Middle Grade Must Reads – August 2025 (Part Three)
Dracula & Daughters
PACKED FULL OF ATMOSPHERE AND DELICIOUSLY GOTHIC DETAIL, the first in a brand new adventure series: when three cousins discover they’re descendants of Dracula, they combine their powers to form the infamous vampire healing company, DRACULA & DAUGHTERS!
Strange happenings are afoot in Temstown. Everyone is saying vampires are to blame and the townsfolk have their stakes at the ready.
But Mina, Buffy and Bella, three unusual cousins, are about to discover a family secret – and an ancient book – that could change everything. Could their connection to Dracula give them the powers to heal – not cull – vampires?
Temstown is about to welcome its very first vampire healing company, Dracula & Daughters, and their first case is certainly close to the heart!
Oh my goodness what an amazing read, this book was truly a masterpiece. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was when this book popped through my letterbox. The proof copy was amazing to look at and I couldn’t wait to read it.
This is a unique/different look at vampires and I loved every second of it.
And it starts with a death, what more could you want.
Every single page has action, action and action. And all the drama keeps you on your toes all through the book, and it’s so hard to put the book down. And the twist in the middle was one that the reader won’t see coming.
The characters are well plotted and there is a good mix of baddies and goodies.
The world the author has created is sooo good
The author cleverly uses names associated with the vampire legends that maybe younger readers won’t get but for adult readers it’s like a trip down memory lane.
This is a spooky read that lovers of spook will appreciate. This is perfect for fans of Jennifer Killick and historical fiction.
Emma Carroll has written some fantastic novels but this is by far her best, and as a start to a new series this promises to be epic and I only hope that the wait for book 2 isn’t too long.
The Kid Who Fell Through Time
History lesions in school can be pretty boring, sometimes you just need someone special to teach it to you.
‘Angus had never been very interested in history until he visited it by accident one Tuesday night.’
History has always seemed pretty boring to Angus. Who cares about things that happened thousands of years ago? Totally pointless! That’s what Angus thinks until the day he accidentally falls into a shopping trolley and ends up travelling through time with Marge, the lady who runs the cheese counter at the local supermarket, and who is also FROM THE FUTURE.
And so begins the most epic adventure of his life – exploring a market in Roman Britain, hanging out with Shakespeare, making new friends in Ancient Egypt. Oh, and trying to escape the Evil Emperor Kragg from the 99th Century who is determined to destroy the planet.
Can Angus and his new friends make it out of the past unscathed and, more importantly, is camel cheese really as bad as you imagine? Only time will tell!
This is a laugh out loud action packed story bursting full of historical events and the reader goes away with so much more knowledge.
This is perfect for fans of Horrible Histories.
We need more books like this around for children.
Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing
With the summer holiday upon us readers want nothing more than a little mad capped adventure and look no further. Because here it is.
Meet Sandy
Sandy Fin lives in the Museum of Seaside Stories with the famous explorer Emile du Pont and their collection of treasures. Sandy and his best friend Lily are being taught the art of ocean exploration by Emile, aided by his ingenious inventions.
When the museum’s future is in peril, it is up to Sandy and Lily to save it. But then slippery Albo Start arrives with secret plans for Sandy’s home and the town’s marine life.
Sensing something sinister, Sandy and Lily set out to stop Start, armed with banana sandwiches, moonlit sneezes and noses for danger.
This book is ideal for newly independent readers who are starting on short chapter books.
What a thrilling adventure we go on. We have a lot of new colourful characters to meet both animals and children. There is a strong environmental message throughout the book. This is just a fun book to read and I finished it in one sitting. Though it is a slow starter it soon gathers pace and before you know what has happened you are on a mad capped adventure.
This promises to be the start of a fantastic series.