**spoiler alert** I picked this off the shelf in Blackwells thinking my seven year old might enjoy it. Funnily enough it didn't immediately appeal to **spoiler alert** I picked this off the shelf in Blackwells thinking my seven year old might enjoy it. Funnily enough it didn't immediately appeal to him but it did to me. Similar in form to Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it felt like Peirce was offering something a little more refined but with the same branch of tongue-in-cheek humour.
I am so glad I picked it up. I grinned and groaned at the humour throughout and enjoyed the enjoyable if not highly predictable story. Max, a young apprentice troubadour who absolutely does not want to be a young apprentice troubadour, and uncle Budrick (who absolutely does) find themselves at the city of Byjovia (I know, right!?). Once a well-ruled city, it has now fallen under the spell of an evil king, a sidekick witch and their vast army of bullies. Can Max take up the mantle of a hero and save the city before all is lost?
Presented in part comic strip and part short narrative, there is something sharp and well-crafted about Peirce's illustrations here. They're not chunky and rounded like Pilkey's nor faix-simple like Kinney's. Instead they often have depth and shadow and are well executed - like something you'd find in the Phoenix magazine.
Yet what I *especially* loved about this mock Middle-Ages romp was how Peirce uses the narrative as a way of challenging gendered norms and showing them for how stupid they really are. Max is, in fact, a girl who is consistently mistaken for a boy who wishes nothing more than to be a knight. She has strength of character, endless courage and fights for what's right. So why can't she be one? Alongside her small band of friends (and a talking goose), the group set out to overthrow an evil king but end up, quite subtly, inviting a different challenge to their readership and I think they will see it as a welcome one....more
The beautiful, hopeful book opens with its endpapers showing a horse and tiger lost in a tempestuous, horizon-less sea storm and closes with a small cThe beautiful, hopeful book opens with its endpapers showing a horse and tiger lost in a tempestuous, horizon-less sea storm and closes with a small company sailing companionably towards a bright horizon. These endpapers then are metaphors for the main theme of this picturebook which one of depression and finding or trusting in finding the light no matter how deep the darkness.
Our story begins when a baby crawls onto the picture plain and, over several bright spreads, grows into childhood full of hope yet with the resignation that no matter what, day must bow down to the night. But instead of losing sight of hope, the young child gathers friends and all the tools they need in order to find the light once more and make a long, tiring journey to find it. Even when it seems that hope has been drowned out, a light can be found in the darkest moment whether it is found within us or carried by a friend.
There have always been stories about mental health and certainly ones that explore depression: some are subtle and wise and others so didactic it’s a little blinding. McDonnells, which she claims is autobiographical, is gentle, poetic; open to a variety of interpretations. Stunning Burningham-esque illustrations wash across double-page spreads inviting us to also be lost in the depth of a tenebrous ocean at times yet awash in the light when we think most need it. Deep and lyrical; sparse with its words but more powerful for it, Out of a Dark Winter’s Night stands there with the greats. ...more
Katya spends much of her time with her grandmother far from her native home in Seattle, in some far-off Alaskan town. There, safe from the tormenting Katya spends much of her time with her grandmother far from her native home in Seattle, in some far-off Alaskan town. There, safe from the tormenting at school, she loses herself in comics and is glad to escape. Worried about her granddaughter’s insular lifestyle, Meema sends her out to play. Caught in a heavy downpour however, Kayta stumbles into a ravine and finds to her surprise a most unlikely companion to comfort her.
Kodi is a bear whose welcome, rounded form fills up both frame and moment and together, he and Katya make for a strong caring couple. Kodi providing a sense of security and trust that Katya is missing and Katya a tender sense of love that Kodi thrives upon: together they seem inseparable. Yet when Kayta eventually has to leave home, Kodi cannot cope and sets off to see if he can find her.
I loved the watercolours throughout this graphic novel. They washed through the moments evoking the open wilderness as well as the business of sea ports and city streets. Plenty of rounded characters and landscape means that the story and images are inviting, cosy and full of warmth and assuredness. The plot might have benefitted from extension or some less-important areas cut but there is absolutely no doubt that you come away with a smile and a deep sense of comfort. Great for Y2+ ...more
Autumn gently lends its warm colours to the forest setting and whilst all the animals, in their own way, prepare for Winter's touch, goose isn't sure Autumn gently lends its warm colours to the forest setting and whilst all the animals, in their own way, prepare for Winter's touch, goose isn't sure what she is meant to be doing. She knows within her that something important is meant to happen but cannot fathom out her purpose during this seasonal transition. Should she be building a dam like her friends the beavers? Perhaps she should be storing nuts like her squirrel neighbours or building a den like the bear family? None of these activities sit right with goose; how come they sit well with all the creatures she cares about? When a swooping sky-shadow blocks out the sun one evening goose looks up and finds the answer.
I have enjoyed Woollard's light and gentle verse ever since reading The Giant of Jum. Her rhyming couplets throughout Little Goose lend a rhythm to the story that invites a sense of gentle inquisitiveness. The pace at the start meanders as goose revels in the end of the autumn days with her forest friends; then picks up pace as the realisation hits her that she should be following her instincts until long ululations of verse roll out over the final pages.
Without a doubt though, it was May Smith's gorgeous illustrations that drew me to the book. Her conveyance of the warm glows of autumn in the trees and the leaf-littered landscape invite you into this story from the cover. From double-spreads to rounded vignettes, these pencil drawings, overlayed with colour in Photoshop, find that balance between hand-crafted illustration and the soft digitisation. Each spread is a treasure.
The story of a young goose finding her calling is a frontispiece for an equally lovely story about the changing of a season and nature's way of rolling with this be they plant or animal. Little Goose's Autumn is a gorgeous book to share and treasure. ...more
I loved Siobhan Dowd's The London Eye Mystery and so was very excited to be spending time with Ted Spark again. Although one may feeling some trepidatI loved Siobhan Dowd's The London Eye Mystery and so was very excited to be spending time with Ted Spark again. Although one may feeling some trepidation with a different author taking on the mantle of a previous one - and with such a memorable character to boot -, I had absolutely no qualms about Robin Stevens taking the helm and only wish she would promise more Ted Spark stories in the future.
Ted is twelves years old when he, his sister Kat and his mother head over to New York to pay a visit his auntie and cousin. Aunt Gloria works at the Guggenheim and when she takes her extended family on a tour, she becomes framed in a mysterious crime: a painting goes missing from the museum and she seems the most likely candidate. Together, Ted, Kat and their cousin, Salim, must try to find and disseminate all the clues that will lead them to the perpetrator before Gloria is sentenced to jail.
For those who have not read the first book, Ted is neurodivergent. Since the first book, he has grown and learned to navigate complex concepts such as figurative language and reading people's feelings. He uses his incredible observation skills and recall of world knowledge to pick apart moments and memories like none of the others can. Told from Ted's first person perspective, the book is refreshing.
This story is full of smarts and you know that with Stevens the 'mystery and crime' aspect of the story will deliver. What I was very pleased with though was how Robin ensured that the main cast, especially Ted, still felt as real and as similar as those created by Dowd in the first place. A cracking addition to the London Eye Mystery series. ...more
Deep in the frozen North, Mila lives with her two sisters, Sanna and Pipa and elder brother, Oskar. Being the middle child is a challenge in itself buDeep in the frozen North, Mila lives with her two sisters, Sanna and Pipa and elder brother, Oskar. Being the middle child is a challenge in itself but more so when you lose your mother at childbirth and your father disappears without a word. With the endless snow and little to live off, Mila's life takes a turn for the worst when a bear of man appears at their door one night with his legs tangled in odd golden cords and stepping on the snow lighter than a hare. His presence and story will challenge and change Mila's life forever.
When she awakes the next morning, Mila finds that her brother has vanished and so begins her journey to find out why and where he has gone and for what dark purposes his future is set upon. On her travels she encounters a young mage, Rune, who tells her the true story behind her family's disappearances. Mila finds that she must travel to a realm beyond her imaginings in order to save her family and unlock the nefarious secrets that has shrouded her homeland in an endless winter.
Everything Kiran writes is woven in the richest language and each sentence is a delight. But you also sense that with each book she puts a great piece of herself into the story too. This time I felt it in spades. Emotion resonates and pulses here whether it is from the threat of the stranger or the anger that the sisters feel as to what has happened to them. The plot and pace is pitch perfect too with just the right mix of reality and magic.
A fascinating journey far from the shores of The Girl of Ink and Stars and The Island at the End of Everything, yet still filled with young women who struggle and fight against oppression and control. Make no mistake, Kiran is one of this generation's finest writers....more
Mary Lambert has always lived on the island of Martha's Vineyard and although the dawn of the 19th century might seem harsh to her readers, to Mary itMary Lambert has always lived on the island of Martha's Vineyard and although the dawn of the 19th century might seem harsh to her readers, to Mary it is a place filled with family and friends. Yet, Mary's community is vastly different to anywhere else in America - they are mostly deaf and the whole community speaks, for the most part, through signs. When a young scholar comes to investigate the island and its inhabitants it brings a dark cloud of the community's livelihood and changes Mary's life forever.
Painstakingly researched, deaf author, Ann Clare LeZotte has written a historical novel here based largely on a history that is very much real. The sense of place, her way of communicating both spoken and sign language alongside a slowly-gripping plot means that she has written something extremely special here. A gifted writer, fully in control of a complex narrative and landscape who seems to effortlessly bring it all to life. Highly recommended. ...more
Set on the fringe of a dystopian future, this short gem of a book by Hardy and delectably illustrated by Smillie, tells the story of the Griffin familSet on the fringe of a dystopian future, this short gem of a book by Hardy and delectably illustrated by Smillie, tells the story of the Griffin family (Mum, Bren and our protagonist, Grace) whose job it is to maintain law and order in Moreland. Through some impressive portal technology and the help of their robotic raven, Watson, the three can travel throughout the land instantaneously in order to jump in and solve crimes.
Although Grace has yet to complete her warden training there comes a moment in which she must answer a distress call alone. In doing so though, she puts not only herself at risk but her whole family.
With a twisting, enjoyable plot set within a richly imagined future-world, The Griffin Gate is a promising start to a series. Great characters throughout, an enjoyable plot and all presented in Barrington Stoke's dyslexia-friendly, short-chaptered, packaging; it is a book for both the newly independent reader and the established one too.
I was so impressed with how much Hardy managed to fit into those 100 short pages and await the sequel with great anticipation. Smillie's illustrations are a delight. ...more
Abused by his step-mother, Matthew runs away with no money to his name but a spark of hope that the nearest city, Washington DC, will provide him withAbused by his step-mother, Matthew runs away with no money to his name but a spark of hope that the nearest city, Washington DC, will provide him with the opportunity for success. As luck would have it, fortune shines on Matt and he ends up working for a kindly woman, Janey Moore, whose Café is much loved by the poorer locals.
Finally able to establish himself, Matthew finds himself inspired by tales of adventure and exploration from one of the café visitors, Baltimore Jack, and decides to take to the high seas. He heads towards the docks of Kennard Wharf and good fortune places him in the path of a fine captain. From here, Matt’s life becomes rich and varied with his adventures eventually taking him to the North Pole. But will his skill, knowledge and courage give him the credit he deserves or, as a black man, will it sink beneath the waves and never surface?
Catherine Johnson is doing an excellent job of breathing life into the lost stories of should-be-famous black people. Matthew Henson’s story was one I had never heard of before as was those of Olaudah Equiano and Shadrack Furman in Freedom. As always, Johnson’s light prose presented in Barrington Stoke’s most-welcome dyslexia-friendly format means that this is an accessible and important story for many readers. Let’s hope she continues writing these. ...more
A rich and vibrant weaving of several Russian folktales, Gamayun is a delight from start to finish. This collection contains the first three of Utkin'A rich and vibrant weaving of several Russian folktales, Gamayun is a delight from start to finish. This collection contains the first three of Utkin's Tales (The King of the Birds, The Water Spirit and Tyna of the Lake) and it is our storyteller, the exotic and beguiling Gamayun (half bird / half human) and a merchant's family who bind all three stories together.
Still retaining the sharp and concise narratives of those early tales, Utkin brings a sense of majesty and cinematic flamboyancy to the retellings injecting humour, drama, tension and a gripping sense of adventure that I have always associated with the best told tales. It's almost impossible to choose a favourite story from the volume or a favourite character although the king of the lobsters (Sir Lobsterrific) was a pleasure to encounter since I recognised him from Old Peter's Russian Tales.
I will say that other reviews of these books lament the broken narrative and cliffhangers. These reviews refer to when the 3 books brought together here were sold separately and I would have probably agreed. Here though, together, they breathe a vibrant and welcome life into old, treasured tales. An incredible addition to any Key Stage 2 classroom. ...more
The fourth graphic novel in the Brownstone Mythical Collection, Leo and the Gorgons presents a delightful, ecocritical twist on the Perseus and MedusaThe fourth graphic novel in the Brownstone Mythical Collection, Leo and the Gorgons presents a delightful, ecocritical twist on the Perseus and Medusa story. After being introduced to our hero by our ever-present narrator, Professor Brownstone, we join Leo on his quest to become someone and something slightly different to what his parents and his teachings originally had planned for him.
As a student of mythology in Ancient Greece, Leo finds himself inspired by the ‘bravery, strength and skill’ of those very real heroes and around him. But his parents encourage and educate him upon a different path; one that discourages beast slaying and instead focuses upon understanding, protecting and empathising with these exotic creatures.
So it is the Fates themselves that summon Leo from his study room one dawn-morning and entice him into following Perseus himself on a quest to slay a beast. Inspired by his hero, Leo seeks to follow in his footsteps but discovers, through good fortune, that the route his parents had chosen to guide him down might be far more influential than he had first thought.
What I enjoy so much about Todd-Stanton’s reworkings of these ancient stories is the choices his heroes make. With all these retellings, he questions and flips some of the entrenched tropes that have long been their foundations. In Leo, our hero discovers that it is not physical strength and prowess that wins the day but empathy, nurture, knowledge and creativity: the very qualities that he learned from his family and not from those in power.
As always, Todd-Stanton’s illustrations and big panels are a delight; wonderful greens, blues and yellows, colour a richly imagined world (all children are going to adore his bestiary). In addition, his narrative continues to get sharper and more succinct with pace and tone balanced so well. This is a story with a message for our times with regards to compassion, love and care and its graphic-novel/picturebook format will be welcomed in the hands of any reader....more
Thirteen-year-old Olia lives with her family within an inherited yet steadily-crumbling walls of an ancient, Russian castle. Olia still believes in anThirteen-year-old Olia lives with her family within an inherited yet steadily-crumbling walls of an ancient, Russian castle. Olia still believes in and clings on to the old stories which are threaded throughout the land and her home's corridors and roofs and so does her grandmother. And high up in the golden domes of the castle's rooftops a destiny awaits her which will lead her down a dangerous path that threatens to tear the fabric of time and reality from under her community for all time.
The third of Sophie's novels sees her blend elements of Russian folklore and, specifically, draw up the great epic poem Ruslan and Ludmila. Having chosen to read the poem first, I absolutely delighted in meeting and greeting giant severed heads, crotchety mage-villains and scorched lands. The story behind Sophie's story made for an even richer reading and I would certainly consider this when sharing with children. But you needn't worry - the story is still rich, engaging and moving on its own two chicken legs.
As is always Sophie's skill. A diverse cast joins Olia on her quest to save her home and the home of another realm too. She weaves folklore and legend into a contemporary setting and makes it all work so well. Saving stories, family, friends and futures remain the core themes of the book and I love that these are central to all of Sophie's stories so far. The twist in the role of Chernomor (the book's supposed antagonist) was a welcome twist too and I like how Sophie will always invite us to question our prejudices against others in a gentle, kind way.
With echoes of 'Labyrinth' and 'Howl's Moving Castle', Sophie has, once again, created a story that walks that liminal space between youth and adulthood; between letting go of fantasy or embracing it for all time. Thank goodness that, for readers young and old, she stands firmly, as a writer, in the latter. Olia might be thirteen but the book would suit readers young and old alike. Perfectly suited to UKS2 and even confident Y3/4 readers. ...more
I must admit that Ben Mantle's cover did a lot to persuade me to pick up the book as did a lovely little podcast between Jake Hayes and Sophie KirtleyI must admit that Ben Mantle's cover did a lot to persuade me to pick up the book as did a lovely little podcast between Jake Hayes and Sophie Kirtley ( here). The Wild Way Home tells the story of 12 year old Charlie Merriam who runs away from their parents when they found out that their new-born brother is seriously ill. Not knowing what to think or do ,they head to the only place they feel solace: Mandel Forest.
Yet when Charlie enters, they find themselves not in the forest they know but in one which is tens of thousands of years in the past. There, Charlie encounters another soul who is also lost and confused: a Stone Age boy named Harby. Together can they help each other find the courage to face the fears that neither of them wish to acknowledge? A time-slip novel touching on current themes and motifs throughout, The Wild Way Home is riding this refreshing wave of books that explore the complexity and secrecy with which we attach to some emotions. The idea that you can be a man or a boy and cry; that being scared of facing something beyond your control can be overwhelming but that the best friends will always be there for you and that endings don't always have to be perfect; they can be real and feel real too are some of the concepts Kirtley explores with tenderness and truth. With Charlie as a gender-neutral protagonist all readers are invited to identify with their challenges and emotions. I very much enjoyed this story and can see it as one which would be perfect to share with your own child or as a class. ...more
The idea of travelling from California to the ‘middle-of-nowhere’ China for a Summer Camp to help brush up on Cantonese is the worst possible use of hThe idea of travelling from California to the ‘middle-of-nowhere’ China for a Summer Camp to help brush up on Cantonese is the worst possible use of holiday time for Billy Chan. Yet little does he know that fate has in store for him a trip like no other and the time spent far up in the mountains at Camp Dragon will turn out to be anything as dull as he had imagined.
Dragon Mountain has everything in it that you would want from a domestic-fantasy novel but with something far more relevant and updated with regards to relationships between friends who become family. Billy Chan, disjointed from his home and at odds with his Hong-Kong heritage, finds himself trapped on a mountain with other 11+ year olds in similar positions. Dylan O’Donnell, a reserved and cautious boy from Ireland, the over-confident ju-jjitsu specialist Charlotte Bell from the deep South and native Leng-Fei who carries a zen-like calm about her, inadvertently find themselves grouped together.
Countries and characters apart, they should have a reason for communicating yet when the Camp’s mentor, Old Gold, sets them a task each finds that they bring something special and unique to this partnership that means that it all just works – as if by magic. Yet when they encounter an other-worldly tiger and an ominous crack in the mountainside wide enough for a person to fit through, the partnership is stretched to its limits.
Dragon Mountain is the first in a series of stories by Katie and Kevin Tsang which sees our four protagonists team up with a group of dragons who need their help to save their world and the human world. Realms away, lost in time, a darkness is slowly awakening as the Dragon of Death gradually regains the strength and power it once lost. Will our protagonists and their dragon companions have the strength, cunning and teamwork required to stave off its coming?
Aside from the richly imagined dragon world, Katie and Kevin Tsang story should also be celebrated for the modern and wholesome relationships between the four children. Whilst much of this story is about each protagonist confronting their identity and understanding their strengths, it is also a story of self-belief and the power that real friendships have in fostering this. No hero here is perfect but each imperfection is what makes them unique and believable. Put together though and this sense of support, care and trust in each other makes the story and characters so very special.
I found myself particularly fascinated in Billy’s own conflict between his love of the Californian waves and the dismissiveness of his Chinese heritage. The other characters too, alongside their dragons, each have their own journeys to make and these are not rounded nicely by the end of this first instalment. Instead they each have room to grow. Some have tough exteriors that may need to crack whilst others remain self-doubting. What Katie and Kevin Tsang have here is not just a world rich in imagination but characters rich for growing and changing and building together.
Considering how much children’s fantasy is full of characters who carry on regardless of any conflicts or challenges that come their way, Dragon Mountain acknowledges that it is the inner journey that is the real adventure and how we choose to get there and who with is part of the real magic. ...more
It’s difficult to like the protagonist of this graphic novel and there’s a good reason behind that. He’s heartless – quite literally! Miller’s graphicIt’s difficult to like the protagonist of this graphic novel and there’s a good reason behind that. He’s heartless – quite literally! Miller’s graphic novel debut casts our blond-haired, foul-tempered paranormal investigator as a young boy whose heart he transports carried in a bell-jar. Exactly why this is the case and why he’s so darned grumpy is revealed in this first of a series of graphic novels but not until he manages to solve the creepy conundrum of who is haunting Tanglewood Mansion.
Set within the small community of Grimbrook (which looks and feels like welcome riff on Buffy’s Sunnydale) Mason Mooney first mission involves supporting Iris, a highly intelligent girl whose family have just moved into the area. Her residence seems to be plagued by ghostly activity intent upon making her older sister’s life a misery. Once there, Mason must not only tackle ghosts and witches but also fierce competition from The Paranormal Society a Blyton-meets-Breakfast Club group of teenage investigators led by heart-throb Trent Reilly. Can Mason beat his rivals in solving the riddle behind the hauntings before it’s too late?
The first in a series of paranormal graphic novels, possibly aimed at KS3 and up but perfectly suitable for 9+ readers, Miller’s debut packs a punch with its illustrative quality and humorous glimpse into the awkwardness of transitioning-into-teen life. She has a wonderful eye for perspective, colour and pace and I particularly loved the interjecting wit of the narrator throughout. Full, double-page spreads pack the exhilarating punch just at the right moment whilst smaller panels to draw attention to the more important details: it’s clear that Miller enjoys playing with the form and the story benefits from it greatly.
Having a lead character that is difficult to like with a dark past was a welcome and Iris, Mason’s soon-to-be trusty ally makes for a smart, welcome companion. With Mason Mooney, Miller sets out the template for further adventures and it’s clear that there is room for growth here in further spooky adventures with regards to character and world. This is a beautifully presented debut, rich in humour and with a diverse cast. It’s a story that will enthral any reader who enjoys quirky, tongue-in-cheek humour served with slice of the supernatural.
**Special thanks to Flying Eye for sending me a review copy. ...more
When a young child is left by her father who wishes to rid the land of an evil giant, she must find the courage and guile to take up the mantle and reWhen a young child is left by her father who wishes to rid the land of an evil giant, she must find the courage and guile to take up the mantle and restore peace to the land. Armed with a mirror and a blade, she sets off in the dark, across the black body of the lake towards a land whose life has been drained and turned to stone. How so? Because the very giant her father sought to defeat has the power to petrify all whose gaze she meets. How can one girl possibly defeat such a monster?
Known to be one of Sweden’s most innovative illustrators, Anna Höglund's story (known in its native language ‘Transformation’) is one about many changes – from flesh to stone; from innocence to experience and from evil to good. It is a story seeped in old folklore and the human condition. Its ink and pencil drawing heavy with mood and depth yet it is a story about the power of a child to triumph where adults could not. ...more
Since the early nineties, autism was something that was rarely discussed and certainly never understood. Knowledge of and a window into what it means Since the early nineties, autism was something that was rarely discussed and certainly never understood. Knowledge of and a window into what it means to be autistic in the world of children’s literature has been even scanter. The literature that I have encountered such as The London Eye Mystery and I Am Bat or My Brother Sammy have all been written by people who may have worked with or lived with children who are autistic but A Kind of Spark is, uniquely, a book which has been written who identifies as neurodivergent.
The story revolves around eleven year-old Addie who, having just begun a new year in school, finds herself subjected to bullying not only by a former-friend but also by her class teacher. Fortunately the school’s librarian is there to support her and a new girl, Audrey is also drawn to her character. Together, they become interested in a deep-rooted hidden story around there little, Scottish town of Juniper which tells of a group of witches who were murdered not for their recorded crimes but for their difference. With the help and guidance of her older sister Keedie, who is also autistic, Addie works tirelessly to have a plaque erected in order to honour those women who spent their lives being misunderstood and mistreated.
A Kind of Spark may have a story about acceptance and understanding as its central thread but this takes nothing away from the fact that the story itself is engaging and finely plotted. I enjoyed finding out about why it was Addie’s elder twin sisters were so at odds with each other, or why Keedie desperately struggled with University Life. All the characters felt real and there was a well-woven and steady pace throughout the whole story. The cherry on the top of this already very well-written story though was being gifted with a glimpse into the world through the eyes of someone who is autistic.
For a debut, McNicoll has achieved something remarkable here. Not only does she present us with a much-needed, authentic insight into what it is to think and be autistic but A Kind of Spark is also an impassioned plea to allow others who are autistic to no longer feel that they must hide who they are in order to ‘fit in’. As a community of readers, it invites us to understand, acknowledge and accept the way autistic people see and live in the world – their joys and their constant struggles. Yes, there is humour here and tension too but there is also a refreshingly unique and beautiful voice that defies boxing in and invites all non-neuro-divergent readers to re-examine everything that they thought before. Perhaps most importantly though, McNicoll presents other autistic readers with something they may never have known they wanted or perhaps had given up searching for: a mirror (as Professor Rudine Sims Bishop would say) and that is a very special gift indeed. ...more
Set within the Pacific Northwest of America, The Hike introduces us to a trio of girls and their dog as they partake in their favourite pastime: walkiSet within the Pacific Northwest of America, The Hike introduces us to a trio of girls and their dog as they partake in their favourite pastime: walking forest paths and exploring the local wildlife. The three girls, at ease in their environment, take with them their sketch-pads, binoculars and map. They are inquisitive, asking questions about tracks and leaves and they’re careful to observe alone rather than pick up and touch. Throughout the pages, Farrell herself gently intrudes by labeling animals and plants so that the reader might be more aware of the surroundings than the girls themselves. Mainly consisting of double-page spreads, this is a delightful trek through the semi-tamed wild and one that might ignite a similar passion in its own readers. Please can we have something like this set in the UK? ...more
It's twelve-year-old Farah's birthday. Alongside having to entertain her younger brother, Ahmad also has her friends to attend to. She needn't worry tIt's twelve-year-old Farah's birthday. Alongside having to entertain her younger brother, Ahmad also has her friends to attend to. She needn't worry though as her favourite aunt has arrived with a special gift just for her. When Farah finally manages to find the time to open it, she and her friends, Essie and Alex discover it is not what her aunt had promised: a book. Instead it appears to be an altogether different object: a game-board imbued with magical properties (Jumanji-style). Not only does the game expand and grow but it also whisks them away to a realm created and ruled by the Architect. Excitement soon gives way to fear though since the game has taken Farah's brother. Not only that, the rules of the game mean that if any challenge is failed then the contenders must remain in The Gauntlet for all time. Riazi's novel is quick and pacy and I thought that the first half set the scene well. Each of Farah's friends are different yet potentially engaging but her brother borders on annoying rather than sympathetic (he has ADHD but the condition is sweepingly considered rather than focused on). The games themselves within the Gauntlet are, for the most part, exciting but at times emotions and pace are confused and lost to other details. The rich world often overshadows time spent on character-building and growth. For all these faults though, it was deeply refreshing to find another Muslim protagonist and some impressive world-building. ...more
With a delightful little nod to P.D. James in the title, Stevens brings us the fifth case of Daisy and Hazel this time with a competitive air to boot.With a delightful little nod to P.D. James in the title, Stevens brings us the fifth case of Daisy and Hazel this time with a competitive air to boot. Set within snowy Cambridge, the girls may be on their holidays but they remain bound within the educational grounds of the fictitious Maudlin. Here, her brother and his college associates play around at scaling the city walls and roofs during the evenings until a mystery unravels.
Stalwart followers of the books will know that if we find ourselves in Cambridge then we are not too far from the Junior Pinkertons (I was very happy to meet them). As part of a bet, both sets of detectives set a challenge to who can solve the mystery first until the chase takes a turn for the worse. Instead all four must band together to solve a case that grows in danger. But the college is man's domain - do Daisy and Hazel have the cunning to weave their way into hallowed grounds?
There is something comfortable and assuring about reading the Hazel and Wong mysteries. Stevens has full charge of the plot and her characters are now so familiar that they become a part of my own reading life. This fifth installment does not disappoint and I feel that, as a writer, Stevens' ideologies around gender and feminism are becoming more implicitly powerful in their implementation and in empowering her leads. ...more
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