August reading pile

Clutch by MG Leonard

I previously loved (5 stars) Twitch by MG Leonard. The back cover of Clutch shows another book possibly from this series called Spark. Hopefully it won't matter if I read these 'out of order'.

Blurb from the author page: When the peregrine falcon nest is raided, Twitch realises a thief is at work. Horrified, he and the Twitchers set out to catch the dangerous criminal, only to be ensnared in a deadly trap. Can they save themselves and stop the villain before anyone gets hurt?

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

I was gifted a bookshop voucher recently and so I picked up this book because it has been on my to read list this year.

Publisher blurb: Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. And while he loves guiding animal souls into each of the four realms, Clare is lonely. But Clare’s lonely undead existence is met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Clare seeks the help of Hesterfowl—the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But Hesterfowl has a shocking revelation: Clare is dying—this time really dying. Clare is devastated; outraged; and decides he will do anything to change his fate ...

Penny Pollard's Diary by Robin Klein illustrated by Ann James

I read this back when it was published in 1983 and at that time I really enjoyed the voice of young Penny. I found this copy among a pile of disposed books from a library where I work as a volunteer. I would not have 'weeded' this book but I am not involved in those decisions. I am not a fan of the newer cover. The original edition was a large format book and it looked like an exercise book used as a diary. 

Publisher blurb: Penny Pollard hates: old people, Annette Smurton (who has her own horse), wearing dresses, and doing homework. On a school excursion she meets someone just as rebellious as herself Mrs Edith Bettany (nearly) eighty-one years old and a new friend for Penny.

There are five books in this series:

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

I first read this back in 2010 and I loved it so when I saw a copy at a recent charity book sale I decided it was time for me to revisit this story. Here is my original blog post. You can see all the awards given to this book here. 

Blurb from the author page: When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.

The Last Chance Hotel by Nicki Thornton

I spied this at a recent charity book sale and the cover looked great  - it has gold foil on the windows and sparkles. This book is published by Chicken House and it was a winner for their fiction competition in 2016. You can see other books by Nicki Thornton here. Kirkus said this book is a "charming, old-fashioned–feeling romp." You can read an extract here. 

Blurb: Seth is the downtrodden kitchen boy at the remote Last Chance Hotel, owned by the nasty Bunn family. His only friend is his black cat, Nightshade. But when a strange gathering of magicians arrives for dinner, kindly Dr Thallomius is poisoned by Seth’s special dessert. A locked-room murder investigation ensues – and Seth is the main suspect. The funny thing is, he’s innocent … can he solve the mystery and clear his name, especially when magic’s afoot?

Hitty: Her first Hundred Years by Rachel Field

52 Mondays by Anna Ciddor references Hitty so I have had this on my to read list for a few years. Hitty also won the Newbery in 1930.

Bookseller blurb: Hitty is a doll of great charm and character. It is indeed a privilege to publish her memoirs, which, besides being full of the most thrilling adventures on land and sea, also reveal her delightful personality. One glance at her portrait will show that she is no ordinary doll. Hitty, or Mehitable as she was really named, was made in the early 1800s for Phoebe Preble, a little girl from Maine. Young Phoebe was very proud of her beautiful doll and took her everywhere, even on a long sailing trip in a whaler. This is the story of Hitty's years with Phoebe, and the many that follow in the life of a well-loved doll.

The House at the end of the world by Nadine Aisha Jassat

I borrowed this 2025 book from the library where I work as a volunteer mainly because it is a verse novel. I am not really a fan of the cover so I will be interested to read this and see 'how it stacks up.' For a verse novel it is quite a long book with over 300 pages of fairly small print. You can see other books by Nadine here. 

Publisher blurb: When Amal and her family unexpectedly inherit the enchanted clifftop home, they can't believe their luck. But their joy is short-lived when a mysterious couple arrives, claiming the house is theirs and giving Amal's family just thirty days to pack up their stuff and leave before they demolish it completely. The clock is ticking, and Amal is determined to save Hope House from destruction. How will she unravel the secrets of the house and its mysterious benefactor in time to save it?

A Night Divided by Jennifer A Nielsen

This will be a good companion book to go with two other books I read about the Berlin Wall - The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith and A Great Escape by Felice Arena.

Book seller blurb: With the rise of the Berlin Wall, Gerta finds her family suddenly divided. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, yet she can't help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city. But one day on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Gerta concludes that her father wants her and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?

Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

I previously loved In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen but I didn't really enjoy Julia and the Shark although I read many very positive reviews. And I gave five stars to The Island at the end of everything. I have a strange feeling I may have already read Leila and the Blue Fox but I won't know until I begin reading. I have also read The Girl of Ink and stars but even though I remember loving it I haven't talked about it here on this blog.

Blurb from the author web page: Fox wakes and begins to walk. She crosses ice and snow, over mountains and across frozen oceans, encountering bears and birds beneath the endless daylight of an Arctic summer, navigating a world that is vast, wild and wondrous. Meanwhile, Leila embarks on a journey of her own – finding her way to the mother who left her. On a breathtaking journey across the sea, Leila rediscovers herself and the mother she thought she’d lost, with help from a determined little fox. Based on the true story of an Arctic fox who walked from Norway to Canada in seventy-six days.

Paperboy by Vince Vawter

I am reading Newbery winners and honor titles. I spied this 2014 honor book at the charity sale. I have begun reading this one but I am worried it will be a harrowing journey,

Bookseller blurb: Little Man throws the meanest fastball in town. But talking is a whole different ball game. He can barely say a word without stuttering—not even his own name. So when he takes over his best friend’s paper route for the month of July, he’s not exactly looking forward to interacting with the customers. But it’s the neighborhood junkman, a bully and thief, who stirs up real trouble in Little Man’s life.

When you trap a tiger by Tae Keller

This is also a Newbery title. I have read about half of this one on my Kindle. The story so far reminds me of books by our Australian authors Shirley Marr and Rebecca Lim.

Blurb from author web page: When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni’s Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now, the tigers want it back. And when one of those tigers approaches Lily with a deal—return what Halmoni stole in exchange for Halmoni's health—Lily is tempted to accept. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice… and the courage to face a tiger.