Middle grade Adventure stories

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Song Walker is a children’s story suitable for the ages of 9-12+. The two protagonists are both 13 years old so this would easily suit middle grade readers.

The story is set in the Australian outback, primarily in the Northern Territory, a very hot dry place with large open areas and few towns or people.

A young girl is alone walking through the wild landscape; she can’t remember who she is, where she is or why she is here. After a long cold night out in this place she is found by another young girl. This one is native to the land, a First Nation Australian; her name is Tarni.

Tarni is on a journey to find her sister; she is using her knowledge of the land and she invites the unusual girl with no name to go with her. Tarni gives the girl a name —Moonflower. Together they follow unseen ‘Dreaming Tracks’ as they make their way from one place to another.

This is a journey of discovery and friendship while it gently teaches the reader about Australia and some of its history and ancient belief in ‘The Dreaming’. I learnt quite a lot myself. The ending pulls together another aspect of First Nation beliefs, and flows easily into the final chapter.

I really enjoyed this; it would suit young readers who are looking for a friendship and adventure story or who are interested in cultural fiction.

There are no colour pictures, but chapter headings are decorated with black and white images of birds. The book is also split into four main parts; each begins with a double page depicting the Australian setting. Happy to recommend.

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Orange rose book description — Book description

“There are three questions that I need to find the answers to:
-Where am I?
-What am I doing here?
– And… Who am I?”

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She’s wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she’s carrying a strange, heavy case.

She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets…

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Today’s team review is from Liz. She blogs here https://lizannelloyd.wordpress.com/

Liz has been reading The Dark Side Of Midnight by Carol Hedges

In a changed world of the near future, Jazmin Dawson and her mother Assia are growing apart. Assia’s job with an International Security organisation often takes her away from her daughter on important missions. Jaz dreams of being a secret agent too but she also wishes her Mum would spend more time with her. But Assia has to travel abroad again following up a worrying crime. This time Jaz has to go to stay in one of the new Tower cities with her uncle’s family. Uncle Ian & his wife Dee are a wealthy couple who work long hours so that they can spend plenty of money on their children. 16-year-old Clea is supposed to be looking after Jaz, but the spoilt girl is alternatively sarcastic or ignoring her.

As Assia finds herself a captive of a dangerous couple, Jaz’s life improves. She meets Tonda, a handsome, kind, young entertainer, whose friends welcome Jaz into their company. Sadly, he will soon be leaving England, but Jaz is also summoned to Prague by her mother’s colleagues hoping that she can help them to find Assia.

The story shows Jaz gradually developing skills as a crime fighter in an increasingly frightening scenario. Both Clea and Tonda have unexpected parts to play in the terrifying events and the conclusion draws the reader into seeking out the next book in the series. A recommended read for a middle grade reader who enjoys adventure with a smart, likeable heroine.

Jazmin Dawson is a super-cool secret agent with hi-tech kit and a hi-octane life of crime-busting … in her dreams! In reality, Jazmin Dawson is a fourteen year old teenager, whose biggest battles are with her homework and her addiction to snacks.
But suddenly, everything changes. Jazmin’s mother works for the London branch of GID (Global Intelligence Department) an organisation responsible for tracking down individuals and groups that threaten world security. Tasked with locating a stolen dead body, she goes missing in action, and Jazmin is sent to find her.
Stepping off a plane in Prague, Jazmin finds herself at the centre of an international mystery, and with a dangerous mission: to infiltrate a rogue scientific institute.

“Jazmin Dawson’s first assignment is a thrilling read, full of fast-paced action and put-downs as deadly as an assassin’s bullet.”

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