Early Spring 2024
Junior Book Reviews
Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain
Jess French, pub. Piccadilly Press
Kyla, Rustus and Alethea live on Ramoa, in cities designed to keep the island’s human inhabitants safe from the terrifying creatures in Beastlands. Kyla is a trainee Skyrider from Sophiatown. Prickly and antisocial, her one friend is Faro, her beloved pangron. She adores soaring through the sky on his back. She is devastated when he is stolen, and feels she has no choice but to journey into the Beastlands to rescue him. Rustus is a novice warrior from the elite Red district of Ataria. He is desperate to win his father’s approval and for that he must conquer his hatred of hunting and killing and excel in the all-important initiation ceremony. He is leading the field until an act of kindness costs him his place and is banished to the Beastlands. Alethea is a young healer in the impoverished Blue district of Ataria. Her father, from whom she learnt all her skills, has died of the Scourge, a terrifying disease that is taking hold on the island. Now Alethea’s grandmother has contracted it too. Alethea must find a cure, to save her and everyone else. If there’s a plant that might be effective, it can only be in the Beastlands.
The three come across each other and before long the realise that their sole chance of survival against appalling dangers lies in combining their knowledge and ideas, and in trusting each other. The odds are against them, and not just from horrifying beasts. Someone is tampering with nature, and the consequences look deadly.
Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain is a thrilling roller-coaster that will enthral middle-grade fantasy lovers, and quite possibly covert some readers who haven’t yet felt the appeal of the genre. The island setting is excitingly brought to life. Even the plants are vividly described, and the creatures are wonderful works of imagination. Jess French is a zoologist, naturalist, vet, children’s author, and broadcaster. She puts her expertise to very good use here. The protagonists are interesting and convincing, with their very different characters and their varying experiences and perspectives, provided in alternating chapters. The book has a powerful environmental message. It strongly hints at the need to question perceived wisdom and to collaborate to create change. Friendship, kindness and courage are key themes.
Anne Harding
Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds
Bex Hogan, illus. Hannah McCaffery, pub. Piccadilly
Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds is the first book in the exciting new series written by Bex Hogan. It features brave, feisty Bronte Tempestra, a princess of Storm Kingdom, one of the many kingdoms of Everdale.
Bronte has always been determined that she has what it takes to be a knight, but she has one problem: St Sebastian’s School for Squires only accepts boys. This is why, when the school decides to admit female students for the first time, Bronte is thrilled. However, she soon learns that the school isn’t what she imagined it to be. The knights aren’t at all interested in going on quests and, even when trouble arises in Everdale, the staff don’t seem to be aware of what’s going on around them. It’s up to Bronte and her new friend Tonkins to save the realm of education…but can they do it before it’s too late?
The book starts with a map of Everdale, featuring the Crystal Kingdoms, Weather Kingdoms, Floral Kingdoms, Elemental Kingdoms, and the mysterious Forgotten Kingdoms, followed by a drawing of St Sebastian’s School for Squires. There are entertaining, black and white illustrations like that on almost every page to break up the text. The vocabulary used in this book is fun and imaginative, like the acronyms POOP and SICK, and the names of unique creatures -- Cloud-Stealing Gnomes, Horrorflies, and Zombits. The brightly coloured cover and well-drawn maps are similar to the Rainbow Grey series, so those who enjoyed that series are bound to enjoy Bronte’s adventure.
If you enjoy books with adventure, strong characters, and a touch of humour, then this book is for you. I would recommend this book for 7–9-year-olds.
Mya Grant (age 11)
Diamond Jack: Your Magic or Your Life
Anna Rainbow, pub. Chicken House
When Bram finds a mask hidden in his grandfather’s garden shed, and feels compelled to wear it, she is magically transformed into Diamond Jack, a notorious Robin-Hood-style highway man, who mysteriously disappeared a year before.
There is little time for Bram to recover from the surprise, as the unsavoury Ripper Gang abducts her grandfather, believing he knows Diamond Jack’s whereabouts. Bram decides to use the power of the mask to save her grandfather, who she believes to be the real Diamond Jack. Followed by her friend Ernest and in the company of Diamond Jack’s Brigands, Bram is catapulted into a world of dangerous villains and holds-up. It becomes clear to Bram that the events surrounding her grandfather’s abduction are linked to a conspiracy orchestrated by the Princess Regent Lavinia to remove her sister Princess Georgina from the throne. Surprised by further revelations about Diamond Jack’s identity and her family’s connections to the famous highwayman, Bram sets on a rollercoaster adventure to save her grandfather and the kingdom.
Mixing elements of magic and high-stakes adventure with a modern and inclusive approach, Anna Rainbow delivers a thrilling story peppered with abundant twists and sparkling dialogue. Bram initially appears as the unlikely hero, lacking the skills to cut it as a brigand and doubting her ability to succeed in her quest constantly. Yet, as the story evolves Bram’s understanding of the magic that operates within the mask and the discovery of her family secrets allow her to grow in confidence and to appreciate the fundamental notion that, more than magic, love and unity have power. Family relationships, loss, and complex sibling relationships feature as well as a positive message about embracing oneself. Although this story is resolved, the ending is left open to further thrilling adventures, which I hope will follow. With a nod to Dumas, as well as folk and fairy tales, this first book is a great addition to any junior school or home library.
Laura Brill
Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery
Laura Ellen Anderson, pub. Farshore
Meet a brand-new heroine; meet her family and friends; meet a rebellious rat and a terrifying bird. Discover the first book in a brand-new series. This is Marnie Midnight and she comes straight from the imaginatively creative mind of Laura Ellen Anderson. In book 1, Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery - book 2 is promised to follow in August with book 3 coming in January 2025 - we are about to be transported into a new world, taken to a new school and given an adventure beyond our wildest dreams.
Marnie is a moth, more importantly she is the first of the Midnight family siblings to metamorphose from a caterpillar to a moth. A great reader Marnie is excited to start at Minibeast Academy because this is where her heroine, Lunora Wingheart went to school. Lunora was a Moonologist who spent her life studying the mysteries of the ancient moths and their use of moon magic. But when she reaches the Academy Marnie can find no trace of moon studies and is given a detention for asking about it. It appears no one believes in moon magic anymore. Marnie is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and luckily for her she has made some minibeast friends, as brave and determined as she is.
Floyd Flombidium is 70% bee, 29% ladybird and 1% mystery: as soon as you set your eyes on the illustrations it will become clear how he looks. More importantly however is his fashion sense and wide-ranging knowledge, both of which are going to prove very helpful in the days to come. Star Vonstrosity is the next Ant in line to succeed Queen Vaneria Vonstorcity and whilst she may believe in only vengeance there is more to this tiny ant than meets the eye. Together these three unlikely but very soon best of friends are going to find themselves thrust into an adventure that is as nail-biting as it is hilarious. Laura Ellen Anderson has a way with words that may not always make sense to children but that older and adult readers will love, for this book knows no age boundaries. Its magic exudes from its pages and its gentle environmental themes wind through from page to page seamlessly. I read it in one sitting and can’t wait to have a reread ahead of books 2 and 3!
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Marvin and the Book of Magic
Jenny Pearson, illus. Aleksei Bitskoff, pub. Barrington Stoke
There’s always something great about a Jenny Pearson book. She manages to tackle serious subjects with humour and sensitivity and this book is no different. The subject she deals with in Marvin and the Book of Magic is embarrassment which every person reading this will have experienced at one time or another. Adults are old enough to understand what has happened and move on, but children aren’t so lucky. Quite often they don’t know what to say or how to act, books dealing with this subject are extremely useful.
After being humiliated by a badly behaved squirrel on national television, Marvin has vowed NEVER to perform magic in public again. But when he acquires a mysterious book that promises to show those with the gift of magic how to use it properly his best friend Asha persuades him to make a comeback in the school talent show. Get ready to discover if Marvellous Marvin will take to the stage and demonstrate the magic that can be found in true friendship.
Barrington Stoke books are amazing reads, short but complete stories accessible to all and Jenny Pearson makes sure her readers are rooting for Marvin as follow him and his efforts to overcome his embarrassment and continue doing the magic he loves. We get to know Marvin really well, learn about his family - his relationships with his father and grandfather - and his friendship with Asha. We are encouraged to care for them all.
As well as the excellent writing, the book is illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff, whose pictures are a wonderful accompaniment to the writing and enhance several scenes. The first of these is the moment that Marvin and his squirrel cause chaos on TV, and it includes all the wonderful destruction the author describes whilst managing to get a couple of little jokes in too; look at the judges, one seems to be eerily familiar! Clive's Emporium is also another highlight illustration that showcases all the weird and wonderful things in the shop that younger readers will want to spend some time looking through. This is a truly wonderful story.
Helen Byles
The Minute Minders
Mary Murphy, pub. Pushkin Children’s Books
Mary Murphy’s The Minute Minders follows the adventures of a young girl called Stevie Clipper who is a fidder. What’s a fidder? Well, a fidder can’t be seen by humans, yet they must spend their time trying to help people. Some fidders bring good luck, whilst others bring creative inspiration. Stevie’s dad, however, is a truth finder, helping humans to find the truth, or at least he was until he was fired and had to become a minute minder. Being a minute minder is not an easy job, minute minders have just one minute to help humans overcome a problem. Unfortunately, Stevie’s Dad is not good at following the rules and Stevie finds herself having to help him, something which is definitely NOT allowed! The two never give up and Stevie gets herself into some bother at times, but, when a little girl, Sandra May, needs help the two must work together to succeed and they are determined not to fail.
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I received this book and thought initially it may be a take on the classic Borrowers by Mary Norton. How wrong I was. This book is a gentle read which subtly tackles several themes including single parent families, bullying, kindness, love, and determination. A perfect read for children of around 8 plus, it is crammed with the most wonderful illustrations by the author which really help to bring the characters to life.
The first in a new series, The Minute Minders is a delightful, humorous story which is a must-read for any fans of Francesca Simon’s Horrid Henry books and it would certainly make for an excellent class read.
Tracey Corner
My Brother Plato
George Myerson, pub. Andersen Press
George Myerson’s My Brother Plato is an unusual book. He writes from the perspective of Potone, the elder sister of Plato and sets his story at a time when both of them were children. We see a typical sibling relationship and also find subtle hints at the philosopher Plato was to become. Potone is constantly frustrated by her younger brother’s arguments and by the fact that although he dislikes writing and prefers verbal argument, she, who loves these things too, is not allowed to go to school in this ancient era of Athens.
Myerson also attempts to explain some of Plato’s arguments including one that readers will love - his feet having the power to tell him whether they want to wear shoes on a particular day!
The book centres around two main incidents, one where the children’s big brother, Demos, decides that their pet dog, Tigris, has injured him. According to Athenian Law at the time if a dog could be proven to have injured somebody, the person injured may take the dog away in a wooden collar and dispose of the animal. Potone and Plato decide to speak on behalf of Tigris at a trial presided over by Socrates. Can they win and bring harmony back to their family? Myerson has very cleverly woven some complex ideas into an accessible text for middle grade readers. This is something to be admired.
Rebecca Butler
The O.D.D. Squad: Rise of Invisidog
Stuart Heritage, illus. Vincent Batignole
My son has become a reluctant reader over the last couple of months. Then The O.D.D Squad: Rise of Invisidog arrived. It had been sent for me to review but just as quickly as it arrived it managed to disappear. It was only while I was putting something away that I found my son had hidden it! I had to explain to him that I needed it for a couple of days, to read and write a review of. This time his reluctance was not connected to reading but to letting me borrow my own book!
So, I finally met Invisidog and the adventure began. Justice City. Rain soaks its streets. Crime soaks it more. The fate of the entire city has been left in the hands (well, paws) of one brave superhero. That's right, it’s INVISIDOG!
Invisidog hunts for danger wherever he can. There is no job too big, and no criminal too tough for the mighty Invisidog. He is the shadows! But we soon see that that’s sort of where the problem lies. Because Invisidog's amazing superpowers are really rather rubbish. It turns out that being invisible isn't all that helpful when you're trying to rid a city of its terrible criminals. They tend to have a habit of ignoring you for one thing. So, it is time for Invisidog to think BIG. Can he convince the most amazing superheroes of all time - adorable-but-mighty Quack Attack, and the world's greatest thinker, Detective Octopus - to join forces?
This is such an awesome read. It’s really funny and children are going to love it. The pages are brightly coloured and some of the text is in fun fonts – on pages are where expression is needed. This will be a great book to read out loud, the chapters are short which also makes this book ideal for children who are newly independent readers.
I hope there will be more in this series. As for my copy of the book it’s disappeared again - but I’m just glad he’s reading again.
Helen Byles
Pablo and Splash
Sheena Dempsey, pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Pablo and Splash is the first book in a new series of graphic novels by the same name. It is all about time travelling penguins(!) and it is the first book that illustrator Sheena Dempsey has also authored. It grew out of a web-comic she created during the pandemic that featured herself and her husband as penguins!
Antarctic penguins Pablo and Splash are best friends but have very differing personalities. Pablo is a home bird, a sensible bird who likes to plan, whereas Splash is the complete opposite: impatient, adventurous, and desperate to explore the world. Splash somehow manages to persuade a reluctant Pablo that they should go away on holiday. But there is a problem with the idea - they have no means of transport. Thinking a little outside the box the pair decide to ask for help from the scientists based near their home. So begins an unexpected twist to their adventure. Far from the beach bars and luxury resorts that Splash’s imagination had conjured up as being part of the holiday, the pair end up in a badly behaved time machine that whisks them back to the age of dinosaurs.
This wonderfully colourful graphic novel is full of humour and manages to be lightly educational too (ending with fact files about prehistoric earth). The addition of some how-to-draw guides and of course plenty of silliness such as penguin language and their constant jokes will ensure the popularity of the series with young readers.
Janet Ling
Peng and Spanners
Steve Webb, pub. Faber & Faber
Peng and Spanners is the first in a promising new series by Steve Webb and is a riotous whirlwind of superheroes, inventions – you are going to love the Ninja-Bots - and an obsession with all things pizza (it is even offered on the front cover as coming free with the book but make sure to read the small print!)
Fans of the graphic novel series Dogman, Cat Kid and Bunny vs Monkey will love this graphic novel with its similar and relatable format. It most certainly has an appeal to readers aged around 7-10 years, and, with its bright bold and easy to access text it is likely to engage even the most reluctant of readers.
Desperate for more pizza in his life, Peng the penguin presents a hilarious figure and one that children are quickly going to fall in love with! Peng comes to us armed with a wry sense of humour, he needs it because he is bored of his life which is currently full of snow, ice and only fish to eat. Boring doesn’t do it justice. To try and escape the boredom and have some fun he decides to ask his parents for adventures. What do they do? They send him to the aptly named Boredin School (this is just one of the many plays on words you’ll find as you read this story, there are plenty of puns, thanks to Peng). It is at this new school that Peng meets Spanners, a smart and inventive feline with a toolbelt that goes everywhere with him... Once the pair have met, we know that we are guaranteed those adventures Peng wants so much and true to the story various adventures unfold giving us a tale that is anarchic in places, with a fast-paced narrative.
The illustrations are clean and original, bright, bold and incredibly expressive too. The text is funny, full of zippy and expressive dialogue. The book itself is beautifully produced with a reassuring weight and lovely glossy pages. This would make a lovely present for fans of fun graphic novels.
Stephanie Robertson
The Second-Hand Boy
Jennifer Lane, pub. Uclan publishing
Everything Billy owns is second-hand. Even the book Tom’s Midnight Garden, a gift from his mother, is pre-owned: “This book is the property of James T.” written on the inside cover. He starts reading, chuckling at James’ scribbled comments. Billy is however very surprised when James materialises and becomes his new invisible friend.
And Billy desperately needs a friend. He is lonely at home, looking after his mum who on good days can light up the room, but on bad days struggles to get out of bed and get ready for work. His mum left his dad and there is no contact with him. Billy is lonely at school since his best (and only) friend Martyn left to travel around the world. Every day he sits next to Martyn’s empty desk, and he is now prime target for the school bully, Archie. James, confident and care-free, could be the friend Billy needs at this moment.
Jennifer Lane cleverly parallels Billy’s friendship with the invisible James with that of Lindsey, a girl at school, who shares Billy’s passion for space. Readers will quickly identify Billy’s true friend but have to continue reading as Billy makes poor decisions, spiralling downwards as he struggles to cope, becoming increasingly anxious, afraid he is going mad. There are however many supportive adult characters in the story. Billy’s teachers care about him, and Mrs Simmons invites Billy to Space Club, creating a safe place for him in school. Mr Clarke, his English teacher, pays a house visit, although this worries Billy. Billy’s mum has a network of friends, always looking out for them. Billy is not as isolated as he feels.
How did James materialise? The author never completely answers this question, suggesting James could be from a parallel universe or arises out of Billy’s memory or imagination. Nevertheless, the character of James seems to become worryingly prophetic, intimating what is going to happen to Billy in the end. Engrossed in the story, I found myself willing Billy to resist James, to avoid a possible tragedy, and as it turns out, a repeat of history.
The Second-Hand Boy is a great read, inspiring hope and reassuring us that, regardless of our difficulties, there are always people willing to help.
Simon Barrett
Stitch
Pádriag Kenny, pub. Walker Books
I will confess that, never having been a huge fan of gothic horror, I was not entirely sure how I would find this latest offering from Pádriag Kenny. I will also confess that I had not read any of his previous work. However, something about the cover draws you in and I slipped nervously into the first chapter.
We meet Stitch upon his waking one morning when his first task is to use his chalk to mark his days of waking, ‘585 now’, before feeding his pet Brown Mouse who lives in a cage in the corner. There was once another Mouse, but Stitch doesn’t like to look at that cage. Stitch, who was brought to life by Professor Hardacre, believes his creator is resting and not to be disturbed. Luckily, there is still someone to talk to – Henry Oaf, another of Hardacre’s creations. Sadly though, Henry is locked in a cage as he ‘breaks things’ and despite his pleading, Stitch will not open the cage, as that would mean breaking the Professor’s orders. Henry’s wonderful ability to make up words (quite splendiferous ones) makes him immediately endearing whilst Stitch’s loyalty to his creator is equally so. Taking great care not to disturb the professor, Stitch spends the day alone before returning to his room in the evening.
There is a real air of loneliness and despite Stitch and Henry being ‘monsters’ made up of various parts before long you begin to feel for them. However, it’s only when the chapter ends with Stitch’s return to bed, and he marks just how long the professor has been resting, that your heart breaks for him. The sudden arrival of the Professor’s nephew the following day throws Stitch and Henry’s world into disarray. What follows is a heart-warming tale of friendship, courage, and kindness. It explores what it is to be different and what it means to be human. It is a Frankenstein-esque tale about the harm we can do by prejudging others based on their differences and the importance of embracing diversity.
For a relatively short novel Stitch packs so much in. Gruesome enough for fans of horror, a fully engaging plot filled with action and characters for whom you feel deeply. I am not ashamed to say I did shed a tear or two as I read.
A truly wonderful story for readers aged 9 upwards, Stitch will teach you to never judge a book by its genre!
Tracey Corner