Tag Archives: Families

The Children of Wolf Rock by Natasha Farrant

Posted on July 2, 2026 by alibrarylady

High in the mountains of western Scotland, there is a loch, and on its shores there is a castle, and in that castle there is a school… A scene setting opening followed by an inviting almost conspiratorial narrative seductively draws … Continue reading →

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Advice From A 12-Year-Old Nobody by Helen Rutter illustrated by Julia Christians

Posted on January 26, 2026 by alibrarylady

Children’s Mental Health Week takes place every February. It was started in 2015 to give a voice to all children and young people and to raise awareness of children and young people’s mental health. This year it runs from 9th … Continue reading →

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Super Readable New Books for Children from Barrington Stoke

Posted on May 8, 2024 by alibrarylady

The team at Barrington Stoke have been busy and there has been a flurry of new titles published recently or due out this month. Here is a selection suitable for an age range from 5 to teens including humour for … Continue reading →

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Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick

Posted on April 17, 2023 by alibrarylady

In the knowledge of the untimely death of Marcus Sedgwick late last year Ravencave, his last novel, takes on an even greater significance and poignancy. This unsettling, compelling and beautifully written story of family discord, loss, grief and ghosts is … Continue reading →

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Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women – A retelling by Laura Wood

Posted on April 12, 2023 by alibrarylady

As a lover of the classic story of Little Women for as long as I can remember I approached this retelling published by Barrington Stoke with a degree of caution. However in Laura Wood’s capable hands this story of four … Continue reading →

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What The World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon

Posted on March 8, 2023 by alibrarylady

“I don’t ever remember seeing someone like Jake in a book or on TV – it’s as though people with learning disabilities don’t exist in public. The sadness of that overwhelms me. Jake’s been blanked out of life.” Page 165 … Continue reading →

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The Rescue of Ravenwood by Natasha Farrant

Posted on March 1, 2023 by alibrarylady

“We have to fight for the precious places, don’t we?” Bea says. “It might not change the world for everyone, but it’s a start isn’t it?” To which the major replies, “It is a start. It is a very good … Continue reading →

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Read Between the Lies by Malcolm Duffy

Posted on May 20, 2022 by alibrarylady

Read Between the Lies is a story of family drama, secrets, lies and finding the courage to deal with life’s more difficult experiences. It also has at its core a valuable message. Malcolm Duffy’s latest novel for teens shines a … Continue reading →

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Pick of the Picture Books – March

Posted on March 25, 2022 by alibrarylady

There are only thirty two pages in a picture book. Not much space to say a great deal you might think. This month two new picture books arrived on my shelves that say a great deal through both their words … Continue reading →

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The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Posted on March 11, 2022 by alibrarylady

The Secret Sunshine Project is a fitting title for a book that fizzes with positivity. Benjamin Dean’s second middle grade novel is a gentle and understanding look at a family learning to live with loss. A story of kindness, courage … Continue reading →

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