#AudioBookReview: The Secret Starling by Judith Eagle, read by Tania Rodrigues

Cover image by Kim Geyer, published by Faber, e-audiobook released 1 January 2020, ISBN: 978-0655657118

One of the great things about being part of the book blogging community is the joy of discovering a new (to you) author through a recommendation from a fellow blogger who really understands your taste in books. I am indebted to Anne Thompson, whose Reading Matters blog is an essential site for anyone interested in children’s books and reading, who encouraged me to seek out The Secret Starling by Judith Eagle. This is an outstanding middle grade mystery, with the hallmarks of the classic novels I read in my own childhood during the 1970s, the decade in which this novel takes place.

Clara Starling has grown up in an isolated and loveless manor house on the Yorkshire Moors under the guardianship of her joyless Uncle Edward. Her regimented routine is only made bearable by the kindness of Cook, and thus her world rapidly becomes bleaker when uncle fires all the servants, announces that he is leaving Braithwaite Manor and promptly abandons her in the village with a bundle of cash! Clara makes her way back to the manor where further surprises await: a boy her own age, Peter, and his cat Stockwell who have been sent to stay by Peter’s guardian in London; swiftly followed by the revelation that the manor house is up for sale! The children decide to pool their resources to fight against this injustice, and are soon joined by Cook’s three grandchildren, led by the indomitable Amelia-Ann. As well as having a lot of fun with no adults around to prevent such japes as indoor horse-riding, or to insist on healthy meals, the children combine forces to help Clara unravel the story of her past, and foil the plans of the manipulative villain.

I loved the way that the plot unfolded; with the action jumping between London and Yorkshire, unexpected revelations of long buried family secrets, and a villainous plan to steal an inheritance. The writing is wonderful, with the pace building beautifully towards the final reveal. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook version (borrowed from my local public library) which was brilliantly read by Kim Geyer. I realise that I have not read many children’s novels set in the 1970s, but this decade lends itself well to a mystery novel although it was heartbreaking to be reminded of some of the attitudes prevalent in that decade. (I also now have a nostalgic craving for Butterscotch Instant Whip)!

I highly recommend The Secret Starling for readers aged 9 years and above who enjoy a well-written mystery adventure. I am determined to read the rest of Judith Eagle’s back catalogue over the next few months.

#MGReview: Dragon Riders of Roar by Jenny McLachlan, illustrated by Alla Khatkevich

Cover illustration by Ben Mantle, published by Farshore, 13 February 2025,
ISBN: 978-0755503377

Return to the Land of Roar in this rollicking adventure, as twins Rose and Arthur attempt to become Dragon Riders of Roar! This story contains many of the elements of classic children’s fantasy: a brilliantly-imagined world accessed through a portal; children stepping outside their comfort zones to demonstrate remarkable bravery; a battle of good vs evil; and a range of magical creatures – witches, wizards, dragons, merfolk, sinister scarecrows and dread sharks! Jenny McLachlan weaves these into an exhilarating plot which will hold middle grade readers mesmerised until the final page. Scattered throughout the book there are glorious greyscale illustrations by Alla Khatkevitch, which are perfect for a readership of 8-12, who still very much appreciate images to aid their reading enjoyment. The short chapters, told through the voice of Arthur, propel the story, and make this an ideal choice for a classroom read aloud.

Although this is an extension to the original Land of Roar series and will therefore be extremely popular with existing fans, there is sufficient back story contained in the introduction and the early chapters that the book can be fully enjoyed by readers who are not familiar with the originals. Although I have read many middle grade fantasy series, I think this is the only one I have encountered where the fantasy world has been created by the imaginative play of the child protagonists, which for me adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

Rose and Arthur are staying with Grandad in the summer holidays before they start secondary school, and both are looking forward to crawling through the folded, old-fashioned camp bed in his attic to revisit their friends in Roar. However, they are frustrated by the unexpected arrival of Auntie Chaya and their baby cousin Lila (who they are expected to entertain). Leaving Arthur to the childcare duties, Rose adds new chapters to the Roar story in her precious yellow notebook; dreaming up a magical boarding school – The Dragon Riders Academy (DRAc) at which she is the star pupil. Additionally she creates a terrifying Witch King, Jago Skua, who steals children with ‘fire in their hearts’ to populate his army, replacing them with changelings. Unknown to Rose, Arthur adds a few edits and illustrations of his own to her story, so that when they eventually clamber through the portal to Roar there are deadly and unexpected challenges to face. Will they and the teachers and students of DRAc find sufficient inner fire to fight a fierce and merciless enemy?

I will not discuss any further plot details because this is a book best enjoyed without preconceptions…and I am certain that it will be a story which many readers, both children and adults will read with a great deal of pleasure. It is available for pre-order now and I highly recommend it to school and public librarians, KS2 class teachers and parents/caregivers of middle grade children.

Disclaimer: I was sent an advanced copy of Dragon Riders of Roar by publisher Farshore Books. It was my choice to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

#ChapterBookReview: The Bold Kitten by Holly Webb, illustrated by Sophy Williams

Cover illustration by Sophy Williams, published by Little Tiger Press,
9 January 2025, ISBN: 978-1788957397

I read yesterday that children in the UK had voted “kindness” as their word of the year for 2024, which I continually thought about as I read this latest chapter book from prolific children’s writer, Holly Webb. This lovely, gentle story which is sympathetically illustrated by Sophy Williams, is brimming with kindness, and I am sure will delight many young readers.

The story centres around 7-year-old Hana who, along with her little brother Zahir, her Mama and her Baba, has recently arrived in the UK after fleeing Syria and living in a refugee camp for two years. They have been welcomed into an English family’s home where they are treated with supreme kindness by Mark, Carla and their son Oscar. Despite this, Hana can’t help feeling shy, unsettled and a bit confused by her new surroundings and nervous about her attempts to communicate in English. Her adjustment to living in an English home is greatly helped by the presence of a cat and her five kittens, as well as the constant care that Oscar demonstrates. Rose the mother cat was a stray, and was also provided with a safe home by Mark, Carla and Oscar. As Hana forms a particularly deep bond with the calico kitten, who she is allowed to name Amal, she gradually begins to feel more at ease in her new surroundings. However, when the time comes for the kittens to be given away, Hana finds the prospect of parting from her new friend almost too much to bear.

I love the way that this story uses the concept of taking care of a cat and her kittens to help young children understand the plight of refugees trying to find a new home, and the importance of treating the most vulnerable in society with kindness. The short chapter, large font and illustrated format make independent reading of this story attainable for children who are moving on from picture books. I would highly recommend it for readers aged 6/7 and above.

Disclaimer: I am grateful to Finn at publisher Little Tiger for sending me a copy of The Bold Kitten. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#AudiobookReview: The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival, read by Benjamin Isaac

Cover image of the audiobook version of The Wrong Shoes, published by Simon & Schuster Audio UK, released 17 July 2024, ISBN: 978-1398527133

Continuing my quest to catch up with books recommended by my blogging friends during 2024, I listened to the audio version of The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival. This moving story provides an account of the realities of living in poverty in contemporary Britain through the lens of an 11/12-year-old boy named Will. The audiobook is read quite brilliantly by Benjamin Isaac, whose ability to voice all of the characters is astounding, and through whom you feel all the pain and desperation of Will’s experience.

Will’s “wrong shoes” are all that his unemployed dad can afford – cheap, fake leather, with a split in the sole that lets the water in. His shabby clothes, battered school bag and lack of essential school equipment make him feel like an outsider, and cause Chris Tucker and his gang of bullies to cruelly call him “Poundland”. Will’s only friend, Cameron, has remained loyal to him since happier times at primary school: before Will’s mum and dad split up; before dad was made redundant; before he had to move to the inappropriately-named estate of Cherry Orchards; and before an accident on a badly-run construction site resulted in Dad being unable to even look for employment. However, when Will rejects a kindly-intentioned offer of help from Cameron, his life sinks even deeper into despair, leading him close to breaking point and in danger of falling in with the “wrong crowd” when an unthinking teacher humiliates him in front of the whole class.

This is an important book, reflecting the lived experience of far too many children in the UK at the present time. Author, Tom Percival, who himself experienced poverty during his childhood has written an eye-opening book which will make children living in similar circumstances to Will feel seen, and which raises awareness of their plight to those of us who are more fortunate. The style of writing, with Will talking directly to the reader and often checking with us whether we understand his thoughts or actions, engenders instant empathy. All the characters are nuanced, so that even the bully’s actions become understandable once we eventually learn about his circumstances.

The story shows just how quickly a family can descend into poverty, and the mental and physical impact that being cold and hungry can have on a child. Both Will and his dad are pushed to the limits of their endurance, with pride presenting a barrier to seeking help, and subsequently both make some wrong choices, which family and friends help them to overcome. I thought that this story did a great job of showing the impact of the choices that anyone can make, both on their own futures and on the wellbeing of others. It is very easy to see that when someone feels they have no opportunities to improve their circumstances, they might be lured into the world of loan sharks or crime. Equally, the contrast between a teacher who recognises a child’s talent and potential and encourages them, versus a teacher who unthinkingly humiliates a child, shattering an already fragile sense of self respect, was brilliantly well portrayed.

The Wrong Shoes tackles some very difficult themes, but does so with a sense of hope and through a voice that will resonate with readers aged 11+. It highlights the power of kindness, encouragement and friendship to provide hope for those living in hardship. At the end of the story there are some facts about child poverty which help readers to understand the extent of this problem. I know from my blogging friends who are teachers that this book is an essential addition to library collections for readers at the top end of primary school as well as secondary school readers. I was very happy to find that the audiobook was available for loan from my public library through the BorrowBox app.

#IllustratedFiction Review: Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb by Nicky Smith-Dale, illustrated by Sarah Horne

Cover art by Sarah Horne, published by Farshore, 16 January 2025,
ISBN: 978-0008600372

Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb is exactly the sort of book that primary school librarians and teachers want to have in their collections to encourage children to read for pleasure. The book-appeal is off the scale, from the green foil highlights on the cover to the highly illustrated, hilarious story, this is a book that demands the attention of children aged 7+. There’s even a map (always a bonus in my opinion), random poems from Clammy Pete, and various letters from Dave Schoolboy, scattered throughout the story!

After a short introduction from Salvador Catflap, the greatest storyteller in the magical land of Wobbly Rock, the story commences with Betty Steady hanging out with her friends, the Crossword Crew. For anyone who has not read the first book in the series, there is a brief summary of the previous adventure provided in the introduction. Betty is a formidable twelve-year-old, known as the Guardian of Wobbly Rock, who is not averse to introducing her fists – Linda and Gregg – to anyone who might pose a threat to King Nutmeg. Unfortunately, she has been the object of a shrinking curse, cast by the Toad Witch, and now has to remind the court that she might be small, but she can still brawl!

When King Nutmeg receives an invitation to celebrate the Turnip Festival in the nearby kingdom of Upper Crust, Betty and her friends are part of the entourage, although Betty is frustrated that she is overlooked for bodyguard duties because of her current small stature. Whilst King Nutmeg competes against Queen McNiff in a series of hilariously vegetable-themed challenges, Betty is befriended by Misty Jamjar, a sprite who is secretly holding a grudge against the Queen. Just what kind of a stew will Betty land in if she helps her new friend to “borrow” the Queen’s magical Orb of Ogg?

I greatly enjoyed reading this book for its inventive plot, funny characters and brilliant word play. Who would have thought that vegetable-related puns could induce so much laughter? I laughed out loud when Beverly, the Queen’s Guard of the vault is introduced, carrying her axe named after her hairstyle – Choppy Bob! This character is:

“tough with a capital B. And tough doesn’t even have a B. That’s just how tough she was. page 105

At just under 200 pages, all filled with fun and action, Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb should be added to your middle grade readers’ 5-a-day, for a healthy burst of enjoyment.

Disclaimer: I am most grateful to Farshore Books for sending me a review copy of Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb. It was my decision to read the book and all opinions are my own.

#AudioBookReview: Birdsong by Katya Balen, read by Eleanor Yates

Cover art by Richard Johnson, audiobook published by Barrington Stoke, 16 October 2024,
ISBN: 9780008752125, narrated by Eleanor Yates

During 2025 I intend to enjoy some of the (very long) list of books published in 2024 that my blogging friends have recommended so fulsomely. One way that I hope to achieve this is via audiobooks on the BorrowBox app provided by my local public library service; Somerset Libraries. This week I was able to borrow Birdsong by Katya Balen, which I thoroughly enjoyed on my walk to and from work. Firstly, I must commend Eleanor Yates for her perfectly pitched narration. For me, the narrator is just as important as the content for enjoyment of an audiobook, and Eleanor Yates read the book beautifully. This story lends itself especially well to audiobook format, the addition of music, sound effects and bird song to the narration brought the story to life brilliantly.

Since being seriously injured in a car crash, music has disappeared from Annie’s life. She has initially lost the ability and later, the will, to pick up her flute; an instrument in which she previously excelled. As this short novel begins we meet Annie and her mother, packing up their house and downsizing to a dilapidated flat on the 15th floor of a tower block because her mother has lost her job through having to care for Annie during her recovery. It soon becomes apparent that the effects of the accident on Annie are far deeper than the white scar on her arm, a line which appears to separate her old life from her current one.

Annie is clearly facing a psychological struggle to recover fully from her injury. She is unwilling to perform the exercises prescribed by her physio and finds it easier to use her accident as an excuse for exempting herself from activities that she doesn’t want to make the effort to do. She has even withdrawn her application for a scholarship to a prestigious music school. As the novel develops we see the way that her brain is so naturally attuned to see musical patterns and to hear musical notes and rhythms in every day surroundings, making her fear of trying to resume playing her instrument even more heart breaking.

However when she meets Noah, a boy her own age who has set himself up to be the guardian of a local pair of blackbirds living in a scrubby, wild patch of brambles and hedges beside the estate playground, her outlook slowly begins to change. Through Noah’s actions and encouragement, she learns to take care and responsibility for the vulnerable blackbirds, and to appreciate their beautiful song. When tragedy strikes one of the pair, music provides a means of connection and reignites Annie’s passion for music making.

This is a glorious and wise novella, in which the unfolding of a friendship, the action of caring for another living creature, and the healing power of nature are combined in the exploration of the mental aftermath of a trauma. The anxiety and blame which can hold back recovery are dealt with gently and with kindness. The parallel plot of Annie’s relationship with her mother is told with great compassion. In my opinion, Katya Balen is one of the finest writers, particularly when it comes to bringing the natural world alive on the page. She has a lyricism and ability to conjure imagery that inspires awe and wonder. No word is wasted or extraneous, particularly important in a short novella such as this. I also loved the choice of Noah as the name for a boy so focussed on looking after a pair of blackbirds.

The physical book is published by Barrington Stoke and as I have referred to in previous posts, this means high-quality pages, dyslexia-friendly font, tinted pages with plenty of blank space, and accessible language. I would recommend this book to readers of 10+ and strongly encourage primary school and secondary school libraries to add this title to their collections.

Click this link for my review of October, October by Katya Balen.

#YAReview: Let the Light In by Jenny Downham and Louis Hill

Cover image by Holly Fulbrook/Shutterstock, published by David Fickling Books,
02 January 2025, ISBN: 978-1788453486

Let the Light In is a gritty, realistic story of a family’s struggle with grief and survival, written with an immediacy and beauty that I found compelling.

The authors are mother and son partnership, Jenny Downham, and Louis Hill. Jenny has previously written several award winning and highly acclaimed Young Adult novels, and I believe that this book was written with her actor and playwright son Louis, during the Covid lockdown. The story deals with a range of difficult issues in a dual narrative structure, alternating short chapters told through the voices of teenage brother and sister, Charlie and Leah.

The voices of these (and the supporting characters) are utterly authentic both in tone and in teenage language and I found myself drawn into their lives so completely that I found it hard to put this book down when work or chores called me away from it. The two main protagonists along with their younger sister Abby and their mother are dealing with the aftermath of their father’s death from cancer three years previously. Their reactions to this immense loss are very different and are revealed and the consequences explored in a wonderfully crafted plot.

Leah who is now 17 has taken on the caring role for her family. She is the one who manages the tiny budget now that they are living on benefits; she organises the rota for collecting Abby from school; she plans the meals; does most of the cooking and the household chores; all this whilst also trying to study for A-levels to reach her ultimate goal of a place at at Edinburgh University. Feeling trapped by the thought that she might not be able to leave her family to fend for themselves, she has found release in a secret affair with Alex, the married owner of a local art gallery.

Meanwhile Charlie has lost all confidence and lives in a state of constant anxiety and loneliness having isolated himself from his childhood friends. His only release is through his art, at which he is exceptionally gifted. He keeps a secret sketchbook into which all of his pain and anguish at watching his Dad’s death are captured in a series of pencil portraits. He dearly loves his younger sister and can always be relied on to look after Abby, but we feel immense sadness for him at his complete inability to follow simple cooking instructions and produce an edible meal from the meagre ingredients available when it is his turn to cook. Wishing to contribute more to his family, and to feel confident in front of his former friends, he falls victim to a loan shark operating on the estate.

Their mother has clearly been totally devastated at the death of her husband and has sunk into deep depression, finding it hard to leave her bed most days. Her narrative is dealth with compassionately as we see her children’s frustration that she cannot support them alongside their constant efforts to protect her from the consequences of their poverty and their challenges.

This might make you feel that the book is a depressing read, but light and humour is provided through the character of Abby. She has a 7-year-old’s ability to take the optimistic view and say things as she sees them. Her words and actions are often pivots for change and you observe how the family’s love for her promotes the unveiling of secrets and resultant positive actions.

The narrative arcs of Leah and Charlie entwine around the art gallery and build to a dramatic crescendo at a much-hyped open-evening and art sale. I found that the construction of the story into very short alternating paragraphs told by Leah and Charlie was utterly gripping. The writing handled tough topics including: power dynamics, loan sharking, young carers, grief and the reality of living in poverty, with great sensitivity and total assuredness. All the characters, even the “bad actors” were nuanced, giving some insight into their behaviours. Ultimately hopeful, through the realisation that friendship, community support and acknowledgement of feelings can lead to light in the darkness and eventual healing, this is an incredibly moving and powerful story.

At the end of the book, a range of useful support services are listed for anyone who might be facing some of the issues explored. Website addresses and phone numbers are provided for organisations which can help with: Carers, Grief, Mental Health, Relationships, Sexual Health, Money/Legal Issues and General Support.

I would highly recommend to senior school librarians for a readership aged 15+.

Disclaimer: I am extremely grateful to publicist Liz Scott and David Fickling Books for sending me a review copy of Let the Light In. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

#MGHorrorReview: The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick by Larry Hayes

Cover art by Berat Pekmexci, published by Bloomsbury, 2 January 2024, ISBN: 978-1526677785

That’s the thing about facing your fears: until you do it, it’s just impossible to imagine it will ever actually happen. page 206

Well, I certainly had to face my fears to read this new, seriously chilling, middle grade novel from Larry Hayes! I think it is going to be popular with children of 10+ who are fans of Goosebumps and Jennifer Killick’s Dread Wood series.

Finnegan Quick suffers from nightmares which are so terrifyingly real that they make those he loves disappear from his life. First his dog, then his mum and then his dad. Now living with only his gran, he becomes even more distressed when she starts to appear in his dreams. Is she destined to disappear from his life too? The only solution that Finn can see is to stop sleeping…but this only leads to trouble at school. And why does gran continually encourage him to face his fears?

When a new girl appears at school and Finnegan recognises her from his latest nightmare, she offers him a way to resolve his problems. Cass is the daughter of a paranormal investigator and tells Finn that her Dad can help him to recover his parents. However, there is the small matter of a terrifying, zombie monster to face…who just happens to share Finn’s nightmare powers, and to be Cass’s dead mother! Teaming up with Finn’s brilliant best friend Squid, the three youngsters must face a series of blood-curdling encounters with maeres, zombies, mummies; armed only with their wits, some kitchen implements and water pistols!

I know that there are a lot of upper middle grade and tween readers who really enjoy getting their scares from the safety of a book, and I think that author, Larry Hayes, has accomplished an excellent blend of horror, humour and intriguing plot. Narrated in the first person voice of Finn, the thrills are visceral and the humorous thoughts that flash through his brain provide light relief to counter some of the scary moments. The interactions between the three child protagonists is thoroughly entertaining. While Finnegan learns to face his fears, Cass is a wisecracking, cool, American early teen, and Squid (who was my favourite character) tries to cover his terror under a shield of fascinating facts, logical thinking and sheer loyalty to his best friend. The tension builds throughout the novel, leading to a heart-pounding finale which sets up a sequel, a sneek-peek of which is provided at the end of the book. I expect that The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick will be a word-of-mouth sensation in schools, with long reservation lists in school libraries – hopefully everyone will get a chance to read it before The Fate of Finnegan Quick is published in September!

Disclaimer: I am grateful to Sally Oliphant PR and Bloomsbury for sending me a review copy of The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

Reflections on the Today programme 24/12/2025, guest-edited by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Screenshot of the Today programme broadcast on 24/12/2024, from BBC Sounds App

Since joining the NHS as a health librarian in 2021, I have been asked several times why I continue to read and review children’s books. Each time, I have answered that the work I do around health literacy has highlighted for me, the direct links between literacy and health outcomes, and that by playing my own small part in promoting books that I think children will want to read for pleasure, I hope to make a contribution to children finding books which are a source of enjoyment. I was thus overjoyed that the current Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell Boyce, used his platform as guest editor of the Christmas Eve broadcast of the Today programme on Radio 4, to bring the Public Health aspects of literacy to the attention of a national audience. I have subsequently listened to the relevant sections of the broadcast again, would encourage everyone to listen, and wanted to capture some of my reflections here.

During the 3-hour broadcast (I believe that it is available for 21 days on the BBC Sounds App or website from the link I have included above) Frank Cottrell-Boyce spoke to a range of health professionals including Health Visitors, Neuroscience researchers and a Director of Public Health, all of whom discussed the many ways that reading to children in their first 1000 days of life contributes to health benefits. I learnt so much from these interviews and, true to my role as a librarian, subsequently searched for further information on some of the contributors to discover more about their work. I was fascinated to learn about the way that babies’ brain patterns synchronise with the rhythms of their parent’s brainwaves during shared stories or singing time, indicating that this slow, quiet time has direct impact on neuro-cognitive development. The observations by Health Visitors that the slow sharing of books provides the chance for young children to: build understanding of the world, begin to connect and tune into another’s voice, rhythm and heartbeat was extrapolated to the idea that books are one of the easiest ways to learn to make connections with other people. Frank described the sharing of books as a way of building happiness in young children, which I thought was wonderful. I will be following his efforts to get reading with young children recognised as a Public Health priority, with great interest.

I am encouraged to continue reading and reviewing children’s books. I hope that by doing so, and interacting with many teachers and school librarians, I can help in a tiny and indirect way to sparking children’s enjoyment of reading. I am convinced that fiction written for children featuring characters with either mental or physical health conditions can help facilitate conversations on health topics and provide vocabulary which aids health literacy. I will therefore aim to continue building on blog posts which I started this year focussing on books which feature physical health or mental health as an aspect of the narrative.

Thank you Frank Cottrell-Boyce, for your brilliant stories and for caring so much about children’s happiness, long-term wellbeing and literacy.