Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Nathan Cox
28 December 2022;

Genre: Historical Fiction

Midwinter Burning by Tanya Landman is an historical adventure story, steeped with mystery. The story is set at the beginning of World War Two in England. Alfie Wright, an evacuee, has left London for Devon, living on Coombe Farm with Auntie Bell and her son, Ted. Alfie Wright...

More

Name: Jan Blagden
24 December 2022;

Genre: Real life

The events in This Can Never Not Be Real take place over the space of a few hours, creating a very intense experience for the reader. There are just two locations, the garden and inside the mansion. It all happens at night, which brings the sanctuary of darkness for the young...

More

Name: Stephen Leitch
20 December 2022;

Genre: Dystopian

The Notorious Scarlett and Browne, the second instalment of the exploits of Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne, finds them in a more reflective mood, but with danger and adventure as deadly as ever and the stakes even higher! For six months, Scarlett and Albert have been workin...

More

Name: Ashley Clayton
16 December 2022;

Genre: Picture Books

Supertato: Evil Pea and The Beanstalk is a great Christmas treat for all who love Supertato and the Evil Pea. The children always love Supertato stories in our reception class and as they were familiar with the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, this book appealed to them. As a...

More

Name: Maria faithorn
15 December 2022;

Genre: Funny Stories

Ever fancied a rhinoceros as a pet? Well, when this boy bought one from the pet shop he was in for a surprise… it did nothing. He even considered swapping it for a hippopotamus! After seeking advice from an expert, even they agreed they were quite boring; rhinoceroses only pop balloons and pok...

More

Name: Jenny B
14 December 2022;

Genre: Friends and family

Two squirrels who are best friends do everything together - until the first leaf of autumn falls. Hanks does not like winter while Hoog embraces all winter offers. Hanks is sad and cold and lonely. Will these two friends be able to put differences aside and get together? You will have to read...

More

Name: Jenny Caddick
14 December 2022;

Genre: Fairy Tales & Folk Tales

A visit to Nana and Grandad's house for the summer holidays always involves Lana and younger brother Harrison's favourite game - playing in the nearby Hollow Tree . This 'magical' tree is where generations of children before them have loved to play imaginative, carefree and memory-making games...

More

Name: Linda Brown
13 December 2022;

Genre: Funny Stories

Virtually Christmas is set sometime in the future with Christmas fast approaching. However, it's not like the Christmas that we know today. It has been renamed and is now called Winterzone, presents are delivered by drone, Santa is a hologram - and there are hundreds of these...

More

Name: Kyle Matravers
13 December 2022;

Genre: Picture Books

The Christmas Pine is a magical festive story, based on true events, from the much-loved and critically acclaimed author, Julia Donaldson. Revealing and explaining the annual tradition of the UK receiving a Christmas pine from the Mayor of Oslo, the reader is able to ta...

More

Name: Beverley Somerset
13 December 2022;

Genre: Romance & Relationships

Molly Bell hates Christmas. When she was very young, her parents (aka The Brussel Shouts) wrote and released the world's cheesiest Christmas record, Love Your Elf, and Molly, dressed as a cute little elf, delivered the last line. Now 15, Molly dreads anyone finding out about this. If the secre...

More