MG Strikes Back Rest of the Best of the Year – sorry, no MG AT ALL!

Hello, and Merry Christmas! I’m abusing my position shockingly today, veering away from middle-grade entirely; instead, I’m seizing the opportunity to celebrate some of the picture books and young fiction which got lost from my round-ups because of word-counts and lay-outs.  All would make ideal Christmas presents for littluns, new readers, or anyone who appreciates superb illustration and scant words that pack a punch…There are also *whispers* a couple of YA titles in here too. But I will be back with more brilliant MG in the New Year - it looks like 2016 will be another fantastic year for middle grade and children’s publishing generally. I can’t wait!

Where’s The Elephant? by Barroux (Egmont)

Beautiful seek-and-find picture book, with an affecting conservationist message.

Super Happy Magic Forest by Matty Long (OUP)

Outrageous, irreverent comic-book spin on the classic fantasy quest – will enthral children and adults alike!

The Zoomers’ Handbook by Ana and Thiago de Moraes (Andersen)

Have you got what it takes to be a Zoomer-keeper? Splendidly anarchic picture book, full of shigers, dogephants and horsodiles. 

Refuge by Anne Booth, illus. Sam Usher (Nosy Crow)

Moving retelling of the Christmas story, beautifully illustrated, with a warm, universal feel. (All proceeds go to War Child UK.)

Pirates in Pyjamas by Caroline Crowe, illus. Tom Knight (Little Tiger)

What do pirates wear to bed? You’d be surprised! Joyous, rhyming, onesie-wearing romp.

How Many Legs? by Katja Spitzer (Flying Eye)

Ice-creams, unicorns, cowboys – a bold, bright little counting book with a difference, perfect for toddler-sized hands.

Mango and Bambang: The Not-a-Pig by Polly Faber, illus. Clara Vulliamy (Walker)

Mango is lonely in the Very Busy City - but when she meets striped tapir Bambang, she knows she’s

found the perfect friend.  Adorable animal adventure.

The Official Astronaut’s Handbook by Louie Stowell and Roger Simo (Usborne)

Superb factual how-to about what it takes to be an astronaut, with a foreword by Tim Peake.

Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella by Cerrie Burnell, illus. Laura Ellen Anderson (Scholastic)

Transporting tale of umbrella-borne flight, disappearing cats, and a very special apartment block, from an outstanding author-illustrator team.

The Wonder Garden by Jenny Broom, illus. Kristjana S Williams (Wide-Eyed Editions)

Vivid, evocative journey through some of the world’s richest and wildest habitats.

Timeline by Peter Goes (Gecko)

Subtle, involving illustrated history of the world, from the Big Bang to the iPod and beyond.

YA

The Big Lie by Julie Mayhew (Hot Key)

In a Britain under Nazi rule, what would contemporary teenagers’ lives look like? Jessika Keller’s father is a high-ranking Reich official, and Jessika has always been a good girl. But her dearest friend, Clementine, has not…Devastating, thought-provoking alternate history.

One by Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury)

Only Sarah Crossan (The Weight of Water) could write a verse novel about conjoined twins, and effortlessly break the reader’s heart. Tippi and Grace have never been apart, never been to school, until the money for their tuition runs out. Mainstream education is a challenge. But they adapt – and then Tippi becomes ill…Profoundly moving.

Andy Shepherd's Top Picks of 2015

Top ten lists are so hard to do because there are always ones that don't make the list but should have! There have been so many wonderful books this year, which is probably why I've ended up having three on the go at once at times! But anyway, here are some of my highlights from 2015.


The Wolf Wilder   Katherine Rundell       

I loved 'Rooftoppers' and 'The Girl Savage' and couldn’t wait to get my hands on an early copy of Katherine’s latest book 'The Wolf Wilder'. It’s a wonderful story set in Russia and, apart from being a thrilling adventure story with great characters, it’s full of wolves – what more could you want!






Fire Girl   Matt Ralphs    

This book had me at hello! What a great opening - thrown headlong into Hazel’s world. I knew this was a book to savour. The sequel 'Fire Witch' is out summer next year and my son and I can’t wait!






In Darkling Wood   Emma Carroll

I’ve devoured every one of Emma’s books and when I heard she had written a story that involved woods, fairies and the First World War, I had a sneaky suspicion it would be right up my street. I wasn’t wrong. Definitely one to curl up with this Christmas.






The Dreamsnatcher   Abi Elphinstone

If you haven’t come across ‘The Dreamsnatcher’ yet – well you must have been under a rock somewhere! The unstoppable Abi has done 97 (yup 97!) talks in schools and at literary events this year. As well as managing to fit in a trip to Mongolia to fly eagles! Sometimes I think she is actually a middle grade heroine who has jumped right off the page! Anyway, I love ‘The Dreamsnatcher’ and it’s not long now until ‘The Shadow Keeper’ is out – if you haven’t got round to reading her debut do go and grab a copy for Christmas. I guarantee you’ll love Moll and Gryff.


Stonebird   Mike Revell

I have spent the last two years trying to get my book published. It’s had a lot of love but was just deemed too ‘quiet’. So it is wonderful to see a so-called ‘quiet’ book out there on the shelves getting the attention it deserves. Revell writes so poignantly about the power of story and memory and the effects that an illness like dementia has on people. It's a beautifully told story where magic weaves effortlessly through the everyday.



The Lie Tree   Frances Hardinge

I loved this book, the story and setting were compelling and the language rich and unique. One of those books you come away thinking – how does she do that?







The Boy Who Sailed the World in an Armchair   Lara Williamson

I’m running out of adjectives for all these great books! Vibrant writing, great story, heartfelt characters, and the ability to make you laugh and then weep in the course of a page – all that and more from the amazing Lara Williamson!







Olga da Polga   Michael Bond illustrated by Catherine Rayner

I’m being a bit sneaky because I haven’t read this yet – because it’s wrapped and sitting under the tree for me! But I had a quick peak in the shop and know I’ll be over the moon with it on Christmas Day. Olga da Polga is a wonderful character. And Catherine Rayner is one of my all time favourite illustrators. So bringing them together is a marriage made in heaven. I mean just look at that cover!






How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury   Cressida Cowell

Ah Cressida – all I can say is thank you! I have two boys and thanks to your books we have had years of reading the stories to them, then watching them curled up with the books themselves, playing endless Hiccup/ dragon based games and listening over and over to the fantastic audio versions read by David Tennant. They were so genuinely excited at the long awaited release of the last book and even got to meet Cressida at an event.





The Porridge of Knowledge   Archie Kimpton

At teatime, if we’re not all eating together, I have a book on the go for the boys. This was a little bit of a mistake with Archie Kimpton. While reading his first, ‘Jumble Cat’ and then with ‘Porridge of Knowledge’, smallest boy managed to snort broccoli out his nose at several points. Kimpton has such a brilliant way with words and we were all in hysterics.







There were so many I wanted on this list and many more I’m looking forward to in 2016!

Happy reading over the holidays everyone!

Andy Shepherd
andyshepherdwriter.co.uk

Kirsty's top MG titles of 2015

I have read a lot of fabulous books this year and almost without exception I have adored all of the MG titles that have come my way which made making this list tough. After a few tough decisions I've managed to come up with a top 10 to share today. They are shared in order in which I read rather than preference. It was tough enough coming up with a Top 10. asking me to rank them would just be cruel.

Arsenic for Tea by Robin Stevens

I ruddy love this series. It appeals to my inner child who adored Boarding School stories (who am I kidding I still adore boarding school stories) and I love the murder mystery element to them. Just fabulous.

Violet and the Hidden Treasure by Harriet Whitehorn

This series appeals in much the same way the previous one does as they mystery novels (although sadly not set in a boarding school). They have the added bonus of beautiful illustrations throughout which really add to the story.

Spotlight on Sunny by Keris Stainton

I am a huge Keris Stainton fan and I can't recommend this book enough purely because of how diverse it is which makes it different from anything I've read MG wise this year.

Dog Ears by Anne Booth

Another really sweet read which had lots of heart and really made me feel for the character who is going through a lot but no one really notices because they've got their own rubbish to deal with. This one really sat with me for a long while after finishing it.

Demolition Dad by Phil Earle

I love Phil Earle's books anyway but this is just a little bit special. It's funny and poignant and I loved all of the characters you meet across the story. Plus a wrestling Dad. Who didn't want their Dad to be a wrestling as a kid? It made me feel like I did when reading Danny the Champion of the World in the way the Father and Son relationship is portrayed.

Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine

Another mystery novel set during a historical period which I adored. I loved the historical detail and really enjoyed the mystery element. I cannot wait for book 2.

 Oh Obviously by Laura Dockrill

I love the Darcy Burdock series and won't say too much here about what happens in this book for fear of spoiling it. Needless to say I loved this latest installment of Darcy's story and am left wanting more.

The Secrets of Sam and Sam by Susie Day

This book is a spin off from Susie's Pea series which I adore and I am very pleased that I loved this book too. The book follows the story of Pea's neighbours who are twins both call Sam (one boy and one girl) and I really enjoy how it smashes gender stereotypes to pieces over the course of this book. It is brilliant.

George by Alex Gino

I said I wasn't going to rank this list but if I had to this would be top. George is a beautiful book about a transgender child and it just made my heartache. I just wanted to go in and hug the main character and let them know everything would be OK and think everyone should read it.




Pugs of the Frozen North by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

This book is just super cute and lots of fun. I really enjoyed it mostly because of all the pugs.

Kirsty
www.overflowinglibrary.com

Review: Lily and the Christmas Wish by Keris Stainton

When a town's Christmas wishes get mixed-up, can one little girl and her dog put them right?

The little town of Pinewood can't wait for Christmas this year. They're going to celebrate by putting up a giant Christmas tree in the town square, and asking all the townspeople to hang a Christmas wish on its branches. Everyone is feeling very festive, including nine-year-old Lily - although she's not sure she believes in wishes. Then a very strange storm blows in, scattering all the wishes...and Lily wakes up the next morning to a bit of a surprise. Bug, her adorable pug puppy, can talk! It's magic - and a wish come true! But it's not Lily's wish...

Lily and her little brother James soon discover that something must have happened during the storm - the town's wishes have been granted, but to all the wrong people! Lily, James and Bug must work out which wish belongs to who, and sort everything out before Christmas Eve - otherwise no one will get what they want for Christmas.

***

It is a huge secret I am a huge fan of Keris Stainton's books. They are always full of heart and really sweet and this is no exception.

What I enjoyed particularly about this book was that it had that usual Kerisness of being really diverse. I enjoy that her books are quite inclusive in the range of characters and situations they present.

I also enjoyed the magical feel of the story. The story revolves around a town whose Christmas wishes end up muddled up and follows the main character Lily as she works to reunite wishes with people of the town. The wishes themselves were really sweet and varied from the fun to the more serious

Oh and I also enjoyed the talking Pug. What more do you need than a talking pug at Christmas. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Lily and the Christmas Wish and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a Middle Grade story set at Christmas.