L.H. Johnson's Blog, page 15

Tom Tackles The Chalet School by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer

Before I get to the review itself, can I tell you a bit about my copy of Tom? It’s one of the most precious books in my stash and honestly, it doesn’t look like it should be. It’s a slightly mothy Armada paperback with those soft, rubbed corners, so familiar to a book that’s beenContinue reading "Tom Tackles The Chalet School by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer"

A French Alphabet

I recently came across a copy of this in town and I knew, quite simply, that I had to have it. Published in the 40s (?) by Faber and Faber, A French Alphabet is by Margaret Cardew and does pretty much what it says on the tin. And yet, and yet, the style that’s here.Continue reading "A French Alphabet"

Book Aid for Ukraine

Hello everyone, This is just a quick note to say that the Book Aid for Ukraine auction is now live and, if you’re able to bid, there are some great literary offers on there. I have a signed and personalised copy of How To Be Brave listed (you’ll get your very own personalised duck doodle)Continue reading "Book Aid for Ukraine"

Changes for the Chalet School by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer

Changes for the Chalet School by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer My rating: 4 of 5 stars I remembered how much I love these books when I got to the part where one character vaults out of the window and vanishes. Honestly, I think I cackled for a week over that one and I will probably cackleContinue reading "Changes for the Chalet School by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer"

Sabotage on the Solar Express by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman

Sabotage on the Solar Express by M.G. Leonard My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have such respect for this wild and well-told adventure series and so I was thrilled when the publishers sent me a copy of Sabotage on the Solar Express to review. Adventure stories are hard to plot, mystery adventure stories areContinue reading "Sabotage on the Solar Express by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman"

Judith Kerr (the illustrators)

Judith Kerr by Joanna Carey My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s difficult for me to tell you how perfect this is so instead, I’ll tell you about how I had to stop halfway through reading to have a moment over how perfect it was. I have lusted over the Illustrators series from Thames andContinue reading "Judith Kerr (the illustrators)"

Stalking the Atomic City by Markiyan Kamysh

Stalking the Atomic City: Life Among the Decadent and the Depraved of Chornobyl by Markiyan Kamysh My rating: 4 of 5 stars Delirious, dangerous, and rather intoxicating, Stalking The Atomic City tells of the author’s visits to the ‘exclusion zone’ that exists about Chornobyl. There’s more than a little bit of Trainspotting about it butContinue reading "Stalking the Atomic City by Markiyan Kamysh"

Introducing How To Be True

I have some news 😊 Meet How To Be True. It’s a follow-up to How To Be Brave and it features a school trip that nobody will ever forget, barricades before breakfast, and also cake. Lots and lots of cake. There will always be cake in my books. And ducks. There’s a pivotal duck. AlwaysContinue reading "Introducing How To Be True"

The Adventures of Alice Laselles by Alexandrina Victoria aged 10 3/4

The Adventures of Alice Laselles by Queen Victoria My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve had this on my to be read list for a while, interested not only for the author but also because of my research into young female writers. It is an amazing topic to look at and one which fascinates meContinue reading "The Adventures of Alice Laselles by Alexandrina Victoria aged 10 3/4"

The Last Weapon by Theodora Wilson Wilson

The Last Weapon by Theodora Wilson Wilson My rating: 3 of 5 stars I came to The Last Weapon through one of Wilson’s children’s books Five of Them and could not quite believe how the author of that could also write this, an anti-war polemic that was banned during the first World War. It seemedContinue reading "The Last Weapon by Theodora Wilson Wilson"