2012 Reading Challenge - Sky Lights

2012 Reading Challenge - Sky Lights - Barclay Baker

I was recently contact by a friend who had just found out about my 2012 reading challenge. She asked if I would be interested in reading the book that she had recently had published. Of course I jumped at the chance!!

This book is a collaboration between Marilyn (Baker) and her friend Sheila (Barclay), hence Barclay Baker, and is a first for both of them. It is aimed at 9-12 year olds and I would say that although 9-12 years old will love it, older children (teenagers) will find it entertaining too. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm no teenager...no...really!

The tagline for the book is 'a tale of magic, mystery and mayhem' and that's exactly what you get. The story starts off with the prologue which contains a bit of a shocker and continues to romp along at a great pace.

Take three children, a dog, some police officers and man-eating crocodile. Add a scientist, some worried parents and a kidnap victim. Imagine visiting Edinburgh, Dundee and another magical land that can't be accessed by just anyone, in a matter of hours. Before you know it a character from one of the best loved children's stories ever written pops up on...wait for it...Facebook...and the 'fun' really begins.

I liked the characters and I thought that Amy was very sweet. I also thought Beth Paton - Amy and Jack's mum - was so funny. Despite the fact that her children are missing, she heads off to Register House to continue researching her family tree as if it's the most natural thing in the world to do. I enjoyed the fact that much of the story is set in Scotland and particularly in and around Edinburgh. Some people may not always understand the Scots language which is used throughout but I would say, don't let that put you off. You'll still get the gist of it.

So, all in all a great adventure. I read it in three nights as I really wanted to get to the end to find out what happened! If you have children who are into magic, mystery and mayhem then I definitely recommend you get this book for them. - and read it yourself when you get the chance.

Stars out of 5 for this book - a well-deserved 4.5

Until the next time,

Denise x

Comments

Stop! It's Going Too Fast and I Want to Get Off!

Carousel Okay - I don't actually mean that I want things to stop so that I can get off because I'm having too much fun but, over the last few months, my life has become a daily whirlwind of new businesses, taking on new projects, building websites and building a brand and it's not showing any sign of slowing down. I have loved every minute of it so far but it has meant that so many other things in my life have had to be put on the back burner whilst all this has been going on, including Cupcakes and Cadenzas. It will all have been worth it in the long run but I just want to say thanks to everyone who has stuck around and not abandoned this blog and to say that I haven't forgotten about it or you. Why I love Cupcakes and Cadenzas so much and refuse to give up on it it is that it was the very first blog that I set up and is therefore my 'baby' as far as blogs go. I have several other blogs set up for various business ventures but Cupcakes and Cadenzas is

A-Z Blogging Challenge: B is for 'Baa Baa Black Sheep'

Baa baa black sheep 'Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full, One for the master, one for the dame, And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.' Although this rhyme was first published in 1744 it is believed to have been around for much longer. In fact, it is thought that it was written in the Middle Ages during the reign of King Edward II (1307 - 1327). This seemingly innocent children's nursery rhyme about a black sheep yielding three bags of wool actually has political undertones like many of the nursery rhymes from that era. During the Middle Ages the wool industry in England was huge and wool was a very valuable commodity. England produced the best wool in Europe and peasants were required to pay their taxes in the form of sacks of wool. They gave a third to the King (the master), a third to the nobility (the dame) and they were allowed to keep the final third for themselves (the little boy who lived down the lane)

The Sad Songs Blogfest

This is the first time I've ever taken part in a Blogfest and it has been great fun! Thank you to Diane for organising it. You can find Diane's blog by clicking here Check out her list of inspirational, sad songs. I have had a ball going through old cds, trying to pick out my top 10 sad songs that inspire me. I have to admit that I could have come up with way more than 10 but I decided to give myself a limit. These songs hold no particular memories for me but they are songs that tug at my heart strings every time I hear them and if I'm ever feeling down and wanting to wallow in self-pity, then these are the songs I would put into my playlist and play whilst drinking a bottle glass or two of wine. Are you sitting comfortably? (click on any of the titles to hear the songs on youTube) Hello by Evanescence . The haunting piano accompaniment and the striking voice of Amy lee make this (in my opinion) one of the most moving songs this band have ever released. All O

Cupcakes and Cadenzas

Search This Blog