Pigeon Problems by Frances Watts

Sword girls series, bk 6. Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74331322 0.
(Age 9+) Highly recommended. In Pigeon Problems, we meet Tommy, a young girl who wants to be a knight. Part of a series, Pigeon problems revolves around a day of games and activities to celebrated Lady Beatrice's birthday. There is also an underlying story about Sir Walter's pigeon who feels unwanted and neglected when Sir Walter fails to call on him to sing or deliver messages.
Young Tommy is Keeper of the Swords and has discovered the animals around the castle talk. There is also a group of old swords, in her care, who have the spirits of their previous owners inside! The swords speak too! Sounding interesting and a bit quirky? Set in the times of knights, I like the idea of a girl being allowed to be non-stereotypical but caring and supported. It is a fun and quick story with a moral and I highly recommend it for independent readers aged 9+. I think both girls and boys will enjoy the easy to read language and the talking swords give some good advice.
Kylie Kempster