#YA Fantasy Review: Blood of Gods & Girls by K. L. Kaine

Cover art by Kiuyan Ran, hardback edition published by Penguin Random House, 2 July 2026,
ISBN: 978-0241707739

Blood of Gods & Girls is an epic young adult fantasy with magnificent world building and resourceful, resilient and bold protagonists. I was gripped throughout, from the first page description of five-year-old girls herded like sheep in pens as they awaited the selection of a new Mortal Goddess, to the final thrilling denouement.

On opening the book, the reader is instantly thrown into the melée of The Royal Square on the island of Khas Kura, as teenage Nisha tries every trick she knows to prevent five-year-old Ratna from joining the other little girls awaiting selection by the Immortal King. The fast-paced action, during which, details of the kingdom and its lore are gradually revealed, remains constant during the book. Nisha’s voice which narrates the story, combines a snarky sarcasm with a determination to defy the expectations of the patriarchal society into which she has been born. This is a land where females are owned by their father or husband, and all have to wear a bronze torc around their necks, inscribed with the name of their ‘Master’. A military force named the Garidan ensure that the king’s decrees are adhered to, and every town has a Pit, into which the women are thrown and left to die, if any man makes an accusation against them. We learn that the king’s immortality was granted by the Goddess Shantavi, who fell in love with him hundreds of years previously, and since her disappearance her spirit must be embodied in a constant sequence of Mortal Goddesses to ensure the prosperity of the king and his subjects. However, Nisha knows from personal experience that the people are being lied to, and when she is found by a golden eagle warrior, Garuda, and transported to a sanctuary for women in the distant mountains, she finds allies who will help her try to defeat the Immortal King.

I think that author, K.L. Kaine, has created a brilliantly imagined world, populated it with a cast of interesting characters and magical creatures, and built a history which is sadly all too believable in the light of current world events. The quest to find a magical artefact, the confrontations with opposing forces, and the emerging first romance are all likely to compel teen and young adult readers, I would recommend this story to readers of 14/15+. I liked that the feminist theme was careful to depict male characters who did not accept the norms of their society, as well as the way that power can slowly corrupt and that societies ruled by corruption need alliances of brave individuals to fight back against injustice. I certainly recommend Blood of Gods & Girls to young adult readers who enjoy fantasy fiction both for sheer enjoyment and perhaps as a portal through which the real world can be viewed and made sense of.

Disclaimer: I am very grateful to publicist Liz Scott and Penguin Books for providing me with the beautiful hardback edition of Blood of Gods & Girls. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#AudioBook Review: Murder at Hotel Marvelo by Ruth Lauren, narrated by David Thorpe

Screenshot of audiobook cover from Borrowbox app, published by Bonnier Books UK – Piccadilly Press, 12 March 2026, ISBN: 978-1038698056

I love the inventive way that author Ruth Lauren plays with the tropes of a locked room murder mystery in Murder at Hotel Marvelo. The magical elements in this story for middle grade readers add layers of extra intrigue and red herrings as siblings Finnian, Juniper and Teddy desperately try to clear their parents names and prove that they have been framed for a crime they did not commit.

The Hotel Marvelo is an ancient institution, designed to provide a sanctuary of rest and relaxation for all frazzled magical creatures. It has been under the stewardship of Finnian’s mother’s family for many generations and he is immensely proud of this legacy and determined to defend his family’s ownership of the hotel when it is threatened by the murder of a wizard in the spa. After his mother and step-father’s arrest, the arrival of a strict and unsympathetic guardian cannot prevent the three children from using their knowledge of the hotel’s secret passageways to scuttle about and try to uncover the real murderer. However, it soon becomes apparent that the hotel holds more secrets than Finnian had ever imagined and the clock begins ticking down towards the loss of their hotel and home forever!

There were many aspects of this novel aimed at readers aged 8/9+ that I found thoroughly enjoyable. The plotting was spot on and is likely to keep young readers guessing right up to the final chapters. The magical creatures had distinctive characters and back stories, keeping the reader wondering whether they were reliable witnesses. The blended family of Finnian and his step-sister Juniper, and their half-sister Teddy was beautifully portrayed, with a little bit of realistic sibling rivalry mixed with a great deal of kindness and mutual support. The character of Teddy is sensitively written, so that you assume she is neurodiverse without this being explicitly stated. The way that Finnian and Juniper communicate with her and look out for her is heart-warming, and her ability to reveal clues by examining the evidence from a different viewpoint makes her detective skills essential to the investigation. Although there is a murder, the story is age-appropriate in its content, contains just the right level of jeopardy to thrill and entertain readers without scaring them, and has that reassuring structure of a cosy crime novel that sees the villain brought to justice in the end.

I actually listened to Murder at Hotel Marvelo via the Borrowbox app provided by my local public library and it was expertly narrated by David Thorpe, I believe that the paperback contains illustrations. I would highly recommend this story to school librarians and key stage 2 teachers to add to their ‘reading for pleasure’ collections.

#PictureBook Review: The Storm Cloud by Frances Stickley, illustrated by Emily Hamilton

Cover art by Emily Hamilton, published by Post Wave, 23 April 2026, ISBN: 978-1836270737

The Storm Cloud begins with a springtime scene, bursting with newly emerged plant and animal life. Bear awakes from his winter sleep but he has a strange feeling in his tummy, and there is a constant drip, drip in his ears. There is a small rain cloud positioned above his head. He tries all sorts of activities to disperse the cloud but nothing works. His animal friends try to help by bringing bear all the things that used to make him happy but to no avail, Bear’s raincloud just grows and grows. Eventually, Squirrel provides Bear with the support of a listening ear and demonstrates the value of having a patient friend who will sit with you and wait out the passing of the storm.

Through this story, author Frances Stickley provides a positive message that encourages youngsters to be brave and take the first step to resolving a problem through having the courage to speak to someone about whatever is troubling them. Her words are beautifully amplified by Emily Hamilton’s artwork. The woodland landscapes provide huge scope for detailed conversations between adults and children who share this story. Bear’s facial expressions clearly indicate his feelings and I loved the use of scale to emphasise the size of his inner emotions.

I think that The Storm Cloud will be a valuable book for family practitioners, social workers, school librarians and teachers, as well as parents and caregivers, as a first step to encourage young children to discuss their worries and anxieties openly. It also shows children the importance of being a good friend and listening patiently to others who might be feeling upset. I will be giving my copy to the families hub service at the hospital where I work, who I think will find it useful.

Disclaimer: I am most grateful to publicist Antonia Wilkinson and Post Wave Books for sending me a copy of The Storm Cloud. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

National Year of Reading: My June 2026 Round-up

Cover images of books read during June 2026

After a slow couple of months, I managed to carve out more reading time during June, and have made a small dent in my backlog of children’s review books that I’ve been sent from publishers. The links in the book titles below will take you to my reviews.

I read three adult books too. The New Dress and Other Short Stories by Virginia Woolf and The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson were both book group reads; I enjoyed the former rather more than the latter. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson is a quirky take on classic crime fiction which I read on my kindle and found very entertaining.

The Neverfear is the third book in the Impossible Creatures series by Katherine Rundell. I hardly ever request books on NetGalley, but made an exception for this and the book fully lived up to my expectations, it is brilliant.

I spotted Poppy Pym and the Pharaoh’s Curse by Laura Wood as an audiobook on the BorrowBox app provided by my local public library service. It is a funny and clever introduction to cosy crime, and I will work my way through the series now that I’ve finally discovered it!

Shadow Thieves Island of Skulls by Peter Burns is the second book in a high-octane adventure series. A thoroughly entertaining and exciting adventure for readers aged 10+.

Help! Aliens Stole My Grandad by Hannah Moffat is a funny space-alien-pirate adventure with a poignant undercurrent of loss of a grandparent. Perfect for readers of 8 years and above.

The Party by Ben Tomlinson is a contemporary #YA coming-of-age novel based around a 17th birthday party that goes horribly wrong.

Home is a Hug by Cindy Wume is a distinctive and delightful picture book about the importance of home. It has peep-through pages and flaps to lift, making it a wonderful interactive sharing experience for very young children and their adults.

Ultimate Football Heroes 2026 by Matt Oldfield is a narrative non-fiction book covering the stars of both men’s and women’s football. Perfect for readers aged 9+ during this summer of football.

We Need to Talk About Cancer by Dr Sanjay Juneja is an excellent, comprehensive and accessible guide to cancer, written for readers aged 10+. It was given to me by my friend Anne Thompson who knew that I would have a professional interest in it. Do check out her brilliant blog, A Library Lady, for her insightful reviews of children’s books.

Finally, the education resource provider Twinkl has started to print books – known as Twinkl Originals – which are linked to aspects of the English primary school curriculum, with further resources to investigate online. I read and reviewed three of these books this month in a single blog post.

As always, I am grateful to the publicists and publishers who have sent me the majority of these books, all sources are acknowledged in the linked review posts.

#YA Review: Where the Tide Lines Lead by Sophie Cameron

Artwork by Frances Castle, published by Little Tiger, 7 May 2026,
ISBN: 978-1788958080

Where the Tide Lines Lead is a sizzling summer #YA novel; a contemporary teenage story with a supernatural undercurrent.

The story is told from the first person viewpoint of Elio, the seventeen year old son of wealthy parents, who is enjoying his final summer hanging out with his friends on a Spanish island before he gets sent away to finish his education at the same boarding school his dad attended in Switzerland. However, this summer is not as enjoyable or carefree as the idyllic ones that Elio and his mates have enjoyed throughout their childhood. Firstly, there has been a series of teenagers disappearing from the island, with no clues for the local police to follow. Secondly, cracks are starting to appear in Elios’ relationships with his friends. Tourist numbers have fallen since teens started going missing, and Elios’ parents who own a tourist resort have laid off most of their staff…including the parents of his best friends. As well as the simmering resentment of his friends, Elio has also been confronted by classmates who are protesting about the tourist resorts paying lip-service to environmental practices, but not actually doing enough to protect the ecology of the island. After falling out with his very best friend, Carlos, and witnessing a classmate walking into the waves one night, Elio teams up with Sam, an English tourist whose twin is amongst the missing. Together they investigate the mystery and tumble into an other-wordly adventure.

Sophie Cameron writes beautifully, creating entirely believable teen protagonists and brilliantly blending contemporary life with a dash of fantasy. The book raises environmental issues, and the responsibility of business owners to take positive action, organically within the storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and think that readers aged 13/14+ will enjoy plunging into Elio’s world. This would be an excellent book to enjoy during the summer holidays, whether you are lucky enough to be relaxing in the sun on a beach, or having a staycation. I would put this book into the category of ‘clean teen’, and if you enjoy it then I would also recommend A Flash Of Neon by the same author, my review can be found here.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a free review copy of Where the Tide Lines Lead by publisher Little Tiger. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#BlogTour #YAReview: The Party by Ben Tomlinson

Cover image by Elen Jones, published by Andersen Press, 02 July 2026, ISBN: 978-1839137020

The Party is a Young Adult novel which explores themes of friendship, first romance and finding your place, through the story of Noah as he approaches and celebrates his 17th birthday.

Noah has made his way through secondary school as part of a tight friendship group with Woody and Caitlin; working hard at school and playing games at Tabletop Tavern in their free time. However, now that he’s in the sixth form, he’s developed a major crush on cool and popular, Saskia, who seems to take her English Literature classes far less seriously than he does. In an attempt to impress her, and perhaps get the opportunity to ask her out, he is determined to throw a birthday party during half-term. Unfortunately for Noah he faces two huge barriers to this plan; firstly his mum says that he is far too immature to handle a party and she does not want her newly refurbished home trashed by teenagers; secondly, he is supposed to be spending half-term with mum, dad and younger sister Ruby, clearing out his recently deceased granny’s house. Somehow, he manages to persuade his parents to let him return home to London alone, and thanks to the secret planning he has been doing with his mates, the party is on…but will Noah, his parents’ house, and his friendships survive the triple threat of teenagers, alcohol and drugs?

Author Ben Tomlinson presents a holistic view of teenage life in this novel, opening a window into the conflicting pressures which lead some teenagers to behave in ways in which adults will disapprove; he also shows that adults do not always live up to the behaviour that they demand from their children. In Noah, we are shown a believable teenage boy; generally a ‘good kid’ who is polite, shows concern for his younger sister and his friends, but who also acts impulsively, irresponsibly and selfishly at times – all very natural during the teenage years when hormones are surging and the brain has not fully matured. Through Saskia, readers can empathise with the pressures put upon a young carer and understand how the anxieties of an unstable lifestyle can manifest in behaviour that presents a false image of how the individual truly feels. We also see how social media can magnify mistakes, in this case through uninvited guests showing up to the party and the consequences of drink- and drug-fuelled teenage behaviour being recorded and disseminated widely.

I think that many teenagers, aged 15+, will find the characters and situations in The Party relatable, and will enjoy reading a fictionalised version of how easily a party can descend into chaos, and how relationships can subsequently be repaired. I find that most of the Young Adult fiction that I am sent to review is presented from a female perspective, thus it was refreshing to read about contemporary teen culture from a male point of view. As a note for teachers and school librarians, this story depicts drug dealing of cannabis, but the legal consequences of this are also portrayed. The negative consequences of underage alcohol consumption are also clear in the storyline. It is not a preachy, ‘issues’ book but these aspects appear as a natural consequence of the story arc.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of The Party by publicist Jade at Andersen Press and invited to join the blog tour. All opinions are my own. Do check out the reviews written by other bloggers on the tour, as shown in the schedule below.

#GuestPost from Hannah Rix at Little Reads

Screenshot of Adventure Books from Little Reads App, image credit Hannah Rix

Today I am delighted to welcome Hannah Rix to my blog. We recently connected over a shared belief that children should be allowed to read for pleasure, and if that means that they choose a book deemed ‘too easy’ for them, this should not be discouraged. Please check out her blogpost below:

In defence of letting a child read books that are ‘too easy’

Written by Hannah Rix, co-founder of Little Reads.

Little Reads is a curated library of 3,000+ hand-picked children’s books, ages 5 to 11, on iOS and Android. It’s for children who already love reading (and the grown-ups keeping them supplied), not a learn-to-read tool. More library than classroom.

I’ve got to be honest about something I held back for years when I was teaching.

It’s how much I hated watching a child with a pile of books they actually want to read, and having to steer them off it. Onto the book that will ‘move them on’. Onto the book that has to be studied. Onto the next level up.

I should explain how I ended up caring so much about this.

I went into teaching because I loved books. I loved reading them, I loved talking about them, and most of all I loved talking to other people who loved them too. In my whimsical, Miss Honey-influenced daydream of a childhood, I genuinely thought that mayyybe, just maybe, I could pass that on. That I’d press the right book into an eager little reader’s hands and watch them fall for it the way I had.

Funnily enough, it didn’t quite go like that. (My story is probably the same as a lot of English teachers, past and present.)

Now, I could climb right up on my soapbox here about how the curriculum doesn’t make room for reading for pleasure, how it can stifle the very thing it’s meant to grow. But I’ll save that for another day. Because before any of that, I want to talk about something simpler. Letting kids read.

Not read because it’s on the timetable. Not read because they’re ‘ready’ for the next stage up. Just read. Let them read the book that’s too easy. Let them read the one they’ve already read three times. Let them read the one that’s mostly drawings and silly jokes. Because it’s still reading. It might not be the version of reading some grown-ups are comfortable with, but it counts.

Reading for pleasure and learning to read are two different things, and I wish more people said so out loud. One is a skill. The other is a love affair. Schools are so stretched, so utterly on their knees, that the two end up tangled together, and reading for pleasure is almost always the first thing to go.

So my case is a small one. Let them read the easy books. (Yes, pinched straight from ‘let them eat cake’, a sentiment I’m also fully behind. But I digress.)

Why? Because the easy book is the one that keeps them reading.

I’ve always believed that reading for pleasure grows out of one thing, and that’s the freedom to choose. The moment we tut at a child for picking something ‘too easy’, we’re telling them their kind of reading doesn’t count. And a child who feels that doesn’t happily trade up to harder books. They go off the idea completely.

I saw the flip side of this when I was teaching in a complex needs school. For once, I got to focus on what the children genuinely enjoyed, rather than what a curriculum said they ought to be reading. These were children with so much else going on that dragging them through reading levels and comprehension tests would have been, frankly, a waste of everyone’s time. So instead I’d reach for Andy Stanton. I’d put on the silly voices for David Walliams. I’d let a child read, and re-read, the same Horrid Henry month after month after month. Not because of their needs, but because that reading gave them real pleasure. And pleasure, it turns out, is the whole point.

The reassuring part (the bit I clung to)? The harder books don’t go anywhere. They wait. A child who’s allowed to read for the love of it, with nobody hovering over their choices, tends to reach for them on their own in the end. The trading-up happens best when nobody’s forcing it.

So if there’s a child in your life on their tenth go of the same battered paperback, or buried in a comic, or giggling at a book three years ‘below’ them, my advice is to leave them be. Keep topping them up with more of what they love. They’re not behind. They’re exactly where a happy reader should be.

That, more than anything, is pretty much why I co-founded Little Reads. A library of 3,000+ books I’ve hand-picked for ages 5 to 11, the easy ones and the chunky ones side by side, with no levels, no quizzes and nobody keeping score. A child can choose the comfort read or the doorstopper, and both are absolutely fine by me.

No ads either. Just the books. £7.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime. Readers of this post can get 30 days free with the code VSVIEW30. The LittleReads app can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or Google Play stores.

One honest note before you go. It’s built for children who already love reading. If a child is still finding their feet, a different app will serve them better.

#Non-fiction review: We Need to Talk About Cancer written by Dr Sanjay Juneja, illustrated by Anna Shepeta

Cover art by Anna Shepeta, published by Neon Squid, April 2026,
ISBN: 978-1916745186

We Need to Talk About Cancer is a clear and compassionate guide to a difficult subject, written in language that is accessible to primary school children. The author, Dr Sanjay Juneja, is a haematologist and oncologist (known on social media as theOncDoc) who brings his wealth of clinical knowledge to communicate a comprehensive range of information about all aspects of cancer. Throughout the book, this information is presented in bite-sized chunks of concise text, beautifully illustrated in calm, pastel colours by Anna Shepeta, the artwork complementing the explanations.

The book begins by explaining the biology of cancer, some of the risk factors and how diagnosis is made. The range of clinical professions who support cancer patients are explored, different treatments and their side effects are discussed and the progress and outcomes of treatment are presented. Towards the end of the book, the emotional impacts of receiving a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment – on both the patient and their loved ones – is gently and honestly written about. The prospect of a patient’s death is not glossed over, but dealt with in the same kind tone used throughout this book. The age-appropriate way that information is presented with comparisons that children will understand makes this book a valuable and reassuring resource, either for children who have been diagnosed with cancer themselves, or who have family members or friends who are being treated for cancer. The book is supportive in itself, but also encourages readers to ask for help from those around them.

I think that this is a book that needs to be in every school library collection as well as health and wellbeing collections in public libraries. I also think that it will be a valuable resource for health professionals who are treating young cancer patients, or mental health professionals and family practitioners who are supporting children or families impacted by cancer. I will be passing this copy on to clinicians in the hospital where I am employed and encourage other health librarians to consider it.

I am very grateful to children’s books expert and former school librarian Anne Thompson who kindly gave me this copy of We Need to Talk About Cancer. You can read Anne’s review at this link.

#MG Review: The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell

Cover art by Daniel Egnéus, published by Bloomsbury Children”s Books, 27 July 2026, ISBN: 978-1408897515

The Neverfear is a spectacular marriage of heart-pounding, blood-shedding action with soul-touching truths, written with all the intelligence, insights and virtuosity that I have come to expect from Katherine Rundell. I was fortunate to listen to her reading the first chapter aloud to a rapt audience at a recent Waterstones Children’s Festival event, and feel privileged to have been able to read the rest of the novel via an e-ARC from NetGalley. This third book in the Impossible Creatures series carries readers deeper into the mythology of the Glimouria Archipelago, plunging us into a dark plot which gradually reveals its dastardly nature leading to a climactic battle, and leaving readers hyperventilating in desperation for book four.

The story opens with the birth of a unicorn and Christopher Forrester’s realisation that his previously observed connection with animals is now taking on an even more powerful metaphysical form, with the manifestation of a blinding green-yellow light arcing between him and any creature with which he connects. He has become able to communicate mind-to-mind with the impossible creatures living in the Archipelago. This ability becomes a key plot point as Christopher and Princess-warrior Anya Argen, accompanied by Ratwin the ratatoska and Jacques the dragon journey between the islands of the Archipelago aboard Fidens Nighthand’s boat, The Neverfear, to complete three impossible tasks to save the life of a beloved friend. They willingly face fearsome opponents, defy death at every turn and display unconditional love as they race against time, unknowingly manipulated by a deeply ruthless villain.

I do not want to give away any more plot details than strictly necessary because the story is so beautifully plotted and so exquisitely written that I do not want to spoil any reader’s enjoyment of discovering its joys for themselves. Katherine Rundell treats her readership with the utmost respect, presenting them with jokes (including the statutory Belgian one), a magnificently immersive plot and vocabulary and philosophy to challenge their imaginations. There is so much scholarship behind this novel that it virtually pulsates with thought-provoking themes, which I think will grip readers, aged 10 years and above, every bit as much as the thrilling plot and richly imagined fantasy world. I am not supposed to directly quote from an ARC, so cannot directly reference the sentences that halted my reading and brought a lump to my throat, but a line late on about angels laughing is one that is seared into my heart.

The Neverfear will be published in late July 2026, so if you have not already read Impossible Creatures or The Poisoned King (links to my reviews), then I advise you to do so before picking up a copy of The Neverfear.

Disclaimer: I requested and was granted access to an e-ARC of this book on NetGalley and I am grateful to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for granting my request. It was my choice to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#MG Review: Twinkl Originals – books that support the English primary school curriculum

I know that many schools have subscriptions to the online resource provider Twinkl, but did you know that they have also started publishing original stories linked to curriculum topics? I have been sent a few of these books to review, they are all printed in an accessible font, have quizzes or interactive sections at the end and links to further online resources.

The Chocolate Choice (ISBN: 978-1837575671, published in paperback 2026) Written by Jenny Clerc, illustrated by Shannon Girvan.

Ten-year-old Orla spots a writing competition organised by her favourite blogger, River Moore, with the prize being the chance to write a guest post on the ‘River’s Daily Rocket’ blog. All she has to do is think of an important story that needs to be told, investigate it, write it and email it into the blog and she’ll be on the road to her ambition to become a reporter. Inspired by a headline about cocoa beans on a discarded newspaper in her mum’s tearoom, Orla starts to investigate the difficulties faced by cocoa farmers and the way that the chocolate production industry works. She is shocked to realise that she has never before considered whether her favourite chocolate is produced ethically and writes to the owner of the local chocolate factory to find out more. Furthermore, she realises that changing people’s attitudes and behaviours is not a straightforward task, and nudging them to change will be assisted if she can find a way of helping her local community to understand their connections with the cocoa farmers.

I think that many children will enjoy this book and relate to the idea of undertaking research for a school project, and probably find some helpful guidance in the way that Orla goes about organising her project. I think that the format of the book, with extracts from Orla’s notebook, copies of emails, newspaper extracts, blog and website pages, will also appeal to young readers. For teachers, this book provides a useful overview of fair trade, sustainability and the effects of climate change on farming and food production and contains great examples of different writing styles that fit with the primary school curriculum. Further resources related to the book can be found on the Twinkl website.

How to Skin a Bear (ISBN; 978-1837575558, published in paperback 2025) Written by Victoria Williamson.

Bee is the youngest member of her Stone Age tribe and the daughter of one of the tribe elders. Her lowly place in the tribe consigns her to plucking the feathers from the ducks that the hunters bring back to their camp each day. Bee would rather be a hunter, she wishes that she had a fierce name like other members of the tribe, and she wishes that they did not spend all summer moving their camp from place to place while they collect food in preparation for winter.

When a red sun is seen by the tribe, this is interpreted as a bad omen. Despite the elders performing a ritual dance to keep the Sky Spirits happy, a huge storm blows up and flattens the communal tent where the tribe sleeps. Instead of following her tribe to a nearby cave, Bee chases after Dog who is her best friend. Finding herself alone apart from her loyal canine companion, Bee now has the opportunity to put into practice the skiils that she has observed the rest of her tribe demonstrating…but how will she cope when confronted by a wild bear?

How to Skin a Bear is an entertaining story, 100 pages in length, aimed at children aged 7+, of courage and rising to unexpected challenges. Within the story, young readers will earn a multitude of facts about the Stone Age era. There is a quiz at the end of the book and a QR code to further resources on the Twinkl website.

Wildcat Summer (ISBN: 978-1837575718, published in paperback 2026) Written by Victoria Williamson.

Wildcat Summer is an eco-fiction title aimed at children aged 9-11 and is filled with facts about rewilding, genetic diversity and protection of wildlife. Eleven-year-old Molly is unhappy about being sent to stay with her aunt for the summer holidays because her parents cannot afford to take time off from their jobs. She does not want to leave her friends and bustling city life in Newcastle, for the quiet of Aunt Isla’s caravan and camp site in the Highlands of Scotland. What’s more her stay does not get off to a great start when Aunt Isla forgets to face her when she’s talking, which is important to Molly because she needs to lip read as well as relying on her hearing aids, to allow her to participate in conversations. However, once Aunt Isla realises her mistake and begins to communicate carefully, Molly soon settles in to helping her aunt with chores around the holiday park. She makes friends with two local children, Skye and Lewis, as well as old Mr McFarlane who has moved into a caravan after retiring from his job at the Highland Wildlife Park.

Molly is intrigued when she hears a local legend about the ghost cat, which is rumoured to appear to warn of danger. Convinced that she has seen a huge cat in the tree-line at the edge of the holiday park, Molly is determined to find out more about the legend. She has an ally in Mr McFarlane, who claims to have seen the ghost cat many years earlier, which led him to a wildcat caught in a gin-trap. Has Molly actually witnessed the ghost cat? And if so, what danger is it foretelling? This is aa exciting and entertaining story for children at the top of primary school, which combines ecological and inclusivity themes. The portrayal of a main character with hearing loss and the behaviours required from those around her to ensure that she can participate in conversations is sensitively written by Victoria Williamson.

The Shadow in the Snow (ISBN: 978-837575596, published in paperback 2024) Written by Victoria Williamson.

The Shadow in the Snow is a novel for children aged 10 years and above which sensitively deals with themes of loss and grief. Jodie is a P6 ( top class in Scottish primary school) pupil and is struggling to cope with the loss of her teenage sister. In fact, she has refused to acknowledge the loss during the 9 months that have passed since Caitlin’s death, caused by a speeding car whilst Caitlin was horse-riding. This has impacted every facet of Jodie’s life. She no longer wants anything to remind her of horse-riding so has turned her back on her horse-mad best friend; she no longer plays her trumpet as she was at a lesson on the evening of the accident; and she cannot form a bond with her baby sister Emma. Her parents are continually walking on eggshells to avoid saying anything that might trigger her, and now Jodie is beginning to see a dark shape in her peripheral vision at the same time that she’s losing the memories of her big sister. When Aunt Susan comes to stay with the family, she encourages more open conversations to acknowledge the huge hole at the heart of the family.

This is a sensitively written book with a semi-mythical representation of grief at its heart. A brief introduction inside the front cover encourages adults to familiarise themselves with the text and the extra online resources ahead of sharing the book with middle-grade children who might have experienced the loss of a sibling. At the end of the book there are quiz activities and some facts about ‘black dog’ lore from English, Greek and Japanese mythology.