Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Sue Wilsher
17 May 2024;

Genre: Environment & Nature

The latest in the excellent 'Explodapedia' series, Rewild: Can Nature heal Our World? is a very engaging and accessible read. Guided by cartoons of chatty and cheeky fungi, the book carefully explains the idea behind rewilding as well as why is it so important in a humorous an...

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Name: Jenny Caddick
17 May 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

"Until a monster swallowed her PE kit, Bitsy's evening had been going to plan." A fantastical, imaginative adventure awaits when the reader is swept into a world of magicore beasts, created by emotions held within our memories. A long-ago meteorite named farthingstone left its magical imprint...

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Name: Jacqueline Harris
17 May 2024;

Genre: Magical Realism

Ember Spark is an ordinary girl who is always ready for an adventure to start. One day an adventure does start, and Ember is flung into an adventure more wild and wonderful than anything her favourite comic book heroine, Gutsy Wonder, could have imagined. Ember finds out that she is an apprent...

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Name: Beverley Somerset
17 May 2024;

Genre: Science Fiction

Coll is a member of the Wolf crew. His home is a giant mechanical Construct of a wolf, which fights other animal shaped Constructs for territory. There is no friendship between crews, only fierce rivalry. Coll's life changes dramatically when, during a battle with another Construct, he is thro...

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Name: Samantha Hughes
17 May 2024;

Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels

Agent Harrier: This Book Will Self-Destruct is a read alone book rather than a read-aloud, due to its stylish graphic novel format. The story is short and accessible, making it a good option for those children who are beginning to become more confident readers and who are look...

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Name: Jenny Caddick
16 May 2024;

Genre: Science Fiction

Epic, sweeping, cinematic action adventure from debut author Patrick Gallagher. Transcendent is a fast-paced , clever and contemporary story that spans cultures, continents and even takes its story out of this world into the mysteries of Space. Kira and Jacob Flynn are...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
15 May 2024;

Genre: Representation & Inclusion

All are Welcome is a delightful picture book which declares to all children that they have a place and are valued in their school. The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud and children will quickly pick up on, and join in with, the repeated refrain of 'All are welcome her...

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Name: Eileen Armstrong
14 May 2024;

Genre: Suspense & Thrillers

Not Like Other Girls is not quite like other YA thrillers. It skilfully combines a complex, tense and twisty mystery with a fake-dating romance while asking important questions about toxic friendship, assault and rape culture in a way which would be an achievement for...

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Name: Abbie Barnes
14 May 2024;

Genre: Family & Home

We really enjoyed this book! The story is told from the little boy's perspective, so the illustrations are also drawn to match and show what the world looks like in his shoes. Up High is a really lovely story about a boy who feels small in such a big world - but then starts to...

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Name: Amanda Shipton
13 May 2024;

Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels

Bad United: Just For Kicks, Lousie Forshaw's newest creation, is packed full of silliness and fun, making it a page-turner for early readers. The carefully planned illustrations ensure that the story is easy to follow with enough text to ensure that the reader can fully apprec...

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