What's going on? #6

What's going on - the place where we spill the beans on any exciting booky things we've been doing, any booky news that we want to shout about, a round-up of competitions that we think look great, and a heads-up on books that we're going to read.

Summer Competitions & Giveaways

(note that these might just be UK only)

Little M didn't want us to mention this one because she wants to win it, but Susie Day's Bluebell Jones' Summer Snap photography competition is groovy-retro-cool. As well as the main prize, you'll also win a signed copy of the extraordinary The Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones (here's Little M's review). Closes 1 September 2012.

For 11-18 year olds: A drawing or painting competition to win the signed original painting by author Sarah Mussi for her new book Angel Dust. It's a wonderful prize. Closes 31 August 2012. Competition details here.

For the 12 year olds and younger, a writing competition run by Story Lab: The Summer Reading Challenge 2012: finish a story. There are six to choose from and they've all been started off by some big authors including Malorie Blackman, Jacqueline Wilson, Marcus Sedgwick and more. There are lots of books to win - and a laptop. Closes 1 September 2012.

We also have a fab giveaway on this blog running until the beginning of September where you can win a book of you choice from the new Vintage Children's Classics range.

Vintage also launched a new children's books website  - A World of Stories - which looks fantastic. And they have a drawing competition where you can win 30 books! And they'll come in a treasure chest. You have more time left for this one as it closes 15 November 2012.

Books for Review

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher from Hodder Children's. This was published a few years back and we can't wait to read it. Her forthcoming Obsidian Mirror (which we've had the privilege of reading already), is fabulous - a great children's Christmas buy.

A Sea of Stars by Kate Maryon from Harper Collins Children's; a story about two girls: Maya was an only child until Cat was adopted as her sister.

The Cloud Hunters by Alex Shearer from Hot Key Books. Forthcoming in November 2012. It's set in a world where there's no water and islands float in the sky. It's been described as a bit Charlie and Willy Wonka-ish. It's been inspired by the Maldives and has an eco-theme and old fashioned humour.

Kentucky Thriller by Lauren St John from Orion. This is the third book in the Laura Marlin mystery series, published just a couple of weeks back. In case you didn't know, Little M's the number one Lauren St John and Laura Marlin fan; so expect a review pretty soon!