Because of You Book Review

Blended families, they are more common than you might think these days. I have quite a few friends who have embraced this way of family life however when it comes to books it still seems more common to feature your 'average family' rather than those that are what I'd described as merged.

Eve Ainsworth is a best-selling teen author as well as being an experienced school speaker, with a background of working with secondary schools in pastoral and child protection roles and she has just published her debut Barrington Stoke novel Because of You which showcases both blended families as well as the topical idea of online bullying.

Poppy's life has turned into a nightmare. Mum's new boyfriend is moving in, along with his daughter, Kayla - the most popular girl in school. Poppy's dad is never around and appears to be drifting further and further away. And when it seems like things can't get any worse, Poppy becomes the target of the spiteful school bullies. As the vicious online comments and humiliating pranks escalate, with even her friends joining in, it looks like Poppy has no one left to turn to.

Read With Me 2019 #30

Hello everyone and welcome to this weeks Read With Me link up. Thank you to everyone who linked up with me last week, I love to see all of your posts!

I have a question for you guys this week. When I go back to school in September I will be embarking on a new intervention called Reading Champions. This will be aimed at some chosen year 5 pupils, giving them a chance to have more time to read and enjoy the written word. 

Now our first topic of the year is earth and beyond and what I'd love is for some space themed books and activity suggestions that I can draw inspiration from to get my group started. Any ideas?

My Sunday Photo 2019 #29

The Starlight Watchmaker Book Review

If you are new to my book reviews then you won't know just how lucky I am to work with publishing company Barrington Stoke. They provide so many people with books, but not just any books, books that are accessible to everyone including those who may have dyslexia or who might simply be reluctant readers.

This month they are releasing a fantastic story,  so good that they've made it their 'lead title' for July. Introducing the The Starlight Watchmaker.

At an elite academy where the wealthiest students from across the galaxy come to be educated, Hugo works as a watchmaker in a dusty attic room. But he is one of the lucky ones. Many androids like him are jobless and homeless. 

Read With Me 2019 #29

Hello and welcome to this weeks Read With Me linky. Thank you to everybody who managed to join in in some shape or form last week.

Today is officially the first day of my summer holidays. Three of my children are still in school until Thursday so today I will be making the most of the beginning of my time off, you all know what I'll be doing... reading a good book.

My Sunday Photo 2019 #28

Little Tiger July Book Releases

Little Tiger are one of my favourite children's book publishers and I try to share some of their fantastic releases when I can. May saw some very sweet stories being published and I'm back this month, July, with a whole host of books which include plenty of numbers and some very cute llamas and unicorns.

Let's Find the Tiger

Tiger is hiding. Let's go and find him!

There are lots of animals playing among the trees, but could any of them be Tiger? Peek through the pages and lift the touchy-feely felt flaps to find out.

This book is wonderfully interactive. From the different peep through holes and the beautifully bright felt flaps. There is an abundance if things to catch a child's imaginations. The combined use of sight and touch really work well to capture little one's attention.

Read With Me 2019 #28

Hello and welcome to this weeks Read With Me, a big thank you as always to everybody who linked up and joined in with comments last week.

It's the last week of the Summer term here and I am well and truly on count down for the holidays, it's been a long seven weeks I can tell you.

My Sunday Photo 2019 #27

Heartstream by Tom Pollock July Book of the Month

As a Walker YA blogger I get to read and review some fantastic new releases and I was so happy to receive a copy of Tom Pollock's latest novel Heartstream, so much so that I couldn't help but make it my July book of the month, a decision that my eldest daughter highly agreed with!

I just wanted to see you. Before the end. 

A taut psychological thriller about obsession, fame and betrayal, for fans of Black Mirror. Cat is in love. Always the sensible one, she can't believe that she's actually dating, not to mention dating a star. But the fandom can't know. They would eat her alive. And first at the buffet would definitely be her best friend, Evie. 

Amy uses Heartstream, a social media app that allows others to feel your emotions. She broadcasted every moment of her mother's degenerative illness, and her grief following her death. It's the realest, rawest reality TV imaginable. But on the day of Amy's mother's funeral, Amy finds a strange woman in her kitchen. She's rigged herself and the house with explosives - and she's been waiting to talk to Amy for a long time. 

Who is she? A crazed fan? What does she want? Amy and Cat are about to discover how far true obsession can go. 

This book is cleverly written.

Read With Me 2019 #27

Hello everyone and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. A massive thank you to everyone who managed to join in.

With the Summer holidays quickly approaching, I just wanted to say that Read With Me will carry on throughout the whole of the holidays. Hopefully everyone will have a chance to enjoy some reading in the sun over the next couple of months!

My Sunday Photo 2019 #26

Geek Girls Don't Cry Book Review

My eldest daughter has always considered herself what you might call a geek, so when I was asked if I'd like to review the book Geek Girls Don't Cry I knew it wouldn't actually be me reading the book first.

Geek Girls Don't Cry . . . They get strong!

What does it mean to be strong?

Read With Me 2019 #26

Hello and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. Thank you to everyone who linked up last week, always very much appreciated.

I have a sort of special announcement today. A lovely author that I've worked with previously is launching a fantastic new mystery book subscription box today!