'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..?