Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for these advance copies:
Emma Carroll The Week at World's End (Faber)
Publisher blurb: Nothing ever happens in World’s End Close. So when Stevie discovers a runaway girl in her coal shed, the first thing she does is fetch her best friend, Ray. Both are dying for a bit of adventure, and when the girl begs for help, they readily agree. Yet they soon realise they’ve taken on more than they bargained for. The girl, Anna, reveals she’s on the run from people who are trying to poison her. Meanwhile, on the news, the Americans and Russians are arguing over missiles in Cuba. As the threat of war grows, Anna’s behaviour becomes more mysterious. And when Stevie unearths a dark family secret, she wonders if Anna has come to World’s End Close on purpose, with a special message just for her . . .
I have already read this one. I enjoyed previous books by Emma Carroll - Letters from the Lighthouse; The Ghost in the Garden; and In Darkling Wood. This new book published in September 2021 is very timely as we watch the unfolding events in Ukraine.
Marion Roberts Mikki and me and the Out-of-tune tree (Allen and Unwin)
Publisher blurb: Eleven-year-old Alberta Bracken is having a terrible summer. After a bike-riding accident, caused by the local bully, her arm's in a cast so she can't do her most favourite holiday activity: boogie boarding at the local beach. And her little sister Clementine is EXTREMELY ANNOYING. To make matters worse, her mum (bestselling author of Tammy Bracken's Guide to Modern Manners) has sent her dad packing - after discovering his behaviour has been far from…well-mannered.So when budding filmmaker Mikki Watanabe suggests they start a YouTube channel about the secret life of trees - Alberta is ALL IN. And when they discover their trees are earmarked for removal by the local council it's suddenly a race against time to save them.
Hannah Gold The Lost Whale (Harper Collins)
Publisher blurb: What if you could communicate with a whale? Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad's whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum. Dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free.
This is a second book by Hannah Gold illustrated by Levi Penfold. I read The Last Bear early in 2021 and it went on to be short listed for a number of UK book awards. This book was released last week.
Stuart Wilson How to make a monster: Prometheus High (Puffin)
Publisher blurb: Athena Strange's first semester at Prometheus High starts with a bang. But when her lessons in reanimation, robotics and skulkers move too slowly and she has trouble making friends, Athena decides to take matters into her own hands. On a ship where science and magic collide, and the monster under your bed is probably very real . . . will Athena be able to hold her head above water?
Sounds like I am going to need to brush up on some mythology to enjoy this one. A second book in the series will be released in August, 2022.
Nat Amoore We run tomorrow (Puffin)
Publisher blurb: Sticks, Maki, Jed and Tommy live on the same street. But the adults around them are making decisions that could tear the four friends apart. When they discover their favourite comic book series is being made into a blockbuster movie, they know what they have to do. Get to the audition. Get the parts. Stay together.
We Run Tomorrow is due our in May, 2022. It is quite a big book with over 300 pages but there are graphic novel pages (by Mike Barry) which I think will add an interesting layer.
Adam Hills Rock Star detectives (Puffin)
Publisher blurb: When a priceless painting goes missing, Charley - a 12-year-old viral singing sensation - and her best friend George - camera whizz and budding comedian - are shocked to discover they're the prime suspects. Now Charley and George have to prove they're not international criminals - all while nailing a stellar European tour and keeping up with their homework! But as news of high-profile heists hits the headlines wherever they go, Charley and George keep finding themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Can they solve these baffling crimes and save themselves, or will their shot for stardom be over almost as soon as it's begun?
I am a little suspicious of books written by celebrities. Read this post to find out why. I hope Adam Hills surprises me. This book is already available to buy.
Felice Arena The Unstoppable flying Flanagan (Puffin)
Publisher blurb: The war seems a long way away to Maggie Flanagan. Her brother is somewhere across the sea, flying to protect England from the Germans and the Italians. But Maggie is more interested in kicking the footy and finding out who's going to play for St Kilda this season. But when the war comes to Australia and Maggie sees what she's sure is a Japanese spy plan in the skies of Melbourne, it all gets very real. The Japanese attack Australia up north, raining bombs on Darwin and Broome, and American soldiers start appearing on the streets. Worst of all, it looks like the football season will be cancelled! When Maggie decides to stage an all-girl football game to raise money for the troops, she's breaking all the rules. Everyone knows that girls can't play footy! But the rules aren't going to stop the unstoppable Flying Flanagan . . .
I enjoyed a previous book by Felice Arena - The Great Escape. I am keen to read this book because it mentions the bombing of Darwin. An old friend of mine (who sadly died a few years ago) was a soldier and stationed in Darwin in WWII. He witnessed the bombing first hand.
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