We’re coming to the end of National Share a Story Month, an annual celebration of the magic of storytelling hosted by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG). This year’s theme was ‘Myths, Magic and Mayhem’ and in spirit of this, we’d like to share some of the FCBG’s magical book recommendations.
- The Animals of Madame Malone’s Music Hall by Laura Wood
Summer by the seaside isn’t working out as Callie hoped. Instead of enjoying sunshine and ice cream, she’s stuck helping Gran’s drama group put on a show to save the local theatre. Worst of all, they’ve asked her to star in their play. With Callie’s stage fright, there’s not a chance that’s happening.
But when she goes exploring backstage, Callie stumbles into an altogether different world – another theatre, run by a wise fox and her troupe of rather quarrelsome talking animals. Forced to face her fears, will Callie be able to put on a good show in the final fight to save Madame Malone’s Music Hall?
- The Dark Lady by Akala
Henry is an orphan, an outsider, a thief. He is also a fifteen-year-old invested with magical powers …
This brilliant, at times brutal, first novel from the amazing imagination that is Akala, will glue you to your seat as you are hurled into a time when London stank and boys like Henry were forced to find their own route through the tangled streets and out the other side.
- Havenfall by Sara Holland
A safe haven between four realms and the girl sworn to protect it—at any cost.
Hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado lies the Inn at Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds—each with its own magic. For generations, the inn has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return.
- The Mirror and the Mountain by Luke Aylen
Trapped in a war-torn kingdom with no way home, Summer and Jonah are pulled into a strange quest to find the long-lost king, who alone has the power to restore peace to Presadia. Meeting strange and wonderful people along the way, including the dwarf high lord, the elf queen and a fire-breathing dragon, they learn important lessons about pride, greed, and the power of words as they embark on an epic journey to save the realm.
The children and their new friends must be brave as they fly across the broken kingdom and climb a misty mountain. Can they fulfil their quest to find the king and restore peace to Presadia? And will Summer and Jonah ever make it back to their own world?
You can find more recommendations from the FCBG website here. Let us know if you get the chance to have a read of any!
