Mr. Ripley’s Enchanted Books: Author Interview with Ann-Marie Howell - The Garden of Lost Secrets

We have been spoilt for choice this month with so many fantastic children's books having been published. One of them is A. M. Howell's  - The Garden of Lost Secrets - which was published on the 13th June 2019 by Usborne Publishing. This is a magical middle-grade mystery and a book you will certainly want to explore and escape into. I thought it was a great opportunity to find out more about this book and get to know the debut author a little more. Hopefully, this Q&A style interview will pique your interest and make you want to pick up a copy very soon. Perhaps you could read it whilst hiding out in your own magical back garden. Please remember to follow the author on Twitter: @AMHowellwrites or visit her website: amhowell.co.uk Thanks for reading and have a great day. 

The Garden of Lost Secrets is your first book, what is it about and why should we read it? 
The Garden of Lost Secrets is a historical mystery set in a real walled kitchen garden within the grand country estate of Ickworth Park in Suffolk, now managed by the National Trust. It’s centred around Clara who goes to stay with her aunt and uncle, who work on the estate, while her father recovers from gas poisoning during WW1. There are lots of strange goings on in the book – a locked door and a hidden key, a strange boy who appears in the walled gardens of the country house at night, and a scheming pineapple thief! I hope that anyone who likes multi-layered stories and unravelling secrets and mysteries will find this an enjoyable read. 

Every character has a secret to tell, especially Clara the main character of the story, so what would her secret be? 
Secrets are a key theme running through the book, and Clara brings with her a big secret from home when she goes to stay with her aunt and uncle, one she keeps hidden in the pockets of her apron. It’s about her brother who is away fighting in the war, but you’ll have to read the book to find out what it is as I don’t want to spoil any surprises! 

What makes a magical garden? 
For me, a magical garden is anywhere green I can sit in peace and quiet with a good book and a cup of tea with only the sounds of rustling leaves to keep me company. My own garden is very small and new and I’m working hard on making it green and magical with lots of different plants and shrubs, and pots with edible things like strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes, apples and pears.

What research did you do for this book? 
I did do a lot of research, but much of it involved visiting places rather than reading! I visited the servants’ quarters of Ickworth House to find out what it would have been like to work ‘downstairs’ in a grand country house. The head gardener of Ickworth was also very generous with his time and shared his knowledge of how the gardens used to look and work. I also visited the Cambridge Botanical Gardens to sit in the hothouses so I could write authentic scenes when Clara and Will are staking out the hothouses trying to catch the pineapple thief. 

What songs does this book make you think of? 
I have to admit that sometimes I had the orchestral theme tune of Downton Abbey running through my head when I was writing, a programme I absolutely love! 

What do you think of the book cover? How well does it convey what the book is about? 
I absolutely adore the book cover! It was designed by Kath Millichope at Usborne and illustrated by the very talented Amy Grimes. I love seeing Clara through the keyhole at night which is surrounded by mandarins and blossom – which is very significant to the story. It’s almost as if we are seeing Clara from inside one of the hothouses which is just perfect, as this is where she spends a lot of time hunting for the thief. 

You were selected to take part in a Curtis Brown Creative Writing course for Children, what did you learn that helped you write this book? 
The course was excellent in that every few weeks I would be sent my fifteen course mates’ views on the latest 3000 words I had written. At first it was a bit overwhelming as the comments were all so varied, but I started looking for areas where a few people had given the same feedback and it all clicked into place and made me focus on the parts that needed changing. I had some friends and family, and of course my lovely agent, read early drafts of this book and because of this experience I was able to much more quickly spot problem areas which most people agreed needed addressing. 

You're hosting a literary dinner party, which authors/illustrators/famous people would you invite and why? 
This is a tough question! I would definitely invite Enid Blyton, as I used to devour her books when I was young, particularly The Famous Five and Adventure series. I would also invite Louisa May Alcott to have a chat about Little Women, which is one of my favourite books, and ask her why she decided to let Laurie marry Amy and not Jo! There would also be a place at the table for Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake and present-day authors Emma Carroll and Lucy Strange, as I haven’t met them yet and would love to sit down and have a good natter about historical fiction and children’s literature today.

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books: US Kids/Young Adult Book Picks - June 2019 Post One

Laura Tucker - All the Greys on Greene Street - Published by Viking Books for Young Readers (June 4, 2019) -  ISBN-13: 978-0451479532 - Hardback - Age: 8+

SoHo, 1981. Twelve-year-old Olympia is an artist--and in her neighborhood, that's normal. Her dad and his business partner Apollo bring antique paintings back to life, while her mother makes intricate sculptures in a corner of their loft, leaving Ollie to roam the streets of New York with her best friends Richard and Alex, drawing everything that catches her eye.

Then everything falls apart. Ollie's dad disappears in the middle of the night, leaving her only a cryptic note and instructions to destroy it. Her mom has gone to bed, and she's not getting up. Apollo is hiding something, Alex is acting strange, and Richard has questions about the mysterious stranger he saw outside. And someone keeps calling, looking for a missing piece of art. . . .

Olympia knows her dad is the key--but first, she has to find him, and time is running out.

Chris Rylander - The Curse of Greg (An Epic Series of Failures) - Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (June 18, 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1524739751 - Hardback - Age: 8+ 

Magic and mayhem collide in this monstrously funny middle-grade sequel to Chris Rylander's The Legend of Greg

Greg Belmont longs for the days when he thought he was an ordinary thirteen-year-old, before he learned he's really a fantastical Dwarf in a world where the return of magic has reignited an ancient feud between the Dwarves and the Elves. But now that magic is spreading rapidly, calling forth mythical monsters that are wreaking total havoc on earth, he knows things will never go back to normal.

To make matters worse, rumors are growing that the Elves are planning a sinister attack--and their new leader might be none other than Greg's former best friend, Edwin. Before they can say "Galdervatn," Greg and his Dwarven friends find themselves up against perilous dangers that their training has barely prepared them for. Can Greg and his bloodthirsty talking ax keep them out of harm's way long enough to prevent all-out war? Or will epic failure find him yet again in this hilarious, action-packed sequel to The Legend of Greg?

Megan Frazer Blakemore - The Story Web - Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (June 4, 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1681195254 - Hardback - Age: 7+ (www.meganfrazer.com)

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In this heartfelt, magical instant classic, Megan Frazer Blakemore shows how the truths we tell can change the world. 

When Alice was little, she found a gigantic spider web deep in the forest. Her dad called it the Story Web and told her how its strands were woven from the stories that hold our world together.

Years later, Alice's dad has gone away for reasons Alice is sure are her fault. Now she won't even talk about her dad and definitely no longer believes his farfetched stories. But when animals in town start acting strangely, she can't ignore them. The Story Web is in danger--and the fabric of our world is breaking. The only way to mend it is to tell honest tales from the heart, even if they are difficult to share. 

In this magical tale of truth and honesty perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate, Megan Frazer Blakemore deftly weaves fantasy into the real world.

K.G Campbell - A Small Zombie Problem (Zombie Problems) - Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers (June 4, 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-0553539554 - Hardback - Age: 8 (www.kgcampbell.com)

In his fiction debut--and the start of a new series--celebrated illustrator K.G. Campbell brings a touch of Tim Burton to this singularly strange and wonderful story about a lonely boy whose life is about to get a whole lot more complicated when a zombie follows him home.

August DuPont has spent his whole life inside a dilapidated house with his aunt Hydrangea. His lonely existence ends abruptly with the arrival of an invitation to meet an aunt--and cousins--he didn't even know existed. When Aunt Orchid suggests that August attend school with his cousins, it's a dream come true. But August has scarcely begun to celebrate his reversal of fortune when he is confronted by a small problem on his way home. So begins an adventure filled with a wild child, a zombie, a fabled white alligator, and an unimaginable family secret.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: New Children's Book Picks June 2019 - Post Two

A . M . Howell - The Garden of Lost Secrets - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (13 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1474959551 - Paperback 

It is 1916 and twelve-year-old Clara’s father has gone to Devon to recover from gas poisoning. Clara, and the terrible secret she keeps hidden in her pinafore pocket, are sent to stay with her formidable aunt and uncle at Gardener’s Cottage in the grounds of a country estate.

Clara soon discovers that her new surroundings hold secrets of their own: a locked room and a hidden key, a mysterious boy who only appears in the gardens at night, covert meetings on misty mornings, and a fruit thief who is stealing precious pineapples from the Earl’s exotic hothouses.

But for Clara to unravel the garden’s secrets, she will have to face up to a truth she can’t bring herself to acknowledge and a war she’s desperate to forget.

Ryan Andrews - This Was Our Pact - First Second (11 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1250196958 - Hardback 

Ryan Andrews's This Was Our Pact is an astonishing, magical-realist adventure story for middle-grade readers.

It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and to ensure success in their mission, they've made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back.

The plan is to follow the river on their bikes for as long as it takes to learn the truth, but it isn't long before the pact is broken by all except for Ben and (much to Ben's disappointment) Nathaniel, the one kid who just doesn't seem to fit in.

Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*.

*And a talking bear.

Louie Stowell (Author), Davide Ortu (Ilustrator) - The Dragon in the Library - Published by Nosy Crow Ltd (6 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1788000260 - Paperback 

This is the first book in a brand new series by Louie Stowell. The Dragon in The Library, which will be published by Nosy Crow, will soon hit the bookshops and libraries near you. The book will have amazing Neon artwork which you will be able to see from Mars. Whilst the book cover image has been fabulously illustrated by the very talented and rising star Davide Ortu. His collaboration makes this book a little extra special. Below is one of the inside illustrations to show you just how wonderful and engaging his artwork and the story together really are.  Book Review Here

Jeff Norton - Dino Knights - Published by Awesome Reads (6 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1912892044 - Paperback 

How to Train Your Dragon with Dinosaurs.

Imagine medieval times where the dinosaurs never went extinct. When dinosaur stable boy Henry Fairchild stops a vicious T-Rex from attacking his master, he is invited to join the most elite group in Brecklan, the brave Knights of Panterra, the Dino Knights. But before he can prove himself, the enemies of Brecklan attack with a flock of pterodactyls and kidnap Lord Harding. Whether he's ready or not, Henry and the Dino Knights mount a daring rescue mission...but nothing is what it seems. Dino Knights is a fast-paced chapter book for readers who've enjoyed Beast Quest and How to Train Your Dragon.

Katherine Rundell - The Good Thieves - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

Trotting out this summer is the latest installment by Katherine Rundell. The Good Thieves will hit the shops on the 13th of June 2019. The book will be published in a lovely hardback edition by Bloomsbury Publishing. I'm a very big fan of the amazing cover that has been produced by Matt Saunders. In the finished copy, which I have not yet seen, there are some exquisite black and white chapter headers by the illustrator as well. They not only add a little slice of detail but also transport you straight back to the 1920s in New York City. 

This is an example of one of the images that I've had permission from the illustrator to use from his Twitter feed. You can check out some of his others at: @msaunders_ink. 

The magic of adventure is here to see in this book. The opening lines of the first chapter are both poetic and captivating. Vita set her jaw and nodded at the city in greeting, as a boxer greets an opponent before a fight. That is probably one of my favourite opening lines to a book for some time. It feels like a quotation from the great boxer, Muhammad Ali.

The plot is focused around a group of children (all fantastically different) who come together to right a wrong. Vita is the main character. A born fighter, she arrives on the wind with her mother from England. Fresh off the boat in New York City, she admires the horizon: tall, grey, blue and beautiful. However, Vita Marlowe is there for a reason. She has a job to do. Her beloved grandfather (Jack) has been cheated out of his home and possessions by a notorious conman with Mafia connections. Seeing Jack's spirit is broken, Vita is desperate to make him happy again. So, she devises a plan to outwit his enemies and recover his home. However, will Vita and her newfound friends be up to the challenge?

The story slowly creeps inside you and grips you with a brilliant all-out action heist of a plot like no other. As the adventure slowly builds, the characters personalities seep through and pull you on a journey of friendship and crazy antics that entertain. It's a story of loyalty, bravery and clever thinking. There are some brilliant moments built in which make this book both an entertaining triumph and a joy to read. 

The author has done a fantastic job of capturing the time period - approximately five years after the First World War. The children in the book radiate the feeling of recovery and anticipation as they bring their talents together to overcome any obstacles in their way. It's a fantastic story to escape into; an acrobatic circus of delights and truly wonderful storytelling with nature and wildness running at its heart. 

This is a brilliant story full of heart-stopping moments, thrills, spills and many different smiles. It's a fantastic performance - a pickpocket delight to read - where two boys with unusual skills, two girls full of determination and a host of animals find themselves in a death-defying adventure. What more could you possibly want? 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: New Children's Book Picks June 2019 - Post One

Taran Matharu - The Chosen: Book 1 (Contender) - Published by Hodder Children's Books (4 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1444938937 - Hardback - Age: 11+

In a world far from our own, where enemies come in many forms, the ultimate battle for survival is about to begin ... An epic new trilogy from the bestselling author of the Summoner series.

CADE CARTER IS LOST

Convicted of a crime he didn't commit, Cade is facing a year in reform school when he finds himself suddenly transported to another realm.

BUT THIS NEW WORLD IS NO ESCAPE

Populated by bloodthirsty prehistoric creatures and fierce warriors, Cade's surroundings are full of danger. Along with his fellow students, Cade is forced to become a contender in a deadly game of the highest stakes, controlled by invisible overlords.

Who are these brutal rulers, and why did they choose Cade? Before he can find answers, Cade must get ready to fight ...

BECAUSE IN THIS GAME, FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION

Julia Green - The House of Light - Published by OUP Oxford (6 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-0192771568 - Paperback - Age: 8+

Bonnie is scavenging on a beach when she finds a battered old rowboat. And under the boat, a bare-footed boy-cold, hungry, and in need of help.

The authorities have already been troubling Bonnie and Granda for breaking rules, but how can she leave this boy when he has no-one? 

Bonnie does her best to keep the boy hidden from the border guards, but as their suspicions grow, she wonders if it's time to escape the life she's always known. Under cover of darkness, they set sail to the 'house of light' in search of a new beginning, and a sense of hope.

David Solomons - My Cousin Is a Time Traveller (My Brother is a Superhero) - Published by Nosy Crow Ltd (27 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-0857639929 - Paperback - Age: 8

Luke is surprised to learn that his cousin is a time traveller. He s even more surprised when she tells him that the machines are becoming intelligent and he must help her stop them taking over the world. It couldn't come at a worse time Zack has decided to give up his superpowers and live life as a normal teenage nerd. So Luke must swallow his irritation and rise to the challenge yet again ...

My Cousin is a Time Traveller is the fifth installment of Luke's laugh-out-loud adventures. From the author of My Brother Is a Superhero, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the British Book Industry Awards Children's Book of the Year.

Alex Milway - Hotel Flamingo: Holiday Heatwave - Published by Piccadilly Press (13 Jun. 2019) - ISBN-13: 978-1848128057 - Paperback - Age:5+

An enchanting four-book series featuring the adventures of Anna and her array of animal friends
The temperature is rising, which can only mean one thing: it's summer! Bookings are up at Hotel Flamingo and the hotel is getting busy. Anna is excited to receive word from King Penguin royalty asking to holiday in their Royal Suite. But there's a lot to get done, and it's not easy to manage the needs of the penguins when there's a heatwave on and a huge ice shortage. Help! Can Anna get Hotel Flamingo back to its usual shining self and have happy guests all round?

Christopher Edge - The Longest Night of Charlie Noon - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

"If you go into the woods, Old Crony will get you."

Secrets, spies or maybe even a monster... What lies in the heart of the wood? Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are determined to discover the truth, but when night falls without warning they find themselves trapped in a nightmare. Lost in the woods, strange dangers and impossible puzzles lurk in the shadows. As time plays tricks, can Charlie solve this mystery and find a way out of the woods? But what if this night never ends...?

We are just about to skip, hop and jump into summer, so why not review the latest book by Christopher Edge at this time. The Longest Night of Charlie Noon will be published in paperback by Nosy Crow books on the 6th June 2019. The brilliant book cover artwork has been produced by Matt Saunders and comes with shimmering lettering that will sparkle both on and off the bookshelves. The illustrated cover inspires the characteristics of the story inside and leaves you asking many questions about the story. It certainly piqued my interest and  encouraged me to explore the story inside. In my opinion, this is an illustration job that has been done very well.

This is another fantastic plot that blends a deep sense of darkness with a science-fiction grounding. The story is told with a real sense of emotion and passion which drives this story into the woods and beyond. The book is inspired by a classic childhood read by Denys Watkins-Pitchford - a book called Brendon Chase. This planted a small acorn of an idea that the author explores and runs with before it explodes into a large Oak tree dangling with fantasy entrails. 

Whilst doing some research for the book, Christoper spent a very scary night in lower woods. This visit for me has has helped him capture the spirit, darkness and the magic beauty of nature and the great outdoors.

The three characters try and find a way out of the forest (an ancient woodland on the border of Gloucester and Wiltshire). However, they soon become incredibly lost and surrounded by ghostly shapes and strange noises. The deeper into the woods they go, the more ethereal the journey becomes. Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are led on a puzzling nightmarish adventure that will have you engrossed in this ghost story/time-travel mystery. As time stops and the heart beat races, what will happen next?

This is a compact story full of wild imagination. The author has an expert eye for pulling on the emotional heartstrings of the characters and the readers. A giggle here, a sob there and a howl from the wind which will rattle the bushes and make you run for cover as the eeriness creeps in and plays with your mind. As with all stories by Christopher, you never just know what is going to happen next. His quirkiness for story telling and the exquisite blending of character dialogues makes his books standout; this book is no exception. 

This is another middle-grade blossom that will bloom to grasp a bigger audience. It's an interesting and great concept for a story. Intelligent, with a clear moral underlining and instilling the author's passion for teaching, science and nature. This book reflects on the world helping other people in finding comfort during the hardest and bleakest of times. It's another great story which captures the beating heart, so pick up a copy and read it sooner rather than later! 

Louie Stowell (Author), Davide Ortu (Illustrator) - The Dragon In The Library - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Coming out in June 2019 is the first book in a brand new series by Louie Stowell. The Dragon in The Library, which will be published by Nosy Crow, will soon hit the bookshops and libraries near you. The book will have amazing Neon artwork which you will be able to see from Mars. Whilst the book cover image has been fabulously illustrated by the very talented and rising star Davide Ortu. His collaboration makes this book a little extra special. Below is one of the inside illustrations to show you just how wonderful and engaging his artwork and the story together really are. 

The book is aimed at the younger reader (approx. age 6 and upwards) so it makes it a perfect family or classroom read. The fantastic theme running throughout the story is about the power of reading. It looks at saving our public libraries regardless of the individual and worldwide situations we face. The best gift that we can give our children is to freely access books. In doing so, we can feed their imagination and help them to understand the world around them. This book does that in a number of exciting ways.  

It's the first day of the summer holiday and the start of the hunt for Danny Fandango. Kit can't STAND reading, but when she's dragged along to the library by her two best friends, Josh and Alita, she makes an incredible discovery. Books are MAGIC and dragons are REAL. Stories can make dreams even bigger. She comes to realise that you won't and can't die of boredom in a Library. Unfortunately, it needs to be saved first.

This is a fantastic story about friendship and saving the local library from being torn down. The book features a lovely cast of characters who represent a diverse range of cultures. Their opposing personalities make the storyline very playful and engaging. It's definitely a story full of imagination. Such as jumping in and out of stories, literally, just like Marry Poppins. 

This story is a thrilling slice of fantasy, action, and fun. It has a fast-moving plot full of spells, wizards, dragons, monsters, and a very bad villain. All of this created a magically immersive outing but with a great message to be told. This is a great start to a series which should not be missed. 

Without libraries, the WORLD will END. 

JEFF NORTON - DINO KNIGHTS - BIG COVER REVEAL

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books is thrilled to reveal the book cover image for Dino Knights which has been brilliantly illustrated by the very talented George Ermos. This is the first book in a brand new series to be published by Jeff Norton. It is due to be published this summer by Awesome Reads on 6th June 2019. If this sounds like your kind of book then you can pre-order it here. https://awesomereads.com/book/dino-knights/

Imagine medieval times where the dinosaurs never went extinct. Bravery. Loyalty.

Book synopsis: Imagine medieval times where the dinosaurs never went extinct. When dinosaur stable boy Henry Fairchild stops a vicious T-Rex from attacking his master, he is invited to join the most elite group in Brecklan, the brave Knights of Panterra, the Dino Knights. But before he can prove himself, the enemies of Brecklan attack with a flock of pterodactyls and kidnap Lord Harding. Whether he's ready or not, Henry and the Dino Knights mount a daring rescue mission...but nothing is what it seems.

Biography

Jeff Norton is a London based author focused on creating compelling characters, awesome stories, and immersive worlds. A reluctant reader as an adolescent, Jeff's newest book is 'Alienated: Grounded At Groom Lake', is the fun, funny misadventures of the only two human kids at the high school for aliens at Area 51.  

Jeff's first novel is 'MetaWars: Fight For The Future' (Orchard Books), which he created to feel like "a video game you can read" and has spurred three successful sequels. He then wrote the laugh out loud 'Memoirs of a Neurotic Zombie' books (Faber) and the young adult thriller 'Keeping The Beat', written together with Marie Powell (KCP Loft / Hachette).

'Stomp School' (Little Tiger Press) is Jeff's first picture book. It's about the day care for little kaiju (that's Japanese for destructive monster). 

Originally from Canada, Jeff has lived in Ohio, Boston, and Los Angeles now lives in London with his wife and two young sons where he writes, produces TV, and coaches baseball. 

Jeff is on the web at www.jeffnorton.com and tweets as @thejeffnorton