Farewell 2014

I've mentioned before that I'm good at winning books through social media or other online draws. Usually, I review the book here then pass it on to a suitable library or charity. This year, I've been quite remiss about that and all the titles below have gone, unread, to their new homes. However, I'd still like to thank the publishers who supplied them, and I'll try to do better next year.

Picture book

Maudie Smith and Antonia Woodward Milly and the mermaids. (Orion)
Milly loves mermaids. She's sure if she just wishes hard enough she'll meet one on her visit to the seaside. Will her dream come true?

Novels

Karen McCombie The girl who wasn't there. (Scholastic)
13 year old Maisie doesn't believe in ghosts - but when she starts at a new school she hears rumours of a long-gone girl who wanders the halls. A ghostly friendship mystery.

Helen Moss The phoenix code. (Orion)
Two present day teenagers get caught up in an Ancient Egyptian murder mystery.

Na'ima B. Robert She wore red trainers. (Kube)
When Ali first meets Amirah, he notices everything about her - her hijab, her long eyelashes and her red trainers. They can't stop thinking about each other, but can they ever have a halal "happily ever after"?

Non-fiction

Jacqueline Wilson Daydreams and diaries. (Corgi Yearling)
The popular novelist tells the story of her own childhood and youth.

So Farewell 2014, I have cleared the decks. All the best to everyone for 2015.

A book swap for International Book Giving Day

International Book Giving Day happens every year on 14th February with the aim of getting books into the hands of as many children as possible. The 2015 poster (above) by award winning illustrator Chris Haughton has just been released.

It might seem early to be thinking about February when we haven't even reached Christmas yet, but that's what I'm doing because Zoe Toft of the wonderful blog Playing by the book has just announced a fabulous book swap scheme. #GiveABook, #SwapABook is all about sharing, sending and receiving children’s books: you can spread the word about a children’s book you love, and discover another equally amazing book through a gift from someone else. I plan to sign up and send a Scottish book to whoever I am paired with  - which one, I haven't yet decided. The book I get in return I will read, review and pass on to a library or charity.

To join in yourself, click on the link above or the logo at the top of the sidebar. I'll keep you posted on my own progress!