The Elixir by Lindsay Gavin illustrated by Kristina Kister

A thrilling mix of history, sorcery and invention, Lindsay Galvin’s first novella for Barrington Stoke is a wonderful example of the blend of fact and fiction that this author does so well. Featuring a young Isaac Newton, the fear of the plague and the persecution of those accused of witchcraft there are familiar historical references but Lindsay Galvin uses these as a catalyst for an adventure that will keep young readers gripped.

Ann Storer works with her elder brother and sister in her family’s apothecary while her parents are away. Unbeknown to others Ann has inherited her grandmother’s mysterious gift of healing and uses this to dispense special tinctures in the apothecary. The arrival of the youthful genius Isaac Newton who is to lodge in the room above the shop disturbs the family’s usual arrangements and also gives Ann the opportunity to combine her own skills with his. Together the pair secretly create a special elixir with unlimited powers which they hope to keep safe. However the arrival in town of a witchfinder throws their plans into disarray and when the plague descends on those she cares for Ann risks everything to try to help.

With a strong protagonist, a fast moving plot and the magical elements this will have a wide audience appeal. The illustrations by Kristina Kister fit the time period and tone of the story well and I particularly like the one of Ann picking herbs in the moonlight. The stunning cover has great shelf appeal too. Expertly edited and produced by Barrington Stoke to be accessible to those with a reading age of 8 this is suitable for the 9+ reader and may well tempt them to try one of Lindsay Galvin’s longer historical novels in the future.

The Amulet of Hath by Vashti Hardy illustrated by Rebecca Sheerin

Vashti Hardy’s has a knack of packing a big adventure into a small book and The Amulet of Faith, the second in the Relic Hunters series has a real feel of a blockbuster told in just over 100 pages. In this second instalment we join the Greystone family as they race to find the lost gold of ancient Hath and do battle with an old foe.

Mabel Greystone and her brother Will are delighted when they get the opportunity to join their Aunt Lucy, a famous and intrepid relic hunter, on a quest to uncover the location of Hath and its hidden store of gold. When the long lost amulet which holds the secret to the location is stolen by their enemy, Bryan Cogsworth, the children are determined to foil his plans and help their Aunt to crack the code by solving the tricky clues. This steampunk fantasy contains the familiar elements that make Vashti Hardy’s books so popular with children and robot camels are a neat touch as our heroes make their way across the desert. There are dirty tricks from Cosgrove to complicate things further and and the resourceful Mabel never gives up and no doubt young readers will be willing her on in her efforts. Alongside the cliff hangers, drama and thrills there is a wise message about that the real ‘treasure’ in life being people, particularly family.

Rebecca Sheerin’s illustrations capture and convey the drama and the imaginary world well and this appealing package is perfect for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Cold Turkey by Simon James Green illustrated by Tosin Akinkunmi

I thoroughly enjoyed the humour in Simon James Green’s first book for Barrington Stoke, the teen romance, The Big Ask and although the focus of Cold Turkey is friendship and forgiveness this sense of fun is evident again. There is lots of snappy dialogue, witty banter and moments of hilarity in this jolly caper.

Feeling betrayed by his best friend’s behaviour over a girl, Kit is furious with his long standing friend Hamza and has decided that he wants nothing more to do with him. However, when 80 year old Mrs Mason asks both boys to do a favour for her they are thrown together despite Kit’s decision. Adding further complications to this situation is the task they have been set; the boys are to deliver a cooked turkey to Mrs Mason’s friend on the other side of London before it gets cold and they have been offered a lot of money to do so. From the first moment when the precious cargo is packed into a tartan shopping trolley this is laugh out loud funny but also with a kind observation of the importance of loyalty, friendship and forgiveness.

The boys are really up against the odds as they race against the clock to complete their mission encountering the police, the bomb squad and a scary street gang en route. The story is concluded in a really thoughtful way and I found the ending really satisfying and think the book’s intended audience will do to. This is marketed at the 11+ age group and is most suitable for secondary school libraries and being edited to a reading age of 7 makes it extremely useful for those who may believe that reading is not for them.

I should like to thank Poppy McLean and Barrington Stoke for providing my review copies. Seeing Red by Eve Ainsworth illustrated by Luna Valentine was also published by Barrington Stoke this month and you can read my review of this thoughtful story of a football loving young carer in my New Fiction for Children round up.