Children’s book reviews: Shadows of the pandemic in story of incarcerated young life

Pet O’Connell rounds up a selection of the latest children’s books from an intriguing twist on the time-loop concept to a tale of hibernation in rhyming verse and the challenges faced by girls aiming for the top in individual sports

Above from left: ‘Give Me ’Til Midnight’ is the debut young adult novel from Dublin-based Oran Doyle; ‘A Snowy Tale’ is also a debut picture book for Jess Lynch, and Evanne Ní Chuilinn’s ‘Squad Girls’ was inspired by her gymnast daughter. Pictures: Siobhan Broughan; naturalworldpublishing.ie; Moya Nolan

Give Me ’Til Midnight by Oran Doyle (Everything With Words, €8.99)

Harmony is stuck. Working in her mother’s café, serving the same old customers the same old menu of toast, sausages, and beans, day after day since she dropped out of school.