Books of the week

Engaging mystery, well-pitched for the age range with just enough jeopardy to keep the pages turning. It's no great literature but worth having plenty.

Reviewed by Catherine MacKenzie on 16th December 2019

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Has a slight US feel in places but wonderfully lively illustrations with loads to look at and hilarious subplots. A bubbling refrain carries you along with glee. Totally nuts but well worth having!

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 9th December 2019

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An excellent one-volume resource that could suit children, parents or just a generally clueless cook (me!) with really appetising recipes that all seem very achievable. There's great coverage of some basics like what equipment you need and key cookery techniques, and there's some standard classics as well as more unusual and wide-ranging recipes - avocado and banana ice cream anyone?? A sound buy for schools use or for leisure collections in libraries.

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 6th December 2019

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A cracking debut fantasy using a skillfully depicted world to examine the issues of human trafficking and indentured labour. The female lead is sensitively drawn and her personal relationship and struggle with the structure of her society follows an enlightening path. A touch of romance softens the gritty themes! A good read that can also be used to spark debate on many levels. First in a trilogy

This is a debut novel for Korean American for Amelie Wen Zhao which caused much controversy before it was published, and caused her to pull the book from publication for a while. Some voices argued that Zhao’s depiction of slavery was racially insensitive, others argued that the novel dealt insensitively with race and the legacy of slavery, and was an affront to nonwhite communities. However an equally vociferous group argued that the online Y.A. community had become too cutthroat, even intolerant, in its attacks on first-time authors who tackle challenging social issues or write outside their immediate cultural experience. Some of the criticisms came from those who had not actually read the book.

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 3rd December 2019

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A beautifully produced volume with great appeal on shelf, easy to pick up for browsing and hard to put down. The variety and breadth of places chosen are huge, and the light style is very absorbing. Well worth adding to any leisure collection, and will have you searching for more information on your favourite enties.

Reviewed by Lucy Forrester on 25th November 2019

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When eleven-year-old Addie goes to stay with a foster-care family on a remote Exmoor farm, she is angry and hurt. She trusts no-one and is desperate to get home to her mam. But when she becomes involved in caring for an abandoned foal and realises that she is the only human he trusts, Addie and the foal form an unbreakable bond. 

At first glance this appears to be a classic animal rescue story, with a cosy rural setting and cute baby horse. But the backbreaking work of farming, and the heartbreaking realities of why children end up in foster care, are not glossed over and the result is a novel that demands more of the reader. Addie's reason for being in foster care is slowly revealed, allowing the reader to gradually get to know her character and to sympathise with her predicament. The other characters are engaging and believable too, with the fellow foster children particularly well-written.

As the story reaches its moving and realistic conclusion, the twin strands of Addie's story and that of the foal, combine for a heartwarming but never saccharine read that fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy will enjoy. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 25th November 2019

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What an interesting book full of fascinating facts about protecting our planet. Great ideas for ways to be an"Eco-Hero". Well worth having in Conservation collections and in libraries.

Reviewed by Dawn Franklin on 18th November 2019

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Another take on the well-worn wolf-in-sheep's-clothing but it is done here with great wit and skill, and you probably won't see the ending coming! Great stuff for every collection.

Reviewed by Catherine MacKenzie on 11th November 2019

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This book is just so, so lovely that I actually found myself welling up when reading it to my children! I absolutely loved the portrayal of nursery life in the illustrations - they are so well observed. The story is gentle and warm and kind-hearted without being saccharine. Perfect for teaching children about empathy but also nice to share at bedtime at the end of a long day.

Reviewed by Hannah Middleton on 8th November 2019

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Lina was born in a Soviet prison camp, and the harsh life there is all she has ever known. The thought of one day leaving and being able to find her grandmother gives her hope. So when she gets the chance to escape, Lina jumps at the chance to start a new life. But along with her friend Bogdan, she soon discovers that there are worse things in the forest than the hunger and cold...

A skillful, immediately engaging read, this is a fantastic debut from an author to watch. The combination of historical novel, Russian folklore and fantasy quest is perfectly pitched and hugely enjoyable. Not only is the writing a joy, but the believable and likeable characters, and fast-paced plot should keep readers hooked. Neither the historical or fantasy elements are overdone, making this appealing to a wide range of interests. An essential addition to shelves. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 8th November 2019

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A fabulous story with a very important message about mental health and sharing worries. Delightful illustrations show the worry Monster shrinking as the child talks about their worries and grows in confidence. A great way of showing younger children strategies to deal with worries they may have. Well worth having.

Reviewed by Dawn Franklin on 1st November 2019

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This is an unusual tale which seems like a quest to find a winning lottery ticket but actually isn't about that at all, it's easy to get invested in the characters and we learn all about their lives and struggles, and even the seemingly 'obvious' romance between our two good-looking, charismatic and charming leads doesn't really move in obvious ways. The ending may leave you reeling with frustration that it all works out a bit too well for our newly-minted young people or be charmed by the fairy tale-ness of it all! This is the author's third novel (I've only read two of them) but her dynamic characters really do have a unique spark. 

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 28th October 2019

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Inventive and infinitely browsable, this book successfully incorporates Dahl's imaginative flair for language with the more functional purpose of a thesaurus. May not be used in the normal way in a classroom but it is a fun way to inspire kids (and adults!) to more creative writing and you can just immerse yourself in it for ages, flicking back and forth. A total must-have

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 28th October 2019

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It feels as though there are a lot of strong female-led fantasy adventures around at the moment but what set this one apart was the excellent world building and the food for thought it offered the reader. This is a very assured debut that is bound to be enjoyed by genre fans.

Reviewed by Hannah Middleton on 22nd October 2019

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