The Book Clinic

I am very excited and proud to be a contributing writer for the Waterstones Blog. Mostly I write a column, The Book Clinic, as well as some additional pieces about things that are happening in the children's and YA (young adult) book world. For The Book Clinic, the theory is that people ask me their children's book questions and I answer them... To ask a question add a comment below the most recent Book Clinic on the Waterstones Blog, or tweet me @bookythought


The YA Buzz - my pick of the most interesting comment about YA literature at the YALC, July 2014

You do remember the first time: My YALC experience - my visit to the UK's first Young Adult Literature Convention (YALC), July 2014

In Conversation: James Dawson, Queen of Teen - I met YA author James Dawson at the Young Adult Literature Convention, July 2014

Answering Difficult Questions - books to help you answer youngster's awkward questions

A Closer Look at the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Shortlist 2014

A Closer Look at the Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2014

History Books for Children

Getting Crafty - craft books for children

John Green "if you like you'll love"

Activity Books - books to keep boredom at bay

Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2014 - the shortlist

Missing Harry Potter? - what to read next if you love Harry Potter

To Infinity and Beyond! - books about space, fact and fiction

A Child's Christmas in Books - Christmas favourites old and new for young children

The Hunger Games 'if you like, you'll love' - books to try if there's a Hunger Games shaped hole in your life

Biblio-novels for Bibliophiles - books that celebrate books

Books for Young Animal Lovers - great stories featuring animals for 9 - 12 readers

Summer Love - straight forward, boy-meets-girl YA romances

That Secret Garden Feeling - if you love The Secret Garden, try these...

Books to Encourage Sharing - pictures that introduce the idea of sharing and friendship

Bedtime Reading for Younger Children - what's the next step after picture books?

Dystopia - what next for fans of The Hunger Games? The best YA dystopia around...

Time Travel - books to inspire prospective 9-12 year-old time travellers

Inspiring Reluctant Readers - books to get young boys reading

Where Next After Walliams? - if you like David Walliams' books, you'll love these...

Too Young For Teen - what teen fiction is suitable for younger readers