SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 29-30

This week my children's book reviews include a young runner with tough choices for middle grade readers, a picture book about a naughty bear's first visit to the cinema, an enchanting circus adventure for middle grade readers and a glittering Bollywood romance for young adults. Perfect for the holidays.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

GHOST BY JASON REYNOLDS

CHILDREN 10+

When Ghost is recruited onto an elite running team he must decide what path he must travel. Will he be held back by his traumatic past or will he harness his awesome running talent and win the big race? An exciting coming-of-age urban drama about not letting the challenges and circumstances of life dictate your outcome or dreams. Ghost is a flawed but ultimately inspiring hero who the kids will be cheering on.

ISBN 9781999642525 PB Knights Of £6.99

DAISY AND BEAR BY FABI SANTIAGO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

When Daisy decides to take her friend Bear to the cinema for the first time what could possibly go wrong? Children will love how naughty Bear is. During the film he eats noisily, wriggles around and even answers his phone! The glorious illustrations perfectly capture the twilight of the cinema and the trouble an enormous golden bear can cause. I am sure everyone has experienced their own 'bear' at the cinema or theatre. Hilarious!

ISBN 9781407186696 PB Scholastic £6.99

THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS BY FRANCESCA ARMOUR-CHELU

CHILDREN 9+

Sisters Tansy and Belle are dazzling trapeze artists until Tansy falls and loses her nerve and Belle mysteriously disappears. When Tansy's shadow comes mysteriously to life can she rediscover her courage and save her sister? Children will fly high with this enchanting circus adventure and its wonderful cast of characters. I loved the gorgeous behind the scene details of the travelling circus. This irresistible story is perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

ISBN 9781406384369 PB Walker Books £6.99

MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE BY NISHA SHARMA

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Bollywood film fanatic Winnie is predicted to find love before her eighteenth birthday. But when her fated loved does not transpire she feels lost. Fellow film geek Dev encourages her to find her own happily ever after. A funny and touching romance that celebrates life even when it goes off script. It perfectly encapsulates the ups and downs of growing up while accepting the help of friends, family and even a Bollywood superstar!

ISBN 9781788951463 PB Stripes £7.99

#LoveReadingBookBuzz for Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

BOOK REVIEW IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

Love Reading Uk

I will be posting my review on each book from The Dark Artifices Series each Friday ! You  can also read about the Book Buzz HERE

LORD OF SHADOWS  BY CASSANDRA CLARE

Young Adult  12+

The second in this riveting and addictive fantasy series with nods to everyone's favourites in the ever popular world of the Shadow Hunters. Will the secret love between young Shadow Hunters Julian and Emma curse them both? Will they be able to save their world with the help of Faerie? Familiar faces and new and diverse characters will satisfy Clare's most avid fans. It's full of romance, excitement and some lovely amusing touches. A real rollercoaster ride and epic fantasy at its best. 

 PB Simon & Schuster Ltd £12.99

5/5 Stars

#lovereadingbookbuzz #lordofshadows #thedarkartifices 

SYNOPSIS 

A Shadowhunter’s life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. The word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners—sworn to fight together, die together, but never to fall in love.

Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden—it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides?

Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and “unsuitable” Nephilim. They’ll do anything in their power to expose Julian’s secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own.

When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat rises in the form of the Lord of Shadows—the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 22-23 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a modern day Dr Dolittle for 9+, a picture books about friendship, a collection of stories inspired by Alice in Wonderland and a contemporary coming-of-age drama for teenage bookworms that is perfect for the holidays.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

EVIE AND THE ANIMALS BY MATT HAIG

CHILDREN 9+

Eleven-year-old Evie has a secret super power. She can hear the thoughts of animals! But this can be dangerous especially when she comes up against a mysterious man with a similar talent. Can she save the animals and her Dad? Emily Gravett's wonderful illustrations throughout will appeal to all animal and adventure lovers. The thrilling adventure emphasises the importance of courage, kindness and empathy. Dr Dolittle for a new generation.

ISBN 9781786894281 HB Canongate £12.99

PAPER PLANES BY JIM HELMORE AND RICHARD JONES

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Mia and Ben are best friends but when Ben has to move away will their friendship survive? A whimsical and lyrical picture book about the powers of the imagination. Children will love the idea of flying up in the sky as free as a bird, shown through stunning pastel illustrations. The story will help children understand the importance of keeping in touch with friends and family who've moved away. A lovely book to share.

ISBN 9781471173875 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

RETURN TO WONDERLAND BY VARIOUS

CHILDREN 8+

A collection of original stories inspired by Alice in Wonderland written by today's leading children's authors. Tumble down the rabbit hole again and reacquaint yourself with the Queen of Hearts, a rather sad Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat amongst other beloved magical characters. Peter Bunzle, Piers Torday and Robin Stevens are just some of the authors who are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice with alternative viewpoints. A gorgeous gift and introduction to this classic.

ISBN 9781529006032 HB Macmillan £10.99

THE PAPER & HEARTS SOCIETY BY LUCY POWRIE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

When Tabby joins a book club she finds a group of friends who share the same interests. She would rather enjoy a good doughnut, Jane Austen and literary road trip over a party! A heart-warming holiday read that will appeal to all book worms and encourage readers not to feel guilty for exploring their own interests despite the pressures of social media. A coming-of-age romantic teen drama filled with humour and literary nods. Thoroughly entertaining!

ISBN 9781444952377 PB Hodder £7.99

#LoveReadingBookBuzz for Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

BOOK REVIEW IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

Love Reading Uk

I will be posting my review on each book from The Dark Artifices Series each Friday starting today! You  can also read about the Book Buzz HERE

LADY MIDNIGHT BY CASSANDRA CLARE

Young Adult  12+

An exciting new series which returns to the ever popular world of the Shadow Hunters introduces us to the next generation of warriors. A huge book of such epic proportions it will devour you. There is a killer amongst them but whom can they trust? With a large diverse cast this has something for everyone. Doomed love, fractured families, fast and furious adventure and so many twists and turns it leaves you breathless. Epic

ISBN: 9781471116612 PB Simon & Schuster Ltd £12.99

5/5 Stars

#lovereadingbookbuzz #ladymidnight #thedarkartifices 

Message Body

Synopsis

It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.

Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…

Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago―has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind―and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?

Glitz, glamours, and Shadowhunters abound in this heartrending opening to Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 15-16 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a swashbuckling adventure for independent readers, an introduction to legends of rock for the very young, a picture book posing a very important question and a modern day coming-of-age drama for teen. Some great books to share on Father's Day

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

THE JOLLEY-ROGERS AND THE PIRATE PIPER BY JONNY DUDDLE

CHILDREN 6+

The pirate series returns with an adventure full of swashbuckling and dastardly deeds. When Dull-On-Sea is infested with rats the town employs a strange piper to dispense with them. But when the greedy Mayor refuses to pay the piper he takes his revenge. Can pirate children Matilda, Jim Lad and their dog Nugget save the day? This richly illustrated chapter book, based on the Pied Piper is a rip-roaring adventure which will capture the imagination of independent readers.

ISBN 9781787415133 PB Templar £6.99

THE STORY OF ROCK BY NICOLA EDWARDS & LINDSEY SAGAR

BOARD BOOK 1+

Rock-loving Dads will love sharing this introduction to the legends of rock with their little one. From Elvis to Beatlemania, Bowie to Nirvana, children can shake, rattle and roll with this sturdy rhyming board book. The entertaining illustrations are hilarious and I especially loved Slash's top hat! If the family's tastes lie more with Jay-Z The Story of Rap is also available. It's never too early to inspire a new generation of music lovers!

ISBN 9781848578296 HB Caterpillar Books £5.99

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY BOOKS ABOUT BEARS? BY KRISTINA STEPHENSON

PICTURE BOOK 4+

The animal professors of science and literature in Mollusc College, Oxford are debating an Impossible Question. Why are so many books about bears? Adorable illustrations accompany the cheerful text and clever twists on names such as William Snakespeare and Albert Swinestein. Children will love guessing who's their mystery guest banging on the door. Maybe the answer is under their noses in the double spread fold-out at the end? A charming book to read out loud.

ISBN 9781444946017 HB Hachette £12.99

THE GIFTED, THE TALENTED AND ME BY WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

When fifteen-year-old Sam's family become rich and they move to London he is forced to attend an Academy for the Gifted and Talented. But Sam just wants a normal life. A witty satirical take on an aspiring modern family and the pitfalls of trying to fit in. As Sam and his family crash from one well-meaning misadventure to another, you will cry with laughter. Adrian Mole meets Absolutely Fabulous. I'm still giggling...

ISBN 9781408890219 PB Bloomsbury £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 8-9 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a riveting middle grade drama commemorating D-Day full of fascinating historical facts, two picture books perfect for Fathers Day including a farty bear and a time strapped Fox and a football middle grade  drama for girls just in time for the FIFA Womens World Cup. 

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

D-DAY DOG BY TOM PALMER

CHILDREN 8+

While Jack is visiting the D-Day landing beaches with his school his soldier Dad is called into action. As Jack begins to question the point of war he uncovers a story about a paratrooper and his dog and is determined to discover their fate. An accessible and thought-provoking read commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. It's a revelation to read the heroic animal war stories at the end who went beyond the call of duty.

ISBN 9781781128688 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

DADDY FARTYPANTS BY EMER STAMP & MATT HUNT

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Daddy Fartypants is a very windy bear which he never apologises for much to the embarrassment of his son! But when he meets his son's fragrant new teacher can she teach him a lesson about lying and blaming others? The explosive illustrations will make children laugh their pants off! This is the perfect gift for Father's Day, especially if he's a little gassy and likes to blame others!

ISBN 9781408356357 PB Orchard £6.99

FIVE MORE MINUTES BY MARTA ALTES

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A young fox gives his time-starved Dad sage advise about what time really means. Many Dad's and children will relate to how the young want everything NOW while Dads just need a few more minutes to rest, sleep and read...An observant and poignant story to share on Father's Day about how children and adults experience time in different ways. Dad's will especially relate to Daddy Fox's resigned expression as opposed to his child's expectant one!

ISBN 9781509866021 HB Macmillan £12.99

LILY AND THE ROCKETS BY REBECCA STEVENS

CHILDREN 9+

It's 1918 and fourteen-year-old munition worker Lily loves to play football with the factory's female team, The Rockets. But what will happen when the men return from war? This emotionally charged coming-of-age drama is inspired by true events with girl power at its heart. The postscript at the end is inspiring, infuriating and ultimately hopeful. Girls will be galvanized to follow their dreams, break boundaries and play football! For fans of FIFA's Women's World Cup and historical drama.

ISBN 9781912626120 PB Chicken House £6.99