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This debut middle-grade novel chronicles the harrowing journey taken by Sami and his family from privilege to poverty, across countries and continents, from a comfortable life in Damascus, via a smuggler’s den in Turkey, to a prison in Manchester. A story of survival, of family, of bravery … In a world where we are told to see refugees as the ‘other’, this story will remind readers that ‘they’ are also ‘us’.
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!
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.
Warning – some gentle spoilers may lie ahead…
I liked Twitch because even at the beginning Twitch is someone I want to like. I like how even when he gets bullied about loving birds, he never lets that dampen his passion, and it’s interesting to see the change in Jack Cappleman – how he began as an enemy to Twitch but because Twitch saved Jack from Madden and Peaky, Jack realised that birds are actually really cool, and he became Twitch’s friend. I love Twitch’s bed box, and Aves Wood sounds amazing! The twist in the story is almost magical, like something stalking you – you can sense it, but you are reading on and the lion is still behind you, you’re chasing the leopard when the lion is to blame. Or should I say chasing the Leonard?! Twitch’s real name is brilliant – ‘Corvus Featherstone’! – but my favourite thing about him is the teapot tree and his pigeons that live in a wardrobe, though it would also be cool to have swallows nesting in your bedroom! It’s great how he and the rest of his year at school act like birds to overcome the robber and I really like Ava and Tippi. The bird club (The Twitchers) at the end is amazing!
I think this book deserves at least 18 out of 20 stars.
Catherine wrote her review whilst listening to the dawn chorus in a tent at 6.30am. A sign that she definitely belongs in the Twitchers! Thank you for a fab review, Catherine.
About the book:
From the internationally bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the Adventures on Trains series, comes the first book in The Twitchers, a brand new mystery adventure series celebrating friendship, bravery and the incredible world of birds, starring a birdwatching detective called Twitch!Can a birdwatcher outwit an escaped convict? Twitch has three pet chickens, four pigeons, swallows nesting in his bedroom and a passion for birdwatching. On the first day of the summer holidays, he arrives at his secret hide to find police everywhere: a convicted robber has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Can Twitch use his talents for birdwatching to hunt for the dangerous prisoner and find the missing loot?
My first impression of this book was that it would be all about ducks and being religious. So, sure, boring. Was I right? No, I was completely wrong! So, as I delved deeper into the pages, I realised that this book opened up a new section of imagination in my head. One of my favourite things about the book was the footnotes. Daisy May Johnson has an amazing sense of humour! Also, I really like the way that the story unfolds, bit by bit, including the back stories of each character, or most of them anyway. I would recommend this book to 8 years and older. It is an interesting read, there are some heart-breaking moments but it is also very funny. I can’t wait until it’s published in July, I will be recommending it to all my friends!
About the book:
Calla’s mum has never been normal. She’s been known to go out in a lab coat and slippers and often forgets to perform basic tasks because she’s been thinking about ducks. When a job offer arrives to study her beloved birds in the Amazon rainforest, Calla knows her mum has to go.
Nervously, she agrees to go to boarding school. She quickly learns that trouble is afoot in this odd convent school. A mean new headmistress is imposing horrible rules and making everyone eat Brussels sprout cake, and the students are itching to revolt.
As Calla makes new friends and gets drawn into their rebellious plot, she keeps waiting for her mum to call. She will, won’t she?Exuberantly funny and brimming with heart, How to Be Brave is a riotous celebration of the power of resourceful girls, stories and the right biscuit at the right time.
This book was a joy to read because the author had lovely imaginative ideas that made the book exciting and warming to read before bed or in the day.
The story is about a girl who works at a hat shop, who needs to stop war breaking out between France and England, by returning some enchanted peace clothes to their makers.
I love how Tamzin Merchant (the author) created a heroine, not a hero, because it made the book more interesting to read as she wore big skirts, but they didn’t get in the way of her climbing and saving the day. It was cute how the messenger pigeon was hatched in her father’s armpit. The bond between Cordelia and Goose is spellbinding as their families are enemies. I would have loved to have learned how they met.
It didn’t quite have me gripped at the start but by he end it left me hungry for more! The plot is an interesting one but it had two dilemmas which is juicy but also a lot to focus on. Tamzin Merchant handled it brilliantly by making the main character multitask magically and that made it even better.
Nevermoor and the Sinclair mystery fans would relish as magic and millinery is the perfect combo.
In this book, you will embark on an exciting adventure. Join Fred, Con, Lila and Max as they crash in a plane heading to Manaus. Flinch as they almost die whilst climbing a tree for honey. Murmur as they meet The Explorer, as he trains them to live in the jungle. Scream, when something happens that threatens their entire existence…
My favourite character was Con because she appeared to be tough with no feelings but really, she was a gentle character who had lived with her mean aunt for years. The language the author used made me feel like I was there with the characters and I could feel the fear and excitement that they experienced.
The few black and white illustrations in the book really set the scene and added to my enjoyment of the book.
This book is thrilling and unpredictable and I would recommend for boys and girls above the age of 7.
I would love to know what happens next, please ask Katherine Rundell to write a sequel!
Go on an adventure with Katherine Rundell … Winner of the Children’s Book PrizeWinner of the Costa Children’s Book Award 2017Winner of the London Book Fair Children’s Travel Book of the Year’I loved The Explorer’ Jacqueline Wilson’Rundell is now unarguably in the FIRST RANK’ Philip Pullman’Read everything she writes’ Daily MailFrom his seat in the tiny aeroplane, Fred watches as the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of making history and of reading his name amongst the lists of great discoveries.
If only he could land and look about him. As the plane crashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and the three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast, untamed place.
With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels impossibly small. Except, it seems, someone has been there before them …
I love a book with a really good setting and this has a very detailed world.
Otherland is a fantasy story about a baby girl, Shilpa, who’s taken by the fairy queen. Two friends participate in the deadly Knight Games to win her back. But this is a world with no logic and you don’t know what is real…
At first the lack of logic was a bit confusing, but I soon got used to it. And I liked how the two characters are always arguing at the start but by the end of the book they are very good friends.
Loads of bits were very funny and made me laugh – a lot!
Otherland is a dangerous magical underworld – a place where appearances can be deceiving and anything can happen. A world of gods, vampires, and fairies. It’s also…horrible.
When life-long friends Myra and Rohan discover that Rohan’s baby sister Shilpa has been stolen and taken to Otherland, the only way to rescue her is by taking part in a deadly game – three impossible challenges set by the Fairy Queen of Otherland. Win the game, and Rohan and Myra can go home with Shilpa – but lose, and they’ll be trapped in Otherland forever…
A darkly funny, action-packed fantasy adventure, perfect for fans of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, Malamander, and The Land of Roar, from the author of the highly-acclaimed Dragon in the Library series.
This is an amazing book, perfect for mystery lovers. An adventure full of surprises, discovery and more.
Kat Wolfe investigates is hard to put down, twists and turns fill the pages as you read this fantastic story.
It’s beautifully written with main characters who are resilient, courageous and have a fierce friendship. You’ll follow Kat Wolfe, an animal loving girl as she solves a thrilling mystery with her best friend Harper Lamb. You’ll also meet unforgettable animals along the way (e.g. Toby the golden retriever). This engaging read is set in idyllic Bluebell bay where you’d never expect a dark secret to occur…but it did.
If you enjoy this book there are other Wolfe and Lamb books to read: Kat Wolfe takes the case and Kat Wolfe on thin ice.
This Wolfe and Lamb mystery is a must read, exciting, adventurous and unique, I recommend this book to ages 9 plus.
Join brave Kat Wolfe and her animal sidekicks in this first mysterious adventure filled with friendship, freedom and a fierce wild cat!Kat Wolfe loves her new home in idyllic Bluebell Bay, especially as it comes with a resident wildcat. But when she starts pet-sitting for pocket money, she finds that beneath the town’s perfect surface lie some dark and dangerous secrets …
After a pet owner vanishes from his clifftop mansion, Kat turns to her new friend, Harper Lamb, for help. What began as mystery-solving holiday fun quickly turns deadly for Wolfe and Lamb. Can they count on their unruly animals to save their lives?
Kat Wolfe Investigates is the first in a compelling middle-grade mystery series from bestselling author Lauren St John. Continue the adventures in Kat Wolfe Takes the Case.
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.
