October Book Reviews October 20, 2023 – Posted in: Book News, Great Picture books, Ideas for 9-12 year olds – Tags: Book Reviews, fiction, middle grade fiction, new books, Picture Books, YA
October Book Reviews
How is it October already? October has been a great month for childrens publishing, pop in store for the full range but here are a few that we have been enjoying.
With Christmas fast approaching, next month will be a bumper edition to help with your Christmas shopping and our last of the year.
Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty and David Roberts
Out Now, Hardback £12.99
We loved this book so much that we ended up writing two reviews, as we just couldn’t decide who should write one. So here is Jo’s review:
There are so many things I love about this book, it’s hard to know where to start – maybe with the dedication:
For every child who has ever had to leave their home behind. This story was inspired by the words of Jo Cox: “We have more in common than that which divides us.”
This is a beautiful book, encouraging empathy and kindness, so lovely it nearly made me cry.
With gorgeous illustrations, a colour palette with hot pink and orange, depicting children from all over the world; I especially like the upside-down-ness of the illustrations – you can imagine a child looking intently at this book, turning it round to look at all the characters.
And Nika’s:
I absolutely love this book and am definitely getting a copy for my child.
It’s a great way of introducing children to refugees and the problems other children around the world have. The ilustrations work really well with the text and with the message of the book. I hope every family with young children will get a copy, so the future adults will have more empathy that the “adults” in charge today.
Finding Wonder by Lauren St. John
Out Now, Paperback £7.99
I’ve never read a pony or a horse book before – and I’m glad this was my first one, because now I want to read more of them!
Roo Thorn is buying her dream horse, the showjumper Wonder Boy. But just before she’s about to pick up Wonder, he gets stolen. In the following months more famous, prize-winning horses go missing without a trace. And Roo and her aunt Joni are determined to find them, the chase leading them all around the country on an unforgettable quest.
This book is an amazing mystery adventure, with loads of beautiful horses (also included are some gorgeous illustrations of them). I particularly liked the three main characters Roo, Joni and Skylar, and their style of life, as well as the author’s love for horses that is clearly visible in every sentence.
Definitely recommended for any mystery fan, not just the horse lovers out there!
Operation Nativity by Jenny Pearson
Out 9th November, Paperback £7.99
When a blinding flash of light wakes Oscar and Molly in the middle of the night they rush outside to investigate. They are not expecting to find a dazed Angel Gabriel, who has managed to take an unexpected detour and transport Mary, Joesph, a donkey, Wise Man, and a Shepherd named Steve to Chipping Bottom. Here begins an absolutely hilarious and bonkers adventure to find all the nativity characters and send them back in time to save Christmas as we know it. A brilliant festive laugh-out-loud read that will get you into the Christmas spirit that I guarantee will have adults and children in stitches. I loved it.
The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings
Out 26th October, Paperback £7.99
Remember the great frost of 1683? Probably not, a bit before your time. That winter, the Thames froze and there was a big fair held on the ice, with stalls and rides and it must have been marvellous. But if one frost fair isn’t enough, this book has another one, a magical one, running alongside at night. Thomasina hopes that visiting the Other Frost Fair with the mysterious Inigo will bring back her dead twin brother. But things get stranger and stranger, there are sinister Grey-Cloaks following her and the frightening Father Winter seems to have big plans for Thomasina. With the help of her friends Anne and Henry, and the powerful Frost Bear, Thomasina will have to fight for her life. Truly unputdownable, with a magical setting, this is a perfect book to read on a dark winter night, for 10+
Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen
Out Now, Paperback £7.99
Rosie Frost has never really felt like she fits in or belongs. It’s always just been her and her mum. When she is suddenly orphaned, Rosie is all alone and sent to the mysterious Heverbridge Boarding School on Bloodstone Island, which is definitely nothing like anything Rosie has ever known.
The island is full of beautiful nature and endangered animals but when the island comes under threat, Rosie knows that it’s up to her to help save it. To do it she’s going to need to enter the schools legendary Falcon Queen Games … and win.
With new friends and a helping hand from the ghost of Anne Boleyn, will Rosie learn to believe in herself and save the place where she finally feels like she belongs?
This is a totally epic mystery adventure. I raced through this novel constantly desperate to read more. Great characters and descriptions. Perfect for fans of every genre.
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow
Out Now, Paperback £8.99
This is an utterly gorgeous, heartfelt novel that will really make you look at life from a different perspective.
Meet Nate. He lives with his mum and two younger brothers and he is just starting his final year at primary school. When his best friend Patrick is put in a separate class and befriends the school bully, Nate is left to navigate his hardest year yet on his own. When his youngest brother Dylan is rushed to hospital, the rage inside Nate threatens to rear its ugly head as he starts to sink into the darkness. Thankfully, his new teacher Mr Joshua recognises the gift of writing Nate has and teaches him the power that words can have.
This novel is beautifully written in prose. It touches on important subjects such as friendship, homelife, families, mental health, and shows the difference that a great teacher can make to someone’s life. I honestly sat down with a cuppa and didn’t move until I had finished (that’s a lie, I got up to make another cup of tea but the book came with me)
A novel that every child (and teacher) should read.
Four Good Liars by Sarah Wishart
Out 23rd November, £8.99 Paperback
This thriller is absolutely BRILLIANT. Not only could I not put it down, it was one of the most exciting teen books I have read in ages. It really would make an epic TV series.
After surviving a bus crash on their way to school, four teenagers find a holdall containing £1 million. They all have their own reasons and secrets they want to keep hidden, so choose to keep the money and split it between them. When someone starts hunting them in search of the stolen money, they are thrown into a world of fear, secrets and gangs. How will any of them survive, especially as they don’t even trust each other?
This book had me utterly gripped and every time I thought it was concluding, another twist was thrown to completely blindside me. LOVED IT!
For more book ideas and reviews you can view our Christmas catalogue or Booktime magazine
Physical copies of these are available in store
What we are currently reading...
Coming Soon...
You can check out other books due to be published and pre order here
