News - Paper Lanterns

Posted on November 30, 2023December 5, 2023 by Paper Lanterns — 1 Comment

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes by Leon Diop & Briana Fitzsimons

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes
Leon Diop & Briana Fitzsimons
Illustrated by Jessica Louis
Little Island Books in collaboration with Black & Irish, October 2023
Paperback, €14.50
ISBN 9781915071231

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes is a non-fiction book that shines a light on prominent Black Irish individuals from various fields such as entertainment, politics, sports, business, and the arts. This significant release in Irish history marks a joyful recognition of Black Irish heritage. The book delves deeply into the lives of 25 individuals of Black and mixed-race heritage from various regions of Ireland.

Posted on November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop: Review

On Silver Tides
Sylvia Bishop
Andersen Press, February 2024
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781839133589

On Silver Tides is the kind of novel that leaves you wanting more. It follows the journey of Kelda and the great lengths she goes to in order to protect her little sister, Isla. Kelda and her family are freshwater merpeople but little Isla is born different. The family protects Isla from the suspicions of the community but when they are betrayed the sisters escape. They join forces with a mysterious boy and embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.

Posted on November 28, 2023November 28, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Issue 13 cover and contributor reveal…

What do you think of the Issue 13 cover?

🪐 We are delighted to reveal our Winter 2023 edition, which is packed with stellar writing, art and reviews to brighten the dark evenings.

🪐 Cover art is ‘i am stardust’ by Ailbhe Carré.

🪐 Cover design by Eleanor Brayden @ebraydendesign.

🪐 We’ll be launching Issue 13 in the Clockwork Door on Tuesday 5th December at 6.30pm.

You can pre-order your copy today!

PRE-ORDER NOW

Our wonderful contributors this issue are:

Posted on August 26, 2023October 20, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Great YA titles You Can’t Miss – #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks

Paper Lanterns is proud to be a part of the thriving Irish Young Adult Literature community and we are delighted to support the #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks campaign. There are brilliant YA books written by authors in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We encourage everyone to pick one up for their next read

We strongly believe it is important (and enjoyable!) to read books from a diversity of backgrounds, but equally we know how amazing it is to see yourself and your place in the books you read.

To make it easier to #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks, we’ve pulled together the Irish YA books our reviewers have read and enjoyed. What better way to discover new reads than going directly to teenagers and YA enthusiasts based all over the island of Ireland – find out what your next read should be in their words!

And of course, as well as reviews, Paper Lanterns is filled with poetry, stories, essays, art and interviews by teen contributors and older YA enthusiasts – you can pick up a copy in our shop here.

For more information on the campaign, visit http://discoveririshkidsbooks.ie

Table Of Contents

Contemporary
Historical Fiction
Non-Fiction
Fantasy

Posted on August 19, 2023July 24, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Glow Up, Lara Bloom by Dee Benson: Review

Glow Up, Lara Bloom

Glow Up, Lara Bloom
Dee Benson
Hot Key Books, February 2023
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781471412912

This book is like gold dust for teenage girls growing up, and is something I definitely wish I had at the beginning of my teens. When Lara’s nuisance of a brother, Danny, discovers her off-limits diary, Lara swears to never journal again in the fear he’ll spill all to her old crush Alex.

Posted on August 19, 2023August 26, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Freya Harte is not a Puzzle by Méabh Collins: Review

Freya Harte is not a Puzzle

Freya Harte is not a Puzzle
Méabh Collins
O’Brien Press, March 2023
Paperback, €9.99
ISBN 9781788493451

Freya has recently been diagnosed with autism, but school is hard enough and she already feels different, so she decides to keep this part of her a secret. When a school trip to Irish college is announced, Freya decides to use this as an opportunity to show the girls in her year that she can fit in and be “normal”. But can true friendship be found when you try to change yourself?

Posted on August 19, 2023July 24, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Review: Ghostlord by Philip Womack

Ghostlord by Philip Womack

Ghostlord
Philip Womack
Little Island Books, May 2023
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781915071262

Meet Meg. New to country life, things are a lot different from London with its crowded streets and the bashed car windows. Supposed to be a safe haven for Meg, her new home seems to be a new kind of safe but is maybe not safe at all. Soon, Meg’s life is transformed from a life of a normal teen to a life of mystery, legacies, ancient battles and betrayals.

Posted on August 19, 2023July 24, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher: Review

Crossing the Line

Crossing the Line
Tia Fisher
Hot Key Books, March 2023
Paperback £7.99
ISBN 9781471413049

Crossing The Line is an all-too-familiar cautionary tale of what can happen to a young and vulnerable person when they face difficult choices.

Erik’s world is changing. Fast. He finds himself needing money for his family soon after the death of his dad. His best friend Ravi is a great support as they both start secondary school, but Erik’s head is turned by the promise of “easy money” if he follows the wrong crowd.

Posted on August 18, 2023July 24, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

Begin Again by Emma Lord: Review

Begin Again
Emma Lord
Macmillan Children’s Books, January 2023
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781035011728

This book took hold of me from the very first page, which I find is something rare and wonderful. You are immediately plunged into a world of fresh starts and endless potential. It’s an exciting world, and from the very beginning this book is nothing if not a page-turner. Everyday life pauses while you’re reading, as Lord teleports you right into the protagonist’s shoes, wishes you luck, and sends you off on one hell of a rocky journey. After all, what would life be without blows when you least expect them?

Posted on August 18, 2023September 5, 2023 by Paper Lanterns

The First Move by Jenny Ireland: Review

The First Move

The First Move
Jenny Ireland
Penguin Random House, April 2023
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9780241591826

The First Move is everything a YA contemporary novel should be: full of warmth, growth, and romance. Following two protagonists, Juliet and Ronan, the novel documents their personal struggles as well as telling their love story. Juliet is grieving the loss of the life she thought she would lead after being diagnosed with worsening arthritis, whilst Ronan grieves the loss of family life as he knew it after the death of a close family member.