The Polar Bear Explorers' Club is a very fun and adventurous book that is perfect for children ages 8 and over. It is teeming with magic, fantastical creatures, snow and unlikely friendships, making it a perfect winter read. 

As a huge fan of Struan Murray and his "other-worldly" books, I knew that The Secret of the Moonshard was an absolute must buy when browsing in a Daunt Bookshop in London. As well as being written by a fabulous author, I was captivated by the beautiful front cover and tempting blurb. 

Where the River Runs Gold is a fantastic story that sheds light on a world destroyed by climate change. Unlike many books that I read, this book is set in the future and shows readers what may become of the world should the natural resources be used up and bees become extinct. The plot definitely got my brain working harder than usual, but I really enjoyed reading something different and a little dystopian. 

Impossible Creatures is hands down one of my favourite books published in recent years. It is crammed full of magic, mythical creatures, adventure and heart-racing moments that kept me turning the pages quicker than my dog's wagging tail! Even the first page had me hooked - who wouldn't be gripped by a mysterious murderer knocking on someone's door?!

I read this book following a recommendation from a friend and it has become an absolute favourite of mine ever since. Orphans of the Tide is a brilliant, twisting tale that contains plenty of adventure and some excellent plot twists that will make your jaw drop! I loved to hear from the children who were reading this as their class read - they quite literally couldn't wait to read the next chapters and were gobsmacked by the twists and turns.

Here is another book that I absolutely adore. This book is full of adventure, friendship and suspense... the perfect combination for a page turner. 

This is a book of hope, love and unwavering loyalty between a young girl and her dog. I found this book on Amazon's pre-order list, and had no hesitations in committing to it after just reading the blurb. Despite never having read a Phil Earle book before, I had high hopes for this book from the moment I picked it up, and it did not disappoint!

This book is a hidden gem. I stumbled across Fenn Halflin when looking for another book to make up the "4 books for the price of 3" when shopping on WoB, and I am so pleased that I took a chance on it.

Chosen as book of the month, The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees is by far my favourite children's fiction book that I have read so far this year. After borrowing this book from a pupil, it sat on my shelf for a few days as the length of the book (hardbacks always feel more of a commitment) was a little intimidating. However, it turns out there was absolutely nothing to worry about as once I had started reading, I didn't want to put it down! I suppose the message here is to give any book a go, because you never know what you will find between the covers. 

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a brilliantly heartwarming story about family and friendship. Unlike many other books that I read, this book contains no magic or fantastical beasts; it is simply the story of a group of friends who adventure together to make the world a better place. 

Yet another book that I stumbled upon, but this time in a charity shop (99p... bargain!). I wasn't sure what to expect from The Wolf Wilder, but I did know that I enjoy books about wolves so had my fingers crossed and I was not disappointed. 

I was recommended this book by one of my pupils who had been hooked from the second they began to read. Their enthusiasm alone was enough to reel me in and I was not disappointed.  

This book is one of the best children's books that introduces young readers to the horrors faced by Jewish children during the Second World War. It is deeply moving, honest and shares the devastating realities in a gentle and sensitive way. I knew from the blurb that I would adore this book and I can't wait to share it with my class.

Stitch is a fun, cheery and unique story about friendship and the importance of embracing who you are. Padraig Kenny has done an excellent job at bringing these sweet "monsters" to life and communicating the importance of celebrating difference and being true to yourself.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book and have since bought the rest of the Cymbeline Igloo series. 

This is a unique story told from the perspective of Darby, a teenage girl with Down’s syndrome. The first thing that I loved about this book was the narration. Darby is a sweet, loving and honest young lady who shares her perspective of major events in her families life. Although Darby is very observant, she sometimes doesn’t fully understand the situations around her and takes things quite literally. Her way of narrating is very endearing and I think this is one of Jo’s greatest successes. 

This is a lovely historical fiction story which is based in the Edwardian period. The story flips between the present day where we follow the story of Scarlett, a girl who is brought back to London by her grandma’s poor health, and Edwardian London where Ruby finds herself in the care of an abusive family. 

Rooftoppers is a charming story of a young orphan who is convinced that her mother is not only alive, but somewhere in the world waiting for her. The story is filled with adventure, humour and friendship which makes for a brilliant bedtime read.

This was the first of the Lottie Brooks series that I read (reading books out of order... how dare you, Miss C!) and I enjoyed every second of it. I vaguely remember chuckling out loud a number of times, resulting in some pretty strange looks from my family.

This book is an easy read and a fun little adventure. The storyline is a good pace and there is plenty happening which keeps you entertained. I liked the idea of Chaya fighting against the kingdom and seeking justice for her village who are suffering under the King's rule. I also enjoyed reading about a thrill-seeking, fearless protagonist, although I did think that she was a little reckless at times and didn't have her family's best interests at heart!

This book is a unique story and a modern spin on three classic fairytales: Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. It contains plenty of charming settings and magical spells, and features three strong, independent female protagonists. 

This was a super fun and magical book that is full of strong, independent females and terrifying wolves! Something a little different to my usual read, but a great book nonetheless.

This is another fantastic book by Ross Montgomery that really pulls on the heart-strings. As a dog-lover, I was totally hooked by the storyline and could picture myself and my pup in the same situation. I was super pleased to see the disclaimer on the back of the book (No dogs die in this book) as it meant that I could relax and enjoy the story. 

As a child, this was by far one of my favourite books. I have extremely fond memories of reading this with my Mum and laughing out loud and holding my stomach from laughing too much. Of course, now that I am older and don't find toilet humour funny, I see that the fond memories I have are entirely based on the silly content of the book and the way in which it was read to me by my family.

Nightjar is a simple but beautiful story that can be enjoyed by readers of any age. The front cover alone is absolutely gorgeous, but the sweet story inside is just as lovely. 

I knew that I would love this book from the minute I read the blurb to my class. As a crime-fiction- and mystery-lover, the idea of a horror book for children caught my attention straight away, and this book did not disappoint. 

This was a brilliant read to hook my Year 4 class in to the topic of Ancient Greeks. They found it really fun to read and were laughing out loud throughout the book. At first, I was a little worried about how much toilet humour features in the story, however the children seemed to love this and I didn't bat an eyelid after a few chapters.

Leonora Bolt: Secret Inventor is such a fun book, and I would recommend it to anyone, young or old, who likes an easy, exciting adventure story. The book itself is published with brilliant illustrations that bring the story and characters to life and adds an extra sparkle to the experience. The font also changes throughout the book, bringing yet another element of fun to the read. 

This was the first of the Lottie Brooks series that I read (reading books out of order... how dare you, Miss C!) and I enjoyed every second of it. I vaguely remember chuckling out loud a number of times, resulting in some pretty strange looks from my family.

I found this book in a charity shop and picked it up for only £1! I was excited to get stuck in to this book for 3 reasons: