NNFN2024: This is Skateboarding

‘This is Skateboarding’ celebrates the history of the skateboarding scene, charting its rise from the streets of LA to an Olympic sport. It offers an excellent introduction for those who wish to learn more- or be inspired to take up this hobby.

The book stresses the importance of self-expression, encouraging readers to choose their own style in clothing and skating location as well as creating an individual board. Skating safety- of the individual, other skaters, non-skaters and the environment- is stressed throughout with plenty of advice and tips. A strong sense of community and inclusion is emphasised with information about movements such as the Long Live Southbank group who campaigned to keep the skatepark beneath the Southbank Centre and individuals like blind pro skater, Dan Mancina.

Throughout the book, the development of skateboarding, its clothing styles, board developments and skating spaces are celebrated, from its origins to its recent inclusion as an Olympic event. Famous and influential skaters are acknowledged, with inspirational quotes from some included. Every spread is illustrated in a colourful, vibrant, energetic style, well suited to the topic.

With a detailed glossary to support understanding of technical terms, ‘This is Skateboarding’ would be an excellent addition to any personal or public library, sure to tempt many readers and develop their interest in the world of skating!

This is Skateboarding

Hannah Wilson, illustrated by Peter Phobia

Red Shed ISBN: 978-0008614102

Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse

Pinch Perkins lives on Tricky Dragon Lane, in the heart of London’s magic quarter. Impulsive and curious, she is determined to discover who is cursing magical Londoners- including her mum- who are left in an enchanted coma known as the Sleeping Beauty curse. Reluctantly teaming up with her annoying neighbour, Henry de Sallowe, Pinch sets off in an incredible race against time to save her mother and the other Sleepers!

Such a sort summary of such an action-packed book! ‘Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse’ is an absolutely brilliant read and one which I would highly recommend to readers young- and not so young!

Much has been made recently in some quarters about longer books being too much for children to sustain- and this is a longer read; however, I have taught many children over the years (including recently!) who thrive on such books, loving the detail and world building they offer, allowing the reader to sink into that world and experience it with the characters. These readers need books like this one - and have as much right to them as those who find joy in shorter, quicker reads have a right to those! For those who love to be absorbed into a story, Pinch Perkins offers a wonderfully detailed, highly imaginative, compelling read.

Pinch is a very appealing character whose determination to save her mother and the other Sleepers leads her into all manner of situations, meeting fairies, knights, ancient evils and modern perils along the way. As her friendship with Henry develops, they make a great team, supporting and complementing each other as they face dangerous situations like the court of the Fairy King and Queen- Ronnie and Tania!-and meeting the tricky Bucca.

Evocative descriptions, moments of humour, captivating characters and a pacey, exciting plot combined with a deliciously imaginative world make this a book which would make an excellent read for engaging a class and one which I will be recommending highly to friends and colleagues! I am aware that this is a somewhat waffly review for which I apologise- but I loved ‘Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse’ very much and cannot wait to read her next adventure!

Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse

Cathy FitzGerald, illustrated by Chloe Dominique

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008603373

Published June 2024

Dreamstalkers: The Night Train

Bea Grimspuddle lives in a cottage on Thunderheart Tor with her mother, Ula, and Pip, the owl which Bea has nurtured since finding her as a fledgling. Treated with suspicion by the other villagers, Bea feels more at home with nature. When their dreams disappear, the decision is made to abandon the settlement, but Ula falls ill, leaving Bea determined to remain with her.

Realising her mother has been keeping secrets from her, Bea is amazed by the sudden appearance of a mysterious steam train with a stranger at their cottage. Seizing a chance to save her mother, Bea- and her former friend, Martha Heathsweep, are catapulted into an incredible adventure.

‘The Huntress’ trilogy is one of my favourite series, evocative and beautifully written; ‘Once We Were Witches’ and its sequel, ‘Twice We Make Magic’, are wonderfully magical and imaginative so I had high hopes for ‘Dreamstalkers’- and I was not disappointed!

From the first page, Bea is a captivating character whose devotion to her mother, curiosity, determination and tenacity, make her both believable and engaging. Ostracised by her peers, she has sought comfort in the natural world, becoming distrustful of her peers and so her renewed friendship with Martha is prickly and uncomfortable at first as she learns that she can rely on others and seek their help as she overcomes jealousy, faces danger and uncovers secrets. Martha is also an appealing character whose good heart, loyalty and courage are to be admired.

The world of the Dreamstalkers is one so richly imagined and enjoyable that I closed the book with reluctance when it came to an end. There are so many things details which make it unforgettable and enjoyable - and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

Dreamstalkers: The Night Train

Sarah Driver

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008595029

You can read my review of ‘The Huntress: Sea’ here.

Fright Bite

Club Loser are heading to Neon Perch, the place to go, for a night of celebrating Colette’s 13th birthday. With Songbird Karaoke, Galactic Golf, Battle Karts and a kitty of cash to spend, they are set to have the best night ever! However, as usual, nothing goes to plan and when the friends decide to experience Project Z, the brand-new, immersive, zombie escape room experience in the basement, they quickly realise that their old adversaries are back with more unpleasant surprises and horrors, including some vicious creatures with a poisonous bite…tick, tock.

A new book from Jennifer Killick is always a celebration- a new ‘Dread Wood’ book doubly so! Each book seems better than the last and although I might have been heard to say that ‘Deadly Deep’ was my favourite, I can now reveal that ‘Fright Bite’ has knocked it off the top spot!

One of the joys of these books is that you really feel part of ‘Club Loser’ and so are fully invested in the adventure before it starts. This unlikely group of friends prove that opposites attract and show the importance of getting to know others. Each of the gang is unique, each is flawed, but they really bring out the best in each other!

The story starts calmly enough. There is plenty of banter and if you haven’t read the previous books (why haven’t you read the previous books?), you quickly build a picture of each personality, including the very loveable Mr C, and the dynamic of the group. Having initially lulled you into a (very false) sense of security, Jennifer Killick quickly starts to build tension until the inevitable realisation dawns and the Latchitts are back!

As Club Loser face a series of terrors, culminating in venom-dripping rats controlled by Hickory Dickory Dock, the mixture of tension, humour and action keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, only breathing a sigh of relief in the last few pages when safety and sanity are once more restored. It’s a cracking read- and I can’t wait for the next one!

Dread Wood: Fright Bite

Jennifer Killick

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008657031

You can read my review of ‘Dread Wood’ here, Deadly Deep here Crater Lake here and Crater Lake Evolution here.

Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery

Marnie Midnight is really excited to be starting at Minibeast Academy where she hopes to follow in the footsteps of her heroine, Lunora Wingheart, the famous Moonologist who used to be a pupil there. But, to her disappointment, Marnie soon finds out that nobody believes in moon magic anymore. Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, Marnie and her new friends, Star and Floyd, decide to search for the truth…

From her introduction, portrait gallery of characters and map of Thimbledown to the end of the story, this new story from Laura Ellen Anderson is a charming, captivating adventure, perfect for fans of her ‘Amelia Fang’ and ‘Rainbow Grey’ series.

The detailed world building is wonderful and there are plenty of mini-beast facts woven into the tale, making this delightful story the perfect starting point for discovering more. Marnie, Floyd and Star are great characters- each personality is well-developed, showing how different natures can complement each other, each bringing their own strengths to a friendship, offering support.

The illustrations are delightful, adding much to the book and sparking imagination and interest. Whether sharing as a class story, a bedtime read or for children to love as an independent read, ‘Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery’ is a real joy!

Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery

Laura Ellen Anderson

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008591335

Deadly Deep

It’s the Summer term and Club Loser are on a school trip with the rest of Year 8, sailing off the coast of France to learn about marine life. But, as usual, things take a sinister turn and they must pitch themselves against another Latchitt - and their latest devious creation! What could possibly go wrong?!

Once again, our Queen of Scream has produced a brilliant adventure which manages to balance being fantastically funny with frissons of fear! In the Dread Wood books, Jennifer has created a brilliant team of mis-matched friends whose loyalty and belief in one another shines through on every page. She has an incredible knack for creating relatable, realistic characters, who real children identify with (they do- I’ve asked!), and are cheering on every step of the way.

These books always launch into action. The reader knows from page one that things are not going to go well and tension builds rapidly as the plot develops, resulting in a completely absorbing and enthralling read. This brilliant blend of humour, action and horror is a winning combination and although I always prefer a book, I can see that this series would translate into amazing films with some very ‘real’ kids in the starring roles!

‘Dread Wood’ was the winner of the Books for Older Readers Category of the Children’s Book Awards earlier this year, proving how popular these stories are with the readers they are actually intended for- a better review than my poor ramblings could ever be! This series is perfect for keeping those children who are at the age we all know we are most in danger of losing as readers reading and enjoying books!

Dread Wood: Deadly Deep

Jennifer Killick

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008538576

‘Dread Wood’ here, Crater Lake here and Crater Lake Evolution here. You can read about a visit from Jennifer Killick here.

Never Forget You

England, 1937.

Gwen, Noor, Dodo and Vera are four very different teenage girls, with something in common. Their parents are all abroad, leaving them in their English boarding school, where they soon form an intense friendship. The four friends think that no matter what, they will always have each other. Then the war comes.

The girls find themselves flung to different corners of the war, from the flying planes in the Air Transport Auxiliary to going undercover in the French Resistance. Each journey brings danger and uncertainty as each of them wonders if they can make it through – and what will be left of the world. But at the same time, this is what shows them who they really are – and against this impossible backdrop, they find new connections and the possibility of love.

Will the four friends ever see each other again? And when the war is over, who will be left to tell the story?

‘Coram Boy’ is one of my all-time favourite novels. A poignant, compelling story rich in engaging characters, it is hard to beat, but with ‘Never Forget You’, Jamila Gavin has produced another breath-taking novel, which also has its roots in true events, in this case by the real-life resistance hero, Noor Inayat Khan.

The four girls in the story- Noor, Gwen, Dodo and Vera- are very different personalities with very different backgrounds. Although events affecting each girl are explored, the majority of the narrative is told from Gwen’s perspective and it is around her that the girls’ friendship revolves. Through their stories, the reader is afforded glimpses of events across Europe as tensions between Germany and England mount. The rise of the Nazis, their mounting persecution and abuse of Jews and the horrors that followed are not shied away from. The book also highlights the role of Nazi sympathisers in British society and government- Dodo’s own parents are great admirers of Hitler -as well as the work of the resistance in Paris. Jamila Gavin seamlessly weaves all the strands together as she tells each girls’ story against this background.

As the girls each become involved in the war effort, they follow different paths and become embroiled in intrigue, danger and espionage. Their bond of friendship remains constant throughout as they pass in and out of each others lives and there are both moments of great happiness and deep poignancy in the story. I shed many tears!

Jamila Gavin wrote this extraordinary book as a tribute to Noor Inayat Khan, who was a British resistance agent in France. The outcome for Noor was predetermined, but the skill with which her experiences have been woven together with those of the other, imaginary, characters has created a compelling story of love, loyalty, duty and friendship. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Never Forget You Jamila Gavin

Farshore ISBN: ‎ 978-0755503346

You can read more about The Foundling Museum, setting for ‘Coram Boy’ here.

Lifesize: Baby Animals

Sophy Henn’s ‘Lifesize’ series has a new addition! ‘Baby Animals’ introduces the reader to some of the world’s most incredible baby animals- lifesize! The interactive nature of the book is highly engaging - sure to encourage discussions about size, ordering and comparing as well as about the animals!

As with the two previous books, every time the word LIFESIZE appears in capitals, the reader knows that they are face to face with an illustration reflecting the real size of the animal- sometimes only the part of the animal which can fit on the page! Each creature is accompanied by concise snippets of information written in a chatty, accessible style which is sure to engage and spark interest. There are even fold-out pages which reveal the size of a baby African elephant for children to compare themselves to!

This lovely book is perfect for using in school for work on animals and also for introducing maths concepts such a ordering, comparing and measuring. Sophy’s stunning artwork is so appealing and the range of creatures included is impressive. At the end of the book, there is a spread showing all of animals and how they compare to each other- and how many copies of the Lifesize book they measure. The tiny dot on the page is actually a daddy seahorse whilst the adult blue whale is a staggering 100 Lifesize books long! There is so much to love and learn in these pages!

Lifesize: Baby Animals Sophy Henn

Red Shed ISBN: 978-1405299497

Published 7th July 2022

Make sure you read the other Lifesize books too! You can read my review of Pizazz here and Pizazz vs Perfecto here. I reviewed Pizazz and the Demons for Reading Zone.

A Flash of Fireflies

Hazel is starting a new life in England to live with the aunt who raised her father before her parents join her at the end of the summer. Grant- her great aunt- lives in a cottage worthy of a fairy tale with a magical garden. But Hazel struggles with change, missing her family and the life she has left behind. She is visited by three fireflies who set her on quests, leading her into a fantasy world as she battles her personal demons.

Aisha Bushby is well known for her magical writing and ‘A Flash of Fireflies’ is no exception. At the end of this story, she shares her own experiences of OCD, explaining how it makes her feel and how she has built ways of fighting it. In the story, Hazel’s OCD is represented by the fireflies who take her on repetitive quests, but ultimately, she learns that she is not alone with her anxieties and that there are people who can help her. The story is sure to offer comfort and support to those who need it, but also to encourage empathy and compassion in those who have little understanding of a condition which is so often misunderstood.

Hazel’s move from Kuwait to England without her parents triggers her anxiety and yet attending summer school and exploring the topic of fairy tales helps her to make new friendships and combat the ‘scary newness’ of the place, allowing her to call it home. The writing is beautiful, cleverly combining the real with the fantasy and would make an excellent guided reading text or class read, offering much to discuss and enjoy.

A Flash of Fireflies Aisha Bushby

Farshore ISBN: 978-0755500642

You can read my review of ‘Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found’ here

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger

Lizzie Sancho lives with her family at their Westminster grocery shop which doubles as a tea shop and what her father likes to call ‘literary salon’ in Georgian London, but she is definitely not your typical eighteenth-century girl. With no interest in the latest fashions or society gossip, Lizzie is very observant and intelligent. Her father has been given the role of Othello, making him the first Black man to play this role on the British stage. A trip to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for his opening night ends in disaster after an accident; however, it also leads to Lizzie meeting Dido Belle, an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at Kenwood House, a magnificent residence on Hampstead Heath. The two girls are sure they saw something suspicious at the theatre and soon find themselves on the trail of a mystery…

There is so much to enjoy about this story. Vividly bringing Georgian London to life, it is a historical novel bursting with detail. Lizzie and Belle are based on the real people from Black British history, Elizabeth Sancho and Dido Elizabeth Belle. With so little recorded about the lives of the poor, particularly women and still less Black lives in Britain at this time, the story opens children’s eyes to the presence of the Black community in London in Georgian England. It does not shy away from serious topics such as Black people of being kidnapped and sold to slavers or to work in bondage in country houses in England ‘dressed up and collared, like pets’, the awful existence of those in enslavement in the Caribbean or the work of the abolitionists whilst offering a story of real friendship, courage- and some excellent detection!

From very different backgrounds, the girls make fascinating heroines. Lizzie is surrounded by her large, loving family whilst Belle confesses that she had never been introduced to another Black girl before Lizzie or rarely meets anyone of her own age. She knows she is fortunate to live in such luxury, but has a lonely existence. Together, the girls make the perfect team as they piece together the mystery of what happened at the theatre.

The story moves at a pleasing pace, with scenes of the theatre, the girls’ home lives and plenty of action as they investigate. The ending suggests the possibility of a new case for the girls to solve which I will be very keen to read. In the meantime, I will be reading more about Ignatius Sancho (Lizzie’s father), Dido Elizabeth Belle and other Black British figures from this period.

‘Drama and Danger’ is an excellent read, brilliantly illustrated by Simone Douglas throughout- a must have for all book corners and libraries!

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger

J. T. Williams

Farshore ISBN: 978-0008485252

Dread Wood

Detention has never been so deadly…

Forced to attend a weekend detention, Angelo, Hallie, Gustav and Naira think that things can’t get any worse. However, when their teacher is dragged underground, things start to get really scary. With danger all around, their only hope of survival is to work as a team as they try to escape.

What a read! Jennifer Killick is well known for her excellent ‘Crater Lake’ stories, but she has completely outdone herself with this one. Managing a perfect balance of humour, suspense and creepiness, ‘Dread Wood’ is gripping from page one.

Jennifer Killick excels at capturing characters- getting their ‘voice’ just right so they are believable- and developing them so that the reader cares about what happens to them. Not a natural friendship grouping, Hallie, Angelo, Naira and Gus yet find themselves bound together by circumstances, forging a deep bond. Friendship and ‘fitting in’ are at the heart of the story, challenging initial perceptions and considering the reasons behind someone’s actions as well as their consequences. Although people do the wrong thing, their actions shouldn’t define them.

These characters are launched into a series of nail-biting moments where they are fighting for their lives. In places the tension is palpable, yet the story is pitch perfect for children in Y6/Y7, never becoming too gory or disturbing, but offering a regular frisson of excitement.

Another excellent read from the ‘queen of horror’!

Dread Wood Jennifer Killick

Farshore ISBN: 978-0755503711

Published March 31st 2022

The Very Merry Murder Club

Packed full of fabulous stories, this is an amazing collection of thirteen wintery mysteries.

Each story is written by a masterful story teller and each has its own distinctive flavour and style. Edited by Serena Patel (author of the ‘Anisha, Accidental Detective’ series) and Robin Stevens (author of the ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ series), the book is perfect for dipping in and out of -or devouring in one sitting. A whole host of incredible authors have contributed to the collection including Annabelle Sami, Roopa Farooki, Elle McNicoll and Benjamin Dean, creating a delightfully diverse and imaginative range. A couple of my favourites are the following!

E L Norry’s ‘No Piste for the Wicked’ is brilliant piece of detective work, full of suspects and clues. Luca has only been at Grosvenor High for a month when he and his class mates head off to Italy for a skiing trip. But instead of enjoying the snow, he finds himself solving a murder. Addicted to the mysteries of Hercule Poirot, Luca is resourceful and determined, observing everything and skilfully piecing the crime together.

In ‘The Frostwilds’, Dominique Valente presents a fascinating and atmospheric mystery. Frostine is determined to save her sister from the fearsome Gelidbeast, roused when Frostlaw is broken, to snatch children from their families. Frostine’s courage and quick thinking save the day as she unravels the mystery of the beast and the power it wields over her people.

Each story is compelling and unique, offering very different periods and landscapes as the backdrop, but each encapsulating the essence of the mystery story. Although festive in tone, ‘The Very Merry Murder Club’ would make an excellent guided reading text for children in Year 5 or Year 6 as they offer plenty to discuss and explore whilst enjoying the style and approach of a range of authors. The book is illustrated throughout with black and white picture which add to the atmosphere. I particularly like the way each chapter starts with a picture of a ‘Top Secret’ folder, containing the story to come.

Sure to engage and entertain, ‘The Very Merry Murder Club’ both introduces children to a wealth of writers and offers an excellent selection of mysteries to solve.

The Very Merry Murder Club

Edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens

Farshore ISBN: 978-0755503681