Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on February 12, 2022 by alibrarylady

Welcome to the latest round up of what has been happening in the world of children’s books. I hope you find this week’s collection of links and reviews helpful.

What I’m reading…

A new book published by Barrington Stoke always attracts my attention and when it’s written by award wining author Marcus Sedgwick especially so. Wrath, the author’s debut for this publisher is a subtle yet powerful, unsettling and intelligent novel for teens. Sedgwick addresses themes and ideas important to this audience in this compelling mystery.

Two new picture books sharing the theme of time are published this month and I reviewed both Stop the Clock by Pippa Goodhart and Maria Christania and Ready! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs. Both titles are wonderful for sharing with young children at home or in educational settings. I enjoyed both of them.

Turning to non-fiction, I think that the publishers Flying Eye Books produce excellent information books that are perfect for primary school libraries and classrooms. The new revised edition of Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space is an excellent example being both appealing and informative. It is alway good to see publishers who ensure that their books are kept up to date and this new edition helps children to discover more about the universe through the latest research.

Thanks to Nikki Gamble’s latest Audience With I am reading Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe at the moment and enjoying a book that I think I would normally not have selected. Described as “magical realism” I particularly like its mythical quality and the depiction of the inter generational relationships.

News, articles and resources…

BBC Sounds Archive on 4: Wonderlands hosted by Frank Cottrell Boyce – if you missed listening to this live last weekend you have a year to catch up with it via the link above. It’s a fascinating discussion about developments in children’s literature which I enjoyed very much and can highly recommend.

The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition – this competition, run in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, aims to find and encourage writers of the future. Anyone under the age of 19 can enter the competition. Entrants are invited to finish a story begun by last year’s Branford Boase Award winner, author of thrilling fantasy adventure Orphans of the Tide, Struan Murray. Full details and the first paragraph of the story are available via the link.

Fairtrade Fortnight: Fiction, resources and a competition from Tom Palmer – Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from 21st February – 6th March and is an opportunity to encourage children to think about choices made when spending money. Tom Palmer has created some excellent resources linked to his book, Off Side, including a video introduction and the first chapter to download plus teaching ideas. There is also a competition to win six months supply of Delicious Fairtrade chocolate!

Picture books for children – reviews – Imogen Carter reviews the latest picture books for the Guardian. I particularly like the sound of I Am the Subway a new Korean picture book by Kim Hyo-eun (and translator Deborah Smith)

Anna McQuinn – Q&A – Stephen Baird aka ‘The Bearded Bookseller’ interviews Anna McQuinn founder of Alanna Max Publishers and author of the wonderful Lulu and Zeki picture books. I’m delighted to read that there are more books in both these series in the pipeline.

Anxiety & Wellbeing – 60 Books to Support Children’s Mental Health – this week marks Children’s Mental Health Week and the LoveReading4Schools team has put compiled a list of helpful books for different age groups on their website. The article also contains links to several organisations that offer support to children and their families.

Library Lifeline part 3: Developing reading for pleasure in your school – this regular feature on the National Literacy Trust website by Dawn Woods of the School Library Association is well worth following. The latest one features numerous helpful links, ideas and suggestions.

CILIP Partners with Yoto to Unlock New Future for Carnegie Greenaway Awards – CILIP, the charity that manages the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards, this week announced it has agreed a three-year partnership with Yoto, the screen-free audio platform for children. This year’s Awards will be re-named the Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards 2022 with immediate effect, ahead of the longlist announcement on 16 February. There is more information about this partnership on the official website.

LitFest 2022 Mini Children’s Festival – for the first time this year this is a hybrid festival and tickets to watch online are £5. The mini children’s Festival, 11th/12th March, includes Joseph Coehlo, Dom Conlon and Katherine Woodfine.

Waterstones Children’s Book Prize Shortlist 2022 – This year’s selection, chosen by Waterstones booksellers, in three separate categories contains some extremely popular titles. I wonder who will follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Elle McNicoll for A Kind of Spark.

The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards Ceremony 2022 – have you read the books on the LOLLIES shortlist? Even if you haven’t the live award ceremony sounds like fun with special guests Head Judge Michael Rosen, Katie Thistleton and more. On Thursday 17th February at 2pm and suitable for aged 3+. Details and registration via the link.

Children’s Mental Health Week: why reading for pleasure is vital for young minds – an article on the National Literacy Trust website referencing research supporting the importance of books and reading on the wellbeing of children.

Virtual Event for Children with Louie Stowell – Join author and Norse myth super fan Louie Stowell to hear all about her brand-new book Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good. Although half term break differs across the country this sounds like it would be enjoyed either in school or at home. Taking place on Wednesday 23rd February at 10:30am.

“In painful times, books can be the greatest comfort”: Anne Fine on how reading can help children cope with feelings of grief – this is an excellent and wise article for BookTrust by our former Children’s Laureate about the power of books to support young people. I also like very much her suggested books all of which I have found helpful in the past.

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

My Mum Is a Lioness by Swapna Haddow illustrated by Dapo Adeola – another excellent review by Fabia Turner, this time turning her attention to the follow-up to My Dad Is a Grizzly Bear. The detailed look at both the text and illustrations provides teachers, parents and careers with an insightful overview of this “cheerful, warmhearted inclusive story”. It sounds perfect for Reception and KS1.

Big Sky Mountain: The Forest Wolves – Alex Milway – if you are looking for books for newly independent readers to tackle solo this series does sound to be the answer. Rich Simpson’s review provides a taste of this second in the series which he describes as, “sure to engage young readers with its lively action, fun and jokes, and the underlying messages of compassion and caring for each other as well.”

Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll – There has been a real positive buzz about this book online over the last few days. I always find Ben Harris’s reviews helpful and this one is no exception as I know simply from the review that this is a book that should be in school libraries. Ben sums it up with the phrase “With this third novel, McNicoll’s writing continues to astonish.”

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds illustrated by Akhran Girmay – The Carnegie medal winning author’s debut novel, published in the UK for the first time tells a story of family and friendships in an urban poor neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Joy Court’s insightful review for LoveReading4Kids suggests this is must read for young adults.

Books I Should Have Read: Varjak Paw by S.F. Said – in our rush to embrace and promote excellent new books there may be a temptation to neglect ‘old favourites.’ Teacher Tom Slattery has started a new feature on his blog that I will be following with interest. First up is this popular book by S.F. Said and Tom’s review highlights why this is a book shared in classrooms up and down the country.

That’s all for this week. My weekend reading will be finishing Wolf Light and then next up is Jo Clarke’s debut Libby and the Parisian Puzzle which is being published on World Book Day. Next week sees the announcement of the Carnegie and Greenaway long lists and I know that my reading list will be even longer after that! If you are on half term break this week I hope you enjoy a relaxing few days. Happy reading.

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New Children’s Picture Books – It’s About Time!

Posted on February 11, 2022 by alibrarylady

Sometimes by happy coincidence books arrive together that complement each other, sharing similar ideas or themes or characters with comparable personalities. Two picture books published recently caught my eye as they both concentrate on an aspect of life that matters to both adults and children. Time. The lack of it or the speed with which it seems to rush us though life, the difficulties in being on time for things or feeling that time rushes by without us noticing what is important. These everyday but important feelings are dealt with cleverly in the two picture books I review below.

Stop the Clock! by Pippa Goodhart illustrated by Maria Christania

Inspired by the first lockdown in Spring 2020 this thought provoking book encourages us to take our time and notice the details around us. Those little things that in reality are the things we should cherish.

Joe’s day has not got off to the best start. A typical school morning of “hurrying, worrying and scurrying,” it is a scenario familiar to many. Despite Mum’s best efforts Joe is late for school, he’s in such a rush he doesn’t notice his little sister is crying. In the classroom there is not enough time for Joe to finish the picture he is taking such care over. Then Joe stops the clock! Now he can see things more clearly, he notices what is happening around him and by slowing things down Joe appreciates his world more.

Stop the Clock is cleverly created with the text and illustrations working together to convey the story’s important message. At first Joe stands out as a colourful character on the page surrounded by the grey blur of his life. When Joe take control and stops the clock he fades in importance in the pictures as the world around him comes into colourful focus. Each page is full of detail for children to explore and talk about. There are stories within the story. Where are those people on the bus going? There are people moving house, a baby posting a letter, a beggar holding a friendly dog. All of them can be elaborated upon and discussed. Pippa Goodhart invites the reader to look at the clues hidden in the buildings to work out who lives there and the many windows provide tantalising glimpses of life within.

This is a lovely picture book that highlights the importance of those little moments we share with people every day. Special moments shared not only with our families and school friends, but with our neighbours and those in our communities. A kind and thoughtful message for us all.

I should like to thank the publisher for my review copy. Stop the Clock by Pippa Goodhart and Maria Christania was published on 3rd February by Tiny Owl Publishing and can be purchased online at Bookshop.

Ready! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs

Marjoke Henrichs’ debut, No! Said Rabbit was shortlisted for the BookTrust Storytime Prize and her follow up, Ready! Said Rabbit is another picture book that is a joy to share. Humour and drama are used to convey the concept of time to young readers. The readily identifiable situation ensures that both adults and young children will enjoy this light hearted look at family life.

Dad and little Rabbit are getting ready for an afternoon trip to the park. This is not a straight forward process. Rabbit wants to take rather a lot of things with him; different toys to play with for every possibility are gathered together and he finally decides he is ready. Dad does not agree as Rabbit is not dressed suitably. This made me smile in recognition and when Rabbit tries again he takes several attempts to get it right. So the preparations continue; the right toy, the right snacks, the right outfit, it all takes time. Finally ready they are about to leave when…the phone rings, Dad has lost his keys and so the cycle continues. Will father and son ever get to the park?

There is a happy ending thank goodness but I know both adults and children will empathise with our characters’ woes. This would be a lovely picture book to prompt talk about patience and understanding in addition to learning how to get ready on time with concentration and care. It is a lovely celebration of a father and child relationship too. The bright and cheerful illustrations contain lots of familiar items to chat about and this would be a great book to share both at home and in Early Years settings.

I should like to thank the publisher for my review copy. Ready! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs is published this month by Scallywag Press and is available to purchase online at Bookshop.

Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.”

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Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick

Posted on February 9, 2022 by alibrarylady

Award winning author Marcus Sedgwick’s YA debut for publishers Barrington Stoke is a layered, unsettling and intense novella that will capture teen readers’ attention. Wrath is a story that drew me in and compelled me to read to the end without stopping. A mystery set during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic this has a currency that adds to its impact.

Cover artwork by Paul Blow

Cassie Cotton is different from Fitz’s other friends. She is a bit unusual, the more unkind describe her as crazy but she intrigues Fitz. When Cassie disappears after being teased and bullied at school Fitz is determined to find her but he really has no idea where to start looking and he fears that he is running out of time.

Fitz is the story’s narrator and his voice draws you in to his personal world and within pages the reader is accompanying him in his attempts to locate Cassie. Then the story gradually expands in scale and scope. It is cleverly executed as through switching time lines we learn of the events that preceded Cassie’s disappearance. She can hear a noise that no one else can hear. A sound, a low ‘hum’, that tells her that the Earth is in distress and damaged as a result of climate change. It is this belief that leads to her being made fun of by others at their school. The story and the writing is both powerful and subtle as the plot builds up gradually as more background is hinted at and subsequently revealed.

Marcus Sedgwick addresses issues that concern teens today in a way that will promote discussion and considered thought about our connections with each other and our world. He explores teen relationships, dysfunctional families, the climate crisis and the effect of the pandemic and the lockdowns on young people. The themes are important and relevant and Sedgwick’s treatment of them is both accessible and riveting. It is such a cliché to say ‘I couldn’t put it down’ but this time it’s true.

I should like to thank Barrington Stoke for my proof copy. The book is edited to a reading age of 9 and is suitable for dyslexic readers due to both its editing and presentation, however the content, including language, is for teens. Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick is published on 3rd March and is available to pre-order/purchase online at Bookshop. If this story appeals you may also like to try one of Anthony McGowan’s books for Barrington Stoke, The Truth of Things.

Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on February 5, 2022 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look back at what has been happening in the world of children’s books.

What I’m reading…

Circus Maximus: Race to the Death by Annelise Gray was one of my favourite reads last year so I was delighted to take part in the blog tour marking the launch of the sequel, Rivals on the Track this week. I loved being reunited with Dido, she is such a compelling character, and enjoyed the story very much. It’s a wonderful balance of high drama and thoughtful moments and I know this will be on my favourites list for 2022. You can read my review and Annelise’s fascinating thoughts on research and writing historical fiction, here.

This week marked the Lunar New Year and we are now in the Year of the Tiger prompting many to share favourite ‘tiger books’ online. A new information book for children published this week by Faber, The Big Book of Festivals, included this celebration plus many other cultural and religious festivals. I think it would be a helpful book for primary school libraries and classrooms as it is great for both browsing for pleasure and learning.

A couple of happy picture books arrived in the post this week. First, The Whales on the Bus by Katrina Charman and Nick Sharratt published by Bloomsbury, recent winner of the BookTrust Storytime Prize. This is a delight and every adult in my family approved of this one although I realise that we are not the target audience! Perfect for sharing with little ones you can get a taste of it in this lovely video with Katrina and Nick. Secondly, Clementine’s Walk by Annie White from New Frontier Publishing a charming rhyming story about a puppy determined that someone, anyone, will take her for a walk. Another gem for sharing at story time with younger children. There are some teacher notes available here that may be of interest.

A lovely article in the Guardian celebrating the joy of reading, writing and libraries made me smile this week. Eight year old Dillon now has a long waiting list for his self published story, “by Dillon His Self”, in his local library.

News, articles and resources…

BBC Radio4 Wonderlands hosted by Frank Cottrell Boyce – this evening, Saturday 5th February at 8pm Frank Cottrell-Boyce explores how and why books for children have become central to our reading culture. With contributions from Cressida Cowell, Phillip Pullman, Robert Macfarlane, Jacqueline Wilson, Onjali Rauf, Patrice Laurence, Dapo Adeola, Aimée Felone, Barry Cunningham, Andy Miller, Professor Karen Coats and David Fickling. A must listen for all children’s book enthusiasts I think!

The Reader Teacher: January 2022 Monthly Must Reads – Scott Evans has selected his favourite books published in January and every single one sounds like a book I would enjoy. There is a free poster of the titles to download too.

January’s World Kid Lit web round-up – this is an excellent source of information about books in translation, international awards and news. Well worth saving to investigate the numerous links included. The website includes resources and book lists too.

The Reader Teacher: February 2022 Children’s Books I’m Most Excited About Coming Soon Video – Scott Evans turns his attention to the children’s books being published this month. There are lots of tempting titles included.

The Refugee Experience – Authentic Representation and Inclusion in Children’s Books with A.M. Dassu – Hays Education, in collaboration with partners All Around Reading, are hosting a free online Author-led event for educators which will take place on Monday 7th February 2022 from 430-6pm. Full details via the link.

Books for Topics Booklist: Awesome Planet Earth – a new book list created by the Books for Topics team and one that is perfect for curious readers. You can take a trip around the globe to explore the Earth’s wonders with this selection of recommended children’s books.

National Storytelling Week: What Makes a Good Classroom Read-Aloud? – to mark National Storytelling Week Alison Leach, founder of Books for Topics, has written a helpful article for Peters Books about selecting stories that have the right ingredients to make a great read-aloud in the classroom.

Words and Pictures: James Mayhew – Representation LGBTQ+ Community – To mark LGBT+ History Month, Words & Pictures Editor, Gulfem Wormald, talks to Author and Illustrator James Mayhew about how he represents this community in children’s books and what it was like for him to grow up hiding his true self.

The Reading Agency’s February Booklist for Children and Young People – LGBT+ History Month – Discover The Reading Agency’s February booklist for children and young people celebrating the voices and stories of the LGBT+ community. With titles for a broad range of ages focusing on families, romance, grief, identity and self-love. The list is free to download.

Mr Dilly Meets – Christopher Edge & Jenny McLachlan – Free Love Books, Love Reading, Love Libraries Special for SCHOOLS on Tue, 8 February 11:00 – 12:00. Live streamed on YouTube and available to watch afterwards following registration via the link.

The Children’s Book Show: Michael Rosen Live Performance on Thursday 3rd March – if you are puzzling about how to celebrate World Book Day this online event sounds perfect. Suitable for all KS2 age 7-11, an inspiring hour of poetry broadcast live into your classroom with the legendary poet and author Michael Rosen at 1.30pm on 3rd March. Full details and registration, (£10 per log-in) via the link above.

Love My Books February Newsletter – This a great regular newsletter from Love My Books and well worth signing up to. Lots of brilliant ideas for getting the most out of wonderful children’s books at home or in school. This month’s focus book is Banana! by Ed Vere.

Annelise Gray: Reading Zone Teen Author of the Month – an interesting interview with the author of Rivals on the Track (see my review above) and links to excellent teaching resources for both this book and the first book in the series, Race to the Death.

ReadingZone Bookclub – free author events – a great programme of free virtual author events this term including Gill Lewis and Sam Sedgman. Events are suitable for ages 5-11 and are recorded for you to watch afterwards.

Ones to Watch: New Children’s Fiction for Spring 2022 – another helpful resource from the team of reviewers at Books for Topics. We are rather spoilt for choice by this selection of books published between now and April.

Nikki Gamble’s Book Blast for February – an excellent way of keeping up with new children’s books, Nikki shares some of her recommendations and there is the chance to win the great books too. Free to register via the link. Please note the change of date to Monday 7th February at 8pm.

BookTrust New children’s books we love for February – BookTrust’s selection for this month divided into age groups from babies up to teens.

Greenaway Greats – To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Artsmark, CILIP has teamed up with Arts Council England and Peters Books to create a special selection of Kate Greenaway titles, ‘Greenaway Greats’, to offer young people a fantastic reading opportunity featuring outstanding illustration. The Greenaway Greats Reading Scheme will launch on World Book Day with the reveal of the 20 titles, 10 for primary and 10 for secondary and accompanying resources. This sounds wonderful and I’m already trying to guess which titles have made the top 20! Full details and how to register available via the link.

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

Joyful January Reads: Picture Books – this is a great round up by Rachel on her Picture Book Perfect blog including Yes You Can, Cow by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Rikin Parekh and Winter Sleep by Sean Taylor, Alex Morss and Cinyee Chiu both of which I’ve added to my wish list.

I am Not a Prince! by Rachael Davis illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher – following Rachael’s reviews above it is appropriate to share this excellent review by Fabia Turner of her debut picture book with illustrator Beatrix Hatcher. Fabia describes this as, “A modern take on traditional fairytale roles, this refreshingly non-conformist, joyful read is a must for young children today.”

What’s New Harper Drew? – by Kathy Weeks, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff – in my experience as a school librarian stories told in a diary format have high reader appeal. This new book should therefore be popular, particularly as Rich Simpson describes it as “perfect for fans of ‘Wimpy Kid’, ‘Dork Diaries’, Tom Gates and similar.” You can find out more in his review.

Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List by Jenny Pearson – “humour gilds a poignant heart.” Isn’t this just a perfect description by Ben Harris of what makes books by Jenny Pearson so popular. This blogpost includes a piece by Jenny describing the inspiration for her latest book and a lovely review by Ben too.

Aftershocks by Anne Fine – a new novel by our former Children’s Laureate and twice winner of the Carnegie Medal is always going to be worth a look but this positive review by Veronica Price has completely sold it to me. Veronica sums it up with the description, “There is much wisdom packed into this dramatic work of fiction which could open up discussion, and I highly recommend it to all secondary school librarians and Year 6 classroom libraries…”

That’s all for this week and I do hope that you have found something of interest among the links included here. A reminder that next week, February 7th – 13th is Children’s Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is Growing Together. The official website has more information and resources.

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The Big Book of Festivals by Joan-Maree Hargreaves and Marita Bullock Illustrated by Liz Rowland

Posted on February 4, 2022 by alibrarylady

The Big Book of Festivals is crammed with information and facts celebrating the diversity of the world’s celebrations and the importance of them to our sense of community. A joyful look at the way people mark special occasions expressed in an accessible text and colourful illustrations detailing the symbols and motifs associated with the different occasions.

This book would be an excellent introduction to the cultural and religious festivals of the world and a valuable addition to school library and classroom bookshelves. Presented in alphabetical order and providing full descriptions of each festival, its history and where and when it takes place The Big Book of Festivals is wonderful for both browsing and structured learning. The accompanying illustrations and their captions highlight particular aspects of the festivals and make each double page spread appealing to linger over. There are thoughtful touches such as individual named children introduced at the start of the book for the reader to lookout for as they read. The endpapers deserve a mention too as they depict a map of the world showing people in different countries enjoying the festivals described.

The various festivals include Diwali, the Indian festival of light, the Spanish tomato-throwing festival La Tomatina, Christmas, Hanukkah, the Belgian Festival of Giants, the Lunar New Year and Gelede the West African tribute to mothers. There are sections covering seasonal festivals too such as Thanksgiving and Groundhog Day and regional festivals including the Irish Puck Fair. The range is interesting and informative providing a look at the global nature of festivals and highlighting the shared aspect of joy and celebration.

The Big Book of Festivals was published on 1st February by Faber and Faber and I would like to thank the publisher for my review copy. You can purchase a copy of the book online at Bookshop.

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Circus Maximus: Rivals on the Track by Annelise Gray Blog Tour

Posted on February 3, 2022 by alibrarylady
Cover artwork by Stephen McNally

Dido is back, and so is the breathtaking action of the first instalment, Race to the Death. However this enjoyable and stirring adventure is really about family, the bonds that bring individuals together in a shared endeavour not only to survive but also to win and maybe to forgive and to love too.

Dido is the only girl ever to have raced to victory at the Circus Maximus in Ancient Rome. Chariot racing was big business and hugely popular but also a matter of life and death. In this sequel set in AD 38 we watch as Dido, now in hiding from the Emperor Caligula and with a price on her head, takes on new challenges and displays both courage and determination but loyalty and understanding too.

Within a few pages I was immersed in the vivid world created by Annelise Gray and once more willing Dido on in her battles to follow her dreams. She is a fabulous character, likeable but determined, strong but kind, and utterly compelling. The carefully plotted storyline, full of thrills, danger and secrets, engages the reader completely and the mix of real people and historical facts with the excitement and drama gives Rivals on the Track an authenticity that encourages you to feel part of the events as they unfold. The horses, particularly Porcellus and newcomer Jewel, are an important part of the story too of course and horse loving readers will lap this up. The relationships between the characters are developed further in this second story and the growing maturity of Dido and the family dynamics provide moments of thoughtful tenderness balancing the excitement well. This, I think, ensures a wide audience appeal. There are new friendships forged, old rivalries resurface and running through all of this is one family trying to overcome past hurts and bitterness. It is always the mark of a successful story when the reader does not want to say ‘goodbye’ to these new friends as you turn the last page. I’m very much hoping it’s ‘see you again soon’ instead.


The fascinating characters are at the heart of this story’s appeal, especially the wonderful Dido, but what makes this book work so well is the historical detail that brings the characters and their surroundings to life in such stunning fashion. Therefore I am especially delighted to welcome Annelise Gray to the blog today to tell us a little about her meticulous research for the Circus Maximus series and to provide her advice on writing a historical novel.

Why I love historical research and 3 tips for writing a historical novel by Annelise Gray

I am never happier than when in a library. The smell of books, the sound-muffling carpet underfoot, the bleeping sound as the librarian checks out volumes under a scanner – all make me feel incredibly contented. I wander around the stacks, clutching a scrap of paper scribbled with shelf marks and return to my desk, laden with the next batch of volumes to be pored over and mined for glimpses of gold.

When I was in my twenties, I worked as a professional researcher for hire. After finishing my doctorate in Classics in 2004, I had little idea of what to do next. I knew that I wasn’t cut out for academia and although I’d really enjoyed my experience of teaching in a local school over the previousthree years, I felt that I needed to try something different to see if that was a path I’d want to come back to. So I handed in my notice at the school in the hope that by taking a leap of faith, I might land somewhere. It was an uncharacteristicallyrisky thing for me to do, but it paid off. A couple of weeks later, I received an email from my college Director of Studies, Mary Beard, asking if I’d be interested in meeting the historian Bettany Hughes, who was looking for a research assistant to help her in the writing of her first book, a biography of Helen of Troy.

You couldn’t have designed a job I’d have jumped at with more enthusiasm. Research was always the bit of academic life I liked best. I met Bettany, signed up for the mission and for the next eighteen months, I was the Della Street to her Perry Mason, heading off in dogged pursuit of whatever information she wanted me to track down. It was a brilliant experience and afterwards I went on to more freelance research jobs, including two stints on drama seriesabout ancient Rome at BBC Specialist Factual and even a week’s work putting together material on the history of labradors for Ben Fogle. 

Since I was a child, my real dream was to be a writer. Working for Bettany not only gave me a valuable insight into the business of writing and publishing a book, it taught me a lot about the kind of research that really works to bring a story alive, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. Bettany was absolutely passionate about wanting to delve into the sort ofdetail that would give her readers a sense of the sights, tastes, smells and even the soundscape of Bronze Age Greece. I found those lessons invaluable when I was writing my first historical novel for children, Circus Maximus: Race to the Death and its sequel Rivals on the Track. Characters are the thing that make you care about any story. But to invest fully in their fate, it helps if you can feel like you’re there beside them. Good and thoughtful historical research is what makes that possible.

Below are my 3 tips for writing a historical novel:

 1. Respect the history….

I have an image in my head that guides me. Known facts (such as the dates when a historical figure lived or died) are footprints on a sandy shore. I am careful to plot a path that doesn’t disturb them. Similarly, I wouldn’t invent anything which feels historically inauthentic. I research enough to make sure I am as familiar as I can be with the historical setting and period detail of my story – the clothes, the customs, the physical landscape and so on. Often key ideas and plotlines for the storywill emerge from that.

 2. ….but don’t be a slave to the history.

You have to accept that you will probably never know as much about your period as an academic who had studied it for twenty years. It’s also important to remember that history isn’t a fixed and immutable thing. Often the joy of writing a historical novel can be about imagining yourself into the perspective of characters to whom history hasn’t given a voice. In the Circus Maximus series, I’ve written about a girl – Dido – who becomes a charioteer, a character for whom there is no known historical precedent. And that makes you actually ask different and interesting questions about the world in which she lives – what does it look like from the perspective of a rebellious, horse-mad, 12-year-old girl?

 3. Know when to stop researching and start writing. 

It’s very easy – especially if you love research as much as I do – to go on researching for ever. But it can become a form of procrastination, an excuse not to get on with writing. You have to understand the world you want to write about enough for you to start. But you also need to remember that your reader is going to turn the page not because they are enthralled by the accuracy of yourresearch but because they want to know what happens to your character. While I’m writing the Circus Maximus books, I try not to stop just because I’m not certain what characters might be eating, for example. I keep a running list of research queries and I go back and check them at the end of the first draft.

Which takes me back to the library…my happy place.

Thank you, Annelise for this enlightening look at how to bring history to life for young readers. The library is my happy place too! I would like to thank Annelise for taking the time to write this and also Fritha Lindqvist for her help in preparing this post and Zephyr Books for my review copy of Rivals on the Track. If you have missed out on the blog tour so far please take a look, each post has been fascinating and they continue for a few days yet. Full details are given below.

Circus Maximus: Rivals on the Track is published by Zephyr Books today, 3rd February, and is available to purchase at your local bookshop on online at bookshop.org

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on January 29, 2022 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. It’s been a busy week with some big announcements from both Empathy Lab and the Branford Boase Award and there are more online events for you to enjoy. I hope that this collection of links is useful to you.

What I’m reading…

Unfortunately life is still rather getting in the way of reading time but I have managed a little bit more than last week. I finished reading The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Sophie Blackall and found it different from her other books that I have read but just as wise. It is a fable that celebrates the power of words and stories, and of love. I will be reading it again and would definitely recommend it, it is a lovely book.

This week I have been reading Circus Maximus: Rivals on the Track by Annelise Grey, the sequel to her debut for children, Race to the Death and I was delighted to see Race to the Death among the titles on the Branford Boase long list, announced this week. I’m thoroughly enjoying the sequel which is equally exciting and am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour coinciding with publication next week. Full details below.

News, articles and resources…

Read for Empathy Collections 2022 Announced – the 2022 Read for Empathy collection features 60 books for 4-16 year-olds, each chosen to empower an empathy-educated generation. The primary collection features 35 books for 4-11 year olds; the secondary collection has 25 books for 12-16 year olds. There are guides to download for each age group. The excellent website is worth exploring to find out more about this year’s Empathy Day and to discover more about the books themselves.

Q&A with Empathy Lab Founder Miranda McKearney – the Federation of Children’s Book Groups ask Miranda McKearney about the importance of the Empathy Lab collections and how they can make a difference to children today.

2022 Branford Boase Award Longlist Announced – This year a record number of books were submitted: 69 in total and from 30 publishers. Find out more about the titles that made the long list for this important award celebrating new talent and the important role of editors via the link.

Open University Reading for Pleasure: Developing Reading for Pleasure: Engaging Young Readers – a free online CPD course launched Friday 28th January. Discover the knowledge & strategies you need to support children’s reading engagement in this free badged online course. More details and registration via the link.

The Whales on the Bus picked by families as this year’s BookTrust Storytime Prize winner – BookTrust has recognised the best new book for sharing with babies and young children – as voted for by the librarians and families who took part in their ambitious new national library experience: BookTrust Storytime. Find out more about the winning book, the other shortlisted books and the new library initiative via the link.

Nikki Gamble’s Book Blast for January – if you have not already signed up for these regular updates from Nikki you can catch up on this month’s selection on YouTube via the link above. Its a great way of keeping up to date with children’s books.

ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2022 – ReadingZone, in partnership with World Book Day, is challenging children and young people aged four to 18 years to make their own picture book for World Book Day. Judging their entries will be author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre. The competition will close on Friday 22nd April 2022, and the winners will be announced in June. Full details of how to get involved via the link.

The Federation of Children’s Books Groups Asks Tom Palmer – there are regular interviews with children’s authors and illustrators on this blog and this one is lovely. Any interview that includes, “I think 2020 and 2021 have been hard. I want things to be less hard for everyone.” is worth a read.

Cosmic Schools Talk with Frank Cottrell Boyce – “Wouldn’t it be great if…” award winning children’s author Frank Cottrell Boyce invited children to ask questions about his brilliant book Cosmic and then answered them on a free to watch video on YouTube, said hello to the children and read aloud from the book too. Well, that’s exactly what he’s done and it is great and you can watch it via the link above.

Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom with Jo Cummins – Join Scholastic’s free CPD workshop with Jo Cummins on 9th February 2022 at 3.45pm to find out how you can use graphic novels in the classroom. Discover how this versatile and exciting format can break down the barriers to challenging texts and subjects, while deepening children’s comprehension and vocabulary skills.

Kate DiCamillo: “The World Is Full of Wonders” | The Newbery at 100 – I make no apology for including another interview with one of my favourite authors. This one is to mark the anniversary of the Newbery Medal, the current winner was announced this week (see below) so it felt appropriate.

“The Last Cuentista” Wins 2022 Newbery Medal; “Watercress” Earns Caldecott; “Firekeeper’s Daughter” Takes the Printz – these prestigious US awards celebrating children’s books for all ages showcase the diversity available.

January No Shelf Control Newsletter – reviews of new books, one you may have missed, books to make you laugh and a Q&A with Sam Copeland. Great for sharing in schools and with parents and free to download thanks to Dean Boddington.

Ones to Watch: New Children’s Fiction for Spring 2022 – the Books for Topics team have selected their ten top recommendations for readers aged 8-12 to watch out for from January to April 2022. Some tempting titles here.

Introduction to CLPE School Membership FREE Webinar – Free webinar for Primary School teachers and Subject Leaders – planning a successful English curriculum with CLPE’s School Membership on 24th February, 2022 – 4.00 pm to 5:30 pm This event will be hosted via Zoom and there is a maximum of 2 places per school.

Interview With Author Laura Henry-Allain – Fabia Turner interviews Laura Henry-Allain MBE, author of the new children’s picture book My Skin, Your Skin, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu and published by Ladybird last October. This in-depth interview on Fabia’s Candid Cocoa blog provides educators with an insight in to the inspiration for this book and a link to related resources to use in KS1.

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels – another fabulous selection of children’s books for all ages reviewed by Imogen Russell Williams. Always a reliable source of information and a reviewer I rely on. Thank you, Imogen.

An Evening With Anne Fine – there are still places available at this event, co-hosted by David Fickling Books, Old Barn Books and Nikki Gamble, to mark the publication of Shades of Scarlet and Aftershocks. It takes place on Tuesday 1st February at 7.00pm and promises to be a treat.

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

Group Hug by Jean Reidy illustrated by Joey Chou – I have a soft spot for this appealing picture book which could, almost, make me want to hug a slug and this lovely review in Books for Keeps conveys its spirit extremely well. “Brilliantly executed and full of the repetition and colour that appeals to the young.”

Leonora Bolt: Secret Inventor by Lucy Brandt illustrated by Gladys Jose – a LoveReading4Kids debut of the month this STEM themed adventure is suitable for younger readers and should be useful in school and class libraries. Expert reviewer Andrea Reece says, “Lots of fun, this is one to recommend to readers who like their adventures wild, wacky and full of invention(s).”

Agent Moose by Mo O’Hara illustrated by Jess Bradley – this graphic novel chapter book sounds great fun and Jo Cummins hosts a Q&A with author, Mo O’Hara to find out more about the inspiration behind Agent Moose and the process behind writing a graphic novel.

My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas – The Elephant was one of my reading highlights of 2021, an absolute gem of a book, so this review by Emma Kuyateh caught my eye. My Brother Ben is published in April and does sound like another emotional read. Emma says, “Carnavas harnesses the therapeutic power of animals and nature to heal his characters and help young readers navigate challenging issues.” Definitely one I will be watching out for.

That’s everything for this week. I hope that you have found something of interest or are now tempted by one of the books mentioned. Happy reading!

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Longlist for the 2022 Branford Boase Award Announced

Posted on January 26, 2022 by alibrarylady

The longlist for the 2022 Branford Boase Award was announced today. The award was set up in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, one of the founders of Walker Books, and is given annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children. It has an impressive record in picking out the most talented authors at the start of their career. Past winners and shortlisted authors have included Siobhan Dowd, Meg Rosoff, Mal Peet, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Patrick Ness as well as Frances Hardinge, M G Leonard and Philip Reeve.

Uniquely, the Branford Boase Award also honours the editor of the winning title and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new talent.

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare says, ‘We are thrilled to announce record numbers of entries for the 2022 Branford Boase Award and excited that our longlist reflects the current dynamic state of publishing for children in the UK.’ It is also encouraging to note that several independent publishers are included in the longlist.

Personally, I am delighted to see some of my own favourites from the last few months included. The Book of Stolen Dreams by David Farr, edited by Rebecca Hill (Usborne) is an epic fantasy adventure that is exhilarating, exciting and compelling but also, ultimately, moving. A book with cinematic appeal. Coincidentally I am at the moment reading the sequel to Circus Maximus Race to the Death by Annalise Gray, edited by Fiona Kennedy (Zephyr) so am particularly interested to see this historical novel included. Hugely enjoyable, full of breathtaking action the story hurtles the reader into a different historical world featuring, in Dido, a character who today’s young readers will relate to and root for. The sequel is excellent too! The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant, edited by Natalie Doherty (Puffin) is set in an alternative Georgian London is an imaginative, magical adventure with underlying themes of co-operation, reconciliation and trust. It has a fresh writing style too, I think. And lastly a book that moved me when I first read it last January, The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr, edited by Zöe Griffiths (Bloomsbury). A beautifully told, tender story of two young brothers, a mystery, and a community that holds secrets of its own this book captivated me from the opening scenes to its satisfying conclusion.

There are many more among the longlist, selected from the 69 titles nominated, that I am now tempted to try and my wish list gets ever longer. Here is the list in full:

The 2022 Branford Boase Award longlist in full:

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-ÍyÍmídé, edited by Becky Walker (Usborne)

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen, edited by Carmen McCullough and Tricia Lin (Penguin)

Rapids by Anna Bowles, edited by Elaine Bousfield (Zuntold)

Love is for Losers by Wibke Bruegemann, edited by Rachel Petty (Macmillan)

Freddy vs School by Neill Cameron, edited by Anthony Hinton (David Fickling Books)

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths by Maisie Chan, edited by Georgia Murray (Piccadilly Press)

The Girl Who … by Andreina Cordani, edited by Olivia Hutchings (Atom)

Me, My Dad, and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean, edited by Lucy Rogers (Simon and Schuster)

The Upper World by Femi Fadugba, edited by Emma Jones, Stephanie Stein & Asmaa Isse (Penguin)

The Book of Stolen Dreams by David Farr, edited by Rebecca Hill (Usborne)

29 Locks by Nicola Garrard, edited by Joan Deitch (Hope Road)

Maggie Blue and the Dark World by Anna Goodall, edited by Bella Pearson (Guppy Books)

Circus Maximus Race to the Death by Annalise Gray, edited by Fiona Kennedy (Zephyr)

Emmy Levels Up by Helen Harvey edited by Clare Whitson (OUP)

The Amazing Edie Eckhart by Rosie Jones, edited by Polly Lyall Grant (Hodder Children’s Books), illus by Natalie Smillie

The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant, edited by Natalie Doherty (Puffin)

Grow by Luke Palmer, edited by Penny Thomas (Firefly Press)

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr, edited by Zöe Griffiths (Bloomsbury)

The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy by Richard Pickard, edited by Kesia Lupo (Chicken House)

Digger and Me by Ros Roberts, edited by Ella Whiddett (Little Tiger)

The Boy who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter, edited by Lauren Fortune (Scholastic)

Grimwood by Nadia Shireen, edited by Ali Dougal (Simon and Schuster)

Something I Said by Ben Bailey Smith, edited by Ellen Holgate (Bloomsbury)

The Ice Whisperers by Helenka Stachera, edited by Emma Jones (Puffin)

The Lightning Catcher by Clare Weze, edited by Lucy Mackay-Sim (Bloomsbury)

This year the judges are Struan Murray, author and winner of the 2021 Branford Boase Award; critic Imogen Russell Williams; Farrah Serroukh, Research and Development Director CLPE; and Sonia Thompson, Head Teacher at St Matthew’s C.E. Primary School, Birmingham. The judging panel will be chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children’s director of the Hay Festival.

The Branford Boase Award is sponsored by Walker Books. The shortlist for the Award will be announced on Thursday 28 April 2022. The winner will be announced on 14 July 2022 at an award ceremony in London. For more information about the award, its history and the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, the annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the award please visit the official website.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on January 22, 2022 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. I would like to highlight the latest issue of Books for Keeps which is a reliable and broad ranging source of information on children’s books and always an interesting read. Next week sees the announcement of the new Read for Empathy collection and you can learn a little more about the importance of these books in the video I’ve shared in the links below.

What I’m reading…

Last week I mentioned The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros and I have now published my review of this insightful and deeply affecting novel. This is a YA crossover title that I would highly recommend for adult readers and one that would work well for book club discussion. I can well understand why the original Welsh edition of this book has won awards. Definitely a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it.

Unfortunately my to read mountain remains exactly as high as it was last week as personal circumstances have prevented any reading this week. I’m hoping things will improve in the coming days and I have some wonderful books to look forward to reading. The Beatrice Prophecy is sitting by my bed so that’s first and Rivals on The Track by Annelise Gray is a book I’ve been looking forward to reading for ages so I have fingers crossed that I will have time to savour that too. Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick is waiting in the wings for when time allows.

Although I haven’t been able to read this week listening has proved to be a comfort instead and I can recommend this lovely episode of Word of Mouth with Michael Rosen and Dr Kathryn Mannix. It is full of thoughtful, kind, wise advice on how to listen well and how telling our stories helps us. It gave me a lot to think about.

Articles, news and resources…

Books for Keeps Latest Issue – I always look forward to this online publication packed full of interest for children’s book lovers. Beyond the Secret Garden investigates abridgements made when books are revised for younger readers and The Must Reads of 2022 include Phil Earle’s follow up to When the Sky Falls and the long awaited Tyger by SF Said.

Empowering & Inclusive Books for your Kids: Online event – in addition to the Life Changing Libraries event that I shared in last week’s Reading Matters Herne Hill Kids Lit Festival are also hosting this online discussion with an expert panel: Jeffrey Boakye, A.M.Dassu, Steve Antony, Alexandra Strick and Zoey Dixon. It takes place on Friday 4th February 7.00pm – 9.00pm. More details and registration via the link.

A good book ushers in the winter of wellbeing in public libraries – public libraries are joining Wales’ Winter of Wellbeing initiative by launching a campaign to promote the proven difference reading can make to young people’s lives and the power of public libraries to support them. You can find out more about this in this article on the Welsh Libraries website link above.

Sign up for the National Reading Champions Quiz 2022 – The NRCQ, provides an opportunity for students aged 10 – 14 to enjoy a book quiz with their peers and compete with other schools in their region. The heats will run online throughout March with the winning teams from 20 regions going forward to a star-studded, national final on 25 May in London where one team will be crowned National Reading Champions 2022. Full details and how to register via the link.

Exploring Language, Leadership, Love, and More: Teaching Ideas for The Beatryce Prophecy – if you attended Nikki Gamble’s recent Audience With Kate DiCamillo I think you may find this of interest as it contains many different suggestions for using this book in the classroom. If you didn’t the article may tempt you to read the book!

CLPE Book Launch with Scholastic for Lisa Thompson and Helen Rutter – a free online event to celebrate the release of Lisa Thompson and Helen Rutter’s new novels ‘The Rollercoaster Boy’ and ‘The Boy Whose Wishes Came True’ on 26th January, 2022 – 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Carnegie and Greenaway Shadowing 2022 – a reminder that if you would like to join this year’s Shadowing Scheme the long lists are announced in March and it would be a shame to miss out. Registration for the publicity packs closes on 4th February.

Portable Magic Dispenser, Vol. 4 Issue 5 – if you are a school librarian and haven’t already signed up to Lucas Maxwell’s regular newsletter I would definitely recommend it. This issue includes reading for pleasure ideas, online learning and podcasts for sixth formers.

Focus on phonics to teach reading is ‘failing children’, says landmark study – Guardian article commenting on the recently published research into the teaching of reading. You may be interested in the full report which can be accessed here.

CLPE named London Book Fair Charity of the Year 2022 – Each year, The London Book Fair launch their Charity of the Year initiative, inviting book, reading and literary-related non-profit organisations to apply. The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education has been recognised for the excellent work this charity does for all aspects of children’s literacy.

Reading for Pleasure: Supporting Secondary School Students – article by children’s author and former teacher Lucy Strange for the Open University Reading for Pleasure website providing tips and advice. She also highlights the work done by publishers Barrington Stoke in this area. Hurrah for Barrington Stoke!

CILIP School Libraries Group: Why Should I Develop My Skills – article by Barbara Band for SLG Connect containing helpful advice for school librarians. Barbara highlights the CPD opportunities available for school librarians and the reasons why maintaining and improving knowledge and understanding of developments is important both for the librarians and the schools they serve.

Coming soon! The Read for Empathy Collection – the new book collection for this year’s Empathy Day launches on 26 January 2022. Watch the expert judges reflect on the selection process and why this collection feels so important right now in the video available via the link above.

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

The Boy Whose Wishes Came True by Helen Rutter – the title suggests magic and fairy tale to me but as I read Andrew Rough’s thoughtful review I realised that this book is about important things such as trust, empathy, hope and confidence. Thank you Andrew, I want to read this now and I think others will do too.

The Famous Five Graphic Novels: Five on a Treasure Island and Five Go Adventuring Again by Béja and Nataēl – this sounds like a wonderful way to bring these classic adventures to a whole new audience. The first two in the series are published next month and you can find out more in Matt Wilson’s enthusiastic review.

Viking Boy: The Real Story by Tony Bradman – A non-fiction guide to the Viking world, told by the hero of Tony Bradman’s bestselling novel Viking Boy. Nicki Cleveland says “This would make a fantastic read for pleasure for anyone who loves finding out about different cultures in history, with the gruesome bits left in, and would be a perfect addition to any Key Stage 2 Vikings topic box.”

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love – I had missed this book published last year but it is now one I would like to read thanks to Paul Watson’s cracking review. Paul describes it as “a belter of a book” so you may want to find out more and read his review too.

That’s everything for this week and I do hope that something here will be helpful to you. Happy reading!

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The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros

Posted on January 19, 2022 by alibrarylady

Eloquent and insightful, the English adaptation of the award winning Welsh novel The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros is a memorable read. As I turned the last page of this deeply affecting story I wanted to go back to the beginning and start again.

Set in the year 2026 this post nuclear apocalypse novel is told in a dual narrative by fourteen year old Dylan and his mother Rowenna. Together with Dylan’s baby sister, Mona, they are surviving alone in the isolated village of Nebo in north-west Wales. Six years previously their lives were changed irrevocably by The End, when the electricity went off for good following a catastrophe during a nuclear war. Mother and son record their thoughts, both of life before and their struggles for survival, in a notebook they find which Dylan names The Blue Book of Nebo. Rowenna and Dylan share a close and loving relationship but through their journal entries the reader learns both the secrets they keep from each other and their fears, hopes and hidden emotions.

It is fascinating to watch how both mother and son develop. Dylan matures, becoming capable, taking on responsibility and protective of both his mum and his baby sister. There is initially a lack of worldly understanding due to his situation and his young age when everything changed and yet through his experiences he discovers a sense of self, fitting in well to this new life and it is in some ways a coming of age for this young man. Dylan has few memories of before The End and it is through Rowenna’s writing that we learn of the panic and the breakdown of normal society. Rowenna was a quiet and reserved young woman and possibly overlooked previously. Her shyness and insecurities were a barrier and limited her in some ways. Now she is a “warrior” preserving what matters most to her. The resilience and determination she displays are impressive and I was moved by her attitude and her admirable fortitude.

This story is at times raw and heartbreaking and at others tender and hopeful. Although Rowenna and Dylan face loss, privation and hardship, this is balanced with a shared love and understanding. Some aspects of their experience resonate with the reader even more due to the book’s timely nature as we face the ongoing effects of the Covid pandemic. Key to the story is an exploration of our understanding of what matters most. There are many layers to this story and to the ideas and themes it conveys. It portrays the importance of our shared humanity and the balance between what we actually need and what we want or indeed expect from life. When everything is stripped away and survival is highlighted people may discover previously unknown strengths. Both Rowenna and Dylan display resilience and an appreciation of the natural world and their place in it.

The importance of books, faith, spirituality and the value of preserving the Welsh language run through the heart of this profoundly affecting story and I now want to learn more about some of the Welsh books mentioned. This fascinating interview with the author has helped me and you may find it of interest too.

Manon Steffan Ros had created a remarkable story which encourages thought, discussion and further reading. Although a novella aimed at the YA audience this is an excellent read for adults of all ages; great for book clubs I think. Published by Firefly Press on 6th January and highly recommended. Thank you very much to the publishers for my proof copy.

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