Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Hayley Summerfield
02 July 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

Amir and the Jinn Princess by M. T. Khan is a beautiful, enchanting story that takes the reader into the secret realm of the jinn. Everything in Amir's life is planned out. He is the third child of a wealthy businessman in Pakistan. Although he has the best of everythin...

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Name: Jacqueline Harris
01 July 2024;

Genre: Adventure

Tom is Rebel's dog. Rebel would do anything for Tom. Living happily on a farm, Rebel has no desire to do anything else. But one day soldiers come to the house and everything changes. Rebel must leave the farm and find Tom, because Tom is his boy and he loves him. Set in an indeterminate...

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Name: Elen Green
01 July 2024;

Genre: Funny Stories

Kamal is languishing at the bottom of the social heap at school, but is desperate to find out how to rise up the ranks to join the students at the top table. Then he finds the Cheat Book, which offers him a glimpse of hope in achieving his dreams.... However, the Cheat Book's advice doesn't al...

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Name: Ruth Cornish
01 July 2024;

Genre: Supernatural

Lucy Strange's The River Spirit is poignant, examining the reality of life for poverty-stricken children in Victorian Britain. The characters encourage much empathy in the reader as the work of a child chimney sweep is described honestly and clearly. The cruelty of child labou...

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Name: Jenny Caddick
01 July 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

Amari and the Great Game is the absolutely gripping sequel to the amazing Amari and the Night Brothers and it is just as magical and well-crafted as the first book. Amari has already saved t...

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Name: Beverley Somerset
30 June 2024;

Genre: Adventure

Rebel is a good dog. He lives with his owner, 12-year-old Tom, on a sheep farm. Rebel thinks life is just perfect, however, Tom knows that it is not. The King is doubling the taxes, making it almost impossible for people to live. When Tom meets Rider, the leader of the Reds, he is drawn into a...

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Name: Jo Clarke
28 June 2024;

Genre: Mental Health & Wellbeing

The Bravest Word is centred around a boy called Matt who, it would appear, has a lot to be grateful for. He has parents who love him, a group of friends who look out for him and a talent for football. However, Matt is overwhelmed by feelings of anger, irritation and sadness. H...

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Name: Beverley Somerset
25 June 2024;

Genre: Magical Realism

When 10-year-old Mayowa Howard goes to stay with her Grandpa Edward for the summer, she discovers that he is a 'logosalter' - he can jump onto a book, harness the emotions contained within the words of the story, and channel them into the world. Mayowa has also inherited this skill, and, altho...

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Name: Hayley Summerfield
20 June 2024;

Genre: Magical Realism

The Lighthouse at the World’s End is the final instalment of the hilarious and magical series by Amy Sparkes. This book is a real treat that brings the magical series to a very satisfying end. Nine and her magical housemates are back and they are heading for the mortal...

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Name: Emma Nelson
17 June 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

Magicalia: Race of Wonders by Jennifer Bell is a spellbinding new novel that whisks readers into a vibrant world of magical creatures and epic adventures. The story follows young Bitsy, whose life is upended when her father is kidnapped by a giant, purple 'hamstoceros'. With t...

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