SMITH

 

by Leon Garfield; 

Artiste: Kenny McKendry

 

                                                                               

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review, featuring this week an Adventure in Middle Grade Fiction.

If you have ever wondered about what life was like in the 1800s London town, the rogues and villains, and those who really were trying just to survive, then this middle-grade book is very interesting and fun and a classic period tale. Leon Garfield, who is famed for his historical children's fiction, as well as a foray into adult literature, may well be familiar to you for works, such as Blackbeard, Jack Holburn, various adaptations of Shakespeare's works and for completing Dickens' unfinished novel – The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A truly talented, prizing winning, and much loved and lauded author on both sides of the Atlantic.

Image ©

 

AUTHOR: the late Leon Garfield (1921-1996)

Cover art by noted artist: Kenny McKendry.

Published by: PUFFIN

This edition publication date Paperback: 3 July 2014

Paperback ISBN: 978-0141355214

UK Cover price for Paperback: £7.99 

Kindle UK price £4.99

Pages: 277

Age range: 9 - 11 and upwards

Any dogs or cats? Not really, but lots of dodgy folks

 

 

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters. 

 

Thank you to...

This is one of those finds where the cover and title spoke volumes, and having read the back cover blurb, both Mrs H and I were hooked and went straight out and bought the book. 

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy. 

 

The plot

Smith, arguably a bit of a hero, even though a pickpocket, is only twelve. But in the 1800's he can still be hanged for his crimes, being 'nubbed', as the downtrodden and lower order of people called it at that time. Life in a London so very unlike that which we see today, was hard. Highwaymen and footpads prey on travellers using roads across commons and through woods that have long since formed part of the modern London urban sprawl. The side streets of London are mazes and rabbit warrens and home to dangerous folk who would kill you for a penny or the silk handkerchief in your pocket should you stray and be gone before you hit the ground.

Smith, Smut to his kin and those that know him well, is a swift of foot and finger pickpocket, in and out and away before anyone would know, let alone see his shadow. He lives below a very seedy public house, home to the worst kind. Their landlord would never give any of the villainous drinkers up to the law, leastways not for anything less than a shilling. Along with his seamstress sisters, Miss Bridget & Miss Fanny, they eke out a living. The sisters are brought the clothes of the recently executed by the prison hangman. They mend and adjust them to suit a new and presently living body for a small fee.

When Smut picks the pocket of an elderly gent seeking passage through streets he once knew, he gets more than he bargains for. Stopping to investigate the piece of paper he has picked, he sees the man stabbed to death for something he now doesn't have – the document. There is a third man, who walks with a wooden leg. He is the one wanting the document. What Smut doesn't know is that he was seen pickpocketing by a fourth person.

Smith flees the scene and returns home. Speculating that the paper must be of worth to warrant the old gent's demise at the hands of two men in brown, he wants to find out what it contains. Alas, he, like most, can't read. But when his highwayman friend Lord Tom (all dressed in green robes) suggests taking it to another (and probably untrustworthy acquaintance) to decipher, he won't risk it, keeping it close to his chest, quite literally.

The men in brown track Smut down, and a chase through the streets ensues. But lithe Smut is too sharp and soon runs the men ragged till they give up. But he has ended up in a posher part of London town. Not looking where he's going, knocks a gent to the ground. Mr Mansfield, the gent in question, is blind. He is also a Justice of the Peace, bad news for a thief, no matter the size. Smut offers to guide the man home. A deal is struck, and as Smut dares not return home, he gets to stop the night at the man's home. His daughter, Miss Mansfield, is none too happy at seeing Smut, not least because he is filthy. But she agrees to have him, for she loves her father, and the urchin has helped him.

This is the central turning point in the story. What happens to Smut and his, or rather, the murdered man's, piece of paper starts to play out and have consequences from here on in. There are twists and turns, wheels and stories within each other, that affect everyone we have met thus far and a few we have not, which naturally is why I must stop the review. 

 

What did we think?

We had never heard of the author. This is a crying shame, as the book is incredibly appealing and so very atmospheric that you can feel and smell the world you are very quickly drawn into. We could tell straight away this is a world and period the writer made his own and was most comfortable writing about, which, from what we can see, is where many of his tales are set. 

What we modern readers get isn't Oliver Twist the musical. We see this world from the gutter and on high in the eyes of the law and those that administered it, harsh as it was. 

The ever-present threats of ill health, the hangman's noose or ending in gaol for years on end and sometimes till death for being debtor, is our backdrop. 

It is a fair old and breathless chase, hindered yet emboldened and made urgent by the colourful characters, prize, risks, and the awful weather. The ending comes together quite nicely (though hardly blood, pain, or death-free) with lessons, perceptions, and understandings.

 

So . . . . 

Crunch time. 

It is a wholly satisfying, authentically created middle-grade appropriate tale. More importantly, we believe it is an excellent classic tale for all to enjoy without being over the top. Watch this space for more reviews of adventures from Leon Garfield.

 

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please find a safe route past pickpockets, gaol, and highwaymen to your own Ye Olde Local Book Shoppe. Each is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the excellent Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. Click this link to see Janet Blue's selfie page.

I shall leave you with another Sofa Selfie. Gee, you'd have thought I do nothing but nap the day – and night – away!  Rest assured I have been busy doing other managerial-like things, MOL.

Image ©

 

Till Laters!

ERin

Till laters!

ERin

©Erin the Cat Princess

The Dog Squad: The Race

 

 Written and fully illustrated by Clara Vulliamy.

 

 

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring this week an Adventure in Middle Grade Fiction.

 

For our canine pals we have a wonderful new release from Clara. It's the second 7 to 11 year olds adventure featuring a whippet called Wafer, and his human child companions, Eva, Ash, and Simone. Together, they form the Dog Squad, up and coming school reporters at The News Hound paper, with an eye for the top story and are always up for adventure investigation and fun. 

So, without further ado, lets find out about their latest hot-off-the-press adventure!

AUTHOR:  Clara Vulliamy

 

Cover art by:  Clara Vulliamy

 

Published by:  Harper Collins Children's Books

 

Publication date Paperback:  OUT NOW

 

Paperback ISBN:  978-0-00-856539-8

UK Cover price for Paperback:  £6.99

 

Pages: 112

 

Age range:  7 - 11

 

 

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters.

 

 

Thank you to... 

 

I am exceedingly grateful to Clara who personally sent over the digital pictures specifically so you all could enjoy them in the best possible way (IE without Mrs H's marmalade covered fingers in the picture). And huge thanks for Mrs H spending her pension and cycling twenty miles in the pouring rain to the not so local bookshop so we could Read & Review this awesome kids' publication.

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy.

The plot

Wafer is Eva’s pet whippet. She wants to help him make new pals. So, finding out there is a 'meet and greet' for shy dogs, down the local park the following Sunday, she decides to go. With her pals, Ash, who is non-binary, and Simone, they take Wafer for what they hope will be fun and a way to burn off some of Wafer’s heaps of energy. But it turns out to be a bit of a flop, as the dogs that turn up refuse to mix. 

On the way home, they bump into Sam, from the Wags and Whiskers day care centre. He suggests taking Wafer to do some whippet racing.

Which, having got Eva’s mum’s approval, is what the kids decide to do. But first, like the talented journalists they hope to be, they do some investigating. Armed with a training regimen for Wafer, which he takes to like a duck to water, they book him in to a local event.

Now, this is a short book, and so the remaining pages deal with events at and after the races Wafer has entered. Suffice it to say, it would not be an adventure for our Dog Squad Team of investigative reporters without something going on. 

We get introduced to a few characters, as well as their whippets. And from here, the Dog Squad gets a whiff of foul play and potentially dangerous goings on for the dogs involved in the racing.

Will Wafer win the races and get a rosette? What are the series of nasty events that threaten to overshadow the days racing? Will the bad guys go unpunished? These questions will be answered, but you’ll need to buy the book to see how.

What did we think?

Clara has a wonderful way of bringing her art into the very fabric of the story. This book is no exception. A simple but highly entertaining plot brings action, inclusion, and a theme that supports right and fitting behaviour for our youngsters. All brought to life in art on or across almost every page. 

So . . . Crunch time.

This is a wonderful sequel. One that we just had to have. Adult books lose out for not generally having artwork, save for somewhat spurious or generic genre covers. For any younger readers, this book will be a real visual treat and well worth buying to encourage/develop their reading skills and sense of adventure.  

A link to our review of the first book can be found HERE.

A link to our review of Clara's 'Marshmallow Pie Cat Superstar' adventure books can be found HERE.

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please race down to your independent bookshop. There are plenty out there and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire. You can't fail to win with this book!

 

Clara Vulliamy's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://claras.me/

Harper Collins Children's Books web page can be found HERE or type this: https://harpercollinschildrensbooks.co.uk/explore/

 

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. Click this link to see Janet Blue's selfie page.

 

I shall leave you with an early April morning selfie. And no, I do not use paw whitener, honest 😉

 

 

Till laters!

ERin

THE DOLL TWIN by Janine Beacham

 

illustrated by Nathan Collins.                                                                                    

   

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring this week a Middle-Grade Gothic Horror Adventure.

 

We have a delightful read for you today, one that came right out of the blue when Mrs H's book-to-be-read pile was perilously low. So without further ado, dim the lights, stoke the fire, and wrap up for an amazing read.

 

AUTHOR:  Janine Beacham

Cover art by:  Nathan Collins

Published by: Firefly Press

Publication date Paperback:  4 April 2024

Paperback ISBN:  978-1-915 444 479

UK Cover price for Paperback:  £7.99

Kindle UK price:  N/A

Pages: 295 (in proof copy)

Age range:  9 to 12

SPOILER ALERT

Yes, some as to plot direction and characters.

Thank you to... 

We are exceedingly grateful to Graeme at Firefly Press Publishers for the delightful surprise package that gave us the chance to Read & Review this very atmospheric eerie book before publication.

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read and review, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their families, friends and students will enjoy.

 

The plot

Cared for in the Home, which was run by a matron of strict sensibilities and dislike for any child that did not conform, Una is adrift. She longs to be back in the lighthouse her father and mother ran on Anglesea. The life of ‘Groundlings’ is not one she recognises or enjoys. She is a quick learner and loves all things to do with the sea. Mechanisms, too. She helped her father repair and run the big light that would save many ships and lives. He didn’t have to go to war, he was in a protected job, but he went to the war to end all wars, because of his passion for all things mechanical. Dieing in the trenches, he left his wife and daughter, Una, behind to tend the lighthouse. But when Una’s mother dies of influenza, she becomes homeless and an orphan.

Una is a dab hand at repairing things as a result, tinkering and making things. So, when Mrs and Mr Smith turn up at the Home, they seem to have found the perfect child as both have a love of turning their hands to practical things. Mrs Smith repairs dolls, whilst Mr Smith is repairing a mechanical carousel, complete with candy-twist poles attached to ponies. And Una thinks she has found the perfect parents as their motivation is to adopt the child they always wanted and don’t seem stuffy at all.

Mother and Father, as they prefer to be called, have everything Una could hope for short of a life at sea or in a lighthouse. But their recently acquired house, Copperlins, an aged large three-storey house above the village of Knifely Stifling, is close to the sea. And even though a boy at her orphanage had warned her about the house, she is determined to make it home. It may be outdated and cold, but Una has a room of her own and views. Good food abounds as Mother is always baking. Father enjoys tinkering here and there at his carousel and smoking a pipe. In fact, they are both very much the archetypal parents one might have seen in the magazines and adverts of the time.

Una is enrolled in the local school. She has never been to a groundling school before, though she did have postal lessons while on the lighthouse. It is so very different. In fact, it is very inhospitable. The villagers don’t like strangers. Worse, they fear Copperlins and what was said to lurk within after the reclusive, elderly lady owner, a doll maker, died. They have horseshoes over their doors to ward off the evil. The adults, including Una’s teachers, and the local children, shy away from Una and mutter in closed, cold groups.

But a girl called Mary soon makes friends, not least because of Una’s unusual and daring but practical short haircut. It is very movie-star-like, Mary says. Though Una has no knowledge of such things and prefers nature and her books.

Whilst settling into her new home, Una hears strange noises coming from the second floor. Could they be mice? The scratching and bumping and creaking may not be unexpected in such an old building being exposed to frigid, buffeting winds.

Mother and Father, such nice people and as good as perfect parents as she could ever hope for as an orphan, think there is nothing amiss. So Una, for fear of being sent back to the Home, steals herself, saying she is a Wexford and has endured far, far worse in the lighthouse.

But little things start happening. And little things mount up and Una is soon aware of things being moved, or worse, going missing from her room. Then, when Mary comes for a sleepover but flees midway through the night without explanation and clearly terrified, Una starts to have doubts. Could what the locals fear about the house be true? Is it haunted by malevolent spirits? Mary goes so far as to extend a safe harbour at her house if Una is too scared.

When the noises in the basement, and music from the carousel she and her father are repairing, rouse Una from her sleep, she is minded to investigate. But there is nobody in the room. Later, she ventures to investigate noises on the second floor. It is an area of shut-off rooms, closed curtains and cobwebs. When none of the rooms reveals the source of the sounds, she steals herself again to check within the last room, a broom cupboard. There she confronts the doll; child size and, if that wasn’t scary enough, it has Una’s face and hair and eyes. When telling Mother and Father, who neither heard the carousel music or other such strange sounds, Una can not find the doll to show them.....

Now things take a turn around about here, and Una actually gets to meet the Doll Twin. Ani (short for animated curiosity) is the doll's name, and she seems to be out to copy Una completely. Is Ani bent on taking over Una's new life and parents? What happens next is both dramatic, scary and heartwarming.

Put aside notions of scary demon dolls.

This story is far more skilled and doesn’t need such adult-style nonsense. Arguably, it is far more human than that. What we have going forwards is a series of revelations, of journeys and discoveries sewn together with twists and turns both bold and powerful and yes, at times, as chilling as the storms Una and her once family faced as lighthouse keepers. Which is where we have to leave this review. 

So, what did we think?

A 1920s gothic horror-style feast of suspense, fear and automata, driven by a descriptive text that makes every page pulse and whir with life, and the senses tingle with anticipation from cover to cover.

One of the book’s great strengths is its being set after the ‘Great War’. With many children left fatherless, and as with Una Wexford, later motherless in the influenza outbreak, the book becomes very thought-provoking and powerful from the off. I can imagine this being a key point for classroom discussion, too.

There were no points where we weren’t immersed in the telling. Looking back, there were telltale clues that we just didn’t see or see clearly enough. Mrs H even peaked forwards, and with a gasp, carried on reading even quicker. She was still surprised by the final chapters; which were magnificently executed. We were raised up on a crest of hope, then sent to the depths of despair or shattered on the rocks with our characters.

Because of the writing skill, ultimately the ending was immensely satisfying. I won’t say what that is, as I don’t want to give it away.

So . . .
Crunch time.

A middle-grade ‘gothic’ horror, you’ll have to go a long, long way to find one better or more skillfully written. I dare say Mr King would be impressed if he were to read this. We were thoroughly entertained and devoured this in record time, and I think most other kids and parents will, too.

Steeped in atmosphere, this is one adventure not to be missed, as it has it all.

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please do consider and support your local and independent bookshops and publishers.

 

Janine Beacham's web page at Hatchette UK can be found HERE or type this: https://www.hachette.co.uk/contributor/janine-beacham/

Firefly Press' web page can be found HERE or type this: https://fireflypress.co.uk/

Nathan Collins' Twitter feed can be found HERE or type this:  https://twitter.com/NathanlCollins

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, in America.

 

I shall leave you with a selfie entitled: Black and White on Paisley 🙂 🙂

Till laters!

ERin

UNICORN ACADEMY; Sophia's Invitation.

 

From Nosy Crow;  

                                                                   

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

 

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring this week, an adventure in Middle-Grade Fiction.

 

But first, after enquiries from last week's post, a quick trip to Upper Much-Mousing for a news update.... 

 

Mrs Hudson has been studying her credit card bill and is now eyeing Erin suspiciously.

"I can see that you haven't ordered them on my card. That is good news, and I dare say we could have gotten a refund if you had, but the postage would have cost the Earth, and they always want the original cardboard boxes that one has just thrown away. And you're sure you didn't meet anyone strange on the way back from the village Autumn Fete, maybe someone wanting to swap them for something?" Erin had, one Christmas, been caught out by a rogue Beanstalk Trader who'd managed to secure one of Mrs H's bottles of mature Earl Grey tea-flavoured sherry in exchange for a miniature beanstalk. The miniature giants, though they may well have been large, poorly dressed gnomes, that had then invaded the garden the following year had played havoc amongst the fruit trees and taken old Ned, the gardener, weeks to trap and then rehome to a tower block in London. The Tower of London, to be precise!

"Absolutely. No dodgy dealers, I swear. He was from the Council. Had a classic pointy hat, clipboard, a card in a plastic wallet and everything. He even left this receipt," Erin pointed to the rolled-up parchment that, at its mention, unrolled and hovered in the air for inspection.

 

"Well, that does seem to be all in order," Mrs H said a minute later, having inspected the red wax seal of the Magic Council Community Service Officer. "What I'd like to know is who volunteered us?"

 

Erin shrugged and gave her best 'It wasn't me' innocent smile, even though it was her. "Probably got on one of those spam lists after a data leak. I heard Santa left a USB stick down someone's chimney last year. Anyways, now they are here, I thought we could use their droppings to fertilize my catnip patch. 

 

"Hmm. I have my doubts Santa even knows what that is. As to giant catnip plants, that's not going to happen. At the rate they're eating the lawn and weeds, as well as your catnip, even if their dung was magical, it won't be recovering anytime soon!

 

The words 'even if' were not lost on Erin, and she gulped hard and then spluttered. "Not magical. The man from the Council said it would grow ten times the height!"

 

"That, Erin dear, is why you should always read the small print. As these unicorns are on Community Service, they don't have any magical powers. Ergo, their droppings won't be magical either. So, I think the best thing you can do to help them grow is if you go out there and start directing what the non-magical beasts eat. And maybe give old Ned a hand moving the small piles of droppings. Then, you can get them to use those pointy horns to shift the leaves. I don't want to see you until supper time."

With a raised eyebrow, Mrs H left the room, leaving Erin wondering if she hadn't just been done twice and was now doing community service, too? What do you think?

 

With that, let's get on to this week's review of:-

 

 

AUTHOR: Chapter book text by Nosy Crow

 

Script for Television by: Adam Wilson & Melanie Wilson

 

Story adapted by: Mandy Archer

Based on the UNICORN ACADEMY books by Julie Sykes & Linda Chapman

 

Cover art by: Lucy Truman

 

Published by: NOSY CROW

 

Publication date Paperback: 

 

 

Paperback ISBN: 978 1 80513 100 7

UK Cover price for Paperback: £6.99 

Kindle UK price 

 

Pages: 154

 

Age range: Chapter book, 7+

Any dogs or cats? No, but there is a herd of unicorns, and lots of surprising magical creatures!

 

 

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters. 

 

 

Thank you to... 

 

We are exceedingly grateful to Nosy Crow Publishers for the fun of getting to Read & Review this delightful book at the time of publication. 

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy. 

 

The plot

 

Unicorn Island sits in the farthest part of the bluest of oceans, shrouded by an enchanted mist. It is the centre of all magic. It is a place of magical creatures and home to dazzlingly beautiful unicorns, who, along with their riders, help protect the world from evil. It is also the home to the Unicorn Academy, where new and upcoming riders are selected. But they must first be chosen by a unicorn, and then bond with it to bring forth the unicorn's special and unique magical talent. Only then can the training begin in earnest. Failure to be selected by or bond with a unicorn means they will be rejected from the Academy. 

 

The unicorns and their riders, and in particular, Miles Mendoza and his unicorn, Wildstar, saved both the island and the Unicorn Academy from destruction by the evil Queen Ravenzella. But it cost Miles his life.

 

But Sophia, his daughter, knows none of his past or true fate. Until one day, she gets an invite to attend the Nuncior Academy. Riding her father's chestnut mare, Mary Lou, Sophia is by far a brilliant rider for her age. The two work as one and tackle the largest of jumps fearlessly. After a ride on what appears to be a pilotless boat, she arrives at the island. She learns the Academy is, in fact, the Unicorn Academy. She is hopeful she can achieve as she rides well. But she is among some outstanding pupils, like Valentina, whose family began the Academy, or others who already knew that the Academy existed and whose brothers and sisters had already graduated from it. 

 

Dressed in tatty jeans and her dad's old but much-loved shirt, Sophia is entirely out of place. With a good mix of kind but firm and fair teachers and headmistress, the pupils from all of society, both girls and boys, are left in no doubt that there are strict rules and breaking them will mean instant dismissal from the Academy. 

 

Breaking the rules or bending them as Sophia might like to think of it as, is not something she can do, and yet she ends up doing it. 

 

When she finally finds a unicorn and is chosen by it, it seems it wants nothing but to slow her down. In fact, it seems the beautiful creature doesn't trust her at all!

What I need to say now is that soon after, the evil Queen Ravenzella makes an appearance, plotting her escape from a crystal prison on a far-off point of the Unicorn Island that the students are forbidden to go near. And to gain her freedom and wreak havoc on both unicorns and the Academy once and for all, she first needs something, Sophia!

 

And that is all I'm prepared to say. The magical adventure deepens and takes off, up and down in more ways than one, reaching its tense, perilous conclusion in the closing pages.

So, what did we think?

 

A high-flying magical adventure that is never short on thrills and spills and a refreshing twist on the magical school stories we have had in the past. 

There is an emphasis on learning to not only communicate with, but also understand their unicorns. The book strongly supports the values of teamwork and problem-solving. Equally as important is inclusivity. So many valuable skills to provide for a better non-magical society and life in our own world. We all hope for these qualities, yet are sometimes forsaken later in life.

 

So . . . .

Crunch time. 

 

Any child who has had or ridden a horse will fall in love with this adventure and understand its charm. Timed to be released before a NETFLIX series coming this November, I am sure it will be thoroughly enjoyed by all girls and boys alike. 

So, if, like Mrs H and I, you have ridden a horse, or indeed aspire to kindle and/or share in a younger reader's passion for same, then this is a MUST READ.

 

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please head for your magical book store, a unicorn is optional. There are plenty out there, and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure your hearts desire.

 

Nosy Crow's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://nosycrow.com/

 

Julie Sykes' web page can be found HERE or type this: https://www.juliesykes.co.uk/

 

Linda Chapman's web page can be found HERE or type this: http://www.lindachapmanauthor.co.uk/

 

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kittes Blue and their mum, Janet Blue in America.

 

So, I shall leave you with a selfie of me. I'd very kindly offered to help her with the cleaning. I suspect she didn't quite think I meant this . . . . 

Till laters!

ERin