Ghosts of the Forest
by Steve Backshall
This is the second in The Falcon Chronicles series (the first one was the excellent Tiger Wars - check out my review). There wasn't as much action in this one as there was the first, (saying that Sinter and Saker still get themselves caught up in many dangerous situations!) but it's still a great read. Steve really conveys his passion for every species on the planet - animal and plant - and his love for the conservation of both shines through strongly. In this story, Sinter and Saker battle to save the Borneo rainforests and the orangutan that struggle to survive in them as big tree felling companies cut down the trees for the palm oil that can be extracted and sold on. We are taken through Vietnam and Borneo with Steve's brilliant descriptive prose that brings everything and everyone to life, and makes you want to visit every single place mentioned. You'll definitely want to research the plights brought to your attention in his books, and Steve handily suggests some websites to check out.
If You Find Me
by Emily Murdoch
An emotional and hard-hitting story of kidnap and abuse.
Carey was taken away from her father by her mother. She was 6 yrs old at the time. Her mother told her that her father was abusive and that she was taking her away to protect them both. They go to live in a camper van in the forest. Carey is now 14 and has a new sister, 6-yr-old Jenessa. Their mother leaves them on their own for weeks at a time, saying she's going to town to get supplies. The girls learn how to fend for themselves, Carey teaches her sister how to read and write - Jenessa's favourite books are Winnie the Pooh, and they name the forest they live in Hundred Acre Wood.
One day, after their mother has disappeared for weeks and not returned, they have a visitor. Their father. He is accompanied by a social worker. They have received a letter from the mother saying she can't look after them anymore and giving custody to the father. So Carey and Jenessa leave the place they have known as home to live with a man who is practically a stranger, and who Carey believes may hurt them.
But during the stay with her father, his new wife and stepdaughter, Carey comes to realise that perhaps all she was told by her mother may not have been the truth, and all that they have suffered in the woods was not what 2 sisters should have been put through by their own mother.
Moving, tragic, tearful, horrific and yet joyful in parts, it is unbelievable how 2 young girls could have gone through so much. One event traumatised the young Jenessa so much that she became mute. Parts of the story are so upsetting it would be hard to recommend this to anyone under the age of 15. Thankfully, in stories like these, there is always one character that brings hope, and in this one it is Ryan who brings a sparkle into Carey's life.
As I've said in recent reviews, I am all dystopia'd out, so I love reading something a bit different. This was different.
If you like hard-hitting stories, try Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid.
Soldier Dog
by Sam Angus
Definitely an older read than The Great Escape (see above), both verbally and emotionally. This is the heart-wrenching story of young Stanley. He lies about his age to join the army and serve in the First World War to escape his mean father, but also to seek out his older brother Tom who is also a soldier. He trains as a dog-handler, and the dogs are used as messengers between dug out posts and the front line. Dogs are trained to run through bomb blasts and gunfire without flinching to return back to their trainer owner - even if their life depends upon it.
A real tear-jerker of a story, with one use of bad language.
Kentucky Thriller
by Lauren St John
Another brilliant Laura Marlin mystery. On a par with the first book, Dead Man's Cove, and better than the second, Kidnap in the Caribbean. This one takes Laura and her best friend Tariq to Kentucky and the world famous Kentucky Derby, a huge racehorse event. An attempt has been made to kidnap Gold Rush, aka Goldie, an American racehorse and an attempt to extort ransom money has been made. But Laura thwarts the attempt but is then involved with another mystery concerning another of the racehorse owner's horses, Noble Warrior. Yet again, the infamous gang, The Straight A's, turn out to be involved, and Laura and Tariq try to save the day.
Look out for the next in the series Rendezvous in Russia, published 1st August 2013.
Also check out Lauren St John's other fantastic fiction for children - The White Giraffe series, and The One Dollar Horse series. Lauren is definitely one of my favourite authors.
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
by John Boyne
Barnaby was born with a peculiar ability - to float! His parents were understandably shocked at this, but being normal people with normal lives and normal other children, they were angry with Barnaby for not being normal. They take drastic action. They cut a hole in the sandbags that Barnaby wears to keep him on the ground, and off he floats. One adventure after another comes his way, often starting out badly, but he always encounters people who, like hime, have been cast aside by their family for not being normal. Regardless of the terrible thing his parents have done to him, Barnaby still loves them and aches to return home. But when his wish comes true and it is discovered he may be able to be cured of his peculiar ability, he starts to wonder whether it is better to be yourself than something someone else wants you to be.
A beautiful and heartbreaking story of what 'being normal' actually means.
The Butterfly Clues
by Kate Ellison
I have been reading far too many young adult dystopian novels - it was time for a change. And here it was. A superb thriller which sucks you in until you can't put it down. I filled up in a few places, and then felt a warmth of happiness and a smile on my face during the romantic parts. I was slightly irritated at the beginning by the main character's obsessive compulsive behaviour - all her little routines, words and actions she had to carry out - but as I continued through the book, it was accepted that was part of her behaviour, part of her coping, and it didn't bother me after that.
While trying to find out her late brother's last whereabouts, Penelope becomes involved in an incident which draws her into the world of Neverland - a place of homelessness, drug addicts, strip joints, and the charming Flynt. Yet Penelope is learning to trust nobody, not even the police. When she is hunted down and threatened by murderers, Penelope resolves to solve the mystery herself - with terrifying results.
A hard-hitting thriller, with language and themes to suit the higher end of teenage - I'd recommend 14/15yrs.
If you like this, try The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant.
Sleuth On Skates
by Clementine Beauvais
This was so funny - I actually laughed out loud in a few places. I just loved the way Sesame talks to her parents, and how exasperated they are with her and her quirkiness. I totally understood the mobile phone situation - the parents don't want Sesame to have a phone because of internet dangers, so they buy her one of those child-friendly phones with 3 main buttons - M for Mum, D for Dad, and a picture of a police car for police emergencies! A while back I had actually considered this for my own daughter!!
Sesame lives in Cambridge, more specifically in the grounds of the university, as her mother is a professor there and her father a parson. She rollerskates everywhere. She is absolutely thrilled when she hears that one of the students has gone missing, because this means she can put her detective skills to the test. But is she getting herself into something a bit too sinister for an 11-yr-old?
Great for 7-10yr olds who enjoy a bit of comedy and mystery rolled into one.
