Things We Found in The Ground: A Metal-Detecting Journey Through Britain by Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray
Non Fiction Book Review Richard Beech Non Fiction Book Review Richard Beech

Things We Found in The Ground: A Metal-Detecting Journey Through Britain by Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray

There’s something immediately engaging about Things We Found in the Ground, at times it reads like being invited along on a windswept walk with two very enthusiastic companions. Rather than a traditional guide to metal detecting, this is a highly personal memoir about reconnecting (with each other, with place, and with the past) which finds joy in the small things

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The Adventures of Portly the Otter: Untold Tales from the Wind in the Willows by M. G. Leonard (illustrated by Polly Dunbar)
Children's Book Review Richard Beech Children's Book Review Richard Beech

The Adventures of Portly the Otter: Untold Tales from the Wind in the Willows by M. G. Leonard (illustrated by Polly Dunbar)

An absolutely delightful book, overflowing with joy, wonder, and gentle adventure. Set in the beloved world of The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, the story feels both fresh and familiar. From the first page, Portly splashes into your life with irresistible energy: curious, kind, and instantly lovable as he struggles to find his place in the world.

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Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories by William Yamaguchi Dobson
Children's Book Review Richard Beech Children's Book Review Richard Beech

Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories by William Yamaguchi Dobson

Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories really took me by surprise by the sheer imagination on display in this middle grade book (aimed at 8 to 12-year-olds). Blending traditional children’s story ingredients (close family connections and a 12-year-old boy in search of adventure) with elements of Japanese mythology and folklore, the story is fast-paced and uniquely memorable.

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Growing Pains by Joseph Ball
Fiction Book Review Richard Beech Fiction Book Review Richard Beech

Growing Pains by Joseph Ball

This powerful novel follows eleven-year-old Alexander through his first year at secondary school in the 1990s. It is not always an easy read, as it deals with the emotional abuse and neglect of a child, but it is an important story to tell and one that is handled with care and authenticity.

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