'Cogheart' by Peter Bunzl

What if you could have a mechanical fox for a pet? And servants that only needed winding up and the occasional oiling in order to do all your work for you? Well, in the world of Cogheart, you can! If you’ve never read any ‘steampunk’, this is a brilliant entry into the genre which is often set in a pseudo Victorian era and run by steam/clockwork powered technology.

Lily’s father, an inventor and airman, has disappeared, and he has sent her mechanical fox, Malkin, with an important message, to find her. Aided by her new friend Robert, she must discover her father’s special invention, the perpetual motion machine, before the mirror-eyed villains do. Fast-paced, this story thrusts the main characters through so much adventure, it’s surprising they’ve got any energy left for the planned sequel, Moonlocket!

I definitely want my own mechanical fox! Malkin steals the show and could probably star in his very own novel/adventure/steampunk empire…

'Journey to the river sea' by Eva Ibbotson

Orphan, Maia, travels out to the Amazon in 1910, excited to begin her new life with her cousins. But she is shocked to discover that, far from enjoying Brazilian culture, they have created their own miniature England in their drab, highly-disinfectanted, home.

Maia is far more adventurous, however, and she and her eccentric governess are determined to explore their exotic surroundings - full of screeching monkeys and wild jungle flowers. She makes new friends, including travelling child-actor, Clovis, who longs for English stodgy puddings, and the mysterious Finn, with a big family secret.

But Maia’ adventures, and her friendship with Finn, ultimately lead her into danger. If you love stories with adventure and heart then read this beautifully-written story to find out if she survives her cruel scheming relatives and the darker side of Amazonian life...

'Hercufleas' by Sam Gayton

The town of Tumber needs a hero to save it from the giant, Yuk. So Greta, our brave heroine, goes in search of a giant-slayer. Now, a young flea might not seem like the ideal choice, but Hercufleas is no ordinary flea, with a big heart and a talent for using his little strengths to big effect.

The plot is full of surprising twists and unexpected turns. Hercufleas must make impossible choices: between his family and Greta; between taking life & saving it. Gayton has created a wonderfully detailed world and I would love to read more adventures with the characters he has created.

All in all it's an unbefleavably exciting adventure! If you enjoyed Beetle boy  you'll love this.

'The many worlds of Albie Bright' by Christopher Edge

After the death of Albie’s mum, his father tells him about quantum physics and the scientific possibility of parallel worlds. Albie starts to wonder if he could travel to an alternate universe where his mum might still be alive. All he needs is a cat, a cardboard box, a rotting banana and a quantum computer…

The result is a number of journeys into different versions of his life – all of which give him new perspectives on his real life back home. Can Alfie meet his mum in an alternative world? Can he come to terms with his loss? Will the cat survive? This book had me turning the pages fast as I felt so strongly for Albie and was desperate for it to all turn out well.

There’s lots of science in this book which is fantastic if you’re into science – but really not a problem if you aren’t because it’s all explained in such a simple way you’ll feel you are a top Nobel-winning professor by the end. I definitely wish I’d read this book before starting physics lessons at school – they might have made more sense and they could have been a lot more fun (especially if I’d got my hands on one of those quantum computer thingies…)

'Girl of ink and stars' by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

If you like maps then you’re in for a treat with this book - Isabelle, the heroine, is the daughter of a map-maker (‘cartographer’ if we’re being posh) and so she knows how to draw them, using the stars as her guide. Not surprisingly then, this is an adventure story where maps play a big part. Set on Joya, an island that used to float freely in the ocean, myth also plays a big part. Maps and mythology - what a perfect combination!

Isabelle blames her best friend, Lupe, the governor's spoiled daughter, when one of their classmates goes missing. Lupe takes Isabelle’s harsh words to heart and goes into the Forgotten Territories in search of the missing girl. Isabelle then goes after Lupe, chopping her hair off and disguising herself as her dead twin brother in order to tag along with the cruel governor. But this is a dangerous world with deadly ‘Tibicenas’ (demon dogs) and the threat of the mythical fire demon. Can Isabelle find Lupe before the Tibicena do? Can she save the island from the fire demon, Yote (who might not be just ‘a bedtime story’ after all…)?

I found the story a little slow to start with but, if you like fast-paced adventure, it’s worth holding out because once it gets moving it really propels you forwards. It’s a beautiful book with inky illustration around the edges of the pages (this does risk being distracting at times) and - of course - maps!

'Beetle boy' by M.G.Leonard

If you, like me, are a little squeamish around things that scuttle, then you might be in for a surprise with this book. Beetles - apparently - are intelligent, courageous and caring creatures!

 

Darkus Cuttle, the book’s hero, isn’t bothered by ninja insects - he’s got something far more pressing to worry about - the strange disappearance of his dad from a locked vault. But the discovery of a hamster-sized (don’t freak - he’s friendly!) rhinoceros beetle called Baxter introduces him to a whole new world and also gives him a brand new problem: the dastardly villainess, Lucretia Cutter. Lucretia has an altogether unpleasant interest in Darkus’ new beetle friends and Darkus and his school mates must find a way to save them. Could there be a link between Lucretia and the disappearance of Darkus’ dad? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out!

 

If I’m honest, I was just a little disappointed by the explanation of how Darkus’ dad disappeared from the vault - BUT the book has so many wonderful characters and lots of great drama, that it didn’t spoil it too much in the end. And, although I still wouldn’t want to cuddle a beetle, I’m looking at the bugs in my garden with a lot more curiosity - you just never know when you might need a beetle to save the day...

'A face like glass' by Frances Hardinge

Can you imagine just how awkward life would be if you were unable to hide what you were really feeling? And if you were the only one whose thoughts were clearly on view for the rest of the world to see?

This is the problem faced by Neverfell. She betrays her thoughts and feelings by her facial expressions. The other inhabitants of the underground world of Caverna are taught to produce various facial expressions and are able to cover their true thoughts at all times – and Neverfell is unable to tell if they are lying or not.

This makes Neverfell both dangerous and useful. She becomes caught up in the plots and intrigues of this world – everyone wants to use her for their own schemes. Neverfell herself wants to escape the claustrophobic underground world and discover life overground??

Caverna is an intricate and bizarre world, full of intriguing characters and strange customs. It’s a world I want to come back to again and again, and I’m certain I will re-read this book a hundred times and find new treasure each time. If you love adventure stories set in fantastical other-worlds you will adore this.

'Oy yew' by Ana Salote

Oy lives on the smells and crumbs of his local bakery before he is snatched and sent to work first in the factory, and then the house, owned by the villainous Master Jeopardine. The master’s child slaves have a strange tendency to vanish before they grow tall enough to leave with their wages. And, if this wasn’t bad enough, Jeopardine has an obsession with rare and valuable bones and has his eye on Oy’s unusual thumb joints...

Can Oy and the other waifs escape before they grow too tall? And can Oy survive the master’s attempts to bump him off so he can exhibit Oy’s bones in his collection? This is a very imaginative story with lots of twists and turns so buckle up for a bumpy ride!

If you've ever wondered how 'Oliver Twist' would've turned out had Lemmony Snicket collaborated with Charles Dickens, this will give you some idea. And should you find yourself falling in love with this weird and wonderful world, the good news is that there’s another two books to follow…

Wilf the mighty worrier saves the world by Georgia Pritchett (illustrated by Jamie Littler)

Now you may not think that someone as anxious as Wilf would make a very good hero because he's afraid of just about everything. His list of things he is officially scared of includes: lifts, the sea, dark places, stuffed animals, the waggly wavers on insects and peanut butter. He is, however, blinking brilliant at hopping.

But Wilf must overcome his fears when supervillain, Alan, and his stroppy teenaged robot moves in next door with plans to destroy the world. Can Wilf survive the beginning of the end of the world? And will he stop worrying enough to save the day?

This is a very funny book that had me in giggles all the way through. And, as someone who also suffers with anxiety, I even picked up a few tips... Perfect for 8+ readers who like silliness and fun with an unlikely hero.

The Dream snatcher by Abi Elphinstone

Moll Pecksmith is being pursued by a witchdoctor called Skull who creeps into her dreams, seeking to lure her away from the safety of her gypsy camp into his evil clutches. On learning that Skull is responsible for her parents’ deaths, she decides to exact revenge by finding the “amulets of truth”, the only things that can destroy Skull’s power.

Moll is a fun character to hang out with. I really want to be her and spend my life climbing trees, catapult-shooting, and burping the alphabet. She’s got a couple of cool sidekicks too – the bumbling Siddy, who has a touch of Ron Weasley about him, and the mysterious Alfie.

Not quite so fun are the evil creatures pursuing Moll: his bloodthirsty hounds and the ghostly vapours that slip down Moll's throat, trying to extract her name. In fact, the book is so packed with darkness and peril that the reader risks becoming numb to the horrors that Moll faces after a while. However, it maintains a good pace and is never slow or boring. Some readers may be frightened by the darkness. But kids who enjoyed the later Harry Potter books will delight in this book's magical world.