ReadingSuggestions

KeyStage2

Thereisahugerangeofexcellentfictionforthe7–11yearagerange.Theselistsforeach

yeargrouplistjustafewandmanycrosstheyeargroupboundaries.Somemaylooktoo

youngbutthelengthofabookcanbedeceptive.Somefeaturemoreillustrationthantext:

illustrationcanbeasimportantinthetellingofastoryaswordsandwillintroducechildren

tokeyillustrators.

Therearealsoplentyofseriesthatareperfectforthisagerange,dotakealookatthe

authorsthemselvesandpleasenotethatwehaveonlyincludedonebookfromeachseries.

SomeauthorssuchasJacquelineWilsonandMalorieBlackmanwriteacrosstheagerange

andsomeoftheirtitlesaremoresuitedtoolderchildrenthanthoseinlowerKeyStage2.

TheHarryPotterseriesiswellknownandnotincludedintheselists.Childrencantryitoutat

anystage,thoughatYear3,itmightbebettertoreaditwiththechild.

ReadingSuggestionsYear5(age9-10)

AselectionofbooksespeciallyselectedforchildreninYear5(9-10yearolds)ofaverage

readingability.

Year5studentsshouldbepickingfromtheirclassbookcornerinordertodevelopand

progresstheirreading.Ifyourchildisacompetentreaderorhasreadallthesetitlesthen

trythebooksfromtheYear6list.Alternatively,ifthesebooksarealittlechallenging,try

booksfromtheYear4list.

TheHarryPotterseriesiswellknownandnotincludedintheselists.Childrencantryitoutat

anystage,thoughitmightbebettertoreadpartswiththechild.

ATaleDarkandGrimmAdamGidwitzReader:beware.Warlockswithdarkspells,hunterswithdeadlyaim,andbakerswithovensretrofittedforcookingchildrenlurkwithinthesepages.Butifyoudare,turnthepageandlearnthetruestoryofHanselandGretel-thestorybehind(andbeyond)thebreadcrumbs,ediblehousesandoutwittedwitches.Comeonin.Itmaybefrightening,it'scertainlybloody,andit'sdefinitelynotforthefaintofheart.

Alex,theDogandtheUnopenableDoorRossMontgomeryAlexJenningsisaboywithaproblem.Hismum'ssenthimawaytoboardingschoolbecausehisfather,themostfamouslyfailedexplorerinthehistoryoftheCusp,hasescapedfromhospitalagain,yelling'squiggles'.Makethattwoproblems.NowtheevilDavidusKyteandallhishenchmenareafterAlex,convincedhealoneknowsthemeaningoftheword'squiggles'.OK,makethatthree-AlexJenningsisaboywithalotofproblems.Butwiththehelpofatalkingdogandagirlwithunfeasiblysharpteeth,hejustmighthavewhatittakestocrosstheForbiddenLands,escapetheevilDavidusKyte,andfindoutwhatliesbeyondtheCusp...

AnElephantintheGardenMichaelMorpurgo,M.B.E.Athrillingandmovingnovelaboutanextraordinaryanimalcaughtupinaveryhumanwar,foranyonewholovedTheAmazingStoryofAdolphusTipsorTheButterflyLion...Bytheaward-winningformerChildren'sLaureateandauthorofWarHorse.Dresden,1945.ElizabethandKarli'smotherworksatthezoo,whereherfavouriteanimalisayoungelephantnamedMarlene.Thenthezoodirectortellsherthatthedangerousanimals-includingtheelephants-mustbeshotbeforethetownisbombed.UnabletogiveMarleneup,theirmothermovesherintothebackgardentosaveher...andthenthebombsstarttofall.Theirhomedestroyed,thewholefamilymustfleethebombed-outcityandthroughtheperilous,snow-coveredlandscape,allthewhileavoidingtheRussiantroopswhoaredrawingevercloser.Itwouldbehardenoughtodo,withoutanelephantintow...

ArtemisFowlEoinColferTwelve-year-oldvillain,ArtemisFowl,isthemostingeniouscriminalmastermindinhistory.Hisboldanddaringplanistoholdaleprechauntoransom.Buthe'stakingonmorethanhebargainedforwhenhekidnapsCaptainHollyShortoftheLEPrecon(LowerElementsPoliceReconnaissanceUnit).Forastart,leprechauntechnologyismoreadvancedthanourown.AddtothatthefactthatHollyisatrueheroineandthatherseniorofficerCommanderRootwillstopatnothingtogetherbackandyou'vegotthemotherofallsiegesbrewing!

Boom!MarkHaddonEverythingaboutthisdeliciouslyimprobableadventureisalmostcompletelydaft–andthat’sthefunofitall.WhenCharliesetsuphiswalkie-talkieinthestaffroomhedoesn’theargossipaboutthepupilsashehadexpected.Instead,hefindstheteachersarespeakinginaforeignlanguagethatnoonehaseverheardof.CharlieiskidnappedtryingtofindoutmoreandwhenJimsetsouttofindhim–hissister‘borrows’amotorbikeanddrivinghimuptoSkye-hetooiscaughtupinthedisturbingritualsofanunusualgroup.Jimtellsthemadcapstorywhichalsoincludesawryandlight-heartedviewoffamilylife.

CosmicFrankCottrellBoyceIt'sonegiantleapforallboy-kindinFrankCottrellBoyce'sout-of-this-worldstory:Cosmic.Liamistoobigforhisboots.Andhisfootballstrip.Andhisschoolblazer.Butbeingsuper-sizedheight-wisehasitsadvantages:he'stheonlyeleven-year-oldtoeverridetheG-force-defyingCosmicrollercoaster-ortobeofferedthechancetodriveaPorsche.Long-leggedLiammakesagiantleapforboy-kindbycompetingwithagroupofadultsforthechancetogointospace.IsLiamthebestboyforthejob?Sometimesbeingbigisn'tallaboutbeingagrown-up.

DeepEndSamHuttonYourlifecanchangeinasecond.MaddieCooper'sdid.Sheandherparentsweregunneddowninthestreet.Maddie'smotherwaskilled,herfatherleftinawheelchair.Searchingforanewroleinlife,Maddiesignsupasatraineeinherfather'snotoriousflyingsquad.

DiaryofaWimpyKidJeffKinneyThefirstinthebrilliantWimpyKidseriesthathastakentheUS,andnowtheUKbystorm.TheillustrationsandstoryhilariouslychartGreg'slifeatanewschool.

DutyCalls:DunkirkJamesHollandDutyCalls:DunkirkbyJamesHollandisagrippingtrue-to-lifestoryaboutoneofthemostdramaticeventsofWorldWarII.'Youwantedtoseesomeaction-wellyou'regoingtogetitnow.You'regoingtogetitnowallright'.Friday24thMay,1940PrivateJohnnyHawke,agedsixteen,awakenstoartilleryfire.Hourslater,Stukasscreamdownfromthesky.Messerschmitfightersroartowardshisregiment.Trucksburstintoflames.Nowmenandmuleslaydeadanddying,severedlimbstwistedgrotesquelyasbloodsoaksthecobbledstreets.YoungPrivateHawkejustwantstodohisdutyandservehiscountry.Butashe-andhisfellowsoldiers-preparetostoptheGermanadvance,there'sonlyonequestiononeveryone'slips.Howwilltheysurvive?

Hollandisasuperbhistorianwhoknowshisstuff.(DailyTelegraph).JamesHollandwasborninSalisbury,Wiltshire,andstudiedhistoryatDurhamUniversity.Heisthebestsellingauthorofnumeroushistoricalnon-fictiontitlesandtheJackTannerfictionseries,andrecentlypresentedBattleofBritain:TheRealStoryonBBC2.AmemberoftheBritishCommissionforMilitaryHistory,hismanyinterviewswithveteransoftheSecondWorldWarareavailableattheImperialWarMuseumandarealsoarchivedatwebsite.DutyCalls:Dunkirkishisfirstnovelforyoungerreaders.

EmilandtheDetectivesErichKastner'PasswordEmil!'Emilisexcitedtobetakingthetrainonhisownforthefirsttime.Hedoesn'tlikethelookofhisfellowpassenger,themaninthebowlerhat.Emilwilljusthavetokeephiswitsabouthimandhismoneyinhispocket.ButEmilfallsasleepandwhenhewakesupthemaninthebowlerhatisgone-andsoisthemoney!Emilisdeterminedtogetitback.Heteamsupwithagangofyoungdetectivesandsobeginsahair-raisingchaseacrossBerlintocatchthedirtyrottenthief...

George'sSecretKeytotheUniverseLucyHawking,StephenHawkingTakearollercoasterridethroughthevastnessofspaceand,inthemidstofanexcitingadventure,discoverthemysteriesofphysics,scienceandtheuniversewithGeorge,hisnewfriendsnextdoor-thescientistEricandhisdaughter,Annie-andasuper-intelligentcomputercalledCosmos,whichcantakethemtotheedgeofablackholeandbackagain.Orcanit?AndwhoelsewouldliketogettheirhandsonCosmos?Afunnyandhugelyinformativerompthroughspace,timeandtheuniverse.

GoblinsPhilipReeveAwildworldofmagicalcreaturesandheroicadventurefromtheextraordinaryimaginationofPhilipReeve.ThesquabblinggoblinswholiveinthegreattowersofClovenstonespendtheirtimefightingandlooting.OnlycleveryoungSkarperunderstandsthatdarkmagiccreatedbyavanquishedsorcererisrisingagain.Fromthelandsofmencomefortune-seekers-andtrolls,giants,cloud-maidens,boglins,swampmonsters,tree-warriorsandbloodthirstygoblinsaresweptintoafabulousmagicalconflicttothrillallfantasyfans.

HalfMoonInvestigationsEoinColferFletcherMoonisatwelveyearoldprivatedetective:withadozensuccessfulinvestigationsunderhisbelt,he’splanningtoheadforthebigtime.Nomorekids’stuffforhim.Moonwantsrealcasesandrealmoney.WithDoobieDoyle,aneightyearoldwithsharpeyesandabigmouthashisbestinformant,Moongetscrackingonsomeseriousbusiness.EoinColferhasperfectedthedetectivestoryinthishilariousandcrisplytoldadventurethatspinsoutatacrackingpace.

HettyFeatherJacquelineWilsonLondon,1876andHettyFeatherisjustatinybabywhenhermotherleavesherattheFoundlingHospital.TheHospitalcaresforabandonedchildren-butHettymustfirstlivewithafosterfamilyuntilsheisbigenoughtogotoschool.Lifeinthecountrysideishardbutwithher'brothers'JemandGideon,shehelpsinthefieldsandplaysimaginarygames.TogethertheysneakofftovisitthetravellingcircusandHettyismesmerisedbytheshow,especiallyMadameAdelineandherperforminghorses.ButHetty'shappinessisthreatenedoncemorewhensheisreturnedtotheFoundlingHospital.Thenewlifeofawfuluniformsandterriblefoodisastruggleforher.Butnowshehasthechancetofindherrealmother.CouldshereallybethewonderfulMadameAdeline?OrwillHettyfindthetruthisevenmoresurprising?JacquelineWilsonwillsurpriseanddelightoldfansandnewwiththisutterlyoriginaltakeonahistoricalnovel.SetinVictoriantimesandfeaturingabrandnewfeistyheroine,HettyFeather,thisisaTracyBeaker-esquetalethatwillthrillyoungreaders.Warm,moving,funnyandtotallyfascinating,it'stheperfectgiftforgirlsofnineandolder.

JiggyMcCue:KidSwapMichaelLawrenceBrilliantlyfunnyandtypicaloftheauthor,it’sfullofhisrazorsharpwit.JiggyMcCueismuchlovedbyboysandgirlsalikeandwhenJiggyfindshe’sbeensignedupbyhisparentsforarealityTVshowwithatwist,thingsstarttogetmorethanalittletricky.ExistingfansofJiggywillbethrilledtojoinhimonanotheradventureandnewreaderswillenjoytheride.

KrindlekraxPhilipRidleyRuskinSplinterissmallandthin,withknock-knees,thickglassesandasqueakyvoice,andtheideaofhimtamingadragonmakesthewholeclasslaugh.Big,strongElvisisstupidbuthelookslikeahero.Sowhoismorelikelytogetthebigpartintheschoolplay?Butwhenthemysteriousbeast,Krindlekrax,threatensLizardStreetandeveryonewholivesthere,itisRuskinwhosavesthedayandprovesheisthestuffthatherosaremadeofafterall.

ManoftheMatchDanFreedmanJamieJohnsonisfastbecomingthemostpopularplayerinthecountry.He'splayingthebestfootballofhiscareerforhisbelovedHawkstone.Butlifeatthetopoftheleagueisn'taseasyasitseems...AfterHawkstonesignanewwinger,Jamiesuddenlyhasaseriousrivalontheteam.Andwhenhefindshimselfsentonloantoatinylocalclub,Jamiewondersifit'sallover...

IngoHelenDunmoreThisisthefirstoftheIngoquartet.HelenDunmorehasdonewhatfewauthorssucceedindoing.She’screatedanabsolutelybelievablemythicalworldalongsideourown.Onethatmakesyouwanttobetheremorethananythingelse,onethatisbothspellbindingandmagical.Ingoisaworldinwhichyouwillbetotallyentrancedandentrapped.Andit’ssoeloquentlywritten.

MatildaRoaldDahlMatildaisabrilliantandsensitivechild,butherparentsthinkofheronlyasanuisance.Evenbeforesheisfiveyearsold,shehasreadDickensandHemingwayandstillherparentsthinkofherasapest.Soshedecidestogetbackatthem.Herplatinum-hairedmotherandcarsalesmanfatherarenomatchforhersharpgenius,andneitheristhecruelheadmistressMissTrunchbull.Andthenthechildprodigydiscoversshehasanextraordinarymagicpowerthatcansaveherschoolandespeciallythelovelykindergartenteacher,MissHoney.

JustSoStoriesRudyardKipling,JonathanStroudThisbookpresentsthedelightfultalesofwhalesandcatsandkangaroosandcrabs-everythingfromhowthecamelgotinahumph(andgothishump!)tohowthealphabetwasinvented.Enchantingandfunny,thesefantasticalstoriescontinuetodelighteachandeverygeneration.

PercyJacksonandtheLightningThiefRickRiordanHalfboy.HalfGod.AllHero.Look,Ididn'twanttobeahalf-blood.IneveraskedtobethesonofaGreekGod.Iwasjustanormalkid,goingtoschool,playingbasketball,skateboarding.Theusual.UntilIaccidentallyvaporizedmymathsteacher.NowIspendmytimebattlingmonstersandgenerallytryingtostayalive.ThisistheonewhereZeus,GodoftheSky,thinksI'vestolenhislightningbolt-andmakingZeusangryisaverybadidea.

RatburgerDavidWalliamsThefifthscreaminglyfunnynovelfromDavidWalliams,numberonebestsellerandfastestgrowingchildren'sauthorinthecountry,nowavailableinpaperback.FromthebestsellingauthorofGangstaGrannyandDemonDentistcomesanotherhilarious,action-packedandtouchingnovel-thestoryofalittlegirlcalledZoe.ThingsarenotlookinggoodforZoe.HerstepmotherSheilaissolazyshegetsZoetopickhernoseforher.TheschoolbullyTinaTrottsmakesherlifeamisery-mainlybyflobbingonherhead.AndnowtheevilBurtfromBurt'sBurgersisafterherpetrat!Andguesswhathewantstodowithit?Theclueisinthetitle...

RedwallBrianJacquesRedwallAbbey,tranquilhometoacommunityofpeace-lovingmiceisthreatenedbyClunytheScourge-theevil-one-eyedratwarlord-andhisbattle-hardenedhordeofpredators.ClunyiscertainthatRedwallwillfalleasilytohisfearsomearmybuthehasn'tbargainedforthecourageandstrengthofthecombinedforcesoftheRedwallmiceandtheirloyalwoodlandfriends...

ShadowForestMattHaigSamuelBlinkistheheroofthisstory,buthedoesn'tknowityet.Rightnow,heandhissisterMarthaareinthebackofhisparents'car.Hehasnoideaagiantlogisabouttofallfromtheskyandchangehislifeforever.Hedoesn'tknowthatheandMarthawillbeforcedtomovetoNorwayandeattheirAuntEda'ssmellybrowncheese.Hehasn'ttheslightestclueMarthawilldisappearintoShadowForest.Aforestfullofone-eyedtrolls,thesinisterhuldre-folk,deadlyTruthPixiesandawitchwhostealsshadows.AforestruledbytheevilChangemaker.Aforestsodangerousthatpeoplewhoenterneverreturn.No.SamuelBlinkdoesn'tknowanyofthis.Sodon'ttellhim.Itmightruinthebook...WinneroftheGoldSmartiesPrizeandtheBluePeterAward,andshortlistedfortheCarnegieMedalandtheWaterstone'sPrize

StormbreakerAnthonyHorowitzWhenhisguardiandiesinsuspiciouscircumstances,fourteen-year-oldAlexRiderfindshisworldturnedupsidedown.ForciblyrecruitedintoMI6,AlexhastotakepartingruellingSAStrainingexercises.Then,armedwithhisownspecialsetofsecretgadgets,he'soffonhisfirstmissiontoCornwall,whereMiddle-Easternmulti-billionaireHerodSayleisproducinghisstate-of-the-artStormbreakercomputers.Saylehasofferedtogiveonefreetoeveryschoolinthecountry-butthere'smoretothegiftthanmeetstheeye.

SwallowsandAmazonsArthurRansomeTheultimatechildren'sclassic-longsummerdaysfilledwithadventure.John,Susan,TittyandRogersailtheirboat,Swallow,toadesertedislandforasummercampingtrip.Exploringandplayingsailorsisanadventureinitselfbuttheislandholdsmoreexcitementinstore.TwofierceAmazonpirates,NancyandPeggy,challengethemtowarandasummerofbattlesandalliancesensues.

TheBoyWhoSwamwithPiranhasDavidAlmondStanleyPottsisjustanordinaryboy,butwhenallthejobsinFishQuaydisappearhisUncleErniedevelopsanextraordinaryfascinationwithcanningfish.Suddenlytheirhomeisfilledwiththesoundofclangingmachineryandthestenchofmackerel,andUncleErnie'sobsessionreachessuchheightsthathewouldevencanStan'sbelovedgoldfish!Stan,however,hashisowndestiny,whichleadshim-viaahook-a-duckstall-toPanchoPirelli,theblue-capedmadmanwhoswimswithpiranhas.AndasStandelvesintothewaters,hefinallydiscoverswhohereallycanbe.

TheDarkWildPiersTordayWINNEROFTHEGUARDIANCHILDREN'SFICTIONPRIZE2014.Twelve-year-oldKesterthoughthehaddiscoveredthelastwildanimalsintheland.Hethoughthisadventurewasover.Hewaswrong.BelowthesparklingcityofPremium,deepunderground,adarkwildremains:animalswhobelievethetimeisrighttoriseupagainsttheirhumanenemies.AndsoonKesterrealises:heistheonlyonewhocanstopthem.KesterJaynessavedtheanimals.Canhesavethehumanstoo?

TheGirlWhoWalkedOnAirEmmaCarrollLouie,whowasabandonedatChipchase'sTravellingCircusasababy,dreamsofbecominga'Showstopper',butMrChipchasekeepsherhidden,tuckedawayintheticketbooth.NoDeath-DefyingStuntsforher.ButLouiehasbeensecretlypractisingheract-tightrope-walking-anddreamsofbeingtheGirlWhoWalkedonAir...shejustneedstobegiventhechancetoshine.Andthecircusneedshertoo-Wellbeloved'srivalshowisstealingtheircrowds.TheyneedaShowstopper.Desperate,MrChipchasereluctantlyletsLouieperform.Sheisasensation,andgetsanofferfromthesinisterMrWellbelovedhimself

toperform...overNiagaraFalls.ButnothingisquiteasitseemsandsoonLouie'sbraveryistestednotjustonthehighwirebutinconfrontingherpastandtheshadycharactersintheworldofthecircus...

TheGrannyProjectAnneFineWhatdoeshemean?What'sgoingon?AreyoutwothinkingofputtingGrannyintoaHome?Thinkingisfinished,'Natashatoldhim.'Itisdecided.Thefourchildren,Ivan,Sophie,TanyaandNicholas,can'tbelieveit.TheirparentsareplanningtoputtheirgrandmotherintoaHome.She'sabitofadottyoldlady-sometimesdemanding,oftenannoying-butasmuchapartoftheirlivesastheirshamblyhouseorthewhirringofthewashingmachine.Sotheydecidetotakeaction.Theybegin'TheGrannyProject',withimmediateandsensationalresults...

TheHobbitJRRTolkienTheHobbitisthepreludetoTheLordoftheRingsandwasfirstpublishedin1937.Itisafinelywrittensagafullofadventureswithelves,trollsandmanyperilousdangers.Thestoryfollowsthequestofhome-lovingBilboBagginsasheleaveshiscomedic-rusticvillageandmovesintodarker,deeperterritoryalongwiththethirteendwarvesandthewizardGandalf.BilboencountersvariousdenizensoftheWilderland,inordertoreachandwinhisshareofthetreasureguardedbythedragon,Smaug.

TheImmortalsChrisRiddell,PaulStewartFivehundredyearsintothethirdageofflightandmightyphraxshipssteamacrosstheimmensityoftheDeepwoods,plyingtheirlucrativetradebetweenthethreegreatcities.NateQuarter,ayoungLamplighterfromtheminesoftheeasternwoodsispropelledonanepicjourneyofself-discoverythatencompassestournaments,battles,revolutionsandafinalencounterwiththeImmortalsthemselves.ThisisthefinaltaleintheEdgeChroniclessequenceandit'safabulousclimax.

Setyearsinthefuture,thisbookisidealfornewreaderstodiscovertheseriesbeforegoingbacktoreadthe'history'ofTwig,RookandQuint.PackedwithincredibleillustrationsfromChrisRiddell,thisisawonderfullyfunny,movingandutterlyinventivebook.

TheOgreofOglefortEvaIbbotsonWhenaHag,anorphanboycalledIvo,UlfthetrollandwizardBrianBrainswelleraresenttorescueaprincessfromanogre,theybrieflyconsiderrunningawayandhiding.Cantheybeanymatchforthegruesome,terrifying,ghastly,flesh-eatingOgreofOglefort?Butnotallisasitfirstappears-theOgreisdepressedandtheprincessdoesn'twanttoberescued.TheNorns,whoruletheirfates,decidetotakethingsinhandandsendagangofthevilest,mostpetrifyingghoulstogetthejobdoneproperly...

TheRingmasterJuliaGoldingDarcieLockisinadvertentlythrownintoaworldofSASmen,espionage,corruption,pologamesandfashionparadeswhenherfatheristakenhostagewhileinvestigatinganinternationalsmugglingring.Darcieiscommissionedtofindoutwhathappened.Armedwithhersharpwitandonlyafewgadgets,canDarciesaveherfather?

TheSilverSwordIanSerraillierAlthoughthesilverswordwasonlyapaperknife,itbecamethesymbolofhopeandcouragewhichkepttheBalickichildrenandtheirorphanfriendJanalivethroughthefouryearsofoccupationwhentheyhadtofendforthemselves.Andafterwardsitinspiredthemtokeepgoingontheexhaustinganddangerousjourneyfromwar-tornPolandtoSwitzerland,wheretheyhopedtofindtheirparents.Basedontrueaccounts,thisisamovingstoryoflifeduringandaftertheSecondWorldWar.

TheSleepingArmyFrancescaSimonFreyaisanordinarygirllivinginmodernBritain,butwithatwist:peoplestillworshiptheVikinggods.Oneevening,stuckwithherdadonhisnightshiftattheBritishMuseum,sheisdrawntotheLewisChessmenandHeimdall'sHorn.Unabletoresist,sheblowsthehorn,wakingthreechesspiecesfromtheirenchantment;theslavesRoskvaandAlfi,andSnottheBerserk.TheyareallsummonedtoAsgard,landoftheVikinggods,andtoldtheymustgoonaperilousjourneytorestorethegodstoyouth.IfFreyarefusesshewillbeturnedintoanivorychesspiecebut,ifsheacceptsherdestinyandfails,thesameterriblefateawaitsher.

TheSonsofScarlattiJohnMcNallyABIGadventurewithatinyhero...InfinityDrakeandhisscientistunclearesummonedtoacrisismeeting.Apower-madvillainhasreleasedadoomsdaybio-weapon-themutantScarlattiwasp.Millionsoflivesareindanger,butUncleAlhasacrazyplanthatjustmightwork...Soonhe'sshrinkingacrackmilitaryteamtotakedownthewasps.ButadoubleagentthrowsthemissionandnowFinnis9mmtallandhastheweightoftheworld'ssurvivalonhistinyshoulders.Killerbugs:It'stimetopickonsomeoneyourownsize!

TheThievesofOstiaCarolineLawrenceFlaviaGeminaisbrilliantatfindingthings,soit'snaturalforhertosolvemysteries.Thedaughterofaship'scaptainlivinginOstia,theportofRome,inAD79,sheacquiresagangofthreefriendswhohelpher.ThereisJonathan,theJewishboy(andsecretlyaChristian);Nubia,theAfricanslavegirl;andLupus,amutebeggarboy.Togethertheyworkoutwhoseveredtheheadsofthewatchdogsthatguardpeople'shomes,andwhyhedidit.

CarolineLawrenceisaterrificstorytellerandadelightfullyreadableandaccessiblewriterwithcharactersthatchildrenwillrelateto.HerpictureofdailylifeinAncientRomeiswonderfullyvivid.ButTHETHIEVESOFOSTIAisfirstandforemostawhodunnit,withlotsoftwistandcliffhangersandamysteryforthereadertosolve.

TheTurbulentTermofTykeTilerGeneKempTykeTilerisveryfondofjokes,that'swhytherearesomanyinthisstory.TykeisalsofondofDannyPrice,whoisnottoobrightanddependsalotonhisfriend.TogetherTykeandDannyaredoubletrouble.

TheWolvesofWilloughbyChaseJoanAiken1832-aperiodofEnglishHistorythatneverhappened.GoodKingJamesIIIisonthethroneandthecountryisravagedbywolveswhichhavemigratedthroughthenewly-openedChannelTunnel.WhenSylviaandBonnie(bothorphans)fallintothehandsofevilMissSlighcarp,theymustusealltheirwitstoescapeunscathed-forthegovernessismorecruelandmercilessthanthewolvesthatsurroundthegreathouseofWilloughbyChase.

TimmyFailure:MistakesWereMadeStephanPastisPerfectforfansofWimpyKidandBigNate,TimmyFailure:MistakesWereMadeisthefirstbookintheNewYorkTimesbestsellingseries.Listedasoneof100ModernChildren'sClassicsbyTheSundayTimes,itwasalsoaBooktrustBestBookAwardswinner.MeetTimmyFailure,founderofthebestdetectiveagencyintown-TotalFailure,Inc.Withthehelpofhispolarbear,Total,theclueless,comicallyself-confidentTimmyalreadyhasplansforworlddomination.Plansthatwillmakehismotherrichandunpaidbillsathingofthepast.AndplansthatwilldefeatCorrinaCorrina,TheOneWhoseNameShallNotBeUttered.Butshe'snotgoingaway.

TheWitchesRoaldDahlThisisabookabout'realwitches'-theonesthatabsolutelyloathechildrenandarealwaysplottingtogetridofthem.ItfeaturesagreatnewQuentinBlakecoveraswellasawholenewexcitingendsectionaboutRoaldDahlandhisworld.

Tom'sMidnightGardenPhilippaPearceLyingawakeatnight,Tomhearstheoldgrandfatherclockdownstairsstrike...eleven...twelve...thirteen...Thirteen!WhenTomgetsuptoinvestigate,hediscoversamagicalgarden.Agardenthateveryonetoldhimdoesn'texist.Agardenthatonlyhecanenter...ACarnegie-Medal-winningmodernclassicthat'smagicallytimeless.

TrueStoriesoftheSecondWorldWarHenryBrook,PaulDowswellAboxedsetofthreepaperbackbooksfromtheTrueStoriesseries:TheBlitz,D-DayandTheSecondWorldWar.Eachbookcontainsaseriesofreal-lifeaccountsofbraveryandheroism,aswellasprovidingarealisticportrayalofthehorrorsofwar.PublishedinassociationwiththeImperialWarMuseums.

TwoWeekswiththeQueenMorrisGleitzman'IneedtoseetheQueenaboutmysickbrother.'ColinMudfordisonaquest.HisbrotherLukehascancerandthedoctorsinAustraliadon'tseemtobeabletocurehim.SenttoLondontostaywithrelatives,ColinisdesperatetodosomethingtohelpLuke.Hewantstofindthebestthedoctorintheworld.Wherebettertostartthanbygoingtothetop?ColinisdeterminedtoasktheQueenforheradvice.InMorrisGleitzman'strademarkstyle,thisverymovingstoryilluminatesdeeplyseriousissuesaboutillnessandlosswithbrightmomentsofhumour.

WhistlingintheDarkShirleyHughesLiverpool,1940:thirteen-year-oldJoan'shomeisunderthreatfromtheNazi'sterrifyingnightlyair-raids.Itisnotaneasytimetobeateenager,especiallywiththesweetrationing,strictcurfewsandblackouts.JoanandbestfriendDoreenlovegoingtothecinemauntilthebombingsintensifyandtheneventhatbecomestoodangerous,especiallywhenanarmydeserterisfoundlurkingneartheirhome.WhoisheandwhydoeshethinkJoancanhelphim?AstheBlitzworsens,Joanandherfriendsmakeadiscoverythatwilltearthewholecommunityapart...