I Read, Therefore I Blog

The Blurb On The Back:

Super-smart by day, super-sleuth by night.
Justice Jones is on the case …

An intriguing new girl catches Justice’s attention this year. Letitia has never been to school before and doesn’t care for the rules. Mysteriously, the teachers don’t seem to mind!

Then, after a midnight feast in the barn, and a terrifying ghost-sighting in the garden, one of Justice’s friends disappears. Justice has to investigate. But why are the ransom notes torn from the pages of a crime novel?

Can Justice find the kidnapper - before it’s too late?

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The Verdict:

The third in the A GIRL CALLED JUSTICE mystery series by Elly Griffiths for readers aged 9+ lacked tension and pace partly due to a lot of set up with the introduction of Letitia. As a result I didn’t believe in the peril and despite a good twist, the investigation is quite patchy. That said, I did like Letitia’s attitude and she’ll make an interesting addition to the Barnowls and the tension with Stella and Dorothy would make me read on.

A GIRL CALLED JUSTICE: THE GHOST IN THE GARDEN was released in the United Kingdom on 13th May 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Four friends are outside having fun when they discover an injured fox. After taking it to an animal rescue centre, they decide to find out more about the amazing animals, plants and places that make up our natural world.

Through talking to teachers and local conservationists, the children learn about ecosystems and biodiversity, climate change and pollution. Seeing how all of nature is connected encourages them to discover different ways to help protect it. Full of fascinating facts and fun activities, this book reveals why nature really does need you!

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The Verdict:

Liz Gogerly is a former teacher who’s been writing children’s non-fiction for over 20 years. Sr Sanchez is an illustrator who lives in Spain. This book for children aged 8+ looks at how you can help protect the natural world by following 4 children who become interested in nature after rescuing an injured fox cub. It’s broad in scope, has activities for readers to do and is a good way of getting children to think about the world around them.

NATURE NEEDS YOU! was released in the United Kingdom on 22nd April 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The boat sways and rocks.
Bodies pressed against bodies.
Holding on for our lives.

Natalie’s world is falling apart. She’s just lost her mum, and her brother marches the streets of Dover with a far-right gang. Swimming is her only refuge.

Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future.

A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope.

But is hope enough to mend a broken world?

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The Verdict:

Manjeet Mann’s YA novel pitches the plight of refugees against increasing anti-refugee sentiment within the UK. It’s told in verse and very well written with Mann effortlessly switching between Sammy and Nat to emphasise their common experiences and emotions. Sammy’s experiences make it a difficult read at times while Mann shows why people are attracted to racism without excusing it. This will be on the 2021 awards lists and it deserves to be.

THE CROSSING was released in the United Kingdom on 3rd June 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Fifteen-year-old Spencer is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother and a Messi-in-training. He’s also transgender.

After a year of bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at a new school with great friends, a spot on the boys’ soccer team, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his team-mates. The only thing is, no one knows Spencer is trans - he’s passing.

So when a discriminatory law forces his coach to bench him, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or fight for his right to play, even if it means coming out to everyone, including the guy he’s falling for …

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The Verdict:

Isaac Fitzsimon’s debut YA novel mixes trans rights, romance and sports fiction to mixed effect. It’s great to read something with a black trans boy main character and although the romance is a little predictable, Fitzsimon sensitively shows the anxieties and issues he has to navigate. However there is a lot going on plot and character wise so that some elements, notably Spencer’s autistic brother and Justice’s religious family, feel tacked on.

THE PASSING PLAYBOOK was released in the United Kingdom on 3rd June 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

”We don’t pick and choose what to be afraid of. Our fears pick us.”

Tash Carmody has been traumatised since childhood, when she witnessed her gruesome imaginary friend Sparrow lure young Mallory Fisher away from a carnival. At the time nobody believed Tash, and she has since come to accept that Sparrow wasn’t real. Now fifteen and mute, Mallory’s never spoken about the week she went missing. As disturbing memories resurface, Tash starts to see Sparrow again. And she realises Mallory is the key to unlocking the truth about a dark secret connecting them. Does Sparrow exist after all? Or is Tash more dangerous to others than she thinks?

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The Verdict:

Sarah Epstein’s debut YA thriller has a strong first half that teases a supernatural explanation for Tash’s memories of Sparrow and what happened to Mallory but Tash’s claustrophobia read as a gimmick to me and I thought the plot got a little silly once Tash starts getting the answers she wanted. That said, Tash’s relationship with her mum is well drawn and Epstein gives her a strong narrative voice so I’d definitely read Epstein’s next book.

Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Olá! I’m Jasmina Santos-Campbell (but you can call me Jaz). You’ve probably heard of me and my team the Bamrock Stars before. No? Well, you will soon because we’re almost famous!

Forming the Stars was my genius idea - you see I need to prove to Mãe (that’s my mum!) that I’m a football star so she’ll want to come back home.

The idea was the easy part, though. Now I’ve got a team of seven very different girls and we need to work together, to be taken seriously as footballers.

We are the DREAM TEAM and we’re going to show the world that girls CAN plan football!

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The Verdict:

Priscilla Mante’s debut contemporary novel for children aged 9+ (the first in a series) is strong on the importance of organisation, teamwork and facing your fears and great at promoting women’s football while also tackling (no pun intended) the sexism that girls face in the game. However there are too many characters to get a real sense of who is who here and some quite stereotypical while the plot fairly predictable but I would still read on.

JAZ SANTOS VS THE WORLD was released in the United Kingdom on 27th May 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Jon is on the run.

He has betrayed Oslo’s biggest crime lord: The Fisherman.

Fleeting to a mountain town so far north that the sun never sets, Jon hopes to find sanctuary.

Hiding out in the wilderness, all that stands between him and his fate are Lea, a bereaved mother, and her young son, Knut.

But the midnight sun is slowly driving Jon to insanity.

And then he discovers that the Fisherman’s men are getting closer …

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The Verdict:

Jo Nesbo’s crime novella (translated from Norwegian by Neil Smith) is a tightly written affair that has some overlap with earlier novella BLOOD ON SNOW. However, Jon is a surprisingly passive character so the action comes from his failure to act rather, which makes for a bit of a frustrating read and Lea is little more than a standard damsel in distress. That said, there are some interesting plot twists and it held my attention to the end.

The Blurb On The Back:

Meet Weston Kogi, a London supermarket store detective. He returns to his West African home country for his aunt’s funeral. He sees his family, his ex-girlfriend Nana, his old school mate, Church. Food is good, beer is plentiful and telling people he works as a homicide detective seems like harmless exaggeration, until he wakes up in hell.

He is kidnapped and forced by two separate rebel factions to investigate the murder of a local political hero, Papa Busi. The solution may tip a country on the brink into civil war. Making Wolf is the outrageous, frightening, violent and sometimes surreal homecoming experience of a lifetime.

You can buy MAKING WOLF by Tape Thompson from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Verdict:

Tade Thompson’s hard-boiled noir makes excellent use of its fictional West African setting to send its main character on a nightmarish investigation beset by violence and corruption. However, the mystery plot doesn’t quite hang together, I needed more of Weston’s London life to flesh out how Alcacia is changing him and the female characters are noticeably under-developed for femme fatales. Saying that though, I would definitely read a sequel.

The Blurb On The Back:

The Amazon is burning. Fire-breathing creatures run amok through the trees and The Renegades must unite with indigenous activists to stop them

Protecting the climate are Professor Katelyn, who is haunted by sinister visions …

What do these new visions mean?

… Leon, whose stealthy spying skills have risen to the next level …

I’m going to find out where these creatures come from …

… And Mo, who can blast solar energy from his fingertips.

I hope I can protect my friends from danger.

CAN THEY STOP THE LATEST THREAT TO EARTH?

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The Verdict:

Jeremy Brown, Katy Jakeway, Eleanor Mererid, Libby Reed and David Shelby’s environmentally themed superhero graphic novel for children aged 9+ (the second in a series) is a worthy but dull read. The characters are under-developed, the themes treated like anvils and the storyline too predictable. Also the artwork is blocky and I confused Alma and Katelyn at times while the action was difficult to follow such that I won’t be reading on.

THE RENEGADES DEFENDERS OF THE PLANET VOLUME 2 - FLAMES OF AMAZONIA was released in the United Kingdom on 6th May 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

They call me Yanka the bear. Not because of where I was found - only a few people know about that.

Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong inside as she is on the outside. When Yanka has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond anything she ever imagined begins - from icy rivers to smouldering mountains, meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Sophie Anderson’s Russian-folklore inspired fantasy for children aged 9+ is a beautifully written affair about feeling different, being true to yourself and accepting help from friends. Kathrin Honesta’s deceptively simple illustrations really complement the sense of melancholy and regret that runs through the book. The pacing slightly sags in the final quarter so some characters get lost but it’s a satisfying read that’s definitely worth a look.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.