After loving my re-read of Jean Estoril's Ballet for Drina I continued with the next four books in the series 
(Drina's Dancing Year, Drina Dances Again, Drina Dances in Exile, Drina Dances in Italy) through May and June. In fact, the only reason I stopped was to do a Harry Potter re-read in time for the new book (which I didn't manage, incidentally). I especially enjoyed Drina Dances in Exile as it had the elements of a boarding school story, which I always enjoy. However Italy was also very exciting from a travel and dancing point of view, and also because Drina meets her long lost Italian relatives for the first time.
In view of the fact that Catherine Forde won the teenagers' vote for the Grampian Children's Book Award, I had to read her winning novel, Fat Boy Swim. It was perfectly clear why the book was so popular, although I think perhaps you have to be a teenager going through those horrible years of torment from others to fully appreciate it. It's certainly a feel-good book and a great incentive for anyone considerning learning to swim! The Scottish hero, Jimmy, is a very realistic character - fat, bullied and with a bitterly ironic talent for cooking which he can't openly share for fear of ridicule. Jimmy draws real sympathy from the reader and his equal triumphs over the bullies and his unhealthy lifestyle is accompanied by a darker family secret. You can read our interview with Catherine Forde, just after she won her award, on our interviews page.
Another popular nominee for the same award was Catherine MacPhail's book, Another Me. Another story set in a Scottish school, this spooky tale is about Fay's conviction that she is being shadowed by her mirror image, an evil 'fetch' from Scottish folklore. Even her friends and family are unconvinced, although they claim to see Fay wherever she definitely hasn't been. The ending is subtle and required at least a second read for the reader to fully decide exactly what had happened. A bit like that film 'Skeleton Key' but heaps better!
Kate Thompson's The Alchemist's Apprentice has been sitting on my shelf for ages. I finally got around to reading it in June. The story follows the adventures of a young blacksmith's apprentice, Jack, who finds an unusual pot which leads him to an alchemist who takes him on as his own apprentice. I found the story very 'bitty', as Jack is sent off to find his own philosopher's stone and encounters a series of highly unlikely events reminiscent of several Hans Andersen fairy tales, which fill just enough pages to make the story novel length before Jack finds his stone and starts on the art of alchemy. The ending is rather disappointing too, with quite a grown up feel, or maybe I was so desperate for a fantastic twist to tie it all together that I was never going to be satisfied. I felt the book couldn't decide what kind of reader it was aimed at and was more of a collection of ideas crammed together than a well plotted book with any sense of purpose.
I started July with a Jacqueline Wilson book, as she is clearly one of the most popular contemporary children's 
authors - she is one of the most requested authors on Kidz Books and in the school library at work! Sleepovers is one of Wilson's books for younger readers and draws a super picture of the intricate friendships of a group of girls, centring around main character Daisy who is new to a well-established group of friends. The girls' ages are not given and although they are clearly not teenagers, the relationships and social behaviours would still be relevant to younger teenagers finding their way with group friendships. There is also a very realistic sub-plot about Daisy's disabled sister Lily and Daisy's fluctuating feelings towards her. This part of the book is handled very sensitively and very cleverly doesn't take over the real issue in Daisy's mind of how to be accepted by her friends. I think my favourite character was Daisy's dad who I had a bit of a crush on. I'm so old.
The Castle of Mirrors is the fourth and penultimate book in Jenny Nimmo's 'Children of the Red King' quintet, and one which I have been awaiting eagerly since reading The Blue Boa. Like the other books, there is a self-contained plot, this time centring around Billy Raven who finally gets his longed for new parents. However when it's the Bloors handing out parents, we know from past experience they're not going to be Daddy Warbucks. The book also gives much more history about the origins of the Red King and some ancient family members make an appearance...but I'm not saying any more. Like the earlier books, there are some predictable aspects, but these are actually beginning to give me a sense of satisfaction rather than disappointment. Can't wait for the final book although, despite what I've just written, I am desperately hoping that Mr Pilgrim isn't who I think he is.
For the rest of this month I've been engaged in a re-read of JK Rowling's Harry Potter books, in preparation for reading book 6, another second-to last book of a series. Perhaps I've read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone one time too many but I really didn't enjoy it half as much as previously. I knew every little thing that was coming and didn't find anything new, as I'd come to expect from re-reads. Chamber of Secrets was slightly better, especially towards the end. Despite knowing what was coming, there were little details I had forgotten and I had forgotten exactly how entertainingly painful the preening and self-adulating Professor Lockhart was to read about. The third title, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was also an enjoyable re-read, although again it took until the climax in the Shrieking Shack for the real page-turning scenes. I was struck not only by how much was left out of the film version, but also of what didn't take place in the book, particularly in reference to the time-turner episodes. I actually felt that Rowling had missed an opportunity for more interaction between the Harry and Hermione of both times, which did take place in the film. On the other hand, the descriptions of Hogsmeade and the revelations about Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were wonderful to read about again.
Not a patch on book four. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is now firmly my favourite book...so far. The laughs are frequent, often courtesy of my friends, the Weasley twins. Mrs Weasley is even lovelier than usual, 
and Ginny is beginning to show signs of being a Real Person, not unlike her lovable twin brothers. There is just enough balance between the book's own story - the Triwizard Tournament - and the overall Harry potter story to give us lots of information as part of the book's self-contained plot. I don't know for sure, as I never read this book 'cold' but I imagine to fully appreciate it, it would be best to read the other three, but there is no doubt in my mind as to which book I would re-read, given the choice. I'm currently about a quarter of the way through Order of the Phoenix and while I couldn't honestly say I'm actually bored to tears, it is a bit of a plod. I'll let you know if I change my mind.
Book of the month (OK, the last three months then!): Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling