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The Jamie Drake Equation

Christopher Edge

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

A cosmic adventure for anyone who's ever looked at the stars, from the award-winning Christopher Edge. ""A writer of genuine originality"" - Guardian ""A fun, intellectually challenging novel with an emotional centre"" - The Times How amazing would it be to have a dad who's an astronaut? Rocket launches, zero gravity, and flying through space like a superhero! Jamie Drake's dad is orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station and Jamie ought to think it's cool but he just really misses him... Hanging out at his local observatory, Jamie picks up a strange signal on his phone. It looks like alien life is getting closer to home. But space is a dangerous place and when his dad's mission goes wrong, can Jamie prove that he's a hero too? Check out these other brilliant books from Christopher Edge: Black Hole Cinema Club Escape Room Twelve Minutes to Midnight The Many Worlds of Albie Bright

The Bird Singers

Eve Wersocki Morris

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (6 reviews)

A thrilling debut spooky mystery to send shivers down your spine, for fans of Michelle Harrison and Abi Elphinstone. 'I am tired of Eve Wersocki Morris being the best-kept secret in children's literature. I want everyone to be reading her mysterious and mesmirizing books. Please do your part.' Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events 'The whistling had started on their first night. At first, Layah thought it was bird song - a high thin sound which became a melody, rising and falling. And each night, it returned.' Strange things have been happening to Layah and her younger sister, Izzie, ever since their mother dragged them to a rain-soaked cottage miles from anywhere in the Lake District: there is a peculiar whistling at night, a handful of unusual feathers appear on their doorstep and there are murmurings of a shadowed woman in the forest. And their mother is behaving very oddly. Layah is mourning the loss of her dear grandmother in Poland - and can almost hear her Babcia's voice telling her the old myths and fairy tales from that magical place. And as the holiday takes on a dark twist, Layah begins to wonder if the myths might just be real. 'A deliciously spine-tingling story with sisterhood at its heart. I loved it.' A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Lampie

Annet Schaap, Laura Watkinson (Translator)

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (6 reviews)

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE AWARD 2020 AN OBSERVER BEST BOOK OF 2019 'An astonishing, mysterious seaswept story... Dazzles with darkness and glitters with light' Cerrie Burnell, author of Harper and the Sea of Secrets Every evening Lampie the lighthouse keeper's daughter must light a lantern to warn ships away from the rocks. But one stormy night disaster strikes. The lantern goes out, a ship is wrecked and an adventure begins. In disgrace, Lampie is sent to work as a maid at the Admiral's Black House, where rumour has it that a monster lurks in the tower. But what she finds there is stranger and more beautiful than any monster. Soon Lampie is drawn into a fairytale adventure in a world of mermaids and pirates, where she must fight with all her might for friendship, freedom and the right to be different.

Henry and the Guardians of the Lost

Jenny Nimmo

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (4 reviews)

A spell-binding new children's book from one of Britain’s best-loved authors of fantasy adventure. Perfect for fans of Eva Ibbotson, Inkheart, and the Charlie Bone series. The yellow letter arrived on a Saturday, otherwise Henry would have been at school. The envelope was such a bright, sunny colour, no one would have believed that it contained a bombshell. Less than 10 minutes after the arrival of the mysterious letter, Henry is on the run with his Auntie Pearl, possibly never to return home. Henry has a secret. He is twelve, but he hasn’t aged a day since the moment he was thrust a hundred years into the future. Now his secret has put him in danger. His only hope is the protection of the Guardians of the Lost. A wonderfully immersive fantasy book for children aged 9 years and up. 'A fast moving, dialogue-driven romp with plenty of cliff-hangers for those first hooked into reading by Harry Potter’ – The Bookseller on Midnight for Charlie Bone Another gripping magical adventure from the Charlie Bone universe. Have you collected all of the Charlie Bone stories? Midnight for Charlie Bone Charlie Bone and the Time Twister Charlie Bone and the Blue Boa Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors Charlie Bone and the Hidden King Charlie Bone and the Wilderness Wolf Charlie Bone and the Shadow of Badlock Charlie Bone and the Red Knight Also look out for The Snow Spider trilogy. ‘Dark, funny, crackling with magic’ – author Artemis Cooper on Midnight for Charlie Bone ‘A fast moving, dialogue driven romp with plenty of cliff-hangers for those first hooked into reading by Harry Potter’ – Bookseller on Midnight for Charlie Bone Jenny Nimmo is the acclaimed author of the Charlie Bone books for children. She has won several significant awards for her children’s books, including the Nestle Smarties Book Prize and the Tir na n-Og Welsh Arts Council award for The Snow Spider. She lives in Wales with her husband, David.

Little Bits of Sky

S. E. Durrant, Katie Harnett

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (7 reviews)

Winner of the Student Vote, UKLA Book Award 2017 Winner of the Warwickshire Schools Book Award 2017 Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2017 Nominated for the 2017 CILIP Carnegie Medal I've put this story together from the diaries I kept when Zac and I were children. I wrote them because I felt we were almost invisible and I wanted to make sure our story was told, and also in the hope that life would get better for the small unloved girl that was me, and my even smaller unloved brother. And if life didn't get better or at least more interesting I was going to make it up - to put in witches and castles and rides in fast cars. But I didn't need to. Life got exciting all by itself... It's 1987 and Ira and Zac are being uprooted once again, this time to Skilly House, a home for social care children. Their lives over the next few years are beautifully realised amongst the antipathy of the authorities, the drama of the poll tax riots and the moments of peace and hope Ira finds at Skilly and further afield. This is a memorable and moving tale about growing up, making friends and finding a home. Featuring a brand new short story, 'Glenda'. ""This remarkable debut novel reads as if written by an experienced children's author at the height of her powers. The story of looked-after siblings of 9 and 11, it is reminiscent of Jacqueline Wilson in its subject and Sharon Creech in its style and generosity of spirit. Instantly engaging, and sustaining emotional involvement throughout... this is an uplifting and convincing evocation of time and place, of two vivid young lives, and of the hope that kindness can offer. It is a gentle story, although sad things happen (expect tears), and it tells us clearly how the feelings of adults and children can be complicated."" - The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week ""...a beautiful book... the characters are brilliantly drawn. SE Durrant writes both economically and subtly as she tells the story of the children and the mysterious Glenda. In spite of its lyrical quality, realism permeates the book and the ending, whilst optimistic, is entirely believable. I can offer no higher compliment than that this is worthy of Elizabeth Laird at her very best."" - The Scotsman ""Set against the backdrop of the 1990 poll tax strikes and written in diary-like entries, this is a personal and heartfelt tale of growing up as a child in care. It's wonderfully honest and does not shy away from the heartache of loss and longing. What makes it even more special is how Durrant keeps it realistic but maintains a sense of hope and optimism. A must-read but have a box of tissues at the ready."" - BookTrust ""Little Bits of Sky is a truly, truly, truly lovely story. It's rather difficult to credit it as a debut novel because it is completely comfortable in its own skin from the first page to the last. It doesn t try too hard. It doesn't proselytise. It s just there, feeling deeply authentic and real ... Uplifting and heartwarming without ever being twee, this debut will find a place in the heart of readers of any age. It deserves to do well. I hope it does."" - The Bookbag ""...this is a rare book that is perfect for young readers who want a proper story, real characters and situations without being harrowed and where there is the warmth of optimism. This is the author's debut and to be highly commended: a new voice to welcome."" - Books for Keeps Also by S. E. Durrant: Runnng on Empty Talking to the Moon

The Deadly Dinner Lady (Rory Branagan (Detective), Book 4)

Andrew Clover, Ralph Lazar

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (6 reviews)

Meet RORY BRANAGAN – he eats bad guys for breakfast. Well, not ACTUALLY. But he IS the best detective in town. Fourth in the hilarious illustrated comedy-crime book series for kids, RORY BRANAGAN (DETECTIVE). Hello. I am Rory Branagan. I am DEFINITELY a detective. An absolutely HUGE crime has been committed at my school . . . Nobody likes our head dinner lady, but WHO would actually try to KILL her? And WHY? It's up to me and my Accomplice, Cassidy 'the Cat' Callaghan, to solve our DEADLIEST crime yet. There are seven books in the RORY BRANAGAN (DETECTIVE) series and this is the fourth. Highly illustrated on every page by Happiness Is creator Ralph Lazar, this book is perfect for children aged 8 and up, and all children at heart.

Wayside School is Falling Down

Louis Sachar

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (6 reviews)

'Watch closely,' said Mrs Jewls. 'You can learn much faster using a computer instead of paper and pencil.' Then she pushed the computer out of the window. The children all watched it fall thirty floors. 'See?' said Mrs Jewls. 'That's gravity ...' That's the way things happen at Wayside School. There are twenty-nine kids in Mrs Jewls' class and this book is about all of them: there is Todd, who is in trouble every day, until he gets a magic dog; Paul, whose life is saved by Leslie's pigtails; Ron, who dares to try the cafeteria's mushroom surprise; and all the others who help turn a day at Wayside School into one madcap adventure after another.

The Thirteen Secrets

Michelle Harrison

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (8 reviews)

The third and final instalment in the fairy-filled Thirteen Treasures trilogy, full of fairies, magic and pure adventure from Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner Michelle Harrison. Red's past won't stay hidden. She's now living at Elvesden Manor under her real name, Rowan, and trying to put her terrible adventures behind her. But staying out of trouble isn't as easy as she'd hoped. Haunted by awful dreams of Hedgewitch's cottage – and of Eldritch, who swore revenge when she left him there to die – Red fears the fairy realm is about to draw her back in . . . But, will she make it back, this time? Or will dark forces finally claim her? The perfect series for fans of Katherine Rundell and Sophie Anderson! Praise for Michelle Harrison: 'Harrison has a knack for creating stories so engrossing you won’t notice when the sun begins to rise and you are still reading' Waterstones Books Quarterly 'BRILLIANT' Emma Carroll, author of Letters From The Lighthouse, on A Pinch of Magic 'Simply phenomenal!' Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs, on A Pinch of Magic 'I was utterly captivated by the Widdershins sisters' Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy, on A Pinch of Magic ‘A fabulous magical adventure’ Sunday Express, on A Pinch of Magic ‘Fantasy and adventure appear on every page of this spellbinding tale’ Daily Mail, on A Pinch of Magic 'The Thirteen Treasures boils with the kind of fairy that is far worse than Puck… what could be more cheering to curl up with.' Amanda Craig, The Times, on the Thirteen Treasures series 'Flows with energy from page to page with a magical enchanting story which kept me gripped… it's a little treasure and the first of many I hope.' Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books, on the Thirteen Treasures series 'This is an unmissable treat. Combining the faery of Spiderwick with a truly nail-biting thriller, this is first rate entertainment for children (and adults)' Books Monthly.co.uk, on the Thirteen Treasures series 'The Thirteen Curses is so hard to put down it's almost impossible' Wondrous Reads, on The Thirteen Curses

Coconut Comes to School

Berlie Doherty, Ivan Bates

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (4 reviews)

Coconut the donkey comes to school everyday. The children love her, but the teacher, Mr Clapper, doesn't think donkeys should come to school and has a plan to make her go away. However, when Clapper finds himself in trouble, he just might have to change his mind about Coconut.

The Girls I've Been

Tess Sharpe

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (8 reviews)

Soon to be a Netflix film starring Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown - this must-read psychological thriller, perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying, will leave you guessing until the final page. 'Unlike anything I've read before... immediate, gripping, incredibly tense, heart-breaking, heart-warming and FUN! ' - Holly Jackson, author of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder As an ex con artist, Nora has always got herself out of tricky situations. But the ultimate test lies in wait when she's taken hostage in a bank heist. And this time, Nora doesn't have an escape plan ... Meet Nora. Also known as Rebecca, Samantha, Haley, Katie and Ashley - the girls she's been. Nora didn't choose a life of deception - she was born into it. As the daughter of a con artist who targeted criminal men, Nora always had to play a part. But when her mother fell for one of the men instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con herself: escape. For five years Nora's been playing at normal - but things are far from it when she finds herself held at gunpoint in the middle of a bank heist, along with Wes (her ex-boyfriend) and Iris (her secret new girlfriend and mutual friend of Wes ... awkward). Now it will take all of Nora's con artistry skills to get them out alive. Because the gunmen have no idea who she really is - that girl has been in hiding for far too long ... 'Slick, stylish and full of suspense' - Sophie McKenzie, author of Girl, Missing 'A powerful gut-punch of a book that will leave you reeling long after its final pages. I couldn't put it down!' - Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You 'I could hardly breathe until I finished. The tension! Absolutely loved it.' - Emily Barr, author of The One Memory of Flora Banks

First Term at Malory Towers

Enid Blyton

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (8 reviews)

This school story by Enid Blyton is set in a girls' school, Malory Towers. The new girls are arriving for their first term there, and are full of apprehension. What will life be like in this new environment? The joys and sorrows of school life are portrayed here in simple terms.

All the Pieces of Me

Libby Scott, Rebecca Westcott

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (7 reviews)

From the bestselling authors of Can You See Me? comes the fourth exceptional Tally book! Year 9 can be tough for everyone, but for Tally it feels even tougher. Everything seems to be changing as she and her friends get older. Make-up, boys, social media, GCSE prep - why is it all starting to feel so different? Tally has always known that being autistic means some things are harder for her than they are for other people. But becoming a teenager has left Tally feeling like she has no idea who she even is anymore... The fourth book by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott, following on from Ways to be Me, Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? When Libby's mum shared a short piece of Libby's writing online it soon went viral, with tens of thousands of people saying that Libby's writing helped them understand autism for the first time This fictionalised portrayal of a young autistic girl is written by Rebecca Westcott, with diary entries by Libby Scott, making it a truly original and authentic book that will give readers of all ages a deeper understanding of what it's like to be autistic Perfect for fans of The Goldfish Boy and Wonder Books by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott Ways To Be Me Can You See Me? Do You Know Me? All the Pieces of Me

Book Sorter

Books sorted! Take a look at these top recommendations, or...

The Jamie Drake Equation

Christopher Edge

The Jamie Drake Equation

Subjects

Average rating

The Bird Singers

Eve Wersocki Morris

The Bird Singers

Subjects

Average rating

Lampie

Annet Schaap, Laura Watkinson (Translator)

Lampie

Subjects

Average rating

Henry and the Guardians of the Lost

Jenny Nimmo

Henry and the Guardians of the Lost

Subjects

Average rating

Little Bits of Sky

S. E. Durrant, Katie Harnett

Little Bits of Sky

Subjects

Average rating

The Deadly Dinner Lady (Rory Branagan (Detective), Book 4)

Andrew Clover, Ralph Lazar

The Deadly Dinner Lady (Rory Branagan (Detective), Book 4)

Subjects

Average rating

Wayside School is Falling Down

Louis Sachar

Wayside School is Falling Down

Subjects

Average rating

The Thirteen Secrets

Michelle Harrison

The Thirteen Secrets

Subjects

Average rating

Coconut Comes to School

Berlie Doherty, Ivan Bates

Coconut Comes to School

Subjects

Average rating

The Girls I've Been

Tess Sharpe

The Girls I've Been

Subjects

Average rating

First Term at Malory Towers

Enid Blyton

First Term at Malory Towers

Subjects

Average rating

All the Pieces of Me

Libby Scott, Rebecca Westcott

All the Pieces of Me

Subjects

Average rating

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