L.H. Johnson's Blog, page 17

The Three Elizabeths by J.M Page

The Three Elizabeths by J.M. Page My rating: 3 of 5 stars Published in 1950, The Three Elizabeths is rather late for a school story – and, to be frank, rather on the edge of obscurity for the genre. It’s kind of missed the big moments and the big authors in the genre and sitsContinue reading "The Three Elizabeths by J.M Page"

How To Be Brave has been nominated for the 2022 Carnegie Awards

When I knew that How To Be Brave was going to be published, I made a little bucket list for it and this was one of those things. I still cannot quite believe that it’s happened. Thank you to everyone who’s supported the girls in their adventures so far. You’re the best. Do take theContinue reading "How To Be Brave has been nominated for the 2022 Carnegie Awards"

Parsing Piranesi: on books and reading and time

I’ve been on a bit of a deep dive with my reading at the moment, burrowing into things and not quite coming up for air until they’re done. Normally I’d think about reviewing them the moment that I finish (for they are good, good) and normally I do that, but sometimes I want more. IContinue reading "Parsing Piranesi: on books and reading and time"

Dulcie’s Little Brother by Evelyn Everett-Green

Dulcie’s Little Brother by Evelyn Everett-Green My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was surprisingly charming, albeit in that very Victorian ‘everybody gets a moral’ kind of way. The story is simple: Dulcie and her brother Tottie live in London with their nurse Nancy. Their father is away being something of a foolish wastrel (asContinue reading "Dulcie’s Little Brother by Evelyn Everett-Green"

Rescue In Ravensdale by Esmé Cartmell

Rescue in Ravensdale by Esme Cartmell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Oh this was interesting. I picked this up from one of my local bookshops with a healthy section in vintage children’s fiction. I’ve found some interesting titles there before and this, with the local – ish, connections caught my eye. I didn’t knowContinue reading "Rescue In Ravensdale by Esmé Cartmell"

Welcome To The New World by Jake Halpern and Michael Sloan

Welcome to the New World by Jake Halpern My rating: 4 of 5 stars A thoughtful and eloquent “graphic novel and true story” Welcome To The New World is the story of an arrival. The Aldabaan family, originally from Syria, have arrived in America at the same time that Donald Trump has arrived in theContinue reading "Welcome To The New World by Jake Halpern and Michael Sloan"

Danger at Dead Man’s Pass by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman

Danger at Dead Man’s Pass by M.G. Leonard My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was just looking back at my prior reviews of this series and every single one has five stars. And so it is with Danger At Dead Man’s Pass that takes the series to somewhere spooky and spectral and (when theContinue reading "Danger at Dead Man’s Pass by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman"

The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter

The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter My rating: 4 of 5 stars I was catching up on some long overdue review copies this weekend and The House On The Edge was on top of the pile. It’s a Nosy Crow book which always means quality – the way they present their titles andContinue reading "The House on the Edge by Alex Cotter"

An artist’s date

I am very fond of Julia Cameron’s idea of the Artist’s Date. The premise is simple: once a week you are to do something that interest you. It can be as simple as walking a different way home; what matters is that they’re something different – something playful and unusual – that gets your brainContinue reading "An artist’s date"

Wonder Pony by Marie Spénale

Wonder Pony by Marie Spenale My rating: 4 of 5 stars God, I found this so incredibly charming. It’s a rather deliciously eccentric comic which details the adventures of Louison at her new boarding school. That includes all the normal parts of new school life – making friends and finding a place in the worldContinue reading "Wonder Pony by Marie Spénale"