Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

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  • How to Be a Hero

    Name: David Age 9
    12 October 2020;

    Genre: Myths & Legends

    I would rate this book 5/5 because it's one of those comedy books: I LOVE THEM and the illustrations are extraordinary! It's like How to Train Your Dragon but more comedic. I would recommend this book and want more people to experience Cat Weldon's writing. If you like funny books, or adventure s...

  • Another Twist in the Tale

    Name: Alice Fanning
    11 October 2020;

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Another Twist in the Tale is a sequel of sorts to Oliver Twist, following the exploits of his twin sister Twill, who was abandoned by Mr Bumble as a newborn. This is a fast paced, witty historical adventure with a good sense of place - you can almost smell the grimy backstreet...

  • The Midnight Howl

    Name: Jane Rew
    11 October 2020;

    Genre: Magical Realism

    The Midnight Howl, even better than the first, this second in the series allows readers the chance to re-enter the magical and often scary world of Victorian London, a world which is always stuck at midnight and is inhabited by an array of strange and/or scary characters. I th...

  • When Life Gives You Mangoes

    Name: Jo Clarke
    10 October 2020;

    Genre: Friends and family

    When Life Gives You Mangoes is a multi-layered story with intrigue, warmth and surprise. It follows the life of 12-year-old Clara in her small village on an island 'where nothing ever happens'. We soon learn that Clara is kind but feisty, fun but troubled, daring but held back...

  • A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth

    Name: Bryony Davies
    07 October 2020;

    Genre: Fantasy

    A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth is by debut author Francesca Gibbons. The first in a planned triology, this book is a magical fantasy adventure full of heart, hope and humour.We are introduced to Imogen and her younger sister, Marie. Their mum has a new boyfriend...

  • A Secret of Birds & Bone

    Name: Janet Fisher
    06 October 2020;

    Genre: Friends and family

    This author goes from strength to strength. Each of her books, starting with The Girl of Ink and Stars in 2016, is different and quite unique. A Secret of Birds and Bone tells of the children of Renata, a bone binder living just outside Siena in an undefined period. Renata app...

  • A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth

    A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth

    Name: Rhiannon Cook
    05 October 2020;

    Genre: Fantasy

    A Narnia for the modern age, A Clock of Stars is a magical adventure following two sisters that don't always get along. Imogen and Marie find themselves in a fantasy world after following a mysterious moth through a door in a tree but once on the other side, the door disappears and they are tr...

  • When Life Gives You Mangoes

    Name: Jacqueline Harris
    05 October 2020;

    Genre: Friends and family

    Clara lives in Sycamore, a village where nothing much happens. She loves eating mangoes and playing with her best friend Gaynah. The only dark cloud in her life is that she cannot remember what happened last summer.One day a new girl, Rudy, arrives from England with her mother. Cla...

  • A Secret of Birds & Bone

    Name: Sue Wilsher
    03 October 2020;

    Genre: Friends and family

    Sofia lives with her mother and little brother, Ermin, and their pet crow, Corvith, on the outskirts of Sienna. Their home, set in the grounds of a ruined monastery, is a charnel house made of bones, and her mother is a bone-binder, famed throughout the city for her work. Smallpox has ravaged...

  • The Ghost of Gosswater

    Name: Jane Rew
    01 October 2020;

    Genre: Supernatural

    I cannot recommend this book too highly. It has so many elements of a good story: rich and believable characters, atmospheric setting and an intricate, cleverly woven plot. The pace is brisk, but with moments to draw breath and reflect; the mystery of Aggie's family history is tantalisingly re...