This week's round up of middle grade fantasy and science fiction from aroung the blogs

A rather light week, perhaps in part due to the excitement that was Book Expo America... (and, for some of us who couldn't make it to New York) the fun of Armchair BEA!

Please do let me know if I missed your post (or, if you wanted to be really proactive, you can tell me about someone else's post!).

This just in: The Guardian children's book longlist (winner to be announced in September) includes several fantasy books (the book blurbs can be found in the Guardian's article about it (thanks to Tasha at Kids Lit for the head's up)

Ghost Hunter, by Michelle Paver (Orion, £10.99). Age: 10+
Those who are new to the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and those who are already fans will be equally delighted by this final instalment of Torak's adventures in a richly imagined prehistorical world of snowy mountains, ice-bound rivers and seemingly impenetrable forests. Torak sets out on his quest to set his world to rights with the support of his friend Renn and his loyal companion and pack-brother Wolf. In the end, though, he has to make the final journey alone. And when it is over, what then? What choice will Torak make? The warm-hearted, dramatically tense, many-layered sequence of novels is brought to a most satisfying conclusion.

White Crow, by Marcus Sedgwick (Orion, £9.99). Age: 13+
Newly arrived from the city, Rebecca hopes that the small village her father has found to be their home will be a place of safety. Adjusting is hard but, when Rebecca meets Ferelith, it looks possible. Ferelith is strange, unpredictable and ever changing, but Rebecca is drawn into the dangerous plan she has which leads to a shocking discovery from the past. The chill of horror is never far below the surface in this gripping, blood-soaked gothic novel which questions life, death and friendship.

The Ogre of Oglefort, by Eva Ibbotson (Macmillan, £9.99). Age: 8+
When a hag, a troll, a wizard and a boy who lacks magic altogether are given the Summer Task at the annual Summer Meeting of Unusual Creatures, it is no great surprise that they shake and tremble and even think of running away. Facing up to the terrifying flesh-eating Ogre is quite an ordeal; trying to rescue the princess as well seems impossible. But nothing, in this deliciously entertaining and frothy novel, goes quite according to plan. It's full of surprises, and all the capers unfold elegantly, leading to a delightful conclusion.


Lob, by Linda Newbery, illustrated by Pam Smy (David Fickling, £10.99). Age: 8+
Lucy loves visiting her grandparents in the country and especially loves spending time with her grandfather as he potters around his garden. It is Grandpa Will who introduces her to Lob, his mysterious helper. Grannie Annie scoffs at the idea of the hidden green man, but Lucy believes absolutely long before she finally catches her first glimpse of him. When Lucy's world is turned upside down, Lob is her comfort and her connection to an important part of her childhood. Laced with poems, and beautifully illustrated, this is a magical story of believing in the unknown.

The other books on the list are Prisoner of the Inquisition, by Theresa Breslin, Now, by Morris Gleitzman Unhooking the Moon, by Gregory Hughes, and Sparks, by Ally Kennen

Reviews:

Any Which Wall, by Laurel Snyder, at Litland.

Blimpo, Dale E. Basye, at The HappyNappyBookseller.

House of Many Ways and Enchanted Glass, by Diana Wynne Jones, at Jenny's Books.

Knife, by R.J. Anderson, at Nayu's Reading Corner, and a review of its sequel, Rebel, at the same blog.

The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bagthistle, by Deva Fagan, at Reading in Color, The HappyNappyBookseller, and Charlotte's Library.

Middleworld, J&P Voelkel, at The O.W.L.

Monster Slayers, by Lukas Ritter, at Fantasy Book Critic.

My Invisible Sister, by Beatrice Colin and Sara Pinto, at Book Aunt.

Nathan Abercrombie, Acccidental Zombie--Dead Guy Spy, by David Lubar, at Welcome to my Tweendom

Neive, by Terry Griggs, at Charlotte's Library.

Savvy, by Ingrid Law, at Bookshelves of Doom.

The Shadow Hunt, by Katherine Langrish, at Imagination in Focus.

The Wide-Awake Princess, by E.D. Baker, at Book Nut.

An interview with Carla Mooney (author of Owen and the Dragon) at Lori Calabrese's blog, and Katherine Langrish (author of The Shadow Hunt) is interviewed at Scribble City Central and at Imagination in Focus.

And finally, some thoughts on gory stories can be found at Eva's Book Addiction.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!