CHILDREN'S BOOKS Our picks of the best reads including Anton du Beke's new story
Five new titles covering mystery, adventure and a fairy tale whodunnit, reviewed by Sarah Kingsford
Code Name Foxtrot by Anton Du Beke, Puffin £7.99
Anton De Beke’s first novel for children is a World War Two adventure. With their father missing in France, and their mother busy with the Little Mayfair Tea Room, twins Harry and Rosie are sent away from London to live with their mysterious great uncle on the Lancashire coast.
But when Harry spots strange lights on the beach at night, the twins suspect that their new home might harbour a secret. A thrilling wartime adventure, with a touch of ballroom dancing on the side.
Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant, Faber, £7.99
Skylar’s grandfather has had a stroke, Yakov is far from family and friends, separated by war. Skylar has grown up hearing her grandfather’s stories of the nearby Golden Island, so when a competition is announced to win it they decide they have to enter. Surely Golden Island has the power to make Skylar’s grandfather well again - and provide a safe haven for Yakov and his family. But what will the competition entail? And how far are the children prepared to go? The real test comes when they meet their fellow competitors and discover just what a dangerous game they are playing. A genuine page-turner of an adventure, packed with secrets and lies, with a story of hope at its heart.
The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell, Usborne £7.99
Murder mystery fans will love this whodunnit with a difference. When a dead giant falls from the sky onto the village of Old Stump, trainee witch Anwen makes two alarming discoveries: the giant was a member of the royal family - and he has been murdered! With the help of a handy beanstalk, Anwen and her arch enemy Cerys soon find themselves deposited in the giant’s kingdom to break the news to the royal palace. And it’s not long before the two young witches decide to investigate the crime themselves…
A funny fairytale mystery, this combines some expert detective work with a magical twist, perfect for any young readers who enjoy a spot of cosy crime.
The Great Farm Rescue by Helen Peters, Nosy Crow, £7.99
Following on from her previous novels, The Secret Hen House Theatre and The Farm Beneath the Water, Helen Peters brings us a further adventure for Hannah, her eccentric siblings, and their life on the family farm. Just as Hannah has landed her dream part in the school production (alongside her worst enemy), her father has an accident on the farm and they face the very real threat of eviction. Faced with raising two million pounds in six months, Hannah and her siblings will need to come up with a very good plan if they are to save their farm. Family, farms and drama come together in another winning read from the author who grew up on a farm herself. Highly recommended.
Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay, Macmillan, £12.99
Award-winning children’s writer Hilary McKay has taken the classic elements of a fairytale - a young orphan, her sinister guardians, a magical cat and an unexpected journey - and created a gem of a novel, made even more special by its magical setting of Venice. When Rosa is forced to accompany her aunt and uncle on a work trip to Italy, she is abandoned at the Hotel Mancini, and left to explore the city alone. But Venice is a magical city in more ways than one, and, thanks to Balthazar the cat, when Rosa needs help, a touch of enchantment appears.
