3 reading treats as summer reading starters.....

"Illegals are a plague, and it's my solemn duty to guard the borders of Nevermoor and protect its true citizens from Republic scum trying to weasel their way not the Free Sate'
Jupiter turned serious. 'A noble and valiant cause, I'm sure,' he said quietly. 'Protecting the Fires State from those most in need of its help.' "

'Nevermoor' by Jessica Townsend is a book which has been tempting me for the whole year. I've realised I've had a poster up for it in the classroom for a year too. Finally I opened it a few weeks ago. It's definitely one for Harry Potter fans but it's original so no worries there. There is magic in it, characters you emphasise with and an air of many mysteries. It has some pertinent things to say about how we treat people who are most in need of help....The book also involves some magical umbrellas hence the front cover. A book for 8+, a super holiday and beyond read to get your summer reading started.

'SPORK' by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault has been around for a while but I happened to read it in assembly and it completely captivated it's audience-quite rightly too. It's a wonderful story-I didn't think one would feel very moved by a utensil with feelings! It's more than that though-a wonderful story about not quite fitting in anywhere and needing to become OK with yourself. Wonderful how this idea so clearly demonstrates such an important message for everybody. The illustrations are mainly grey wash with a little hint of colour and are very appealing. It's such a sweet little book you must get a copy!

There's not really a lot more to add to Patrick Ness's review on the back of Frances Hardinge's novel 'A skinful of shadows'....'EVERYONE SHOULD READ FRANCES HARDINGE. EVERYONE. RIGHT NOW'
Yes everyone should, probably from about 11+ as there are some situations Makepeace, at the centre of the story, finds herself in that are a little bit scary for maybe younger readers. It's a real page turner, a fairy story set in the time of the Civil War but not a fairy story in disney style in any way. The writing is evocative, you're right there with all the sights, smells and tension and it's a great piece of the history of the time too. I had to pace myself lest I finished it too quickly....yes you should read it 'RIGHT NOW'.