The Nightkeeper's Apprentice Written by Jude Reid What does it take to become a Nightkeeper’s Apprentice? Sent to a remote Scottish island she’s never heard of, and to a family she’s never met, twelve-year-old evacuee Eilidh feels lost and lonely. But she’s drawn to the strange lighthouse she’s forbidden to enter. With the help of a … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – July 2026 (Part One)
When I received these three titles that I have chosen to include in this post, from Little Tiger publishers, I knew they would make the perfect present to take to a baby shower or to gift new parents upon the arrival of their baby, and I really want to do justice to how amazingly these … Continue reading The perfect gift ideas for a baby shower – Summer 2026
Silent Night Written by Emma Read Published by Chicken House I had heard so many good things about this book so when I was in my local library and saw this, I picked it up straight away. And what a read. When Masen, Conor and Joss wake up in the caravan on Christmas morning, a … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – June 2026 (Part Three)
Rules for Vampires 2: Ghosts Bite Back Written by Alex Foulkes Published by Simon & Schuster I loved book 1 so I couldn’t wait to revisit these characters. A vampire and a ghost being friends is unheard of. It makes no sense. The two factions have despised one another for all eternity. But . . . Leo the vampire … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – June 2026 (Part Two)
Wish For You (Touch-and-Feel Flaps) Illustrated by Hannah Abbo Written by Dee Costello Published by Little Tiger This is a touch and feel book that is themed upon sea creatures, and hosts a variety of them inside. It is beautifully illustrated, depicting stunning underwater scenes, and truly brings to life the sea creatures that little … Continue reading Perfect Picks for little ones to share with Daddy
Rise and fall. Great Empires that shaped the World Written and illustrated by Peter Allen Published by Cicada Books Part of my performance management at school is to declutter the non fiction section and update it with better quality books. This is going to be one of the first ones that will be going in … Continue reading Notable Non Fiction to Inspire
Lockett & Wilde: The Ghosts of London Written by Lucy Strange Illustrations by Pam Smy Published by Walker Books Book one of this series was great and book 2 promised to be just as good. And I bumped this to the top of my TBR pile as soon as I got my hands on a copy. … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – June 2026 (Part One)
Lift and Learn : Our Weather Written by Isabel Potter Illustrated by Hannah Tolson We were absolutely thrilled to receive this topic specific board book, namely weather, as it is one of natures daily impacts on us all, and something children kind of pick up bits here and there regarding, but the ability to give … Continue reading Brilliant Board Books – June 2026 (Part One)
The Big Bad Wolf Murder Written by P. G. Bell Published by Usborne I adore this author and series - the first book in the series The Beanstalk murder was one of my all time favourite books so I was looking forward to reading this one. At twelve years old, Ruby Calvino is the youngest human … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – May 2026
Tomorrow's Ghost Written by Tanya Landman Published by Walker Books This was amazing from the first page. Haunted by the past, can Anna rewrite the future? 1976: Twelve-year-old Anna, bored and lonely away from her friends for the summer, finds herself dreaming about a girl from 1919 – a neglected and lonely girl living in a … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads -April 2026
samjdthomas.home.blog 