Hello, everyone. I'm Helen's daughter and would like to share with you my top five books from the year so far:
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are sisters - with a difference. All three were adopted as babies by Great Uncle Matthew, an eccentric and rich explorer who then disappeared, leaving them in the care of his niece Sylvia. The girls grow up in comfort until their money begins to run out and nobody can find Great Uncle Matthew.Things look bleak until they hit on an inspired idea: Pauline, Petrova and Posy will take to the stage. But it's not long before the Fossils learn that being a star isn't as easy as they first thought...
This was a beautiful, beautiful book that I just loved (and I know my mum loved it, too, when she was my age). There was drama, family and always a little bit of dancing. I was so happy whilst reading it - next to read is White Boots by the same author.
A Girl Called Owl by Amy Wilson
When Owl starts seeing strange frost patterns on her skin, she's tempted to just burrow down under the duvet and forget all about it. Could her strange new powers be linked to her mysterious father?And what will happen when she enters the magical world of winter for the first time?
I read this over Easter and I adored it. It made me a little bit cold while I was reading it as it was based around winter. But the beautiful writing (and a delicious Easter Egg) warmed me up. If you like magic then put this on your reading list.
The Skullduggery Pleasant Series by Derek Landy
Stephanie's uncle Gordon is a writer of horror fiction. But when he dies and leaves her his estate, Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn't fiction.
Pursued by evil forces intent on recovering a mysterious key, Stephanie finds help from an unusual source – the wisecracking skeleton of a dead wizard.
I have to admit, I surprised myself with this one - but I picked it up from the school library and couldn't put it down. There is quite a bit of fighting and a handful of villains with wonderful magic - and I love it.
The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
This is the story of a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who have been taught since birth to hate each other like poison; and the thrilling tale of what happens when their two worlds collide.
Perfect for boys and girls who love fantasy adventure...
This book is witty and magical with hilarious illustrations. It leaves you puzzling right until the end.
The Murder Most Unladylike Series by Robin Stevens
When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't.)
Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She assumes it must have been a terrible accident - but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place.
As with the best detective stories you are completely hooked. Meet an array of different suspects as you try to figure the murderer out!
