Hello all,

Somehow months have flown by since my last update... I’ve been busy writing away, but this newsletter will be about what I’ve been reading instead. I’ve picked some of my recent favourites to share, from picture books to adult fiction, so hopefully you’ll find something you like the look of here...

First up, in picture books:

I'm going to make a friend written by Darren Chetty and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat is a beautifully imaginative, fabulously fun and thought-provoking celebration of the tricky business of friend-making, perfect for sparking wonderful conversations – and inspiring some robot building too!

Where? written by Jordan Collins and illustrated by Phil Lesnie is a poetic and powerful meditation on the often-loaded question, Where are you from? The illustrations are beautifully surreal and the messaging is gorgeous, ‘I am from the redwood trees, Their roots sunk deep into the ground. I am from the vaporous clouds and the ocean tides. I am salt, I am fire, I am earth.’

In graphic novels:

Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy is bright and vibrant, fun and inspiring, with some brilliant science woven in. The main character, Nova, invents a plastic-eating monster to fight pollution, but the monster causes all kinds of trouble and she must find a way to put things right. Perfect for around 6+.

Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit is a beautifully illustrated, deeply moving graphic novel that follows a grandmother and her two grandchildren learning to survive on their roof after a great flood. Part survival manual, part diary, part poignant coming-of-age tale of resilience, loss and hope, I recommend this one for around 7+ with a content warning for death of a loved one, sensitively written.

In children’s non-fiction:

Marvellous Messages written by Rose Ayling-Ellis and illustrated by Lena Addink is a wonderfully engaging look at the history and diversity of communication that beautifully weaves a journey on a giant magical flying pigeon with all kinds of fascinating and thought-provoking encounters in time and space. Perfect for around 7+.

In middle grade fiction:

Mishka written by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, illustrated in full colour by Annet Schaap and translated from Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier, is a moving story of a new pet rabbit helping a family open up about their flight from Afghanistan to the Netherlands. Sensitively written for young readers, this is a short (160 pages), tender, illuminating and memorable story perfect for around 7+.

Nate Yu's Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan, with cover by Simone Douglas, is a brilliant, page-turning, heart-expanding book that follows Nate trying to navigate moving house and starting a new school, his adoptive parents trying to get him to embrace his Chinese heritage, and the ghost of a young man who served in the Chinese Labour Corps appearing in his life. I raced through this, utterly spellbound. This is the very best of middle grade, perfect for around 9+.

The Shell Keepers by Truly Johnston, with cover by Laura Trinder, is a sweet seaside adventure with shades of The Borrowers - the main character Corrine discovers a tiny girl living in a shell who needs help. Themes of identity and belonging, grief for a grandparent, and activism and the environment are wrapped up in a captivating adventure, perfect for around 9+.

In young adult fiction:

The Five edited by Elgan Rhys and translated from Welsh by Mared Roberts was created in a radical co-authorship process that paired established authors with emerging young writers, and follows the interconnected lives of five very different teenagers who are exactly what each other need. This is my current read – I’m halfway through, totally engrossed and absolutely loving it. Hugely recommended for around 14+.

In adult fiction:

Tangled Roots by Maria Turtschaninoff, translated from Swedish by A. A. Prime, cover design by Jo Walker and cover illustration by Joe McLaren, is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It begins in the middle ages and ends in the present day, with each chapter offering a window into the life of someone living at Nevabacka, a croft on the edge of the magical Finnish wilderness. Skilfully woven and gorgeously written, I was utterly captivated and know this is going to be a book that I will return to like an old friend!

Some upcoming books to look out for:

I’ve been lucky enough to read some wonderful advance copies lately, so here’s a few of my favourites available for pre-order, so you can treat your future self!

Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe, cover illustrations by Gashwayne Hudson, is publishing in less than two weeks and has already been chosen as The Books Are My Bag Indie Book of the Month (hooray!). This heart-pounding adventure weaves Caribbean myth and magic with the history of the Jamaican Maroons. Perfect for thrill-seeking readers around 9+.

I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir by Eugene Yelchin is one that I haven't read, but have on pre-order as I am a huge fan of Yelchin's work, especially how he manages to balance difficult truths with sharp wit and humour. This is the sequel to his The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, which is a powerful memoir of Yelchin's early life suitable for 9+. I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This follows Yelchin's journey from Leningrad to a Siberian asylum, and on to safety in the US, and is being marketed for readers 14+. The publishers blurb says it, 'shines a stark spotlight on history while offering a poignant, nuanced, and powerfully resonant look at growing up in--and ultimately leaving--Cold War Russia in the early 1980s.' Publishing in September. [And on a related note, I'm about half way through Alexei Navalny's memoir Patriot at the moment and finding it fascinating and compelling reading.]

Dead Yard: Seeds of Doom written by P. J. Killburn, illustrated by Markia Jenai, is a gripping, thrilling, Caribbean folklore inspired adventure that follows budding young film-maker Jermaine working with the ghost of his grumpy Uncle Carl to save his family and friends from a much more dangerous spirit. It’s both spine-tingling and heart-warming and I loved it! Publishing in September, this would be a great Halloween read for around 8+.

Poems from a Witch's Pocket by Laura Theis, illustrated by Kate Lucy Foster, is another one I haven't read, but pre-ordered after I was enchanted by one of the included poems, I complained to my friend who has been turned into a tree, which recently won the Caterpillar Poetry Prize. Publishing with The Emma Press, who I'm a huge fan of, in September, and being marketed for 6+.

Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales written by Lari Don and illustrated by Elise Carmichael is a wonderful collection of timeless tales, perfectly told for today's readers, utterly spellbinding and thrumming with excitement. Publishing in October and perfect for around 7/8+.

The Other Father Christmas written by Serena Holly (the pen name of Jasmine Richards and Priscilla Mante) and illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz is my new favourite Christmas story! It’s exciting, heartwarming and glittering with magic – the perfect festive read this year for around 7+, publishing in November.

Also in November, The Snow Girl, written by me and illustrated by Melissa Castrillón, after two winters as a beautiful hardback, is finally getting a beautiful paperback edition with a gorgeous new cover featuring Tasha and the fox!

And lastly, an article I’ve enjoyed online:

Nikesh Shukla’s [There are no] Rules for Reading had me nodding along with its refreshing honesty and wise advice. Free to read online from the brilliant Books for Keeps: [There are no] Rules for Reading – Books For Keeps

That’s it! I hope you are finding some excellent reads too – I’d love to hear any recommendations you have for me!

Sending you all warmest wishes, until next time,

Sophie 😊