January 2025
Book of the month
Wrong Tracks has been chosen as February Book of the Month for ages 9+ by Love Reading4Kids. Reviewer Joanne Owen said: “Wrong Tracks is a rip-roaring ride of historic fiction. A thrilling, characterful, well-plotted adventure story that reels with subterfuge and sabotage, it also brilliantly evokes the energy and sweeping changes engendered by the industrial era through the lens of its endearing — and daring — protagonist, Edward Entwistle.”
You can read the review and order copies from LoveKids4Reading here.
5/5 review in Daily Telegraph
Wrong Tracks has received a FIVE STAR review in the Daily Telegraph. Children’s book reviewer Emily Bearn describes the book as joyous and praises the book’s desire to make children more aware of the Rainhill Trials and early railway history.
‘The trials were one of the most consequential events of the Industrial Age, determining how railways would develop for the next two centuries. But the modern child is unlikely even to have heard of them – which makes this thrilling new novel by Susan Brownrigg all the more welcome.’
She continues, ‘Brownrigg appears thoroughly at home in her historic milieu… But she wears her research lightly: there are no footnotes, and dates are kept to a minimum. Rather, the history lessons are delivered through the observations of our guileless, eagle-eyed narrator.’
The full review is available HERE - but you need a subscription to view it.
Tyldesley Creative Writers
I was pleased to be invited to speak to Tyldesley Creative Writers about my new book, Wrong Tracks. Also present were a couple of members of the Tyldesley Historical Society. Wrong Tracks is all about a boy, Edward Entwistle, a real boy from Tyldesley so I loved being invited to speak to a local community group about the inspiration behind my book.
You can find out more about Tyldesley Creative Writers on their facebook page here.
Thanks to everyone for making me so welcome.
Fun Kids Radio
I had a fab time talking to Bex from Fun Kids Radio about Wrong Tracks. You can listen to the Fun Kids Book Worms interview on the Fun Kids podcast - which has lots of interviews with amazing children’s authors. My episode also includes Bex chatting to authors Joel Arcanjo and Chris Packham
Amazon bestseller!
Thank you to everyone who bought a copy of Wrong Tracks! I was stunned to learn that it had risen to #2 in Amazon’s bestsellers for historical children’s books as a result. This seems to have resulted in a lack of stock with a long expected delivery time, but I am sure this will be back to normal when more books arrive at their warehouse.
Interview with The Trainhill Trust
On a recent visit to Rainhill, I was interviewed by the lovely Jo Woodhouse from The Trainhill Trust who are overseeing the relocation of the amazing Rainhill Trials exhibition. I visited the exhibition as part of my research for Wrong Tracks, and I am delighted that there are plans for it to be moved to Rainhill station. The Trainhill Trust are currently fundraising and looking for grants and sponsorship, so do get in touch with them to offer your support!
George Stephenson and his homes
To celebrate the publication of Wrong Tracks I am featuring on this week’s Time Tunnellers website and You Tube channel. Thanks to a Society of Authors foundation grant I was able to visit four of railway engineer George Stephenson’s homes as part of my research for the book.
There is a writing challenge at the end for schools and home educators and an accompanying downloadable free resource.
#UKteenchat on Bluesky
Parrot Street Book Club
Signed copies available at Ebb & Flo Bookshop
Lots of signed copies of Wrong Tracks available from ebb & flo bookshop in Chorley or via there online shop now!
Thanks to everyone who preordered a copy.
Wrong Tracks is perfect for mystery and steam train fans aged 9+
Choo choo!
I am thrilled to have been invited back to take part in #ukteenchat on Tuesday 14th January 8-9pm on Bluesky! UKTeenChat is now alternating between Bluesky and X depending on the author’s preference. I am really looking forward to talking about Wrong Tracks and chatting with Emma Finlayson-Palmer and everyone.
Squawk! Squawk! Wrong Tracks has been chosen as Parrot Street Book Club's Cockatoo pick! (Cockatoos are aged 8 to 12.)
The book subscription service for children also asked me to feature on their blog talking about the inspiration behind Wrong Tracks.
Wrong Tracks recommended by BookTrust
I am chuffed to see Wrong Tracks included as one of Booktrust's January recommended reads.
They kindly said: "This enthralling mystery contains a wealth of historical detail and touches on issues of the time, such as political unrest and opposition to the Rail Way. With plenty of twists and turns, it will keep readers guessing until the very end."
Wrong Tracks included in Reader Teacher’s round-up
Wrong Tracks features in the Reader Teacher’s round-up of new children’s books released in January.
Author Ally Sherrick recommends Wrong Tracks
Wrong Tracks is a top pick!
Bounce Marketing, who supply independent bookshops with books, have included Wrong Tracks in their January top picks! Big thanks in particular to rep, Louise Corcoran, who has been promoting my book to fabulous bookshops across the north!
Award-winning historical children’s book author, Ally Sherrick, has very kindly recommended Wrong Tracks with a five star review on her social media profiles.
Ally, whose new book Rebel Heart is out in March, said: “I loved this tale of sparky Edward Entwistle and his convention-defying friend, Prudence and their quest to find out who is trying to derail the attempts of their masters, Robert and George Stephenson to win the famous Rainhill Trials with their loco 'Rocket' and a contract to run the Liverpool-Manchester Rail Way into the bargain.
“Susan does a brilliant job of powering up the mystery and then keeping the excitement at full throttle while seamlessly weaving in fascinating true-life nuggets about the inventors, their strange and wonderful machines and what ordinary people made of these steam-belching monsters as they whizzed through the countryside.
”A great pick to support the Victorians and STEM subjects in schools. A must for all steam-train enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a ripping good yarn!”
