'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!

'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...