Today we hear from Bookbabbler Jess…

Coping with Chloe – Rosalie Warren

Anna and Chloe are twins. They share everything – from secrets to clothes; from fending off the school bully to dealing with their parents’ separation. Even Chloe’s terrible accident hasn’t split them apart. After all, twins have a special bond….
But Anna is beginning to realise that being inseparable isn’t always easy. Especially when no one else seems to understand that Chloe isn’t really gone; no one apart from the dashing Joe that is, who, inconveniently, seems to like both sisters.

Told through the eyes and mind of 12 year-old Anna, this is a powerful novel exploring teenage life and the grieving process.

Anna and Chloe are twins, but Chloe died in a terrible accident with a lorry. Even though she is dead, Chloe still lives on in Anna’s head. And she is always there, gently throbbing in the middle of her mind.

When Anna gets into trouble with some girls at school, Chloe is always there to help out. But then Chloe tries to take Anna’s body for herself and Anna must try to stop her own twin from stealing her life.

It is quite a gripping story as Anna battles through life on her own, and you really know what the twins are feeling. I love the way that you don’t actually know that Chloe is dead, but as the story goes on you sort of realise. I only wish it was longer. Because I want to find out what happens afterwards.

Thanks, Jess, and thanks to Phoenix Yard Books for sending us a copy.

Today we hear from Bookbabbler Bethan…

Stunt Bunny: Tour Troubles – Tamsyn Murray

Harriet Houdini: Stunt Bunny is back in action, this time as the star of Superpets Live! With visions of posh hotels, meeting adoring fans and performing her famous bunny-backflips in front of live audiences, Harriet can’t wait for the tour of Superpets. But evil Miranda wants her opera-singing poodle, Doodle, to be the headline act…whatever it takes. So Harriet’s going to need all her Stunt Bunny tricks to make sure she remains the star of the show!

This is a marvellous book. Once I had started reading it, I couldn’t stop because it is so extremely exciting.

If you like exciting books about animals this is definitely a book for you. I would recommend it to children aged 6-8 because it is quite easy to read, children aged 4 and 5 could have it read to them as it is not scary. This is a five-star book.

Thanks, Bethan. It’s here for you to buy now..

Today we review the second book in the Soul Screamers series..

My Soul to Save – Rachel Vincent

When teenager Kaylee screams, someone dies…So when teen pop star Eden dies onstage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can’t cry for someone who has no soul. The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld – a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk.

The second book picks up Kaylee’s story just a few weeks after where My Soul to Take ends. This time round, Kaylee’s aware of her abilities, and is learning how to better use and control them. The main characters from the first book are all back, and it’s good to get to know them all a little better. It takes us further into the Netherworld, where demons and power mad humans make contracts with unsuspecting teens for their souls.

I liked the speed that the book moved at, as with the first one, from the start the action kicks off and keeps up throughout. I still love the characters, too, and care about what happens to them. Some of the mystery and ‘keep you guessing to the end’ plot line that I really enjoyed in My Soul to Take is missing, as you do know what the problem is at the start and you don’t doubt that Kaylee and Nash will manage to fix it. They risk their lives for Addy, who traded her soul for fame and fortune, and I struggled to sympathise or connect with her, so I didn’t really understand Kaylee’s desire to endanger herself to save her. Having said that, about halfway through the book, I found I couldn’t put it down and needed to keep on reading, and there were a few twists and turns towards the end.

In summary, it’s a really enjoyable read, and although not as good as the first, it still makes me want to read the third!

Thanks to MIRA for sending us a copy. It’s here for you to buy now..

Today we hear from Bookbabbler Emily…

The Devil’s Triangle – Mark Robson

The Bermuda Triangle has cast a shadow over Sam and Niamh Cutlers’ lives since their mother vanished nine years ago. Her whereabouts remains a mystery and every year they return to the Florida Keys with their father, Matt, who is obsessed with solving the haunting puzzle. But Sam is bored with lazing around by the pool while his father hunts for the truth. Craving excitement, he and his friend, Callum, “borrow” Matt’s boat. At first it’s great fun, but when they find themselves marooned in a terrifying land, the boys realise they too have fallen victim to the Triangle’s mysterious effects. Can they find a way home, or will they be lost forever?

The Devils Triangle by Mark Robson is a book that I have really enjoyed – so much in fact, I read it twice!

I particularly liked the style of the writing. One chapter would focus on one particular character, and the next would be from another’s point of view. Most chapters ended on a cliffhanger leaving me desperate to find out what happened to that particular character!

My personal favourite character is Niamh because, her storyline is quite exciting.

My rating for this book is 9/10, because I really wanted there to be a conclusion to what happened to Niamh, Sam and Callum and I was left wondering. But on the whole, this was so much fun to read and I recommend this to both boys and girls, age 9-14.

This book is perfect for you if you like fast-moving action, adventure and realistic characters.

Thanks, Emily, and thanks to Simon & Schuster Childrens Books for sending us a copy. You can buy it here now…

Today A Small Free Kiss in the Dark blog tour kicks off, and so to celebrate it, we bring you our review and details of the tour. We’ll be featuring a fabulous post from the author, Glenda Millard, next Friday 6th May, along with running a giveaway of the book, so do stop by then to check that out. In the meantime, here’s Bookbabbler Aly’s review….

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark – Glenda Millard

A haunting story of war that will profoundly affect readers. Young teenage boys will engage with the central character and the subject matter. Skip’s an outsider. He’s never fitted in. So he takes to the streets. Life there may be hard, but it’s better than the one he’s left behind, especially when he teams up with Billy, an old homeless man. Then come the bombs which bring little Max and Tia, the sad dancer with a tiny baby. Scavenging for food, living on love and imagination, Skip’s fragile new family tries to hold out as war grips the city, but too soon tragedy strikes when Tia dies. Max, Billy, Skip and the baby move on, to an old farm where they try to find new hope.

A Small Free Kiss In The Dark tells the story of Skip – a young boy who has had enough of the beatings and abuse. He feels he has nothing to live for. His mother is dead, and his father turned to alcohol leaving him neglected. Ever since, he has suffered from one home to the other. He’s never fitted in, so it seems only right to walk away from it all. To take a different route and live by his own rules.

He turns to the streets. Whereas first he almost seems to think that being alone will be an adventure, it soon begins to dawn on him that this is hardly the case. Life is tough out there, and without food and shelter things can get tricky.

Billy – a homeless man is the person who gives him a little hope. In due time, he becomes friends with this old man who isn’t in the best of condition himself. He’s weak and has a limp, someone who hardly would be willing to deal with another person; not the case. Instead he takes Skip in, looks after him, and provides for him the best he can, and if that means rummaging through bins then so be it.

Things will only get tougher though, with an on-going war being homeless is the least of their worries. They are now under the constant fear of being killed by soldiers. Their journey really hasn’t begun until they meet Max and Tia though. In a way they find comfort within each other. All seem to have lost a loved one, and all seem to be looking for answers. It’s no wonder that fate brings them together.

A Small Free Kiss In The Dark was a book that I had to be a little patient with at first. When there’s a case in which the characters stumble across a place that holds great relevance I would like it to be described in a bit more detail, I wanted the Fun Fair to come alive for me. Something felt missing, although I can’t really pin point it. I wasn’t exactly invested in the book, shall we say, but then again there were times where something would happen and I would be anxious to turn the next page.

Even though I wasn’t really blown away, there’s no denying that it is quite thought -provoking at times, to the point where I questioned if I could finish it. It’s not as depressing as the case of Thirteen reasons Why or The Kite Runner, but there is something subtle about this book’s sadness which suddenly creeps up on you and holds you down. It’s sad in a hopeless kind of way, or maybe it’s the thought of these people; this old man, a baby, these children who are living in such a bleak time. The thought that even children aren’t spared. It wasn’t the kind of depressing that I’m used to in book, the kind that I almost seek when it comes to books that deal with grief and loss. Which is why I felt so exasperated at times because this time around I had a completely different reaction. I simply didn’t want to read anymore. I had to make myself read on, and I really didn’t know how to deal with that. It’s hard to explain what I’m trying to say. Hopefully you got the gist of it.

An overall satisfying read that I can imagine working for some, and not as much for others. Tia is someone who I would have liked to know better really, she’s quite mysterious, but I think the author planned it that way. What kicks it up a notch for me at the end is how, looking back, I pretty much fell in love with the characters. I loved the solid friendships they had, and how selfless they all were at times and looked out for each other. Most of all how they all – myself included – developed this touching bond with Sixpence the baby.

Thanks very much, Aly, and thanks to Templar Publishing for sending us a copy.

The blog tour starts today, and here are all the dates and details for you to follow it. You can pop over to My Favourite Books right now for the start of the tour, where Glenda talks about the writing process of A Small Free Kiss in the Dark. Do remember to look out for our post and giveaway on 6th May. In the meantime, the book’s in our shop now..

Today we want to bring you news of the gorgeous new Nursery Collection by Alison Jay.

We were immediately taken by the books we received as they are so beautifully illustrated. There are 2 touch and feel board books, Rain and Shine and Wheels and Wings. In the first, you touch the sky, travel through the seasons and trace your fingers over the snow. In Wheels and Wings, transport of all kind zooms to life beneath your fingertips. Then there is a cloth book, My First Animal Book, a set of miniature board books, My First Board Books covering Words, Counting, Colours and Alphabet and finally, a set of ABC Flashcards.  These will all be lovely additions to your child’s books, and they’d also be perfect for giving as baby and toddler gifts.

We so loved the collection when it arrived here at Bookbabblers, that we got in touch with Templar Publishing to ask for some giveaway sets for you. The lovely people at Templar said ‘yes’, and so here is your fabulous prize – we have 5 sets of Rain and Shine and My First Animal cloth book in a lovely promotional Alison Jay bag up for grabs. To be entered into the draw, comment on this post, Retweet it or ‘like’ it on Facebook, and we’ll pick a winner at 7pm on Sunday (UK only). Good luck all!

They’ll all be available to buy in May, and you can buy them through our shop links here now.

We’re lucky enough to be last-minute hosting the final part of Gillian Philip’s exclusive short story, where we brought you part one on Monday. Today is the fourth and final part, so follow it round the blogs and then enjoy…..

‘What the feck are you doing carrying a knife?’

‘That—that kind of thing. That just happened. Never thought I’d. Really do it.’

‘You didn’t, right?’

We were both gasping for breath and her face was white under the streetlamps, bone-white. Don’t suppose mine was much better. I never used a blade on anyone before; never. I hadn’t thought it would take such force to plunge it in. I hadn’t thought the feeling would tingle up my hand and into my arm. I hadn’t thought he’d bleed so much.

Jinn had begun to cry, glinting starlit tears streaking her face. ‘D’you think he’s dead?’

‘Nah. He ran off, didn’t he?’

‘We are gonnae be in so much trouble.’

‘No you’re not. I am. I’m not gonnae tell them it was yours. Christ, those knives are a fiver in Tesco. I’ll get you home. Right? I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Nathan? When you get me home.’

‘What?’

‘Gonnae stay?

I did.

The little sister was fast asleep, so Jinn’s mother had taken the chance to go out for a drink. She was even later back than we were, and I was out earlier in the morning, so it wasn’t a problem.

I don’t think it would have been a problem anyway. Poor Jinn.

Me, I had a problem, and its name was Dad. When I sloped home in the grey dawn, he was still up waiting. I can’t tell you how unusual this was, but he had his reasons.

‘Nathan,’ he said. ‘Christ almighty, Nathan.’

His eyes were red and sleepless and his face was about as grey as mine. I was a bit surprised he didn’t look angrier. He looked more scared than furious, and you know, that was worse.

‘Richie Muir,’ he said.

‘Who?’

‘Richie Muir!’ This time he yelled it. ‘Did you get in a scrap with him yesterday?’

My tongue hovered over a lie, but on balance there didn’t seem any point.

‘You know he works for Christy Fyfe? Christy Fyfe, the big sonofabitch I owe money to?’

No, but I’d guessed it by now. Nothing else would have put the frighteners on my dad like this. ‘That Richie Muir’s a bastard,’ I said sullenly.
‘He’s a dangerous bastard.’ Dad raked his hands across his thinning hair, and I realised he was even older than I thought.

I licked my lips, my heart thudding. ‘You mean he still is?’ Thank God for that anyway.

He gave me a look that was all reproach. ‘If you were going to do it, you might have made a better job of it.’

I thought about that. Still I was glad I hadn’t.

‘So what are we going to do?’

‘Do? We’re gonnae leave, obviously. And we won’t be back till Richie Muir’s dead.’ His voice softened a bit. ‘Not that unlikely, since you’re not the first to stick a blade in him. And you won’t be the last. Go and pack.’

‘What, now?’

‘Now. Today. Get your stuff.’

Surprising how the first panicked thought in my head was of Jinn. But I couldn’t take her. Obviously.

No. Couldn’t.

I had to tell her. It was harder than I’d have believed possible a month ago. It almost made it worse that she put such a bright face on it, and smiled, and stroked my cheek like she really was sad for me.

‘It’s my fault,’ she said. ‘Sorry.’

‘Don’t be,’ I said, ‘’cos it isn’t.’

I skimmed another pebble across the lapping water and counted.

‘Five.’

‘Six,’ she corrected me, squinting into the light. ‘You ever coming back?’

I put my hands in my pockets. ‘I’ve got to go,’ I said, and kissed her.

Biting her lip, she looked past my shoulder. ‘I’ll miss you.’

My dad swung open the car door, tapped his fingers on the wheel, smoothed his sweating bald patch. I turned back to Jinn.

‘I’ll come back, yeah.’

I smiled. I kissed her again, properly this time.

‘I’ll bring you a present,’ I said.

Fab – Thanks very much, Gillian! You can buy The Opposite of Amber here now..

Today we hear from Bookbabbler Jess..

Shadows on the Moon – Zoe Marriott

Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume is able to recreate herself in any form – a fabulous gift for a girl desperate to escape her past. But who is she really? Is she a girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother’s new husband, Lord Terayama, or a lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama’s kitchens, or Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands? Whatever her true identity, Suzume is destined to capture the heart of a prince – and determined to use his power to destroy Terayama. And nothing will stop her, not even love.

I absolutely loved reading this book…  it is awesome!! You really know what Suzume is feeling, and when she is hurt or happy. This book really shows her love for Otieno and how much he loves her back. Also, I like the thought of being a shadow weaver, it just sounds so fun. Weaving illusions out of shadows to hide or improve ones appearance. And change the most simple into something so delicate and precise.

This book is great, so whoever is reading this, you have to get this book its brilliant. And also a question for Zoe Marriott, are you going to write any more books? Because I loved this one!!

Thanks, Jess. You can find out more about what Zoe’s up to at her website here. Shadows on the Moon is out in July, and you can pre-order it in our Amazon linked shop now..

Today the Gillian Philip The Opposite of Amber blog tour comes to Bookbabblers. We get to share the first part of an exclusive short story from Gillian…

Big Gype

‘You ought to be ashamed of yourself,’ said Jinn Carmichael.

It took me a couple of breaths to realise she wasn’t talking to me. I just assumed she was, since I was used to ought-to-being ashamed of myself.

As it turned out, though, she was talking to my father. Or possibly the slightly drunk woman draped over him.

At first I hadn’t recognised the blonde girl. I knew Jinn from school (I’d even got off and gone out with her a few times) but only with her eyes twinkling in a shy-but-flirty sort of way. They weren’t twinkling now. They’d gone supernova. With all that righteous anger coming off her in sparks, she wasn’t instantly recognisable, but Christ, she was impressive.

Jinn Carmichael hadn’t so much as rung the doorbell. She’d just stormed into our house and flung open the lounge door and now she stood there blazing.

‘Ruby’s looking for you, you know. She says, where’s Mammy?’ Jinn’s lip curled. I watched it, every twitch of indignant facial muscle, and suddenly I wanted to kiss it. ‘One of these days I’m gonnae tell her where. And I’ve got my drama club.’

I thought the woman Lara would give her a mouthful in return, but she only went red and shamefaced, as instructed. ‘Jinn, baby, I’m sorry. I forgot…’ She shoved and levered herself up off my dad. ‘I’ll be there in a minute…’

‘Hey there, Jinn,’ said Dad, lazily, flexing a leg that had obviously fallen asleep.

‘Hey there you. Don’t let her drink that much in the afternoon, right?’

‘No, miss. I’ll try harder, miss.’

Now that was properly cool and insolent. I stored it for future use in the face of a livid female, but for the moment I was too awestruck to do any talking myself. Sweet-tempered good girl Jinn; who’d have thought it? I stuffed the Xbox controller down the side of the sofa and got up. Then it struck me that I looked like I was showing gentlemanly respect, and besides I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I crouched down to clear up discarded beer cans. Lara’s legs stumbled past my head; I heard her smoochy mis-aimed kiss at my father and the hasty slam of the door.

I sat back on my heels and studied Jinn, but she was glaring disapproval at Dad and she wasn’t taking any further interest in me. I resented that, since I knew fine she had the hots for me at school, so when she finally followed her mother out the door, I went after her.

She took some following. Her steps were brisk and determined and she was halfway down our street before I caught her up. She gave me a single glance, then stared straight ahead, but I’d already seen the rush of pink to her cheekbones.

‘What d’you want, Nathan?’

‘Sorry about that,’ I said humbly. ‘I didn’t know.’

She did a kind of double take. Doubtless she’d never heard me apologise to anyone. ‘Sorry about what?’

‘My dad and that. I didn’t know she was your mum.’

‘That’s not the point, is it?’ But her voice had softened and her eyes kept slewing my way. Jinn Carmichael wasn’t a soft touch, she wasn’t easy. I don’t mean to give that impression.

But she did fancy me.

I smiled my favourite shit-eating smile. The one that always did it.

‘Want to go down the beach bar?’

Itching to read more?! For the next part, go to Heaven, Hell & Purgatory tomorrow. As if this isn’t treat enough for you, we are also offering 1 lucky Bookbabbler a chance to win a copy of The Opposite of Amber, thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books. To be entered into the draw, comment on this post, ‘like’ it on Facebook or retweet it. We’ll pick a winner at 7pm on Wednesday (UK only) – good luck!

The Opposite of Amber is out today and is in our Amazon shop for you to buy now.

Today Jayn Winslade shares with you details of brilliant workshops available in Birmingham soon..

Exciting Project at Birmingham Library Theatre

Does it ever happen when you decide to write a story, compose a piece of music, choreograph a dance or paint a picture, that you get completely stuck for ideas?

Well, when you celebrate a tradition such as Easter, Halloween, Bonfire Night or Christmas, have you ever wondered how it would have been celebrated long ago, when the tradition first began? How would the people have dressed, what would they have eaten, where would they have lived? Of course it would be amazing to take a trip back in time, to mingle amongst them like a ghost, and see for yourself just what it was like. We cannot do that, but through research our imagination can. Tradition provides a wealth of stimulus for creative endeavour; you simply need to learn how to go about it. It was seeing six sets of antlers hanging in the church in Abbots Bromley and discovering the Horn Dance that inspired me to write Emily & Jen Dance for Deeron, proving that an ancient tradition can be used as stimulus for your own creative interpretation.

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund I am going to share that process with you. From the Page Workshops is able to deliver a truly unique project for 9 – 16 year olds. Based at Birmingham Central Library Theatre the project will run on Saturday mornings from 10.30 – 12.30 during term time, and will involve acting, dance, creative writing, filming, and performing. We are going to focus upon two special traditions, the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, (of course,) and May Day.

First of all we will create our own historical reconstruction of both traditions, bringing the events to life as they would have been 500 years ago, through text, acting, music and dance. You will have the opportunity to visit Abbots Bromley, to receive a guided tour of the village and the incredible Blythfield Hall, which is not generally open to the public. You will learn the Horn Dance (yes we will have antlers!) and a Maypole Dance, which is great fun.

Then you will do probably the most exciting thing of all, you will use these traditions as stimulus to create your own modern day interpretations! Actors, dancers, writers, library staff, musicians and storytellers will work with you to help you to create a celebratory performance of historical and modern work, to be shown @ Birmingham Library Theatre in February 2012.

If that wasn’t enough, you have the opportunity to contribute to a film that will follow the progress of the project from beginning to end, including your performance. You will get a copy of the professionally produced DVD, which will form part of the new Library of Birmingham Online Research Archive for young people across the world. So, not only are you learning about history, you are also making it! This is a fabulous opportunity also for anyone wishing to learn about filming a documentary, as you will be expertly guided through the entire process.

No experience in writing, acting, dancing or filming is necessary in order to take part, and mums, dads, and grandparents are extremely welcome to contribute in whatever way they can. What we need is a dedicated team that will commit to the project. If you think that this sounds like you, contact us IMMEDIATELY because (… and I saved the most amazing bit until last) it is FREE to take part! So places will go very quickly. Our first meeting will be on May 28th @ Birmingham Library Theatre 10.30 – 12.pm and if you wish to attend make sure that you do one of the following:

Email us: workshops@dancefordeeron.com giving your name age and a contact number + any questions you may have.
OR
Phone From the Page Workshops: 0121 3300145.

Leaflets will shortly be available at the Centre for the Child @ Birmingham Central Library

We look forward to meeting you and your parents on May 28th.