Snarhooked

Owl King by Bex Hogan I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Nettle by Bex Hogan and so was delighted to be able to read the sequel, Owl King. We are back in the realm of faery and this time we get to learn more…

Happy publication day to @bexhogan.bsky.social's #OwlKing. It was a delight to return to the Faery Realms and learn more about the different courts. This is a lyrical, atmospheric tale with teeth. Out today, published by @zephyrbooks.bsky.social
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#YA

Ghost by Finbar Hawkins An ideal YA read for those who enjoy atmospheric, unsettling stories and don’t mind if that can be at the expense of solid explanation. This supernatural horror story weaves together the stor…

Need a supernatural YA read for the spooky season? Ghost by Finbar Hawkins is out 6th Nov. Full review of this atmospheric tale of three young women vs malevolence: snarhookedonbooks.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/ghost-by-finbar-hawkins/
Thanks to Head of Zeus for the eARC via NetGalley.
#Horror #YA

Uncle Zeedie by Colm Field This is a short, fast-paced horror story which could be especially good for teens who lack reading stamina.The story opens with teenager Lacey and her younger brother George in the car with their d…

I was fortunate to get hold of a copy of Uncle Zeedie by Colm Field via Toppsta. It's a short, fast-paced horror story which could be especially good for teens who lack reading stamina. Read my review here:
snarhookedonbooks.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/u...
#Horror #KidLitUK #BookSky

Wyrdwood by Curtis Jobling There must be something in the air as this is the second ARC I’ve read in the last couple of months where there are strange happenings in a small town, with a story that weaves folklore and h…

Wyrdwood by Curtis Jobling was published earlier this week. It's an ideal read for the spooky season. Intended to share on publication day but Storm Amy had other ideas!
#KidLitUk #BookSky
Thanks to @netgalley.bsky.social & Fox & Ink books for the ARC.
snarhookedonbooks.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/w...

A poster of a manifesto about reading, by Loki, with 6 points on reading "bad" books, short books, comics, audioooks, webcomics and fanfic, plus not finishing bad books cos life is too short.

This is my Lokifesto #KidsConf #UKkidlit #edusky lokibooks.com/lokifesto/

My favourite modern stories have already been mentioned so I'm going to go with a classic: Colin Dann's The Animals of Farthing Wood.

Also, Enid Blyton's story of the Pixie cobbler and the pairs of shoes in nettle flowers encouraged me to look closely at the natural world.
#KidsBooksFriday

Raina Telgemeier and Terri Libenson for realistic fiction.
Tim Probert's Lightfall and Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet series for fantasy/adventure.
Lauren Tarshis' I Survived series for those with an interest in history/ action adventure.

The Redwall books could be worth a try. They are quite chunky and have some funny characters. I loved trying to figure out the puzzles. Plus there are the legendary descriptions of all the food at the feasts. 😋

He might be about old enough for Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy. They are quite long books featuring a very sarcastic demon if he likes that sort of humour.

Maz Evan's Who Let the Gods Out is your more traditional laugh out loud series.

Conrad's Fate is another funny Diana Wynne Jones' book.

Yes, I was thinking that as I was typing my reply!

Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsner has been popular with my students. It's a coming of age graphic novel about the complications of first crushes, especially when you realise you fancy another girl. Translated by Matt Bagguley.

I think Anna Woltz's Talking to Alaska is great. Alaska is an assistance dog who alerts Sven when he is about to have an epileptic fit. He resents her for drawing attention to his epilepsy. Parker is Alaska's previous owner and she resents Sven for not adoring her beloved dog.

It's really good. Much more comprehensive than I expected and a really engaging format.

Just remembered about Rules for Vampires by Alex Foulkes! The main character wears a prosthetic leg after an accident on her first GRIMWALK (the way vampires travel transformed into bats).

It's a funny, fantasy horror story that also touches on friendship and family expectations.

I think they are really good for it. It's part of the story and the characters model discussion about explaining it to their friends, how to respond supportively, how they feel about it.
It's main characters too. I didn't want to give too many details as it might spoil it for those yet to read.

Jennifer KIllick's books are great too. Crater Lake has a character who uses a CPAP machine to sleep and the Dread Wood series has a character with a stoma bag.

One of my students loved the graphic novel of The Truth About Stacey (Babysitter's Club) for the diabetes rep.

Deeplight by Frances Hardinge has several deaf characters and discussion around identity and community.

Today on our blog! @alastairc.com delves into the inspiration behind his latest novella #Blitzers, a gripping sci-fi adventure that explores themes of artificial intelligence, toxic masculinity, big tech and corporate power. bit.ly/3JiyVYo

Also, two I know are going to be popular: Jessi Ramsey, Pet-sitter by Ellen T Crenshaw (#18 in the Babysitters Club Graphic Novel series) and Isak by Matt & Tom Oldfield (Ultimate Football Heroes series). Isak may be moving clubs so expect comments about it being out of date when they see the cover!

Really looking forward to Phil Hickes' newest The Last Day of October.

Fear Files: Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge. Not had chance to read it myself yet but I have heard good things.

M G Leonard's The Legend of Viking Thunder

Seconding Katherine Rundell's The Poisoned King.

Snarhooked's review of Blitzers 4/5: A great short story full of action but with an underlying message about being kind. Written in a dyslexic-friendly format this story is also ideal for reluctant readers. Barrington Stoke special...

Happy publication day to @alastairc.com's #Blitzers. I really enjoyed this action-packed story celebrating kindness. A wonderful antidote to the alpha male trend kids can be exposed to. Bonus points for being a @barringtonstoke.bsky.social dyslexic-friendly book.
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Also Ben Martynoga's Explodapedia series is great for teenagers interested in science.

There is a version of Philippa Gregory's Normal Women that was adapted for teen and YA readers. There's definitely humour in there alongside the fascinating history.

Blood, Bullets and Bones by Bridget Heos is a forensic science book for teen/YA has humour amongst the facts and stories.

Diana Wynne Jones, Brian Jacques, Terry Pratchett, C S Lewis, Elizabeth Lindsay, Garth Nix, Colin Dann to name but a few. #KidLitUK #KidsBooksFriday

I have such fond memories of reading the Happy Families series. I longed to be Miss Jump the Jockey or discover buried treasure like Master Money.

Dear Bloggers, reviewers and teachers, The Legend of Viking Thunder has just arrived on Netgalley. If you are already approved then sail there for an epic summer read. If you are looking to be approved then use this link to request: www.netgalley.com/catalog/prev...

Wholeheartedly agree with you about Alastair Chisholm - love his books.

There don't seem to be as many books for kids that are marketed as sci-fi. Dystopian is more prevalent but the content can be more teen than MG.

Hope the buzz around Alastair's books shows publishers there is a market.

Brian Jacques' Redwall series may require additional pitstops for snacks as you ravenously read about the wonderful food at the feasts.

Susan Cooper's classic The Dark is Rising sequence will have you hankering to explore the countryside and looking out for ne'er-do-wells.

Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series is great and there are seven books to keep you occupied on a long journey.

If you're after audiobooks then David Tennant's narration of Cressida Cowell's How to train your dragon series is excellent.

This Cultural Life - Katherine Rundell - BBC Sounds Author Katherine Rundell reveals her cultural influences and inspirations.

Just been listening to Katherine Rundell on Radio 4's This Cultural Life on catch-up. Really enjoyed it. I happened to see it on yesterday's schedule so posting for anyone else who missed the original broadcast. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...