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

Our mid month update is packed with news from the book world. Read on to hear about some exclusive ‘pre-publication books’ that we have managed to lay our hands on before anyone else. Also, check out the books that meant or still mean so much to the five Children’s Laureates, past and present, as well lots of exciting free to enter prize draws.

Be spellbound by some of the hottest new children’s books before they are published

The Bad Tuesdays 2: Strange Energy Benjamin J Myers 9+ A tense and pacy second adventure in this magical dystopian fantasy series. . Download Extract		The Henderson Boys 2: Eagle Day Robert Muchamore 11 + The second explosive novel in the series sees the Boys go into action to help stop Hitler invading Britain Download Extract		Shark Island David Miller 9+ ‘Treasure Island meets The Beach’. A cracking adventure about what happens when pirates storm the exotic island  Download Extract
Toby Alone 2: Toby And The Secrets Of The Tree Timothee De Fombelle 9+ The much-awaited sequel to Toby Alone explores heroism and friendship his miniature world. Download Extract		The Reformed Vampire Support Group Catherine Jinks 9+ A murder-mystery comedy of errors about a vampire ‘support group’. Download Extract

Don’t miss this Month’s ‘best bits’!

And talking of ‘best bits’ these are the books that are our personal favourites this month that we feel you really shouldn’t miss

Puppet Master and The Silver Blade, both historical novels of the highest order and Lifegame and The Resistance, both of which are a frightening reminder of how power, in the wrong hands can become a frightening weapon of destruction. 10+ year olds will enjoy all of these. It’s wonderful too, to see the return of Pongwiffy, a witch of bad habits to be enjoyed by a new generation of young readers of 7+ and for smaller boys and girls the wonderful Littlest Dinosaur and Lulu’s Clothes.

And, talking of favourite books:

The position of Children’s Laureate is nearly 10 years old and the first five holders of this illustrious post – Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and the current Michael Rosen – have each chosen their 7 all-time favourite children’s books. So, why not visit our special section to find out which books fired the imagination of some of the top children’s writers of today, first as children and later as adults.

Just as our Children’s Laureate feature guides you to some timeless classics, did you know we have a whole section on the site dedicated to books that we think will grow old gracefully and will affect a new generation as powerfully as the generation before? Simply Essential Reading. Updated regularly and conveniently categorized by age why not find out more today?…

We hope you and your children enjoy the books we’re recommending at least half as much as we’ve enjoyed selecting them. And don’t forget we also love hearing from you so do let us have any suggestions you have to make our website even better and last but by no means least a reminder to enter our free monthly prize draws to have the chance to win some exclusive book goodies.

Happy reading for you and your kids from the team at Lovereading4kids!

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Mr Bear Says: I Love You Debi Gliori Warm and loving, Mr Bear introduces all the things he likes and ends with what he loves best of all – his own little baby. Lovely bright illustrations in a slimline, easy to hold board book.  Download free opening extract
2		Embossed Board Books: Colours Emily Bolam Whole pages devoted to a single colour make this a striking book. The surface of each page is embossed with a pattern which makes it interesting and exciting to touch giving it multi-sensory appeal. Download free opening extract
3		The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle This is a much-loved classic but as relevant today as it was when first published 40 years ago. Its vivid and colourful illustrations and cut back and die-cut pages together with some very simple text provide a wonderful story that is immensely satisfying for … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		On Our Way Home Sebastien Braun A warm and gentle celebration of the relationship between parent and child. it is immensely touching and the perfect bedtime read. … Download free opening extract
2		The Perfect Baby Tony Bradman A wonderfully quirky story by Tony Bradman about a little girl who is not happy with the arrival of a little brother into the world is complemented brilliantly by some illustrations that are sure to get the smallest little child giggling away! … Download free opening extract
3		Gorilla Anthony Browne Greenaway winner in 1983.Wonderfully inventive story and almost tear-jerking at times but with a happy ending.  The illustrations are both detailed and colourful and children will delight in them. I’m sure for some parents it really touches a nerve as … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Growing up amidst rubble a small boy tends a green shoot which … Download free opening extract
2		Dinosaur Cove: Finding The Deceptive Dinosaur Rex Stone Exciting adventures in this easy to read series about two boys and the dangerous dinosaurs they encounter – especially the deadly Tyrannosaurus Rex. Jamie’s dad is opening a dinosaur museum in Dinosaur Cove. Jamie expects to find some fossils but … Download free opening extract
3		Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar Here is a collection of more than 80 poems and rhymes from a glittering galaxy of more than 50 poets. It is a delectable assortment of light, melt-in-the-mouth poems for the very young to dip into again and again.  They are the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Pig City Louis Sachar Bestselling author Louis Sachar is back with a stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front and so Pig City is … Download free opening extract
2		The Dragonology Chronicles (Vol II): The Dragon’s Diary Dugald Steer The dragonological adventure continues in this eagerly-awaited second instalment of The Dragonology Chronicles.  An illness has spread among the dragons and Daniel and Beatrice must deliver a strange book to Dr. Drake so that the cure that lies therein can … Download free opening extract
3		Highway Robbery Kate Thompson Shortlisted for the Bisto Irish Children’s Book Award. With the thundering of hooves never far away, Kate Thompson weaves an attractive yarn as told by a cheeky but brave street boy whose fortunes change after he’s left holding the horse … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Museum’s Secret: The Remarkable Adventures Of Tom Scatterhorn Henry Chancellor An irresistible adventure through a world full of dust, insects, magic potions, missing jewels and stuffed animals and an incredible secret that takes Tom back 100 years into a breathtaking adventure to far flung places of the world and back … Download free opening extract
2		Shark Island David Miller Hold on to your seats for what could well be THE blockbuster this summer for children of 9+. Marooned on a tropical island, two children – Hanna and Ned – are in fear of their lives after pirates had raided … Download free opening extract
3		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney Take a peek into Greg’s diary and find out the story of his life – and especially about his relationship with his older brother Roderick. Wittily told in words and pictures, this diary charts the trials and tribulations of a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Freefall: Tunnels 3 Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams More spine-tingling and menacing adventure from the authors of Tunnels and Deeper will once again take you way beneath the earth, in a subterranean world that’s almost too frightening to imagine and yet it will pull you into the story … Download free opening extract
2		The Pickle King Rebecca Promitzer A hugely entertaining adventure story tinged with enough horror to delight but not really to terrify. Bored during a wet holiday, Bea and her friend Sam go exploring and come across the body of a dead man. What’s the story? Bea … Download free opening extract
3		Skellig – TV tie in edition David Almond This is a wonderfully eerie and magical story about believing in something extra special and why it may make a difference.  It’s full of happiness and sadness but ultimately it’s incredibly fulfilling. ‘Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange life-affirming tale exercises every … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it. Sensitive, intelligent and gripping, Stolen is a contemporary story which will force the … 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 first … Download free opening extract
3		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible and yet continue to be highly controversial. Picture if you can an island complete with families, all of … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Dear Zoo: mini board book Rod Campbell An elephant is too heavy, a giraffe is too tall, a frog is too jumpy. Hidden behind a flap, each new arrival that the zoo sends is a wonderful surprise but never quite right. Until, at last, they send the perfect pet…. This … Download free opening extract
2		My Animals Xavier Deneux Stylish imagery in black and white (with a cleverly done tiny hint of colour on each page) introduces some familiar animals in a highly original way. Perfectly placed holes for little fingers will encourage readers to engage closely with each picture as … Download free opening extract
3		No Bed Without Ted Nicola Smee Pull the tabs, lift the flap and help a little girl find her missing Ted. Is he in the drawer? No, that’s full of mice. Can he be in grandpa’s chair? No, that’s a bag of sweets. And he’s not … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Littlest Dinosaur Michael Foreman A touching story about being different and not fitting in. The littlest dinosaur and the long necked dinosaur both find it hard to fit in because of their size. But when the littlest dinosaur needs help he turns to the … Download free opening extract
2		The Perfect Baby Tony Bradman A wonderfully quirky story by Tony Bradman about a little girl who is not happy with the arrival of a little brother into the world is complemented brilliantly by some illustrations that are sure to get the smallest little child giggling away! … Download free opening extract
3		On Our Way Home Sebastien Braun A warm and gentle celebration of the relationship between parent and child. it is immensely touching and the perfect bedtime read. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Growing up amidst rubble a small boy tends a green shoot which … Download free opening extract
2		Dinosaur Cove: Finding The Deceptive Dinosaur Rex Stone Exciting adventures in this easy to read series about two boys and the dangerous dinosaurs they encounter – especially the deadly Tyrannosaurus Rex. Jamie’s dad is opening a dinosaur museum in Dinosaur Cove. Jamie expects to find some fossils but … Download free opening extract
3		Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar Here is a collection of more than 80 poems and rhymes from a glittering galaxy of more than 50 poets. It is a delectable assortment of light, melt-in-the-mouth poems for the very young to dip into again and again.  They are the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Pig City Louis Sachar Bestselling author Louis Sachar is back with a stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front and so Pig City is … Download free opening extract
2		Wigglers on the Run Caroline T Goodden Imaginative and hilarious, Wigglers on the Run is a delightful children’s tale that will be enjoyed in equal measure by parents reading to children or for 7+ children reading alone. Self-published through a company called Pen Press, here at Lovereading4kids … Download free opening extract
3		Secret Garden – Illustrated Edition Frances Hodgson Burnett This absolute classic has entranced children the world over since its first publication in 1911.  In this remarkable new hardback gift edition from Walker Books, Inga Moore’s beautifully observed illustrations capture the wonder of the garden coming alive again, bringing … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney Take a peek into Greg’s diary and find out the story of his life – and especially about his relationship with his older brother Roderick. Wittily told in words and pictures, this diary charts the trials and tribulations of a … Download free opening extract
2		The Museum’s Secret: The Remarkable Adventures Of Tom Scatterhorn Henry Chancellor An irresistible adventure through a world full of dust, insects, magic potions, missing jewels and stuffed animals and an incredible secret that takes Tom back 100 years into a breathtaking adventure to far flung places of the world and back … Download free opening extract
3		Coraline (graphic novel) Neil Gaiman A sensational graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman’s story which adds extra layers of fear to the already powerful narrative. When Coraline’s family move into a new home, she steps through a door into another house which seems strangely familiar. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		The Pickle King Rebecca Promitzer A hugely entertaining adventure story tinged with enough horror to delight but not really to terrify. Bored during a wet holiday, Bea and her friend Sam go exploring and come across the body of a dead man. What’s the story? Bea … Download free opening extract
2		Skellig – TV tie in edition David Almond This is a wonderfully eerie and magical story about believing in something extra special and why it may make a difference.  It’s full of happiness and sadness but ultimately it’s incredibly fulfilling. ‘Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange life-affirming tale exercises every … Download free opening extract
3		Freefall: Tunnels 3 Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams More spine-tingling and menacing adventure from the authors of Tunnels and Deeper will once again take you way beneath the earth, in a subterranean world that’s almost too frightening to imagine and yet it will pull you into the story … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it. Sensitive, intelligent and gripping, Stolen is a contemporary story which will force the … 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 first … Download free opening extract
3		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible and yet continue to be highly controversial. Picture if you can an island complete with families, all of … Download free opening extract

After the raucous sun and fun of the Easter Holidays we hope your kids are settling back into school life. Of course, a good way to keep their brains flexing for a few more hours each week is to send them on some exciting extra-curricular reading adventures. There are loads on Lovereading4kids this month!

Author of the month – award winning Philip Reeve

Author of the Month is the inimitable Philip Reeve, whose highly original Mortal Engines quartet had young readers absolutely gripped. His hotly anticipated new story, Fever Crumb, is a prequel to the Mortal Engines books set many years before, and follows the misadventures of an odd-looking orphan who could hold the key to saving all of London.
 

Start that love of reading early with books for babies and toddlers

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a brand new category – books for Babies and Toddlers. Our 0-5 age range has always had a tendency to focus on books for 3+ rather than babies so we’re delighted to rectify that now with this new category. We certainly had a lot of fun choosing our favourites; concept books, touchy feely squashy books, bath books, interactive books and a few absolute classics we faintly remember from our own early days! We’ll be adding more each month so you can introduce your little one to the joy of books at a very young age.

A dazzling array of Books of the Month – something for every reading age and taste

The Littlest Dinosaur Michael Foreman A touching story about being different and not fitting in.  Download Extract		The Perfect Baby Tony Bradman A wonderfully quirky story about a little girl who is not happy with the arrival of a little brother into the world.  Download Extract		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Download Extract		Pig City Louis Sachar A stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front  Download Extract
The Magic Thief: Lost Sarah Prineas An irascible wizard and his apprentice Connwaer set out on these entertaining, second set of adventures in this stand alone sequel. Download Extract		Freefall: Tunnels 3 Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams More spine-tingling and menacing adventure from the authors of Tunnels and Deeper  Download Extract		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible Download Extract		Puppet Master Joanne Owen This beautifully crafted debut novel, set at the turn of the twentieth century is rich in the tradition of circus, theatre and magic.  Download Extract
The Resistance Gemma Malley This is an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration.  Download Extract		The Ask and the Answer Patrick Ness This is a tough but compelling story which takes readers into shocking and moving territory.  Download Extract		Jackdaw Summer David Almond The story weaves together many strands which together give an intimate insight into the thinking of two boys growing up in Northumberland  Download Extract		More books of the month

Small is beautiful – our Joint Publishers of the Month

Children’s publishing is full of small, passionate companies, producing brilliant books for specific sections of the market. Small is beautiful. So this month we’re featuring four vibrant smaller children’s publishers you might not have heard about. We believe they have some beautiful books that really deserve to be seen and read they are Little Hare, Jane Nissen Books, Book House, and B Small Publishing. Download some free Opening Extract and don’t miss out!

Three startlingly brilliant first novels – our Debuts of the Month

The Pickle King Rebecca Promitzer A hugely entertaining adventure story tinged with enough horror to delight but not really to terrify. Bored during a wet holiday, Ella and her friend Sam go exploring and come across the body of a dead man.  Download Extract

Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it.  Download Extract

Pongwiffy – classic witchery for our Series of the Month!

Our Series of the Month is the unbeatably named Pongwiffy, the witch with the dirtiest of habits. Originally published 21 years ago, these tales are coming back for a new generation of readers to fall in love. There are also some new adventures starting with Pongwiffy: Back on Track published this month. Download some FREE Opening Extracts of the books right here on Lovereading4kids.

Children’s Prize Winners for May

The shortlist for the Bisto Irish Children’s Book Award has just been announced. You’ll find the titles in our Prize winners section. Writing has always been a passion for the Irish and this shortlist will not disappoint.

Finally we’re always hearing that boys don’t read as much as girls. Well all seven of the thrilling books shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Carnegie Medal feature male protagonists – so if your kids are boys, then show them the prize winners section and see if any of the adventures on offer on the Carnegie shortlist hit the mark.

That’s all folks. Have fun choosing books with your children and don’t forget to download some FREE Opening Extracts so they can make sure they really love a story before you spend any money. Remember, there’s nothing like an amazing story to help get kids’ brains twitching back to life!

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Can You Moo Too? David Wojtowycz A big book which encourages all readers to join in with the noisy lion roaring, bouncy frogs croaking, baby bear growling, ducks quacking and cows moo-ing. Bright and lively illustrations make joining in fun! If you’re looking for other great books … Download free opening extract
2		Bathtime With Woof Caroline Jayne Church Experience bath time with Woof by feeling the slimy soap he washes with, the shiny bubbles he blows in the bath and the softness of the fluffy towel he dries himself on afterwards. All babies will love seeing themselves scrubbed … Download free opening extract
3		No Bed Without Ted Nicola Smee Pull the tabs, lift the flap and help a little girl find her missing Ted. Is he in the drawer? No, that’s full of mice. Can he be in grandpa’s chair? No, that’s a bag of sweets. And he’s not … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Way Back Home Oliver Jeffers Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. This is an absolutely delightful book that is sure to capture the imagination of toddlers.  Jeffers’ illustrations are an absolute delight and together with the text tell an extraordinary and original story about friendship and home. … Download free opening extract
2		Babies Love Books Laurence Anholt Celebrate books anytime and any place with these jolly babies who are shown sharing books and loving them too, in all kinds of likely and unlikely places from the library to a beach and with loads of places in between. … Download free opening extract
3		Little Boat Thomas Docherty Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. Wonderfully detailed yet simple illustrations coupled with minimal text make this an absolutely fantastic picture book to enjoy with even the youngest toddler.  Later this year, this title will be joined by an … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Growing up amidst rubble a small boy tends a green shoot which … Download free opening extract
2		Snow Goose Paul Gallico Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. Breathtaking illustrations capture the haunting magic of this modern classic. Set in the Essex marshes in the years before the Second World War, it is a touching story of how a young girl … Download free opening extract
3		Fantastic Mr. Fox Roald Dahl Ideal as an early introduction to Roald Dahl just as a child is starting to read alone because it’s a short story by comparison to some of his others. Filled with quirky black and white illustrations by the wonderful … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Amazing Adventures of Curd The Lion and Us! in the Land at the Back of Beyond Alan Gilliland Reminiscent of the writing of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, this brilliant debut children’s novel is completely unputdownable as well as being almost uncategorisable.  The author has succeeded in delivering on a book that incorporates a terrifically funny yet mysterious story, full … Download free opening extract
2		Secret Garden – Illustrated Edition Frances Hodgson Burnett This absolute classic has entranced children the world over since its first publication in 1911.  In this remarkable new hardback gift edition from Walker Books, Inga Moore’s beautifully observed illustrations capture the wonder of the garden coming alive again, bringing … Download free opening extract
3		Flood And Fang: Raven Mysteries Book One Marcus Sedgwick Told from the bird’s eye view of a resident raven, this is a deliciously topsy-turvy comedy full of unusual details. The Otherhand family are far from normal and life in Otherhand Castle is distinctly strange. Edgar the raven cares little … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Stepsisters’ Story Kaye Umansky A romping comedy of catastrophes, this version of the Cinderella story comes straight from the mouths of the step sisters. They make no apology for their terrible behaviour as they greedily pursue their own ends while doing down their step … Download free opening extract
2		Fever Crumb Philip Reeve This is one of the most eagerly anticipated novels of 2009 from the critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling author of the Mortal Engines Quartet. Reeves’ post-apocalyptic world where mobile cities fight for survival has brought many a child into the world of reading … Download free opening extract
3		Living with Vampires Jeremy Strong Family problems of an unusual kind make life complicated for Kevin. With vampires for parents, he does his best to control them but things can’t help getting out of hand….Blood is their favourite drink so it isn’t surprising that they … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Skellig – TV tie in edition David Almond This is a wonderfully eerie and magical story about believing in something extra special and why it may make a difference.  It’s full of happiness and sadness but ultimately it’s incredibly fulfilling. ‘Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange life-affirming tale exercises every … Download free opening extract
2		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible and yet continue to be highly controversial. Picture if you can an island complete with families, all of … Download free opening extract
3		Coraline (film tie-in edition) Neil Gaiman Film-tie-in edition to the weird and wonderful Coraline, which has just released as an animated film in the UK.   When Coraline’s family move into a new home, she steps through a door into another house which seems strangely familiar.  It has … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Ask and the Answer Patrick Ness Tense, shocking and deeply moving, The Ask and the Answer is a terrifying novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. The sequel to the highly acclaimed and prize-winning The Knife of Never Letting Go, the author who is also … Download free opening extract
2		Gone Michael Grant Gripping from the first moment on, this is a scary, an unputdownable and a brilliantly plotted fantasy. One minute all the adults are there – next they’re gone! Only the children remain and they are trapped, cut off from the … Download free opening extract
3		Creature of the Night Kate Thompson Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award 2009 and shortlisted for the Bisto Irish Children’s Book Award. From multi-award winning author Kate Thompson comes another absorbing read, blazing an enthralling path between the stark realities of modern-day society and the fantasy for … Download free opening extract

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Helping parents and their children crack the reading code

Click here to download a free guide to help you help your child to love reading

The term dyslexia literally means ‘difficulty with words’. In reality, it covers a whole spectrum of problems, not just with reading, writing and spelling, but also with comprehension, memory and organisational skills. With some 10% of people in the UK with dyslexia, here at lovereading we feel the time has come to provide some guidance on dyslexia-friendly books for children and teenagers alongside the leading publisher Barrington Stoke of books for dyslexics and the charity Dyslexia Action.

Dyslexic individuals function rather differently from the norm and they need alternative teaching methods and materials if they are to crack the code. It may take longer than their classmates but most of them get there in the end. These emergent readers will finally crack the code, often aged 9 or 10, but often they are not ready to tackle the longer more challenging books their contemporaries enjoy. They need much shorter books, but still by first class authors, with inspiring content, real characters and a gripping plot.

On this page you’ll find a selection of titles, all with FREE OPENING EXTRACTs, specifically written to help dyslexic readers. The age ranges shown – 9 to 12 and 12+ – represent the interest age applicable for the titles, whilst the reading age for each title – this is detailed within each title page – ranges between 6 and 8 years. Together with Barrington Stoke, the leader in the field of dyslexia-friendly books and the leading charity Dyslexia Action our aim here at Lovereading4kids is to help children crack the reading code.

Books for 9 – 12 year olds

Books for 12+ readers

The Stepsisters’ Story

Kaye Umansky

A romping comedy of catastrophes, this version of the Cinderella story comes straight from the mouths of the step sisters. They make no apology for their terrible behaviour as they greedily pursue their own ends while doing down their step…

Extract

Stat Man

Alan Durant

A footballing story with a difference sees Arnie, knowledge about the game but not so good at playing it, suddenly given the chance to prove his skills on the field as well as off. Arnie’s nickname comes from his amazing…

Extract

Snow Dogs

J A C West

A thrilling story of courage and survival set in the extreme cold of Alaska. Zeb is determined to win the Iditarod, a terrifyingly challenging dog sled race covering 674 miles. Everyone says that Zeb is too young to enter but…

Extract

Living with Vampires

Jeremy Strong

Family problems of an unusual kind make life complicated for Kevin. With vampires for parents, he does his best to control them but things can’t help getting out of hand….Blood is their favourite drink so it isn’t surprising that they…

Extract

Icefall

John Townsend

Danger surrounds Barney on all sides in this quick-fire thriller set on the slopes of a ski resort. When Barney is woken in the night by voices outside his room in the ski resort, he knows something suspicious is going…

Extract

Desirable

Frank Cottrell Boyce

A delicious comedy in which geeky George whose passion for Warhammer games has long made him a social outcast, is transformed by some past its sell by date after shave. Suddenly everyone wants to be George’s friend. Can he escape?  …

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The Fix

Sophie Mckenzie

A tense novel about finding the special kind of courage needed to do the right thing in difficult circumstances. Blake is great footballer; playing football is all he wants to do but, with money worries at home, he knows he…

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Ghosting

Keith Gray

A chilling and brilliant horror story, Ghosting tells how the make-believe of contacting the spirit world becomes horribly real for Sandy and her brother Nat. Taught by their Mum how to ‘talk’ to the dead, Nat and Sandy put on…

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Flash Flood

Andy Croft

High drama in this simply written but gripping watery adventure. Bored on a wet holiday, Jaz and Toni set out to find some fun in the nearest town. But they don’t realise how quickly the river is rising. Soon they…

Extract

Diary of an (Un)teenager

Pete Johnson

Spencer is determined that he’ll stay exactly as he is when he turns 13. As he tells his diary, he wants nothing to do with the clothes, kit and attitudes that other teenagers adopt. But when his friend Zac turns…

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Death Leap

Simon Chapman

Action and bravery propel this intense drama in which Jake, having seen a man shot, has to make a dramatic escape to save his own life. Jake likes taking risks on his mountain bike but he never expects to have…

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Dead Men Don’t Talk

Catherine Forde

Hard hitting and angry in tone but with a sensitive massage underneath, Dead Men Don’t Talk captures Alan’s immense rage following the death of his father and how, helped by something rather supernatural, he begins to come to terms with…

Extract