June Book Reviews April 17, 2023 – Posted in: Book News – Tags: Bags of Books, fantasy, fiction, middle grade fiction, new books, Picture Books, YA
Book Reviews - June
And it looks like Summer has finaly arrived. The perfect weather for relaxing and reading in the garden, beach, or anywhere outside for that matter.
This month’s picks are perfect for those gorgeous sunny days when you just want to read a good book.
Animal Crackers by Ruby Wright
Out Now, Hardback £12.99
Sweet story about Maisie who really wants a pet, but Mum says their flat is too small. One night the animals from food packets come to life, and Maisie is delighted … until it all goes wrong.
” I can’t scoop all this poo,” said Maisie.
Beautiful picture book in an original style by printmaker Ruby Wright. Gorgeous soft colour palette, interesting textures and overlapping colours, love the ‘mis-register’ effect, and the depiction of light and shadows – a visual treat!
Friends and Traitors by Helen Peters
Out Now, Paperback £7.99
This is definitely one of the most exciting middle grade books this year!
Sidney’s boarding school has been evacuated to Stanbrook House, a grand estate in the countryside. There she meets the housemaid Nancy and they instantly hate each other. But when both of them happen to overhear Earl Evesham talking about illegal activities, they know they must join forces to stop him. After all, more than their job and school admission is at stake … I was holding my breath during the grand finale, when the Earl is confronted in a very ingenious way!
Set during World War II, this is a thrilling adventure story, which talks about British traitors and the powerlessness of ordinary people to stop them (luckily not in this case!)
The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them)
Out Now, Paperback £7.99
Nyla lives with her Mum and Grandma, who has Alzheimer’s; her dad passed away when she was four. For a school project, Nyla starts researching her family tree, and all of a sudden many questions arise – what happened the night Dad died? Is he really dead? The book unexpectedly turns into a mystery, and the ending is surprising.
A beautiful story about family and belonging, written in verse. It shows the young reader the lives of immigrants, and explores the struggles they face, with the focus on second- and third-generation immigrants trying to find their identity. The book is full of diverse and (mostly) very lovable characters, and it definitely stands out. Most suitable for 10+.
The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown
Out Now, Paperback £7.99
This book is just so lovely and completely unputdownable!
Partly based on Elizabeth Laird’s childhood, it tells the story of twelve-year-old Charity Brown and her big family. They are members of a small religous group and are living their lives “apart” from the modern world – they don’t go to the cinema, wear make up or do many other things that are completely accepted in wider society. But as Charity grows older and her siblings start moving away from their newly-inherited big house where her faimly looks after “the weary and the heavy laden”, she starts making new friends and discovering her own truths about the world.
A proper coming-of-age novel, and (I don’t usually say this) a future classic. Suitable for 11+.
Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson
Out Now, Hardback £12.99
Daisy Thistledown’s upbringing has been different from what we’re used to – she’s been travelling around the world with her journalist mother, working on stories. But now her Ma’s disappeared in the Amazon, and Daisy is in harm’s way.
Following her mother’s instructions, she finds her way to Mallowmarsh, a pocket of Greenwild (which exist parallel to our world, Greyside) and is full of botanical wonders, where Daisy immediately feels welcome. But same as her, Greenwild is under threat, and it is all conected to her mother’s disappearance. Daisy and her new friends will have to be very resourceful to save their way of life.
A thrilling fantasy adventure with environmental issues at its core, this is the first book in the new series by author Pari Thomson. I particularly enjoyed descriptions of Daisy and Laila’s travels around the world, Thomson’s beautiful use of language transporting me to faraway places. Detailed illustrations by Elisa Paganelli and an evocative map make this book even more special. Suitable for 10+
The Thing About Lemons by Tasha Harrison
Out Now, Paperback, £8.99
I really loved this lighthearted read, perfect for summer.
When Ori’s best friend, Avery, walks in on her kissing her boyfriend, all of Ori’s friends freeze her out and her summer plans are totally ruined. With her mum off to Chicargo and Ori meant to have been going to Cornwall with her friends, she is instead shipped off to spend the summer in France with her slightly out there Grandfather, who she has absolutely no relationship with.
Let the hilarious road trip commence, with a pit stop to pick up her (even more out there) Great Aunt.
A novel about friendship, self discovery and family. Full of humour, a few cute boys and a summer never to forget.
A brilliant read for 12+
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
Out Now, Paperback, £8.99
There is absolutely nothing to not love about this novel. A brilliant coming of age YA novel of unlikely friendships, finding yourself and standing up for what you believe in. Everyone loves Shara, she’s gorgeous, popular and a grade A student so when she suddenly vanishes Chloe, Rory and Smith are determind to find her. With absolutely nothing in common other than Shara kissed each of them before she disappearred the three start following the clues of the scavenger hunt Shara left behind for them. Full of Humour, romance and an array of loveable and inclusive characters. This is the perfect beach read for 13+
You can find more reviews of children and adult books in the May & June edition of Booktime magazine
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