Black Cats and Butlers by Janine Beacham Publication date: 9th March 2017 Rose Raventhorpe loves exploring the Skittleways of her beloved Yorke, with her butler, Argyle, who teaches her about the feline guardians of the city. On a morning walk on her 12th birthday, with her best friend, Emily, Rose notices that some of the … Continue reading Black Cats and Butlers by Janine Beacham
Tag: time to read
Strange Star by Emma Carroll
Felix is desperate to serve the guests upstairs so he can listen to the ghost stories they share, but the honour goes to the housekeepers daughter, until she can bear them no longer. But when he gets his chance, Lord Byron has finished his tale and Mrs Shelley is out of stories. But this night … Continue reading Strange Star by Emma Carroll
My bookshelf backfired spectacularly, and I need to fix it, fast.
Picture the scene: it's 9am on a Thursday morning, the Year 5s are sat with their Reading Buddies talking about what they're currently reading. The room is buzzing, some children are smiling or laughing, others look intense, speaking in hushed tones, a few are gesturing wildly. They are all on task, showing the range of … Continue reading My bookshelf backfired spectacularly, and I need to fix it, fast.
What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible by Ross Welford
Ethel feels as though she's been sidelined by her friends and only seems to be noticed because of her spots. She has tried everything going to rid of them. Then, she gets a free sun bed. Willing to try anything, she waits until her very prim and proper Gram goes to church, before trying it … Continue reading What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible by Ross Welford
Murder in Midwinter by Fleur Hitchcock
It was just a normal journey home when Maya takes a photo of the shop window display from the bus, when she realises that the couple she spots through the view finder aren't having an ordinary argument. They look as though they want to kill each other, and the man has a gun. When a … Continue reading Murder in Midwinter by Fleur Hitchcock
The Moonlight Statue by Holly Webb
Publication Date: 9th February 2017 When Polly and her Mum move to Cornwall, following her Dad’s death, she has never felt so sad. Her first view of Penhallow Hall lifts her spirits though as she realises how grand her new home is, and when she sees her new bedroom she is full of excitement for … Continue reading The Moonlight Statue by Holly Webb
The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis; a child’s review
I was lucky enough to get an uncorrected proof of The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis, which I devoured faster than the chocolates I received for Christmas. I was then absolutely delighted when Stephanie gave me permission to lend it to one of my pupils for an honest review... "Funny, emotional, exciting! … Continue reading The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis; a child’s review
Lost Tales by Adam Murphy
Traditional tales, from across the globe are given The Phoenix treatment in this gem of a graphic novel. It's no surprise it's been nominated for the Blue Peter Book Award this year. From Mi’kmao we have the tale of the great warrior, Strong Wind, and Little Scab. The Gifts of Wali Dad from the Punjab, … Continue reading Lost Tales by Adam Murphy
Able Seacat Simon by Lynne Barrett-Lee
When an orphaned kitten is found hiding on the docks in Hong Kong, he is smuggled aboard HMS Amethyst to become the ship’s cat, with the very important job of being chief rat-catcher. Based on real events, this is the story of what happened to the ship and it's crew while on a peace keeping … Continue reading Able Seacat Simon by Lynne Barrett-Lee
There May Be A Castle by Piers Torday
Mouse Mallory, his mum and two sisters leave their home on Christmas Eve to go to Granny and Gramps for Christmas. As the snow storm worsens, the roads become treacherous. A combination of black ice, sibling bickering and a momentary distraction mean they never arrive. Mouse wakes up in a world that isn't his own, … Continue reading There May Be A Castle by Piers Torday
Mrs Cleveland is reading... 