Mix & Match 18 - Kids Edition

This edition of Mix & Match is centred on some amazing middle grade books. Check out my quick reviews and then pick one to go with my yummy Choc Orange Espresso Martini!

After depriving myself of chocolate for so long before Easter, I decided to make up a chocolate based Espresso Martini by swapping some of the vodka for chocolate orange baileys. Add the following ingredients to a shaker with lots of ice, shake and strain into a cocktail glass - 30ml vodka, 30ml chocolate orange baileys, 45ml espresso, 10ml coffee liqueur.

Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer by Lindsay Littleson

Linnet is desperate to leave the orphanage, but now that she is finally free of it, she's not sure if her new situation is actually better. At least now she has the opportunity to use her inventiveness to impress her new boss and she might even have a chance to find out what happened to her best friend. Excitement, peril and friendship ensue in this wonderful adventure.

The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

Ru is such a sweetheart and tries so hard to be positive for everyone else, despite feeling like everything is falling apart. And being far from willing to accept it!

This was much more nerve-racking than I expected, and the conclusion had me shedding a tear or two.

Grimogen Darkstar by Emma Finlayson-Palmer

You'll love Immi, she's determined to prove to her family that she is responsible enough for her own pet.  Her love for animals, in particular the rare bat-cat (the best pet of all), makes her try her hardest to behave properly but everything keeps going wrong and no one believes it's not all her fault!

Scarlett Buckling and the Case of the Missing Pictures by Mario Ambrosi

Scarlett is devastated when her grandmother goes missing so she's determined to solve the mystery of why she disappeared. This is a lovely story, talking about something important in a very sensitive and non-preachy way. I also enjoyed the extra puzzle hidden in each chapter heading.