As part of our Cheshire Schools' Book Award 2023 celebrations, Rosie reviews shortlisted book Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick. Better watch out for those spiders… Jennifer Killick’s Dread Wood, nominated in the Younger Age category for the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2023, is a terrifying middle-grade novel about a group of high school students unexpectedly … Continue reading Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2023: Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick
Reading for the weekend: 3rd March 2023
As we're now safely in March, we're springing into our new feature, sharing bite-size reviews of some of the books that have been keeping us entertained in the Cheshire ELS headquarters. This week we're being baaaad with Jory John and Pete Oswald's The Bad Seed, climbing trees with Natasha Farrant's The Rescue of Ravenwood, summoning … Continue reading Reading for the weekend: 3rd March 2023
The power of poetry and dogs!
There are few things we love more in life than dogs. Add in poetry and you have some very happy librarians. Luckily for us, Cheshire author Ros Roberts has combined the two in her wonderful children's book, Digger and Me. In her guest post, Ros discusses faithful dogs, inspiring poetry, and her special connection to … Continue reading The power of poetry and dogs!
Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2023
The students have voted. The shortlists have been confirmed. The books have arrived. So. Many. Books. This can mean only one thing… it’s time for the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2023! We would like to thank all the secondary students across Cheshire, Warrington and Halton who nominated books for the shortlist. From spooky shenanigans in … Continue reading Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2023
Book review: Saving Celeste by Timothée de Fombelle
As World Kid Lit Month – the annual celebration of children’s books from across the world – draws to a close, ELS library assistant Rosie reviews Saving Celeste by French writer Timothée de Fombelle. Translated into English by Sarah Ardizzone, Saving Celeste is an example of how translated books can unlock doors, taking readers into … Continue reading Book review: Saving Celeste by Timothée de Fombelle
Introducing ELS librarian Sarah Kaye
We are very pleased to welcome our new librarian, Sarah Kaye, to the ELS team. Sarah will be responsible for delivering the service to primary schools in Halton, as well as overseeing provision to special schools throughout Cheshire. Over to Sarah! Hello lovely people! I’m Sarah Kaye and I have recently started working as an … Continue reading Introducing ELS librarian Sarah Kaye
Book review: Boy Queen by George Lester
With the winners of the Cheshire Schools' Book Award 2022 due to be revealed on Wednesday 29th June, ELS library assistant Rosie revels in the colour and joy of George Lester's shortlisted novel Boy Queen. George Lester’s Boy Queen captures the attention right from the first look. Rachel Vale’s eye-catching cover sets the tone for … Continue reading Book review: Boy Queen by George Lester
Book review: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks by Emily Kenny
Following several futile attempts to communicate with her cats, ELS librarian Samantha reviews Emily Kenny's debut novel The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks. Alice Tonks was having the worst day ever. Emily Kenny does not waste a single second in her debut novel The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks, introducing us to Alice, an autistic … Continue reading Book review: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks by Emily Kenny
Book review: Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll
To celebrate World Autism Acceptance Week 2022, ELS library assistant Rosie reviews Elle McNicoll's ground-breaking science fiction novel, Show Us Who You Are. Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll is a sci-fi book set in the near future, suitable for children from about 9 to 14 years. It is a story of friendship … Continue reading Book review: Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll
Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2022
The Cheshire Schools' Book Award is back! With last year's award cancelled due to school closures, we are determined to make this year a real celebration of reading, and the unique fellowship that can develop between readers. As immersive and enjoyable as solitary reading can be – we are all for getting lost in a … Continue reading Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2022
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