This is the second year that one of Tom Palmer’s books has reached the Children’s Book Award shortlist and his place is well deserved. The story is that of Jack who loves hearing about war as his Dad is in the TA and he loves playing war games on his computer. He is about to go on a school trip to France and visit the graves of some of the dead for the Second World War. He thinks war is glorious but his mind is changed by his dog, his family, his friends and a young soldier who died in the Second World War. Through this book you see Jack change from someone who has a fixed mindset to one that is more open. You empathise with him and see his inner struggle and want the best possible outcome for him. Tom Palmer has a sensitive and trusting hand and tells a tale that will melt the coldest of hearts. For more information on Tom Palmer click here Get your copy and support a local bookshop here
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As a fan of history and most YA books with a bit of romance this book was the perfect fit for me. Set in modern day Salem, Sam Mather moves into her grandmothers home after leaving New York. Her father is gravely ill and is in a coma. A new house. A new school. And new friends to make. Except not everything comes easily to Sam. She is uptight and scared and seems to have a cursed life. Problem is that she doesn’t know how to shake it and will have to try and change the course of history with the help of witchcraft, ghosts and secret compartments. I also love the fact that this book made me do my own research into the Salem witch trials (which I had previously read about when performing The Crucible when at university) and gave the whole trial in a different light. It was heart stopping and I held my breath many times... and even had to read it with all of the lights on! This books is truly atmospheric and tense and heart breaking and satisfying in so many different ways. If you are a fan of the paranormal, witchcraft, the unexplained, romance and lots of haunting atmosphere - this is the book for you. For more information on Ariana Mather click here Support a local bookshop and order your copy here
Everyone knows about the amazing author Jane Austen but how much do you know about her family and her background. This witty and light offering by Lucy Worsley ticks all the boxes: balls (tick), dresses (tick), potential proposals (tick), mystery and intrigue (tick) and so much more. The book paints the tale of cousins Fanny and Anna and the societies need to find a husband as soon as possible. Fanny is the oldest of nine so the pressure is on to find a decent match. But she also follows the advice of her spinster Aunt Jane who is against the trend and asks the girls to be a heroine. This book has it all and I highly recommend it to those who love a good period drama, empire line dresses and the need to find love and a purpose in life. First of all I have to say I was a MASSIVE fan of All the things a bright girl can do so expected the same calibre of writing – and I wasn’t disappointed. Set at the first Christmas after the Great War when soldiers were returning home after being battel-scared by their years in service, life in the village is adjusting to a new normal. For Margot, who is home from Durham where she is learning to be a typist, she doesn’t really know what it is to be normal. Her sweetheart, Harry was missing in action during the war but by some miracle he returned. But with his return Margot has to make a decision as to whether she should let him know a secret that she has kept from him for over two years. This book beautifully conveys what life must have been like in the post First World War years with a shadow of the nearly forgotten Victorian ways with an essence of Victorian sensibilities. Women had a very specific role which needed to be done in a very specific order: your trained, went courting, got married and have a family. The order must not be changed otherwise dishonour would befall your whole family. And for Margot she struggles through this Christmas period addressing the order of life and, as she moves from childhood to adulthood, she finds that the careful balance of her emotions and her relationship with her vicarage family could so easily be thrown into turmoil. This book addresses so many issues which were taboo in the period but Nicholls handles them with sensitivity and grace which leaves the reader with a ray of hope and calm. I would heartily recommend reading this book – particularly if you have already read books about the First World War. There are not many books that address the aftermath and the strange new world that emerged in the Post Wartime era. Age recommendation 14+ Wow! This graphic novel tells the story of twin brothers Josh and JB and their relationship with girls, their dad, their mum, with basketball and each other. Told in episodes (and through clips of basketball games) you see the highs and lows of both brothers and what makes them tick. This book is perfect for reluctant readers and the pace is super fast and satisfying at the same time. As someone who knew very little about basketball it made me want to read up on it more (and perhaps watch a game or two!) Teens will sympathise and empathise with the brothers and the tough decisions that need to be made. First of all can I say how amazing Barrington Stokes books are? Dyslexic friendly and the perfect contrast in paper... much applause to you! The story is that of Owen who befriends a statue of a soldier in his local council owned garden. But things are about to change and Owen realises that sometimes, even when times are rough and things don’t look so bright, we can still do little things to change our fate. A perfect book for readers of all ages which is heart warming, lovely and full of hope. Bri has a dream to be a superstar rapper. But she has a lot to live up to. She lives in a down at heel neighbourhood and she is always getting into trouble at school. Her family live hand to mouth. Times are hard. But Bri has talent. Talent that she wants to use to turn her families fortunes around. Unfortunately in a world where social media is King and gossip is rife it is difficult to always say what you mean without it being misunderstood or misread. Bri wants to make the right decisions for her and her family and for her own future. This story is full of punch and hard knocks, harsh realities and rap music but also rays of hope and not giving up on your dreams! The language is quite fruity throughout - not recommended for younger readers (14 years and up) First of all this book is amazing on all accounts and I can’t wait to read other books from the same author.
Set in Victorian England where women are second class citizens and girls should be demure and fragile we meet a family with many secrets. Erasmus, Myrtle, Faith and Howard are shipped to the island of Vane to escape the gossip of the mainland. But there are so many unanswered questions. And Faith (a headstrong and forthright female) wants to find some answers. However in a world where girls are lesser beings it is difficult to be heard and have people to listen. A fabulous tale of the Victorian view of women and so much mystery that you will want to read the next chapter just to find out what happens next! I would also say it is about not always judging a book by its cover and not always believing what people say to you! Eleanor and Park is a beautiful, touching and genuine love story. Set in Omaha 1986 it follows two teenagers who meet on the school bus. Eleanor is a new girl, whose family life is troubled (to say the least); but she’s uncompromising in the way she presents herself—she’s quirky, somewhat spikey (to begin with) and really vulnerable underneath it all. Park is a quiet boy, who keeps his head down at school, trying to not be noticed. He has a supporting and loving family; his mother is from South Korea and his dad is an army veteran. When their relationship develops it’s rewarding, realistic and pure. It took me back to my own teen years, perfectly capturing the intense emotions we all go through when we first fall in love (and then some!). I was completely immersed and rooting for them. Their romance isn’t based on lust or looks (at least not in the traditional sense). It’s just… beautiful. There isn’t much I can say about the actual story because it really would spoil the novel, although I can say that there were times when I had a good snot cry. Oh, and the ending? I couldn’t stop thinking about it. To be honest I knew I was going to cry. But my reasons for crying were many more than I thought there were. I cried for the characters. I cried for people reflected in those characters. I cried because of the story which I devoured in a matter of days. I cried because I didn’t want the book to end. I cried because of the ray of hope and life. I cried. Properly snot cried and I’m proud of it. Read it if you like a good teen romance with a sense of hope. |
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