Age 9 plus
Sisters of the Lost Marsh
Lucy Strange
WHAT better time of year for a mesmerising, magical tale full of gothic intrigue, dark superstitions and nail-biting suspense, all set in the midst of a mysterious and malign marshland? Sisters of the Lost Marsh – a fabulously spooky and gothic thriller-chiller – comes from the pen of master storyteller Lucy Strange, author of the critically acclaimed The Secret of Nightingale Wood, Our Castle by the Sea, and The Ghost of Gosswater.
Gripping from first page to last, this brilliant new novel is perfect for reading in a fireside chair on dark nights and stars cruelly overworked farm girls Willa, Grace and Freya, and their three younger sisters. The six motherless sisters live and work in fear of their cruel father and the superstition that obsesses him… the Curse of Six Daughters. With the arrival of the mysterious Full Moon Fayre, there’s a chance for the eldest girls to steal a moment’s fun but the day the fayre moves on, Grace vanishes.
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Willa goes after her, following a trail that leads into the
dangerous Lost Marsh, where it is said a will-o’-the-wisp lures lost souls into
the dark waters of the mire. If Willa is to survive and reunite her family, she
will need to unravel the secrets her father has kept hidden, and face her own
deepest fears. Strange is a master of atmospherics and this memorable,
magical realist tale simmers and shimmers against a truly eerie and
irresistible backdrop. With its messages about female empowerment, sisterhood,
bravery and self-discovery, this is a true classic which is destined to be read
and enjoyed by all generations.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)
Shadow Town
Richard Lambert
IMMERSE yourself in a thrilling land of shadows and dreams in
an exciting and evocative new fantasy from Richard Lambert, acclaimed author of
The Wolf Road. Shadow Town – which stars a boy who tumbles into an alternate
world in which everything seems possible but dangerous – is the first book in a
stunning new series for middle-grade readers. Toby, whose parents are divorced,
leads a quiet and unhappy life in London until a mysterious shadow appears in
the garden and in his dreams, and then takes him into a hidden world. The
dangerous land of Balthasar is enslaved by a cruel Regent and an absent and
mysterious queen. It’s a place where the Dreamers have the magical power to
turn dreams into reality. But there’s a price to pay. Toby meets Tamurlaine, a
strange and otherworldly girl who has lost her memory. To uncover the mystery
of her identity and get Toby back home, the pair must go on a thrilling journey
to the heart of the kingdom, and right into the castle of the Regent. With its gothic
vibes, air of mystery and intriguing cast of characters, Shadow Town is an
imaginative blend of thrilling fantasy, alluring mystery and playful humour…
the perfect combo for all adventure-loving readers!
(Everything with Words, paperback, £7.99)
Following Frankenstein
Catherine Bruton
INSPIRED by her own childhood fascination with Mary
Shelley’s famous masterpiece, Catherine Bruton brings young readers a thrilling
sequel to the epic story of Frankenstein’s Monster and the result is this epic
adventure full of action, danger and discovery. Sometimes Maggie Walton is jealous
of a monster. Her father has dedicated his life to a single pursuit… hunting
down the monster created by Victor Frankenstein. She has grown believing he
cared more for the monster than he did for her and it has cost Maggie and her
family everything. All his wealth has gone and the family have been forced to
live in rooms near London’s docks. But now a stranger has arrived to speak to
her father who has agreed to stake everything on one last voyage to the Arctic
to finally track down the monster. What he doesn’t yet know is that Maggie is a
stowaway on board the ship on a voyage that will take her across the Arctic
Tundra to a shocking discovery… Frankenstein’s monster has a son. Bruton builds
on the wisdom and compassion of Shelley’s original story to explore what it is
to be ‘different’ and friendless, and how abandonment and ostracism can be
overcome by the power of friendship and your own difference. Brimming with
excitement, mystery and a deep understanding of what it is to be an ‘outsider,’
this is historical adventure with a message that speaks loudly today.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
My Father’s Dragon
Ruth Stiles Gannett
Illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett
INTRODUCE a new generation of young readers to a fabulous
fantasy adventure from a creative family collaboration between illustrator Ruth
Chrisman Gannett and her stepdaughter Ruth Stiles Gannett. First published in
1948, My Father’s Dragon – an American classic and the first book of a fun
trilogy – was included in an all-time children’s novel survey published in
2012. A highly illustrated chapter book, the story is narrated by the son of
the hero Elmer Elevator, inviting readers to believe the childhood tale of a
wild adventure to rescue a captive baby dragon. After striking up a friendship
with an alley cat, Elmer learns that the baby dragon is being forced to serve
as a ferry for the selfish animals of Wild Island. Elmer is determined to free
the dragon and, with advice from the savvy cat, he arms himself with chewing
gum, lollipops, rubber bands and other unlikely items. With these tools and his
own sharp wits, Elmer faces hungry tigers, cranky crocodiles and lots of other
challenges! Full of wit, thrilling action and timeless charm, My Father’s
Dragon is soon to be a new Netflix film from the Oscar-nominated Irish
animation studio behind Wolfwalkers, the Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea.
(Swift Press, paperback, £6.99)
Little Narwhal, Not Alone
Tiffany Stone, Ashlyn Anstee
and Marie Noël
BASED on the true story of a remarkable friendship between a
narwhal, who was more than 600 miles from his home in the Arctic, and a group
of beluga whales, this moving and playful picture book is a delight for young
readers. With the poetry of Tiffany Stone and the adorable illustrations of Ashlyn
Anstee, Little Narwhal, Not Alone speaks loudly about acceptance and overcoming
obstacles. When little narwhal sets off on an adventure to see new sights, he
finds himself far from home, too far to return on his own. Scared and alone,
narwhal looks for other narwhals but finds a pod of belugas instead. They don’t
speak his language or eat the same foods, but when the belugas begin to play,
little narwhal knows exactly what to do! With a summary of the little narwhal’s
amazing and inspirational story by marine biologist Marie Noël, and a beautiful
rhyming tale about a surprising inter-species friendship, this clever picture
book delivers important lessons about overcoming difference to readers young
and old.
(Greystone Kids, hardback, £12.99)
Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest
Ole Könnecke
ENJOY the warm and witty tale of a brave – and very capable
– little girl who defies a witch’s evil spell to rescue her father. Newly
fledged readers will love sharing adventures with daring Dulcinea in a
delightful illustrated fairy tale from Swedish-born author and illustrator Ole
Könnecke. Dulcinea has known since she was small not to enter the dangerous
magic forest where the witch lives in a castle. But her father hasn’t come home
from collecting blueberries for her birthday pancakes, and she is worried that
the witch has cast an evil spell on him. She must brave the dark forest and
sneak into the witch’s castle to steal the spell book and free him. After all,
her father would hardly have named her after the brave Dulcinea if she couldn’t
break a witch’s spell to celebrate her birthday with him! With miles of smiles
and madcap antics on every page, and Könnecke’s charming and characterful,
two-tone comic-style illustrations, this is a magical read for fun-loving youngsters.
(Gecko Press, hardback, £11.99)
Group Hug
Jean Reidy and Joey Chou
IF there is one thing we’ve all missed during the pandemic,
it’s a hug! Award-winning American author Jean Reidy captures the poignancy of
getting close together again with friends and family in this charming, cheering
picture book. ‘There was once a slug needing someone to hug. Along came a
beetle, a lonely ol’ bug. ‘You need a hug? I have one,’ said Slug, ‘to keep
your heart snug!’ And so begins the slug’s round of hugs with (among others!) a
lonely beetle, a grumpy mouse, a smelly squirrel and an over-worked beaver. With
its fun, feelgood vibes, the warmth and joy of human contact radiating from
every page, the bold and brightly coloured illustrations of Californian artist
Joey Chou, and resonant messages about empathy, kindness and inclusivity, Group
Hug is both an endearing bedtime read and the perfect celebration of
friendship, community affection and togetherness. A book hug for all the family
to enjoy!
(Scallywag Press, paperback, £7.99)
Who’s Got a Normal Family?
Belinda Nowell and Miša Alexander
IS there such a thing as a ‘normal’ family? That is the
question at the heart of a fun and clever picture book from Aussie author and
illustrator team Belinda Nowell and Miša Alexander. Baby Emma is Alex’s brand
new foster sister and he can’t wait to tell his friends at school. But when one
of his classmates tells Alex, ‘You don’t have a normal family,’ Alex’s
happiness quickly evaporates. ‘Are
we normal?’ he asks mum that night and mum gives him the brightest smile.
‘Absolutely NOT… but why don’t we find out who is?’ And it turns out that none
of the children in his class has a ‘normal’ family… some have two dads, some
are looked after by their grandparents, and some have no dads. It seems that
there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family after all! This perfectly pitched
and gently reassuring picture book – packed with Alexander’s beautiful
illustrations – is a colourful celebration of the unique and diverse quality of
families today and the ideal teaching tool for use at home, in nurseries and at
school.
(Little Steps Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
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