Category: Children’s Fiction (9 – 12)

Crookhaven – The School For Thieves by J. J. Arcanjo

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The Blurb On The Back:

”Here, we will teach you to do wrong, but only so that one day you will put the world right.”

When talented pickpocket Gabriel is recruited to Crookhaven, he is welcomes into a whole new world.  This secret school trains its students in classes like Forgery, Deception and Crimnastics – all so that one day they will go out into the world and do good.

On the first day, the mysterious headmaster Caspian announced the infamous Crooked Cup competition.  Determined to win, Gabriel soon realises his best chance will be to assemble a crew of multi-talented misfits.  Except that’s not exactly encouraged.

But when has breaking a few rules ever stopped a crook?

CROOKHAVEN – THE SCHOOL FOR THIEVES was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd March 2023.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order CROOKHAVEN – THE SCHOOL FOR THIEVES by J. J. Arcanjo from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell

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The Blurb On The Back:

Where am I?

What am I doing here?

And … Who am I?

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is.  She’s wearing one show, a plain black dress and she’s carrying a strange, heavy case.  She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own.

Together, the two girls trek across the cast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers.

Except both are hiding secrets …

THE SONG WALKER was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd February 2023.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order THE SONG WALKER by Zillah Bethell from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Very Merry Murder Club edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens

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The Blurb On The Back:

Join The Frosty Foul Play

Cat-napping and crazy heists, suspicious Santas and scrabble games, frost fairs and fancy dress … join the Very Merry Murder Club and put your detective skills to the test with these fiendishly fun and festive mysteries.

You can order THE VERY MERRY MURDER CLUB edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Basically Famous by Jen Carney

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The Blurb On The Back:

Five things that happen in this book that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS:

1. I appear on ACTUAL TV.

2. My teacher LITERALLY tells us to P.E.E. in class.

3. I locate dead people’s lost jewellery in exchange for luxury BISCUITS.

4. I discover where you can get FREE HOT CHOCOLATE.

5. I find out about a HUGE secret my mums have been keeping from me.

WARNING: Janey has been extra painy recently (one thing that might put you off). 

THE ACCIDENTAL DIARY OF B.U.G: BASICALLY FAMOUS was released in the United Kingdom on 19th August 2021.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Basically Famous by Jen Carney from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Sequins And Secrets by Lucy Ivison

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The Blurb On The Back:

Welcome to The House of Serendipity, where friendships are fashioned and destinies designed!

Meet Sylvia Cartwright, the 1920s’ Eloise Bridgerton, determined to break societal conventions.  And Myrtle Mathers, a maid with more ambition than Downton’s Daisy.  They know that the perfect outfit can make dreams come true, and their dazzling designs are the talk of 1920s London …

So when Agapantha Portland-Prince wants to escape her glamorous debutante ball for a life of adventure, it’s their magical talents she needs.  But can the girls make their secret dreams a reality, or will this be the most stylish scandal of the century?  

SEQUINS AND SECRETS was released in the United Kingdom on 10th June 2021.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order SEQUINS AND SECRETS by Lucy Ivison from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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The Blurb On The Back:

Disliked. Bullied. Framed. But I’m not going to let that stop me …

Most of the students at Middlesfield Prep don’t look like Donte. And they don’t like him either. When Donte is suspended from school and arrested, framed for something he didn’t do, he knows it would have never happened to high lighter-skinned brother, Trey.

Terrified, and searching for a place where he belongs, Donte discovered the sport of fencing. And he’s good at it. Very good.

But when he must fence the very boy who framed him, there is far more at stake than just a trophy. Donte must fight not only his bullies, but an entire system that has never treated him fairly because of the colour of his skin.

Powerful and emotionally gripping, this is a story about one boy’s path to finding his own voice in the fight against racism.

BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER was released in the United Kingdom on 13th May 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER by Jewell Parker Rhodes from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK. I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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A Girl Called Justice: The Ghost In The Garden by Elly Griffiths

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The Blurb On The Back:

Super-smart by day, super-sleuth by night.

Justice Jones is on the case …

An intriguing new girl catches Justice’s attention this year.  Letitia has never been to school before and doesn’t care for the rules.  Mysteriously, the teachers don’t seem to mind!

Then, after a midnight feast in the barn, and a terrifying ghost-sighting in the garden, one of Justice’s friends disappears.  Justice has to investigate.  But why are the ransom notes torn from the pages of a crime novel?

Can Justice find the kidnapper – before it’s too late?

You can order A GIRL CALLED JUSTICE: THE GHOST IN THE GARDEN by Elly Griffiths from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Jaz Santos Vs. The World by Priscilla Mante

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The Blurb On The Back:

Olá!  I’m Jasmina Santos-Campbell (but you can call me Jaz).  You’ve probably heard of me and my team the Bamrock Stars before.  No?  Well, you will soon because we’re almost famous!

Forming the Stars was my genius idea – you see I need to prove to Mãe (that’s my mum!) that I’m a football star so she’ll want to come back home.

The idea was the easy part, though.  Now I’ve got a team of seven very different girls and we need to work together, to be taken seriously as footballers.

We are the DREAM TEAM and we’re going to show the world that girls CAN play football! 

You can pre-order JAZ SANTOS VS THE WORLD by Priscilla Mante from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Renegades: Defenders Of The Planet Flames Of Amazonia (Vol 2) by Jeremy Brown, Katy Jakeway, Ellenor Mererid, Libby Reed and David Selby

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The Blurb On The Back:

The Amazon is burning.  Fire-breathing creatures run amok through the trees and The Renegades must unite with indigenous activists to stop them

Protecting the climate are Professor Katelyn, who is haunted by sinister visions …

What do these new visions mean?

… Leon, whose stealthy spying skills have risen to the next level …

I’m going to find out where these creatures come from … 

… And Mo, who can blast solar energy from his fingertips.

I hope I can protect my friends from danger.

CAN THEY STOP THE LATEST THREAT TO EARTH?

You can buy THE RENEGADES DEFENDERS OF THE PLANET VOLUME 2 – FLAMES OF AMAZONIA by Jeremy Brown, Katy Jakeway, Eleanor Mererid, Libby Reed and David Selby from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson

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The Blurb On The Back:

They call me Yanka the bear.  Not because of where I was found – only a few people know about that.

Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered where she is from.  She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong inside as she is on the outside.  When Yanka has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond anything she ever imagined begins – from icy rivers to smouldering mountains, meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way. 

You can buy THE GIRL WHO SPEAKS BEAR by Sophie Anderson from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt

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The Blurb On The Back:

”I wonder what people would think if they could take the front off our house, like a doll’s house, and watch us.  All in the same house, but everyone separate.  No one talking, but everyone thinking the same thing. Will we ever be a normal family again?”

Izzy’s family is under the spotlight when her dad comes out as Danielle, a trans woman.  Now shy Izzy must face her fears, find her voice, confront the bullies and stand up for her family.

Warm, honest and hopeful, this is a story about the power of family, friendship and being true to yourself.

You can buy NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE by Sarah Hagger-Holt from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Maker Of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory

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The Blurb On The Back:

Brat has always lived in the isolated castle on the island, taking care of the vicious creatures that his master creates, waiting in terror for the moment when they are ready to be put to use.  But then the unthinkable happens.  The monsters get out.  Now Brat must overcome his features, and venture into the world he has hidden from his whole life.  For the fate of the everyone rests on his shoulders alone …  

You can buy THE MAKER OF MONSTERS by Lorraine Gregory from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Silly Verse For Kids by Spike Milligan

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The Blurb On The Back:

In the Land of the Bumbley Boo

All the mice go Clang!

Hello Jolly Guardsman

But a Hippopotamus Could eat the Lotofus!

The wonderful Bumbley BOO!!!

And Edser, in bed sir, was dead sir

Hello Jolly Guardsman

And Bottles of Dandelion Stew

Hello Mr Python

The People are red white and blue

English Teeth, English Teeth!

I’m not frightened of Pussy Cats

English Teeth, English Teeth!

While an elephant raised his hat

You must never bath in an Irish Stew

Look at all those monkeys

On the Ning Nang Nong

But a Hippopotamus Could eat the Lotofus!

And Edser, in bed sir, was dead sir 

You can buy SILLY VERSE FOR KIDS by Spike Milligan from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Agatha Oddly – Murder At The Museum by Lena Jones

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The Blurb On The Back:

Agatha Oddly: No case too odd … 

Agatha Oddlow’s just stumbled across her next big case … a murder at the British Museum.

But as Agatha starts to dig beneath the surface she begins to suspect that a wider plot is afoot below London – a plot involving a disused Tube station, a huge fireworks display and five thousand tonnes of gold bullion.

Luckily, Agatha’s on the trail …

You can buy AGATHA ODDLY: MURDER AT THE MUSEUM by Lena Jones from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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A Book Of Milliganimals by Spike Milligan

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The Blurb On The Back:

Do you know what a Onecan is?  Have you met a Gofongo or the Bald Twit Lion?  Can you guess what the Wiggle-Woggle said?

Another collection of goonish poems and zany drawings by Spike Milligan.  

You can buy A BOOK OF MILLIGANIMALS by Spike Milligan from Amazon UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through this link.

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Choose Your Own Adventure: Mountain Survival by Edward Packard

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The Blurb On The Back:

Danger awaits you in the mountain wilderness!

You and your pilot Jake have crashed in the Canadian Rockies.  Jake is hurt, so it’s up to you to hike through the snow for help.  You walk for hours until you come to a cabin.  Inside you see a terrifying scene – a boy is tied to a chair, guarded by a sleeping man with a shotgun and a hunting knife!

What should you do?  If you decide to play it safe and look for help, turn to page 83.  If you try to sneak in and grab the gun and knife, turn to page 89.  Be careful.  Your next move could make you rich – or trap you forever in the dangerous mountains!

What happens next in the story?  It all depends on the choices you make.  How does the story end?  Only you can find out!  And the best part is that you can keep reading and rereading until you’ve had not one but many incredibly daring adventures!

You can buy CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: MOUNTAIN SURVIVAL by Edward Packard from Amazon UK.  Please note that I earn commission on any purchases made via this link.

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Scavengers by Darren Simpson

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The Blurb On The Back:

Follow the rules.

Babagoo’s always right.

Believe only Babagoo.

Respect your fear.

Never go looking outside.

Never rise above the wall.

Landfill has lived his whole life as a scavenger, running with wooflings, swimming with turtles and feasting on whatever he can catch.

Old Babagoo has always looked after him – on one condition.  Follow Babagoo’s rules.  And the most important rule of all is NEVER go beyond the wall.

But Landfill longs to venture Outside.  And some rules are made to be broken.

You can order SCAVENGERS by Darren Simpson from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Death Sets Sail by Robin Stevens

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The Blurb On The Back:

Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are in Egypt, taking a cruise along the Nile.  They are hoping to see some ancient temples and a mummy or two; what they get, instead, is MURDER.

Also taking the cruise is a group of genteel English ladies and gentlemen, who believe themselves to be reincarnations of the ANCIENT PHAROAHS.  When their leader is found stabbed to death, and her SLEEPWALKING DAUGHTER awakens covered in blood, Daisy and Hazel begin their most difficult case yet.

But there is DANGER ALL AROUND, and this time only one of the Detective Society will make it home alive … 

You can order Death Sets Sail by Robin Stevens from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Top Marks For Murder by Robin Stevens

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The Blurb On The Back:

Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are back at Deepdean School for Girls, where plans are underway for a most exciting event: the Anniversary Weekend.

But as parents arrive at Deepdean, LONG-BURIED RIVALRIES AND SECRETS begin to surface.  Then a shocking incident takes place in the woods.  The girls are convinced THIS IS MURDER – and everything points to one of the parents.

And unless the killer is caught, DEEPDEAN WILL CLOSE FOREVER.

You can order Top Marks For Murder by Robin Stevens from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Embassy Of The Dead: Hangman’s Crossing by Will Mabbitt

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The Blurb On The Back:

Welcome to the Embassy of the Dead.

Leave your life at the door.  (Thanks).

Awarded an official position working for the Embassy of the Dead, Jake’s job is to protect souls in need.  But journeying deep into the mysterious world of ghosts, Jake overhears a plot to destroy the very fabric between the land of the living and the dead.

With a ghostly gang at his side Jake must do the impossible.  He has to be a hero.  His life – and the fate of EVERYONE ON EARTH – depends on it …

You can order Embassy Of The Dead: Hangman’s Crossing by Will Mabbitt from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Rory Branagan: The Deadly Dinner Lady by Andrew Clover and Ralph Lazar

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The Blurb On The Back:

Hello.

I am Rory Branagan.  I am actually a detective.  My school is having a talent show – with Mr Bolton’s ridiculous rap, Mr Meeton’s epic guitar solos and my friend Cat’s amazing dance – but, right in the middle of it, there is the deadliest crime in the history of our school.  I have to find out who did it and why – before they strike again! 

You can order Rory Branagan: The Deadly Dinner Lady by Andrew Clover and Ralph Lazar from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Way Of The Waves by Janina Ramirez

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The Blurb On The Back:

Alva clings to her sleeping wolf as the Viking longship pitches and rolls over the North Sea’s crashing waves.  Soon she will reveal herself as a secret stowaway, but only when there’s no chance of turning back.  This is her opportunity to put her shield maiden spirit to the test – exploring strange new ands, solving mysteries, and most importantly finding her father … 

You can order Way Of The Waves by Janina Ramirez from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Riddle Of The Runes by Janina Ramirez

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The Blurb On The Back:

Alva rushes through the trees in the dead of night with her sniffer wolf, Fen.  Being out alone when there’s a kidnapper on the loose is reckless, but if she ever wants to be an investigator like her Uncle Magnus, she’ll need to be first to the crime scene.

But what Alva discovers raises more questions than it answers, drawing her into a dangerous search for truth, and for treasure … 

You can order Riddle Of The Runes by Janina Ramirez from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Girl With Space In Her Heart by Lara Williamson

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The Blurb On The Back:

Mabel Mynt knows a lot about space …

… like how we feel connected to the stars because we are all made of stardust.

And that Mum’s new boyfriend, Galactic Gavin, has eyes that twinkle like Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

And that sometimes the perfect place for her sister, Terrible Topaz, would be a black hole.

But Mabel doesn’t know how to fill the space in her heart that Dad left when he walked out.

And so she sets out on a mission of discovery …

You can order The Girl With Space In Her Heart by Lara Williamson from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Haven Revolution by Simon Lelic

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The Blurb On The Back:

When pupils start going missing from a prestigious boarding school, Ollie Turner knows it’s a job for the Haven.

Below the city streets, the Haven is a hideout for kids, run by kids.

Ollie and the Haven’s Investigations Team put their lives on the line, going undercover to find the missing children.  But little do they realise that a deadly enemy awaits them – one with plans to destroy everything they hold dear.

You can order The Haven Revolution by Simon Lelic from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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