You Wouldn’t Catch Me Dead Written by Tess James-Mackey Over the last 6 months I have developed a love for murder mysteries YA books, so I was delighted when this came out. The only thing worse than being lost . . . is being found. Keely planned to keep her head down at her new school – she isn’t there to make friends or memories, she just wants to be left alone . In order to get into college, she is roped into a programme that involves camping in the Welsh wilderness with five over-keen try-hards. Her plan is to keep her head down, keep her mouth shut and get through the next few days ..read more

Ever since becoming aware of Barrington Stoke’s fantastic titles they publish primarily for the benefit of dyslexic readers, of all ages and reading stages, I have come to really appreciate the invaluable resources they provide as we look to offer reading for pleasure opportunities to all children. Printed on yellow paper, as required for dyslexic readers, the quality of content in each and every book printed and published by Barrington Stoke is utterly brilliant. The books are written by popular authors, and illustrated to such a high standard by some of the most incredible illustrators, and ..read more

Some people believe that picture books are only meant for younger children and that older children don’t benefit from picture books. All children learn through picture books and here are some amazing ones for older children. The Selfish Giant  Written by Oscar Wilde Illustrated by Ritva Voutila The children always played in the Giant’s garden, but when he returned after years away, he said, “What are you doing here?” and the children fled. “My own garden is my own garden,” said the Giant, “anyone can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself.” A very selfish G ..read more

Written by Barbara Henderson I don’t watch television, I find it really boring, but recently I have discovered a liking for documentaries about Kings and Queen of Tudor times. For some reason I find them fascinating. I have learnt about Queen Victoria, Henry V and Queen Mary of Scots. So I was really interested in reading this book. No. Not the Palace. Anywhere but the Palace. 12-year-old Alexander Buchan was once content, training as a falconer at Strathbogie Castle in Huntly. But when his Earl sends him to Edinburgh to the court of the newly arrived Mary, Queen of Scots, the boy finds ..read more

The Balloon Thief Published by Chicken House I love Fantasy books so I couldn’t wait to dive in and start this series. For Khadija, the only escape from her father’s arranged betrothal is the sky. When she spots a rogue hot air balloon fighting against its ropes, she leaps at the chance for adventure. Khadija soon finds an unlikely ally in a poor glass maker’s apprentice, Jacob. But Jacob is a hāri, and Khadija a Ghadaean. The hāri are oppressed and restless―their infamous terrorist group, the Hāreef, have a new fearsome leader. And the ruling Ghadaeans are brutal in their repression. Soon ..read more

 Written by Hiba Noor Khan Andersen Press It took me and a year 6 teacher at my school  a couple of years to convince the leadership team that World War 2 needed to be studied in year 6. To aid our topic I put together a list of books set during the war that would give the children a general idea of what conditions were like . The books I chose are all different and all cover a different part of the war. These books include The Midnight Guardians, I Spy, and of course the fabulous When the Sky Falls. There are of course too many to mention. But now I have discovered another book t ..read more

Written by P. A. Staff Another new series to read, I couldn’t wait to start this. A boy with no memory. A world searching for a hero.Casander Darkbloom has no memory, lives outside a curiosity shop, and experiences random surges of uncontrollable energy in his limbs. When he inexplicably brings a stuffed raven to life, he unravels a strange and thrilling magical world. A world waiting for Cas to save it.Cas is the Foretold, the one prophesied to defeat the malevolent Master of All. Under the protection of Wayward School, Cas must learn to master his magical abilities. But, as he soon discov ..read more

Ever since becoming aware of Barrington Stoke’s fantastic titles they publish primarily for the benefit of dyslexic readers, of all ages and reading stages, I have come to really appreciate the invaluable resources they provide as we look to offer reading for pleasure opportunities to all children. Printed on yellow paper, as required for dyslexic readers, the quality of content in each and every book printed and published by Barrington Stoke is utterly brilliant. The books are written by popular authors, and illustrated to such a high standard by some of the most incredible illustrators, and ..read more

Written by A.M. Howell Published by Usborne I loved the first book in the series and the ending was mind blowing, the copy I bought for the school library is never there, it is always on loan. I was so happy when book 2 popped through my letterbox and knowing I was going to be spending a lot at the fishing lake with my oldest, I kept this book for one of these trips. And boy it was everything and more that I wanted. I tried to ration myself to only a couple of chapters a day (knowing that it will be a while until book 3 is released) but in the end I gave in and read to the end. We catch up ..read more

Written by J.J. Arcanjo Crookhaven was an absolutely brilliant book and the concept was so unique. A school for would be crooks and thieves. I completely demolished the book in one sitting and the wait for book 2 was so long. So when I got my hands on it, it didn’t take me long to get myself back with Gabriel and friends. It’s Gabriel’s second year at Crookhaven School for Thieves. And with a tricky Break-In challenge to the teacher’s section of the library to attempt, plus a new class called Reclamation, his Miscreant year is already off to a busy start. Then Gabriel and his friends l ..read more