The first in a brand new series for newly confident readers, the welcome return of an old favourite, a ghostly train ride back in time and how to overcome the difficulties of being a young carer feature in this look at some newly published fiction for primary age readers.

Ava Spark: Hello, I’m Here! by Alex Field illustrated by Joanna Bartel

Ava Spark: Hello, I’m Here! is the first in a brand new series highlighting the importance of communication and featuring a ten year old girl who uses a communication aid. Inspired by Alex Field’s own family experience this kind story follows Ava as she experiences home and school life, making new friendships and learns to work as part of a team.

When the deputy head at Ava’s school announces that a new girl from Australia will be joining her class and that Ava will be her ‘buddy’ and help her to settle in Ava is both surprised and pleased. She rises to the challenge and alongside her friends Miya and Jack and twin sister Flo they set to work to make Liv feel at home. Their plans include a sports day featuring Australia v England races complete with appropriate regalia including a mascot and flags. This gentle story features scenarios that the target readership of 7+ will find familiar and the plot incorporates the importance of inclusion and empathy. The forging of friendships and the different ways of communicating are portrayed with positivity through the conversations between the characters in a natural way. The jolly cover and the illustrations throughout are appealing and break up the text for children with less reading stamina.

Published by New Frontier Publishing on 15th May. The publishers have created some teaching notes to use alongside the book which can be downloaded here. Thank you to the publishers and Hannah Bright for my review copy.

Valley of the Vikings by Liz Kessler

It is over twenty years since I since first stocked The Tail of Emily Windsnap in the school library and as further books in the series followed the popularity of these stories grew among the pupils. Frequently borrowed, reserved and talked about I remember them as must buy each time a new book was published. Liz Kessler has marked this twenty year success by writing a new stand alone adventure, Valley of the Vikings staring Emily, the young girl who is half mermaid half human so bringing this magical character to a new generation of readers.

When Emily discover a bangle with a mysterious, blue crystal she opens a long buried secret relating to the crystal and to the long ago battle between Neptune and Thor. With her friends Shona and Aaron Emily discovers the truth about the jewel and the fate of the Viking lost so long ago when their longship sank as a result of Neptune and Thor’s need for power. Now the three friends must race against time to avert the looming disaster the world faces and persuade the warring gods to make peace and put aside their greed.

Emily is a great lead character, brave and strong but with an endearing warmth and loyalty to her friends and family. This magical fantasy conveys some important messages concerning the state of our world today but does so without being didactic or detracting from the adventure itself. The young characters have much in common with the book’s potential audience sharing a concern for the world’s resources, social justice and peace among previously warring factions. The blend of mythical gods, Viking history and environmental issues blends well in this exciting adventure with its satisfying ending. Valley of the Vikings does work perfectly well as a stand alone however I think Emily’s new fans will be keen to read the rest of the series once they have met her and shared this adventure. (Published by Zephyr Books on 8th May) I should like to thank the publishers and Laura Smythe for my review copy.

The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

Somehow I have missed out on Emily Randall-Jones’ Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition winning debut The Witchstone Ghosts but having now read this follow up novel I realise that I must add that to my wish list. The blurb reminded me so much of the type of fiction I loved as a child that I shuffled The Scream of the Whistle up my reading pile and this was a good decision. This is a wonderful blend of spooky thriller, time travelling adventure, local folklore and contemporary family drama with moments of chilling suspense but winding up with a satisfying and touching finale.

Ruby is fed up. Her parents have just told her and her elder brother that they are separating and Ruby is to stay with her mum and brother in her grandma’s run down village. She is naively determined to put into an action a plan to try to bring her parents back together so sets off in the middle of the night to go back to the former family home before her dad leaves. As she follows an old, disused railway line she hears a whistle in the dark. An old steam train appears with a guard who welcomes Ruby aboard as though he is expecting her. It’s May Day Eve when the supernatural world is thought to be the closest and as Ruby embarks on a never to be forgotten train ride she has no idea of the impact it will have on her.

Emily Randall-Jones builds up the tension well in this time travelling, ghostly mystery. Readers will no doubt be trying to work out what is happening alongside the characters and the gradual dawning realisation of the truth is brilliantly conveyed. Ruby is a likable protagonist and the family relationships and the growing friendship with her fellow passenger Elfie have a realistic tone to them. This is a thoroughly enjoyable tale with a traditional feel and will probably appeal to a wide audience, particularly fans of Lucy Strange’s books and Emma Carroll’s Frost Hollow Hall and Strange Star. Published by Chicken House on 5th June, thank you to the publishers and Laura Smythe for my review copy.

Seeing Red by Eve Ainsworth illustrated by Luna Valentine

Author Eve Ainsworth has worked for many years in a pastoral and safeguarding role in schools and uses this experience to shine a light on the difficulties faced by young people who are acting as carers at home. Whilst highlighting the difficulties Ainsworth also conveys how the right support at the right time can make all the difference.

Featuring familiar characters from the previous books in the series this stand alone title contains similar themes of friendship and football. Following the break down of her parents’ marriage and the departure of her dad Amelia’s mum is struggling to cope with depression. Amelia therefore is trying to care for her mum and balance the needs of maintaining normality at school and in her beloved football team. But Amelia is finding that things are getting on top of her. Food is running out, there is no-one to support her with her homework, and the regular routines are neglected. Football was always Amelia’s form of escape but now it is just one more stress piled on top of many others.

Her coach, one of her teachers and several of Amelia’s friends try to help but Amelia finds it hard to admit that she can’t cope and lashes out in anger. Things escalate quickly and Amelia really needs proper support before she alienates everyone. Written from Amelia’s point of view this story effectively conveys the mounting pressure the young girl is under and the reader is quickly aware of how much she needs help. Thankfully this book also does an excellent job of promoting positive messages about kindness, empathy and teamwork and also includes in the pages after the end of story helpful tips and useful organisations to contact for support. Told with sensitivity and understanding Amelia’s story may well help others in a similar position and is an satisfying read too. Published on 5th June by Barrington Stoke for 9+ edited to a reading age of 8. Thank you to Poppy McLean for my review copy.