There are few books that have had such a profound effect on me as Lost by Ele Fountain.  This story of 2 siblings fighting for their very survival in an unknown world is simply stunning.  It is a beautiful and often heart-breaking tale but ultimately a tale of determination and courage.

Lola and Amit live a comfortable life, free from worry, with their factory-owning father.  Then one day he unexpectedly fails to return home, leaving Lola in charge.  Initially convinced that he has been delayed and cut off by the recent floodwaters the children carry on as best they can as they wait for him to turn up.  But hours turn to days and there is still no sign.  With rent overdue the children find themselves out on the streets, homeless and alone.  When the siblings become separated their situation becomes even more dire.

Lola finds herself with the ‘street rats’, children who are battling to stay alive in a world that doesn’t seem to care. These are children who are shunned by society and regarded as nothing more than ‘rats’.  As Lola gets to know some of these children we hear their tragic stories.

I loved the two siblings and the powerful bond that they have.  Their determination to find each other is incredibly touching and I found myself willing the children to succeed.

Lost is an immensely powerful story which forces you to reconsider your assumptions and to consider those less fortunate than yourself.   It shows that anyone’s situation can change without warning and we need to take care of each other in our societies.

Lost is an emotional, haunting, beautiful and uplifting book. It is a story of survival, resilience, family and empathy which will stay with me for a long time.  It is an astonishing, powerful and important story that everyone should read and I cannot recommend enough.

 

 

The Mask of Aribella is an absolutely enchanting, engaging and beautiful story of adventure, magic and self-discovery set in the thriving and glorious city of Venice. It is full of delightful moments, as well as plenty of dark ones and it would be a fabulous book to share with children at home or in the classroom.

Aribella is a young girl approaching her thirteenth birthday. She lives in Venice with her lace-maker father with little excitement in her life. However, she yearns for more and has ambitions beyond her background. When she discovers a magical secret about herself and flames start shooting from her fingertips it is apparent nothing will ever be the same again. When her mysterious power is witnessed and reported her path is irreversibly altered when she discovers she is part of the magical Cannovacci – a group of warriors who are sworn to defeat the sinister spectres haunting the city.

From thereon we are drawn into a story of mystery, friendship, magic, dark forces and excitement. We follow Aribella as she learns and accepts who she is while meeting an array of incredible characters with various powers. The beautiful Venetian setting creates a superb atmospheric backdrop to an utterly enchanting tale. The Mask of Aribella is stunning book that is hard to put down. It is a great adventure story but also a heartwarming tale of a young girl finding her place in the world. It is a story that will  engage and delight readers and inspire them to create their own incredible tales.

The Secret of the Purple Lake is a glorious book and I can honestly say I have never come across anything quite like it. It is clever, beautiful and deeply thought-provoking and it is probably the only book that as soon as I have finished it, I had to pick it up and read it again straight away.

It is a collection of fairy tales that span the globe and that are interlinked in different ways, the full extent of the connections only becoming clear at the end of the book. I found myself literally gasping at various points as the links gradually became apparent.

We start by hearing the story of Ajuba, the Fisherman’s daughter, whose father has died at sea off the coast of Ghana. From that moment things start to go wrong in her seaside village and she finds herself being instructed to retrieve her dead father’s bones from the bottom of the sea in order to bring peace back to her people. We are then taken on a journey from Ghana to Orkney, and from Spain to Norway and Thailand, discovering one fantastical fairy story after another, each one revealing a little bit more of the bigger picture. Small characters we meet in one tale become central characters in another and we are able to delve further into their stories.

We meet an array of wonderful creatures along the way, including Imoro the magic elephant, and we witness many transformations as we follow the characters on their journeys until everything finally knits together at the end.

The Secret of the Purple Lake is, on one level, an exquisite collection of fairy tales and folklore cleverly interlinked. The stories are wild and fun and beautifully written. There are also many themes running through the book that give it a real depth and which merit giving it a second read! One of the themes that stuck for me was about free will, choice and respect. Many of the characters are put in positions that they did not choose themselves, positions that quite often put them in danger. The relationships between the characters is another area for discussion, with some questionable characters thrown into the mix.

The Secret of the Purple Lake is an astounding piece of writing and is one of the most intriguing, beautiful and clever books I have ever read. The learning opportunities are endless and the sheer enjoyment of reading this masterpiece cannot be measured.

Thanks to Books for Topics for the review copy. Originally featured on their website here: https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/review-the-secret-of-the-purple-lake

 

I am delighted to be a part of the blog tour for this beautiful, emotional and heart-wrenching book about homelessness. Sofa Surfer by Malcolm Duffy is a story that will linger with me for a long time. It is an immensely powerful tale that is beautifully written and although it tackles a dark subject there are plenty of moments of humour and positivity throughout.

It tells the story of Tyler who is unhappy at having to move to a new area with his family.  Things start to change, however, when he encounters Spider, a teenage girl who he soon discovers is homeless.   Tyler is torn as to how to help his new friend while listening to the advice of his parents but one thing he is sure about is that he has to do something.  The story follows their developing friendship and their growing understanding of each other’s lives.  I loved the two central characters.  They are believable and relatable teenagers who just happen to find themselves in a particular situation.  Young people reading Sofa Surfer will recognise these characters in themselves or their friends which makes it a very powerful and eye-opening book.

I really enjoyed reading the Geordie dialogue, again making the character of Spider very authentic and easy to identify with.   The subject of homelessness is tackled really cleverly with the grittiness and tragedy  made apparent without it becoming too dark.

Sofa Surfer is a story of empathy, friendship and, overall, hope.  It is a touching, honest and heartfelt tale that I absolutely loved.

 

Fergus the Furball is a wonderfully charming, heartwarming and downright hilarious tale that younger readers will absolutely adore. It will appeal to anyone who has ever found themselves a wee bit fed up of their siblings, but it is ultimately a story of families looking out for each other.

Daniel is full of excitement as his tenth birthday approaches. He has always wanted a pet and is hopeful that this may be the year his parents finally get him one. But then he is hit with the bombshell that his parents are going to Scotland and will be away for his big day. Not only that they are leaving his crazy Aunt Tink in charge! To top it off he has had enough of his show-off brother Fergus!

When he wishes he had a guinea pig instead of a brother he couldn’t have thought for one moment that it might actually come true!

Fergus the Furball is full of quirky characters, touching moments and loads of laughs and it is a gloriously entertaining read.

It is an accessible book that will appeal to readers looking for their first chapter book or those reluctant readers who think books are not for them.

I really loved Fergus the Furball and I am so excited to discover that this is the first in a series. I cannot wait to read more adventures from Fergus and his family!

The Pearl in the Ice is a riveting adventure story full of mystery, intrigue, deception and spies. It quietly and subtly gains momentum offering twist after twist and right up to the end the reader is left wondering who can be trusted.

Marina is a twelve year old girl who has always been drawn to the sea but her naval commander father has spent all her life keeping his daughter away from water.

When Marina makes the decision to take a train to Portsmouth instead of to her new boarding school, her whole reality slowly begins to unravel.

With the outbreak of war on the horizon Marina stows away on her father’s ship on a expedition of discovery where she is forced to grow up quickly.

I love the character of Marina – a strong, brave and independent girl with a heart of gold. I felt I was on this journey with her and lived each step with her.

The Pearl in the Ice is a fabulous story that keeps you guessing at every turn. I loved the characters and the constant reminders of the futility of war throughout. It is a wonderfully exciting adventure that is both intriguing and mesmerising and I would wholeheartedly recommend it!

Nip Nebs and the Last Berry is the second installment of the beautiful Nip Nebs books from Susi Briggs and Ruthie Redden. Another original picture book in Scots, it follows the continuing adventures of Nip Nebs – this time following him and his friend Wee Moosie as they try to encourage three birds to share the last berry so they can get back to their nap.

It is an utterly enchanting tale about friendship and sharing. It is bursting with rich Scots vocabulary, making it a joy to read aloud from start to finish. If you are unfamiliar with Scots there is a handy wee glossary at the back to help!

Susi’s gorgeous storytelling is exquisitely complimented by Ruthie Redden’s glorious artwork. There is a lovely innocence about the whole book and it is impossible not to fall in love with it. Younger children will adore it and it would also be a great book for teachers to use in the classroom.

Susi and Ruthie’s first Nip Nebs book was shortlisted for the Scots Bairns’ Book o the Year at the Scots Language Awards in 2019 and it is not difficult to see why.  It is wonderful to see some more original stories in Scots for children. Nip Nebs and the Last Berry is another brilliant wee tale that will enchant and delight children and adults alike.

 

Fergus the Furball is a wonderfully charming, heartwarming and downright hilarious tale that younger readers will absolutely adore. It will appeal to anyone who has ever found themselves a wee bit fed up of their siblings, but it is ultimately a story of families looking out for each other.

Daniel is full of excitement as his tenth birthday approaches. He has always wanted a pet and is hopeful that this may be the year his parents finally get him one. But then he is hit with the bombshell that his parents are going to Scotland and will be away for his big day. Not only that they are leaving his crazy Aunt Tink in charge! To top it off he has had enough of his show-off brother Fergus!

When he wishes he had a guinea pig instead of a brother he couldn’t have thought for one moment that it might actually come true!

Fergus the Furball is full of quirky characters, touching moments and loads of laughs and it is a gloriously entertaining read.

It is an accessible book that will appeal to readers looking for their first chapter book or those reluctant readers who think books are not for them.

I really loved Fergus the Furball and I am so excited to discover that this is the first in a series. I cannot wait to read more adventures from Fergus and his family!

 

I started off aiming for 5 but that was far too difficult. To be honest, choosing 10 wasn’t easy either!

I have lost count of the number of books I have read this year. Books that have made me laugh, books that have made me cry, books that have been full adventure and books that have made me think deeply. The books I have chosen are ones that have stuck in my head for all sorts of reasons.

So, here we go, in no particular order!

1. Sonny and Me by Ross Sayers

This is life seen through the eyes of 2 high school boys in central Scotland and it is the most wonderful, funny, charming and heartwarming book I have ever read. An honest reflection of teenage life and the book I have passed around my friends the most. Absolutely brilliant.  (Definitely in the YA category!) 

2. The God of all Small Boys by Joseph Lamb

This is a beautiful story set in 1917 in Dundee which follows the story of 11 year old James when his dad goes off to fight in the war. It is a touching wee story that had me in tears more than once but was also full of humour and adventure.

3. Rumblestar by Abi Elphinstone

One of the most exciting adventures I have read this year and I could not put it down. So much so, I decided one June morning to walk the 6 and a half miles to work so that I could read and finish it on my way. I cannot wait for the next installment of The Unmapped Chronicles, Jungledrop to hit the shelves next year!

4. The Boy with the Butterfly Mind by Victoria Williamson

I have made no secret about how much I adored Victoria’s debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle and her second novel was an another inspiring masterpiece. Told through the eyes of the 2 central characters, one with ADHD, it encourages the reader to show more understanding to others in their own lives. Very powerful.

5. Callum and the Mountain by Alan McClure

This book really blew me away. It is an intriguing and original book that is a beautiful and poetic piece of storytelling about our relationship with the spiritual and natural world. 

An astounding debut from Alan McClure that has lingered with me ever since I read it.

6. The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Rauf

This is most definitely the book that made me cry the most. It is a brave writer who tackles a subject as difficult as domestic abuse but Onjali Rauf has managed to create a beautiful, touching tale that is also full of fun and adventure. Inspiring, emotional and utterly beautiful.

7. A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

A fantastic magical adventure that had me hooked from the start.  It is an enchanting, magical, powerful story about family, resilience, determination and hope which I absolutely loved.  Looking forward to the next installment of the Widdershins sisters’ adventure when A Sprinkle of Sorcery is released next year.

8. Guardians of the Wild Unicorns by Lindsay Littleson

A school residential trip to the Scottish Highlands is the setting for this dark and gripping adventure. When Lewis and Rhona discover the existence of wild unicorns, the race is on to try and protect them. These are not your pink fluffy unicorns, these are wild, powerful animals which sets the scene for a magical yet thoroughly believable story.

9. The Darkdeep by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs

An exciting and enthralling adventure about friendship and looking out for one another.  It is the epitome of childhood adventure with strange phenomenon, secret tunnels and mysterious creatures bringing back memories of watching films like The Goonies as a child.

A fun, heart-stopping adventure.

10. The Girl who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson

An exquisite, beautiful and poetic masterpiece. What more is there to say?

 

 

 

 

 

Elma the Elf has to be one of my favourite Christmas stories ever. I laughed, I smiled and enjoyed every second of Elma’s adventures. With such a strong, feisty character at the centre of the tale it was always going to be an exciting and enthralling ride! Handily split into 24 chapters it could be read as a countdown to Christmas but, to be honest, you will be so engrossed you will want to read more than a chapter at a time.

Elma is about to start her new job at Santa’s toy factory and she is beyond excited to be part of the team. However, things are not quite as she expected and she quickly makes her feelings known. She is a clever little elf with oodles of ideas but is also very opinionated and is not afraid to speak her mind, which does not always go down well with others.

When Elma discovers that Santa has gone missing she decides to set out on a mission to save Christmas and is determined that nothing will get in her way. Her spirited approach allows her to win others round and she is ably supported in her momentous task by a fellow team of elves and the reformed troop of wayward reindeers.

For me Elma is the ultimate role model.  Passionate, determined and unrelenting in the pursuit of her goals, while encouraging everyone else with her enthusiasm. Although she can be a bit of pain she begins to realise that more can be achieved through kindness and understanding as the story progresses.

Elma the Elf is a fantastically fun adventure about one little elf trying to save Christmas. It is also the story of how a small voice can make a big impact when they believe in themselves and have the courage to follow what they know is right.

Finally, it is moral tale of how being kind is the most important thing for us all to be.

I absolutely adored this book and I urge you to order it now as a wee pre-Christmas treat. You will not regret it!