Category: The Review Crew Middle Grade

The Beanstalk Murder: A Giant-sized Murder Mystery by P.G. Bell reviewed by Aysha aged 14

Anwen, a meadow-witch, witnesses a Giant falling from the sky and destroying her village of Old Stump completely. When she discovers that he was Giant royalty, she’s determined to figure out who murdered him. With her Grandma’s magic, Anwen and her Cerys, her trainee sorceress, are transported by a beanstalk to the Giant’s Land. They use the fact they are small to sneak around the palace in order to discover who the murderer is.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it kept me guessing until the end.

My favourite person in the story is definitely Anwen, because I love her character and how she has this thrill for investigating and searching for the answers. I really enjoyed reading this book, it kept me guessing until the end.

I would recommend this book for ages 9+.

Mission: Microraptor by Philip Kavvadias, reviewed by Oliver (12)

When two school friends go on a school trip to the Alps, little did they realise that they were about to find a prehistoric dinosaur egg buried in the ice.  Once the newly hatched dinosaur is put onto TikTok (hoping to make them social media stars), Finn and George find out it isn’t quite as easy as that. They are thrown into a story of adventure, espionage and survival trying to avoid the baddies who want to take Arty (the microraptor) away.

This, first in the series, book is jam packed with a crazy adventure plot as well as fast and funny jokes – perfect for 11-year-olds (who enjoy reading about adventures – think a humorous Alex Rider – and dinosaurs). 

When I Feel Red by Lily Bailey, reviewed by Emily (14)

‘When I Feel Red’ is an inspiring story about April, a 12-year-old girl, who is animal mad.  If she isn’t watching a tv vet show, she is fantasizing about her make-believe animal rescue with her soft toys.  However, as a Year 8 pupil,  she is starting to feel left behind as her peers are growing up – they are far more interested in boyfriends than dreamworlds.  This divide is not helped by April’s dyspraxia especially her lack of organisation.

This story helps the reader emphasise with the difficulties dyspraxia brings through April but also the theme that not everyone is the same and this is ok – it is best to be you rather than follow a crowd.

‘…it is best to be you, rather than follow the crowd.’

Emily (14)

The story is a powerful story and unforgettable –  I certainly wasn’t aware of dyspraxia before, but I am now.

I would recommend this to readers in Year 7,8 and 9.

I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery, reviewed by Niamh (12)

I Am Rebel is the new middle-grade novel from the brilliant and stupendously talented Ross Montgomery. He has previously been shortlisted for the Costa Book Award for The Midnight Guardians and has published over 20 books, such as the amazing Spellstone and The Chime Seekers.

Rebel loves his boy, Tom. Tom loves his dog, Rebel. The two are an inseparable pair. They live on a wonderful farm and they are unimaginably happy. Nothing changes, life is perfect. Until one day, the army shows up at their doorstep and their joyful life is shattered into pieces…

‘This book is a thrilling, exciting adventure from start to finish’

Niamh (12)

When a mysterious stranger in a wolf skin, who calls himself Rider, rocks up at the farm, Tom gets interested in the rebels called ‘The Reds’ that fight against the villainous king. Breaking Rebel’s heart, Tom leaves the farm and goes to join The Reds. He sets off on a dangerous quest to find his boy and bring him back home before it’s too late for Tom…

This book is a thrilling, exciting adventure from start to finish. The story makes you feel so much for the characters and it grips you as a reader as you accompany Rebel on his thrilling and perilous journey to save Tom.

It hooks you in from the very beginning and you get a real sense of how the characters are feeling, such as Rebel’s deep and unending love for his owner, or masterless Jaxon’s intense hatred of humans. It even has a spiritual element, featuring ‘The Companion’ that all the masterless dogs worship and that accompanies them on their journey to find their “true dog”.

I loved meeting all the different animals on Rebel’s journey, both friends and foes. Whether it was helping a pig called Seamus, reuniting a married mouse couple, or fighting for his life against a vicious pack of wolves.

I Am Rebel is ideal for people who love books about heroes saving the day and who adore a good adventure story. This book would be brilliant adapted as a TV series or a film, as I’d love to see it come to life on screen. I must say, bravo, Ross Montgomery! Bravo!

Perfect for fans of: Until the Road by Phil Earle; Ends; Foxlight by Katya Balen; and Kaspar: Prince of Cats by Michael Morpurgo

Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta, reviewed by Niamh (11)

Secrets of the Snakestone is Piu DasGupta’s brilliant, gripping, thrilling debut middle-grade novel. 

Set in the 19th century, Zélie Dutta has been shipped to Paris to work as a maid at Madame Malaise’s mansion far, far away from her home in Calcutta. The other servants hate her and accuse her of being a witch when poor Zélie has done nothing wrong! 

“I was heartbroken when I finished it!”

Niamh (11)

The only thing keeping her happy were her father’s letters containing riddles, but one day they just stopped coming. Life seems normal and mundane until she finds out about the mysterious Snakestone and its connection to her family. Zélie, along with her friend Jules, must embark on a treacherous journey to find the deadly Snakestone before it falls into the wrong hands… 

Secrets of Snakestone is dark, mysterious and you never know what’s coming next. I love the constant mysteries all through the book and the excitement on every single page! I am astounded how Piu Dasgupta managed to tell all that story in such a gripping way. I was heartbroken when I finished it!

I loved trying to solve the mysteries throughout the story and how different all the characters’ personalities were. And it would take a cold heart not to be won over by Titicaca the albino sloth!

This book is perfect for mystery lovers and people who love dark plots and shocking twists.

Perfect for fans of: The Cogheart Adventures by Peter Bunzl, The Eerie-on-Sea Mysteries by Thomas Taylor, and Mouse Heart by Fleur Hitchcock.

Keedie by Elle McNicoll, reviewed by Aysha (12)

I was so excited when I got this book to review in the post from The Book Nook as I absolutely loved A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll.

This story is all about Keedie, Addie’s older sister, and it is set five years before A Kind of Spark takes place. Keedie is also autistic and this story is about how Keedie also makes a huge difference to her town Juniper. 

“Keedie was everything I thought it would be but better.”

Aysha (12)

Keedie absolutely hates bullying so when she sees it affecting her best friend, Bonnie, she knows she needs to do something. Keedie has a very brave personality and she stands up to any bully who hurts someone physically or mentally.

The book also shows how being a teenager is hard and more so when you’re autistic. When Keedie sees her twin sister Nina hanging out with the bullies, Keedie gets angry and is determined to change the town, stand up to the bullies and get her sister back.

Keedie was everything I thought it would be but better and it is such a great book! I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely recommend this to anyone from primary school to high school and beyond.

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, reviewed by Aysha (12)

The Final Year is one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. It teaches us that school can be tough and setbacks are alright and stuff can change in the blink of an eye.

“This is a very moving story and everyone should read it.”

Aysha (12)

Nate, who is the main character in the story, has just started the last year of primary school when he and his best friend get split up into different classes. He needs to become friends with someone new which he finds hard. He is also very busy at home taking care of his two younger brothers with his mum, when his little brother is taken ill.

My favourite character in the book is the teacher, Mr Joshua. The teacher is so nice and thoughtful and even gives Nate a book to write his poems in, which was lovely.

This book is easy to read and would appeal to people who love illustrations. This is a very moving story and everyone should read it.

Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow by Rob Biddulph, reviewed by Aysha (12)

I absolutely loved this book. I got it for Christmas and I couldn’t put it down because it is a thrilling book to read. This book is great for readers who love adventure stories and books with illustrations. 

“This book is funny and definitely one of my favourites.”

Aysha (12)

This book is the third in the Rob Biddulph’s series and it is all about Peanut Jones who is at the end of her journey to beat Mr White and make The Illustrated City wonderful again with the help of her friends. But when Mr White decides to get Peanut Jones’s mum involved, now she’s in terrible danger. Will Peanut Jones be able to save her mum and also stop Mr White?

My favourite character is definitely Rockwell as over the series you can see how much he has grown to become the character he is in the third book. At the start of the series, he was quite shy and scared but at the end of the series he got braver and used his knowledge to his advantage. 

This book is funny and definitely one of my favourites. The illustrations are phenomenal and you can tell that he has put a lot of work into making the illustrations come to life with the different colours. 

(Cover illustration by Aysha)

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them) by Nadine Aisha Jassat, reviewed by Leontine (13)

 Nyla was four when her dad died. Eight years later she and her grandmother go to the supermarket and her grandmother swears she saw her dad. But how could that be true when he’s dead?

“I loved the relationship and unbreakable bond between Nyla and her grandmother.”

Leontine (13)

Determined to fulfil a promise to her grandmother (not only her grandmother but also her best friend) Nyla sets on a journey to find her dad and hopefully find out a little more about herself, about who she is, along the way.

This enthralling book will get rooting for Nyla and itching to uncover the truth about her father. 

This book is a story full of self-discovery and good friendships. I really liked this book because it was in a format I hadn’t seen before, written in short lines like you would expect a poem to be (which I later found out to be called a verse novel). I also loved the relationship and unbreakable bond between Nyla and her grandmother.

I would recommend this book to mystery lovers, in the age range of 9-11 years old but older readers can also love this book just as much.

Scareground by Angela Kecojevic, reviewed by Oliver (11)

Scareground is a book filled with suspense and mystery. Set in Victorian Britain we meet Nancy, a girl, who was adopted 12 years ago by her adoptive parents, the Crumpets. 

“A spine-chilling adventure full of danger and magic.”

Oliver (11)

She lives in Greenwich and has a best friend called Arthur Green – a child who was far more privileged than herself but who also has his own problems and fears.  

However, Nancy’s whole life changes when a fair comes to town. Who are her real parents and why was she left abandoned in the park 12 years ago?

Determined to find out her past histories, Nancy becomes involved in a spine-chilling adventure full of danger and magic.  A fantastic story from start to finish – a perfect book for a child aged 10 to 12 years who enjoys a spooky read.