Category: Reading for Pleasure UKS2

Harklights by Tim Tilley, reviewed by Evie

‘Harklights’, by Tim Tilley, is about an orphan named Wick and all of his
adventures. At the start of the book, Wick longs to escape from his horrible
orphanage, which is also a match factory in which he’s forced to work long
hours and eat only porridge. When Wick finds a tiny baby in an acorn cradle,
his whole world turns upside-down as he discovers the magical world of the
Hobs. Wick has to try to intertwine his old life at the orphanage with his
friends, and his new life exploring and helping the forest with the Hobs.

‘Harklights’ is a book that really pulls you in and is almost impossible to put
down. You get so wrapped up in Wick’s story and really feel anxious for him
and his friends. It has so many unexpected twists and turns that really take
you by surprise! They make the whole read even more enjoyable and
exciting, and make you want to read on and on.

The book also has a really important message about looking after our
planet’s environment and stopping deforestation. Wick has to help protect
the Hobs and their forest from the ‘monster’ that is eating it. This moral is
more critical than ever before in our real world, and it adds a really great
extra layer to the book.

Another thing I loved about ‘Harklights’ is the illustrations, also by Tim Tilley.
In a way, they’re very simple pictures, made of layers of silhouettes. But I
really liked this, because it meant I could fill in the details using my own
imagination. I felt a bit like Wick, who has to use his imagination to picture
what life is like outside of the factory.

Overall, ‘Harklights’ is an amazing book and I would definitely recommend it
for children aged 8 and up, and even adults. If you’ve read and enjoyed JK
Rowling’s ‘The Ickabog’ then you would absolutely love ‘Harklights.’ I hope
Tim Tilley writes a follow-up book soon!
*****
5 stars!

Hi, I’m Evie and I live in Maidstone with my mum, dad and little sister, Freya. I’m 10 years old and my favourite things are reading, drawing, pandas and doughnuts! I’m the illustrator for my school book club newspaper, and I’m rarely found without a book in my hand – my absolute favourite is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I’m not sure how many books I have read in my life but my favourites are all the Harry Potters and The cursed child – I loved it !!! , The boy at the back of the class,  The star outside my window , Evie and the Animals.I’m so excited to be part of The Book Nook Review Crew and I can’t wait to get reading and reviewing! Love Evie x

About the book

“A charming fairytale adventure with an enduring ecological message.” Peter Bunzl, author of Cogheart

Wick has always lived in the dark and dreadful Harklights Match Factory and Orphanage, working tirelessly for greedy Old Ma Bogey. He only dreams of escaping, until one day a bird drops something impossible and magical at his feet – a tiny baby in an acorn cradle… As midnight chimes, Wick is visited by the Hobs, miniature protectors of the forest.

Grateful for the kindness shown to their stolen child, they offer Wick the chance of a lifetime – escape from Harklights and begin a new life with them in the wild… Winner of the Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, Harklights is a magical story celebrating family, friendship and the natural world, filled with a message of hope for our times.

Rainbow Grey by Laura Ellen Anderson, reviewed by Niamh

Rainbow Grey is the brand-new rainbowtastic adventure from the creator of the amazing Amelia Fang book series, the brilliant Laura Ellen Anderson!

Laura has created a whole new world called The Weatherlands, based on all of the different types of weather. The main character is 10-year-old Ray Grey who is a Weatherling with no powers, but that’s all set to change the night of the eclipse festival… the book title and Ray’s multi-coloured hair on the front cover may be a big clue!

Ray must try to save Earth from a massive storm, alongside her two friends Droplett and Snowden. And no Laura Ellen Anderson book is complete without a loveable, cute companion – this time in the form of exploding cloud cat Nim (short for Nimothy, not Nimbus!).

Rainbow Grey is an amazing adventure, with lots of twists through the story. Just like Amelia Fang, her new book series has the winning formula of the power of friendship, an adorable sidekick (Nim is the new challenger to Squashy in cuteness), and a feisty main character that never gives up. 

I love the funny bits when Nim’s body parts get all muddled up when he explodes, often at the worst times! I really like that Droplett has the rain power to puddle-port anywhere and the exploding rumblebuns from the Rising Bun Bakery made me laugh! I also enjoyed that the book had lots of little hidden references to Amelia Fang – try to spot them all!  

I think that Amelia and Ray would be great friends, and what I like so much about Laura’s books is that you feel like the characters are your friends too. 

I recommend this book to everybody! I can’t wait for the next Rainbow Grey instalment and I think there’s going to be a lot of rainbow wigs and waistcoats being bought for next World Book Day. Laura Ellen Anderson is one of the best authors and illustrators in the world (and in Nocturnia and the Weatherlands!) and everyone should have all of her books on their bookshelves. 

Rating: 5/5

Perfect for fans of: Amelia Fang by Laura Ellen Anderson; Evil Emperor Penguin by Laura Ellen Anderson; Frostheart by Jamie Littler; and The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy 

Reviewer: Niamh Wilson, aged 8

Hello! My name is Niamh and I’m aged 8. I’m an avid reader and some of my favourite authors and illustrators are Laura Ellen Anderson, Steven Butler, Steven Lenton, Sophy Henn and Sophie Anderson. I want to be an author and illustrator when I’m older and I love to write and draw in my spare time. I like to recommend books to my friends at school and believe you can never have too many books, even though I’m running out of space on my bookshelves! 

About the book

A magical new series from best-selling author and illustrator, Laura Ellen Anderson! Ten-year-old Ray Grey lives in the magical Weatherlands, high in the sky. Ray is surrounded by Weatherlings with astounding weather power at their fingertips . . . but she doesn’t have ANY magic! Then, after a trip to Earth, Ray’s life changes forever. She is transformed from Ray Grey into RAINBOW GREY! With the help of her best friends (and exploding cloud cat, Nim) now all Ray has to do is master her powers AND save the world from a mysterious, powerful enemy .

The Amazing Edie Eckhart by Rosie Jones, reviewed by Mia and Kate

Mia says:

Edie and her best friend, Oscar, are about to start secondary school. Edie is excited and thinks things will be just the same, but it turns out a lot of things will change. Edie must learn it’s good to make new friends, try new things, and become even more independent.

Edie has Cerebral Palsy. Before I read this book, I didn’t know what Cerebral Palsy was, but I do now, and Edie tells us how she’d like people to talk to her about it. I really liked the way it was written as Edie’s diary. It’s like a friend chatting to you and you learn about her feelings. Edie is also very funny.

I liked the messages about giving people a chance and getting to know them, and following your heart and not doing something just because it’s what everyone else seems to be doing.

I read lots of fantasy books and I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I loved it! Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

We agree, Mia! Edie Eckhart IS amazing. We love the positivity in this book and can’t wait to share it with everyone. Team Book Nook.

Mum Kate says:

What a great book! It’s such a good conversation starter too. I think most people could identify with someone or a situation in this book; starting secondary school and those pre teen years are a huge deal for everyone. I love the diary style which affords us access to Edie’s feelings. I’d like to see this book in every KS2 classroom.

Hello! My name is Mia, I am 8 and live in Harrogate. I like writing stories and drawing pictures. I am a Brownie and also help with Rainbows. I enjoy performing, and have dance, piano and mandarin lessons. Obviously I absolutely love reading!

About the book

A sparky middle-grade series from TV comedian Rosie Jones. Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and DORK DIARIES.

‘Fresh, funny and ultra cool’ – Jacqueline Wilson

Hello! My name is Edie Eckhart and I’m eleven years old.

I’m a little bit different. I have a disability called cerebral palsy, so I talk slowly and fall over a lot. It’s never really bothered me because I’ve never known anything else.

Edie Eckhart is Excited with a capital E to start secondary school with her best friend Oscar – the fish to her chips, the bananas to her custard. But when she and Oscar are put into different tutor groups on their first day, Edie is devastated. Who will play secret hangman with her in class? Who will she eat sausage rolls with? But while she’s plotting her reunion with Oscar, she accidentally gets cast as the lead in the school play.

As Edie discovers a passion for performance, she also finds new friendships, talents, and dreams. After all, it’s easy to shine on and off the stage when you’re Amazing with a capital A.

Pop! by Mitch Johnson, reviewed by Ben

POP is an adventure story about an overly popular drink called mac-tonic. The story starts where the drinks secret formula is lost at sea and a Mac-Tonic lover called Queenie finds it on the shore. The story continues with the trillion-dollar Mac-Tonic company’s attempts to regain the recipe of their bestselling drink. 
I enjoyed the book. The many plot twists and lies fed to the consumers – and the overkill marketing schemes – made the whole novel packed with adventure, discovery, and shocking truths about the company, which many of the population relied on to produce their favourite sugar and caffeine-packed drink. Another great theme to the book is its many morals and messages related to climate change, greed, and addiction. I thought the book touched well on these areas while still appealing to younger children (7–10-year-olds) as well as young teens. 
I can’t say I disliked any aspect of the book as it was such an incredible read. The messages are well put out and it has a very real side as it shows the evil of the Mac-Tonic corporation and its extreme marketing, which is a strategy that some companies use today.  
Mitch Johnson has a theme running through his two books- well written messages for the world today- kick his debut novel tackling children’s rights. 
I loved reading Pop – a well written adventure novel for a wide age range. 

My name is Ben and I enjoy reading books. I am 12 years old and I am in year 7 at school. I also enjoy playing cricket; playing sport in general; hiking and walking my dog Barney, who is an Australian labradoodle puppy. 

About the book

An outrageous theft. A huge reward. Two friends on the run.

An uproariously funny, action-packed new adventure about the power of courage, standing up for what’s right, and fizzy drinks, from the award-winning author of Kick. Queenie stares out at the ocean and dreams of a world beyond her small-town. She’s about to get her wish…

When the priceless recipe to the world’s most popular drink – thought to be lost forever – washes up at her feet, Queenie’s life instantly changes. Everyone wants it, and with a $10 million bounty on her head, Queenie’s soon on the run. Pursued by bounty hunters, black-ops helicopters and angry mobs, Queenie’s journey involves a trip to Area 51, a man-eating alligator and an unlikely new friend, Todd.

But being on the run also makes Queenie begin to see the world around her more clearly – a world in which a big corporation’s excess has left the planet covered in its plastic bottles and waste. Suddenly, the home she always dreamed of escaping, and the ocean she grew up with and took for granted, don’t seem so bad. If Queenie and Todd can bring down the bad guys, maybe she can go back home and make a difference…

Mystery of the Night Watchers by A.M. Howell, reviewed by Leontine

I really enjoyed this book. I like how it’s written as it never got boring and when a character was feeling a particular emotion I felt it too. 

This is a story about family, doing the right thing and standing up to bullies.

Nancy -the main character- is determined, brave and will stop at nothing when righting wrongs. She’s accompanied in the book by her friend Burch and Violet her little sister. You’ll join these characters as they try and solve the mysteries piling up. This fascinating story is based in the Edwardian era in Suffolk at the time Halley’s comet (a comet that passes Earth every 75 to 76 years) was approaching the globe.

I loved how there were a lot of details about how it would have been in those days.

This gripping story is written by the author of The garden of lost secrets and The house of one hundred clocks. 

The mystery of the night watchers is an exciting,new book, great for fans of The good thieves by Katherine Rundell.

My name is Leontine, I’m 10 years old and I live in Hove with my French mum, my Italian dad and my annoying little brother, who is 7 years old. I love reading books especially books about adventure, magic, myths and mysteries. I also enjoy reading comics with my brother.

About the book

From the bestselling author of The Garden of Lost Secrets and The House of One Hundred Clocks, A.M. Howell, comes a gripping new adventure filled with buried secrets and dark lies, set against the evocative backdrop of the Edwardian era. MAY, 1910As the blazing Halley’s comet draws close to the earth, Nancy is uprooted to start a new life in Suffolk with a grandfather she has never met.

With every curtain drawn shut, Nancy is forbidden from leaving her grandfather’s house: no one must know that her or her mother are there. Yet, when Nancy discovers the house’s secret observatory, she watches her mother and grandfather creep out every night… Where are they going? And why mustn’t any of them be seen? As the mysteries pile up, Nancy must bring dark secrets from the past to light – even if doing so will put her own life at risk.

All the Money in the World by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, reviewed by Farrah

The premise of this book immediately appealed to me and I was eager to begin. With an engaging, fast-paced plot that follows the main character Penny as she navigates poverty whilst longing for a better life. Without wishing to give away spoilers, opportunities arise from Penny’s newfound wealth and the author, Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, skilfully discusses topics such as privilege, poverty and money in a way that is accessible and understandable for all ages, including younger readers. I found the characters realistic and their stories immersive, with the message the book provides lingering with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend you pick this book up when it is released.  Click here for my BookTok review @readbyfarrah.  Enjoy.  

@readbyfarrah

pause to read. #advancedreadercopy #bookreview #bookrecommendations

♬ love – 🎥
I’ve set myself the challenge of reading seventy five books this year & already I’ve read forty five. I hope this gives you an insight into how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading.  I’ve been reading more YA fantasy novels through my @readbyfarrah BookTok & have become obsessed with the series written by Leigh Bardugo, Victoria Aveyard, Sarah J. Maas, Alice Oseman, Cassandra Clare & V.E. Schwab.  As a staunch Gryffindor, my all time favourite Harry Potter book is The Goblet of Fire, oh & The Deathly Hallows…I can’t choose between those two: you can’t have one without the other six!  I credit Harry Potter for igniting my love of fantasy novels, but I love to fall down the rabbit hole of classics & crime fiction.  My Grandpa introduced me to Sherlock Holmes at a young age & I’m a massive fan of who dunnit novels by Agatha Christie, Robin Stevens & Karen M. McManus’ ‘One Of Us Is Lying.’

My current favourite book is ‘The Song of Achilles’. I defy all my reluctant reading friends not to be crushed by Madeline Miller’s masterpiece.   My passion for Greek Mythology started with a beautifully illustrated Usborne children’s guide, which has certainly influenced my choice of GCSE Classics.  Moving forward, I hope to study it at A Level, & fingers crossed at university along with English Lit.  I’ve read Stephen Fry’s fantastic ‘Mythos,’ Natalie Haynes’ ‘A Thousand Ships’ & Mary Beard’s Ancient Rome book entitled ‘SPQR.’ Even though I tend to steer clear of horror stories I do actively seek strong female role models & stories with good representation from the lgbtq plus community & books by authors of colour. 

If you need to reach me, I’ll be in my room ‘manifesting’ the third Six of Crows book!  


About the book

One day you’re broke. The next, you have all the money in the world. What would you do? A gripping, timely story about cold, hard cash and little white lies for fans of Jenny Valentine, Siobhan Dowd and Lara Williamson.

Fifteen-year-old Penny longs for something better. Better than a small, damp flat. Better than her bullying classmates and uninterested teachers.

Better than misery and poverty day in day out. An unlikely friendship and a huge sum of money promise a whole lot of new chances for Penny, and she realises that not only can she change her life, she can change herself. But at what cost?Perfect for readers of 10+.

The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody by Kate Gilby Smith, reviewed by Sophie

I’m Sophie and my greatest passion is BOOKS! I love reading, and I’d like to be an author when I’m older. I also like singing and art, and am kind of chatty 🙂

About the book

‘A wonderful time-travelling adventure with more twists and turns than the hands of a clock on a helter-skelter. Alex and Jasper are a fantastic dynamic duo, and the book has genuine friendship and warmth at the heart of a timey-wimey mystery. I loved it.’- L.D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency.

Have you ever thought what it might be like if you were famous in the future? A brilliant middle-grade adventure for fans of Ross Welford – a story about friendship, courage and embracing our talents even when they make us stand out.

On the day Alex was born, crowds surrounded the hospital. On her first day of school, people spied from the gates. And recently, strangers came to watch her perform in her school play … as the llama. But why? Alex has always been a nobody.

Then a mysterious boy named Jasper starts at school and he alone seems to know the answer. But before he can tell Alex, he disappears … into the year 2100.

Can Alex brave traveling into the future to discover what’s happened to him and to unravel the secret of her own astonishing destiny … before time runs out?

Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, reviewed by Laura-May

Laura-May here, I just finished Julia and the Whale and what can I say I loved it, the story for me was beautiful. It wasn’t high action it wasn’t heart racing it was just beautiful. The type of story you can’t put down for its intriguing tale. It’s one of those metaphorical stories where the side-subject spoken about isn’t a thing at all but an underlying message for something deeper. It’s magical. The shark mentioned represents being limited having others hold you back or holding yourself back. The imagery was truly enchanting. And the characters were entertaining and relatable. 

Big recommend for for 10-14 year olds who enjoy entrancing and descriptive books. 

Thank You for reading my review!

I was born in Worthing but I live in Lancing, I really like it as I love my neighbourhood. Right now I’m in Year 9 and I’ve always loved English and reading in fact in Year 3 I entered the Wicked writing competition and I got down to the final with my story Playdates about a girl making friends with a ghost. And the library ANY library has always been a place I feel calm and happy. So many doorways to adventure I can never pick! In Year 6 I volunteered to help put books away at lunch times. And of course my highlight of the summer the library reading challenge I participated in for about 6 years straight. I try to spread my love for reading too be it by tutoring my neighbour in English or by recommending books to friends I just love it. 

About the book

A captivating, powerful and luminous story from a bestselling, award-winning author about a mother, a daughter and the great Greenland shark. Wrapped up in mesmerising illustrations and presented as a deluxe hardback, this is a perfect gift for the holiday season, for 9+ fans of Philip Pullman, David Almond and Frances Hardinge. ‘Tom de Freston’s stunning illustrations perfectly complement the poetry of Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s story’ Cressida Cowell’A rich, immersive and wondrous journey, through deep darkness to hope and light’ Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken LegsThe shark was beneath my bed, growing large as the room, large as the lighthouse, rising from unfathomable depths until it ripped the whole island from its roots.

The bed was a boat, the shark a tide, and it pulled me so far out to sea I was only a speck, a spot, a mote, a dying star in an unending sky… Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer – her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother’s obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope…

A beautiful, lyrical, uplifting story about a mother, a daughter, and love – with timely themes of the importance of science and the environment.

A Girl Called Joy by Jenny Valentine

This very much feels like a book of the moment. At a time when our children are facing a new way of life and an uncertain future, this might be just the book they need to help them find their own silver lining. 

Jenny Valentine brilliantly describes Joy’s feelings of being adrift and overwhelmed by the experience of starting school and facing a world so far away from everything she’s ever known. Her resilience and determination to look on the bright side is like a warm hug in book form.

I didn’t want it to end and can’t wait to follow Joy’s journey further. A reassuring read to inject some much-needed joy into your day and leave you feeling positive and inspired.

Brilliant for fans of the  Hope Jones books and those who need a little lift. Best for age 7+

You can order your copy here.

About the book:

For readers aged 9+ comes a sparkling new series about family, friends and finding the joy in life! From the mind of award-winning author Jenny Valentine, this is the perfect series for fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Cath Howe and Lara Williamson!

Meet ten-year-old Joy Applebloom, a girl with a knack for finding the silver lining in even the darkest of rainclouds. After years of travelling the world with her parents and older sister, Claude (Claude rhymes with bored, which is just about right), Joy and her family move to suburbia – back to school, back to her grumpy, rule-obsessed grandad and back to normality. Joy soon finds her usual irrepressible positivity and zest for life waning, but when the powers that be threaten to pull down a mighty oak tree, Joy decides to fight back, and realizes that not all magic requires wands and spells, and perhaps the most important sort of magic is the power, resilience and courage that was there all along .

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold – review

We fell in love with this book and can’t wait to share it with you all.


Full of adventure and heart this is a fun and fierce eco-warrior story, with fresh writing and a unique plot. April is an absolute wonder of a character, with the inner strength to do whatever it takes to save her polar bear.


Beautifully powerful and empowering, it perfectly captures a child’s innate sense of justice and determination to make a difference. It belongs in every school and library where it can further inspire the generation that are already saving the world. One not to be missed.

About the book:

Imagine making friends with a polar bear…

The Last Bear is perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold – winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.

“This is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.” Michael Morpurgo.

There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months.

But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…

This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.

You can order your copy here.