Books for young readers now that Halloween break is here
With the midterm holidays on the horizon, this week it’s all about the kids and these recently or newly published books are my choices for kids of all ages, from the very young up to late teens and young adult.
Runaway Road, Sue Divin, First Ink, €14.50
One for the teenagers, this novel follows Ezra and his little sister in their quest to get away. From foster care, from their problems, and mostly from Northern Ireland, as Ezra’s done something and the police are looking for him. The original plan is to escape across the border and reluctantly leave his little sister Evie behind. But Evie is determined to go with Ezra, and the police are equally determined to find him.
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2, Jeff Kinney, Puffin, €14.99
Monsters, ghouls and oversized insects populate the pages of this volume of spooky and funny stories, aimed at middle grades. Brilliantly illustrated throughout and genuinely hilarious, which is something you’d expect from the creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Dead Teenager Movie, Cethan Leahy, Little Island, €11.99
For teenage fans of slasher movies, this novel will delight. April is a horror-obsessed girl who joins a group of wealthy teenagers for a weekend in a country house. There are rumours of local murders, and April is to discover that these rumours are more real than she could ever imagine.
Traitors’ Nest, Frances Hardinge, First Ink, €19.95
A fantasy novel for the 12+ age group, this follows young Burr, who’s incensed that an ominous castle has appeared in his village. Just appeared (I said it was fantasy, god’s sake). And he’s intent on staging a coup. But then the castle is flung to the farthest corner of the kingdom, inhabited by an ancient maiden whose magpies collect her debts in dangerous ways. Hardinge is an award-winning children’s novelist, and this story will enchant the fantasy fans.
A Dangerous Crossing, Jane Mitchell, Little Island, €9.99
Based on real life experiences of Syrian families, this novel follows Ghalib and his family as they reluctantly flee their home in Syria. Eventually arriving in a Turkish refugee camp, Ghalib knows they will have to travel further, and the journey ahead is even more dangerous than the one they have already survived. Essential reading for age 12+ children.
I Am Not A Dog, Peter Donnelly, Gill, €14.99
Another charming picture book from Peter Donnelly, this is the story of a poor mutt who feels he doesn’t quite fit in. He’s not a Great Dane or a Poodle or a Border Collie or a bulldog. So, he decides he can’t possibly be a dog. Until, that is, he meets the marmalade cat. Great fun for the very young.
Squad Girls, Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Gill, €10.99
The squad of the title are athletes; Penny the gymnast, Tara the swimmer, Sam the sprinter and Ríona, the Irish dancer. The author describes it as ‘a real-life story from the school of hard knocks. Squad Girls is for all the sporty girls who want to see themselves in books.’ Aimed at the 9+ group.
Witchy-Boo Casts her First Spell, Arden Jones, Puffin, €10.99
Boo has always felt different to other ghosts. She thinks she’s no good at being scary. But when she discovers she has magical powers, she finds she can be a witchy ghost rather than a more conventional one. And with the help of some new friends, she finds that being ‘different’ isn’t so bad at all.
Milly McCarthy and the Doggy Daycare Drama Leona Forde, Gill €10.99
High drama and disaster have a habit of following Milly McCarthy and when it comes to her latest adventure, things are no different. In an attempt to show her parents that she’s responsible enough to own a dog, something she desperately wants, she sets herself up as a dog-walker. Her parents will soon realise she’s brilliant with dogs. What could possibly go wrong? What indeed…
The Cat in the Cupboard, Rob Brydon, Puffin, €15.99
Crumble the Cat leaves his comfy place in the cupboard, slips through the cat flap to the great outdoors and finds himself in next door’s garden, on a rescue mission for Fluffy Mouse, his favourite toy. But next door is a dangerous place. It’s where Stan lives. Stan and Crumble are arch enemies. What’s going to happen to poor Crumble?
I Met a Woman near Ballycanew, Gabriel Rosenstock, Gill, €12.99
This book of nonsense rhymes takes us around Ireland and back. There’s not just Ballycanew, there’s Clogherhead and Tandragee and Powerscourt House and loads of places. Although it’s for the tots, it is both clever and funny, a final children’s book from the author who sadly died earlier this year.
They Called Us Witch, Ellen Ryan, Harper Fire, €19.99
This is aimed at the 14+ age group and it’s unusual to see a fully illustrated book for that cohort. But the illustrations are truly beautiful. The stories here are about real women who were healers, leaders, priestesses, herbalists and shamans, and who helped shape their cultures and change lives. From all round the world, they include our own Biddy Early and they’re an inspiration for girls. A gorgeous book.
Epic Ireland, Kieran Fanning, Gill, €24.99
An epic book from the best-selling Meath schoolteacher, this fabulous tome crosses every county in Ireland and contains 32 stories about great Irish heroes and heroines, from our early history up to the 20th century. Meath is the spot for a story about St Patrick; in Westmeath it’s a story about Charles Howard-Bury, Cavan has Julia Smith, Offaly has Kate Shelley and so on. Fantastically illustrated, it’s another beautiful Fanning book that the kids (and the adults) will return to many times.
Footnotes
The Púca Festival is in Trim and Athboy from October 29 to November 1, attracting lots of big names. See pucafestival.com for details.
Belvedere House in Mullingar are doing the divil an’ all of a treat for families with their Daytime Trail and Samhain Circus this weekend, 24 and 25 October. See belvederehouse.ie for details.
The Bram Stoker Festival also runs in Dublin on October 23-26, see bramstokerfestival.com for details.