Format: Chapter book

The Not-So Great Escape

Chapter book

12 year old Hedley likes life to be safe and predictable, especially as his own changed completely after the car crash a year ago.

As part of his therapy, he attends Bridlebank Activities Centre every weekend, where the thuggish Aiden takes delight in tormenting him. Things get worse when their support worker, Nic, insists that they both start a weekend job at Farmer Bert’s Petting Zoo. However, Aiden steals the farmer’s prize alpaca, Duke, hiding it at the activity centre, and convinces Hedley to embark on a quest to take Duke to a release site so that he can live free in the wild.

As you’d expect, disasters ensue, including wrecking a petrol station store, accidentally assisting in a robbery, causing a football match to be abandoned, and – of course – all their exploits going viral. With the latter, it will be an interesting lesson for readers to see how much the true course of events in the story differs from the online reports.

There are themes of family, friendship, grief, courage and stepping outside your comfort zone. This is writing at its best, with genuine laugh-out-loud moments (especially in the police station and the football stadium) and a well-crafted and emotional ending – a totally unforeseen one for me! I would highly recommend this for any fans of Jenny Pearson or anyone who enjoys fast-paced comedic adventures.

Magpie Girl

Rowan Foxwood

Chapter book

When she was eight, Lavender Wild went missing in the woods for months. Although her memories are hazy, she knows she was rescued and looked after by Mother Nest – a deity who can transform between an old woman and a giant magpie.

Back home, Lavender has become a Magpie Girl with the ability to find lost things and communicate with birds, whilst also growing feathers – which she hides or plucks out. She still longs for adventure, but her father keeps her close, terrified of another disappearance.

When the father of her childhood best friend, Kit Noble, vanishes during his annual quest to offer tribute to a deity, Lavender is desperate to be involved in the rescue attempt. She runs away and joins Kit on his mission, but they are thwarted by earthquakes, daemons and the presence of the powerful wish-granting Firebird from his mountaintop prison. Lavender realises that Kit’s family history is deeply entwined with local legends and deities and that there is far more at stake than just using her magpie senses to find Lord Noble.

This fabulous adventure gives a little nod at the beginning to Rowan’s previous book, Heartseer, although this is a standalone story. The characters are well-formed and the changes in their relationships are carefully constructed, with a thread running through the story regarding discussing problems and painful memories instead of ignoring them. I loved all the different deities and the author notes at the end, which explained the mythological basis for their characters: my favourite has to be the Nightmare with the ability to take others to visit sleepers in their dreams and affect their future.

I have thoroughly enjoyed both of the author’s books and would recommend her to fans of Sophie Anderson and those who enjoy myths and folklore

Avalanche

Simon Fox

Chapter book

Avalanche by Simon Fox is an exciting children’s adventure novel that combines danger, teamwork, and the power of quick thinking. The story is set around a boy called Tom, who is hoping to spend the holidays with his mum in a luxury ski chalet. Unfortunately, his mum is working, protecting an eminent scientist from those wishing to steal his research at any cost. Tom starts the novel lonely and bored, dropped into ski school and ignored by those around him. This dramatically changes when villains come to call, endangering those at the chalet and triggering an enormous avalanche, cutting off the chalet from any help.

This is a great adventure book which would appeal to those who enjoy the Alex Rider or Bear Grylls mission survival series. The mixture of action and survival against the elements will hook in those children who like adventure or spy novels. It’s relatively short, fast-paced and quite an easy read, so would appeal to more reluctant readers.

Avalanche is an engaging and thrilling read that will appeal to children who enjoy adventure and survival stories. Simon Fox successfully balances excitement with meaningful lessons, making the book both exciting and educational. It is a great choice for readers looking for a short but memorable adventure!

My Family the Enemy

Karen McCombie

Chapter book

My Family the Enemy is set in London during World War I. Fred Müller’s life is turned upside down when the police take his dad away and imprison him in Alexandra Palace, along with other men of German heritage. Suddenly, Fred finds that he and his family are the enemy just because of where they originate from.

This is a fascinating story which offers a perspective that is rarely seen in children’s books. The book’s themes of bullying, prejudice and patriotic hysteria are still relevant today and the story is certainly one that will develop empathy in its readers. Fred is bullied at school by pupils and teachers because of his German heritage, and his once-popular family bakery loses much of its custom and is deliberately targeted in racist attacks. There are parallels between the lives of German-born UK residents and the experience of Jews in Nazi Germany: deliberate vandalism of shops, loss of livelihoods and the stereotyping and discrimination.

The hysteria among the British public is also powerfully portrayed, as rumours spread and people start scaremongering. I liked the historical sweep of the story; the book moves between time periods and generations within the one family. Although the book deals with sadness and loss, it is – ultimately – hopeful. The family is resilient and pulls together. Friends provide support too. Fred survives and goes on to have a family of his own and their future is a freer one with greater opportunities.

Where the Dragon Waits

Tom Moorhouse

Chapter book

This book describes the adventure Ed and Steff undertake after Ed is involved in a boat accident. Ed was out sailing with his Dad when their boat crashed into another boat. When Ed wakes up he has no idea where he is or where his Dad has gone. He meets a girl called Steff near the wreckage and they have no choice to explore the strange world they have ended up in. They have to avoid the strangely scary butterflies, gain the acceptance of a huge metal pangolin and avoid being eaten by a pack of wolves.

The adventure would be suitable for older children in years 6 or above. The entire adventure is actually taking place in Ed’s imagination while he is in a coma, and the book makes references to this throughout.

There are lots of moments where the main characters have to show courage and work as a team to overcome different obstacles.

Murder at Christmas

Fleur Hitchcock

Chapter book

Murder at Christmas is a gripping festive cosy crime novel that perfectly blends Christmas fun with suspense and intrigue.

After a long term at school, Grace arrives in Bath excited to spend Christmas with her mum and younger brother, Billy. Her hopes of a joyful holiday are quickly shattered when a shocking murder takes place at their hotel. Soon after, Grace’s mum mysteriously disappears.

With Billy relying on her, Grace teams up with two new friends, Olive and Doug. Streetwise, clever, and resourceful, they help Grace piece together what really happened and why her mum left the hotel. As the four friends investigate, they uncover secrets that suggest not everyone staying at the hotel is who they claim to be.

The story is full of twists and turns, keeping the tension high and the pages turning. The hotel setting adds to the atmosphere, making every character a potential suspect. Alongside the mystery, the strong friendships between the children bring warmth and heart to the story, balancing the darker elements of the plot.

Exciting, atmospheric, and a clever plot, Murder at Christmas is the perfect read for fans of cosy crime. It captures the magic of the festive season while delivering a thrilling mystery that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.

Ice Dancer

Alex Cotter

Chapter book

A gripping adventure, with the power of friendship at its heart, Ice Dancer is the thrilling new story from Alex Cotter, author of The House on the Edge, WH Smith Travel Book of the Month

Angry and frustrated at having to stay with her miserable aunt in Sheffield, Dina is determined to pursue her lifelong passion for skating – even if it has to be in secret. But being a stranger in an unfamiliar city, far from the remote countryside of her home, is hard to handle. Shy and lacking in confidence, Dina must overcome her misgivings and find a way to be accepted.

Desperate to escape the oppressive atmosphere of her aunt’s house, and feeling the weight of responsibility for her younger brothers, Dina makes her way to the Ice Arena. There, captivated by the skills of the young skaters she sees, she is filled with the overwhelming desire to compete. But it’s only when all the odds are against her, that she finds the courage to follow her dream.

However, dreams can unravel, and when the family’s past starts to catch up with Dina, a chance encounter at the ice rink sets off a series of events that lead to an unexpected discovery.

Perfect for fans of Emma Caroll and Fleur Hitchcock

What Are We Fighting For?: Poems About War

Brian Moses & Roger Stevens

Chapter book

What Are We Fighting For? is a poetry collection that explores the concept of war in a brilliantly accessible way for younger readers.

Fascinating and moving in equal measure, there are poems about incredibly brave dogs, cats and pigeons; the Christmas truce of WWI when soldiers played football in No Man’s Land; poems about rationing and what it was like to be an evacuee, poems about modern warfare and the reality of war today; plus lots of amazing true historical facts.

This cross-curricular poetry book is a brilliant way to get young readers thinking about both the historical and philosophical aspects of war.

Beastopia

Chrissie Sains & Jenny Taylor

Chapter book

Beastopia is fabulously fun to read from start to finish.

Unfortunately, in Digby’s family, there is a curse where their family pets always disappear on their tenth birthday. It follows the main character Digby and his excitable best friend, Tai, and his sister, Mog, on a mission to find his lost pet mouse, Cheddar. What follows is lots of fun, humour and mild danger.

The book follows the journey of the characters to become apprentice guardians of Beastopia- a haven for magical creatures. Along the way, they take part in challenges with a little bit of danger and mystery and find out about Cheddar and the ‘lost’ family pets. It ends on a cliffhanger that makes the reader immediately want to read the sequel. The book has fun illustrations dotted throughout, which add to the experience of reading.

Mog has diabetes, which is mentioned briefly in the story and can be seen during illustrations, adding to the inclusivity of the story. A great story as a read-aloud story or for independent readers 7+.

Robin

Sarah Ann Juckes

Chapter book

Eddie is the best big brother: he is supportive, understanding and patient. He needs to be these things for his whole family as his little sister Scarlett is poorly. She has been poorly for a long time and now needs a new heart. Eddie is dropped off at Uncle John’s house, which is at the edge of the forest, and has to pretend that everything is ok. His uncle takes him into the forest and introduces him to the great trees. Eddie starts to spend more time in the forest and finds himself befriending a little robin and a girl called Mari. She is fierce, dressed in odd clothes and fuzzy around the edges – almost ghostly. They start to hunt a monster, but soon realise the monster is closer than Eddie thought. Robin, is a story of courage and the importance of finding your voice even if it feels wrong. The main character starts to become bolder as he explores his wintery landscape and finally finds his voice to make sure that he is heard and not forgotten. The story is very powerful and explores themes of illness within a family and the effect it has. It shares an important message through great imagery which is then coupled with the beautiful illustrations, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and its message. It was the perfect time of year to read it too.