< Back Cheryl Johnson Charli's Adventure Journal, Destination Victoria, Texas and Beyond Young explorer, Charli, and her adventures in her hometown, Victoria, Texas. Inspired by a famous explorer from the 1800’s named Ida Phieffer; Charlotte (Charli) Beatriz Phieffer writes stories about her travel adventures in her journal. Charli’s dad travels all over the world with his work, and sometimes Charli travels with him. She loves to explore and learn new things about the different places she visits. In this book, Charli explores her hometown, Victoria in Texas, which was founded two hundred years ago and has a fascinating history. In her journal, Charli captures a series of adventures in Victoria and beyond: from camping at Lake Texana, zoo-keeping at Texas Zoo, and the annual, lighted Christmas parade. There are twenty-two adventures in total and each adventure is captured on a double-page spread. Each spread includes Charli’s personal experience of the adventure, lots of fascinating facts and beautiful photography. It includes the location of the adventure, Charli’s favorite and most interesting things, and a special imagination or adventure challenge, where Charli had to learn something new or take part in a new activity. Charli's Adventure Journal, Destination: Victoria, Texas and Beyond, is a wonderful travel adventure book by author Cheryl Johnson. Written as a journal extract, the book combines a story of a fictional character, with a handy travel resource. Charli is a charming, fun, and adventurous character and I particularly liked the whimsical illustrations. Young people will relate to the character and enjoy reading about her adventures. The travel resource provides lots of fascinating facts and insightful information about each place and can be used by readers to help plan their own travel adventure. I didn’t know much about Victoria before I read this book, but I do now! It has inspired me to visit this fascinating and historical town, and I look forward to reading more about Charli’s other adventures too. Overall, an insightful and entertaining book for adventurers and travel enthusiasts of any age. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, insightful and entertaining story, with a charming protagonist and a handy travel guide of Victoria, Texas. Purchase here

< Back Governor Nathan Deal Veto, the Governor's Cat Veto, an ordinary cat, with an extraordinary story. Veto is a cat, but not just any cat! He is the Governor’s cat. Veto was born on a farm and enjoyed playing with all the farmyard animals. One day, Veto and his big brother, Bill, were sent to live at the Governor and First Lady’s mansion, to help protect the mansion’s garden from the chipmunks and birds that were eating the fruits and berries. As Veto and Bill settled into their new home, they explored the grounds and liked to chase away the chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. They make friends with the troopers and a man who worked at the mansion, named Dan. But one day, it is time for the Governor and First Lady to move on, and Veto and Bill move to a new home in the country. The brothers are scared and sad to leave their friends, especially Dan. Veto and Bill have a good life in the country, and meet lots of new friends. But as time passes, Veto soon has to navigate life in the country without his big brother and best friend. He makes new friends, and the Governor and the First Lady become his very special companions. Veto, the Governor's Cat by author, Governor Nathan Deal, is a sweet, charming and heartfelt tale of the Governors cat, Veto. Written from Veto’s perspective, the book follows his journey from his birth on a farm, through to his time living at the Governor’s mansion, through to his later years in the countryside. As Veto moves to different homes, he learns important life lessons, including how to be brave in new situations, how to make new friends, and even how to deal with death. The story captures Veto’s emotions, the confusion of moving home and the sadness of his loss, while also offering moments of warmth and joy as he makes new friends and learns new things. His experiences are similar to human experiences and young children will relate to his journey. The watercolour style illustrations by Cheryl Riner Hodge are beautiful and capture Veto’s life and emotions perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A warm, tender and beautifully illustrated book that gently guides children through big life events. Purchase here

< Back Jodi Dee Energy Wars - The Awakening Myles is an average, almost fourteen year old, student at Whitmore Public School. It’s just an ordinary day at school when Myles notices something unusual. A huge, flaming ball of fire, bursts out of Tommy Milfoil’s mouth towards Sally Munson. Invisible to everyone except Myles, the fireballs fly across the school, like an energy war between the students. Myles notices how the intensity of the fireballs change, depending on the energy of the people. He can see peoples energy fields, and how one person can positively or negatively impact another person’s energy, just by being near them. Myles learns that everything on the planet has an energy field, and for humans, the positive things that make people happy, like friendship or love, can increase a person’s energy field. On the other hand, negative things, like the stress associated with an exam, can put a person’s energy field on high alert. Strangely, Myles is unable to see his Principal’s energy field. When Myles’ father gives him a number of boxes left to him by his late grandmother, he discovers she had a secret life and connections with a number of important, historical figures. As Myles sets out to uncover the truth about the peculiar energy wars, and his grandmother’s secret life, he soon discovers he has a special gift and an important, clandestine mission he must fulfil. Energy Wars - The Awakening, by author Jodi Dee, is a fun, fast-paced, sci-fi, adventure for middle grade readers. The book follows the journey of Myles, as he discovers he has a special gift and unique powers. Myles is a likeable character, with typical teen troubles, that many readers will relate to. The book centres not only on his powers, but also his friendships, as he tries to navigate his new world. With plenty of quantum physics for the most avid sci-fi readers, coupled with a bit of mystery and a lot of action, this story has all the right ingredients to make this a superb middle-grade novel. The book ends on a gripping cliff-hanger, and I hope there isn’t too long to wait for the next instalment! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A gripping and thought-provoking sci-fi novel for middle grade readers, full of action and adventure. Purchase here

Abigale believes there is more to life than the dull, grey world she inhabits, by author Angie Bailey < Back Angie Bailey Believe Thirteen-year-old Abigale Johnson was born into a family of Never-Believers. A family who did not believe in Christmas, or birthdays, or fun, adventure or magic. A family whose life was dull and grey. But Abigale was a little different from the Johnson’s. She had dreams of a better life, and a life a little less grey. So Abigale spent most her time tyring to avoid her family, particularly her brothers who were the meanest of the mean, and teased and taunted Abigale every single day. One day, on a dreaded train trip to visit her despicable and very grey Aunt Violet, Abigale’s life changes for ever. After a knock on the head, Abigale discovers an alternate Fae world of wonder and magic, fae-folk, and Believers. Whizzing along on the Faedora magic train, Abigale meets lots of new friends and discovers Christmas and other wonderful celebrations. At thirteen, Abigale has her first ever birthday party, full of love and laughter. But not everyone on the magical train is happy with Abigale’s arrival, and they plot a sinister spell to extract her from the train during the next pink moon, putting her life in mortal danger. As Abigale’s new friends try to save her from doom, they soon discover Abigale has some important royal connections, and even her despicable Aunt Violet is not quite who she seems. Believe is an imaginative and enchanting novel. Well written by Angie Bailey and full of wonder, mystery and magic, the book has fabulous characters and a magnificent plot. This book will captivate both adults and younger readers. The book is the first part of a series, and we can’t wait to read the next instalment in Abigale’s magical journey. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An enchanting novel, with fabulous characters and a magnificent plot. This book will captivate both adults and younger readers.’ A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

Magic and mystery at a prestigious ballet summer school, from author Colette Sewall < Back Colette Sewall Kiki Macadoo and the Graveyard Ballerinas Twelve-year-old Kiki Macadoo and her sister Alison are excited to spend the summer at Mount Faylinn Conservatory, a prestigious ballet school run by Madame Dupree. Just before the sisters leave home, Kiki notices something very strange about the conservatory brochure and feels a little anxious. Then, when a stranger on the train warns her there could be danger ahead, Kiki wonders whether she made the right decision. Kiki is even more dismayed when she is placed in the bottom class with a group of younger kids, while her talented sister is placed in the top class. Kiki soon settles into camp, but everything changes one day when she stumbles across a secret gate and follows a mysterious boy through the forest. Kiki discovers a magical world of flower fairies, wee folk, and strange creatures. But the fairies are not as friendly as they look, and Kiki is besieged with a series of bad luck, when she fails to follow the forest rules and crosses the path of an elder fairy. As Kiki rebuilds her relationship with the fairies, her luck turns from bad to worse on the night of her sister’s surprise sixteen birthday. Kiki must summon all of her strength and courage to try and rescue her sister from the gruesome graveyard ballerinas, and to save the ballet school from ruin. This is a fantastic, well-written book for middle-grade readers, packed full of drama and suspense. The haunting and captivating front cover will entice readers who love ballet, as well as those who love ghostly adventures and mystery stories. Sewell captures the beauty and joy of ballet, and the bond between two sisters perfectly. Ideal for readers aged eight to twelve. Highly recommended. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fantastic book packed full of drama and suspense, for those who love ballet and mystery stories. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Kristin Nilsen The Scott Fenwick Diaries: A Novel Book blurb... In this laugh-out-loud, feel-good sequel to Worldwide Crush, superfan Millie grows out of her celebrity crush and lands awkwardly in something even more her first ever IRL middle school crush. Is Millie ready to graduate from posters on the wall to a living, breathing boy who sits next to her in Social Studies? By herself, absolutely not. But with a little help from her friends—maybe! Feeling comically unprepared for this next phase of middle school, Millie calls on an adorkable cast of characters for instructions and Shauna, her wise bestie who uses her Magic 8 Ball for advice; her two cranky grandmas, who call cute boys “foxes”; Pringles, her beloved bulldog; and her bunny-loving neighbor, Tibbs, who dedicates herself to getting Millie an invite to the bar mitzvah of her dreams. But when a secret game of Truth or Dare at the bar mitzvah leads to her ultimate fantasy—Millie and Scott swaying together on the dance floor—the moment is ruined in humiliating fashion. And Millie doubts she’ll ever be ready for real-world middle school love after all. Amidst a whirlwind of embarrassing family shenanigans and side-splitting missteps, Millie learns to trust her own instincts, grow up on her own terms, and never, ever sacrifice her friends for a crush. Purchase here

< Back Christy Burbidge Paulie The Piping Plover's Sea Turtle Rescue: A Martha's Vineyard Tale Paulie the Piping Plover lived on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. It was his first migration south to the Gulf of Mexico, and he was going to miss his friends, Liam the lobster, Sarah the sea turtle and Belle the blue fish. But just as Paulie is about to leave, he discovers that Sarah has been cold-stunned and taken to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center on Cape Cod. Worried about their friend, Paulie, Liam and Belle build a raft and ride in the wake of a ferry all the way to Cape Cod. When they arrive at the Rescue Center, they find Sarah is safe and well looked after. The three friends decide to help spread the word about cold-stunned sea turtles and come up with a plan. They face an arduous journey back home, but they are determined to help other sea turtles stranded on the beaches of Cape Cod. Paulie The Piping Plover's Sea Turtle Rescue: A Martha's Vineyard Tale is a charming, illustrated picture book by author Christy Burbidge. When three friends learn that Sarah the sea turtle is missing, they will stop at nothing to find her. With strength and determination, the friends work together to find Sarah. Inspired by the work of the Rescue Center, the friends hatch an innovative plan to help other sea turtles. This is an inspiring and engaging picture book for young readers, with an adorable cast of characters and charming illustrations Mary Jo Helchowski. Perfect for young children who love birds, sea turtles and other sea creatures, as well as for budding explorers and conservationists. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An inspiring and engaging tale, with an adorable cast of characters, charming illustrations, and an important message about friendship and ocean conservation. Purchase here

< Back Linda Oatman High First There Was Bird It’s the first day of the summer vacation and eleven-year-old Magnolia from Murdock, Mississippi, is looking forward to lots of adventures. But first, Magnolia must work in her mother’s beauty salon. Magnolia’s mother would like her to become a beauty pageant queen, but Magnolia does not like the attention and has other ideas. Just as she is about to finish her first shift, she accidently leaves the salon door open and her beloved pet cockatiel, named Third Bird, escapes. Magnolia is distraught as her late father won the bird at a carnival and she promised him that she would take good care of Third Bird, just before he passed away. She meets a boy named Jeremiah, who recently moved to Murdock, and he agrees to help her look for the bird. Magnolia and Jeremiah’s shared grief strengthens their bond, creating a ‘Dead Daddies Club’ of mutual understanding. Magnolia and Jeremiah search the whole town, but Third Bird is nowhere to be found. During their hunt, the pair search the local prison, break into a church, and meet lots of different people on the way. These new friends join Magnolia and Jeremiah on their quest, forming a diverse and supportive community. As the hunt for Third Bird continues, Magnolia has an important decision to make about the next beauty pageant. First There Was Bird by author Linda Oatman High is a tender and heartfelt coming-of-age story about grief, friendship, and community, told through the eyes of a young girl named Magnolia. When Magnolia’s beloved pet escapes, she embarks on a journey that leads her to unexpected friendships, self-discovery, and healing. The story delves into complex themes of loss, racism, forgiveness, and acceptance, in an age-appropriate way for this group. Magnolia’s journey culminates in a poignant moment at her father’s grave, where she finds peace and courage. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A beautifully written, poignant, and touching exploration of grief, and the importance of friendships and community. Purchase here

< Back Lisa Gerlits Rewilding Eleven-year-old Joy Holderman is trying her best to look after her little brother, Ian, after her dad left the family home. Her mom has spiralled into a deep, dark, depression and is unable to care for herself or the children. When the school counselor asks questions about her home life, Joy fears that she will call Child Protective Services. While Joy tries to present some sense of normalcy at school, she is troubled by early childhood memories. She worries that she might hurt her little brother, after comments made by her dad many years ago. One day, Joy and Ian find a baby bird in their garden and decide to take care of it. They name the bird Lady, but when the bird becomes sick they are forced to seek the help of a neighbor, Ezzie. Ezzie helps Joy and Ian look after the bird, on condition that the children help her rewild her garden. Joy and Ian find comfort in nature, and a sense of purpose and belonging. At the same time, Joy develops a new perspective that makes her question the actions of her father. Rewilding is a heartfelt coming of age novel by Lisa Gerlits, about a young girl and her brother, whose lives are turned upside down when their mom and dad separate. Both parents let the children down at the time they need them most. Unfortunately, their experience is not uncommon, and many readers will relate to this story. Lisa Gerlits delicately handles themes of abuse and neglect, while also celebrating the restorative and healing power of nature. Highly recommended for young readers who are experiencing change or seeking comfort. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heartfelt and touching story for young readers, and a reminder that even in difficult times, beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. Purchase here

< Back Nick Vakalopoulos A Blue Jay Is Hungry A Blue Jay Is Hungry is a photography book by author and wildlife photographer, Nick Vakalopoulos, about the magnificent bird, the Blue Jay. Written in rhyme, the book follows a Blue Jay as it goes about its daily business. The Blue Jay is captured in glorious photography, as it searches for food, rests on a branch, and then launches into the air, before swooping down like an arrow to eat a tasty nut. The photographs depict the bird in various moments of flight and action, showcasing the birds beautiful colors and patterns, as well as its anatomy. A Blue Jay Is Hungry is an educational and entertaining book for readers of all ages. Full of interesting facts about the Blue Jay and stunning photography from Vakalopoulos, the book will appeal to readers who are interested in nature and wildlife photography. Each page includes a full color photography of a Blue Jay in its natural habitat, resting in trees and soaring through the air. The book will increase awareness of the magnificent bird and will help to prompt further discussions about wildlife and conservation. Written in a simple and engaging rhyme, this book can be enjoyed by readers both young and old. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful and insightful picture book about the magnificent Blue Jay, accompanied by glorious wildlife photography. Purchase here

< Back Hans Ness Rolo and the Legend of Jack Bones Rolo and the Legend of Jack Bones is the third installment in Hans Ness’s imaginative and witty middle-grade series. The series follows the adventures of Rolo, a human boy raised by a troupe of animals on a future Earth where cats, dogs, and other creatures have been genetically engineered to be intelligent and larger than life. Like its predecessor, Rolo on the Planet of the Cats, this novel delivers a rollicking, heartfelt, and thought-provoking adventure that stands on its own while expanding the series’ rich world. Rolo’s ordinary school field trip takes a wild turn when he’s swept away on the legendary pirate ship, the Jolly Wagger, commandeered by the infamous houndrel Jack Bones and his canine crew. Trapped at sea with pirates who have never met a human before, Rolo befriends Jojo, a teen dog with her own complicated family history. As they journey through the pun-filled Catibbean, Rolo learns the truth behind the houndrels’ exile by the Felion Empire and witnesses the ongoing struggle between cats and dogs. The story weaves together daring escapes, pirate raids, a cuddly kraken named Scuddly, and a looming naval confrontation, all while exploring themes of loyalty, prejudice, and the search for belonging. Ness’s writing sparkles with humor and clever wordplay. The world-building is inventive, blending futuristic technology with classic pirate lore and animal antics. The cast is diverse and memorable, including the gruff but noble Jack Bones, the conflicted Jojo, and a host of quirky pirate dogs. The novel balances fast-paced action with emotional depth, particularly in Jojo’s journey to understand her family and her place in a divided world. Perfect for ages 8–12 and anyone who loves animal adventures, pirate tales, or stories with both humor and heart. The book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series, and is sure to delight fans of Rolo on the Planet of the Cats with its blend of action, laughs, and meaningful messages. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A captivating, clever, and compassionate adventure that will leave readers cheering for its heroes and reflecting on the importance of understanding and unity. Highly recommended. Purchase here

< Back Daniel Collins The Little Candle Book blurb... This children's picture book follows a short candlestick's journey to self-acceptance. The story begins in a candle shop, where the short candle is bought by a man as a holiday gift for his youngest daughter Tonya. Tonya treasures it as her own holiday candle, carrying it with her as a valued possession during the Christmas Holiday. The short candle eventually realizes that his size doesn't matter when it comes to making someone happy. He soon learned that he was a century candle, and that he was made to burn for a hundred years or more. So joyful was he to learn this that he would have jumped for joy had he been gifted with any legs. Through the example of a candle, The Little Candle shows readers why comparing oneself to others isn't worthwhile. Everyone has their own special gifts and talents and it is recognized by others, although it may not be apparent at the moment. Purchase here