Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Dogs Emily Gravett Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		My Mum! Beth Shoshan From the same author that brought us the charmingly funny My Dad! – we now have My Mum! – who is rather silly but simply lovely. Guarenteed to put a smile on your child’s face. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness Giles Andreae Madcap adventures with huge naughty boy appeal featuring Billy and his family, and wittily illustrated by Nick Sharratt. At school there’s the great sports day fiasco, then there’s the Bonkers’ unfortunate holiday on the shores of Loch Ness and finally … Download free opening extract
2		Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed Margaret Ryan Weird Street is a terrific little four book series that will get 6-9 year old boys (in particular) and girls really reading and enjoying it.  Weird Street is on Johnny’s paper round, a bizarre, scary and extremely unusual paper round, where he … Download free opening extract
3		101 Ways To Get Your Child To Read Patience Thomson For parents: There are many different reasons why children find learning to read difficult. Calmly and with loads of different tips, this book helps to guide parents to understand the myriad problems which may be causing the difficulty and gives … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Foul Play Tom Palmer On the Blue Peter Award Shortlist – Football mad boys and girls will devour this all-action adventure novel, virtually in a sitting. Hopefully, even the most reluctant reader, just like the author himself was at school, will devour it too. … Download free opening extract
2		Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland – Illustrated Edition Lewis Carroll Abundantly illustrated with warmth and humour by Helen Oxenbury, the memorable cast of characters are to be found in all their glory here in this edition, from Alice herself to the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat.  … Download free opening extract
3		An Awfully Beastly Business: Bang Goes A Troll! Beastly Boys For fans of dragons, giants and werewolves, this new series entitled An Awfully Beastly Business has proved to be a sure-fire hit with even the most reluctant reader. This is the third title in the series.      Short snappy sentences with pages … 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 Sandfather Linda Newbery This is a gripping, fast-paced and at times heart-stopping read about a 13 year old boy’s search for identity by the winner of the 2006 Costa Children’s Book Award. Hal’s exclusion from school leads him to a period of discovery … Download free opening extract
3		Running On The Cracks Julia Donaldson A thrilling corkscrew of a novel that twists and turns weaving several strands of story into one compelling narrative, and the first novel from an established and bestselling picture book author for younger readers. Orphaned after the death of her … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Malice Chris Wooding Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story … Download free opening extract
2		The 13 Treasures Michelle Harrison Winner of the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2009.   This is an enchanting and at times terrifying debut that’s beautifully written. 13 year old Tanya and her mother have an uneasy relationship so for part of the summer she is despatched … Download free opening extract
3		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 must-read for 2009. The plot follows Fergus a boy who finds the body of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The One And Only Sophie Mckenzie From the author of the Richard and Judy Children’s Books winner, Girl, Missing comes the final instalment in a terrific teenage love story trilogy, which captures the ups, downs and at times almost unbearable emotions of being in love. To … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		Numbers Rachel Ward A tough, teenage novel about being different. Jem’s life has been hard from the beginning and it is not made any easier by her dangerous secret; every time she looks into a person’s eyes, she sees the date on which … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Dogs Emily Gravett Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs … Download free opening extract
2		Litterbug Doug: In the Missions of Michael Recycle Ellie Bethel A campaigning picture book that will encourage all to recycle. Litterbug Doug hates recycling; instead he creates a heap of litter all around his home. When green-hero Michael appears Litterbug Doug refuses to listen to the recycling message and does … Download free opening extract
3		Matty Takes Off! Miriam Moss A delightful pair of bear siblings, Matty and Milly make a delightful duo. Matty likes everything to be just-so. He is as neat and tidy as his sister Milly is not. In Matty’s house, everything has its own place but, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness Giles Andreae Madcap adventures with huge naughty boy appeal featuring Billy and his family, and wittily illustrated by Nick Sharratt. At school there’s the great sports day fiasco, then there’s the Bonkers’ unfortunate holiday on the shores of Loch Ness and finally … Download free opening extract
2		101 Ways To Get Your Child To Read Patience Thomson For parents: There are many different reasons why children find learning to read difficult. Calmly and with loads of different tips, this book helps to guide parents to understand the myriad problems which may be causing the difficulty and gives … Download free opening extract
3		Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed Margaret Ryan Weird Street is a terrific little four book series that will get 6-9 year old boys (in particular) and girls really reading and enjoying it.  Weird Street is on Johnny’s paper round, a bizarre, scary and extremely unusual paper round, where he … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Brilliant Billy Does His Bit Simon Hutton An entertaining story about how one boy gets so absorbed in the effect of the Second World War on ordinary people’s lives that he begins to do things in the same way. When the teacher describes how people managed by … Download free opening extract
2		Charles Darwin Alan Gibbons Discover the world of Darwin through the diary of a ship’s boy.  Combining non-fiction and fiction but factually absolutely accurate, this book is published to coincide with Darwin’s 200th birthday.  It begins with a diary, told from the point of view of … Download free opening extract
3		Foul Play Tom Palmer On the Blue Peter Award Shortlist – Football mad boys and girls will devour this all-action adventure novel, virtually in a sitting. Hopefully, even the most reluctant reader, just like the author himself was at school, will devour it too. … 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		Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure Amanda Wood This lavish account of Darwin’s life and of the voyage of the Beagle from 1831 to 1836 provides the most detailed but accessible account for children about Darwin, his discoveries and a part of his life that was so important … Download free opening extract
3		The Sandfather Linda Newbery This is a gripping, fast-paced and at times heart-stopping read about a 13 year old boy’s search for identity by the winner of the 2006 Costa Children’s Book Award. Hal’s exclusion from school leads him to a period of discovery … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble Sarah Webb Sarah Webb is a debut children’s author but an established chick-lit novelist and her wonderful 13 year old character creation in Amy Green, teen agony aunt extraordinaire, is set to be the new best friend for every pre-teen girl.  Full of humour … Download free opening extract
2		Malice Chris Wooding Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story … Download free opening extract
3		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 must-read for 2009. The plot follows Fergus a boy who finds the body of … 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		Stop in the Name of Pants! Louise Rennison You can’t stop laughing at and with Georgia Nicolson. Now she’s back with a new diary in which, as ever, she charts the ups and downs of her intense – sometimes imaginary – sex-kitten life as it ricochets from the … Download free opening extract
3		The One And Only Sophie Mckenzie From the author of the Richard and Judy Children’s Books winner, Girl, Missing comes the final instalment in a terrific teenage love story trilogy, which captures the ups, downs and at times almost unbearable emotions of being in love. To … Download free opening extract

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Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Dogs Emily Gravett Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs … Download free opening extract
2		I Love You Through And Through Bernadette Rossetti-shustak and Caroline Jayne Church Brim full of the overpowering emotion of unconditional love for all the aspects of a baby, this robust board book is perfect for sharing again and again and again. Each page shows the smiling – and sometimes not so smiling … Download free opening extract
3		Happy Birthday Chimp and Zee Catherine, Anholt, Laurence Anholt “Ha, ha, ha! Hee, hee, hee! Happy Birthday, Chimp and Zee! Mischievous twins Chimp and Zee are celebrating their birthday. There are birthday cards and presents and, as with everything to do with this delightful pair, absolute chaos everywhere they … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		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
2		Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed Margaret Ryan Weird Street is a terrific little four book series that will get 6-9 year old boys (in particular) and girls really reading and enjoying it.  Weird Street is on Johnny’s paper round, a bizarre, scary and extremely unusual paper round, where he … Download free opening extract
3		What Mr Darwin Saw Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom This picture reference book provides an absolutely terrific insight into one of the world’s most famous scientists and is a great introduction to youngsters of an important piece of history.  Darwin’s adventure on the Beagle and his findings on the islands … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Monkey Pirates Mark Skelton Imagine monkeys dressed as pirates travelling through space and time in search of treasure and adventure and along the way in their wardrobe they pick up a quite normal girl called Emily Jane and head off in search of her … Download free opening extract
2		Tom Trueheart And The Land Of Dark Stories Ian Beck More fabulous adventures as Tom Trueheart and his brothers return but this time, there may be no more Happy Endings. Perfectly pitched to newly independent readers, this second book about the young and diminutive hero Tom Trueheart takes a different look … Download free opening extract
3		Charles Darwin Alan Gibbons Discover the world of Darwin through the diary of a ship’s boy.  Combining non-fiction and fiction but factually absolutely accurate, this book is published to coincide with Darwin’s 200th birthday.  It begins with a diary, told from the point of view of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Then Morris Gleitzman In Once, Morris Gleitzman created a brilliant and unusual way of telling the story of how two children survived in Nazi Germany. In the sequel Then, Felix and Zelda continue on their journey to safety. Felix, who tells the story … Download free opening extract
2		The Sandfather Linda Newbery This is a gripping, fast-paced and at times heart-stopping read about a 13 year old boy’s search for identity by the winner of the 2006 Costa Children’s Book Award. Hal’s exclusion from school leads him to a period of discovery … 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		Just Henry Michelle Magorian Winner of the 2008 Costa Children’s Book Award – What the Costa judges said: ‘This is a master storyteller at work with the sort of descriptive writing that is a joy to read. Just Henry is a soaring, uplifting warm … Download free opening extract
2		Chains Laurie Halse Anderson With a rare and compelling voice, this haunting novel tells not only the story of a remarkable girl and her incredible strength, but also of a time and place in which slavery was the order of the day and lives … Download free opening extract
3		Invitation Only Kate Brian For a teen read Kate Brian really hit the spot with the first in the ‘Private’ series published quite recently and which we at Lovereading picked up on early. Now, with the second in the series beginning where the … 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		Malice Chris Wooding Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story … Download free opening extract
3		Twilight Stephenie Meyer Deeply seductive and irresistibly compelling, this is an extraordinary love story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s the first in the Twilight series and is a captivating sage of vampire romance. The 2nd … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		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
2		Santa’s Littlest Helper Travels The World Anu Stohner Curl up on those cold starry winter nights and enjoy a magical Christmas story with Santa’s littlest helper who saves the day when everyone around him gets ill.  It’s a Christmas story with a twist and with some stunningly colourful … Download free opening extract
3		Aliens Love Underpants! (Book and CD edition) 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 … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Alice In Wonderland (slipcase edition) Lewis Carroll, Rodney Matthews The story is timeless and can be read at so many different levels, but this lavish slipcased edition is quite simply stunning and will bring to the reader a very different Wonderland – even more fantastical and a little darker … Download free opening extract
2		The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil Wiley Miller A wonderful debut from an incredibly talented wordsmith and illustrator. Fans of The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach will love Basil and his erstwhile adventures. Basil is an ordinary boy living a very ordinary life in a lighthouse, … Download free opening extract
3		Spells Emily Gravett A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a frog trying his utmost to turn himself into a handsome prince from a torn up spell book, resulting in inevitably confusing consequences. It … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Birthday Book Michael Morpurgo This is a sumptuous collection of stories and verse compiled by Michael Morpurgo, beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in aid of The Prince’s Foundation for Children and Arts and to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday. It’s … Download free opening extract
2		The Butterfly Lion Michael Morpurgo The inspiring magic of a white lion brings friendship and hope to a lonely ten year old. Miserable at his boarding school, Bertie runs away. He is rescued by a kind old lady who tells him of how another Bertie, … Download free opening extract
3		Tom’s Midnight Garden Philippa Pearce A classic time slip story in which Tom, staying in big house now divided into flats, manages to get into the garden at night and make friends with a little girl. But who is the girl? Can she really be … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The 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 Shapeshifter: Finding the Fox Ali Sparkes Dax is a boy with a difference: Dax can turn into a fox. Suddenly able to follow a scent, search out dangers and scavenge for his own food, Dax finds a new life opening before him. Soon Dax is off … Download free opening extract
3		Frankenstein – retold by Gill Tavner Mary Shelley When Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, an epic battle of friendship and horror begins between man and monster – and as it reaches fever pitch a tragic chain of events occurs. This and the other retellings by Real Reads are a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Coraline (film tie-in edition) Neil Gaiman This edition is due to coincide with the film version of Coraline which will be released in February 2009.  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
2		The Knife of Never Letting Go Patrick Ness Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008 and Booktrust Teenage 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’ … Download free opening extract
3		Steel Trapp Ridley Pearson A sharp, fast-paced thriller featuring a 14-year old whose photographic memory causes him to get embroiled in a complex puzzle of kidnapping, bribery, terrorism and on the run from the federal agents. The author is an established writer of suspense … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Twilight Stephenie Meyer Deeply seductive and irresistibly compelling, this is an extraordinary love story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s the first in the Twilight series and is a captivating sage of vampire romance. The 2nd … Download free opening extract
2		New Moon Stephenie Meyer The road for Bella and Edward is never going to be a smooth one and after an incident that puts Bella’s life in danger Edward decides he must leave her “as if he had never existed”. In the following months … Download free opening extract
3		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

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Santa’s Littlest Helper Travels The World Anu Stohner Curl up on those cold starry winter nights and enjoy a magical Christmas story with Santa’s littlest helper who saves the day when everyone around him gets ill.  It’s a Christmas story with a twist and with some stunningly colourful … Download free opening extract
2		The Pencil Allan Ahlberg This book is an hilarious and unmissable treat! One day there is just a lonely pencil…It begins to draw – a boy, a dog, a cat and then a house and streets for them to play in. But everyone wants … Download free opening extract
3		Look Out, Stripy Horse! Jim Helmore, Karen Wall Hot on the hooves of the stripy horse’s first prize-winning adventure, Who Are You Stripy Horse? comes a wonderfully humorous and delightful tale of mischief, mayhem and monkeys and not forgetting of course, stripy horse. It’s a must for lovers … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Yuck’s Supercool Snotman Matt And Dave Loved by boys and girls of 5+ but particularly boys.  Two horribly disgusting adventures will be found within the covers of this latest Yuck adventure – Yuck’s Supercool Snotman and Yuck’s Dream machine. Seriously yuckable but utterly spellbinding. … Download free opening extract
2		The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil Wiley Miller A wonderful debut from an incredibly talented wordsmith and illustrator. Fans of The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach will love Basil and his erstwhile adventures. Basil is an ordinary boy living a very ordinary life in a lighthouse, … Download free opening extract
3		Alice In Wonderland (slipcase edition) Lewis Carroll, Rodney Matthews The story is timeless and can be read at so many different levels, but this lavish slipcased edition is quite simply stunning and will bring to the reader a very different Wonderland – even more fantastical and a little darker … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Birthday Book Michael Morpurgo This is a sumptuous collection of stories and verse compiled by Michael Morpurgo, beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in aid of The Prince’s Foundation for Children and Arts and to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday. It’s … Download free opening extract
2		A Christmas Carol: The Graphic Novel (Quick Text) Charles Dickens This is the full story in quick modern English for a fast-paced read. The original Christmas tale is brought to life in this colourful graphic novel adaptation. It is the second Charles Dickens title from Classical Comics and probably his … Download free opening extract
3		Whitaker’s World Of Weird Tracey Turner Attractively produced, this is a neat pocket book stuffed full of extraordinary facts about all kinds of unusual things. Set against a background of strong photographic images, the sections in this book cover many things including Weird Encounters, Weird Behaviour … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		A Christmas Carol with A Christmas Tree (illustrated by Robert Ingpen) Charles Dickens This gorgeous and sumptuously illustrated new edition of the completely unabridged A Christmas Carol is an absolute dream of a gift.  The illustrations are by the award-winning artist Robert Ingpen who has successfully captured the atmosphere of Victorian London and … Download free opening extract
2		The 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		Girls Are Best Sandi Toksvig Women gladiators, women in the Bayeaux Tapestry, women inventors – Sandi Toksvig uncovers them all in her light-hearted approach to the serious message of this book – women have always done amazing things but have mostly been overlooked by history. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Power Of Five: Necropolis Anthony Horowitz Yet again Anthony Horowitz has come up trumps with an edge-of-the-seat thriller with some brilliantly spun twists that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The female protagonist is brilliantly portrayed – the first time, we think … Download free opening extract
2		When The Snow Fell Henning Mankell Shortlisted for the Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation.  The winner will be announced on 20 January 2009. A touching story of growing up and discovering what really matters. Joel makes three New Year’s resolutions: To see a naked lady, … Download free opening extract
3		A Really Short History Of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson Full of extraordinary discoveries and wonder at the world we live in, this is a thrilling scientific journey through history. It raises and answers many of the questions young readers ask about how the greatest scientific discoveries were made and … 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		Young, Loaded And Fabulous Katherine Kingsley Addictive, scandalous and glamorous fiction from a brand new author writing for sophisticated teens!  As its title implies this is not for the faint-hearted.  If you’re up for a wild read where clubbing or holidaying in St Tropez is the … Download free opening extract
3		Eclipse Stephenie Meyer The much-anticipated 3rd novel in the captivating saga of vampire romance that began with Twilight, continued with New Moon. Friendships are stretched beyond breaking point and love choices must be made that are a matter of life and death and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		The Gruffalo Pop-up Theatre Book Julia Donaldson Not only can you read and reread the much loved story of the Gruffalo in this complete work of art but you can open the pop-up stage to act out the adventures of the little brown mouse, or even create … Download free opening extract
2		Dog Biscuit Helen Cooper A sumptuously illustrated and heart-warming adventure about a little girl who turns into a dog – or does she?  Find out in this wonderful new adventure from award winning author/illustrator, Helen Cooper. … 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		Yuck’s Supercool Snotman Matt And Dave Loved by boys and girls of 5+ but particularly boys.  Two horribly disgusting adventures will be found within the covers of this latest Yuck adventure – Yuck’s Supercool Snotman and Yuck’s Dream machine. Seriously yuckable but utterly spellbinding. … Download free opening extract
2		Lost Happy Endings Carol Ann Duffy Shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Greenway. A wonderfully lyrical story about the search for the happy endings that are needed to make the perfect story. Beautiful illustrations bring the story to life. … Download free opening extract
3		The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil Wiley Miller A wonderful debut from an incredibly talented wordsmith and illustrator. Fans of The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach will love Basil and his erstwhile adventures. Basil is an ordinary boy living a very ordinary life in a lighthouse, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Birthday Book Michael Morpurgo This is a sumptuous collection of stories and verse compiled by Michael Morpurgo, beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in aid of The Prince’s Foundation for Children and Arts and to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday. It’s … Download free opening extract
2		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A wonderfully emotional but heart-warming tale from the pen of one of the foremost writers for children.  Brilliantly interwoven in historical fact at the time of the sinking of the Titanic is the story of Kaspar the Savoy cat, who … Download free opening extract
3		A Christmas Carol: The Graphic Novel (Quick Text) Charles Dickens This is the full story in quick modern English for a fast-paced read. The original Christmas tale is brought to life in this colourful graphic novel adaptation. It is the second Charles Dickens title from Classical Comics and probably his … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Girls Are Best Sandi Toksvig Women gladiators, women in the Bayeaux Tapestry, women inventors – Sandi Toksvig uncovers them all in her light-hearted approach to the serious message of this book – women have always done amazing things but have mostly been overlooked by history. … Download free opening extract
2		The 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		Frankenstein – retold by Gill Tavner Mary Shelley When Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, an epic battle of friendship and horror begins between man and monster – and as it reaches fever pitch a tragic chain of events occurs. This and the other retellings by Real Reads are a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		The Knife of Never Letting Go Patrick Ness Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008 and Booktrust Teenage 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’ … Download free opening extract
2		A Perfect Ten Chris Higgins Chris Higgins’ writing rivals the likes of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.  She’s an author truly in tune with the teen psyche.  This is her fourth novel and she gets better and better with each new storyline.  The characterisation is … 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 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		The Meaning Of Life Joanna Nadin Laugh out loud funny from the first page, The Meaning of Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice … Download free opening extract
3		Twilight Stephenie Meyer Deeply seductive and irresistibly compelling, this is an extraordinary love story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s the first in the Twilight series and is a captivating sage of vampire romance. The 2nd … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		My First Nursery Stories Tony Ross   Best loved, classic nursery stories are vividly brought to life in Tony Ross’s humorous and vigorous illustrations. Follow the charmingly agile goats as they trip-trott over the bridge having dispatched the hairy troll SPLASH into the river with a well-aimed … Download free opening extract
2		The Pencil Allan Ahlberg This book is an hilarious and unmissable treat! One day there is just a lonely pencil…It begins to draw – a boy, a dog, a cat and then a house and streets for them to play in. But everyone wants … Download free opening extract
3		The Gruffalo Pop-up Theatre Book Julia Donaldson Not only can you read and reread the much loved story of the Gruffalo in this complete work of art but you can open the pop-up stage to act out the adventures of the little brown mouse, or even create … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil Wiley Miller A wonderful debut from an incredibly talented wordsmith and illustrator. Fans of The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach will love Basil and his erstwhile adventures. Basil is an ordinary boy living a very ordinary life in a lighthouse, … Download free opening extract
2		Alice In Wonderland (slipcase edition) Lewis Carroll, Rodney Matthews The story is timeless and can be read at so many different levels, but this lavish slipcased edition is quite simply stunning and will bring to the reader a very different Wonderland – even more fantastical and a little darker … Download free opening extract
3		Bob’s Best Ever Friend Simon Bartram Simon Bartram’s Man in the Moon was 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

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Birthday Book Michael Morpurgo This is a sumptuous collection of stories and verse compiled by Michael Morpurgo, beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in aid of The Prince’s Foundation for Children and Arts and to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 60th birthday. It’s … Download free opening extract
2		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A wonderfully emotional but heart-warming tale from the pen of one of the foremost writers for children.  Brilliantly interwoven in historical fact at the time of the sinking of the Titanic is the story of Kaspar the Savoy cat, who … Download free opening extract
3		A Christmas Carol: The Graphic Novel (Original Text) Charles Dickens The original Christmas tale is brought to life in this colourful graphic novel adaptation. It is the second Charles Dickens title from Classical Comics and probably his best-loved story. Set in Victorian England and highlighting the social injustice of the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Midnight for Charlie Bone Jenny Nimmo Since his father died, Charlie Bone has lived with his mother and her mother, in the house of his other grandmother, Grandma Bone. Looking at a picture of a couple with a baby and a cat, he suddenly discovers he … Download free opening extract
2		The 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 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

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		The Knife of Never Letting Go Patrick Ness Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2008 and Booktrust Teenage 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’ … 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		The Carbon Diaries 2015 Saci Lloyd Shortlisted for the 2008 Costa Children’s Book Award. This is a novel written in diary form as Laura, a teenager chronicles her life and that of her family as it is in 2015.  It’s edgy, it’s appealing and it’s contemporary and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Meaning Of Life Joanna Nadin Laugh out loud funny from the first page, The Meaning of Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		Young, Loaded And Fabulous Katherine Kingsley Addictive, scandalous and glamorous fiction from a brand new author writing for sophisticated teens!  As its title implies this is not for the faint-hearted.  If you’re up for a wild read where clubbing or holidaying in St Tropez is the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Stick Man Julia Donaldson Creators of The Gruffalo, best selling author/ illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are back with another bestseller on their hands. “Stick Man lives in the family tree/ with Stick Lady love/ And his children three”. But one day Stick … Download free opening extract
2		Sir Charlie Stinky Socks And The Really Frightful Night Kristina Stephenson Charlie is big, bold and daring but is he brave enough to rescue a damsel in distress?  Find out by joining him on a really big and frightening adventure.  Vibrant illustrations and fold-out flaps give the story an additional dimension … Download free opening extract
3		Winnie’s Flying Carpet Valerie Thomas Bestselling Winnie the Witch is back with a new adventure when she’s ‘all aboard’ her flying carpet. Winnie has always wanted a flying carpet but, when it comes, she finds it is unexpectedly hard to control. When the carpet whisks … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Do Try This At Home! Punk Science Science without the boring bits.  Produced in association with the Science Museum, Do Try This At Home is crammed with facts, jokes, big ideas and experiments. This very funny book is full colour and illustrated with artwork and photographs.  It … Download free opening extract
2		Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog Mini Grey Hilarious action-packed new adventures for the intrepid Traction Man and his popular side-kick, Scrubbing Brush, in this fantastic sequel by prize-winning illustrator Mini Grey. After an intrepid exploration of the compost heap, Scrubbing Brush returns so dirty that the foolish … Download free opening extract
3		Lost Happy Endings Carol Ann Duffy Shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Greenway. A wonderfully lyrical story about the search for the happy endings that are needed to make the perfect story. Beautiful illustrations bring the story to life. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Teach Your Granny To Text And Other Ways To Change The World We Are What We Do Teach Your Granny to Text is a book that will inspire children to use their everyday actions to change the world. If lots of people make small changes then big changes can occur. It’s not rocket science but it does … Download free opening extract
2		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A wonderfully emotional but heart-warming tale from the pen of one of the foremost writers for children.  Brilliantly interwoven in historical fact at the time of the sinking of the Titanic is the story of Kaspar the Savoy cat, who … Download free opening extract
3		Whitaker’s World Of Weird Tracey Turner Attractively produced, this is a neat pocket book stuffed full of extraordinary facts about all kinds of unusual things. Set against a background of strong photographic images, the sections in this book cover many things including Weird Encounters, Weird Behaviour … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Girls Are Best Sandi Toksvig Women gladiators, women in the Bayeaux Tapestry, women inventors, Sandi Toksvig uncovers them all in her light hearted approach to the serious message of this book – women have always done amazing things but have mostly been overlooked by history. … 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		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		Power Of Five: Necropolis Anthony Horowitz Yet again Anthony Horowitz has come up trumps with an edge-of-the-seat thriller with some brilliantly spun twists that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The female protagonist is brilliantly portrayed – the first time, we think … Download free opening extract
2		Skellig 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 … Download free opening extract
3		A Perfect Ten Chris Higgins Chris Higgins’ writing rivals the likes of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.  She’s an author truly in tune with the teen psyche.  This is her fourth novel and she gets better and better with each new storyline.  The characterisation is … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Graveyard Book (illustrated by Chris Riddell) Neil Gaiman Spooks galore in this brilliant and fantastic story of life in the graveyard. When Baby Bod escapes a murderer intent on killing his whole family, he is taken in by the graveyard ghosts. In eight chapters, each of which depicts … Download free opening extract
2		Young, Loaded And Fabulous Katherine Kingsley Addictive, scandalous and glamorous fiction from a brand new author writing for sophisticated teens!  As its title implies this is not for the faint-hearted.  If you’re up for a wild read where clubbing or holidaying in St Tropez is the … Download free opening extract
3		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

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		The Great Paper Caper Oliver Jeffers Touching and funny, this is also a visually sophisticated picture book which lightly carries an important message about the use – and misuse – of resources. All is not well in the forest: branches of the trees keep disappearing and … Download free opening extract
2		Stick Man Julia Donaldson Creators of The Gruffalo, best selling author/ illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are back with another bestseller on their hands. “Stick Man lives in the family tree/ with Stick Lady love/ And his children three”. But one day Stick … Download free opening extract
3		Aliens Love Underpants! (Book and CD edition) 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 … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Oliver Moon And The Spider Spell Sue Mongredien More magical mayhem from the junior wizard who is always getting himself into big trouble. Here it is no exception for when he tries a Grow-bigger spell on the cauldron he finds himself in very BIG trouble indeed. Great … Download free opening extract
2		Traction Man Is Here Mini Grey Hurrah for Traction Man, the toy hero who, with his faithful side kick Scrubbing Brush, is up for adventures anytime and anyplace. They’ll tackle any challenge and bravely fight their way through to success. But, when Traction Man is given … Download free opening extract
3		The Ship’s Kitten Matilda Webb A wonderfully heart-warming and funny story about a little kitten who is desperate to be a ship’s cat. Try as she might she’s ejected from boat after boat by other cats until that is, she finds herself on the biggest … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A wonderfully emotional but heart-warming tale from the pen of one of the foremost writers for children.  Brilliantly interwoven in historical fact at the time of the sinking of the Titanic is the story of Kaspar the Savoy cat, who … Download free opening extract
2		Cosmo and the Secret Spell Gwyneth Rees Brilliant spooky fun with plenty of giggles for both parent and child to enjoy as well as a fair dose of frightening goings on.  What more do you need at halloween? … Download free opening extract
3		Storlax: The Power of the Deep Robert Jackson, Bubbi Morthens This is an epic children’s story, told with great humour, optimism and warmth.  It will grip the reader not just because of the loveable fishy characters and exciting adventures but almost more so because it subtly shows us the impact … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The 39 Clues 1: The Maze Of Bones Rick Riordan Want to get your kids reading, well here’s a spellbinding adventure that we think kids of 8 upwards will really pick up on for it’s something more than a book as it integrates books, games, a website, cards and prizes … Download free opening extract
2		Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: The New Girl Meg Cabot Allie is a brilliant heroine who 7+ year old girls will love and really look up to. She’s full of adventure, quite precocious and at times her army of family and friends despair of her. At times it’s … Download free opening extract
3		Reavers’ Ransom Emily Diamand Winner of The Times Children’s Fiction Competition, this original post-apocalyptic fantasy is an action packed debut novel. Determined to find the Prime Minister’s daughter who has been captured by bloodthirsty reavers, Lilly sails off carrying with her a talking jewel. Lilly … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Blade: Closing In Tim Bowler The second in the Blade series, this is another short, very accessible novel for teens. Pacy, gripping and packed with action, and a central character that’s incredibly engaging, even the most reluctant reader will devour it. Blade is on … Download free opening extract
2		Uncle Montague’s Tales Of Terror Chris Priestley Chris Priestley in his first book with Bloomsbury has written a book that is impossible to put down. Be warned however! The content is scary, no doubt about it. The book contains a series of short fast-paced horror stories, climaxing … 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		Stop In The Name Of Pants Louise Rennison You can’t stop laughing at and with Georgia Nicolson. Now she’s back with a new diary in which, as ever, she charts the ups and downs of her intense – sometimes imaginary – sex-kitten life as it ricochets from the … Download free opening extract
3		The Meaning Of Life Joanna Nadin Laugh out loud funny from the first page, The Meaning of Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice … Download free opening extract

 Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Stick Man Julia Donaldson Creators of The Gruffalo, best selling author/ illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are back with another bestseller on their hands. “Stick Man lives in the family tree/ with Stick Lady love/ And his children three”. But one day Stick … Download free opening extract
2		Gruffalo Pop-up Theatre Book Julia Donaldson Not only can you read and reread the much loved story of the Gruffalo in this complete work of art but you can open the pop-up stage to act out the adventures of the little brown mouse, or even create … Download free opening extract
3		The Pencil Allan Ahlberg This book is an hilarious and unmissable treat! One day there is just a lonely pencil…It begins to draw – a boy, a dog, a cat and then a house and streets for them to play in. But everyone wants … Download free opening extract

5+ readers

1		Nut Cracker Jan Pienkowski The enchantment of the Nutcracker story is beautifully captured in Jan Pienkowski’s glorious silhouettes. His white characters act out the story against beautifully coloured multi-layer backgrounds which are edged with silver trellis work that adds a touch of magic. Handsomely … Download free opening extract
2		Traction Man Is Here Mini Grey Hurrah for Traction Man, the toy hero who, with his faithful side kick Scrubbing Brush, is up for adventures anytime and anyplace. They’ll tackle any challenge and bravely fight their way through to success. But, when Traction Man is given … Download free opening extract
3		Oliver Moon And The Spider Spell Sue Mongredien More magical mayhem from the junior wizard who is always getting himself into big trouble. Here it is no exception for when he tries a Grow-bigger spell on the cauldron he finds himself in very BIG trouble indeed. Great … Download free opening extract

7+ readers

1		Storlax: The Power of the Deep Robert Jackson, Bubbi Morthens This is an epic children’s story, told with great humour, optimism and warmth.  It will grip the reader not just because of the loveable fishy characters and exciting adventures but almost more so because it subtly shows us the impact … Download free opening extract
2		Cosmo and the Secret Spell Gwyneth Rees Brilliant spooky fun with plenty of giggles for both parent and child to enjoy as well as a fair dose of frightening goings on.  What more do you need at halloween? … Download free opening extract
3		Kaspar Michael Morpurgo A wonderfully emotional but heart-warming tale from the pen of one of the foremost writers for children.  Brilliantly interwoven in historical fact at the time of the sinking of the Titanic is the story of Kaspar the Savoy cat, who … Download free opening extract

9+ readers

1		The 39 Clues 1: The Maze Of Bones Rick Riordan Want to get your kids reading, well here’s a spellbinding adventure that we think kids of 8 upwards will really pick up on for it’s something more than a book as it integrates books, games, a website, cards and prizes … Download free opening extract
2		Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools Philip Caveney This is a hilarious and swashbuckling adventure featuring the half human, half elf Sebastian Darke, a wannabe court jester, who discovers he’s not great at telling jokes!! Fans of Shrek and Terry Pratchett will love it for its wonderful humour … Download free opening extract
3		Inkdeath: Inkheart 3 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 a magnificently … Download free opening extract

11+ readers

1		Blade: Closing In Tim Bowler The second in the Blade series, this is another short, very accessible novel for teens. Pacy, gripping and packed with action, and a central character that’s incredibly engaging, even the most reluctant reader will devour it. Blade is on … Download free opening extract
2		A Perfect Ten Chris Higgins Chris Higgins’ writing rivals the likes of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.  She’s an author truly in tune with the teen psyche.  This is her fourth novel and she gets better and better with each new storyline.  The characterisation is … Download free opening extract
3		Uncle Montague’s Tales Of Terror Chris Priestley Chris Priestley in his first book with Bloomsbury has written a book that is impossible to put down. Be warned however! The content is scary, no doubt about it. The book contains a series of short fast-paced horror stories, climaxing … Download free opening extract

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		Sweet Julie Burchill Definitely for the older teenager, Burchill has written about a gritty, urban and larger than life world.  It’s smart, funny, full of wit – the Julie Burchill trademark – and it really captures the life and soul of teenage angst … Download free opening extract
3		Sam Stern’s Student Cookbook Sam Stern, Susan Stern Mouth watering recipes which are both easy to make and money saving make Sam Stern’s cookbook perfect for students. Written in snappy sentences, which give the impression that no one will have long to spend over the stove, the cooking instructions are clear as … Download free opening extract