Record Breaking Events

This weekend appears to be one for breaking records - the 'Spring' weather we are having is so wintry that it appears to be making this the coldest March for 50 years!

Add to this that this week as a new series of Dr Who launches, 50 years after it was first aired and here is another record.

A record number of cities and countries joined in with the WWF Earth Hour on Saturday 22nd March ... I could, go on.

So perhaps it is not just this weekend but this month which is a record breaking one, a lovely example of this is the Guinness World Record Breaking Penny Dreadful event which was held on World Book Day in Bath.  The attempt was aiming to create the biggest reading lesson in a single venue.  Whilst still awaiting the official confirmation I thought it was a wonderfully unusual event to report on in this most unusual of months! 

Such records are certainly a cause for celebrations and so it is with this in mind that now our Blog turns its attention to another record breaking celebration, the fantastic achievement of Barrington Stoke publishing who are celebrating 15 years of their specialist publishing.

Happy Birthday Barrington Stoke

It is the 15^th anniversary of Barrington Stoke and to celebrate there are four new titles from their most popular authors: Keith Gray, Bali Rai, Pete Johnson and Robert Swindells.  These four great stories are intended for teenagers with text suited for reading ages of eight and seven.  Unfortunately I was unable to obtain a copy of Robert Swindells ‘The Deep End’ about Olympic hopeful Lisa Seal.  The other three however will definitely appeal to boys.

Bali Rai’s ‘Shivers’ and Keith Gray’s ‘You Killed Me!’ are two very different supernatural stories.  Bali Rai’s contribution is certainly not one to read late at night with a stomach-churning twist at the end.  His main character Sam makes a new friend, Cassie on the estate where he lives.  She helps him out with a local bully and Sam must return the favour, no questions asked!  The ending is brilliant, raising many questions about what Sam might do next.

Keith Gray’s story couldn’t be more different, using the accusations of a ghost ‘You Killed Me!’, to explore life’s unintended consequences.  Toby -- the killer -- has to find a way of unravelling the mystery and coming up with a solution in which he achieves the greatest good.  As a teacher interested in philosophy, it is a great story encouraging endless speculation about what is in everyone’s best interest.

Awesome by Pete Johnson is a fantastic critic of celebrity as Ben gets mistaken for THE famous actor, Ben Moore.  He is happy to play along, but the situation spirals out of control.  Ben must make the decision, but he risks losing his date with the gorgeous Jasmine.  It is a story examining what it means to live a life when everyone round you sees the celebrity and not the real you.

Barrington Stoke’s latest collection is a great birthday gift and certainly one to share with as many readers as possible.  Many happy returns Barrington Stoke!