This thrilling naval adventure, inspired by the courageous Second World War experiences of real sailors, is written by one of our favourite authors, Tom Palmer. Inspired by true facts this exciting historical story for readers aged 9-12 years is published by Conkers Winter 1943. Teenagers [...]
May 10, 2021
This captivating fantasy story for readers aged 7-11 years by Peter Bunzl stirs up magic, myth and is a tribute to the natural world. As with all books for readers of this age published by Barrington Stoke it contains black and white illustrations (by [...]
March 22, 2021
“All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” This famous quote is from Animal Farm by George Orwell. In this special new edition Christmas Mould’s intricate black and white drawings punctuate the story making it a very interesting and more [...]
January 27, 2021
This is the fourth title in the funny series of books by Dave Cousins about a brother and sister’s adventures with their chaos-causing robot babysitter. (It does not matter if you have not already read the other books which are also illustrated in black and [...]
January 24, 2021
Inspired by a true story this is a powerful and thought-provoking novel for readers aged 14 years + about three children during the Second World War whose fates remain closely intertwined, even when circumstances dictate that their close friendship is torn apart. The story starts [...]
January 20, 2021
Here is another amusing and heart-warming story from the award-winning author of The Bubble Boy for readers aged 9 – 13 years. The Perfect Parent Project by Stewart Foster is an original, absorbing story following a boy’s search for the perfect family which causes [...]
Mermaids Rock is new series for readers aged 5 – 8 years set in a magical aquatic world written by Linda Chapman and illustrated in black and white by Mirelle Ortega. The Midnight Realm is the fourth title in this series of under-water stories, but [...]
Fans of the popular Explorers’ Club series written by Alex Bell will be delighted with adventure No.4 as it introduces Ursula, a part mermaid girl who is determined to follow in Stella’s footsteps and help her to defeat the Collector! In a distant watery corner [...]
January 17, 2021
This story, set in Jamaica, is rich with descriptions about the Caribbean island, but it is the characters in the village community and the writer’s understanding of childhood friendships and their dynamics that will make this book so appealing to readers aged 10-14 years. For [...]
January 10, 2021
Uki and the Swamp Spirit is the fifth title set in the world of Podkin One-Ear from bestselling author Kieran Larwood who won the Blue Peter Best Story Book Award. The story is illustrated by David Wyatt and in common with the Five Realms [...]
January 7, 2021
This is the second book in the thrilling Shadow Skye fantasy adventure trilogy by Joseph Elliott for readers aged 12 years+ With humour and skilful writing the author creates a page-turning adventure set in an alternative world whilst embracing central characters who have mental illness, [...]
December 29, 2020
This is the first in a funny, deliciously dark, three-part series of twisted classics, written in verse by award-winning poet Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Freya Hartas and published by Walker Books. Based on our young reviewer’s reaction we recommend this series to readers 10-14 years [...]
December 22, 2020
For Alex Rider fans or readers who enjoy short action adventure stories this book contains a collection of seven explosives stories about teen action hero Alex Rider. It is written, of course, by Rider’s creator Anthony Horowitz and published by Walker Books Ever since MI6 recognized [...]
Funny, feminist and with a huge heart, it’s a glorious Christmas adventure that will delight even the biggest Grinch! From Sibéal Pounder, bestselling author of the Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series, this tale of friendship and mince-pie feasts is the perfect Christmas book for [...]
December 12, 2020
From award-winning writer Alex Wheatle comes a contemporary story for teenagers that has been created especially for dyslexic and reluctant readers. It is published by Barrington Stoke. The Humiliations of Welton Blake is about a boy named Welton who has just asked out Carmella Mcenzie- [...]
From author Katya Balen for children aged 9-12 years is one of the most beautiful stories that has been published this Autumn. The critics are describing it as a future classic and our young reviewer certainly agrees that it is an amazing book that [...]
This is a YA thriller with a twist of the supernatural from super-talented writer Lauren James. It is published in the UK by Walker Books. What if death is only the beginning? When Harriet Stoker dies falling from a balcony in a long-abandoned building, she [...]
November 17, 2020
Brand New Boy is a charming, warm and witty tale set in school in the North East. It is told by master storyteller (winner of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and Carnegie Medal), a literary hero of the North East – David Almond. [...]
November 16, 2020
A fantastic collection featuring 32 of the best Magnificent Machines from across history by Blue Peter award-winning writer and historian David Long. In addition to the all important facts and figures are lots of sleek, stylish illustrations by Simon Tyler across both pages of [...]
November 15, 2020
This is a beautifully imaginative and rich adventure about determination, courage and the power of love, set in the aftermath of World War Two from Katharine Orton, the author of Nevertell. Readers aged 9-12 years who like well-written adventure stories with a historical backdrop and [...]
November 14, 2020
