I’ve read a number of middle grade books recently with fabulously determined, powerful girls at the forefront, so I thought I’d scoop them up into one post for you as a kind of showcase of fun heroines! All of these books were sent to me free of charge, either as e-ARCs via NetGalley or as physical proofs, but as ever that doesn’t affect my opinions. There’s a wide range, from modern day thriller to historical fantasy, so hopefully something will catch your eye…
Today I’m so happy to be helping kick off the blog tour for Sister to a Star, a new middle grade adventure full of Hollywood hijinks and sibling drama! I don’t often read middle grade contemporary, but you may or may not know that I really love behind-the-scenes stuff on films and TV shows, so Evie’s journey as a young stunt fencer was really tempting. I just finished the book over the weekend and it’s absolutely delightful – but I’m not posting a review today! Instead I have something special to show you: a letter from author Eloise Smith to her unpublished self.
This magical middle grade read is everything I could have hoped for, with a talking cat, a plucky heroine, and Girl Guides that are witches!
The first book in a new middle grade time travel series, The Ship of Doom has a fun story, but also has some problems with its attempts to be inclusive…
As promised, here’s part two of my round-up of middle grade books I’ve read recently! If you missed part one last week, you can find it here. All of these books were sent to me as E-ARCs via NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
I’ve read quite a few middle grade books recently that I don’t quite have a whole post’s worth of thoughts on, so here are some quick thoughts about each! I’ll split this post into two parts so that it doesn’t get too long, so look out for part two next week.
I was sent e-ARCs of all of these books via NetGalley, apart from Escape Room, which Nosy Crow sent me a physical proof of. As always though, all opinions are my own!
You know by now that if there’s a new witchy middle grade out there, I’m all over it!
I really enjoyed Alastair Chisholm’s debut sci-fi, Orion Lost (review here), so I was thrilled to get a chance to review Adam-2!
After the excellent Kit series (see my reviews of The Dragon in the Library, The Monster in the Lake, and The Wizard in the Wood!) I’ll read anything Louie Stowell writes, and this Labyrinth-inspired tale of fairyland lives up to the hype!
This is perhaps the most exciting thing I’ve ever been asked to do on the blog: a cover reveal for The Raven Heir, the new middle grade fantasy from one of my all-time favourite authors, Stephanie Burgis!
I’ve been lucky enough to read an early copy of this gorgeous new book and let me tell you, if you’re a fan of magical adventures, fabulously capable heroines, and wonderfully atmospheric magic, this is a book you need to know about! The blurb is just below, but first of all, let’s take a look at this stunning cover, with artwork by Petur Atli Antonsson and lettering by David Dean.
TRIPLETS. ONE OF THEM IS HEIR TO THE THRONE. BUT WHICH ONE?
Cordelia, Rosalind and Giles. They have lived in the tower all their lives, protected by their mother’s enchantments. Only Cordelia’s magic lets her steal moments of freedom – over the walls in the shape of a bird or beneath them as a scurrying mouse. The eldest of the three is heir to the Raven Throne of Corvenne – a land no one can rule for long and hope to live. Only their mother knows which is the true heir, and she will do anything to keep them hidden. But one day, thanks to Cordelia, destiny finds them.
The Raven Heir is an unbelievably epic new middle-grade fantasy. With incredible shapeshifting magic and unforgettable characters, readers will be hooked from the first page.
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Doesn’t that just make you want to jump in right now? I know I would have absolutely fallen in love with this book as a child, and 100% would have begged my mum to make me a dress like Cordelia’s (to be honest, I still might!). If this stunning cover has tempted you, you can preorder The Raven Heir on the Bookshop.org site or from your local independent bookshop, and then it’s just a case of managing to wait until the 5th August to read it!
A Cat, A Book, and A Cup of Tea 