LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Giant by Judith McQuoid: reimagining of CS Lewis boyhood & friendship w/a young, working-class boy; lyrical, imaginative, genuine; full of heart. @littleislandbooks.bsky.social #FallenStarStories #MGBooks #historicalfiction #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/03/01/g...

March 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

So far, September is looking like a very busy, joyous month for reading! There's been #bookpost from @theobrienpress.bsky.social , @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social and today, one from @littleislandbooks.bsky.social ... I am so happy! Thank you, one and all!
#BookPostIsTheBestPost #FallenStarStories

September 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

3 from @theobrienpress.bsky.social A Little Birdie Told Me by Tarsila Kruse; Puifín Beag agus an Dorchadasa by Erika McGann & Gerry Daly; A Limerick Fairytale by Gráinne O'Brien & Lena Stawowy #FallenStarStories #PictureBooks #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/03/29/p...

March 29, 2025 at 12:32 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Just a quick post highlighting some very important KidsLit Award news, Ireland Reads & those all important World Book Day books! @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social @childrensbooksireland.ie #FallenStarStories #IrelandReads #HansChristianAndersenAwards
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2026/02/16/k...

February 16, 2026 at 1:45 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

LB and I both recommend (with great joy) The Joy Bringers by @karincelestine.bsky.social : a world to enter again & again; intriguing, charming, delightful, imaginative and peaceful; loaded with happiness. Timeless! #FallenStarStories
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/07/23/h...

July 23, 2024 at 9:57 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

It's picture book time once again, and I have 5 fabulous offerings from my dear friends at The O'Brien Press... a little something for every young reader! #FallenStarStories #PictureBooks #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/11/16/p...

November 16, 2024 at 6:31 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

It's the....KPMG Childrens Books Ireland 35th Annual Book Awards! And the very worthy winners are.... Congratulations to you all! Just stunning! @childrensbooksireland.ie #FallenStarStories #childrensbookawards #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/k...

May 20, 2025 at 9:52 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Review: Stitch by @padraigkenny.bsky.social (cover illustration by Steve McCarthy): full of adventure, surprises, empathy, wit & wisdom; a sheer delight. Wonderful; truly & simply wonderful. Walker Books #FallenStarStories #MGBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/01/06/h...

January 6, 2024 at 11:36 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

The Fairy Queen by Chrissy Donoghue Ward & Monika Mitkute: captivating, timeless, dream-like; an utterly beautiful picturebook that will be treasured for years to come. @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @skeinpress.bsky.social #FallenStarStories
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/11/29/l...

November 29, 2024 at 11:31 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Milo and the Mountain by Jamie Carroll:touching tale of dreaming big dreams, facing fears & the meaning of friendship; Charming, reassuring, intriguing, engaging; a “feel-good”, freeing story for us all. @theobrienpress.bsky.social #FallenStarStories
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/g...

September 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

The Falling Boy by @davidjalmond.bsky.social : originally reviewed for Children's Books Ireland; a story of hope,community, & incredible possibility. Full of emotion and simply extraordinary. And it is beautiful. #FallenStarStories #MGBooks #TeenReads
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/12/05/t...

December 6, 2024 at 7:05 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

The Wild Robot by @peterbrownstudio.com : one of my go-to favourites; charming, intriguing, hopeful, quirky,utterly beautiful. A perfect book to share at storytime, both at home and in school. #FallenStarStories #MGBooks #KidsNeedBooksLikeThis
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/04/11/h...

April 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

In which I boast about some of my favourites books for this time of year. These never fail to get me through the deep midwinter... #FallenStarStories #picturebooks #MGBooks #BooksForWinter
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2023/12/18/r...

December 18, 2023 at 11:54 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Review: The Cloud Thief by James Nicol: Vivid, adventurous, imaginative, brave; a tale that opens up an unusual perspective on climate change, on community & gives some interesting thoughts on doing the right thing. Magical! #FallenStarStories #MGBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/04/12/r...

April 13, 2024 at 5:31 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Sally and the Lost Photograph by Judi Curtin: a story with much to offer; a genuine picture of the hardship of the times, friendship, resolve & resilience, and a lot of heart. From The O'Brien Press #FallenStarStories #MGBooks #HistoricalFiction
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/11/08/r...

November 8, 2024 at 1:05 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

#bookpost really is the best post! Receiving this gift; The Belfast Gingerbread Girl/Cailìn Sinsèir Bhèal Feirste from An TSnàthhaid Mhòr; Marianne McShane & Andrew Whitson is wonderful! I am completely charmed@ Thankyou!
#FallenStarStories #HappyChristmas🎄🎁🎅 #NollaigShona🎄❄️🎁 #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks

December 9, 2025 at 10:42 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Review: On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop, reviewed for Inis Magazine/Children's Books Ireland: a vivid, thoughtful story that invites wonder and possibilities; just marvelous! Andersen Press #FallenStarStories #teenbooks #YABooks #fantasy
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/01/19/r...

February 14, 2024 at 7:36 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Review: How To Be A Revolutionary by Lucy Ann Unwin; Filled with compassion, empathy, humour, acceptance; a heart-warming book that is fun, moving and very wise. ages 9-12 from UCLan Publishing @lucyannunwin.bsky.social #FallenStarStories #MGBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/11/22/h...

November 22, 2024 at 12:36 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

It's time for Week 2 of Marys' Advent Calendar of Kids Books! Six more fun and festive tales and treasures to add extra joy to the Christmas season.... #FallenStarStories #AdventCalendarofBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/12/07/m...

December 7, 2025 at 10:15 AM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

The Brightest Star by Meg Grehan: the lovely follow-up to The Deepest Breath; warm, loving, lyrical;so heartfelt, flowing & joyful. This is an act of compassion in and of itself. Little Island #FallenStarStories #MGBooks #LGBTQA #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/05/31/t...

May 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Review: The Bronte Girl by @miriamhalamy.bluesky.social an adept & meaningful work of historical fiction; as mesmerising as the lives of the Bronte sisters themselves; evocative, gripping & thought-provoking. @zuntold.bluesky.social #FallenStarStories
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/04/18/r...

April 18, 2024 at 12:06 PM

MaryEsther Judy

@fallenstarmary.bsky.social

Review: The Harp of Power by Alex Dunne: wild magic; a geas; an ancient battle come; fast-paced, intriguing and filled with tension & magic; It's just thrilling! from The O'Brien Press #FallenStarStories #MGBooks #fantasy #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2023/11/16/a...