Monday, 22 July 2024

The Best Children's Book Picks July 2024 US Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Christopher Lincoln - The Night Librarian - Published by Dial Books (July 30, 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593617663 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

Night at the Museum meets The Land of Stories in this thrilling new graphic novel adventure series in which two siblings, a mysterious Night Librarian, and a motley cast of book characters try to save the New York Public Library


Twins Page and Turner know about the magic a library holds—they’ve been going to their beloved New York City public library for years, especially since their parents are always traveling for work.

But a secret mission involving their dad’s rare and valuable edition of Bram Stoker’s 
Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books, and an epic battle to save the library from total destruction.


William David Thomas - Hum - Published by 
Charlesbridge Moves (July 16, 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1732213722 - Hardback - Age: 9+
A chance encounter with an old llama astonishingly reveals a language Allen didn’t know he could speak in this captivating and one-of-a-kind middle-grade novel.

Eleven-year-old Allen has a recurring nightmare, a persistent habit of humming, and difficulty connecting with other people. Making a fresh start, he and his grandmother move to a small village in northern New York. But when he meets an old llama at a winter festival, the encounter reveals a language he didn’t know he could speak and unveils repressed memories that contradict what he has long believed about his earliest years and his parents’ deaths.

When the llama’s life is threatened, Allen vows to free it. Together they begin a desperate trek through a snowy wilderness, a journey on which Allen must wrestle with lies about his past while struggling against the elements to survive.


Sarah Tolcser - Majestica - 
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (July 2, 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-059369654 - Hardback - Age: 7+

Jurassic Park meets Skandar and the Unicorn Thief in this page-turning middle-grade fantasy adventure set at a nature preserve for magical beasts, where two girls find themselves on a wilderness expedition gone disastrously wrong.

Hattie Swift is a maid-in-training at Majestica, a resort and nature preserve where visitors come face-to-face with rare magical flora and fauna. She’s thrilled to be invited along on the park’s famous wilderness train excursion for the first time, but there’s a catch: She has to accompany Evelyn Ridgewell, the hotel owner’s haughty niece, who wants nothing to do with her.

Soon after embarking, Evelyn overhears a man who aims to hunt the park’s creatures for sport, and Hattie meets Jacob Threadborne, an apprentice magician sent by a foreign government on a top-secret mission. Then the magical fences keeping guests safe stop working, and the train breaks down in the most treacherous part of the jungle. Faced with poachers, man-eating trees, and a dragon on the loose, Hattie, Evelyn, and Jacob must stick together to figure out what’s gone wrong at Majestica . . . that is, if they want to make it out alive.

Features a richly illustrated ma
p of the expansive nature preserve, as well as a bestiary with all the magical—and dangerous—creatures at Majestica.


R. L. Stine - Shark Night - Published by 
Blackstone Publishing (July 2, 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8874712341 - Hardback - Age: 8+
From bestselling and award-winning author R. L. Stine, Shark Night is a terrifying seafaring adventure that will leave readers gasping for more.

After an accident with the original diver, Carlo finds himself alone in a giant water tank holding a camera. A twenty-foot-long hammerhead shark is about to be lowered into the tank with him ...

Carlo is helping his mom film a documentary for the Danger Channel. A twelve-year-old battling a shark! It'll be a sensation! But don't worry, the hammerhead is the gentlest of sharks, and this one is old and nearly toothless, so he should be fine.

But Carlo is still paralyzed with fear, and as the shark is lowered into the tank he realizes something isn't right ...

They sent down the WRONG shark!

Liz Hyder (Author), Tom de Freston (Illustrator) - The Twelve - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books


Strap in readers for a mind-bending journey through time with Liz Hyder's thrilling new book. "The Twelve" will be published in hardback by Pushkin Children's Books this coming October (2024). It has been illustrated throughout by Tom de Freston, and I expect it to be a marvel just like the book cover which gives an excellent insight into the story. 

"Someone is sneaking around in my bedroom". Dark shapes start to grip the reader's fantasy imagination from the very first page of this compelling story. As the Winter Solstice casts an ethereal glow over the land, siblings Kit and Libby venture towards a mysterious white tower to unlock a prophecy that transcends the boundaries of time. But when Libby vanishes into the depths of history, Kit is left to navigate a world where her sister has been erased from existence itself.

 Kit teams up with the enigmatic character, Story, to unravel the secrets behind Libby's disappearance. Together, they travel a landscape steeped in ancient folklore. They encounter dangers and a past that challenges the harmful damage to the planet that has been caused by the human race. Their very understanding of reality changes beyond belief. As they confront personal and political responsibilities as well as the true power of love and family, their friendship emerges as a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the edge of chaos and earthly magic. 

"The Twelve" is a mesmerising and thought-provoking narrative that will captivate readers. Prepare to be spellbound by this brilliant story of loss, resilience, and the enduring quest for truth in a universe where anything is possible. This is one of the best books showing ways to enlighten the plight of nature and friendship that will shape many readers to come. This is definitely going to be one of my favourite books of the year. Make sure you seek this dazzling exploration into fantasy, buy this book, and give it a read. You will not be disappointed! 

Sunday, 7 July 2024

The Best Children's/Kids Book Picks JULY 2024 UK Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Emma Carroll - The Houdini Inheritance - Published by Faber & Faber  (4 July 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0571341412 - Paperback - Age: 9+ 

    Magic shows and mysteries abound in this showstopping new standalone from a bestselling author who has sold close to a million copies of these middle-grade adventures! 

    The English seaside, 1920s

    A world-famous escape artist . . .
    A suitcase full of secrets . . .
    And a death-defying stunt . . .

    When Harry Houdini comes to visit the seaside town of Sidford-on-Sea, Glory and her friend Dennis are first in-line to see him. He is there to perform a daring trick: he will jump off the town pier in chains, pitching himself into the water below. But when Glory outsmarts the infamous Houdini, she is suddenly sucked into his world, and finds herself tasked with looking after his precious trunk - the one that contains all his secrets. 

    With Houdini in danger, Glory and Dennis are thrown deep into an adventure that takes them all the way to Coney Island in America, and the dark underbelly of its amusement parks . . .

    Alastair Chisholm (Author), George Caltsoudas (Illustrator) - Reek - Published by Barrington Stoke (18 July 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800902589 - Paperback - Age: 8

    Climate catastrophe leaves the people of Earth fighting for oxygen in this gripping dystopian thriller from bestselling sci-fi author Alastair Chisholm.

    Sparrow lives in the world after the Reek. The atmosphere is toxically polluted, and Axel Brodie, the tech billionaire behind Zephyr Industries, is cashing in as the only supplier of clean air. Sparrow is struggling to help her family survive until her brilliant inventor friend, Miriam Fenn, comes up with a new form of technology that could break Zephyr’s stranglehold on the air supply. But men like Brodie are hard to defeat, and he will do everything in his power to stop Miriam and Sparrow. Who will triumph in this battle to breathe?



    Eve Wersocki Morris - Forest of Forbidden Magic - Published by Hodder Children's Books (4 July 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1444973686 - Paperback - Age: 9+ 


    Dare to stray off the path into a spooky supernatural adventure of dark twists and creepy turns? The magic of Grimmhart Forest awaits...

    Never go into the forest at night 
    Only trust a map written by your own hand
    And, above all, do not show the trees your fear . . . 


    A mysterious letter containing ominous hints and strange silver charms of a howling wolf and a malevolent fairy leads Tig and Elsa deep into Grimmhart Forest, a dark enchanted world of sinister secrets and creatures unknown. A place where the magical powers of ancient animals are unleashed. The place into which their grandfather has vanished...

    Tig and Elsa must stray far from the forest path if they are to outwit those who wish them harm. But trouble lurks in the shadows and danger does not always come from outside. Can Tig resist the lure of his Ice Wolf charm or will his newfound courage spell out his destruction?



    Jennifer Killick - Dread Detention (Creatures & Teachers) - Published by Yearling Books (30 July 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593652282 - Paperback - Age: 9+ 


    The Breakfast Club meets Stranger Things in this middle-grade horror novel for fans of Goosebumps! Detention turns even scarier when a group of classmates discover dangers lurking in their school.

    When classmates Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a Saturday, they think things can't get much worse. But they're wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary. 

    What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keep humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang's only hope is to work together. But it's no coincidence that they're all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .

    Monday, 24 June 2024

    Fiona Longmuir - Freya's Gold - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

    This is a captivating tale of mystery and adventure. Set in the picturesque and quaint seaside town of Edge, the story follows young Freya and her best friend, Lin. Together, they uncover the secrets hidden within the cliffs and caves of their beloved town. With the wind and rain crashing down on your senses and the biting salty sea captivating your imagination, you really are in for an ice cream treat of a story. 

    The author weaves together really well a tale of mystery, buried treasure, smugglers' tunnels, and a race against time to save Edge from an unknown threat. The graphic descriptions of the coastal landscape and the eerie atmosphere of the tunnels create a sense of suspense as Freya has to fight her fears to save her beloved home and town from the devious stranger, Ms Oleander.

    With relatable characters, unexpected twists, and a lovely bright and breezy narrative, 'Freya's Gold' is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling adventure. The amazing storytelling really shines in this contemporary tale of courage, friendship, and the power of facing your fears. 

    Published by Nosy Crow Books in June 2024, 'Freya's Gold' is a shining example of quality children's literature that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next book. Don't miss out on this brilliant adventure that is sure to capture the hearts of readers everywhere."



    Monday, 17 June 2024

    The Best Children's/Kids Book Picks JUNE 2024 UK Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

    Welcome everybody to our June 2024 edition of children's book picks! As we enter the summertime, we are delighted to present a curated selection of enchanting and captivating stories that will spark the imagination of young readers. Join us on a literary adventure as we explore magical lands, brave heroes, and heartwarming tales that are sure to inspire and delight children and adults of all ages. Let's dive into our handpicked selection of must-read children's books for June! What are you looking forward to reading this month? 


    A. D. Downton - The Cavern Under the Lake - Published by A.D. Downton (11 Jun. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1068661600 - Paperback - Age: 9+
     

    The best explorers speak of a power in nature. Not everyone can see it, not everyone can feel it, but it’s there, and it’s dying...

    Seeing is believing. That was the world as Levi understood it. But when a young boy goes missing around a mysterious frozen lake, the lone cartographer gets drawn to the edge of a hidden world. A world of stubborn townsfolk, ruthless industry and a stream that never freezes.

    Meanwhile, the missing boy, Sigmund, attends a journey of his own. At the hands of a frozen Viking come to life, Sigmund is shown the power of his ancestral inheritance. But that power is fading, and the terrible mark of frostbite is closing in.

    The age of exploration is still very much alive in the 1800s, but Levi and Sigmund must both put their convictions aside if their Arctic world stands any hope of surviving…

    A.D. Downton’s clean-fiction debut novel is aimed to bridge the gap between Adventure and Christian fiction, whilst keeping its key theme of caring for the natural world at its core. Its omniscient nature, mixed with its cinematic scene-setting and dialogue, creates a historical fantasy universe that children, teens and adults can all feel a part of.

    An inspiring and uplifting low-stakes fantasy novel suitable for those who enjoyed such adventures as The Last Bear or The Chronicles of Narnia.


    Patrick Gallagher - Transcendent - Published by Orion Children's Books (6 Jun. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1510112421 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

    JOIN THE TEAM. SAVE THE WORLD. Twin geniuses Jacob and Kira are recruited to take part in a high-tech mission to protect the planet ... but will their dreams of adventure come true, or is the threat too great to handle?

    Jacob and Kira live in the heart of Mbale, Uganda with their conservationist mother and navigate life as unsuspecting geniuses; Kira with hopes to explore outside the hot terrains of Uganda, and conspiracy theorist Jacob, whose fear often holds him back from the answers he so desperately wants to uncover.

    But when they discover that someone has been watching their every move in the hopes of enlisting them in a top-secret agency called Transcendent, their lives are turned upside down.

    Soon the twins are hurtled from the luscious landscapes of Mbale, to the sleek streets of London, where - alongside other selected protegees - they must undertake three rigorous trials, each more difficult than the last, to be accepted into Transcendent. If they are successful, they will be launched into space to complete a high-stakes mission to fight the greatest threat the world has ever seen.

    Only, the twins soon realise they have more to contend with than they bargained for ... is there a more sinister reason they have been chosen?

    Two kids, one top-secret agency and an epic mission to save the world. 


    Clare Povey - The Wednesdays: Journey TO Fantome Island - Published by 
    Usborne Publishing (6 Jun. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1803708089 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

    Are you brave enough to join the Wanderdays in their first thrilling adventure? They're off on an edge-of-your-seat underwater quest to find out what's really happening on the secret Fantome Island. 

    Meet Flo and Joseph Wanderday.

    Their mum is one of the world's greatest explorers, but she's gone missing on her latest expedition. When a mysterious stranger appears, they discover the sinister reason for Mum's trip.

    This was no ordinary expedition and Mum was trying to uncover crimes committed by Sir Frederick Titan, a much-loved TV presenter who claims to be a protector of the natural world.

    Flo, Joseph and their friends Funmi and Isaac find a map and follow clues taking them to a secret island to save Mum and expose Titan's fishy plans...

    An exciting watery adventure packed with brilliant baddies, bravery, friendship and real passion for protecting the natural world.


    Lucy Strange (Author), Julia Moscardo (Illustrator) - The River Spirit - Published by Barrington Stoke (6 Jun. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800903258 - Paperback - Age: 9+ 

    Trapped within the oppresive warrens of the city’s chimneys, young sweeper Tom longs for fresh air and freedom in this atmospheric and ghostly tale from Lucy Strange.

    Young chimney sweep Tom has started seeing strange, supernatural things – fairies in the flowers by the river, a soot monster crouching in the darkness of a chimney, and then the mysterious river spirit Elle. Elle joins Tom and the other children apprenticed to cruel master sweep Mister Crow. Together, they shimmy up the town's narrow, filthy chimneys. But Tom has an ominous feeling in his bones, and when he faces his most dangerous job of all, the reason for Elle's magical appearance becomes clear . . .

    Sunday, 26 May 2024

    Yu Pei-Yun (Author), Zhou Jian-Xin (Illustrator) translated by Lin King - THE BOY FROM CLEARWATER: BK 2

     

     

    Beautiful and Artful Graphic Novel Published by Levine Querido (May 7, 2024) in Paperback and Hardback. 

    An accessible, timely account of Taiwan’s struggles for democracy and human rights as experienced through a personal lens.

    After his imprisonment in Green Island, Kun-lin struggles to pick up where he left off ten years earlier. He reconnects with his childhood crush Kimiko and finds work as an editor, jumping from publisher to publisher until finally settling at an advertising company. But when manhua publishing becomes a victim of censorship, and many of his friends lose their jobs, Kun-lin takes matters into his own hands. He starts a children’s magazine, Prince, for a group of unemployed artists and his old inmates who cannot find work anywhere else. Kun-lin’s life finally seems to be looking up... but how long will this last?

    Forty years later, Kun-lin serves as a volunteer at the White Terror Memorial Park, promoting human rights education. There, he meets Yu Pei-Yun, a young college professor who provides him with an opportunity to reminisce on his past and how he picked himself up after grappling with bankruptcy and depression. With the end of martial law, Kun-lin and other former New-Lifers felt compelled to mobilize to rehabilitate fellow White Terror victims, forcing him to face his past head-on. While navigating his changing homeland, he must conciliate all parts of himself – the victim and the savior, the patriot and the rebel, a father to the future generation and a son to the old Taiwan – before he can bury the ghosts of his past.


    About the Author

    Yu Pei-yun graduated from the Department of Foreign Language, National Taiwan University and holds a doctoral degree in Human Science from Ochanomizu University, Japan. Currently teaching at the Graduate Institute of Children's Literature at National Taitung University, she is devoted to the studies of Children's Literature and Culture. Yu also writes, translates, critiques, curates exhibitions about and plans the publication of children's literature.

    Zhou Jian-xin holds a master's degree from the Graduate Institute of Plastic Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Children's Literature at National Taitung University.

    Lin King is a writer and translator from Taipei, Taiwan. Her work has appeared in publications including Boston Review, Joyland, Asymptote, and Columbia Journal, and has won the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. She translates from Mandarin Chinese and Japanese to English, and her translation of Yang Shuang-zi's Taiwan Travelogue is forthcoming from Graywolf Press.


    Monday, 29 April 2024

    The Best Children's Book Picks MAY 2024 UK Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

    Alastair Chisholm - I Am Wolf - Published by Nosy Crow (9 May 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1839945311 - Paperback - Age: 9+ 

    Coll is Wolf.

    He lives with his clan on a Construct, a huge technological "creature" driven by the clan's combined willpower. Together they roam their world, fighting other clans and absorbing them into their own.

    But when a new and dangerous Construct attacks them, Coll is thrown clear from Wolf and left behind. Now he must survive life on ground and get back to his clan. He is helped by Rieka, a "Tock" who makes the Constructs work. She promises Coll a way to return, but can she be trusted? And what is she really trying to do...?

    When Coll uncovers the truth, it destroys everything he thought he knew about his clan, the world they live in, and even himself. In a world full of danger, and suddenly without meaning, can he find a way back?


    Jennifer Bell - Magicalia: Race of Wonders - Published by Walker Books (2 May 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1529506143 - Paperback - Age: 7+

    From the internationally bestselling author of Wonderscapeand The Uncommoners, comes a spectacular new fantasy series for 9+ set in a world of magical creatures, ancient meteorites and secret organizations, irresistible to fans of PokémonSkandar and the Unicorn Thief and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

    FEEL THE MAGIC. CONJURE THE IMPOSSIBLE.

    When her dad is kidnapped by a woman with a giant hamstoceros, Bitsy and best friend Kosh are swept into a secret world of ancient meteorites and strange beasts called magicores, each conjured using a different emotion. Using a powerful bestiary called 
    Magicalia, the friends must quickly become conjurors themselves, before following a trail of clues that will take them from London to India to Paris, in a race to rescue Bitsy’s dad from a mysterious villain…


    Jasbinder Bilan - 
    Nush and the Stolen Emerald - Published by 
    Chicken House (9 May 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915947024 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

    A stunning new historical children's novel from Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird.

    Anushka is furious. As princess of an Indian kingdom, she has watched the British East India Company take land and her family's most divine jewel – an emerald the size of an apple.

    So when her father, the Maharaja, decides to visit Queen Victoria at Buckinham Palace, Nush goes too – determined to bring back the gem that can heal her country. 

    • A fabulous new historical direction from Costa-winning and Waterstones-shortlisted author, Jasbinder Bilan.
    • Themes of colonialism and identity, mixed with an action-packed royal mystery.


    Alexandra Page - The Secret Society of Very Important Post - Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (9 May 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1526644336 - Paperback - Age: 7+ 

    It's 1953, just days from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, and Penny Black can't get into the summer holiday spirit. Not when she's about to move to Scotland - and away from everything she knows - for good. 

    But when Wishyouwas plops into the fireplace in a cloud of soot and chaos, with a summons from the Royal Postmistress herself, all of Penny's plans suddenly go up in smoke.

    The intrepid pair are soon on the trail of a mysterious traitor and a potentially deadly plot to halt the coronation. Their investigation will take them across London's busy streets, high up in the air and deeper into danger than they've ever been before.

    Monday, 22 April 2024

    Barbara Henderson - The Boy, the Witch & The Queen of Scots - BOOK REVIEW - Blog Tour


    Welcome to our book review for the third stop on The Boy, Witch & The Queen of Scots by Barbara Henderson's blog tour. Please say Hello at all the other stops (you can check out the list of stops below). We hope you enjoy this review and that it encourages you to read this wonderful book. 

    Barbara Henderson's "The Boy, the Witch & The Queen of Scots" is a captivating journey through Scottish history and is published by Scottish independent Publisher Luath Press Ltd (11 April 2024). It's a story of espionage with hints of witchcraft and religion. The plot is full of both danger and peril as it takes a journey through the darker side of life with The Queen of Scots. 

    The reader dives and soars into the world of 12-year-old Alexander Buchan as he navigates treachery, terror, and intrigue at the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. The author weaves a tale of moral dilemmas and bravery as Alexander faces the challenges of outwitting a murderous messenger and standing against his own treacherous Earl. With themes of friendship, loyalty, and majestic birds of prey we are faced with the impending turmoil of Reformation Scotland. This book is a must-read for young readers, armchair adventurers, and history enthusiasts alike. 

    The author's storytelling talents shine in this engaging and thrilling adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their Arthur Seats until the very end. A true gem in children's literature, "The Boy, the Witch & The Queen of Scots" is a triumph that brings history to life in a way that both educates and entertains. It was such a joy to read and an absolute treat to go back in time and relive this historical Scottish event with all the great characters in a gripping immersive plot. 


    Friday, 5 April 2024

    Onjali Q. Raúf - The Letter with the Golden Stamp - Children's Book Pick - April 2024


    Published by Orion Children's Books (11 April 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1510108929 - Paperback - Age: 9+ 

     'I can't remember how old I was when I first started collecting stamps. But I've got a whole shoebox full of them now.


    Mam used to help me collect them ... Before she got so ill that she lost her job, her friends...everything.

    Now it's my job to take care of her and protect her - and my little brother and sister too. But to do that, I have to make Mam a Secret. A secret no-one can ever find out about. Not even my best friends at school, or Mo, our postman. 

    Or the stranger living in the house across the street. The one no-one has seen, but who I know is spying on us. 

    The one I think might be Them...'

    Deep in the heart of Swansea, Wales, lives a small girl with some big secrets to keep. Secrets that make her one of the best actresses on the planet - because no-one would ever think that, away from school, Audrey is the sole carer for her increasingly sick mam and her two younger siblings ... or a seasoned thief.

    With her worlds threatened by the arrival of a mysterious, invisible neighbour, behind whose closed curtains and shut front door may lie a spy, Audrey must take matters into her own hands to save her family.

    Inspired by her beloved collection of stamps, her friendly neighbourhood postman (and fellow stamp collector), and her two best friends, off Audrey must go: on an adventure that will lead her to places - and hearts - she never knew existed.

    Celebrating the hidden army of Young Carers daily keeping their loved ones alive behind closed doors, and the everyday s/heroes that surround them, The Letter with the Golden Stamp delves into the fears and hopes of Young Carers everywhere, and the invisible sources of kindness knocking on all our doors.

    Wednesday, 3 April 2024

    Sam Sedgman - The Clockwork Conspiracy - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books



    Sam Sedgman's "The Clockwork Conspiracy" marks the start of a riveting new series, unveiled by Bloomsbury Children's Books in February 2024. The book's cover, masterfully illustrated by Tom Colohosy Cole, serves as a prelude to the enthralling narrative that awaits within. From the very first pages, readers are thrust into a captivating mystery teeming with rooftop pursuits, enigmatic codes, and scientific marvels. The resonance of Big Ben heralds the commencement of an adrenaline-fueled plot, brimming with danger and transformative potential, where time itself takes on new dimensions.

    A perfect complement to Sedgman's collaborative series with MG Leonard, "Adventures on Trains," this tale follows young inventor Isaac Turner on a high-stakes mission to locate his vanished horologist father, unveiling a sinister governmental plot nestled within London's iconic landmarks, against the backdrop of the mesmerising Houses of Parliament.

    Sedgman's seamless blend of mystery and breakneck adventure, interspersed with intriguing tidbits, ensures the book's triumph. With expert finesse, the author knits together suspense and innovation, ensnaring readers in a whirlwind of discovery with each twist and turn of the plot. The vivid tapestry of London that he paints breathes life into the city, endowing it with a character as vibrant as any protagonist.

    "The Clockwork Conspiracy" beckons to young detectives hungry for pulse-pounding escapades and to thrill-seekers alike, offering a rich tapestry of history, enigma, politics, and exhilaration that will leave readers clamoring for the sequel. Thank you for such a great book! 

    Friday, 29 March 2024

    The Rise of The Legends by Jake Zortman - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Children's Book Picks March 2024 US

    The Rise of The Legends by Jake Zortman - PUBLISHED BY Good Harbor Entertainment (March 19, 2024) - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

    Mikaela Kadono is bummed when her parents move the family to a creepy, old, fixer-upper house, leaving behind her friends, school and familiar neighborhood. But things quickly look up when she meets her new neighbor, George, who invites her to join a cool club called Drone Legends. Little does Mikaela know that this will be the first step in a life-changing adventure!

    On The Drone Legends very first mission, a nearly tragic accident brings a mysterious, talking AI drone into their lives. 
    But was it really an accident? And who created this drone that seems to be far beyond any available technology? As they search for answers, Mikaela discovers that the old house her parents bought holds a secret - a cryptic message from the past, hidden in riddles and codes. With the help of her new friends, they embark on a quest to solve the mystery, which takes them on a perilous journey from adventure on the high seas to secret tunnels deep beneath the ground.

    The team applies science, math, cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned gadgets as they solve the clues and battle a mysterious foe who always seems to be one step ahead. The closer they get to solving the mystery, the more it seems that the messages were left specifically for them. But how would someone living a century earlier know that Mikaela and her friends would even exist? And what role is this strange, intelligent drone playing? Is it a friend, or part of a conspiracy to change the course of history?

    It’s a nail-biting adventure full of twists and turns, as Mikaela and her friends race against time to stop an evil plot to take over the world. Are they following their destiny, or are they in over their heads? The fate of world and future of humanity hangs in the balance.

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    Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Book Picks - FEB 2026 UK

      Philip Reeve -  Bridge of Storms (A New Mortal Engines Novel) - Published by  Scholastic Press ( 3 Feb. 2026) -  ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎  978-154613...