The Best New Children's Book Picks April 2021 - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Ele Fountain - Melt - Published by Pushkin Children's Books (29 April 2021)

An urgent story of adventure and survival in a warming climate, from the multi-award-winning author of Boy 87 and Lost

Yutu lives in a remote, Arctic village with his elderly grandmother. Their traditional way of life is threatened by the changing snow and ice, which melts faster every year. Bea is trying to adapt to yet another new school. Worse still, her father’s new job takes up any spare time, and his behaviour becomes odd and secretive. On a trip she hopes will fix things, their fates take a drastic turn and Bea's life becomes entwined with Yutu's in a way she could never have imagined. Together, they are locked in a desperate race for survival.

Julia Golding - Jane Austen Investigates: The Abbey Mystery - Published by Lion Fiction (23 April 2021)
Jane Austen turns detective in this spooky historical adventure by award-winning author Julia Golding!

It s 1789 and a young Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at Southmoor Abbey. When a carriage accident forces a change of plans, 13-year-old Jane is sent to be a companion to Lady Cromwell for a week as the household prepares to celebrate the eldest son s coming-of-age party. While there, Jane vows to solve the mystery of the ghostly monk in the Abbey grounds for she does not believe in such stories!

But this is not the only strange occurrence for the adventurous young Jane to investigate. There are shivery night-time investigations, an Indian girl with secret talents, a library fire, two prize horses in danger, and friends to save from false accusations.

With notebook in hand and her faithful dog Grandison by her side, will Jane overcome the continuous obstacles and find out the truth?



Fleur Hitchcock - Waiting for Murder - Published by Nosy Crow Ltd (1 April 2021)
It's a long, hot summer. As the water drains away from the reservoir, a car emerges. And there seems to be a body in it, a body that then disappears... Daniel and Florence start to investigate and uncover a long-ago robbery, missing gold and murder. When the drought breaks, everything is swept downstream and the truth is revealed...

Another thriller from the brilliant author of Murder at Midwinter.


Jess Kidd - Everyday Magic: The Adventures of Alfie Blackstack - Published by Canongate Books - (1 April 2021)
Welcome to Little Snoddington, where nothing is normal and every day is magic . . .
Nine-year-old Alfie Blackstack's parents have met a very unfortunate end. Now he's living in the SUPER CREEPY Switherbroom Hall with his mad-haired Aunt Gertie and warty Aunt Zita. The thing is, Alfie's aunts aren't just weird - they're WITCHES!

When the circus arrives in town Alfie makes his first-ever friend, the FEARLESS Calypso Fagan. But when Calypso's little sister Nova disappears, they must face the TERRIFYING Head Witch in a race to find Nova and stop the next Witch War.

Conrad Mason - The Girl in Wooden Armour - Published by David Fickling Books (1 April 2021) - Book Review HERE
When Hattie visits her granny for the first time in years, she's not sure what to expect. Granny has always been unusual. Now she's gone missing without a trace. Hattie is determined to find her. But in the strange little village where Granny lives, nothing is as it seems. Is magic real here? What is the shadowy place known as the Un Forest? And who is the mysterious girl in wooden armour? One thing is certain. An ancient evil is stirring in Brokewood-on-Tandle... and only Hattie can stand against it.

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