Category: Age 9+

Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J. Dodd, reviewed by Evie-Belle

This book put me on a rollercoaster of feelings… “The rock in Emily’s stomach dropped right down to her boots, weighing down her feet so that she couldn’t move.”

Heartfelt and emotional, this book has lots of highs and lows !  With all the descriptive words being used, I almost felt as though I was in the scene and in the moment.

The story unfolds when Emily’s Dad meets a woman named Josie who disrupts the poor girl’s life. The setting is at Badger Cottage, a cottage that is set in a dreary, dark wood, where lynx’s lurk nearby. Emily is a likeable, kind character who I can relate to immensely. I felt sorry for her countless times as being and feeling alone can really hurt. 

It’s Christmas time in the book – so don’t worry ,it does have many heart warming moments !As a 10 year old (the same age as Emily) , I would recommend you read Emily’s story , as I really enjoyed it.

About the book

Eleven-year-old Emily doesn’t think Badger Cottage will ever be home. But there is something out there that needs her; a bright pair of eyes in the darkness. In the middle of a fierce battle between conservationists, who want to to rewild the lynx in the woods, and the local farmers, Emily tries to shield a baby lynx she calls Lotta, afraid it will be killed by the person who killed its mother. But can Emily work out who the illegal hunter is in time, and who can she trust?

Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee, reviewed by Leontine

An enthralling story about the bond between a girl and a baby dragon.

What to expect: a baby dragon, friendship, a never-ending waterhole, and a secret cave.

As you step in Pip, Laura and Archie’s world, you will follow Pip as she learns to care for a lost baby dragon with unexpected friends, while escaping her hard family life.

I liked this book as it was a page turner, and it was a book like no other, filled to the brim with a character’s big thoughts. It was also full of tips on how to look after a dragon, so if I ever find a dragon near a waterhole like Pip did, I’ll be prepared!

I would say that this book is suitable for 8+. I would recommend this book to those who liked “A glasshouse of stars” by Shirley Marr. Dragon skin is a great book, you should read it!

About the book

Pip never wants to be at home nowadays. There’s no laughter anymore and her mum isn’t happy. She spends most of her time alone, daydreaming and digging for treasure by the dirty creek.

But one night, Pip finds something incredible – a dragon. Tiny, possibly dying, but definitely a dragon. She quickly realises that dragons don’t come with instructions: what do you feed a dragon? Where could it have come from? And how can Pip cope with the enormous changes this creature will bring into her life? Full of enchanting magic and poignant truths, Dragon Skin is a moving story of friendship, family and finding a way to fly.

Hide and Seek by Robin Scott-Elliot, reviewed by James

Hide and Seek is a thought-provoking book about Amelie, a Jewish French girl who witnesses her family being taken away by the gestapo during World War Two, and her quest to be reunited with them in Nazi occupied Paris. This is a brilliantly written book that had me sitting on the edge of my seat all the way through and should I come across any other books written by this author, I would definitely be inclined to read them.

About the book:

‘Hide and Seek brings to vivid life the courage of young people who risked all in the French resistance in the second world war.’ OBSERVER

‘Beautifully told’ TELEGRAPH

Thrilling new page turner by Robin Scott-Elliot, author of The Tzar’s Curious Runaways and The Acrobats of Agra.

Paris, 1942. When Amelie Dreyfus hides in her mother’s wardrobe it’s a game; when she comes out it’s a matter of life or death. With her family taken, Amelie has to fend for herself in Nazi-occupied France – she’s no choice but to resist. In the Resistance life hangs by a thread. Betrayed, Amelie’s forced to flee to Britain. But Paris is home and she returns to face one final, desperate mission.

Ways to Be Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott, reviewed by Evie

This book is spreading the word on Autism. It is in one word ; Amazing !

It is definitely a page turner because as the reader you want to know what happens next in the life of Tally Olivia Adams. The book is set at school as well as home , but also includes Tallys trips to the doctor. 

Tally is just starting Year 6 – ( so am I ! ) and when she comes to school after the summer holidays everyone seems to have changed…. this confuses Tally;  and as the story progresses she learns more about herself and the reasons she acts the way she does. Tally would like to fit in at school but finds it difficult.

There are some twists that surprised me I won’t give them away….but you will learn if you read this book that Autism comes in different shapes and sizes.

The good thing about this book is that even though there are no pictures I can imagine the appearance of Tally and her best friend Layla. The descriptive writing helps the reader to see through the writers eyes.

Anyone around the age of 9-12 will hopefully enjoy this book as much as I did.

Scarlet and Ivy: The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly, reviewed by Sophie

This book is really good because it describes how the characters are feeling at that time. I liked the way the book was written as it was very descriptive and a wonderful read. It is a mystery book about twin Scarlet Grey who disappears from her school, Rookwood and her sister Ivy is invited to take her place. Friendships are made and bonds broken in this epic story. Can Ivy solve the mystery of her missing sister?

This tale of friendship, bravery and (naturally) mystery is a great read for those with a taste for adventure and mischief. I would recommend this book to everyone. 

My favourite character in this book was Ivy because she changes from a timid, shy person to a bold, brave mystery solving girl. 

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series as I know they’ll be great!

About the book

Ghostcloud by Michael Mann, reviewed by Aysha

About the book

‘A superbly inventive and magical debut’  
Piers Torday 

‘Beautifully written and filled with unforgettable characters … a diamond of a book’  
Ross McKenzie 

‘Utterly original, thrilling, strange and cracking good fun … every chapter is packed full of wild imagination’  
Liz Hyder  

Catch the wind. Find your freedom.  

A riveting, magical adventure set deep underneath a richly reimagined London for 9+ readers.  

Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underneath a half-bombed, blackened power station, 12-year-old Luke’s life is miserable. Then, he discovers he can see things others can’t. Ghostly things. Specifically, a ghost-girl named Alma. Alma, who can ride clouds through the night sky and bend their shape to her will, befriends Luke. And with Alma’s help, Luke discovers he is in fact a rare being – half-human and half-something else …

Then Luke learns the terrible truth of why children are being kidnapped and forced to work in the power station, and he becomes even more desperate to escape.

Can Luke find out who he really is … and find his freedom?

Locked out Lily by Nick Lake and Emily Gravett, reviewed by Catherine

Locked Out Lily tells the story of a girl whose mum is having a baby. She’s about to become a big sister but she’s not happy about it! Lily is sent to her granny’s house when her parents go to hospital and that’s when strange things start happening. She runs away back to her house and realises she is locked out. Lily finds a talking crow who tries to help her, along with a band of his friends. Mouse, Mole and Snake are all talking creatures too who each help Lily in their own unique way.

Some of the other characters include the father-thing, the mother-thing and the baby-thing. These are like replacements of Lily’s family but they have empty black eyes and are not all they seem. Nick Lake is good at writing scary scenes with Lily and these demons – you don’t really know what they might do and the reader feels constantly on edge.

My favourite character was Mole because although she can’t see, she still helps Lily as much as she can. It’s not exactly a friendship between Lily and the animals but it is funny when Lily asks Crow if she’s dreaming and he does a poo on her head and asks, ‘Would that happen in a dream?’

Emily Gravett’s illustrations are amazing. I like how they are only done in black and white  but they still look and feel very real. She is famous for her drawings of little mice and some of the best pictures are the ones with Mouse. I wonder if Nick Lake put a mouse in his book for that exact reason?!

About the book

A startlingly original, stunningly-illustrated modern classic about learning to face your fears from the multi award-winning partnership of Nick Lake and Emily Gravett.

Lily just wants things to go back to the way they were: before she got sick, before her parents decided to have another baby. So when she’s sent away to stay with her grandmother while her mum has the baby, Lily is determined to go home. But she doesn’t expect to find people in her house – people who look like her parents, but definitely aren’t … Together with some unlikely animal companions, Lily must face her fears and summon the courage to break into her own house, and defeat ‘The Replacements’ before the night is out. 

Nick Lake’s atmospheric story of family and friendship is brought to spectacular life by Emily Gravett, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal. 

‘A book of such wit and flair and delight: the kind of book you finish and immediately begin again, so that you can live again alongside the characters’ Katherine Rundell, bestselling author of The Explorer 

The Ice Whisperers by Helenka Stachera, reviewed by Alma

Imagine a world where the villains are the mysterious white eyed people with eyes like you or me and the heroes have completely black eyes. I like this as it lets you imagine a whole new species of human.

This fantasy adventure is about when Bela goes to live with her uncle who she’s never met. Exploring his strange scientific lab, she uncovers a deadly secret, a way to go to the spirit world! In it she finds a sister she never knew she had, born forty thousand years before.

Occasionally, going between the human world and the spirit world, and the different eras, was a bit confusing, but it was definitely worth it.

I really liked this book, because it made me feel like I was there. I also liked the relationship between the two sisters as it was more realistic than in some books. I say this as, at first, Ren-ya (the older sister) doesn’t trust Bela, but then their relationship grows and develops until they are extremely close.

                                                            HAPPY READING!

About the book

‘An epic icy adventure with a warming tale of sisterhood at its heart’ – Maria Kuzniar

‘Every way I look at it, I love this book from the crystalline brilliance of its surface to its tender, glowing heart’ – Zillah Bethell

A haunting magical adventure about two sisters born 40,000 years apart, perfect for fans of Frostheart and The Wild Way Home .  

When Bela’s mother dies, she is summoned to deepest Siberia to stay with an uncle she’s never met. Exploring his strange scientific workshop, she uncovers a secret she was never meant to find – a doorway that opens an to icy land, frozen in time and full of legends come to life.

But this frozen land is in danger, and it’s up to Bela to find a way to save it. To succeed, she must join forces with the impossible: a long-lost sister she never knew she had, born 40,000 years before . . .

The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre by Clare Povey, reviewed by Rosa

This book was amazing especially the last few chapters, they were breath-taking, gripping and indescribably good!  Bastien Bonlivre is a jewel of my bookcase that I will read again and again.

The storyline of this book is very twisty. It is about a tween boy who has an amazing talent for writing, soon after his birthday his parents are killed and, strangely other writers are going missing too. He and Theo need to stop the kidnappers before it’s too late.

The fact that all the boys at the orphanage all had magnificent talents was a great part and they all were loyal friends to Bastien and each other. The language used in this book was fabulous and set the scene vividly in my mind!  

My name is Rosa and I am nine, I live in Hove with my cat Minty, annoying brother Otto and my parents. I love reading and writing. Writing is not just popping words on a page, to me it’s a step into a new world, everything is amazing and crazy, nothing is boring and grey. Reading is one of my total passions. My favourite books are usually mystery/action and include The Percy Jackson series, Harry Potter and some other smashing books. I have also written two books: Story Le Jenrale; and Paris at its Worst. Currently I am writing another, it is a picture book this time and is called Don’t Zigzag the Zoo.

About the book:

The open door felt like an invitation, or a trap. Bastien wasn’t sure which, but with no other choice, he stepped inside…and hoped he’d make it out again alive.

Bastien Bonlivre is a boy with a big imagination, determined to finish the story his parents started, left to him in a red notebook. 

On the other side of Paris, bestselling author Olivier Odieux is struggling to complete his latest novel. Along with his villainous brothers, he is masterminding his greatest plot yet…one that will spread fear throughout the city and beyond.

What connects these two stories is a dangerous secret, a hidden mystery and an unexpected race across Paris for the truth. Can Bastien and his friends Alice, Theo and Sami be brave enough to stop Olivier stealing the ending they deserve? A classic adventure story about friendship, hope, bravery and the power of imagination.

The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter, reviewed by Evie

‘The House on the Edge’, by Alex Cotter, is all about Faith Walker, a 14 year old girl who lives in a rather precarious place. Her house, The Lookout, is situated on the edge of a cliff. Slowly, the cliff is crumbling and splitting their house in two. Faith needs to take care of her mum and brother, Noah, as well as protecting her house. With the help of Sam, her new-found friend, Faith goes on a journey of emotions to save her home.

‘The House on the Edge’ an an exhilarating read, which shows you how easily everything in life can suddenly change. The story is full of twists and turns which keep you on the edge of your seat. It is emotional at times, and you really feel for Faith. At other times, the story really shocks you – especially when everything unravels towards the end! ‘The House on the Edge’ is a really realistic and relatable book – you can easily put yourself in Faith’s position. It is an absolutely amazing book, I couldn’t put it down!

Another thing that I thought was really clever about this book was the little drawings of cracks on every page. They were a constant reminder of the lurking danger, that Faith’s home could be destroyed at any moment. They really helped to keep the tension going!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone aged 8 and up. The feeling it gave me of having absolutely no idea what was going to happen next reminded me of the feelings I had when reading Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom.’ If you liked that then you would love ‘The House on the Edge’! Alex Cotter is a very talented author and this is an amazing adventure book which I would thoroughly recommend. ★★★★★ 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

About the book:

A tense thriller that’s impossible to put down – perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Fleur Hitchcock.

Where has Faith’s dad gone? Why has he left his family living in an old house perched on a crumbling cliff top? A crack has appeared in the cliff and Faith watches anxiously as it gets bigger and bigger each day… Her brother is obsessed with the sea ghosts he claims live in the basement, and when he disappears as well, Faith starts to believe in the ghosts too. Can she find her brother and bring her father back before everything she cares about falls into the pitiless sea below?A great mystery with real heart, from a captivating new voice in middle-grade fiction.With cover illustration by Kathrin Honesta and neon finishes.