'The Lost Twin' by Sophie Cleverly

When Ivy is forced to take the place of her dead sister, Scarlet, at Rookwood school, it isn't long before she realises that something seriously sinister is afoot. Scarlet has revealed the events leading up to her death in her diary - but to make sure that no one but Ivy would find the diary, she scattered the pages throughout the school. Ivy must decipher the clues in each diary section in order to find subsequent pages and work out what happened to her sister. At the same time, evil headmistress Miss Fox has instructed Ivy to literally be Scarlet. Ivy is sweet and passive but gradually takes on Scarlet’s fiery personality as she encounters the many enemies Scarlet made while at the school. It’s enormous fun to watch Ivy pretending to be Scarlet and successfully fooling everyone - well, almost everyone...

 

The story is jam-packed with several mysteries which had me turning pages at lightning speed. The threads all link together to reveal an astonishing resolution with a clever twist. Fans of Robin Stevens will love this - although for me it actually has an edge over ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ as I hooked into the intrigue much faster. Book 5 is due out at Christmas, so if you love this as much as me, there's a whole load more mysteries to unravel...

Gaslight by Eloise Williams

Nansi lives in a theatre in Victorian Cardiff - this might sound fun but, in reality, her life is far from glamorous. After losing her mother on a nearby riverbank when she was small, she was taken in by a theatre-owner. But Sid is a cruel guardian, forcing her to steal to earn her keep. He also insists that Nansi’s best friend, Bee, must make a costume using a poisonous dye that could kill her. As a result, Nansi is a tough cookie - and a fun character to journey with.

The story builds slowly, gradually drawing all the players in one by one, which helps us to feel we know each one - important as this shortish book has a big cast of players. However it was when Nansi overhears Sid letting slip an important detail about her presumed-dead mother that the story really gripped me & I moved from a gentle amble to a faster page-turning pace. The Victorian world is impeccably drawn and feels as though the author has really done her research. The characters are solidly-drawn too, each one feeling very real.

A great story for anyone loving a bit of historical drama. If you like a fast plot, and find the early chapters a bit slow, it’s really worth holding out for the roller coaster that this story turns into.

'Letters from the lighthouse' by Emma Carroll

When Olive's older sister, Sukie, disappears in a London air raid, Olive discovers a strange coded message in Sukie's coat and realises her sister is involved in something dangerous. This mystery hooked me into the book right away - I had lots of theories and I desperately wanted to know if any of them were right.

Olive and her brother, Cliff, are subsequently evacuated to a Devon seaside town. All the while, Olive is trying to decode Sukie's message. As the book progresses, lots of other mysteries emerge - why has Ephraim the lighthouse keeper got so much food in a time of rationing? Why aren't Olive and Cliff allowed in Queenie's cellar? Everyone seems to have secrets and Olive (and we the readers) want to know what they are!

This book explores important issues that are as relevant today as they were during the Second World War. It would be a great book for anyone interested in the historical period, and is also perfect for anyone thinking about issues of displacement and persecution. But, at its heart, it's a mystery novel and anyone who loves a bit of intrigue would enjoy this story. I'm proud to say one of my theories was right - although there lots of things I got wrong. See if you can do any better!  

'The Goldfish Boy' by Lisa Thompson

Goldfish boy is, at its heart, a mystery-detective story, with the slant that 12-year-old Matthew, the narrator, has OCD. While his condition is a complete mystery to everyone around him, the author has done such a good job of getting inside his head, that his behaviour makes complete sense to us, the readers.

Matthew spends all his time in his highly-disinfectanted bedroom, watching the outside world go by. So, when 15-month-old Teddy Dawson goes missing from the garden next door, Matthew is the perfect person to work out what happened to him. Matthew knows the quirks and habits of all his neighbours so well that he has a good idea of who might have taken Teddy. There's just one problem - several of the neighbours could've done it. And, as Matthew hates leaving his sterile room, he is forced to rely on the slightly weird Melody Bird to do his footwork in the outside world. As the story progresses, reclusive Matthew is forced to reconsider his ideas about friendship and to face up to his guilty secret that is at the heart of his fear of germs.

I loved the mystery element of this book but, even more, I loved the empathetic portrayal of a boy with OCD. Getting under his skin was fascinating and gave me new insight into the condition. This would be a great book for anyone who loves a good mystery (eg fans of Robin Stevens, Sophie Cleverly etc) but also a brilliant read for anyone wanting a better understanding of mental health conditions.

'Hour of the bees' by Lindsay Eagar

Staying on a ranch in a drought-ridden part of Mexico is not 12-year-old Carol's idea of a fun way to spend her summer holiday. She'd rather be hanging out with her American friends and getting ready to start a new phase of her life at high school. Her grandfather has dementia, his memory as dilapidated as his ranch, and there's a lot of tension between him and Carol's father as a result of unspoken family history. Carol herself is annoyed by his insistence on calling her either 'Rosa' (the name of her dead grandmother) or 'Carolina' - the Mexican version of her name which she despises.

But grandpa's obsession with the bees that he is convinced will bring the rain sparks Carol's curiosity - especially when she starts seeing and hearing bees everywhere. And his stories about a magical tree draw her closer to him and challenge her perception of her Mexican roots and her family history.

This is beautiful magical realism where, at times, like grandpa's memories, it's difficult to say what is real life and what is story. It's exploration of identity puts it at the top end of the middle-grade age scale, but it would be a great read for 'tweens' who aren't quite ready for full-on teen/YA but are itching for a challenging and thought-provoking read. 

'Running on the roof of the world' by Jess Butterworth

First up, I have to confess that I was pre-dispositioned to love this book, having read some extracts and already knowing it was beautifully-written, giving an intriguing insight into life in Tibet. But, now I've seen those extracts embedded into the story (and read them in the right order!), I'm totally blown away by this fast-paced adventure across the Himalayas.

Tash lives in a Tibetan village, controlled by Chinese soldiers, and has learned there are rules to follow if she wants to survive. One of those rules is that you don't mention the Dalai Lama. When a villager sets himself on fire in protest at Chinese rule, Tash's parents come under suspicion. Just before they are arrested, her father gives her a backpack containing a letter with a secret message for the resistance movement that they belong to. And so Tash begins a journey across the Himalayas with her best friend Sam and two loveable yaks, Bones and Eve. She's determined to reach India, where the Dalia Lama lives in exile, to ask him for help with rescuing her parents. As she and Sam travel, they attempt to unravel the mysterious secret code in her father's letter. The journey is treacherous and everything is against them - the weather, the terrain, the Chinese authorities - and their friendship is put to the test. Can they reach India, save Tash's parents and crack the hidden message in her father's letter?

The book is beautifully packaged with a gorgeous cover designed by Rob Biddulph, and each chapter begins with black and white illustrations that were just begging for me to get my colouring pencils out...

So, not only is this a fantastic adventure story, with a secret code to decipher, it's also a mindfulness colouring book!! What more could you possibly want!?

'The Huntress: Sea' by Sarah Driver

This book takes the reader on an exhilarating, fantastical and sometimes terrifying journey. Mouse is the 13-year-old heroine with the gift of beast chatter (hearing animal thoughts - and conveying her own thoughts back) who is destined to inherit the captaincy of the Huntress from her one-eyed, half-merwraith Grandma. But Stag, a grim navigator returning to the ship after a long absence, has ambitions of his own that can only end one way: mutiny. 

As if that wasn't challenging enough, Mouse's father is missing and has left a secret message for her, urging her to find the storm opals of sea, land and sky. Then her brother - gifted with whale song but prone to shaking fits - is stolen away. The odds are stacked against Mouse, but she's heart-strong and determined and isn't going down without a fight. Enormously feisty and loyal, you can't help but root for her and desperately hope she wins through.

The author has created an awesome world, complete with new mythic creatures such as terrodyls and moonsprites. I loved it so much that, having raced through the pacey plot, I deliberately slowed down towards the end because I didn't want to come back out into the real world - even though I was desperate to know how it all turned out. But the good news is that there's a second book coming along soon, and I can't wait to dive back into this dream-dancing, beast-chattering world!

'Who let the gods out?' by Maz Evans

Stand aside, David Walliams, there's a new comic genius in town! The kid in me giggled and the adult chortled along. This is a book that will make you laugh and laugh. That's despite the fact that life for the hero, Elliot Hooper, is pretty grim. Not only is he the sole carer for his mum who has memory problems, but his greedy next door neighbour is desperate to get her hands on Elliot's house - by fair means or foul.

Enter Virgo - a young immortal - who falls into his cow shed. Together, they accidentally release the demon Thanatos from his prison beneath Stonehenge. Assisted by a cast of Greek gods and goddesses, Elliot and Virgo must stop Thanatos getting his evil claws on the Earth Stone. It's fast-moving and a lot of fun (you'll never see the Queen in the same light again, that's for sure!) There's a huge number of characters but they're all individual and memorable. Hermes is particularly brilliant, hanging out in Café Hero, engrossed in his iGod.

It was great to see a young carer in a book as these kids are often unseen. I really felt for Elliot as he struggled to balance caring for mum with school. With my most serious adult head on, there was just one point that worried me - that the greedy neighbour's actions were described by Zeus as legal when they were most definitely were not (under the mental capacity act) and it bothered me that young carers reading this book might consequently not speak up if the vulnerable adult in their life is being exploited. Despite this, I really enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it for anyone looking for something to put a big smile on their face.

'The Crooked Sixpence' by Jennifer Bell

Up front, I will confess that I adored this book. The world of the Uncommoners is so imaginative and fun and also a bit spooky. Lots of books get compared to Harry Potter but this one really deserves it, with many parallels, and yet it also feels very original.

The magic of this world lies in ordinary everyday objects which are possessed by a departed soul (which seems sad to me and I hope this is addressed in future books). These special objects are 'uncommon': eg a loo brush can be a weapon, a belt can make you fly, a candle can make you invisible. At certain times of the year, Uncommoners head for the markets of Lundinor where they can purchase these weird and wonderful objects.

But Lundinor is under threat from an old enemy, the Dirge, and this is where Ivy and her brother, Seb, come in. Their grandmother has something the Dirge want. Trouble is, they don't know what it is exactly. Granma is in hospital with amnesia and Mum and Dad have been captured by the Dirge and will die at midnight on New Year's Eve if Ivy and Seb don't find this mysterious object. The plot is really fast-moving and quickly hooked me in.

I totally want to be an Uncommoner! I especially want a bicycle bell that talks back-to-front! Book two is out soon and I absolutely cannot wait!

'The secret of Nightingale Wood' by Lucy Strange

This book feels as though it might actually have been written in the year it is set - 1919. It feels very authentic to that era but is still easy to read. It weaves well-known fables into the main story very skilfully and at times feels like an old fairy tale itself. Henry (short for Henrietta) and her family are grieving the loss of her brother, Robert, who died just before her baby sister, Piglet, was born. Her mother has become mentally unwell as a result and is preyed upon by Doctor Hardy, who is keen to test new barbaric treatment methods on her. With her father away, and the nanny easily pressured by the vile doctor, only Henry can save her mother and Piglet.

Henry is isolated but for the visions she sees of Robert and a strange woman called Moth, who she discovers living in the woods. I'd have liked to have seen more of Nightingale Wood and more of Moth - especially as the title refers to this plot strand. Moth lost her wonderful witchiness too soon for my personal liking! But she's still a great character who brings an extra magical element to the story.

This would be a great book for anyone who is grieving - the issue is dealt with beautifully and sensitively. The plot moves slowly at times, but that is in no way a bad thing as the book weaves a kind of spell around the reader and binds you to its entrancing world. Definitely one to curl up with and get lost in!

'The bubble boy' by Stewart Foster

You might think that a book about a boy who stays in the same room his entire life wouldn’t be very interesting but, in the case of this book, you’d be very wrong. Joe has a condition that means his body can’t fight infection, and so he lives in a hospital room, breathing controlled air, unable to go outside. But Joe is very likeable and in his dreams he’s a super-hero. Joe’s observations of the world from his bubble are fascinating. He completely draws us into his life and we quickly feel like he’s a friend.

Joe has a stream of friends and carers who are part of his life, including another bubble boy, Henry, who he chats with by skype. And then there’s Amir, the crazy nurse who believes in aliens and promises to sneak Joe outside. Amir is a totally loveable character who made me laugh and gave me hope.

It's a serious book, edged with a gentle humour. And it is sad in places. It examines difficult issues - hence I've categorised it OMG - but is very easy to read. Anyone who enjoyed  Wonder by R.J. Palacio would definitely enjoy this.

'Murder most unladylike' by Robin Stevens

Set in a 1930s boarding school, this story will please anyone who enjoys a good old ‘whodunnit’ with so many suspects and possible motives for murder that your own school will seem boring by comparison (or perhaps not?!)

 

Hazel, the narrator, and her best friend, the annoyingly perfect and all-round popular Daisy, must work through the suspects, alibis and motives. Each new snippet of information changes the investigation. As Hazel narrates, you feel you are a part of the detective agency yourself, as you know as much as Hazel & Daisy do. Hazel, from Hong Kong, has to navigate the strangeness of English boarding school life with its prejudices & customs (and the wonderful bun breaks, which really should be reintroduced back into the modern school day!). Her friendship with Daisy is put to the test as they draw closer to identifying the murderer. Hazel is a likeable narrator and I felt I was in very capable hands.  

 

'Murder most unladylike' is the first book in a series of mysteries which Hazel and Daisy have to solve. This one was a tad slow to get going, but once the investigation was in full swing, I was hooked. I was totally wrong in my suspicions as to who the murderer was - will you do any better..?

'Wolf hollow' by Lauren Wolk

‘The year I turned twelve I learned how to lie,’ eleven-year-old Anabelle says as she begins this story set in the second world war in a Pensylvanian town. Although the war forms an important backdrop to the story, the main source of horror in Anabelle’s life is bully Betty Glengarry. Anabelle initially tries to deal with the bullying by herself but comes to realise that she must speak out. But Betty has other targets, including Toby, a reclusive ex-soldier suffering from traumatic memories. Toby, viewed with suspicion by the rest of the town, is an easy target. But for the determination of Anabelle’s family to protect him, he is alone.

This is a serious book, dealing with serious issues such as bullying and prejudice. It reminded me a bit of 'To kill a mockingbird', but it is solidly a children's book, probably suitable for 10 +. The text avoids overly graphic description yet is still shocking in how the drama plays out. It could be particularly helpful for anyone experiencing or witnessing bullying.

It's beautifully written. Just one word of warning - have the hankies ready!