Fallen Star Stories

I want to offer my congratulations to Catherine Doyle on the publication of her first novel, Vendetta (Blood for Blood). Catherine is a young author (24 yrs. old) from the west of Ireland, and judging from this first book...all I can say is wow! Vendetta is an intense crime-thriller with allusions to Romeo and Juliet that will leave your head spinning. Family loyalty, love, and revenge are stretched to the limits by the brilliantly drawn characters. Fantastic! Dangerous, captivating, feverish and poignant; Vendetta promises much, and delivers. The first of a trilogy, I can't imagine what will happen next. My review is up on the Young Adult page on this blog. I would recommend it for readers 14 yrs+...it's gritty and heart-stopping. So congratulations Catherine...and thank you Chicken House! A very welcome addition to the young adult reads...different and brilliant! http://www.catherinedoylebooks.com/  

The Costa Book of the Year Awards were announced today. Big, big congratulations to Kate Saunders for winning in the childrens category with her incredibly wonderful title, Five Children on the Western Front . This is a beautifully written homage to E. Nesbit's Five Children and It. The children have grown now, and one more has been added, as little sister Edith came along since the last adventure. With Cyril off fighting (WW1), the Lamb and Edith re-discover the sand-fairy, the Psammead, for the first time in ten years. Having become little more than a story they told each other, his reappearance sparks another series of adventures and dramas; but the Psammead has returned for a reason.... Moving, fascinating and written in the tone of the original, Five Children on the Western Front stands apart as more than a sequel. Saunders has explored the character of the Psammead in depth, giving him a foundation, background; a history with a critical role to play in more than we co...

Happy New Year! I've been off the blog since Christmas Eve, but I do want to thank all of you who have been following Fallen Star Stories and continue to check in and have a read of my musings, sparse though they may be at times. Everyone in the world did this in the run-up to the holidays, but I wanted to start this year with a look back at my favourite childrens titles of 2014 (before we get too far into 2015 and it becomes a moot point.) So... Board books are frequently overlooked, but they are some of the most important books your children will ever get. They set a precedent. It doesn't matter that the baby is 'too young for books' (NEVER!) or that they will only chew on them. They are a childs first real introduction to books of their own. In nearly every study shown, a childs favourite activity surrounding books, reading and literacy in general is to have their own books...and it starts here. One of my favourites of 2014 is a little title  published by Campbe...