The Stolen Spear by Saviour Pirotta, reviewed by Chitra Soundar

Set in the Stone Age, The Stolen Spear is the first book in the Wolfsong Series written by Saviour Pirotta and illustrated by Davide Ortu. This series is published by Maverick Publishing.

In this story, Wolf struggles to fit into his tough and strong community. He is kind and sensitive and ridiculed by his peers. Everyone including his older brother know their calling and their place in the society while Wolf stumbles through life with his spirit guardian and dog Shadow.

When Wolf befriends a girl from the faraway island, disaster strikes. Their sacred ground is raided and the spear is stolen. When his community blames his friend, Wolf vows to find the real culprit and bring back the spear.

The adventure that ensues not only shows Wolf’s grit and determination, but also how his kindness is returned by strangers. With the help of Shadow, he travels on the sea that many have never crossed and eventually he finds his calling.

This is my first historical read set in the Stone Age. The author has weaved in the details and places we know about this generation into the story, while also keeping the language fresh and contemporary. The story is engaging and exciting for young readers and the details of the world will make them curious to find out more.

Weaving this tale of adventure for young people, the author has managed to bring out important themes of being different, being an outsider, how some might exploit others and the value of friendships. The story shows the reader that some things are universal through time. We forge friendships, we get jealous, we are scared of the unknown and how we deal with these is how we define ourselves.

Young readers like Wolf will recognise these patterns of emotions in their real life and see the parallels. This is a great book not just to teach history in a fun way, but also to discuss contemporary issues with the readers.

I can’t wait to read this book to my nephew and I’m sure he’ll ask for Book 2 and 3 soon after.

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Chitra Soundar is the author of over 40 books for children. Find out more at www.chitrasoundar.com and follow her on Twitter at @csoundar. 

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The Dangerous Lives of the Jacobites, by Linda Strachan and Darren Gate. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE JACOBITES
written by Linda Strachan
Illustrated by Darren Gate
Published by Kelpies, 2019

Like many people my age, I was a big fan of Look and Learn, an educational magazine that was published for two whole decades starting in 1962. It had a perfect mix of articles taking in geography, science, history and world culture, cartoon-strip versions of famous literary classics and even science fiction.

 For me and, I suspect for many others, the biggest draw was the historical element. Lavishly illustrated by well-known artists of the time, the articles often read like fiction, pulling you back in time to witness the events with your own eyes. I used to wait with bated breath from month to month.

Part of a series called Fact-Tastic Stories from Scotland's History, The Dangerous Lives of the Jacobites has much the same feel. It mixes first-person narratives with nuggets of well-chosen information and fantastic artwork from Darren Gate.

The Jacobites were supporters of the Stuart royal family, intent on returning them to the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland. They undertook four main uprisings against the English government, between 1688 and 1746. Strachan's story follows a boy called Rob as he joins the uprising of 1745 which culminated in the famous battle of Culloden. With his father and a friend called Jamie, he enlists in Bonnie Prince Charlie's army which marches on London only to turn back when the promised help from France does not arrive. Rob's experiences come alive on the page as the reader is pulled not only into the thick of battle but also discovers the intricacies of life for ordinary people in the 18th century. Rob's sister Aggie remains home in the Highlands but her narrative adds a depth and richness to the book which I found delightful.

A delightful book that readers will enjoy not only for its educational value but also for its page-turning action!

Saviour's new historical fiction is set in the Orkneys during the Neolithic Age. It's called The Stolen Spear and is published by Maverick on the 28 September. Follow Saviour on twitter @spirotta. His website is www.spirotta.com.

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The Unicorn Prince, written by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jane Ray, reviewed by Pippa Goodhart

           

 ‘High on a hill, where the moors ended and the forest began, stood a lonely castle.’

So begins this glorious fairytale in which Annis and her grandmother go from poverty to comfort, but a kind of comfort that best suits them. At the story's start, Annis may be squashed into a small room with her grandmother and animals, but her dreams ‘are wild and free’, finding a unicorn, then galloping those moors with him, discovering fairies in need of help … who, in turn, give help to them. 

            But the fairies imagined by Saviour Pirotta and Jane Ray aren’t the little girl birthday party kind of pink pretty flurries of cuteness. These are much more interesting, fairies with attitude and power. 

And Annis isn’t going to say ‘yes’ to princes who want to marry her and make her their queen if she finds them pompous or boring. She wants to pair up with a friend … and you’ll have to get hold of a copy of this book to find out who that might be!

            Jane Ray’s pictures are full of beauty and humour. Altogether, this is a pretty perfect picture book fairytale.

PS It's just coming out in paperback. But it's a treasure of a book you might well want to have in hardback.

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Magical Kingdom of Birds, by Anne Booth. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

I'm a big fan of Anne Booth's Refuge, a Christmas picture book that highlights the refugee aspect of the classic nativity story and I have given copies as Christmas presents to quite a few kids. Some of those kids are now old enough to tackle stories on their own, so Anne's new series will come in very handy for birthdays and other gift-giving opportunities.

Magical Kingdom of Birds, aimed at 7 to 9 year olds, has a very cute premise. Maya has inherited a magical colouring in book from her late mother. When she tries to colour in one of the pictures, she falls into the book, landing in the magical kingdom of birds and fairies. Here she becomes 'the Keeper of the Book' whose coming has been foretold.

Maya needs sticks to help her walk and this gives her confidence issues. The magical adventures in the enchanted kingdom help her prove to herself that she is brave and that, if she believes in herself, she can achieve great things despite her disability.

In the first book, The Sleepy Hummingbirds, Maya befriends a fairy princess called Willow whose evil Lord Astor has usurped the throne of the magical kingdom. The despot is planning to enslave all the singing birds. Can Maya and Willow, along with Patch the magpie, retrieve the princess's  enchanted cloak of feathers from his castle and save the birds?

In the second book, The Ice Swans, Lord Astor is threatening to freeze the kingdom of birds unless he is accepted as king. He has already frozen Swan Lake and turned the beautiful swans
into statues. Maya, Willow and Patch must outwit him and his fairy guards once again to rescue the birds and the kingdom.

These short books are very well written, with pacy chapters and lots of direct speech, which helps move the plot.  Kids will love them. They're a feathery delight. The b&w illustrations by Rosie Butcher add to the richness. As a bonus, there is a fact file at the end with info about the real-life birds that inspired the stories. And there's a colouring in page too. Who knows what will happen if you colour it in?


Saviour Pirotta's new picture book, The Unicorn Prince, is illustrated by Jane Ray. It was an editor's choice in The Guardian and The Bookseller.  His novel Mark of the Cyclops, an Ancient Greek Adventure has recently won the North Somerset Teacher's Book Award for quality fiction. Follow him on twitter @spirotta.








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EDGAR AND THE SAUSAGE INSPECTOR, by Jan Fearnley. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Jan Fearnley's latest picture book for Nosy Crow is a hoot. Edgar and his sister Edith live at the end of an alley. Edgar loves Edith very much and one day sets off to buy her favourite treat. Sausages!

Sadly, coming out of the butcher's, Edith is waylaid by a food inspector, a rat, who pronounces the sausages tainted and makes off with them, presumably for further inspection in a lab. The same unhappy meeting keeps repeating itself on further shopping sprees and it soon becomes apparent that the inspector is not all he claims to be. This pushes the otherwise peace loving Edgar over the edge, with fatal consequences for...but no spoilers here.

Fearnley's story is a delicious tale of sweet revenge.  Told in a fast, edgy style with gorgeous retro illustrations that remind me of the ever-popular Madeline books. It's one that I'm sure will prove popular with many readers. The ending would also be great to engender discussions about the nature of revenge and 'getting your own back.' A treat in more ways that one.  Let's hope there are more adventures of Edgar and Edith on the way. They are an adorable pair.


Saviour Pirotta's latest picture book, The Unicorn Prince, is illustrated by Jane Ray and out now. Follow Saviour on twitter @spirotta.

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Finding Hope, by Marie-Louise Jensen. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Finding Hope
Author: Marie-Louise Jensen
Publisher Fiction Express

Jake, an only boy, lives an idyllic life in the UK. His main passion in life is horse riding and he is looking forward to riding Thunder, his trusted horse, at the next showjumping event.

But when Jake's parents adopt a refugee called Faly, he finds that having a new sister is probably more than a cool kid can handle. Faly speaks no English. In fact she doesn't speak at all. Jake is resentful that he now has to share his parents' attention with a newcomer and that the new arrival is eating into his training time for the imminent showjumping event.  But gradually Jake and Faly bond and when it seems that the refugee has been kidnapped by two men in a black van, Jake proves to be a real hero and brother.

The 'hope' of the title is the name given to a rescued horse that is taken in by the stables where Jake trains. The horse's story mirrors that of Faly, who must start seeing hope in what she considers a desperate situation.

Originally written for the Fiction Express platform, this is a fast-paced story that deals with the topic of migrants in a sensitive but entertaining away. Told from the two points of view - Faly and Jakes's - it really lets you in on what the main characters are thinking and feeling. Faly's story includes her nightmare journey across the Sahara desert and the loss of her parents in the Med.  Jake's journey towards accepting his new sister is no less interesting. Absorbing stuff!

Saviour Pirotta's latest books are the Ancient Greek Mysteries series from Bloomsbury. Pirates of Poseidon is out now. Follow him on twitter @spirotta.








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ELISE AND THE SECOND HAND DOG, by Bjarne Reuter, reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Elise and the Second-Hand Dog
Illustrated by Kirsten Raagaard
Translated from the Danish by Sian Mckie
Published by Wacky Bee Books, 2018

Bjarne Reuter is considered a national treasure in Denmark. His first children's book, Kidnapping, was published in 1975 and since then he has won major awards in both his native country and Germany.

Now Wacky Bee Books brings us his 2016 middle-grade novel, Elise and the Second-Hand Dog.  Elise, who lives in Copenhagen, misses her mum who is helping to build a suspension bridge in the Amazon rainforest.  Her dad, a violinist, gives in to her pleas to buy a dog. As there's not much money, the only pug they can afford is a second-hand asthmatic one with a rotund belly, spindly legs and ears that stick out at different angles. He smells of cheese. A close encounter with a cement mixer has left him looking worse for wear. Elise's dad thinks he's the most horrible-looking dog in the world but Elise decides he's as handsome as a prince and decides to name him Prince Valiant the Great.

During a private, Christening ceremony, involving Russian choral music and white vermouth borrowed from an eccentric neighbour called Miss Martini, the dog reveals that he already has a name. McAduddi. He's from Tobermory in Scotland and, yes, he can talk. His mum taught him. Together, Elise and McAduddi, have a string of wonderful adventures that cements their friendship forever.

This is a delightful book, full of warmth, humour and well-defined characters you will fall in love with. Elise's community comes alive on the page and reveals itself to be a warm, welcoming one. Kirsten Raagaard's illustrations are a joy that enhance the story. It's one to come back to over and over again. I especially love how Reuter and his translator don't shy away from using difficult names of composers and places.  The book is about to be turned into a film and a television series in Denmark. I hope they'll be released here too, and that more of Bjarne Reuter's books make it to our shores in translation. This one is a gem.

Saviour Pirotta is the author of the Ancient Greek Mysteries published by Bloomsbury. Visit him at www.spirotta.com. Follow on twitter @spirotta.

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Mark of the Cyclops by Saviour Pirotta, Reviewed by Dawn Finch

First the blurb...

Young scribe Nico's new friend Thrax has a strange knack for figuring things out. When they travel to wedding with their master, a valuable vase is broken and Thrax's special skills might just come in useful. Can the boys prove that slave girl Gaia is innocent, and discover what the mark of the cyclops means? 

Saviour Pirotta has a well deserved reputation of writing some of the best books  for children about Ancient Greece myths. His versions of many other traditional folk tales, myths and legends grace the shelves of pretty much every school library. His wonderful gift for storytelling has turned many often dry or complex stories into ripping yarns that read aloud beautifully. This is no exception, but in the form of an attractively illustrated novel. This story takes elements of legendary tales and weaves them into the lives of two very clever young people - Nico and Thrax. Their everyday lives in Ancient Greece are the backdrop for a mystery that only they can solve. Their unique skills will help them prove their friend's innocence. The characters are instantly likeable, and this makes for a very enjoyable read.

The story is just challenging enough to please teachers and parents, but absorbing enough to quickly hook children. At its heart, it's a really great story that primary age children will love, but older struggling readers will also find a lot of enjoyment here too. Complex themes of friendship and loyalty mix in with the adventure to make a cracking story. Coupled with Freya Hartas' charming and detailed illustrations, this makes Mark of the Cyclops the first in a series you should definitely put on pre-order. 

A great read. I liked it a lot.

Mark of the Cyclops is published by Bloomsbury. The next in the series (Secret of the Oracle) was published 5 October 2017.

Dawn Finch, children's author and librarian. Past President CILIP. Member of the Society of Authors' CWIG committee.. 

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SUPERDAD'S DAY OFF by Phil Earle. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Stanley's dad's day job is being a superhero. The kind that saves cities from crashing comets, captures audacious burglars red-handed and rescues pussycats from trees.


Stanley is very proud of his dad, of course. Except that once in a while, he wishes they could have a NORMAL day together, doing ordinary things like going on the swings in the park, buying ice cream etc.

When Stanley notices that his superdad is supertired, he is determined to make sure he has a restful day off.  The rest of the world, though, has other plans for Superdad and soon poor Stanley is run ragged tackling disasters so Dad doesn't have to. It's a mighty ask, but in the process Stanley discovers his true potential...

Part of Barrington Stoke's Little Gems series, this is a quirky and excellent quick read that will enthral both boys and girls. Hull based author Phil Earle's writing  zips along at a superhero pace and the plot will leave you breathless. Steve May's full colour illustrations take their cue from 1970s and 80s comics. They add panache to the whole book and I can imagine children could spend days trying to emulate his style.

The ending hints at a sequel. Hope it surfaces soon. A joy of a book.

Published by Barrington Stoke, 2017

My latest book MARK OF THE CYCLOPS is out now. Visit my website at www.spirotta.com. Follow me on twitter @spirotta. 

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REVOLT AGAINST THE ROMANS, by Tony Bradman. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

TITLE: REVOLT AGAINST THE ROMANS
PUBLISHER: BLOOMSBURY ED
ISBN-10: 1472929322
Publication date: 6th April 2017

Bestselling author Tony Bradman writes across a range of genres, including picture books and funny stories. I am most enamoured however of his historical fiction which makes history come alive for readers with its fast-paced action sequences and attention to accurate historical detail.  I especially loved Viking Boy and his take on the Titanic story seen from the point of view of a bellboy.

REVOLT AGAINST THE ROMANS, published this month, is also very good read. It's the story of Marcus, a Roman boy who does not get on well with his father, a high-ranking official in the Roman civil service. When Marcus is held hostage by the Catuvellauni in Britannia, his father refuses to pay the ransom. Instead he suggests Marcus kills himself in the manner of Cato the Younger.

Shocked by his father's attitude towards him, Marcus is gradually assimilated into the Britons' tribe and acquires a new family with whom he feels more secure and loved. But soon the Romans are on the march against the Britons and Marcus must face his old enemy again...

This is a page-turner of a story, full of twists, fast-paced battle scenes and a very satisfying ending. The characters come alive on the page and you find yourself rooting for Marcus and his new family, and booing the Romans.  If this site had a star rating, I would give REVOLT AGAINST THE ROMANS five out of five. 

My latest book MARK OF THE CYCLOPS is out now. Visit my website at www.spirotta.com. Follow me on twitter @spirotta. 



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STONE UNDERPANTS by Rebecca Lisle and Richard Watson. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: STONE UNDERPANTS
Publisher: Maverick Books
Pub year: 2016

Rebecca Lisle has written some fantastic books for young and older readers but this is his first picture book, and it's a gem.

The story is very simple.  We're in the stone age. Pod wants to go our and play with his mates but it's too cold to venture out in his birthday suit. His parents suggest he could make himself a pair of undies. He tries various materials, including leaves, feathers and wood but nothing work until he has a brainwave: stone underpants.

Rebecca tells her story in a funny, direct style that compliments Richard's bright, cartoony style. This is a great, endearing little book that will have children in giggles, and would also work well in a classroom when doing the 'stone age' as a topic.

Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

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CATS AND CURSES, by Elen Caldecott. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Cats and Curses [The Marsh Road Mysteries, Book 4]
Author: Elen Caldecott
Published by Bloomsbury
Format p/b and ebook
Publication date: 11th August 2016

I am a big fan of the Marsh Road Mysteries, and of Elen Caldecott's books in general, which are brilliant page turners that weld Enid Blyton and Malcolm Saville's sense of mystery with twenty first century sensibilities and values.

This is the fourth book in the series and the five members of the crime-busting gang are back for another adventure. Meet Piotr, Andrew, Flora and the beyond-cool Sylvie.  Andrew's mum is recovering from the shock of being involved in a fire and ready to go back to work, helping out at the local junk shop. But things don't go according to plan. On her first day, she takes delivery of a mysterious package - a mummified Egyptian cat. The gruesome artefact seems to have put a curse on the shop. Strange things start happening: glass objects shatter in locked cabinets, eerie shadows appear. It has an adverse effect on Andrew's mum, and her friend the junk shop owner.

The fab five suspected human intervention and they are soon uncovering clues and tailing suspects, each member of the gang bringing their own unique skill to the investigation. The climax, in a builder's yard is a fantastic mis-en-scene and the resolution truly satisfying.

It's not just the story that makes this book a joy to read, it's the sense of friendship the characters have for one another, and the celebration of family in its various guises. The scene where Andrew gives his mum a special hairdo to cheer her up is a gem. A highly recommended read.

Saviour Pirotta
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The Star Tree, by Catherine Hyde. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: The Star Tree

Written and illustrated by Catherine Hyde

Published by Frances Lincoln/Quarto Kids

Publication date: 4 August 2016

I have to confess that I'm a bit biased when it comes to Catherine Hyde's work. She illustrated my 2010 version of Firebird, which earned us some fantastic reviews and an Aesop Accolade in the US.

Catherine had already illustrated Carol Ann Duffy's The Princess' Blankets before she worked with me and she went on to team up with Jackie Morris for Evie in the Wild Wood. This, however, is the first book that she has written and illustrated herself.

Here is a dreamy, lyrical story of a girl who makes a wish on the moon. It is midnight on midsummer's eve, a time when all wishes come true. And so starts a magical picaresque journey that will take Miranda from her warm seaside home to the frozen North where the fabulous star tree grows.  She is helped on her way by magical creatures of the night: an owl, a hare, a bear, a stag and finally a silver-feathered goose. Will she find the magical star tree?

Catherine Hyde's pictures are always mesmerising and here she employs a pontillist style to great effect, giving the book a very organic feel. It feels almost like some of the pictures formed naturally on the page, like lichen patterns on old stone or cherry blossom petals on a late-spring lawn. The text, almost a poem, is carefully crafted, inviting you to turn the page and accompany Miranda on her enchanted journey.

All in all this is a wonderful bedtime treat you would want to revisit again and again, both for the story and the enticing pictures.

Saviour Pirotta's next book Ballet Stories for Young Children will be published by Orchard in October 2016. 
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GREY ISLAND, RED BOAT by Ian Beck. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Grey Island, Red Boat
Author and Illustrator: Ian Beck
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Pub date: February 2016
Format: pb

Princess Opal lives on the island of Ashes, a grey place where it's always November and it never stops raining.  Her father, the king, is forever taking off in his grey ballon to remonstrate with the rain clouds and the closest the princess ever comes to excitement is watching the fishermen unload their catch. It makes for a dreary life until one day a fishermen rescues a young man in a drifting boat. A boat with a red hull!

The young man is a sort of Midas figure, except that everything he touches turns

from grey to colourful. His magic touch injects a joie de vivre into the princess' life and soon the whole island is infected with his joy.  Not everyone is happy with this turn of events, though. Especially not the king who considers the young man a threat to the island's way of life! So he has him locked up in the dungeons, much to the chagrin of Princess Opal...

This is an original story but it reads like an elegant European fairytale. The beautifully written text, laden with references to precious stones, flows from one page to another, complimenting the gorgeous, retro illustrations. These start off black and white at the start of the bock and gradually get imbued with more and more colour as the story reaches a multicoloured finale. A little gem of a book, both for its story and its fabulous production.

www.spirotta.com
@spirotta

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A LOTTIE LIPTON ADVENTURE: THE EGYPTIAN ENCHANTMENT by Dan Metcalf. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: A Lottie Lipton Adventure: The Egyptian Enchantment
Author and illustrator: Dan Metcalf
Publisher: A&C Black
Publication date:  11 Feb 2016

9 year old Lottie Lipton is a plucky girl who lives in the British Museum with her Great Uncle Bert, a curator with a passion for ancient history. Lottie is an investigator extraordinaire and the exhibits in the world famous museum provide all sorts of opportunities for sleuthing and derring-do with a magic twist. The Egyptian Enchantment is the third title in a series of four.

When Lottie accidentally reads a spell, she makes a gang of newly delivered ancient Egyptian shabtis come alive. Shabtis were little figures of baked clay that people in ancient Egypt buried with their loved ones to act as servants and slaves in the afterlife. The lot in this story are over the moon at being set free from their bondage and proceed to wreak havoc all over the British Museum. Lottie must use all her skills and ingenuity to capture them and get the situation under control before a delegation of important people arrive for a conference. Will she do it? And will the bumbling Uncle Bert and the hapless janitor Reg help or hinder her?

The 7 year old kids I read this too absolutely loved it, especially the bits about the sniggering shabtis going berserk all over the museum.  Dan Metcalf keeps the language simple, making the story easy to follow and a pleasure to read. There are wonderful characters, some nice plot twists, lots of humour, great line drawings and puzzles to solve too. The last was especially popular with my testers. They had not read any of the other Lottie Lipton adventures before but that didn't hinder the enjoyment of the story. Each book in the series works as a standalone. And they were eager to get their hands on the other three books, which we are going to get from the library.

A winner all round!

www.spirotta.com
@spirotta

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QUEEN OF THE SILVER ARROW, by Caroline Lawrence. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Queen of the Silver Arrow
Author: Caroline Lawrence
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Publication Date: 15 January 2016
Format: paperback

Caroline Lawrence has probably done more than any other living author to popularise ancient Rome in children's fiction. Her Roman Mysteries series starring the indefatigable Flavia Gemina needs no introduction.  It sold over a millions copies, was turned into a television series for the BBC and spawned a second series for younger readers called The Roman Mysteries Scrolls.

Her latest historical adventure goes back in time to the founding days of Rome and is based on sections from Virgil's Aeneid. It's the story of Camilla, a princess of the Volsci tribe. According to legend, and Virgil, her father Metabus was hounded out of his realm by his own people who were angered by his continous taxation. Coming to the banks of the Amasenus with the infant princess in his arms, he binds her to a spear and hurls her across the river. The baby Camilla lands safely on the opposite bank but must remain faithful to the goddess Diana for the rest of her life.

When the king dies, the growing child has to fend for herself in the forest, becoming a fearless hunter. Until one day she is befriended by a group of girls from the nearby city of Laurentum who treat her as a living legend and draw her out of the forest and on to the battlefield...

Lawrence can always be relied on to bring ancient history to life and this book hums with excitement. The authentic details of life in the ancient world, the bonding among the girls and the battles scenes with the invading Trojans are all brought brilliantly to life. This is great, fast-paced stuff that will leave the reader breathless for more.

Barrington Stoke specialises in dyslexia friendly books which also appeal to reluctant readers aged 12+. But Queen of the Silver Arrow will also find favour with more able readers of any age.  Princess Camilla forever!

Saviour's latest book, THE GHOSTS WHO DANCED - SPOOKY STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD is out now.
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Out of the Dark, by Adele Geras. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Publisher: Quercus
Publication Year: 2015
ISBN: 978-1784291259

I have to admit that I am a big fan of Adele Geras' work. My Grandmother's Stories and Voyage are wonderful reads that prove diversity and 'issue' books can be just as entertaining as fantasy or adventure. Troy and Ithaka are superb YA novels that stay true to the essence and feel of the ancient world but still manage to be relevant to twenty first century readers.

I have yet to tackle her full length adult novels so Out of the Dark, a short novella in the QuickReads 2015 series, was a perfect introduction to this side of her work . It is the story of Rob Stone, a young Londonder who has it all: matinee idol looks, a gorgeous girlfriend and a job in a fashionable store where he is much admired by the ladies.  World War I robs him of all these. He returns from the battlefields with a burnt face that has to be hidden behind a mask, a girlfriend who very quickly becomes an ex and no job. He does not come home alone. With him comes the ghost of his dead captain, whose Bible and family photograph, Rob has lifted from his pack.

As the young man tries to rebuild his life, and to track down the captain's family, he finds frequent refuge in the darkness of the cinema. I can't say much more without spoiling the ending but let me assure you that this if a first rate read. It's part ghost story, part historical drama. I highly recommended it.

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THE SHIVER STONE by Sharon Tregenza. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: THE SHIVER STONE
Author: Sharon Tregenza
Publisher: Firefly Press
Publication date:
Paperpack

I was seduced into buying Sharon Tregenza's The Shiver Stone by its bold blue cover. I'm a sucker for beach scenes on book covers. They remind of my own childhood visits to the sea, and of my favourite Enid Blyton adventures, especially The Secret Island and Five on a Treasure Island.

The Shiver Stone has the same breathless, exciting pacing as Blyton's best. But whereas Blyton's characters tend to be smug and middle-class, here is a cast that reads true to modern life and that young 21st century readers will empathise with.

Set in a fictional Welsh coast town, the story is part mystery, part social comment. Carys is furious with her mum and dad who have split up, with mum jetting off abroad to help patients with HIV and Dad falling in love with a new woman. When she tries to uncover the identity of an artist who is creating secret beach art, Carys sets off a chain of events that not only leads to a humdinger of an adventure but also to big time changes for all the members of the family. And an adorable dog!

Tregenza has an easy, punchy writing style that makes this book a perfect read summer or winter. Grab a copy!

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The Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas, by Abie Longstaff and Lauren Beard. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

TITLE: THE FAIRYTALE HAIRDRESSER AND FATHER CHRISTMAS
by Abie Longstaff and Lauren Beard
Published by Picture Corgi
Publication date: 24 September 2014
Paperback

Abie Longstaff and Lauren Beard's Fairytale Hairdresser series continues with a seasonal instalment that pits Kittie the hairdresser against the infamous Snow Queen.

It's the season to be jolly and Kittie is worked off her feet coiffuring various celebrity customers.  But when she clocks in at Santa's workshop to see to the elves' hair, she discovers that someone has stolen the presents meant for the inhabitants in fairyland.   Who could the culprit be and why would they seek to ruin everyone's Christmas?

Longstaff's adventure moves at a cracking pace, seamlessly binding new plot and fairy tale elements. The story begs to be read again and again while Beard's illustrations yields extra gems. As in the previous books featuring Kittie, there are a lot of visual puns.  The spreads showing Santa's workshops and the ice-skating ring at the end are especially delightful.

A grand pantomime of a book, not to be missed.

Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

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My Ocean, by Enrique Perez Diaz. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: My Ocean
Author Enrique Perez Diaz
Translator: Trudy Balch
Publisher Groundwood Books, October 2008

Enrqiue Perez Diaz is an award-winning Cuban author whose work, sadly, seems to be mosly unkown on our side of the pond.

His books include The Golden Age, New Pines, Ismaelillo and 

My Ocean was published in 2008. It is a long, introspective and semi-autobiographical letter to the sea that surrounds Perez Diaz's native island. Growing up in a time when everyone around him - friends, family, neighbours - seems to be emigrating illegally to El Norte, the US, Enrique seems to be left alone to make his was in a fast-chaning world.  And this world is not changing only because of the political situation in Cuba but also because Enrique is growing up. He is altering from a boy to a man and this forces him to change his perspective on life.

In this world of turmoil, but also of triumphs and hope, Enrique returns continually to the sea, to talk to it and listen out for its answers.  The sea is his sanctuary, reassuringly unchanging, the magic mirror that reflcts back only the truth.

The vignettes that spark the conversations with the sea are beautifully drawn: a terrifying encounter with sharks; a first date; an invitation to become a 'pioneer', a young communist; realistation that he can never read the letters from his unpatriotic grandparents now propsering in the US.

The book was originally written in Spanish and the translation does sometimes feel a bit stilted. Nevertheless this is a book I would recommend highly, if only for its insight into life for teenagers in Cuba.

Saviour Pirotta

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