She only has books

As promised, I wanted to share with you the book that got me into reading MG this year.

I wasn’t sure what to expect and the blurb didn’t give much away really so I was a little dubious about whether I’d like it and even finish it (I think there has only been one book in my reading history that I gave up on – Sorry Dawn French!) I needn’t have worried. From almost the get go I fell in love with Betty, the middle Widdershin sister. Her drive, sense of adventure, love for her sisters and determination just shone through. I think what really drew me into the story is the fact I have 3 girls and each of mine I could see in the Widdershin sisters especially as the book progressed. Funnily enough, I asked my youngest to take the quiz at the back and unsurprisingly, it came out that she was like Charlie ….. like I didn’t know.

When I hear the word ‘magic’ I think fluffy, girly, cutesy books that generally only appeal to girls. Well, that is where this one differs. Although the story centres on the 3 girls and Sorsha, the one who curses the females of the family, there are some male characters that are pivotal to the story. You have the young prisoner, Colton who claims to know how to break the curse…….or does he. Then there is Jarrod a nasty and dangerous prisoner who, thanks to a mix up with one of the pinches, uses the girls and the ‘pinch’ to break out. Lastly there is the grumpy, disgraced ex prison warden who starts the wheels in motion for Betty and her quest to break the curse so she and her sisters, plus all future generations are able to leave Crowstone.

I literally devoured this book and I really couldn’t put it down. I think I read it within a couple of days in between working and being Mum. It had everything you could want. There were times where I jumped and gasped as well as got cross & mad (if you read it you’ll understand), felt sad, full of hope, willed things to happen and ultimately cheered.

I loved Michelle Harrison’s storytelling so much that I booked for me and my youngest to hear her speak at Bath Literature Festival last September. It was a wonderful afternoon and listening to her explain that the sisters are based on her and her sisters really brought it to life even more. Michelle even does the chapter illustrations herself. My youngest was really struggling to finish the Harry Potter book she was reading so I suggested she stop and read this one. She loved it as much as I did. We spent quite a few evenings reading aloud together, taking it in turns (my Fingerty voice was outstanding) and there was many a night I’d catch her reading in bed after lights out.

I’d definitely recommend this to everyone and anyone (and I already have), probably Yr4/5 upwards but it is definitely one for the boys too.

The exciting news is that the sequel to ‘A pinch’ comes out on 6th February and is called ‘A Sprinkle of Sorcery’. The cover is just as gorgeous as the first one and if you’re on Twitter you may have seen on both Michelle’s and her publishers, Simon & Schuster, the trailer for the new one. Advanced copies have been sent to lucky people and everyone is enthusing and raving about how good it is. I’m saving a book token I was lucky enough to receive from a lovely Yr5 boy for Christmas this year, just for this book 😊

If you’re reading this, then Hi and Thanks for dropping by. This is the first time i’ve ever done anything like this, i’ve been a voyeur of many blogs but never had the guts to do one myself.

I’ve always read, from a child all the way to adulthood but it wasn’t until this year that I was introduced to Middle Grade literature and WOW, why hadn’t I read any before?!?!?! I have 2, well 3 people to thank for fuelling my new found passion for this age range. First person is a girl in a Yr4 class I was a TA in last year. She had a book on her desk that kept catching my eye, the cover was intriguing. Not only was there gold shimmering across the front and back, but it had such vibrant colours that initially grabbed my attention. Then I looked closely at the illustrations, which were stunning. I ummed and ahhed about buying it, primarily thinking that at 40+, it wouldn’t interest me as it was aimed at children. The magpie in me called and I made my first middle grade purchase, for me and not my children. This is where I thank the second person, Michelle Harrison. Her book ‘A pinch of magic’ just blew me away. I’ll review it on another blog a bit later but it made me question why I hadn’t read these books before. I’ve since read many MG books but this still is my favourite book of 2019. The last person to Thank is the wonderful English Lead and Yr4 teacher at my school. She enthuses about MG books so much I dare anyone not to be excited and want to read these books. Her passion is second to none. Thanks to her I went to the Bath Literary Festival and took my youngest to hear Michelle Harrison and Dominique Valente talk about their books, then the next day to hear Sinead O’Hart and Catherine Doyle speak and then to the fabulous Reading Rocks event with so many speakers and like minded passionate reading for pleasure ambassadors. I even spent 6 hrs on a train by myself to travel to Exeter just to see Emma Carroll and get a few books signed.

I’ve probably read 20+ MG books since June this year and thought there are probably more people like me that think that ‘Children’s books’ aren’t for them hence why I decided to blog. Please feel free to comment if you’d like to. If not, thanks again for joining me. Hope to see you again 😊