Marvellous Middle Grade

Over the past couple of years I have grown more and more fond of middle grade books. There's just so much magic, hope and wonder in them. Here are some of my recent favourites that I love to share.

Start by mixing up a Chocolate Orange cocktail, then choose a book and let the magic sink in. 

40ml rum, 20ml grand marnier, 10ml orange juice, 10ml lemon juice, dash of sugar syrup. Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Add couple of drops of chocolate bitters, then garnish with a slice of dried orange.

The Last Monster by Dan Walker

After the events of book 1, Lux discovered something strange and seemingly very wrong about his powers. Now he is terrified to use Light even for healing his team-mates as he is so worried about hurting rather than saving them. So he is warily hopeful when he hears of a retired Light Hunter who thinks he's found a way to stop the monster attacks forever.

I love the friendship and trust between the team-mates in squad Juno, they go through so much together but in the end always believe in each other. It is wonderful to see how Lux overcomes his fears and terror of hurting others.

The House on Hoarder Hill by Kelly Ngai & Mikki Lish

Hedy and Spencer are unexpectedly sent to stay with their grandfather when their parents get the chance to go on a dig in Spain. While Spencer can't wait to learn Grandpa's magic tricks, Hedy would much rather go to Spain with her parents. Things soon get interesting and very, very spooky when it seems the spirit of their grandma Rose, who disappeared years ago, is trying to contact them!

Grandpa's house if full of mysterious rooms with hidden secrets that the children are supposed to stay out of. Of course they don't listen and they encounter moving statues, woodspies, liar birds and ghosts. There are so many magical things.

I love how the book starts so mysteriously, I had a sneaky suspicion of who the Missing One could be and couldn't wait to find out if I was right. As soon as I finished the book I ordered the next 2!

Max Magic by Stephen Mulhern & Tom Easton

What would you do if you suddenly found you could do magic? Max has magic in his blood, it runs in his family and he has been practising ticks every chance he gets. But until he finds an old top hat, it has all been just tricks, now he finds he can do REAL magic!

With the bullies at school and the Crayfish Twins bullies at the market, Max really does have a lot to put up with, and all he wants is to help his family. As tempting as it is to just blow the bullies to smithereens with his mew found magic, Max knows he should find a way to use his powers for good by helping, not hurting. I know there's supposed to be a message in here for kids, but personally I think the bullies and bad guys have it coming!

I liked the illustrations throughout the book and at the end you get some magic tricks to try out yourself!

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

This was one of my most aniticipated sequels. Amari's struggles start almost right from the first page, when she is un-invited to the Bureau's summer camp. Luckily her friends rally round and get her back in. Through a series of events, Amari ends up playing the Great Game in a bid to lead the League of Magicians, fighting against Dylan. There are magically alive books and a shadow pet, seven great beasts including the kraken and a giant nuclear snail. Even Alexander the Great gets a mention.

I like that she does understand she's just a kid and shouldn't have to do everything. But she does it anyway, because who else is going to save the world?

This book pretty much leaves you hanging in the worst way! I don't know how I'll manage to wait for the next one.

The Vanishing of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes

Another in a series, though this is the third and I am impatiently awaiting news of any more as I love this series so much.

An abandoned house, missing people and spooky seances, and that's just in the first few chapters! Aveline's third adventure sees her battling to escape the clutches of the faeries, who she suspects are also behind all the mysterious disappearances that have happened in the area. Luckily she has Harold and their new friend, faerie expert Sammy, on side to help. Their friendships are just so sweet and strong, these kids would brave anything for each other. The villain is particularly sinister, popping up in many tales told over the years. The story is creepy and dark perfect for a Halloween evening!

Rise Of The Bartender by Adam Jamie Hussein

Today I am once again joining in with the 12 days of Clink St Publishing with my second book of the blog tour.

As you can probably guess by now, I love a good cocktail book to read and this one has lots of stories and history going back over 400 years! Each chapter delves into a period of time and the thing that most characterises it. Interestingly, the index is almost at the beginning of the book. Though unusual, I quite liked this and it made me want to immediately jump straight into all the cocktails that caught my eye.

While the definition of 'classic' is a bit loose, there are a huge number of well known and historic cocktails plus quite a few I didn't know. I would have loved more pictures though, as I do find the temptation is often in the look of it and it helps when preparing a cocktail.

Book Summary

A contemporary approach to the traditional world of classic cocktails.

Celebrated mixologist Adam Jamie Hussein shares the origin stories and recipes for over 200 mixed drinks of eclectic heritage, featuring beloved greats like the Martini and lesser-known favourites like the Fish House Punch.

Designed as a guide to cocktail history and education, Hussein debunks myths and rumours to chart the evolution of cocktail making, revealing how the drinks we love today have been refined over time.

Legendary cocktails have notorious beginnings. Hussein hopes that Rise Of The Bartender will spark conversation and new drinking discoveries for like-minded libertines.

The great thing about reviewing a bartending book is that I don't have far to go to find the perfect cocktail to share with you. In fact this was actually one of the first I spotted when I looked through the book. Hemingway Daiquiri recipe as per the book: 40ml light rum, 5ml maraschino, 20ml pink grapefruit juice, 10ml lime juice, 5ml simple syrup. Long shake and strain into a coupe.

The Geeky Stitching Co's Little Book of Cross Stitch by Jess Payne

 

It's that time of year again, the 12 Days of Clink St Publishing blog tour! I decided I need a new hobby, other than cocktails and books so Geeky Stitching caught my eye and I'm branching out into cross-stitch. I have done a few before but those were with kits that already had everything in it, so it is a bit daunting to try going 'freelance'!

 

Unfortunately my book hasn't arrived in time for me to show off my handy work but I am hoping for a cocktail cross stitch to try out. Depending on how my efforts turn out I might show you all later! For now I will be asking Father Christmas for some cross stitch supplies...

 

Book Summary

You will find over thirty of our bestselling designs in this book as well as seven new patterns to stitch up, we have everything from rainbows to fluffy animals and not a country cottage in sight!

A great book for beginners as well as experienced stitchers who are fans of stitching cute stuff and fun puns.