Category: The Review Crew Middle Grade

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths by Maisie Chan, reviewed by James

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths is a heart-warming story about a young boy (Danny) growing around his maths champion family, and when his nai nai (grandma) arrives from China, it doesn’t get any better! Why doesn’t he fit in with the rest of his family? All Danny wants to do is draw mythical creatures and hang out with his best friend Rav, but his parents have him baby-sitting (or grandma-sitting in this case) Nai Nai for the entire holidays! Maybe this is a good time to get to know each other? Or will they just grow apart even more? I would recommend this book to anyone 8+ who wants a light, heart-warming story to read when they’re feeling down. It is an extremely well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed!

I am 13 years old and I have Type 1 diabetes.  I like reading, experimenting with new things, playing football and I support Arsenal. At school my favourite subject is Drama.

About the book

‘DANNY CHUNG DOES NOT DO MATHS is both heartwarming and hilarious, filled with characters you’ll instantly love’ Jamie Smart, author and illustrator of BUNNY VS MONKEY

‘Funny, heartwarming and packed with fascinating snippets of Chinese culture. I loved reading about the intergenerational relationship between Danny and his grandmother. We all need a Nai Nai in our lives’ Jen Carney, author and illustrator of THE ACCIDENTAL DIARY OF B.U.G.

Eleven-year-old Danny Chung loves drawing more than anything – certainly more than maths, which, according to his dad and everyone else, is what he is ‘supposed’ to be good at. He also loves having his own room where he can draw in peace, so his life is turned upside down when a surprise that he’s been promised turns out to be his little, wrinkly, ex-maths-champion grandmother from China. What’s worse, Nai Nai has to share his room, AND she takes the top bunk!

Nai Nai can’t speak a word of English, which doesn’t make things easy for Danny when he is charged with looking after her during his school holidays. Babysitting Nai Nai is NOT what he wants to be doing! Before long though it becomes clear to Danny that there is more to Nai Nai than meets the eye, and that they have more in common that he thought possible …

The Three Impossibles by Susie Bower, reviewed by Malia

This is a gripping story, deliciously dark yet fairytale like. Mim is a brilliant character – she is strong and brave, independent and likeable. The storyline moves fast enough to keep you interested and reads beautifully with well written descriptive language. A great book to gift and read.
My name is Malia. I am in year nine at school and have just chosen my GSCE options. My favourite subject at school is English, this is because I really enjoy reading and writing, my favourite book as a child was “The Little Book of Big Words”. My favourite birthday present this year was my kindle, my current obsession is the “After” series by Anna Todd. I don’t have a favourite author as I enjoy reading books by lots of different authors. I would like to be a primary school teacher when I am older and would like to specialise in English with a keen interest in children’s literature. 
My favourite bookshop is The Book Nook, Hove as they are always well stocked with lots of different books (their cafe is quite good too). 

About the book

Mim grew up surrounded by secrets. On the day she was born, her mother died and a mysterious curse was cast on her family. Ever since, she’s been isolated in a walled castle, forbidden from venturing to the Outside. 

But Mim has never been able to stop asking questions – and when her father enlists the suspicious Madame Marionette to train her in the art of being a princess, her curiosity only gets more intense. Determined to understand, Mim sets out on an epic adventure in which she will break all the rules, encounter strange creatures and use all her cunning to solve impossible problems. But will it be enough to bring happiness back to the lonely castle on the rock?

The Weather Weaver by Tamsin Mori, reviewed by Thijs

This is a brilliant book. A very exciting, magical adventure.
I am 10 years old and in year 5 at school. My favourite subject is PE. I like all sports but my favourites are rugby and cricket. I play both of those for local teams. I enjoy reading, especially books by MGLeonard, Roald Dahl and Vashti Hardy. I also love the Harry Potter series. I like gardening and being outside, I have a bug box and a microscope to study things with. When we have to stay indoors, I like playing board games and card games.                                            

The Book Nook staff verdict

A story that grabs you by the hand and spins you along, with magic that wraps you up and warms you along the way. Stella is fierce and wears all her emotions on her sleeve. A reluctant adventurer who doesn’t always get things right but whose heart is firmly in the right place. Perfect for fans of the Storm Keeper’s Island, this book is a fantastic adventure. Wise, touching and full of surprises. We loved it. 

About the book

What if you could befriend a cloud? What weather would you choose? What if the weather matched itself to your mood, whether you wanted it to, or not?

11-year-old Stella has returned home to Shetland to spend the summer with her Grandpa, but it’s nothing like she remembers. Grandpa is lost in his grief for Gran, the island is bleak and Stella feels trapped, until she encounters an old woman, Tamar, who can spin rainbows and call hurricanes.

With the help of Nimbus, a feisty young storm cloud, Stella begins to learn the craft of weather weaving. But when her cloud brain-fogs Grandpa and The Haken (a sea witch) starts to close in, she realises that magic comes with big responsibilities. It will take all her heart and courage to face the coming storm…THE WEATHER WEAVER is essentially a Moana tale for Shetland; a coming of age story, intertwined with island myths and hidden magic. At its heart, the novel tackles the following themes: independence, the meaning of home, and the fallibility of grown-ups.

The Secret Detectives by Ella Risbridger, reviewed by Aysha

The Secret Detectives is one of my favourite books to date as it’s very well written. . This book is about a girl called Isobel Petty who is on a mail ship going fro, India to England with another girl called Lettie Hartington-Davis. On the journey, Isobel meets up with a boy called San Khan and they see something they shouldn’t have. They work secretly to find the culprit and slowly Lettie joins them too. They get notes from a mystery person telling them to go away. will they go away or do Isobel, Lettie and Sam need to see who was the behind the plot before it’s too late?

I really liked this book as it is a murder, adventure and mystery story. I would recommend this book for children 9+ maybe 10.

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Hello my name is Aysha and I’m 10 years old. I love reading, sports and baking. The book I’m reading is Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow. I like to read mystery and adventure books. I play two instruments the piano and the tenor horn which I enjoy. In my spare time I like to draw. 

About the book

A gripping, beautifully written historical mystery, from an incredible new voice in children’s fiction.

The body seemed to fall for a long time. There was no splash, or if there was it was lost in the waves. Isobel was frozen to the spot for a moment – and then her common sense caught up with her, and she stepped back quickly into the shadows.

When Isobel Petty is orphaned, she finds herself being taken away from her home in India and sent to live with a distant uncle in England. On board the S.S. Marianna, she witnesses a shocking act – somebody being thrown overboard in the middle in the night. But when the ship’s captain insists that nobody is missing, Isobel and her two new reluctant friends must solve two mysteries – the identities of both the murderer and the victim – before they reach England and the culprit has the chance to escape.

Inspired by The Secret Garden and the golden age of crime writing, The Secret Detectives is perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Rundell.

“A thoroughly entertaining mystery and a heartening story of friendship. I loved it.” – Katherine Woodfine, author of The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

The Nightsilver Promise by Annaliese Avery, Reviewed by Callum

I found (The Nightsilver Promise) to be an engaging book with an intricate story. Its about a girl called Paisley Fitzwilliams who is trying to find her mother after she goes missing. The story is set in a mystical world that puts it aside from other fantasy fiction books as it is set in a parallel version of Modern day London. Overall I found this book to be unique and easy to follow while at the same time having a complex plot and story.

Callum Newman age 12

I have lived in Hove all my life and I am 12 years old and started in year 7 at Kings School in Sept 2020. I have a few long term hobbies that I do locally, these are karate and climbing. I love reading, especially thrillers and science fiction but I am also happy to read general fiction. One of my favourite books is The Explorer by Katherine Rundell and I also really enjoyed Wonder and Oggie and Me by RJ Palacio and I am about to start reading Terry Pratchett (The Colour of Magic). I have found reading has helped me with any writing I do both inside and outside school. 

About the book

An epic, fate-fighting adventure like no other. A stunningly imagined new series, destined to be a classic.

In a re-imagined world, the Empire of Albion is ruled by science.

Everyone’s destiny is pre-determined by a track of stars on their wrist, and 13-year-old Paisley Fitzwilliam discovers that her fate is to die before her fourteenth year.

But when her mother goes missing and is presumed dead; there is nobody left to protect her Dragon Touched brother Dax.

So begins a breath-taking adventure through Floating Boroughs, a vault guarded by Dragon Walkers, and the dark sewers of lower London.

To save her brother, Paisley must unlock an ancient secret that will not only defy her stars, but will change the course of history forever . . .

For fans of Nevermoor and Philip Pullman.

A cinematic Game of Thrones Jnr for middle grade.

“Destiny, science, stars, and a sprinkle of magic.” – Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm”A smart, original, fantasy adventure.” – Dominique Valente, author of Starfell 

The Three Impossibles by Susie Bower, reviewed by Sophie

First of all, I’ll try to give away NO spoilers. I didn’t know what to expect from this book. I wondered what one of the impossible tasks would be-perhaps it would be to never eat chocolate again! (Dun, dun, duun!) No spoilers but…. that’s not it. 

This book is impossibly amazing (get it?) The characters are unique and special in a loveably um… well characterish way. (Cool made-up word there!) My favourite part is the unexpected twist at the end – WHAT HAPPENS? I promised you no spoilers soooo……, well, no spoilers. Read it for yourself!

My name is Sophie and I am 9. I live in Essex with my family: my younger brother and sister, mum and dad and not forgetting my 10 month old hamster. As well as reading I enjoy lots of other things. Some of my hobbies are reading, writing, drawing, playing the violin, drama, swimming and gymnastics. At school I am in year 4. My favourite lessons are art, music, drama, ICT and English. My not-so-favourite lessons are maths, science, history and geography. 

About the book

Mim grew up surrounded by secrets. On the day she was born, her mother died and a mysterious curse was cast on her family. Ever since, she’s been isolated in a walled castle, forbidden from venturing to the Outside. 

But Mim has never been able to stop asking questions – and when her father enlists the suspicious Madame Marionette to train her in the art of being a princess, her curiosity only gets more intense. Determined to understand, Mim sets out on an epic adventure in which she will break all the rules, encounter strange creatures and use all her cunning to solve impossible problems. But will it be enough to bring happiness back to the lonely castle on the rock?

Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas by Anna Rainbow and Oli Hyatt, reviewed by Mia

Antigua, or Tiggy to her friends, is the daughter of an officer. She’s expected to stay on land, wear dresses, and fear the sea, but all she really wants to do is to explore the ocean. 

The Pirate King comes and kidnaps all the boys, including her little brother Diego.  Tiggy sets out with her friend Marina and a crew of old pirates to rescue the stolen boys of Haven, discovering some secrets about herself along the way. 

I really like Tiggy’s determination. She’s not always confident that her plan will work, but she bravely gives it a go anyway. The crew work together well and have great friendships.

This is an exciting pirate story, with magical and mythical creatures and I really hope there will be more adventures! 
🌟🌟🌟🌟

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 magical, thrilling pirate adventure: fun, fantastical and totally unputdownable! Tiggy has always had the ocean in her blood – and lately, she’s been dreaming of mermaids – but she’s a high-born girl on the Isle of Fortune, forced to wear dresses, attend balls and (worst of all) comb her wild curls.

But then the Pirate King strikes, wielding deadly turquoise magic, and Tiggy’s younger brother is stolen – along with every boy on the island.

Tiggy knows it is time to claim her destiny, take to the high seas and rescue the boys of Fortune …

A spellbinding, hugely exciting pirate adventure: fun, feminist, classic in feel and totally unputdownable.

Perfect for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean!Oli is co-founder and executive producer at Blue Zoo, a BAFTA-winning film animation company – bringing a brilliantly cinematic and visual feel to Antigua de Fortune.

Murder Most Unladylike series by Robin Stevens, reviewed by Catherine

Murder Most Unladylike is about schoolgirl detectives, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, who solve a murder at their boarding school, Deepdean, which is in the English countryside. After that, suspicious deaths seem to follow them around! There are nine books in the MMU series, plus three mini mysteries as well. I would strongly recommend starting with the first book, because if you read them out of order then things might not make much sense and there might be some spoilers of the previous crimes.

The books are set in the 1930s, and most are written in Hazel’s perspective. Daisy is a really funny, impatient person whereas Hazel is more quiet and thoughtful. Their detective agency is called the Wells & Wong detective society. Daisy usually leads everything they do and can’t stand being overlooked by grown-ups. A Spoonful of Murder is set in Hong Kong, where Hazel is from and being there makes Hazel much more confident than she usually is, and Daisy is shyer. It’s really interesting watching how the girls’ friendship changes over the course of the series and how Hazel gets bolder.

Robin Stevens is a very good writer because her stories are so awesome that you feel like you are right there in the book. Some of her adventures are created on the Orient Express, in Hong Kong, and even on a cruise along the River Nile in Egypt. I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that these locations are the same as famous crime writer Agatha Christie’s novels like Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express.

My favourite is Death in the Spotlight which is set in London at a theatre where Daisy and Hazel are helping out. It has such a marvellous plot that you have no idea where the story will take you.

Robin Stevens did an interesting zoom author event for Brighton Festival and she said there will be a new series about Hazel’s younger sister, May, and it sounds like it will be amazing.

I like animals, playing with my sister, and all types of books. I also love playing football, going on walks and identifying birds. My favourite species of bird is a firecrest because I love the orange stripe on their heads.

Start your Murder Most Unladylike adventure with book 1:

The first marvellous murder mystery in the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series!

At Deepdean School for Girls, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong have set up their own detective agency. But they are struggling to find any real crimes to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia’s missing tie. Which they don’t.)

Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. To add to the mystery, when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place. 

Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test? 

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna, Reviewed by Rosa

I enjoyed this book a lot, it was so realistic I felt like I stepped into the main character, Kiki’s world that she created called Mysore. Mysore is a fantastical world that Kiki made up, it has tons of peaceful markets and joyful people dancing and music calmly sweeping through the breeze.  But a monster is tearing it apart and she is the only one who can stop it…

This book was enjoyable as the author created characters with so much personality, they felt real! Kiki is a super interesting main character as she worries a lot but is an amazing artist. That gives it suspense as she might not be brave enough to fight Mahishasura, the demon monster that is willing to take over Mysore and expand the crack between universes so he can also take over the world.

This book was so thrilling and had such good twists that I couldn’t stop reading! I like that the characters aren’t all friendly, so she has a few arguments and huffs with some. Even though it wasn’t very much of a funny book some of the parts were quite rib tickling. Kiki being an artist is an excellent part as it enables the city to be of her own magical devising. Kiki’s city was so enchanting and divine I wish I could take a holiday there!

Five stars from me!

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

Kiki Kallira is more of a worrier than a warrior – but today she will learn to be a hero. The mythical beasts she loves to draw have come to life, and she is the only one who can defeat them. A middle-grade fantasy inspired by Hindu legends about anxiety, creativity and finding your own strengths. For 8+ fans of Abi Elphistone and The Land of Roar.  

Kiki Kallira has always been a worrier. Did she lock the front door? Is there a terrible reason her mum is late? Recently her anxiety has been getting out of control, but one thing that has always soothed her is drawing. Kiki’s sketchbook is full of fantastical doodles of the Hindu myths and legends her mother has told her since she was tiny. 

One day, her sketchbook’s calming effect is broken when her mythological characters begin springing to life and Kiki is pulled into the mystical world she drew.  

There, she discovers the band of rebel kids who protect the kingdom, as well as an ancient, monstrous god bent on total destruction. Kiki must overcome her fear and anxiety to save both worlds – the real and the imagined – from his wrath. 

But how can a girl armed with only a pencil defeat something so powerful?

‘A fast-paced, vivid and exciting adventure story with real heart, I couldn’t stop reading!‘ – Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series

How to Save the World with a Chicken and an Egg by Emma Shevah, reviewed by Evie-Belle

This book was an excellent read because I love anything to do with animals!
I loved how each chapter there is a different point of view from the two main characters. I was then able to understand about each of their feelings. Both main characters have very different personalities but they make a perfect team. So this book is also about team work and friendship – as well as animals of course !
‘How to save the world with a chicken and an egg’ also taught me facts about dogs sense of smell and exploding ants ….along with mucus, fudge and saliva!
I didn’t want it to end because it was so good , and even now that I am now reading a new book – I cannot stop thinking about how amazing this one was to read !

Hi , I’m Evie-Belle age 10. Reading is one of my favourite things. I LOVE BOOKS  – even if I have borrowed a book and read it I have to buy a copy for myself for my bookshelf !  I also love writing stories. My other passion is animals, my favourites are cows, dogs, frogs, horses and guinea pigs, One other thing ….I love strawberry milkshake. 

About the book

A terrific environmental escapade from acclaimed author Emma Shevah! ‘A truly excellent eco-adventure.’ M. G. Leonard

This story isn’t just about birds. It’s about secrets, the seaside, how seagulls can trick worms into thinking it’s raining.

It’s about mucus, fudge and dogs needing a wide variety of sniffs.

But if you want the simple version, it’s about what happened here last summer. How a girl called Ivy and a boy called Nathaniel solved a mystery and saved the world’s animals: one at a time …

A brand new topical and heartfelt middle grade adventure from the critically acclaimed writer of Dream on, Amber and Dara Palmer’s Major Drama. A terrific positive-action mystery in the wake of Greta Thunberg – perfect for eco-aware young readers!