Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Jo Clarke
08 May 2024;

Genre: Magical Realism

When characters in a story have names like Mrs Rickety-Knees and Rusty Fizzbang, you know that you are in for a rip roaring, imaginative adventure. Set in the tranquil village of Yawn, this is the riveting tale of feisty female protagonist, Amber, who is unexpectedly recruited to be an apprent...

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Name: Clare Wilkins
08 May 2024;

Genre: Romance & Relationships

'Iris Green is Grey'. The graffiti proves everything that Iris believes about herself - boring, inconsequential, invisible. How has she hooked the delectable Theo - resident school heartthrob? How has she managed to snare two amazing best friends? When will she be found out? The unravelling ha...

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Name: Hayley Summerfield
07 May 2024;

Genre: Family & Home

When Saturday Comes by Tony Bradman is a well-crafted story that tackles the sensitive area of divorce and mental well-being through a relatable theme. Life for Daniel has changed immensely, due to his parents' separation and his dad moving abroad. Daniel has moved school and...

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Name: Jacqueline Harris
07 May 2024;

Genre: Personal Growth

Estie is sent to stay with her aunt in Scotland after being expelled from school. She is furious as no one wants to listen to her side of the story. Her aunt Ru is not what she was expecting; clearly estranged from her sister, she turns out to be lovely. With a newfound friend, Idris, Estie st...

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Name: Sam
07 May 2024;

Genre: Personal Growth

Girl on the Fly by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl is a heartfelt tale of family and friendship. Kamaria lives with her parents, who are originally from Tanzania, and when her Aunt Rose comes to stay, Kamaria's life is thrown into all sorts of turmoil. However, Kamaria slowly starts...

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Name: Emelia Helliwell
07 May 2024;

Genre: Suspense & Thrillers

Murder, mystery and one amazing, never expected twist at the end... It All Started with a Lie follows Pearl and her three friends on a journey to find the truth. Pearl unexpectedly uncovers a family secret during a game of hide and seek with her twin brothers. Pearl shows her...

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Name: Jacqueline Harris
07 May 2024;

Genre: Representation & Inclusion

Will has the wrong shoes, they are wrong in every way because Will lives in grinding poverty and has no money for basics, let alone new shoes. Will is at secondary school and nothing seems to be going right at the moment. He feels different from everyone else because of his home life and lack...

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Name: Lauren Maidman
07 May 2024;

Genre: Animals

A Llama Called Lightning is the new instalment from Helen Peters and Ellie Snowdon. Jasmine's family owns a farm and are very busy with all the animals and drama going on. When Jasmine walks home one day she is followed by an unlikely guest, a Llama called Lightning! Jasmine i...

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Name: Ruth Cornish
06 May 2024;

Genre: Family & Home

For a slim book, Too Nice packs a big emotional punch as the main character, Abby, negotiates the changes her Dad's relationship with serious girlfriend, Jen, bring. Sally Nicholls engages the reader from the beginning, as Abby struggles with her feelings after Jen moves in to...

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Name: Ruth Cornish
06 May 2024;

Genre: Environment

Rewild - Can Nature Heal our World is an excellent book from the new David Fickling 'Explodapedia' series. It is equally interesting for older children and young adults and approaches the issues of climate change through the solution of nature. The chapters explore diff...

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