‘I’ve changed my mind, Ceri,’ she says. ‘We can make room for two.’
Continue reading “The Valley of Lost Secrets | Book Review”Lynda’s Lockdown Library 2 | Book Reviews
Welcome to the second entry in our Lockdown Library! This one is aimed at slightly older children than part 1 (which you can see here), though younger children will likely still enjoy reading along too!
Continue reading “Lynda’s Lockdown Library 2 | Book Reviews”Lynda’s Lockdown Library 1 | Book Reviews
While we’re spending time safe in lockdown, we’ve definitely found ourselves reading more! Here’s a handful of books we’ve finished recently, that we think would be perfect for primary-aged readers.
Continue reading “Lynda’s Lockdown Library 1 | Book Reviews”Happy Halloween! | Coraline | Book Review
By Neil Gaiman (Bloomsbury Publishing)
The old man leaned down, so close that the bottom of his moustache tickled Coraline’s ear. ‘The mice have a message for you,’ he whispered.
Coraline didn’t know what to say.
‘The message is this. Don’t go through the door.’
Continue reading “Happy Halloween! | Coraline | Book Review”Candy | Book Review
By Lavie Tidhar, with illustrations by Mark Beech (Scholastic Children’s Books)
“If I’d ever thought about it before, I imagined the candy trade was just a game, a handful of chocolates at a time, but this shocked me – the scale of it was much bigger than I’d expected. It didn’t feel so much like a game, all of a sudden.”
Continue reading “Candy | Book Review”