reviews – Page 2 – Jo Cotterill

St Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys – review

January 4, 2017

Karen McCombie’s latest book, St Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys, is a highly enjoyable romp through ‘alternative’ education. Dani’s mum is a zoologist, and when she’s offered the opportunity of her career, studying penguins’ bums in the Antarctic, it means putting Dani in boarding school. Dani isn’t at all pleased by this, … More St Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys – review

Lizard Radio – review

December 12, 2016

Lizard Radio, by Pat Schmatz, is a book I wouldn’t have picked up of my own accord. But one of the great things about social networks is that other authors recommend books and make them sound so intriguing that you seek them out. And I’m so glad I did! Lizard Radio is an ‘alternate contemporary’ … More Lizard Radio – review

Erica’s Elephant – review

November 25, 2016

Erica’s Elephant, by Sylvia Bishop, is a book I came across purely by chance. I happened to see a review of it on another site, and was instantly hooked, so ordered it there and then. And I’m so glad I did. Erica is a girl who lives alone (sssh, social services) because her Uncle Jeff … More Erica’s Elephant – review

Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart – review

November 18, 2016

On Tuesday I went to the launch for Tamsyn Murray’s Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart. It was a fab party in the stunning children’s department of Waterstones Piccadilly. I had started reading the book on the way to the launch, and finished it on the journey home. Tamsyn had warned me that I would need … More Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart – review

The Secret of Nightingale Wood – review

October 17, 2016

The Secret of Nightingale Wood is Lucy Strange’s debut, and what a lovely story it is too. Henrietta (known as Henry) has moved with her family: Papa, Mama and baby Piglet (a nickname I adore!) to Hope House, a prophetic name if ever there were one. They have moved to try to recover from the … More The Secret of Nightingale Wood – review

Nuddy Ned’s Christmas – review

September 28, 2016

Ned likes to be naked. A trait my 4-year-old readily identifies with. Who wants clothes, after all? They get in the way, they scratch, they itch, they’re generally fiddly. So Nuddy Ned’s Christmas by Kes Gray and Garry Parsons was bound to be a hit before we even realised there were lift-the-flaps (ahahaha!!)… Oh yes. … More Nuddy Ned’s Christmas – review

By the Light of the Moon – review

September 28, 2016

By The Light of the Moon, by Tom Percival, is a beautiful, quirky, reassuring story. Ivan has moved house, and he’s finding it tough. Nothing is where it’s supposed to be, and it just doesn’t feel like home. Until he looks up at the moon at night, and something shining comes whizzing down from the … More By the Light of the Moon – review

Lockwood & Co: The Creeping Shadow – review

August 26, 2016

I tweeted Jonathan Stroud yesterday to tell him that I would be doing my usual over-the-top fawning review of his latest Lockwood book, THE CREEPING SHADOW. I may have spoken of my love for this series before…but there’s one thing I have to praise right at the start of this review and it’s got nothing to … More Lockwood & Co: The Creeping Shadow – review

Tommy V Cancer blog tour: Review of 13 Steps to Beating Writer’s Block!

June 6, 2016

Hello there! Welcome to my blog, if you’ve come from the truly awesome massive #tommyvcancer blog tour! Today I’m reviewing Tommy’s ebook 13 Steps to Beating Writer’s Block: Free your creativity today! I picked this because, as a writer, reading about other people’s writing problems is immensely comforting, and also because you never know when … More Tommy V Cancer blog tour: Review of 13 Steps to Beating Writer’s Block!

The Secret Railway – review

May 22, 2016

I started reading The Secret Railway to my seven-year-old daughter, but she stopped me at the end of the introduction. ‘You can’t read on, Mummy, you’re not allowed. You’re married.’ See, Wendy Meddour has done this introduction which carefully weeds out the people who ‘aren’t 100% child’ by means of a questionnaire. No matter that … More The Secret Railway – review

Jo Cotterill

Writer for children and young adults

Category: reviews