The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon

If you look up Doldrums in a dictionary, you will find that it's a state of inactivity, a sad sort of stuckness, the opposite of a daring adventure. And that is how this story begins. Three children who have been confined to their homes for various reasons meet on a rooftop to plan a daring adventure. They really don't expect to get very far, but they all agree they're "in it for the friendship".

The Doldrums is mostly very understated, a gentle and slyly comic exploration of the release that friendship can bring to the lonely. There is a final adventure, which is absolutely extraordinary, but the appeal of this book is found in the quiet small joys that can chase away the doldrums, without ever leaving home.

For ages 8+

Published by Greenwillow books September 29, 2015

Firstborn by Tor Seidler

Maggie the magpie is curious about the world, but she fears she might be limited to the area around the farm where she was born. When her friend the intellectual raven is shot, Maggie decides the farm isn't the safe haven she'd assumed it to be and she sets off in search of new experiences. This is an excellent nature story, told by a clever magpie who runs (or maybe flies?) with a wolf pack. There are lots of scenes depicting the brutality of the wild but Siedler tenderly balances this with moments of conciliation and loyalty. A deceptively simple and really interesting animal story.

For ages 8-10

Published by Simon & Schuster March 3, 2015

The Ferals by Jacob Grey

Caw is a boy who only just remembers his parents. He was raised by crows on the rooftops and trees of a rundown city. It never seemed strange to him that they communicate with him, what he doesn't understand are the other humans living their normal lives. Caw's life is turned upside down when he witnesses a prison breakout by three sinister characters with the ability to control animals. These vicious criminals are linked to Caw, in a way he cannot imagine.

This is a really dark, urban drama about superpowers and the fear of trust. It has some bright moments, but it is definitely not for the fainthearted. A thrilling and dangerous read.

For ages 8-12 (with strong stomachs)

Published by HarperCollins, April 28 2015

The Keepers - The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders

The first book in a new series of magical adventures where children are chosen as Keepers of arcane magical objects, only to discover themselves in danger from the monstrous Makers of those objects who want their creations back at any price. 

This book takes a welcome step away from the "magical school" plot that has been holding sway over kids magical books for some time. The Keepers have the support of one another, the magical powers of their objects and some rather haphazard advice from a few magical adults. Meanwhile they are responsible not only for protecting themselves, but also their families, even though some of those families are less than perfect. I loved how the fantasy and the very real life situations stand side by side in this book. 

For ages 8-12

Published by HarperCollins, March 3 2015

The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig by Emer Stamp

Pig has plenty to write about in his diary, his love of slops, his best friend duck and the evil chickens who live with him on the farm. Life is pretty sweet until pig works out that the farmer wants to eat him and the chickens are planning to send him to Pluto on a trocket (part tractor, part rocket). Now he has to decide which fate is worse and it's not an easy decision. 

This is a book that makes very little sense to adults, the grammar is deliberately bad (so that pig seems particularly stupid), there are tons of fart gags and a lot of slapstick. But I have it on the authority of two well read eight year olds that this book is really funny and who am I to argue with them? For ages 6-10.

Published by Scholastic, April 28, 2015

The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall

It's been ten years since we first met the Penderwick sisters in the award winning story about family, a vacation adventure and the kinds of small mysteries that can seem very important. The Penderwicks continues to be popular, because of it's timeless and charming feel and because of the emotional depth of the four girls who range in age from four to eleven and who have such fascinatingly different characters.

The newest Penderwicks book was published last month, it's called The Penderwicks in Spring and it focuses on Batty, who is now eleven and her younger siblings Ben and Lydia. Of course, the older sisters still play a vital role in the story, but most of them are away at college or behaving in unintelligibly teenage ways. Batty is trying to find out where she fits in this enormous family. Her self-confidence is at a low ebb and she does get quite sad, but the book still proves to be fresh, funny and eventually redemptive.

I loved this book, it made me laugh and cry. So much beautiful writing and insightful character. A truly lovely book with a very wide appeal.

Published by Knopf Books, March 24, 2015

The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency #1 The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford

A historical mystery set in an alternative 1826 where Ada Lovelace (the first computer programmer) and Mary Shelley (the author of Frankenstein) meet as girls and form a detective agency. Their first case is the theft of a valuable moonstone, the maid has already confessed, but both girls think that smells a little fishy. This book is so much fun, action, adventure, thrills and intrigue, not to mention a cast of historical characters who pop in and out to aid the young ladies in their adventures. For ages 8-10.

Published by Alfred A Knopf Books January 6, 2015

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale

Princess Magnolia is having cocoa with a Duchess when the monster alarm rings. She needs to make her excuses fast, get into her ninja outfit, saddle up her unicorn and defeat the monster threat to her kingdom. Will she manage to keep her identity a secret from the nosey Duchess and the clever goat herd? Will she drive the monsters away from her kingdom? It's certainly no tea party being this princess.

With 15 short chapters and fun friendly illustrations by LeUyen Pham The Princess in Black is great for new readers or for younger children who want to hear a long story. If you've ever wished there was a princess story that didn't start with a pretty dress and end in marriage. Or wished for a superhero story with a strong female character. Then this is the book for you and your kids.

For ages 4-8.

Published by Harper Collins October 14, 2014

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

Ellie is struggling with middle school, everything is different and she's finding it hard to fit in. Then one day her Mom brings home a 13 year old boy who turns out to be Ellie's scientist grandpa! He just discovered the secret to eternal youth and he's desperate to replicate the experiment. Scientific discovery makes incredible things possible, but what happens when the desire for discovery goes too far? A surprisingly complex moral question tackled well in this funny book for ages 8-12. 

Published by Random House August 26, 2014

Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve

Ten year old Oliver does not have an ordinary childhood, his parents are explorers and he has followed them to lost cities, high mountains and mysterious marshes. Oliver is not really the adventurous type so he's delighted when his parents decide to give up their exploring and settle in Deepwater Bay. But Deepwater Bay has a secret, a collection of Rambling Isles, sentient islands that move around. Of course when Oliver's parents want to explore the islands, things go wrong and soon Oliver has to rescue them. What he isn't expecting is that one of the Rambling Isles, a mermaid, a particular seabird and some sea monkeys will help him, whilst in search of the perfect sea wig.

A fantastical tale, with lots of fun silliness and beautiful quirky illustrations that add so much to the story. Great for new readers aged 6-10

Published by Random House July 22, 2014

Pigsticks and Harold by Alex Milway

Pigsticks comes from a distinguished line of successful Pig ancestors and he thinks it must be time for him to make his mark. He declares that he will be an explorer, only he doesn't want to carry the bags. Enter Harold an unsuspecting Hamster who is persuaded to join Pigsticks in this difficult and dangerous expedition. Harold is promised cake, otherwise he wouldn't agree to come. 

This is a truly delightful story for beginning readers. The humor is extremely dry and in places just plain silly, with some great visual jokes provided by the cartoonish illustrations. But the plot is sweet enough that it will appeal to parents too. 

In the end this is a funny book about two real characters. Pigsticks is spectacularly confident and utterly incompetent. Harold is stalwart and easily bribed. I would like to see more adventures with this mismatched duo.

Age 6-10

Published May 27, 2014 by Candlewick Press

Space Taxi - Archie Takes Flight by Wendy Mass and Michael Brawer

Wendy Mass has written some seriously great middle grade novels including The Candymakers and A Mango Shaped Space. Her newest book Space Taxi is for new readers age 7 to 9 and it's just as good.

Archie Morningstar is 8 years, 8 months and 8 days old and tonight he gets to ride along in his Dad's Taxi. Archie is excited, but deep down, he knows that the most interesting thing will probably be going through a pothole and losing a hubcap. That's before he realizes that the first pick up is a bit further than just the next town over.

This is a wonderful early reader, it's short and easy to read, but not simple. There's a full plot with some mild peril and a few space facts thrown in. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Archie in Water Planet Rescue, which is published in September.

Published by Little Brown April 1, 2014

The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald

Jax is 12 years old and a bit of a rebel, she's been in trouble for everything from shoplifting a candy bar to creeping backstage at a magic show to find the hole in the stage.

Ethan is her sidekick. He knows he's a sidekick, he calls himself Caution Boy. But he just can't seem to walk away from Jax and her ill advised schemes.

When Jax receives a mysterious box for her birthday from an Aunt she's never even heard of, she has to get it open no matter what. Unfortunately, the box has a special puzzle locking mechanism and apparently there are some other people who want to get their hands on the contents just as desperately as Jax does.

Add in Ethan's truly obnoxious older brother Tyler as a driver and you have all the ingredients for an exciting and funny adventure.

What I loved most about this book is the voice of Jax. She is so reckless and headstrong that you know she'll be leading us somewhere interesting and probably bad. Luckily her voice is tempered by that of fact-loving Ethan, who offers us a respite in tone and pace. 

Great for kids who love to be larger than life and who long for adventure.

Ages 8-10

Published February 25, 2014 

Elvis and the Underdogs by Jenny Lee

Benji is a sickly kind of kid, he's 10 years old and has been in and out of hospital his whole life. He has allergies, faints when he gets stressed and now he's started having seizures. His doctor suggests he get a service dog, a well trained canine friend who can go get help if Benji has another seizure. This sounds like a great idea, but when the dog arrives he is a 400 lb Newfoundland called Elvis, who is so clever he can talk, or at least Benji can hear him talk. Benji's Mom is not happy about Elvis' assignment and neither is Elvis who is convinced he should be at the White House.

Elvis helps Benji find his own pack, understand the school bully and saves his life. Benji helps Elvis to stop being so serious and helps him make friends of his own.

What a great story, action, adventure, humor, pathos and heart. The book also has a fantastic ending which is moving without being trite. My favorite part is the idea that only Benji can hear Elvis speaking English, maybe it's the brain tumor that's also causing the seizures, or maybe Elvis really is that clever. 

Ages 8-10

Published May 14, 2013 by Harper Collins. (Published in paperback February 4th, 2014) 

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

Billy Miller is seven years old and about to start second grade. Billy's worried that he may not be smart enough, his three year old sister is annoying, there may be a girl in his class called Hamster and sometimes running is the only thing that makes sense. 

An extraordinary book which taps into the feelings and experiences of junior readers. There's no toilet humor and no mutant teachers, just real situations and Billy's responses to them. Read this book to your first grader or have your second grader read it to you, but if you know someone who is seven, you should read it. 

Published September 17, 2013 by Greenwillow Books

The True Blue Scouts of the Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

The Sugar Man Swamp is about to be developed into an Alligator Wrestling theme park, there are wild hogs on the way through town and 11 year old Chap Braeburn is about to lose his home and his heritage. In short, the swamp is under attack and it's up to the Sugar Man Scouts (who are all raccoons) to alert the Sugar Man, so he can put it right. 

Several story lines are woven together in this funny and exciting book, it doesn't seem possible that it will all work out OK in the end, even if the mythical Sugar Man ever does wake up. A great book to read aloud to elementary aged children, with enough content and good words to keep middle school kids interested too.


Published July 23, 2013 by Atheneum Books (in paperback April 2014)

Gadgets and Gears Book 1: The Mesmer Menace by Kersten Hamilton

Welcome to the Amazing Automated Inn, home of twelve-year-old inventor Wally Kennewickett, his genius scientist parents, and his dashing dog, Noodles. From the lightning harvester on the roof to the labs full of experiments in the dungeon, the inn is a wonderful place for a curious boy and his loyal dog to live. That is, until President Theodore Roosevelt himself calls the elder Kennewicketts away, leaving Wally and Noodles to face the evil mesmers, horrible hypnotists bent on controlling the minds of powerful people. It seems the inn is their first stop on the way to world domination . . . and only an ingenious boy, a staff of automatons, and a brave dachshund stand in their way!

Book Published November 19, 2013 by Clarion Books

Review originally published in Kids Indie Next Winter 2013-14