Grumpfort Written by Jamie Hammond Published By Usborne. This had such good reviews on social media that I was so delighted when a proof copy fell through my letterbox. I couldn’t wait to meet Mo and go on an adventure. I wasn’t disappointed. Meet Mo, the worst monster hunter ever, in this hilarious and highly … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – April 2025 (Part Three)
Author: helenbyles
Middle Grade Must Reads – April 2025 (Part Two)
The Haunting of Fortune Farm Written by Sophie Kirtley I do enjoy a Sophie Kirkley book and I have always thought she is unrated as an author. Twelve-year-old Edie embarks on an exciting and chilling adventure as she searches for a long-lost Viking hoard. But there are ghosts around Edie who want the past to … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – April 2025 (Part Two)
Middle Grade Must Reads – April 2025 (Part One)
The Light Thieves and the Terrifying Dawn Written by Helen Duggan The previous two books in the series were so good that I couldn't wait for the 3rd and final book in the series. People know that the sun is being stolen by tech-billionaire Howard Hansom, who's been spinning everyone a massive lie.The only person who can stop him … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – April 2025 (Part One)
Hannah and the Violin
Written by Satoshi Kitamura Published by Scalleywag Press When Hannah spots a leaf on the grass, she thinks it looks like a violin, and decides to see if she can play it. Soon everything is singing and dancing to the music! A joyful book that celebrates play, creativity and the imagination within us all. Part of … Continue reading Hannah and the Violin
Non-Fiction titles to inspire this month
Signs of Survival: A Memoir of the Holocaust Written by Renee Hartman and Joshua M. Greene World War 2 is now often studied in primary schools usually in year 6 and they look at different aspects of the war. I will select some excellent texts for them to use doing this topic, so when scholastic … Continue reading Non-Fiction titles to inspire this month
Exciting Early Chapter Books to escape into
Secret Beast Club: The Dragons of Emerald Yard Written by Robin Birch Illustrated by Jobe Anderson Everyone who knows me really well, knows I love dragons. There's something magical about them and the fact that they are usually good characters. Unfortunately there isn’t a series about dragons for the younger readers that is until now. … Continue reading Exciting Early Chapter Books to escape into
Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2025
Chronicles of Whetherwhy : The Age of Enchantment Written by Anna James Illustrations David Wyatt Pubished by HarperCollins First in a brand-new fantasy series from acclaimed author Anna James, filled with magic and exciting adventure In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them – grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. But … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2025
Short Chapter Books to enjoy this February half term (2025)
Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories Written by Jarvis This is a perfect book for children who have recently become independent readers. Bear and Bird are the best of friends. They don’t always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is to make the other happy. So when Bird is … Continue reading Short Chapter Books to enjoy this February half term (2025)
Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2025 (Part Two)
Lockett & Wilde's Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor Written by Lucy Strange Illustrated by Pam Smy Matilda Lockett is used to playing the role of Poor Dead Edna on stage with her spirit-medium aunt, Signora Valentina, and theatrical uncle Barnabus – but when they all decamp to Beauchamp Manor to deal with … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2025 (Part Two)
Uprising
Written by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I absolutely loved the last book by Jennifer Nielson, it was called Lines of Courage and I recommended it to countless people and to this day it remains one of my favourite books ever. So I was delighted when this was delivered , the only problem was that I love … Continue reading Uprising









