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Middle Grade Book Reviews
The Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment
Anna James, illus. David Wyatt, pub. HarperCollins Children’s Books
The first book in The Chronicles of Whetherwhy. Here we meet twins Juniper and Rafferty. Living with their family in the small village of Honeyvale on the Island of Whetherwhy, the twins are facing their guild affiliation and enchantment inspection, which every child in Whetherwhy has in the Spring following their 13th birthday. They are tested and assigned a season which they are affiliated to, determining the type of magic they can perform. Very rarely a child will have the power to wield the magic of all four seasons; these are known as enchanters. While Rafferty finds he has Spring magic, perfect for the family book binding business, Juniper finds she is an enchanter and is invited to Thistledown Academy to learn how to use her more powerful magic. Not wishing to be far from his sister Rafferty decides to follow Juniper to the capital city, Stormgrove, and soon discovers a dark underworld of monsters and secret societies. The twins quickly find themselves on the opposite sides of a battle and learn there is more to enchantment than they could have ever imagined.
This story delivers on so many levels. Family bonds, friendship, magic, mystery, enchantment; even a dragon! The magical world of Whetherwhy is everything I love in a book all rolled into one. Anna James has cleverly built a wonderfully rich, magical world, which has similarities to J.K. Rowling’s much loved Harry Potter whilst being peppered with Tolkien’s rich Middle Earth. This makes it perfect for those who are looking for another new magical world to explore. Full of adventure it whisks you from one chapter to the next and I found myself compelled to keep reading.
Refreshingly diverse and inclusive in characters, from Zohra and her wife who run the bakery, to the stark differences between Juniper and Rafferty’s loving and supportive family to the family of Oliver, another student at the Academy, James has carefully considered representation in so many ways without forcing focus in any one direction. Rafferty and Juniper are both wonderful protagonists and the split view in this book works tremendously well. I was particularly drawn to Juniper, often described as a daydreamer with her head in a book, who says of her own magic “This isn’t something I’ve worked for or learned – it’s just there. I didn’t decide on it, and I can’t take it away.”, as someone who works with so many children with varying ‘special needs’ this line struck me as particularly poignant and true for so many children coming to terms with the hand life deals them.
This book would be a wonderful book to read nestled by a fire with a hot chocolate – undisturbed! I am thrilled to find that the second in the series is already out and as such, I am now all set for an autumnal return. Perfect for readers 9+ who love to immerse themselves in a magical world I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Tracey Corner
Cold Turkey
Simon James Green, illus. Tosin Akinkunmi, pub. Barrington Stoke
A bizarre task quickly becomes an adventure in this tale for secondary school readers with a reading age of 7+ published by Barrington Stoke.
Kit is asked by an elderly neighbour to deliver a trolley containing a hot turkey to one of her friends who lives at the opposite side of the city. She also asks that Kit does so in the company of Hamza, the friend with whom Kit has had a falling out. Kit is, understandably extremely reluctant but, tempted by the generous tip, eventually agrees on condition Hamza does not talk to him. Obviously, this does not happen. Equally obviously, what is apparently a straightforward task becomes an affair complicated by a swap of trolleys, an underground mishap which leads to the deployment of a bomb squad and a mugging!
Along the way, through everything, the two boys find a way to reconciliation and the ending is a joyful surprise. Perhaps this was the intention of the elderly neighbour all along? Friendship, moral issues including Hamza’s appropriation of Kit’s hard-earned money to impress a girl, and loyalty, as Kit fears their friendship is threatened by Hamza’s blossoming romance, are at the heart of this funny and engaging story. As often the case, dialogue and trust are key to the resolution, but this tale will offer opportunities to think as well as to smile along the way. Complete with some brilliant illustrations perfectly complementing the trade-mark humour filling this story this is a great read.
Laura Brill
Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea
Emma Swan, illus. Katie Saunders, pub. Usborne
Silver is rising 11, and lives what might look from the outside an idyllic life on board a luxury cruise ship. Her mother is Deputy Cruise Director. She has lots of friends among the passengers who sail on back-to-back trips. The Gang are all lovely and funny and good company, and they adore her. But they are all well past retirement age. Indeed, one is coming up for 100. Silver longs for a BFF of her own age, but children on cruises are only on board for a couple of weeks. Plus, there are strict rules keeping crew members and passengers apart.
Silver confides in her diary. And she addresses its readers, asking for their views and ideas. She is delighted when cool kid Yana shows an interest in her. She tries to work out how she should change to become her friend. There are so many things about her that are wrong in Yana’s eyes, how she dresses, for instance, and how she always follows the rules. So, she starts disobeying them, even letting Yana into the crew quarters. Tensions on the ship are already high. Two priceless watches have gone missing. Accusations are made against crew members, in particular a kind cabin attendant who Silver knows must be innocent. Silver and Yana become detectives. Under her influence Silver does more and more things that trouble her, even though they are a lot of fun, and that troubles the adults who love her. She suspects even the Gang members and spends less and less time in their company. It takes her a long time to listen again to her ‘in-between-my ears voice’.
This is an enormously enjoyable, interactive middle-grade mystery adventure with a highly unusual setting and a fabulous cast of characters. Silver is a great protagonist, funny and clever but with lots of self-doubt. Readers will readily relate to her and find her gradual move to greater confidence and self-acceptance heart-warming and encouraging. The Gang members are a delightful bunch. (How lovely to find such positive inter-generational friendships in a children’s book.) The cartoon-like illustrations add an extra touch of humour. The first in what is sure to become a very popular series.
Anne Harding
Dante N. Ferno is NOT a Loser
Brian Gordon, pub. Macmillan Children’s Books
Everything about this book looked funny and I couldn’t wait to read it. Nothing about it disappointed me, it truly does live up to any expectation you might have for it, I might even be daring and say it will likely out-perform your expectations!
Ever since his trousers fell down in front of the whole school, Dante has struggled to shake off his seriously uncool reputation. Luckily, he has a foolproof plan to become the most popular kid at his new one. It looks something like this:
1. Completely reinvent himself.
2. Make a ton of friends and accept his nomination as their leader.
3. Become good at sports stuff and win all the game things.
4. Rub his newfound popularity in the face of all the haters he grew up with.
Sounds easy, right? Well, think again - Purg School is attended by infamous creatures from myths and legends and they're not going to let him shake off his loser status overnight! Dante is going to have his work cut out to beat the bullies and show the world that he is NOT a loser.
I took this to bed one night and all my neighbours could hear was my uncontrollable laughter. This book is so funny, it has the vibes of the Wimpy Kid series. This book is full of puns, which some children will not understand but that is fine, it is all a part of their learning journey, encourage them to share it with their adults, you’ll love it too!
The moral of this book is learning to look at life with optimism and how important friendship is. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
Helen Byles
Escape Room: Game Zero
Christopher Edge, pub. Nosy Crow
If you enjoyed the original Escape Room novel, then you will love this one. It is time to try and escape the escape! This is the ultimate in reading fun.
Full of puzzles, action and adventure, not forgetting the danger and bravery, this novel follows Eden, and her new mate Ted, as they try to traverse The Escape, the ultimate escape room game where nothing is as it seems, even to the reader!
Puzzle after puzzle, riddle after riddle, this labyrinthine novel reads like an exciting game. In this virtual world, the lines between reality and gaming at times get blurred, keeping you guessing. The first person narrative means that you experience the challenges alongside Eden, as she tries to find keys to unlock the mystery. She has been dropped into a world filled with peril and puzzles, there is no way out without the keys and of course she must climb the levels too. Is she playing the game or is the game playing her?
Game Zero shows us that games can be powerful, can help us reimagine our own and other worlds. This book is an ideal size for a novel with plenty of action and chapters of reasonable length and is written to appeal to readers aged 9-12.
Stephanie Robertson
The Gate, the Girl and the Dragon
Grace Lin, pub. Little Brown Young Readers
Grace Lin has crafted a book for young readers based on Chinese folklore. It is a beautifully designed book with small chapters, some only two pages long. Within the chapters Grace Lin has woven the folk tales which give substance to the actual story. The story has been adapted to appeal to a modern audience and the amazing colour illustrations, some full page, bring it fully to life.
Jin is a Stone Lion in the spirit world, who is bored with his duties as a guardian of the Old City Gate watching over the humans and protecting a Sacred Sphere. His antics practising his perfect kick sends the Sacred Sphere out into the human world. This brings panic but also adventure and discovery for him as he has to find ways to bring the sphere back. He meets some amazing allies in Lulu, the girl who can hear a voice and a worm who thinks he is a dragon. Together they help each other but Jin finds out what it means to love, appreciate duty and how this can be used positively.
It can be read alone by a confident reader but for some, may be confusing with the intertwined stories. Can they find the sphere and return it to where it belongs? A must read for all those who relish an adventure.
Helen Finch
The Girl With Gills
Becca Rogers, pub. Zephyr
The Girl With Gills, as you might guess from the title, deals with a girl – indeed a group of families, called larkers – who are able to breathe underwater, thanks to gills on their necks. They live near a river which is called the Yore, but which bears some resemblance to the Thames, they make a living from mudlarking – from finding objects which the river has taken and then selling them – and they live on boats. Effra, thirteen, lives with and takes care of her younger brother Fleet. They have guardians, Wilf and Mabel, but they don’t live with them: Effra is fiercely independent.
The action kicks off when Fleet is kidnapped by an entity called Rivermun, who at first sounds like a bogeyman, about whom stories are told to frighten children. But he turns out to be a real human, albeit one who was originally a larker, but who has lost his gills and is desperate to get them back. Kidnapping Fleet is part of his plan to force Effra to help him to regain them: he is cruel and ruthless.
The story is exciting and full of jeopardy. Effra has to cope with some horrific situations, and those she loves are put into terrible danger. But she does have help: she makes two loyal friends, a ‘lubber’ (i.e. not a larker) called Bow, and a rat called Clay. Bow has unsympathetic parents, who strongly disapprove of her interest in the river and mudlarking. (In response to this she acquires a boat and fills it with books on the subject of the river – I did wonder quite how she managed this, but somehow, it didn’t really seem to matter.)
It's a terrific tale, with hold-your-breath chases and escapes, and some pretty unpleasant river denizens – Old Mother River, the Rat Queen, a giant serpent. But what I really liked about the book were a) the very convincing world creation, and above all b) the characters. Effra is tough but kind and incredibly brave; Fleet is a younger brother whom anyone would want to take care of; Bow is determined, loyal and resourceful; Mabel and Wilf are kind and caring. And there is another character, Boppa, the children’s grandfather, dead and much missed, whose wisdom and love for the children are an important factor in the story.
In sum, then, an excellent read and a very effective page-turner. Just exercise a little bit of caution, though: it’s hard-hitting, as you can tell: many readers will love it, but it might be a bit too much for a sensitive reader with a lively imagination.
Sue Purkiss
The Last Journey
Stacy Gregg, pub. Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
This is a story about Pusskin, an exceptionally special cat, who lives an idyllic life with a girl called Lottie. It is at once an exciting and heart aching story, an adventure which carries a strong environmental message in its background.
Pusskin has always lived with eleven year old Lottie and they both believe their bond is an unbreakable one. One day Pusskin gets to hear about a dastardly plan by The Government which puts him, and his other pals in the cul-de-sac, in an unenviable position – a deadly position. So Pusskin and his pals set off on a very special journey of discovery for each of them on their way to Cat Island in Wales. Cats have been made scapegoats when bird and insect populations are discovered to have notably depleted, Pusskin wants to show it isn’t the fault of the cats and also protect his cat friends.
This story is filled with love and adventure, intertwined with juicy morsels of information about cats’ behaviour and the history of cats as pets and wild animals. It is also interspersed with beautiful black and white illustrations, highlighting different aspects of the story.
Will Curiosity kill the cats? Will Pusskin and Lottie be reunited. Read through this ripping adventure to discover the answer.
Carol Farley
The Last Pebble
Alex Horne, pub. Walker Books
This is a really lovely story about family and friendship. It features a young boy called Trader and his grandpa. They spend time beachcombing together. Trader struggles to connect and make friends with his own peers, but he has a beautiful relationship with his slightly eccentric grandpa. The two are very comfortable spending time together.
The story is a wonderful blend of warmth, humour and mystery. It is a very nice and gentle read for both boys and girls. For older readers and even adults it will bring back childhood memories spent exploring the beach and collecting pebbles and shells. It is a very thoughtful story, especially when Trader finds a special pebble. What is so special about this pebble? Is it magic? Also, why is grandpa behaving so strangely?
Themes covered include friendships, elderly care and bullying. This beautiful story includes an adventure, family secrets, treasures and messages in bottles. Trader also has a friend called Charlotte, with whom he must discover the mystery of the pebble.
Readers will be attracted to the amazing and colourful artwork on the cover. Another fantastic touch is the little drawing of a pebble at the start of each chapter and a summary of their appearance and names at the end of the book. Everything about this book is easy, gentle and delightful.
Gary Kenworthy
Letters from Wonderland
Josie George, illus. Becky Thorns, pub. Faber & Faber
A book filled with letters; some readers might wonder what a letter is! I know it seems an odd concept to sit with pen or pencil and paper to write a letter but once you’ve immersed yourself in this collection you’ll understand.
Notice I didn’t mention finishing this book? You will, of course, but at the same time you won’t for the last page is simply an invitation to more. Perhaps you’ll go back to the beginning and start all over again, maybe you had a favourite letter that you want to go back to, perhaps inspiration will strike, and you’ll want to write your own letter. However it works for you be assured this book may have a front and back, a start and a finish but it doesn’t have an end. You’ll understand more once you open it up. After all the author of the letters openly admits to being a little strange!
One by one the letters in this book are being written, sent and arriving at your door. Each one is mysterious, but they have a very important purpose, they want to guide you to a very special place, share it with you. If they don’t it could disappear and that would simply not do, it is inconceivable. You see these are letters about Wonderland, not the one you think you might have heard of, no this is a Wonderland that exists outside of stories, it is in the world around us, if you know where to look. Next time you go outside check those pavement cracks, look at the overgrown gardens, peek into the weeds. Do you see it, that little spark of witchy magic, calling to you? The letters are your guide, listen to them.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Nature Heroes
Lily Dyu, illus. Jackie Lay, pub. Nosy Crow
This brilliantly crafted book is a compilation of 20 short stories about ordinary people all over the world, helping to save our world, complemented by some wonderfully sketched illustrations. The book focuses on different areas of the natural world where people have made it their mission to help nature where possible, repair and flourish. The author, Lily Dyu, has covered a wide range of areas, such as helping animals and wildlife and protecting and highlighting where positive changes can be made for the environment. Within these amazing stories she hopes to inspire others. The positive stories show that even the smallest of changes can evolve into something much larger.
The inspirational people within the book never imagined how their passion for making changes within their environment would escalate into something much wider reaching. They had a nugget of an idea, took up the cause, albeit on a small scale initially and for all of them, it changed their lives and direction. It has become a life’s work. Building on their positive successes, they have engaged with other people, some on a worldwide stage, others by encouraging local people to join them on the quest to make a difference.
Nature Heroes an extremely positive book, easily read and understood which shows by learning more about ordinary people, doing extraordinary things, we can all help and become our own Nature Hero.
Helen Finch
Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime
Jennifer Claessen, pub. Fox & Ink Books
Netta is eleven years old and a competitive swimmer who would prefer to be at a swimming gala with her teammates, than on holiday in a ramshackle villa in Greece.
Netta is with her parents and her precocious, nine year old, history-loving brother, Remy, who often seems much older than his years. Because she is hanging back from the group when they reach the villa, Netta is the last to enter.
Gradually, Netta and Remy realise, much to Remy’s chagrin, that Netta is being pulled back to Ancient Greece by unknown forces. There, she meets Princess Ariadne or Ari, as she calls herself. Can Netta help Ari to save children whom her father, the selfish King Minos, intends to sacrifice and what will the cost of those actions be to Netta personally?
Both Netta and Remy jump off the page, as characters. It is also refreshing to find a precocious character, Remy, who’s nerdish intelligence is admired and central to the plot.
The author’s skill lies in how much the reader is able to relate to the mythical characters’ motivations. The final twist is unexpected and will surprise readers.
Rebecca Butler
Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing
Martin Stewart, illus. Santy Gutiérrez, pub. Zephyr
With the summer holiday upon us readers want nothing more than a little mad cap adventure. Look no further because here it is. Meet Sandy Fin.
Sandy Fin lives in the Museum of Seaside Stories with the famous explorer Emile du Pont and their collection of treasures. Sandy and his best friend Lily are being taught the art of ocean exploration by Emile, aided by his ingenious inventions. When the museum's future is in peril, it is up to Sandy and Lily to save it. But then slippery Albo Start arrives with secret plans for Sandy's home and the town's marine life. Sensing something sinister, Sandy and Lily set out to stop Start, armed with banana sandwiches, moonlit sneezes and noses for danger.
This book is ideal for newly independent readers who are starting their journey into independent reading with short chapter books.
What a thrilling adventure we go on. We have a lot of new colourful characters to meet both animals and children. There is a strong environmental message throughout the book. This is quite simply a fun book to read and I finished it in one sitting. Though it is a slow starter it soon gathers pace and before you know what has happened you are on a mad cap adventure filled with excitement, funny moments and some zany inventions!
This promises to be the start of a fantastic series.
Helen Byles
Shadow Thieves
Peter Burns, pub. HarperCollins Children’s Books
Shadow Thieves is a highly readable adventure for the middle grade readers, set in an alternative world, where Victorian-style workhouses are still feared institutions, dirigibles cross the sky and Britain is part of a Francophone empire.
The world is divided in blocks and their precarious balance is very carefully controlled by the Shadow League, a parallel secret power whose members are educated in four schools (for Thieves, Assassins, Spies and Politicos) and led by a Directorate.
Tom is a young orphan who has experienced the harsh life of the workhouse but has also learnt how to survive on the streets thanks to Morris, a teacher who helped him to escape the institution. Since Morris’ death, Tom has joined a group of destitute children. When all, except Tom, are captured by the workhouse staff, Tom reluctantly accepts the invitation of the mysterious Corsair to enrol in the Thieves school. Here, he hopes to learn how to break into the forbidding workhouse to free his friends. While doing so, however, he is catapulted into life threatening situations and daring exploits. The climbing of castle walls, escapes on skis and fights on dirigibles would easily grace the most thrilling spy movie. New friendships are built, but enmities also develop, especially as Tom is seen as an outsider by the close-knit community of the Shadow League. One of Tom’s most dangerous enemies is also threatening the delicate balance of the Shadow League and of the whole world, but Tom and his mentor, the Corsair, are prepared to do what they can to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
A sequel is due in 2026 and there is certainly plenty of material to explore, such as Tom’s family history and particularly the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of his mother, and whether the appearance of Morris in Tom’s life is anything more than a mere coincidence.
Laura Brill
The Shell Keepers
Truly Johnston, illus. Laura Trinder, pub. Chicken House
This book is a wonderful summer read. With hints of The Borrowers, brimming with mystery, and just the right sprinkling of magic, it delivers a wonderful story of family and friendship and just how important both are.
When our protagonist Corrine finds a beautiful shell whilst mudlarking with her Sri Lankan grandfather, Siya, on the banks of the Thames, she has no idea just how special it is. Siya hints to her that there may be more to it than she knows but refuses to tell Corrine any more than that, suggesting things are best discovered for oneself. Following his death, Corrine finds herself with her family at Whiteshell Bay, the seaside town Siya called home, and there by the shore she discovers the Kauri of the Democonch, a tiny girl who lives within a shell just like the one Corrine found with her grandfather. Kauri tells Corrine that the Democonch, who have their very own language, need help but can’t find their Shell Keeper, a very special human who helps to care for them.
What follows is a tale of mystery and friendship with just enough peril to keep you turning the page. With a beautiful message of caring for our planet carefully interwoven and cleverly given new meaning, Truly Johnston has created a whole new world in the Democonch, one which spreads far beyond the story taking place at Whiteshell Bay. Like a warm breeze on a summers day this book delivers a heartwarming story which reminds us of the magic in the everyday, where tiny people and young children can have very big adventures and make a real impact on the world we live in.
This book was a real surprise to me and far more addictive than I had thought it would be. Then when you finish the story there are more surprises. A wonderful (yes, I have tried it) recipe for the coconut roti mentioned in the story, tips for a beach picnic, a glossary of plants and animals also mentioned in the story, and a wonderful glossary of Democonch words. The Acknowledgements at the end are also well worth reading! Suitable for children 7+ this book is a true delight!
Tracey Corner