Category Archives: Book Review

McTavish Takes the Biscuit by Meg Rosoff

Posted on June 6, 2019 by alibrarylady

McTavish the rescue dog returns in this charming and witty third instalment of life with the Peachey family. McTavish is not just any dog. McTavish is a rescue dog and he has made it his mission to rescue the Peachey … Continue reading →

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The Longest Night of Charlie Noon by Christopher Edge

Posted on June 3, 2019 by alibrarylady

How to review a book as clever as this one without giving away its secrets has given me pause for thought. Perhaps it could be summed up like this…I read this in one sitting, utterly captivated, and as I read … Continue reading →

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Rumblestar by Abi Elphinstone

Posted on May 22, 2019 by alibrarylady

As a child I sometimes used to sneak inside a wardrobe and push gently on the back wondering if I could reach my beloved Narnia. This wonderful, epic adventure by Abi Elphinstone will have a new generation of children trying … Continue reading →

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Not My Fault by Cath Howe

Posted on May 8, 2019 by alibrarylady

Ever since the accident Rose and her sister Maya have not been talking. Maya asked her sister to push her harder on the roundabout and when Rose did there were terrible results. Now Maya blames Rose and treats her unkindly … Continue reading →

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Into the Bin (and out again) by Anne Fine illustrated by Vicky Gausden

Posted on May 6, 2019 by alibrarylady

Former Children’s Laureate and Carnegie Award winning author Anne Fine has written several shorter novels for Barrington Stoke over the years that have been extremely popular in the school library. Her latest offering Into the Bin (and out again) is … Continue reading →

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D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer

Posted on May 1, 2019 by alibrarylady

In this poignant and thought provoking World War 2 story Tom Palmer weaves together diverse voices to commemorate those who lost their lives during the D-Day Landings and sympathetically answers some of the most difficult questions about war itself. This … Continue reading →

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We Won an Island by Charlotte Lo

Posted on April 28, 2019 by alibrarylady

Islands have featured in fiction and in particular in children’s fiction for many years. From Kirrin Island in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series to Stephenson’s Treasure Island, the islands in Kensuke’s Kingdom and Robinson Crusoe and also in picture books, … Continue reading →

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D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer – The inspiration for the story

Posted on April 24, 2019 by alibrarylady

One of my favourite children’s books from 2018 was the wonderful Armistice Runner by Tom Palmer. On 2nd May his latest book, D-Day Dog, is published in time to mark the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. … Continue reading →

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Jasper: Space Dog by Hilary Robinson illustrated by Lewis James

Posted on April 4, 2019 by alibrarylady

Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing this entertaining book weaves fact and fiction together in a package that is designed to be accessible to a broad readership. Jasper would be a valuable addition to … Continue reading →

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The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum

Posted on March 18, 2019 by alibrarylady

This debut set in a dystopian near future is an absorbing story of boundaries tested, forbidden friendships made, propaganda and questioning, and developing the courage to find your own voice and speak the truth. Eleven year old Maggie is a … Continue reading →

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