I'm Loving: WRD Magazines

It's obviously no secret that I love books, especially when it comes to books for younger readers - from picture books to YA. So imagine my excitement when I discovered there is an amazing magazine dedicated to sharing children's books!

WRD magazines are for children aged 8-13+ (these are spread across two separate magazines, which I will talk about in more detail later in the post). The company rebranded as WRD in 2013, after previously being known as tBkmag. They really are the best source of up-to-date releases and what is happening in the world of children's books. The magazines include interviews, special feature pieces and - my personal favourite - extracts from new releases so you can have a sneak peek at some new books.

My Middle Grade Summer Reads

Despite being in my thirties, I love a middle-grade book. I try to read a good amount of them for my job because I can then recommend them to the children I work with and be in the loop with new releases and what's of interest, but overall I just love reading them for myself.

This summer, there is a good selection of general books that I want to read - six of which I read while on holiday in Mallorca last week - but many of them are middle-grade books. So, here are ten middle-grade books that I want to try and read this summer (with two of them being ones I read next to the pool!)

Book Review: North and the Only One by Vashti Hardy

I am so excited to bring you this book review today, ahead of its anticipated release on 9th May. 

I have been a fan of Vashti Hardy's writing for some time now, having read the Brightstorm series, Wildspark and Crowfall. If you're after adventure and excitement in your middle-grade books, then these are the ones to pick up!

Today, I'm sharing Hardy's latest book: North and the Only One, which I was kindly gifted through the publisher, Scholastic.

Author Spotlight: Carlie Sorosiak

I've decided to start another new series on my blog called "Author Spotlight". I don't know how often I will do these posts as I don't want to set myself a time frame and force it. I'd rather write when I genuinely have a selection of books by a particular author to talk about.

This post will be all about the wonderful Carlie Sorosiak...

Book Review: Black Hole Cinema Club by Christopher Edge

I am so excited to bring you this book review today!

I received a copy of Black Hole Cinema Club by Christopher Edge in my latest Reading Rocks subscription box (I subscribe to the UKS2 box because I teach Year 6). I planned on buying this book anyway, as I loved Escape Room and The Jamie Drake Equation, but I was lucky enough to get it in my subscription box and get to read it sooner than I'd planned.

Book Wars: Dragons vs Unicorns

I'm trying to think of new blog ideas, especially when it comes to books. I have always wanted to do something where I recommend books that have a certain theme or characteristic, but wanted a more interesting way to do this rather than just saying, "Here are some books that all have [insert feature here]." There's nothing wrong with posts like that at all (plus, I'm sure I'll do some like that in the future) but I saw this idea in a book magazine, that came in my Reading Rocks subscription box last month, and knew I wanted to do something similar.

Book Review: Nina Peanut is Amazing by Sarah Bowie

I am so excited to be talking about this book on my blog today!

I was kindly gifted this book at the start of the month ahead of its release yesterday. First of all: WHAT A COVER! Secondly, I read this entire graphic novel in one sitting and it is brilliant.

Let me tell you more...

Blog Tour: Bella Bright and the Ghost Game | Review & Activity Pack

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be bringing back my first book review in a while for Bella Bright and the Ghost Game by Carolyn Ward. Not only that, I am lucky enough to be part of the blog tour for this awesome book!

Blog Tour: Chocolate Milk, X-Ray Specs and Me by Bethany Walker | Illustrator Q&A & Review

I'm very excited to be bringing you this post today as part of the blog tour for Chocolate Milk, X-Ray Specs and Me. As well as giving my my thoughts in a short review, I also have an exciting Q&A with the illustrator of the book.

Book Review: Stick Boy by Paul Coomey

I'm back with another book review for you and today I'm talking about Stick Boy by Paul Coomey.

Now, this isn't my usual choice of book but when I was offered the chance to read it early and review it, I decided to give it a go. It looked fun and like a good book that I could share with the children at school if they wanted to read something a little different for a change.

Although I was sent this book by Little Tiger, I want to say that the following thoughts and opinions are all my own and I am in no way influenced by the fact that I was sent a copy of this book.

Now, onto the review...

Book Review: The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter

 I'm so excited to be bringing you this early review of The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter.

I was very kindly gifted this book by Scholastic in exchange for a review, but I would like to say that all thoughts shared on this book are my own and have not been influenced in any way. I will always be honest in my reviews.

So, read on to find out what I thought of The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh...

Book Review: Malice in Underland by Jenni Jennings

Hi guys! I'm so excited to be bringing you this book review today as I think this is possibly my favourite middle-grade book I've read this year.

The book I want to talk about today is the stunning Malice in Underland by Jenni Jennings.

Read on for my review...

Book Review: Life of Riley: Beginner's Luck by Simon James Green

I'm back with another book review! It's slightly later than planned but with going back to work and catching a cold within the first few days of being back in school with the children, I haven't been up for writing much.

However, here is my review of Life of Riley: Beginner's Luck...

Blog Tour: The Accidental Wizard by Kimberly Pauley | The Accidental Wizard Challenge & Book Review

Hi! It's my turn on The Accidental Wizard Blog Tour today!

I'll be bringing you a review of the book as well as having a go at The Accidental Wizard Challenge!

Read on to find out more...

Book Review: The Unexpected Find by Toby Ibbotson

I feel very lucky to be able to bring you this book review today as I think that this could be a real hit in the world of children's fiction.

Book Review: A Girl Called Justice by Elly Griffiths

I'm back with another book review and I am so excited to be writing about this one!