Books of the week

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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Sensitive, moving portrayal of a very tricky topic which manage a lightness of touch and touches of humour despite the heavy subject material. Useful support but also a wonderful leisure read.

Reviewed by Catherine MacKenzie on 21st October 2019

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This is a thoroughly enjoyable and unusual adventure story: the world building is vivid, the characters are charmingly eccentric and the reader feels fully invested in Bronte's fate. It's intelligently written with so much care and wit. I absolutely loved it,

Reviewed by Hannah Middleton on 11th October 2019

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This engaging and entertaining tale works both as an allegory for Brexit, and as an enjoyable story. 

On a farm where all of the animals are friends, the geese begin to gossip amongst themselves about how much better life would be if they lived separately from everyone else. They hatch a plan to cut themselves off from the farm, and convince themselves that life is perfect now. But is it really better to be on your own?

Ideal for explaining the current political situation to preschoolers, The Little Island is a positive, hopeful picture book with a happy ending. Perfect for these uncertain times! 

Reviewed by Hannah Middleton on 4th October 2019

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In the wrong hands, this could have so easily have become just another 'issues book' (dealing as it does with themes of coercive control), but such is Downham's skill of characterisation that Lexi's situation is revealed gradually to the reader as Lexi herself becomes aware of it and this makes it read like a coming of age story more than anything else. Yes, it's an uncomfortable read, at times, but it's nevertheless always compelling. A powerful and challenging book.

Reviewed by Hannah Middleton on 4th October 2019

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At nearly 500 pages, this epic historical novel could have felt like a slog... but I was so immersed in the vivid & atmospheric world of Franco's Spain  that when the time came to leave it I really didn't want to! I felt I knew the streets of Madrid and the Castellana Hilton as if I'd visited myself; I felt bruised by some of the novel's darker themes while at the same time relieved by the (mostly) hopeful ending. The characters seemed to live and breathe on the page and I felt their triumphs and fears and heartaches along with them.

This truly is an outstanding novel and a real contender for my book of 2019.

Reviewed by Hannah Middleton on 4th October 2019

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A beautifully illustrated and engagingly written book, this is an ideal introduction to a fascinating, vibrant continent. Atinuke takes the reader through a region at a time, with an overview of each country accompanied by colourful and atmospheric illustrations. Featuring sections on food, sport, music, technology and the stunning landscape, this title really does show Africa as amazing!

A great browser for younger readers and an ideal starting point for projects, this much-needed book fills a gap for accessible and appealing information on an oft-neglected continent. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 27th September 2019

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