Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Jo Clarke
05 September 2024;

Genre: Family & Home

Katya Balen does more than write stories: she orchestrates them. Her words have rhythm; they ebb and flow like the waters around the island on which this spectacular story is set.  Ghostlines begins gently with an introduction to life on the remote, small isla...

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Name: Hayley Summerfield
05 September 2024;

Genre: Supernatural

Gabriel Dylan has brought us another spine-chilling adventure from the Shiver Point squad in Shiver Point: Under A Howling Moon.  Its Oli's birthday and he wants nothing more than to spend the weekend camping, exploring and telling spooky stories round the campfire with his be...

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Name: Jacqueline Harris
02 September 2024;

Genre: Historical Fiction

In Circus Maximus: Return of the Champion, Dido is back in her fourth and final adventure in this action-packed historical series.  Dido is living in North Africa, training horses and keeping her head down.  A slave boy from Rome, Damon, is thrown into her path, with their dei...

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Name: Margaret Pemberton
02 September 2024;

Genre: Adventure

When Joey and her friends were chosen to represent the school at a competition in the local Museum, she did not bargain on seeing Harry, an ex-pupil and her nemesis. But then something strange happens and she and Harry find themselves being kidnapped by what appear to be Imps. Soon, they find...

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Name: Katie
02 September 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

Dream Hunters is a fast-paced fantasy adventure for any child who loves their adventures with a magical edge. In this story, the magic is provided by child 'dream hunters' - children are taught to follow dreams and to catch them with their special needles, bottling them to hel...

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Name: Jenny Caddick
01 September 2024;

Genre: Supernatural

Gruesome, gothic and so, so good. This horrifyingly dark-humoured tale is hilarious and heart thumpingly entertaining and enthralling. Author Martin Howard and illustrator Pete Williamson have created a masterpiece of creepy illustrations and a narrative that tests the nerves...

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Name: Beverley Somerset
30 August 2024;

Genre: Adventure

13-year-old Iona Patterson lives with her mum and stepdad on the Kestrel estate. Mum runs a pony trekking centre from the stables, and they have a happy life there, although money is tight.  Iona loves horses, especially Jinks, her dressage horse, and when a local dressage star, Jessica, offer...

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Name: Louisa Farrow
30 August 2024;

Genre: Family & Home

Ghostlines, the latest lyrically beautiful story from Katya Balen, celebrates the wonder of the natural world, the difficulty of accepting change and the importance of human connections. Tilda has lived all her life on the island of Ayrie and she adores everything about...

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Name: Hayley Summerfield
27 August 2024;

Genre: Mystery & Detective

The Beanstalk Murder is a gripping new murder mystery in giant-sized portions! P.G Bell's new book is a magical read that will appeal to the most reluctant reader. When the town of Old Stump is squished by a falling giant from the Sky Kingdom, the folk of the Land Below...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
26 August 2024;

Genre: Family & Home

Hannah and her family are facing tough times again as their landlord is threatening them with eviction and dad has had an accident. But Hannah is determined to save the farm once again, this time by raising the money to buy it. Her family and friends rally round to support the endeavour, but h...

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