Lovereading 4 Kids Updates from the world of children’s books

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		The Story Blanket Ferida Wolff, Harriet May Savitz A beautifully heart-warming story about generosity rewarded with stunning illustrations by the award-winning illustrator Elena Odriozola. … Download free opening extract
2		Pink! Lynne Rickards This is a delightful tale of learning that it’s ok and quite fun to be different.  When Patrick turns pink overnight he worries about what his friends might think and travels the world to find out.  A really heart-warming story … Download free opening extract
3		Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark – Book & CD Jill Tomlinson Plop is a baby owl. Perfect in every way – except for one. He’s afraid of the dark! But he soon discovers, through a variety of new friends, that dark can be fun and exciting and magical! This is a story for … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Bob’s Best Ever Friend Simon Bartram Simon Bartram’s Man in the Moon as one of the most memorable, witty, and intriguing picture books of recent times and now at last, Bob, the man in the moon is back but looking for a best ever best friend … Download free opening extract
2		The Iron Man Ted Hughes One of the greatest modern fairy stories, this tells of the strange giant Iron Man who appears from no where and begins a reign of terror throughout the countryside as he smashes up the farmers’ tractors and diggers. How the … Download free opening extract
3		Derek The Sheep Gary Northfield One of the Beano’s most popular cartoon strip characters, Derek the Sheep, makes his long-awaited entry into a bumper collection. Existing fans of Derek as well as children who enjoy a more graphic approach to reading will love this … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl A book that requires no introduction as it is probably Dahl’s best-known and most read creation and deservedly so. The secretive and magical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory is revealed to five ‘lucky’ children, each of who has won … Download free opening extract
2		The Bfg Roald Dahl This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also … Download free opening extract
3		Waggit’s Tale Peter Howe This is an absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Inkheart 3: Inkdeath Cornelia Funke Cornelia Funke’s acclaimed Inkheart trilogy, whilst rooted in the real world, sweeps beyond words to the Inkworld, a richly imagined parallel place that is the stuff of classic fairy tales that rivals Tolkien in its mastery. Inkdeath is … Download free opening extract
2		Magic Thief Sarah Prineas This is an absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure. Full of magic and trickery, this is the story of a wizard and his new apprentice trying to discover why the magic in their city is fading and how they must … Download free opening extract
3		The Red Necklace Sally Gardner Set against the turbulent and drastically violent time of the French Revolution, this story is about a boy who is destined to become a hero. The plot takes you from Paris to London and back to Paris again to confront … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Brisingr Christopher Paolini Oaths are sworn, loyalties tested and forces collide in a fantasy epic that promises to be one of the key publishing sensations of 2008. This, the third in Paolini’s Inheritance cycle is eagerly awaited on Saturday 20th September when it … Download free opening extract
2		Boy In The Striped Pyjamas John Boyne Film due for release 12 Sep 2008. To see a trailer click here or scroll down. When Bruno’s father is promoted to a new job, the family have to move from their comfortable home in Berlin to a strange new house in … Download free opening extract
3		The Knife of Never Letting Go Patrick Ness Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008. The electrifying and unflinching young adult debut novel about the impossible choices of growing up by award-winning fiction writer Patrick Ness. This title is part of Walker Books’ ‘New Voices’ campaign which throughout … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would … Download free opening extract
2		Tales Of Terror From The Black Ship Chris Priestley This is serious spine-tingling stuff and not for the faint-hearted, it’s a novel packed with chills, thrills, nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping revelations. Join Ethan and Cathy and steel yourself against the blood-curdling terror that lies ahead as you realise … Download free opening extract
3		The Knife That Killed Me Anthony Mcgowan No holds are barred in this gripping story about knife crime. And there’s no way to put it down…Tautly written, it captures how diffident Paul tries to chart his way through rival classroom gangs. Being an outsider is dangerous and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		The Story Blanket Ferida Wolff, Harriet May Savitz A beautifully heart-warming story about generosity rewarded with stunning illustrations by the award-winning illustrator Elena Odriozola. … Download free opening extract
2		Aliens Love Underpants! Claire Freedman   Joint winner of the Richard and Judy “Early” 5+ Category. Terrific illustrations capture the flood of jokes about pants that underlie this rhyming story now brilliantly brought to even greater life by the addition of a CD to accompany the story. There are … Download free opening extract
3		Pink! Lynne Rickards This is a delightful tale of learning that it’s ok and quite fun to be different.  When Patrick turns pink overnight he worries about what his friends might think and travels the world to find out.  A really heart-warming story … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Bob’s Best Ever Friend Simon Bartram Simon Bartram’s Man in the Moon as one of the most memorable, witty, and intriguing picture books of recent times and now at last, Bob, the man in the moon is back but looking for a best ever best friend … Download free opening extract
2		Tumtum and Nutmeg: The Great Escape Emily Bearn An absolutely delightful tale of secret friends and a cosy world in miniature told very simply with some charming detail. It’s very much Brambly Hedge meets The Borrowers. The life of the mice, Tumtum and Nutmeg who live at Nutmouse … Download free opening extract
3		Derek The Sheep Gary Northfield One of the Beano’s most popular cartoon strip characters, Derek the Sheep, makes his long-awaited entry into a bumper collection. Existing fans of Derek as well as children who enjoy a more graphic approach to reading will love this … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Waggit’s Tale Peter Howe This is an absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and … Download free opening extract
2		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A miraculous story of survival. Kaspar is a feline fairy tale which tells how, after a pampered life as Countess Kandinsky’s beloved pet which includes a spell staying in the Savoy, the eponymous cat survives the dramatic sinking of the … Download free opening extract
3		The Bfg Roald Dahl This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Inkheart 3: Inkdeath Cornelia Funke Cornelia Funke’s acclaimed Inkheart trilogy, whilst rooted in the real world, sweeps beyond words to the Inkworld, a richly imagined parallel place that is the stuff of classic fairy tales that rivals Tolkien in its mastery. Inkdeath is … Download free opening extract
2		The Red Necklace Sally Gardner Set against the turbulent and drastically violent time of the French Revolution, this story is about a boy who is destined to become a hero. The plot takes you from Paris to London and back to Paris again to confront … Download free opening extract
3		Magic Thief Sarah Prineas This is an absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure. Full of magic and trickery, this is the story of a wizard and his new apprentice trying to discover why the magic in their city is fading and how they must … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Boy In The Striped Pyjamas John Boyne Film due for release 12 Sep 2008. To see a trailer click here or scroll down. When Bruno’s father is promoted to a new job, the family have to move from their comfortable home in Berlin to a strange new house in … Download free opening extract
2		Brisingr Christopher Paolini Oaths are sworn, loyalties tested and forces collide in a fantasy epic that promises to be one of the key publishing sensations of 2008. This, the third in Paolini’s Inheritance cycle is eagerly awaited on Saturday 20th September when it … Download free opening extract
3		Airhead Meg Cabot From the creator of Allie Finkle and The Princess Diaries comes a brand new novel featuring two very different girls, one a superbrain and the other a supermodel. They have absolutely nothing in common until something extraordinary happens. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008. The winner will be annouced 24th September. Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less … Download free opening extract
2		Tales Of Terror From The Black Ship Chris Priestley This is serious spine-tingling stuff and not for the faint-hearted, it’s a novel packed with chills, thrills, nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping revelations. Join Ethan and Cathy and steel yourself against the blood-curdling terror that lies ahead as you realise … Download free opening extract
3		The Knife That Killed Me Anthony Mcgowan No holds are barred in this gripping story about knife crime. And there’s no way to put it down…Tautly written, it captures how diffident Paul tries to chart his way through rival classroom gangs. Being an outsider is dangerous and … Download free opening extract

From Potential Prize Winners to Exclusive Pre Publication extracts along with a smattering of competitions we have enough new books to keep all your children absorbed, excited and entertained for the coming Autumn. Read on for more …..

New Features for September

2 exclusive competitions

This month there are 2 big children’s books. Naturally we are featuring them both and we have exclusive, free to enter prize draws with both of them. The first

 is the 3rd of the epic Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini. The final book is called Brisingr and we have a signed copy to give away with the other 2 in the series. Also September sees the next in the heart stopping ‘Young Bond’’ series by Charlie Higson. By Royal Command finds the young bond on the run in Austria trying to stop a deadly plot. We have signed copies to give away. Find out more on the website.

Pre-Publication stories to discover before the hordes:

Inkdeath   by Cornelia Funke For 9+ readers. The final book in the series and watch out for the film later this year.		Exposure    by Mal Peet For 14+ readers. Mystery and intrigue as someone tries to plot the scandalous downfall of a big soccer star.
The Story Blanket   by Elena Odriozola For 0-5 Readers. A beautiful illustrated story about ‘Babba Zarrah’, who makes new clothes for everyone in her village.		Mothstorm   by Philip Reeve   For 9+ readers. The third thrilling story of interplanetary peril in the Larklight series..
Tales of Terror from the Black Ship   by Chris Priestley Terrifyingly entertaining follow up with more dark stories for 14+ readers.		Waterslain Angels   by Kevin Crossley-Holland An atmospheric detective story set in 1950s Norfolk.
Comic Strip History   by Sally Kniberg For 7+ readers. Everything important that’s happened in the world – in pictures, brilliant!

Potential Prize winners

Finally in September we have the shortlists for two prestigious children’s book awards. You can read a free Opening Extract of them all on our website and decide which books you rate. The first is Guardian children’s fiction prize, which will be announced on September 24. Next the Booktrust teenage fiction prize where the winner will be announced on 18 November.

Happy reading and coming soon book selections for Halloween and Christmas!

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark – Book & CD Jill Tomlinson Plop is a baby owl. Perfect in every way – except for one. He’s afraid of the dark! But he soon discovers, through a variety of new friends, that dark can be fun and exciting and magical! This is a story for … Download free opening extract
2		My Grandpa’s Amazing Inventions Richard Johnson This is a wonderfully inspirational picture book for any young child.  Grandpa is an inventor and has been invited to enter a competition to win the ‘greatest invention prize’. Of course he wins it but that’s not all for something … Download free opening extract
3		Aliens Love Underpants! Claire Freedman  Joint winner of the Richard and Judy “Early” 5+ Category. Terrific illustrations capture the flood of jokes about pants that underlie this rhyming story now brilliantly brought to even greater life by the addition of a CD to accompany the story. There are … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Bob’s Best Ever Friend Simon Bartram Simon Bartram’s Man in the Moon as one of the most memorable, witty, and intriguing picture books of recent times and now at last, Bob, the man in the moon is back but looking for a best ever best friend … Download free opening extract
2		Tumtum and Nutmeg: The Great Escape Emily Bearn An absolutely delightful tale of secret friends and a cosy world in miniature told very simply with some charming detail. It’s very much Brambly Hedge meets The Borrowers. The life of the mice, Tumtum and Nutmeg who live at Nutmouse … Download free opening extract
3		Derek The Sheep Gary Northfield One of the Beano’s most popular cartoon strip characters, Derek the Sheep, makes his long-awaited entry into a bumper collection. Existing fans of Derek as well as children who enjoy a more graphic approach to reading will love this … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Waggit’s Tale Peter Howe This is an absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and … Download free opening extract
2		The Bfg Roald Dahl This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also … Download free opening extract
3		Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl A book that requires no introduction as it is probably Dahl’s best-known and most read creation and deservedly so. The secretive and magical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory is revealed to five ‘lucky’ children, each of who has won … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Magic Thief Sarah Prineas This is an absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure. Full of magic and trickery, this is the story of a wizard and his new apprentice trying to discover why the magic in their city is fading and how they must … Download free opening extract
2		The Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee Stuart This is a No. 1 New York Times Bestseller that we’ve been raving about since it went stratospheric across the water earlier this year. Here you will meet four very unusual children each with three things in common – … Download free opening extract
3		The Eye of The Serpent Philip Caveney When Sir William Devlin and his assistant Tom open the tomb of Akhenaten they uncover something that has been hidden for three thousand years. That something is so terrifying that it changes the lives of both. When Sir William’s nephew … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Stormbreaker Anthony Horowitz A fabulous story that crackles with suspense and daring and shows that a bit of cheek will take you a very long way. Alex Rider is fourteen when his whole world is turned upside down. Already an orphan, his guardian … Download free opening extract
2		Airhead Meg Cabot From the creator of Allie Finkle and The Princess Diaries comes a brand new novel featuring two very different girls, one a superbrain and the other a supermodel. They have absolutely nothing in common until something extraordinary happens. … Download free opening extract
3		Boy In The Striped Pyjamas John Boyne Film due for release 12 Sep 2008. To see a trailer click here or scroll down. When Bruno’s father is promoted to a new job, the family have to move from their comfortable home in Berlin to a strange new house in … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008. The winner will be annouced 24th September. Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less … Download free opening extract
2		Tales Of Terror From The Black Ship Chris Priestley This is serious spine-tingling stuff and not for the faint-hearted, it’s a novel packed with chills, thrills, nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping revelations. Join Ethan and Cathy and steel yourself against the blood-curdling terror that lies ahead as you realise … Download free opening extract
3		The Knife That Killed Me Anthony Mcgowan No holds are barred in this gripping story about knife crime. And there’s no way to put it down…Tautly written, it captures how diffident Paul tries to chart his way through rival classroom gangs. Being an outsider is dangerous and … Download free opening extract

Love reading? Sit down with some Espresso and a good book

Espresso Education, the award-winning online curriculum service, has teamed up with Lovereading4schools.co.uk, the online independent book experts, to encourage children to find books, appreciate good stories, and enjoy reading, all through an online learning environment.  This initiative also supports the National Year of Reading and provides a reading legacy schools can use for years to come.

The recent drop in the number of 14-year-olds attaining the required reading standard has prompted fresh concerns that children need more encouragement to pick a book and get stuck into a good read.

With TV, mobile phones, the internet and computer games attracting the attention of media-hungry children, the traditional ‘book’ appears to have been sidelined. Yet, research continues to prove that children who develop a love of literature and enjoy reading will do better in school and achieve greater success later in life.

From September, teachers and pupils in over 10,000 schools using the Espresso Primary service will have access to new ‘Lovereading with Espresso’ modules. Within the modules, KS1 and KS2 students will be able read ‘Opening Extracts’ and explore items like high-quality jacket images and author biographies for twenty-four new books each term.  At launch, example titles will include classics such as The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks and more contemporary titles such as The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo and The 100 mile an hour Dog by Jeremy Strong.  The module supports teachers in their lessons by encouraging pupils to:

• discover new authors,
• explore writing styles, and
• improve reading aloud.

Together, these benefits will help instill in children a love for books and reading for pleasure.

Mike Spooner, Head of Espresso’s Primary Service comments: “The ‘Lovereading with Espresso’ modules provide the perfect complement to our many existing reading resources like our modules on Authors and Book Reviews. We are delighted to be able to offer our users such a wealth of inspirational reading matter through this partnership”

Peter Crawshaw, Director and co founder of Lovereading added: “Espresso and Lovereading4schools are wonderfully complementary and we hope that making these books easily available through the Espresso software will at as a catalyst to ignite a love of books and literature in school children”

More about Lovereading4schools

Lovereading4schools.co.uk offers a unique way for schools to distribute reading lists to parents and encourages schoolchildren to read more. The site has already proved outstandingly popular, and over 3,500 schools now enjoy its benefits.

Lovereading4schools.co.uk is free to use, and registered schools can use specially created Template Reading Lists for each academic year from Year 1 to Year 9.

Lesley Langlands, a secondary school teacher from Lockerbie, said:

‘I would just like to say how impressed I am by Lovereading4schools.  As someone who has to select books for secondary school pupils, I am finding it invaluable. The extract downloads are great and they save me a lot of time. Thank you very much for a really useful website.’

As well as being popular with schools, Lovereading4schools.co.uk has been enthusiastically endorsed by Jacqueline Wilson, author and ex Children’s Laureate.

More about Espresso Education

With over 10,000 subscribing schools using its resources, Espresso Education is the leading digital curriculum service in the UK. Espresso is a cross-curricular library of high quality, video-rich teaching resources that stimulates learning, supports teachers and raises standards in the classroom. Espresso combines full-screen videos, multi-media activities, learning paths & reviews, cached websites and printable resources into engaging modules, all directly aligned to curriculum objectives.  The weekly news service features exclusive ‘News Bites’ video reports and interactive Telegraph news articles, drawing on topical events to bring learning to life.  Espresso updates its modules and news service weekly, giving schools access to the freshest, most relevant resources available in schools today. 

Espresso is the winner of the BAFTA for Learning Primary in 2007 the BETT Special Award for Inclusion in 2008.

The Guardian Newspaper has just announced the shortlist for it’s prestigious children’s fiction prize.

On Lovereading4kids you can read a free Opening Extract of all 4 books and buy them with a 25% discount off the RRP.

The four shortlisted books are:

Bog Child 

Siobhan Dowd

Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008. The winner will be annouced 24th September.
New and challenging book full of mystery and shadows from recently deceased author Siobhan Dowd. Both terrifying and fascinating from the start, Bog Child is a…

Format: Paperback – Released: 07/02/2008 

Price: £8.24 – Saving £2.75 (25%)  Info  Extract

 

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Before I Die 

Jenny Downham

Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008. The winner will be annouced 24th September.
Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less…

Format: Paperback – Released: 10/04/2008 

Price: £5.24 – Saving £1.75 (25%)

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Cosmic 

Frank Cottrell Boyce

Comic and cosmic, this is a roller coaster adventure that takes Liam Digby up into space with a handful of other children and their parents. It’s an hilarious journey of discovery as Liam hurtles around the world finding out exactly…

Format: Hardback – Released: 06/06/2008 

Price: £7.49 – Saving £2.50 (25%)

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The Knife of Never Letting Go 

Patrick Ness

MAY 2008 – The electrifying and unflinching young adult debut novel about the impossible choices of growing up by award-winning fiction writer Patrick Ness. This title is part of Walker Books’ ‘New Voices’…

Format: Hardback – Released: 05/05/2008 

Price: £9.74 – Saving £3.25 (25%)

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The Guardian Newspaper has just announced the shortlist for it’s prestigious children’s fiction prize.

On Lovereading4kids you can read a free Opening Extract of all 4 books and buy them with a 25% discount off the RRP.

The four shortlisted books are:

Bog Child 

Siobhan Dowd

New and challenging book full of mystery and shadows from recently deceased author Siobhan Dowd. Both terrifying and fascinating from the start, Bog Child is a…

Format: Paperback – Released: 07/02/2008Price: £8.24 – Saving £2.75 (25%)

Extract

Buy

Before I Die 

Jenny Downham

Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less…

Format: Paperback – Released: 10/04/2008Price: £5.24 – Saving £1.75 (25%)  More Info

Extract
Buy

Cosmic 

Frank Cottrell Boyce

Comic and cosmic, this is a roller coaster adventure that takes Liam Digby up into space with a handful of other children and their parents. It’s an hilarious journey of discovery as Liam hurtles around the world finding out exactly…

Format: Hardback – Released: 06/06/2008Price: £7.49 – Saving £2.50 (25%)  More Info

Extract

Buy

The Knife of Never Letting Go 

Patrick Ness

The electrifying and unflinching young adult debut novel about the impossible choices of growing up by award-winning fiction writer Patrick Ness. This title is part of Walker Books’ ‘New Voices’…

Format: Hardback – Released: 05/05/2008Price: £9.74 – Saving £3.25 (25%)  More Info

Extract

Buy

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark – Book & CD Jill Tomlinson Plop is a baby owl. Perfect in every way – except for one. He’s afraid of the dark! But he soon discovers, through a variety of new friends, that dark can be fun and exciting and magical! This is a story for … Download free opening extract
2		Colin And The Wrong Shadow Leigh Hodgkinson A stunning picture book from a wonderfully talented new children’s artist. Colin the cat is a very appealing protagonist, but he has a problem. Somebody has borrowed his shadow and given him someone else’s. Join Colin as … Download free opening extract
3		My Grandpa’s Amazing Inventions Richard Johnson This is a wonderfully inspirational picture book for any young child.  Grandpa is an inventor and has been invited to enter a competition to win the ‘greatest invention prize’. Of course he wins it but that’s not all for something … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Tumtum and Nutmeg: The Great Escape Emily Bearn An absolutely delightful tale of secret friends and a cosy world in miniature told very simply with some charming detail. It’s very much Brambly Hedge meets The Borrowers. The life of the mice, Tumtum and Nutmeg who live at Nutmouse … Download free opening extract
2		The Hodgeheg Dick King-smith This is an absolutely charming modern classic from one of Britain’s all-time favourite authors.  There is no-one more impressive when it comes to animal stories than Dick King-Smith and this one is our favourite. The Hodegheg has everything – humour, … Download free opening extract
3		Little Mouse’s Big Book Of Fears Emily Gravett Winner of the of the 2008 Kate Greenaway Medal. This award winning author illustrator continues to create some of the most innovative and imaginative illustrated children’s books. Through nursery rhyme stories follow Little Mouse as he confronts his many fears including Ablutophobia (Fear … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Waggit’s Tale Peter Howe This is an absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and … Download free opening extract
2		Wow! 366: Speedy Stories In Just 366 Words Various Authors , Ian Whybrow, Georgia Byng, Roddy Doyle, Jeremy Strong This anthology of 240 mini stories, each told in just 366 words, features authors such as Roddy Doyle, Raymond Briggs, Charlie Higson, Michael Morpurgo and a surprise entry from the current Prime Minister Gordon Brown. This book is a great … Download free opening extract
3		The Bfg Roald Dahl This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee Stuart This is a No. 1 New York Times Bestseller that we’ve been raving about since it went stratospheric across the water earlier this year. Here you will meet four very unusual children each with three things in common – … Download free opening extract
2		Oathbreaker Michelle Paver Welcome to best-selling author Michelle Paver’s latest in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.This is the series that began with Wolf Brother and now continues with the story of Torak alongside his trusted and loyal Wolf. Once an outcast, Torak has … Download free opening extract
3		Magic Thief Sarah Prineas This is an absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure. Full of magic and trickery, this is the story of a wizard and his new apprentice trying to discover why the magic in their city is fading and how they must … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Airhead Meg Cabot From the creator of Allie Finkle and The Princess Diaries comes a brand new novel featuring two very different girls, one a superbrain and the other a supermodel. They have absolutely nothing in common until something extraordinary happens. … Download free opening extract
2		The Resistance Gemma Malley This is an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration. With a dark and sinister vision of the future, it is set in 2140, The Resistance is an incredibly thought-provoking read. We raved about her … Download free opening extract
3		Pendragon: The Merchant of Death D J Machale This is the first in an epic series of adventures through time and space featuring a daring hero, Bobby Pendragon, with a quest to save the world. Time travel, adventure and excitement will greet the reader and if Pendragon … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would … Download free opening extract
2		Tales Of Terror From The Black Ship Chris Priestley This is serious spine-tingling stuff and not for the faint-hearted, it’s a novel packed with chills, thrills, nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping revelations. Join Ethan and Cathy and steel yourself against the blood-curdling terror that lies ahead as you realise … Download free opening extract
3		Life On The Refrigerator Door Alice Kuipers Beautifully told through notes left on the kitchen fridge, here is an intimate glimpse into the lives of a mother who has just discovered she’s got cancer, and her teenage daughter. This tragic but ultimately uplifting debut novel explores what being a ‘good … Download free opening extract

Storytelling is an essential part of being human. Who knows why it started, but one day thousands of years ago someone sat on a rock and started spouting fantastical nonsense that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. And the tradition has passed down all the way to the writers of this month’s brilliant children’s books…

Author of the Month

Author of the Month Robert is a real-life private investigator turned author. He has gained legions of fans for his CHERUB series, about a special branch of the British Secret Service for teenage operatives. They’re trained professionals with an essential advantage: no adult suspects they’ll be spied on by a child! Muchamore has a knack for writing punchy, exciting stories that children will wish were for real. 11+ readers will be hooked.

Series of the Month

Series of the Month: Pendragon, by D J MacHale

This wildly entertaining series of books follow Bobby Pendragon, who is just a normal 14-year-old American, until one day he’s swept off through spacetime on a series of nail-biting adventures, to save all humanity from a terrible demon. To coincide with the 8th in the series, we’ve also selected a couple of backlist titles to whet your appetite. Perfect for 9+ children especially boys.

Oathbreaker    by Michelle Paver 5th in the epic adventures of Torak and Wolf		The Magic Thief     by Sarah Prineas An absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure full of magic and trickery.
Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: The New Girl     by Meg Cabot 2nd in this fun packed girls adventure, for 7+ girls		The Kiss of Death     by Marcus Sedgwick follow up to the brilliant My Swordhand is Singing.

A World Away    by Pauline Francis a beguiling historical adventure of two young people from very different worlds who fall in love.		The Resistance    Gemma Malley an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma Malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration.
Airhead     by Meg Cabot a brainiac girl stuck in a super models body. New fun with more to follow.

Have your kids got ‘Ology’ yet?

If you haven’t already seen the ‘Ology’ books, take a look now. The series gives kids a chance to read about mythology, pirateology, wizardology, Egyptology and dragonology – all the things they probably wish they could study at school. And we’ve got a free-to-enter competition to win £50 worth of Ology goodies!

Waggits Tale competition – 5 books to give away?

An absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale for 7+ readers about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and frightening but can he survive the harsh world of being a stray in a city where humans are a constant threat to survival. We have 5 copies to give away in our free to enter competition. Click here to find out more.

The Debut collection of the Year from Walker

Since the beginning of the year we’ve been showcasing the brightest new storytellers from Walker Books in the New Voices section of Lovereading4kids. These are brilliant debuts, in all genres and from all corners of the world, guaranteed to wow readers aged 10+. The authors are the rising stars to watch in the future.

Debuts of the Month:

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is being touted as a new Harry Potter, with a group of young friends all working together to solve fiendish puzzles.

Carbon diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd. It’s January 1st, 2015, and the UK is the first nation to introduce carbon dioxide rationing, in a drastic bid to combat climate change. As her family spirals out of control, Laura Brown chronicles the first year of rationing with scathing abandon.

More Essential Reads

Our Essential reads section is where we show off a lot of beautiful and brilliant books that you may simply have forgotten about. This month, for the start of the new school year, we have given the list a bit of a make over and added among others two lovely titles by John Masefield Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights. Click here to find out more.

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark – Book & CD Jill Tomlinson Plop is a baby owl. Perfect in every way – except for one. He’s afraid of the dark! But he soon discovers, through a variety of new friends, that dark can be fun and exciting and magical! This is a story for … Download free opening extract
2		Abc Uk James Dunn A wonderful picture book for parents to share with younger and older children alike. It’s unusual in that through the alphabet it introduces a quirky celebration of Britain’s vibrant and unique cultural identity beginning with A is for Arthur … Download free opening extract
3		Splat The Cat Rob Scotton This is a charming, clever and often hilarious story dealing with overcoming those awful fears of that terrible saga, the first day of school. Splat is cat who is nervous about his first day in cat class. So nervous in … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Little Mouse’s Big Book Of Fears Emily Gravett Winner of the of the 2008 Kate Greenaway Medal. This award winning author illustrator continues to create some of the most innovative and imaginative illustrated children’s books. Through nursery rhyme stories follow Little Mouse as he confronts his many fears including Ablutophobia (Fear … Download free opening extract
2		Coconut Jack Jill Lewis A wonderful story for developing readers with a lively, yet simple and straightforward text and speech bubbles to enhance the story further. This is the perfect book to engage young children and in turn to develop a love of … Download free opening extract
3		Horrid Henry Robs The Bank Francesca Simon Horrid Henry is back starring in four more perfect stories which hilariously show off his very worst behaviour. Wherever Henry is, trouble is never far behind as he works out his cunning plots all of which are designed to upset … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		You Have Been Warned! Roger Mcgough A deliciously macabre collection of cautionary poems in which gruesome and grisly children are taught the errors of their ways. McGough’s own poem ‘Cautionary Tales’ entertainingly describes the fate that befalls Josephine whose lack of application at school cause leads … Download free opening extract
2		Wow! 366: Speedy Stories In Just 366 Words Various Authors , Ian Whybrow, Georgia Byng, Roddy Doyle, Jeremy Strong This anthology of 240 mini stories, each told in just 366 words, features authors such as Roddy Doyle, Raymond Briggs, Charlie Higson, Michael Morpurgo and a surprise entry from the current Prime Minister Gordon Brown. This book is a great … Download free opening extract
3		Dragon Orb: Firestorm Mark Robson Spectacular dragon rides and dangerous quests fill the pages of this, the first in the Dragon Orb fantasy adventure series set in a world that was once all-powerful and is now dying. The lives of the dragons and the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee Stuart This is a No. 1 New York Times Bestseller that we’ve been raving about since it went stratospheric across the water earlier this year. Here you will meet four very unusual children each with three things in common – … Download free opening extract
2		The Number 7 Shirt Alan Gibbons This is an action-packed story involving a boy who dreams of being a football pro. Because fiction and non-fiction are interwoven together, it’s likely to attract less keen readers but readers who may have a passion for football. His heroes … Download free opening extract
3		Oathbreaker Michelle Paver Welcome to best-selling author Michelle Paver’s latest in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.This is the series that began with Wolf Brother and now continues with the story of Torak alongside his trusted and loyal Wolf. Once an outcast, Torak has … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox Eoin Colfer This is the jaw-dropping, eagerly anticipated sixth book in multi-award-winning block buster Artemis Fowl series. Artemis finds himself travelling back in time to fight his younger self and save his mother from a dangerous illness. Fast, funny and as usual … Download free opening extract
2		The Kiss Of Death Marcus Sedgwick Marcus Sedgwick returns with a heart-stopping, beautifully crafted novel featuring Peter from My Swordhand is Singing but set many years later but still on the trail of the Shadow Queen. Venice, the fabled city with its lapping waterways, crumbling magnificence, … Download free opening extract
3		What I Was Meg Rosoff Haunting, intense and with an incredible twist in the tale this is unlike anything you will have read before. It’s a story of friendship, love and secrets but also of tragedy and loss. It will almost certainly move … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would … Download free opening extract
2		Reckless Cecily Von Ziegesar Definitely Sex and the City for teens. Wonderfully engrossing and totally addictive with plenty of love/hate relationships to keep everything rocking the It Girl teen series is a mega hit already in the US and is bound to catch on here. Definitely the … Download free opening extract
3		Zoe And Chloe: Out To Lunch Sue Limb Loads of fun, farce and teen romance provide a delightful background for Chloe and Zoe as they make and break their plans for a summer holiday to remember. Falling in and out of love, making up their stories for their … Download free opening extract