Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2025 (Part One)

Sword of the Sun Written by Sinéad O'Hart There are always some authors that guarantee you a good read, and this is one such author. Everything she has written has been interesting and completely different from all the other books she has written. This is a tale of contemporary Ireland and ancient myth. When Ben … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – February 2025 (Part One)

Middle Grade Must Reads – January 2025

Sycamore Hill Mystery : The Tower Ghost Written by Natasha Mac a'Bháird Sycamore Hill Boarding School, Donegal 1963 Clare is excited to start her first term at Sycamore Hill. New sports, new subjects, and new friends – chatty, confident Rose and quiet, nature-loving Molly. But something strange is going on. The girls see a face … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – January 2025

Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix

Written by Abi Elphinstone Illustrations by Kristina Kister Published by Simon and Schuster The second instalment to the new Ember Spark trilogy (though I hope it ends up being an entire series *fingers firmly crossed) arrived in bookstores in October, and I obviously ordered the Indie Bookshop edition - with sprayed edge design - from … Continue reading Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix

Festive Chapter Books for Confident Readers – Christmas 2024

The Great Reindeer Rescue Written by Stephen Mangan Illustrations by Anita Mangan Published by Scholastic It’s Christmas Eve and one of Santa's reindeers, Dave, is FED UP. He's stuck behind boastful Rudolph again and a fart-in-the-face is the LAST STRAW. In the commotion, Santa crash lands on the roof of nine-year-old Holly’s home causing an … Continue reading Festive Chapter Books for Confident Readers – Christmas 2024

Middle Grade Must Reads – November 2024 (Part Three)

Starminster Written by Megan Hopkins The first thing I noticed about this book was the breathtaking cover, it was one of these covers that gives nothing of the story away. But the one thing I did know was that it was going to be an amazing adventure. Astrid has lived in the rhubarb shed her … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – November 2024 (Part Three)

Middle Grade Must Reads – November 2024 (Part Two)

Witchspark Written by Dominique Valente Published by Usborne There are some authors that get me excited when they publish a new book and Dominique Valente is one such author. Her Starfell series was brilliant and it had everything I wanted in a book. So I was delighted that when this book was announced it was … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – November 2024 (Part Two)

Middle Grade Must Reads – November 2024 (Part One)

Auntie Medusa and Me Written by Marie Basting Marie Basting has a bit of a reputation for writing bonkers books, and after reading this I feel I have to agree. I’m Silvia, an ordinary kid just like you. At least, I was ordinary until I wound up in Ancient Rome and found out I'm a … Continue reading Middle Grade Must Reads – November 2024 (Part One)