A plethora of new titles for children have been published over the last month or so. Here is a small selection that I have recently read, enjoyed and would like to recommend.

Me and My Brian by Helen Rutter illustrated by Claudia Petrazzi

No, it is not a spelling mistake. Brian is the name thirteen year old Josh has always given to his brain. Sometimes Brian is his best friend, providing money making ideas, helping him when he takes tests and giving his teachers amusing names. However sometimes Brian’s voice gets too loud, keeping him awake at night, blaming Josh for family problems and increasing Josh’s anxiety. At home family tensions increase and Josh’s Mum and his older brother Charlie argue repeatedly resulting in Charlie moving out to live with his father. Josh is then sent to stay with his Grandma, who he has not seen since he was a baby, whilst his mother attempts to resolve the family situation.

Helen Rutter deals with the subject of mental health in this short novella with empathy, positivity and gentle humour making this a reassuring story for youngsters. Through the depiction of the relationship between Josh and his Grandma she explores ways in which young people can learn to cope with stress and tenderly conveys the support that can be found in intergenerational relationships.

When Josh first arrives at his Grandma’s home in the middle of nowhere initially Brian’s voice becomes louder and more intrusive and Josh begins to feel that he is losing control. However his Grandma, who through her own experience knows how to help her grandson gently and quietly encourages Josh to keep busy helping her with tasks in the home and garden, growing their own food and keeping things going. Slowly Brian’s voice quietens and Josh becomes, calmer and happier and he realises that his Grandma understands him and his problems with Brian well.

This is a wise and hopeful book and although brief in length its impact may be long lasting for children who read it. I would not be at all surprised to see this book feature in Read for Empathy collections in the future. The importance of supporting children and young people with mental health difficulties of any type is now more recognised and this book, another impressive title from Barrington Stoke, would be a valuable addition to all school libraries and classrooms. Published on 12th September.

The Great Phoenix of London by Lindsay Galvin

Lindsay Galvin has a knack for combining well researched historical events with myth in her exciting adventure stories and her latest title for Chicken House displays this skill to good effect.

The Great Fire of London is an event that children know a little about already but this book looks at it from the point of view of an 11 year old boy, Gil, and he is an instantly engaging character.  When the fire breaks out Gil is separated from his family and is looking after a mysterious heaven stone which is in fact an egg of an unhatched bird. There are some who will stop at nothing to get their hands on this special bird, the legendary phoenix. 

The structure of the book is thoughtfully executed. The prologue is set in 1664 with the sight of the famous comet and then the reader joins the family again two years later after the Plague has brought death and loss to them. The story is then divided into sections for each day of the Fire, incorporating maps of the city showing the progress of the fire and quotes from Samuel Pepys’ diary. Pepys appears in the story as does King Charles II and the ineffectual Lord Mayor. There is a believable engagement between the two main characters, Gil and Jennet and a growing friendship with is enjoyable to witness. The chapters are short with some tense cliff-hanger endings making the story super for reading aloud. 

The Great Phoenix of London brings history to life making it about real people not simply dates and events. There are also references that resonate today such as the need to blame someone for the fire and foreigners being attacked or jailed for their own protection. However this story also offers hope for the future and the belief that the city, like the phoenix, will rise from the ashes. Published by Chicken House on 12th September and highly recommended.

Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher illustrated by Dermot Flynn

Set in a bleak landscape in prehistoric Ireland this haunting debut novel told in verse is beautiful, tender and hopeful. Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection ever since they were born under the same solstice sky thirteen years ago. Now Fia’s village is starving after a period of unending winter and when the hunters return empty handed again the villagers turn their attention to Solas and an ancient prophesy requiring the ultimate sacrifice. Fia, terrified for the safety of her beloved snow deer, plots with her grandmother and escapes with the deer and her cousin, Mish to try to find the Deer Mother who may be their only hope.

From the captivating opening pages onwards Eilish Fisher’s narrative transports you to another time and place. Verse novels sometimes convey emotion more eloquently and there is something about the structure of this particular story with its lyrical text that slows the reader down, savouring each moment. I found this a calming read, despite the hardship and the fear that makes up part of the plot. The bond between Fia and the snow deer is at the heart of this story but Fisher also conveys the importance of kindness, loyalty, courage and selflessness. As Fia travels on her quest we learn more about her, her relationship with her cousin Mish and their personal struggles. There is wisdom in Eilish Fisher’s words.

It is not only the text that has a profound effect on the reader as the stunning illustrations by Dermot Flynn work in tandem with the words conveying emotion so beautifully. My proof copy is entirely in black and white but I understand that in the finished hardback colour gradually seeps into the illustrations as the journey unfolds. I can’t wait to see the hardback ‘in the flesh’. This would be a gorgeous book as an individual read but I expect teachers will eagerly lap this one up as it provides such possibilities for discussion. Highly recommended for ages 9+ and published by Puffin on 26th September.

Raz Beri by Matt Stephens

Billy has cerebral palsy and although he had coped with school life while at primary school things are more challenging for him now in secondary school. His classmates are unkind, sometimes cruel, particularly Rio, previously his best friend. Billy does not stand up to the bullies, keeping a low profile but in the evenings as part of his online community he escapes from his tormentors and is able to be his true self, under the pseudonym, Raz Beri. When new girl Mia, also a wheelchair user, joins Billy’s class her attitude is strikingly different. She confronts those that tease her and challenges Billy to develop more independence too.

Mia’s uncle is a famous footballer and when it is announced that he is to visit the school Billy, an ardent football supporter, hopes that he can show his classmates that he is just like them. However things become even worse for him and he learns that some adults can be just as cruel as his teenage bullies.

This is a powerful and at times extremely uncomfortable read. The language used in the context of the story is shocking and includes terms we would hope had long ago disappeared. Billy has taken ownership of one of them by altering ‘raspberry ripple’ the slang term for cripple for his online forum identity moniker. The narrative style of this story told from Billy’s perspective, in both the language used and the attitudes displayed, will encourage young people to discuss the prejudice that people with disabilities have to deal with. Matt Stephens conveys not only the hideous bullying by some but also the well meant but patronising attitude of others. This story is a compelling read and will provide much for both adults and young readers to think about. A poignant and challenging story but also ultimately an uplifting and empowering one. Raz Berry was published by Firefly Press on 29th August and is recommended for a secondary age readership.