History and historical fiction

‘When there is nothing to eat, it affects everything; that is how important food is’, reflects Maggie who, as a child of a Skibbereen farming family, witnesses first-hand the devastating consequences of the Irish famine in the 1840s.

Judith Eagle is well established as a writer of middle grade adventures with a classic feel, and fans will be delighted with her excellent fourth novel, The Stolen Songbird. The songbird of the title is a painting, one of a series of three whose theft is at the centre of this lively tale. Part heist, part family mystery, The Stolen Songbird bounds along with great verve, plenty of twists, but also a lot of heart and compassion.

Set in July 1936 aboard the Queen Mary cruise ship, Alice is having the experience of a lifetime even though she must defy her father to roam the ship … With her new friend, Sonny, Alice must unravel an urgent mystery when someone is attacked and soon learns that there’s more than one secret to be revealed too.

There are a lot of books out there about sharks and other predators aimed at this age group, but this one is easily one of the most enjoyable to read, as well as one of the most beautifully produced.

Hidden in the hills on the outskirts of the nearby village, Selworthy, sat Fablehouse. This distance from others gave the fantastical fae an opportunity to invade, a space to amplify the magical tone. However, the setting also represents the seclusion of these young children who have been forced away from the town due to their race.

This time-slip adventure features Seth, a boy who is good at two things: playing on his XBox and being the class clown. Struggling with lessons and in trouble for playing a prank, he picks up a beetle amulet from his teacher’s desk and finds himself transported back to Ancient Egypt. Staying with a family in a village on the Nile, he plays with the local children, learns new skills and discovers his own bravery. But how will he ever get back home?

My First Book of Dinosaurs is a fun introduction to some incredible prehistoric creatures for young readers. Featuring 20 roarsome dinosaurs, from the well-known Tyrannosaurus Rex to the perhaps not-so-talked-about Coelophysis, this short book is packed with information that will delight both dino-lovers as well as fact-aficionados.

Set on a ship-theatre, docked in a gloriously stinking, tatterdemalion alt-Bristol, Mouse Heart is the tale of a theatre-orphan turning detective to save her friend from the gallows and the fictional Queen Anne II from assassination.