Advent Count Down - Book 24 white bird

You may know Auggie (real name Julian) from the wonderful story of “Wonder”. In this graphic novel we meet Julian again as he learns the story of his grandmother who was a young Jewish girl in occupied France during the Second Word War. We move from a fairy tale life to the horror, the terror, the brutality of Nazi occupation. But there is also the heroism of those who helped. It is a book about a historical event yet it somehow feels more relevant than ever to what is happening in the world today.  Highly recommended.

Advent Count Down - 23

It is never easy fitting in at a new school and making new friends.  Ella is a very anxious person and can't quite believe that the most popular girl in the school wants to be her friend. But this is a book about choices and knowing when to make that right choice. I chose this book for the calendar as not only is it a great read but so many teens share the exact same worries as Ella and yet she is such a  likeable character. A story that will resonate with many of you.

Advent Count Down -Series 21

Last year we read the “The Extinction Trials” with the Book group as part of the Scottish Teen Book Awards. The series has been very popular and described as a cross between “The Hunger Games” and “Jurassic park”. The story has continued with “Exile” and “Rebel.” Plenty of excitement and interesting characters /creatures.

Advent Count Down-Book 22

The Dogs

I love crime stories and this is a great psychological thriller about a boy and his mother who are constantly on the run.   The question for Cameron is, is it all necessary? Or are he and his mother both paranoid? Full of tension with lots of twists. Click on the link above to view a book  trailer.

Advent Count Down- Book 20

This story is inspired by the real life story of Annie Oakley. She rose to fame as a sharp shooter on the circus trail of the Wild West. This imagined story is that of young Maggie whose family are in destitute circumstances after the death of her father. Her mother is very much against her using her shooting skills gained from going out with Pa. I loved that fact that despite the challenging relationship she has with her mother young Maggie keeps trying to find ways of supporting her family. Great to have a story about a strong willed woman.

Advent Count Down - Book 19

I have read many of Elizabeth George's adult crime novels and loved the story telling and detail. This series is aimed at Young Adults. But it is crime novel with the addition of fantasy. Imagine you could hear what others are  thinking. Becca is on the run from an abusive family situation and has been sent to an island where one of her mum's old school friends lives. But that friend dies just as Becca arrives and Becca is out of phone contact with her mum and has little money to survive on.  One of those stories which raises lots of questions but you just can't put it down!

Advent Count Down - Book 18

Two people jump from a building and disappear. As various characters tell their version of events this mystery is gradually revealed in this sci-fi fantasy romance. Could it be a government cover-up, a secret genetic experiment, or young people just living too close to the edge?