Newest Confident Readers Reviews

Alfie is just five years old when the Great War breaks out in 1914. His father joins up straightaway. Cheerful letters come from Georgie for a while and Alfie's mother reads them to him. But then the letters grow miserable and frightening. Alfie's mother stops reading them aloud and hides them away - but Alfie finds them anyway. And then the letters stop altogether. Alfie is told that his father is on a secret mission and can't write, but he sees through the lie immediately. And then, one day, a chance meeting tells Alfie exactly what has happened to his father. He's home from the front but he's in hospital, suffering from a condition nobody understood at the time: shell shock. Full review...

Fortunately, the Milk... by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell

A boy and a girl are horrified to find their fridge is milkless, which means their cereal will be too dry for their breakfast. Luckily, even though mum is off working away from home, dad can nip out and fetch some. Or he could if he weren't as a result kidnapped by aliens, threatened by pirates and gods, forced to cooperate with a dinosaur in a hot-air balloon, and a lot more… Fortunately, the milk can save him and breakfast – or can it? Full review...

Samurai by Ian Beck and Daniel Atanasov

The hero of our story is nameless. He is only the Samurai, and not even quite that. He is dishonoured, a masterless Samurai, or Ronin. We do not know his master's fate but we can only assume it is death, and that Ronin has fled the field taking his injured dog to safety. The land is desolate and barren and both the text and the superbly drawn illustrations build a feeling of darkness and despair. The path he travels on is lined with skeletons of defeated warriors lashed to wagon wheels. It gives the reader the impression of the road to hell. The young Samurai takes refuge in a ruined palace, yet another sign of devastation upon the land, seeming to exist for the next few days only to care for Cho, his dog, while awaiting the punishment of the gods for his failure. He rises from despair to help others, first to defeat a demon haunting the palace, and then undertaking a journey to find and defeat another deadly demon. Soon the young warrior comes to a village suffering under the most horrific of curses. His courage will be put to the test as he must risk even his beloved Cho to save an innocent girl and lift the curse. Full review...

Thor and the Master of Magic by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Siku

I grew up with tales of the heroes of Asgard, and this story was always a firm favourite, but today's children are more likely to know Thor from The Avengers. This book is sure to interest any young comic book fans, and the illustrations will certainly help with this, but it is still faithful to the original myth, and in my mind would count as literature, rather than just a fun read - but I wouldn't tell the children that. This is an excellent retelling of Thor's visit to Utgarda - Loki ( the giant king's hall) from Prose Edda a collection of Norse poetry thought to have been compiled by the Icelandic poet Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century. Full review...

The Summer of Telling Tales by Laura Summers

Grace and Ellie are at the seaside with their mum. They're not on a holiday, though - they've escaped from their domineering and abusive father. As the two settle into a new school and make new friends, Grace - who only ever speaks to Ellie - meets someone she can be herself around, while Ellie reinvents herself as Elle, a confident and popular girl instead of the shy and scared youngster she used to be. But can they ever be free of the shadow of her father? Full review...

The Secret Mirror (Emily Feather) by Holly Webb

It was hard enough for Emily to cope with the news that she was adopted. She had missed all of the signs, but now everything seemed painfully obvious. She didn’t resemble her sisters and brother, with their slender, delicate features. 'They belonged together.' It was clear that Emily was different from the rest of her family, but the real shock was when she realised how different she was. The Feather family were not even human. They were high-ranking fairies and their home served as a gateway between the human and fairy realms. Full review...

Big Nate Compilation 3 : Genius Mode by Lincoln Peirce

They say you should live your life like an adventure, and Big Nate certainly does that, even if it is only four panels at a time, meaning the full plot of the story can take a week or more to come out. For Big Nate is a star of an American newspaper comic strip, and this, believe it or not, is his tenth collection. We learn from this all about his friendships at school, his relations with his teachers and father, and just what a soppy thing his most unmasculine dog can be. Here are comics, baseball and laziness, as every American kid knows them. Luckily for us, though, Big Nate travels well. Full review...

The Bomber Dog by Megan Rix

Grey begins his life in occupied France, but Sabina can not bear to see him handed over to the German Army and ends up tossing the pup into a departing boat heading for Dover. We never know why the soldiers agreed to take him, perhaps refusing might have drawn attention. But for whatever reason Grey finds himself alone that night. He is befriended by a small spaniel who has become lost when a her owner was injured in an air raid. Molly's devotion to Grey will help him grow up, and he will repay his debt to her in act of courage that draws the attention of Young Nathan, a young dog lover who is just getting ready to start basic training. Nathan desperately tries to find a home for the dog, but Colonel Parry offers them a unique chance to stay with the dog that has so quickly won his heart. They can both train as paratroopers. Grey seems uniquely suited to this task with his courage and high intelligence. There is only one problem - Nathan is terrified of heights. Full review...

Triassic Terrors by Isaac Lenkiewicz and Nick Crumpton

With a son who has insisted he will become a palaeontologist since the age of three, we have collected a vast assortment of books on dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. I have never found one yet which so clearly explains exactly what is and is not a dinosaur. The majority of the reptiles in this book are not dinosaurs. The Triassic saw the very first of the dinosaurs to walk the earth, and these were much smaller than their Jurassic and Cretaceous counterparts. There is no shortage of fascinating creatures here though. This book has a wide variety of reptilian life, made all the more fascinating by the fact that these are creatures we see very little of in other books. The text in this book is limited, as this is primarily an activity book, but what is there is surprisingly informative. Books focussing on the Triassic period for children are few and far between. This is a rare treasure for any child with more than a passing interest in dinosaurs, and an absolute must have for budding palaeontologists. Full review...

I Am So Over Being a Loser by Jim Smith

There's not a lot in Barry Loser's life right now to recommend it. Leaving aside his awkward surname, there's the fact that not many people like him at school, he can't remember show-and-tell, he can't think of a decent thing to start collecting when the whole class decides the geeky girl with the large stamp album is on to a winner, and most importantly his mother's now the star of a whole series of embarrassing adverts for the local supermarket. But hey, at least he's not too put off by the haunted house down the street, he could always find an unlikely best friend, or pet, and he's going skiing with everyone else soon. Or is he? Full review...

Arthur Quinn and Hell's Keeper (The Father of Lies Chronicles) by Alan Early

It’s only been a week since Arthur Quinn returned to his home in Kerry. After defeating the World Serpent, after battling the Fenris Wolf and losing an eye in his efforts, you’d think he’d be glad of the peace, quiet and normality of his old home. But within the week that unsettled feeling is back. The pendant that protects Arthur from the Father of Lies is glowing bright green and the war hammer he found under the streets of Dublin is radiating an insistent warmth as if preparing, once again, for battle. The dreams have returned; dreams of an ancient past in Asgard, dreams warning of terrible events to come. And now, it’s not just Arthur having those dreams. It seems the entire world is seeing the same thing. Loki is on the move. Full review...

The Dead Men Stood Together by Chris Priestley

A young boy lives in a harbour town with his mother. It's a happy life, but the boy misses his father, a sailor who left for the sea a year ago and died far from home. He also dreams of the sea and of adventure. So when his uncle comes to visit, full of stories of faraway lands and treasure, he is entranced. He ignores the warning from the pilot's son. How could his uncle be the devil? And, despite his mother's tears, he follows his uncle to sea. Full review...

The Warrior Sheep Go Jurassic by Christopher Russell and Christine Russell

It all started so simply… Tod and his nan, Ida, were only hopping across to the Isle of Wight to lead some people in creating the world's best carnival float, but they had to demand their five rare sheep went with them. Crossing to the Isle, the motherly one, Sal, saw an advert for the Dinosaur Museum, and remembered a rare piece of sheep mythology, stating how the world needed saving from the hatching of the last dragon's egg. Still, there wouldn't be any trouble for these experienced Warrior Sheep to track it down, would there? Oh yes, what with not one but two groups of humans trying to get their hands on it at the same time… Full review...

Shine by Candy Gourlay

This is not a ghost story even though there are plenty of ghosts in it. And it's not a horror story though some people might be horrified. It's not a monster story either, even though there is a monster in it and that monster happens to be me.

Thirteen-year-old Rosa doesn't get out much. She lives with her father, a doctor, and their housekeeper-come-governess in the remote island community of Mirasol. It's always raining on Mirasol. And it's a superstitious place. People believe that if the rain stops, evil will come. And they also believe that monsters can stop the rain. Monsters like Rosa. Full review...

Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door by Ross Montgomery

If there's a young reader in your life who loves mystery and adventure stories with a large dollop of the eccentric stirred into the mix, then you could do worse than point them in the direction of this silly (in a good way!) book. What happened to Alex's dad that makes him constantly run away, even when he's promised not to? Why does he think he's not human any more? Why does he keep shouting squiggles? And what really lies at the centre of the mysterious forest on the edge of town? Full review...

Pea's Book Of Birthdays by Susie Day

It’s a busy month for Pea and her family, with four birthdays! Clover has an Alice in Wonderland-themed party to celebrate her upcoming starring role in a play, Tinkerbell has a magician booked for hers, but what kind of party could Pea have? What she wants most of all is to have her long-lost father appear… could her wish possibly come true? Full review...

Atticus Claw Lends a Paw by Jennifer Gray

Things are quiet in Littleton-on-Sea, now that Atticus is no longer the world's greatest cat burglar. All he has to contend with is a mischievous bunch of kittens that might cause trouble for the male in the human family he lives with, him being a policeman and all. But nothing breaks the quiet like an old noise, and when people learn that the previous owner of the local mansion discovered the remains of the ancient city of the Cat Pharaoh and left his secrets locally, many ears are pricked, both for good and bad. But what does buried treasure protected by curses have to do with a spate of guerrilla knitting? Full review...

The Phenomenals: A Game of Ghouls by F E Higgins

Once again, I’ve jumped right in here – going straight to the second book in a series. As it happens, A Game of Ghouls is not a bad one to do that with. You’re never left confused because you haven’t read the first one (A Tangle of Traitors) because they keep you up to date enough for it to be a fairly good stand alone. You want to find the first one though, because if it’s going to be anywhere near as good as this one it’s a book you want to read. Full review...

Scrum by Tom Palmer and Dylan Gibson

Steven has a pretty good life. His parents are divorced, but they get on well. He sees his Dad every day and has a good relationship with his Mom and her partner, Martin. True, he would like his parents to get back together, as most kids would, but things aren't too bad as they are. He has good friends, a happy home and a real shot and breaking into the Rugby League teams. His whole world is turned upside though when Mom announces she is going to marry Martin. Soon Steven finds himself in a new home, with a new school and new friends, but he adjusts and makes the best of things. He even has a shot at playing Rugby at county level, but there is one problem and it is major one. The new town is in a Rugby Union area. Steven has always played Rugby League and to his father, switching sides will be a betrayal. Full review...

Fox Friend by Michael Morpurgo and Joanna Carey

Clare loves animals. Her best friend is her horse, and she loves all the lambs born on her family farm as well. This natural affection for animals easily extended to the fox she saw strolling through the farm as well. Her father however despises foxes saying the only good fox is dead fox. Clare's Father says the foxes had already killed ten lambs that year, and it was only March with the lambing season in full swing. (I did find these figures quite high - but then again, maybe they owned a lot of sheep). When Clare finds an injured and orphaned cub after a fox hunt, it is obvious she can not turn to her parents for help. But regardless of her father's feelings, Clare is determined to save this helpless little creature. Full review...

Space Pirates: Stowaway by Jim Ladd

It's a weird place where Sam lives. The planet P-Sezov 8 is just a nothingness in the middle of nowhere, and is home only to his scientist parents and a whole spaceport full of bickering, nasty pirates. Both groups only use the place as a departure point for more interesting things elsewhere, his exploring parents leaving Sam with his computerised tutor. But when he gets word they are stranded on a fully gold world the pirates would be interested in, Sam must muscle in with the worst of them and try and help. Full review...

A Crumpet Calamity (Pip Street) by Jo Simmons

This is not Dip Street, nor Chip Street, this is Pip Street, and it's where Bobby and his best friend Imelda live – but how long Bobby stays depends on his father getting more income at his crumpet factory so they can afford living there. Bobby's idea is to have an open improve-the-crumpet competition, which is immediately popular around town. Also immediately popular, especially with Imelda, is the new boy on Pip Street, who claims to have no interest in cooking crumpets. But is he as perfect as he seems…? Full review...

My Funny Family Gets Bigger by Chris Higgins

We've met Mattie Butterfield before in My Funny Family and My Funny Family on Holiday. Mattie is the worrier of the family although she is doing her best to get out of the habit and only makes her worry lists when she feels under pressure. Mattie worries about people - not because there's anything bad going on. You see the Butterfield are a lovely family: they don't have a lot of money but they do their best to be happy and to look after their extended family. They don't have a lot of expensive toys or go on foreign holidays - but they're the sort of people you'd like to live next door to - only you can't, because that's where Uncle Vesuvius lives. He was Mum's foster dad when she was young. Full review...

The Wickedest Witch in the World by Kaye Umansky and Gerald Kelley

Everyone knows the story of Hansel and Gretel. At least we thought we knew. But as the saying goes there are always two sides to every story and this one is told from the perspective of Old Maggit, The Wickedest Witch in the World. You see Maggit really wasn't so wicked after all. It was the children who were wicked. Well, maybe they were not exactly wicked, but they were most certainly obnoxious, and old Maggit's no nonsense manner and just a bit of attention may be exactly what these children need to turn them around. Maggit really has built a house of gingerbread to lure children into as a means of finally winning the Wickedest Witch in the World title. But once she has the children - she has no idea what to do them and ends up teaching them manners. As to the whole cannibalism story - that was all made up of course. The children decide the only way for Maggit to win is to lie - and they come up with a whopper. It was so good people have been repeating it for centuries with the original tale thought to have originated in the 14th century. Full review...

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

This is the memoir of one of the youngest people on Oskar Schindler's famous list of Jews saved from the Nazis during World War II. It opens between the wars, with Leon's family living in the small Polish town of Narewka. There wasn't much money but everyone was happy. Leon's father moved to Krakow in the hopes of making a better life and when Leon and his siblings eventually join him, you can feel the wonder of a little boy new to the big city. Full review...

The Burning Shadow (Gods and Warriors Book 2) by Michelle Paver

A year after the first book in this series finished, we rejoin Hylas who has been captured, enslaved, and forced to work in the copper mines on Thalakrea, a volcanic island. The Crows still have the dagger of prophecy, so this evil clan is still in control. Hylas is determined to escape and find his missing sister, but the mines are dangerous and run by ruthless slavers. Full review...

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Gregor is in the laundrette, daydreaming about his problems since his father vanished a couple of years ago, and not being too mindful of where his youngest sister is playing. The next thing he knows is that she has found the portal to an incredible underground world, and they are both entering it. The Underland is a home to gigantic, talking animals, and a parlous state of play between them and the human inhabitants – who have a very important prophecy about a certain boy entering their domain and becoming an instant warrior. Is Gregor up to it, so far down as he is? Full review...

The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix by Kate Saunders

So I’ve jumped right into the world of Skittle Lane, going straight to the sequel, The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix. One of the great things about this book is that while going straight to number two makes you want to find and read the first one because you know it’ll be a good book, you’re not lost. It stands easily by itself as a fairly awesome magical adventure. Full review...

Phoenix by SF Said