Latest Review 
Aug 22 2019
The flowers of Vashnoi by Lois McMaster Bujold
Subterranean, 2019. ISBN 9781596068926. 96pg.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Science fiction. Lovers of
Bujold's Hugo Award winning Miles Vorkosigan series will
rejoice to discover a short stand-alone novel starring Ekaterin,
Miles' clever wife who is determined to help Vashnoi exclusion zone
that was been devastated by radiation when the Centagandans attacked
the planet. With the help of scientist Enrique Borgos, she has
attempted to use bioengineered insects to regenerate a region but
when checking on the experiment finds that some have been stolen.
Further investigation from the air uncovers the fact that there are
four individuals living in the area. It is up to her to help them
leave Vashnoi for medical treatment.
Ekaterin is clever and empathetic and readers will enjoy getting to
know her character and her abilities in this short work. She emerges
a formidable woman who is equally as compassionate and intelligent
as her husband and is very good at problem solving. The unique
science behind the bioengineered insects is also fascinating.
Fans who want to know more about the planet Barrayar and Miles' wife
will not be disappointed and readers new to Bujold's work will
discover a satisfying short stand-alone read that will have them
searching for the Miles Vorkosigan series.
Pat Pledger
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Aug 22 2019
Every child a song by Nicola Davies
Illus. by Marc Martin. Wren and Rook, 2019. ISBN: 9781526361417.
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Themes: Universal rights of the child, Human
rights. A unique and moving picture book combines a tender story
with information about the rights that children are entitled to
under the United Nations... more
Aug 21 2019
Inland by Tea Obreht
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780297867074.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Themes: Historical fiction, Survival,
Drought, Cameleers, Ghosts, Trust, Relationships. Set in the harsh
drought ridden country of 1890's southwest America, Obrecht's Inland
tells two stories that gradually draw... more
Aug 21 2019
The secret dragon by Ed Clarke
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241360514. 239p.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy. If life is a paradox,
then The Secret Dragon is duplicitous to its core. Mari
wants to be a palaeontologist like her father, who was tragically
struck by lightning when she was a toddler. Her... more
Aug 21 2019
The fated sky by Mary Robinette Kowal
Lady Astronaut book 2. Tor Books, 2018. ISBN: 9780765398949.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. Themes: Science
fiction, Women astronauts, Space colonies, Mathematicians, Gender
stereotyping, Racism. Fans of the award winning... more
Aug 20 2019
Run away by Harlan Coben
Cornerstone, 2019. ISBN: 9781784751173.
(Age: 16+) Recommended for lovers of thrillers. Themes: Mystery,
Drug addiction, Fathers. An exciting stand-alone thriller, Run
away grabs the reader right from the first page and with many
twists and hooks, keeps up the momentum until the... more
Aug 20 2019
Computer coding games for kids by Carol Vorderman
Dorling Kindersley, 2019. ISBN: 9780241317747.
(Age: 8-16) Themes: Computer programming, Programming languages,
Computer games - design and construction. Computer coding
projects for kids presents a visually appealing step by step
guide to computer programming for kids, beginning... more
Aug 20 2019
Zanzibar by Catherina Valckx
Gecko Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781776572564. 65p
(Age: 7+) Early Chapter Book. Zanzibar is an ordinary, contented
crow who unfortunately begins to believe that he is lacking in some
way. Achille LeBlab is to blame. As the special correspondent to the
'Voices of the Forest' newspaper, he is... more
Aug 19 2019
The agony house by Cherie Priest
Illus. by Tara O'Connor. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2018. ISBN:
9780545934299.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult
Readers. Themes: Ghosts, Horror. With a clever graphic/novel hybrid
The Agony House provides chills and thrills for the teen
reader.... more
Aug 19 2019
Encyclopedia of grannies by Eric Veille
Gecko Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781776572434.
(Age: 4+) Themes: Humour, Grandmothers, Diversity, Expectations.
With a tongue placed firmly in the cheek, this overview of what to
expect from a grandmother will encourage howls of recognition
alongside surprises for the unwary as a huge array of... more
Aug 16 2019
Becoming Dinah by Kit de Waal
Orion Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781510105706. 243p., pbk.
(Age guide: 13+) Highly recommended. Who doesn't love a road trip
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on a much-loved classic. Kit de Waal uses the road trip to chart the
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Aug 16 2019
The runaways by Ulf Stark
Illus. by Kitty Crowther. Gecko, 2019. ISBN: 9781776572342. 129p
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Kitty Crowther's colour pencil illustrations
create low expectations of an outwardly self-published title, but it
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Aug 16 2019
The Pigeon has to go to school by Mo Willems
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406389012.
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Fear, Going to school. Another
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children who are off to school or pre-school and are having a few
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Aug 15 2019
Extraordinary birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781526610874
(Ages: 9-12). Recommended. Themes: Foster care, Families, Birds,
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Aug 14 2019
New Class at Malory Towers by Patrice Lawrence et al.
Hodder, 2019. ISBN: 9781444951004.
(Age: 8-11) Themes: Short stories, Boarding School, Girls. Enid
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written in the late 1940s and early 1950s, suited to the children of
post-war Britain. Now, a new generation of writers... more
Aug 14 2019
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
Tom Doherty Associates, 2019. ISBN: 9781250229793.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy,
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slim volume of just 109 pages, which can be read in one sitting!
Tobias is a wild man who lives alone in... more
Aug 13 2019
Incredible journeys: discovery, adventure, danger, endurance by Levison Wood
Illus: by Sam Brewster. Wren and Rook, 2019. ISBN: 9781526360434.
(Age: 8-14) Recommended. Themes: World exploration, World explorers
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Aug 12 2019
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Faber and Faber, 2019. ISBN: 9780571350407. pbk., 148 pgs.
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adventure during World War Two. The book consists of three short
stories set along Devon Coast in war... more