Posts Tagged ‘opening extracts’
Thursday, January 10th, 2013
The great J.R.R. Tolkien would have been 121 years old this month and with the recent film release of the first part of The Hobbit, his famous tale of a large-footed unlikely hero, our only resolution is to show you what’s new and exciting for your little Halflings this New Year. Happy 2013 from Lovereading4kids!
Pinch and a Punch…Books of the Month
Christmas may have gone, but our shelves are jostling and rejuvenated with great reads for kids of all ages and abilities: One of our hot tips (actually our reader-reviewers’ hot tip) is:
Ketchup Clouds from Annabel Pitcher. One reviewer said ‘Wow. Ketchup Clouds is without question one of the best books I have ever read. This is one of those books that you start to read, and three hours later look up from and realize the whole world looks different.’ Visit the site to read more reader reviews.
Wild Thing! – Guest Editor, Matt Dickinson
He’s one of only 5 British climbers to scale the North face of Everest, he’s won awards for film-making in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth and he’s the author of the amazing, high-octane and thought-provoking Mortal Chaos series. The latest title Speed Freaks is a January Book of The Month. We love this series – and given the feedback from our Lovereading4kids review panel we’re not wrong. See some of their comments below:
Josh Travers (14) ‘I can honestly say that anybody who has not read this book is truly missing out on one of the best fictional adventures of their lifetime.’
Ellen McTeague (11) ‘This book is so clever and a very exciting read with short chapters‘
Morgan Steigmann (13) ‘This book is probably the most action-packed novel I have ever read’
For Matt, facing his most testing challenge to date, he’s agreed to be our Guest Editor this month! Click here to find out more…
New Year New Talent – January Debuts
There is nothing better than discovering a brand new author with a fabulous debut, and we’re kicking off the New Year with a glittering collection of first-footers: Special mention goes to Boonie, Sorrowline and Into That Forest which have garnered some amazing reviews from our Lovereading4kids reader review panel.
Richard Masson
(12+) Gripping, vivid dystopian thrill ride from an imagination that knows no bounds.
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Niel Bushnell
(11+) Refreshingly original, mind-blowing time-travel novel like no other.
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Louis Nowra
(11+) Haunting, captivating and extraordinary. It reads like a true story.
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Other new debuts this month are:
Series Stuff! – January Series’ of the Month…
To kick off the New Year, we haven’t just got one Series of the Month, we’ve a whole series of them!…. Well only two actually, but they’re real humdingers!
Pendragon Legacy by Katherine Roberts (10+). Page-turning, sword-brandishing, be-witching and be-wizarding Camelot adventure series. Two books so far and one on the way… and find out what our Lovereading4kids reviewers thought of the books.
Blade by Tim Bowler (14+) Startlingly original and as sharp as its hero’s name suggests, this four book series is an absolute must for teen lads and will bring hours of quiet to your home… that is, until they run downstairs to tell you all about it.
Dark, Dangerous Romantic Reads for Teens
First Secrets and Sapphires (At Somerton), the sweeping new period drama from Leila Rasheed. Think Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl.
Also an evocative reimagining of Wuthering Heights, with a extra magic twist called Black Spring by Alison Croggon.
And don’t miss the book of the film Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl A teen romance, with a twist of supernatural danger and and you can win a £25 Odeon cinema voucher!
Read them in secret…go on…treat yourself!
The Costa Winning – Costa Book Prize
The good people at Costa give 5 lucky authors a huge (coffee) break at this time every year with the highly sought after Costa Book Prize. The winner of the Children’s award has just been announced; it was also our personal favourite as we mentioned last month.
Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner (14+) A unique dystopian tale of friendship, moon-landings and the truth about dyslexia. Our young reviewers loved it too, find out more today.
Fabbiha Choudhury. ‘I absolutely loved it and cannot commend it more highly. Absolutely superb!’ Josh Travers. ‘This totally original story is brilliant from beginning to end and each gripping chapter urges you to keep reading’
Don’t forget our special category that is chock-full of dyslexia friendly books. Our book-range from those boffins at Barrington Stoke are categorised by Interest Age and Reading Age so that you and your kids can find the perfect, confidence-inspiring reads for them, whatever their ability. For instance:
My Name is O by Sam Enthoven. With an ‘Interest Age‘ of 11+ and a ‘Reading Age‘ of 8+, this is an accessible and thrilling fantasy-tale of courage, choice and individuality in a world of control and expectation.
Other favourites of 2012 are in the shelf below…
Scroll down for more recommendations in the age ranges you have told us you are interested in.
Happy Lovereading in 2013
Tags: Annabel Pitcher, blade, boonie, children's book reviews, Cornelia Funke, fearless, into that forest, Katherine Roberts, Ketchup Clouds, louis nowra, lovereading4kids, Maggot Moon, matt dickinson, mortal chaos, niel bushnell, opening extracts, Pendragon Legacy, reader reviews, rebecca lisle, richard masson, sally gardner, sorrowline, the spin, Tim Bowler
Posted in Newsletters | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
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No Such Thing As Dragons
Philip Reeve
Carnegie Medal winner Philip Reeve weaves a brilliant adventure story set long ago when the myth of the dragon held many in paralysing fear. Ansel serves Brock, the famous dragon slayer who makes his living by slaying creatures whose very …
Download free opening extract |
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Return to the Hundred Acre Wood
David Benedictus, Mark Burgess, A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard
Over eighty years since Winnie-the-Pooh first delighted readers, David
Benedictus takes us back to the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures.
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood allows readers to spend a few more
treasured hours with the Best Bear in All the …
Download free opening extract |
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Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the wolves despite their power and …
Download free opening extract |
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The Best of Times
Michael Morpurgo
Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated, this is a gem of a book. Michael Morpurgo weaves a magical story about the unusual way a prince finds to make his princess happy and so to save her life. Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations …
Download free opening extract |
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Gone
Michael Grant
For a limited period read Gone online for free by clicking here
Gripping from the first moment, this is a scary, an unputdownable and a brilliantly plotted fantasy. One minute all the adults are there – next they’re gone! Only the …
Download free opening extract |
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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 has the same …
Download free opening extract |
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The Willoughbys
Lois Lowry
A really quirky and completely original tale of villains, benefactors, abandoned infants, winsome orphans and diabolical plans. The kids in the Willoughby household – four of them, plot how best to become orphans, for their parents are not what they’d …
Download free opening extract |
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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 …
Download free opening extract |
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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 |
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Purple Class and the Half-eaten Sweater
Sean Taylor
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2009
Four completely crazy, off the wall crazy, stories about the funniest class ever. Crammed full of zany and exuberant characters and the mishaps and mayhem that ensue. But spare a thought for …
Download free opening extract |
Tags: a a milne, children's book reviews, David Benedictus, E.H. Shepard, Emily Gravett, Ferida Wolff, Gone, Harriet May Savitz, Jeremy Strong, Living with Vampires, Lois Lowry, lovereading4kids, Maggie Stiefvater, Mark Burgess, Michael Grant, Michael Morpurgo, No Such Thing As Dragons, opening extracts, philip reeve, Purple Class and the Half-eaten Sweater, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, Sean Taylor, Shiver, spells, The Best of Times, the story blanket, The Willoughbys
Posted in Most Popular Books | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
Featured Books for 14+ readers
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Gone
Michael Grant
STOP PRESS – Read the whole book here online now (book is available free from 8 – 22 April) or just click the download extract button above to get a cliff-hanger taster from the first two chapters.
Gripping from the first …
Download free opening extract |
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Girl Meets Cake
Susie Day
A darkly comic romance about love, friendship, lies and gingerbread men! Heidi’s mad online life collides hysterically with her real one in a laugh-out-loud, über-cool teen novel. Georgia Nicolson fans will adore this hilarious headlong teen-blog. …
Download free opening extract |
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Beautiful Dead: Jonas
Eden Maguire
This is the first of a proposed series of 4 books in the increasingly popular area of paranormal romance. Fans of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series will love the intrigue, the excellent writing style, compelling characters coupled with a powerful mystery. …
Download free opening extract |
Tags: alan gilliland, alec sillifant, Andrew Mulligan, Barefoot Book of Earth Tales, Beautiful Dead: Jonas, Charlie and Lola: Look After Your Planet, children's book reviews, david almond, Dawn Casey, Daydream Dan, derek landy, Dragonfly Pool, Eden Maguire, Emily Bearn, eva ibbotson, Flood And Fang: Raven Mysteries Book One, girl meets cake, Gone, Her Mother's Face, Jake Highfield: Chaos Unleashed, Lauren Child, Little Boat, lovereading4kids, lovereading4kids.co.uk, marcus sedgwick, Michael Grant, neil gaiman, opening extracts, ribblestrop, Roddy Doyle, sam llewellyn, Sarah Garson, Skellig - TV tie in edition, Skulduggery Pleasant: The Faceless Ones, susie day, The Amazing Adventures of Curd The Lion and Us! in the Land at the Back of Beyond, The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish, the well between the worlds, Thomas Docherty, Tumtum and Nutmeg Pirates Treasure
Posted in Most Popular Books | No Comments »
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Happy 2009!
If the quality of children’s books scheduled for publication in 2009 that we’ve so far read here is anything to go by then there’s going to be no shortage of some terrific literature for the whole family to enjoy throughout 2009 and hopefully our expert guidance will help you to choose between them and in turn help your kids start the new year as you’d like them to go on – reading and learning and enjoying some dazzling stories.
But before going on to the January titles we’ve personally selected for you here at Lovereading4kids, first up is the winner of Costa Children’s Book Award, which has just been announced. Michelle Magorian’s Just Henry, according to the Costa judges ‘is a soaring, uplifting warm bath of a book a wonderful roller-coaster of a story which we all absolutely loved’. At Lovereading4kids we’ve championed it since its publication back in May last year. Whilst on the subject of awards don’t forget to take a peek at the shortlist for the Marsh Award for books in Translation.
There’s also a new category on the site where we’ve gathered all our free-to-enter competitions and prize draws; a one-stop shop for amazing give-away goodies!
Author of the Month is the brilliant Chris Higgins, whose new story Love ya Babe gives a very astute insight into teenage troubles. Not only does Gabby have to put up with an outrageously embarrassing mum, troubled brothers, and friendship problems at school; but the arrival of a new baby sibling brings chaos to the whole family.
Then, by Morris Gleitzman, tackles a topic most children’s authors would shy away from, following Felix and his friend Zelda as they witness the atrocities being committed by the Nazis in Poland in 1942. 9+ readers will be hooked.
Between Two Seas was a sensation in 2008 and one of our most successful debuts of the year. The Lady in the Tower (3760) is Marie Louise Jensen’s second novel. A rich tapestry of 16th century life centred around Eleanor, a tomboyish young girl who is betrothed to be married, but would rather be riding horses and jousting. 
Everything Beautiful is the eagerly awaited and brilliant second novel by the author of Notes from the Teenage Underground.
Numbers, by Rachel Ward, is a spooky story for teenagers about a girl who can tell the date people will die by the numbers that pop into her head. Waiting to go on the London Eye, she sees everyone in the queue has the same number – something terrible is going to happen…
For 11+ readers
there’s The Bad Tuesdays 1: Twisted Symmetry. An action-packed novel about three street rat children who are being mysteriously pursued by two sinister organisations.Zelah Green – Queen of Clean by Vanessa Curtis deals with the serious subject of OCD by way of a charming tale about a girl coming to terms with personal grief and
The 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison, is a gripping story about a girl who gets in trouble and is sent away from home because nobody believes she can see fairies.
For 9+ year old boys there’s Johnny Macintosh and the Spirit of London, by Keith Mansfield, in which a 13-year-old boy’s life change forever when his computer, Kovac, detects an extraterrestrial signal.And for the girls, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant is a brilliantly accomplished debut that packs a lot of punch touching as it does on family death and relationships. Finally for 7+ year olds, a mad-cap adventure, The Monkey Pirates, by Mark Skelton will take you on a ride through space in wardrobes in the capable or not so capable hands of some pirate monkeys searching for treasure.
Now to two special promotions:
Firstly, you probably can’t fail to have missed the major TV drama of Anne Frank each day last week and if so, perhaps now is the time to read the full unabridged Diary. Secondly, we were so bowled over by Chains, which tells the story Independence who pursues her own fight for freedom during the American civil war, that we thought we would select a small number of titles that we feel will provide a terrific insight into a time and a place when slavery was the order of the day and in some places still is. So from Roman to contemporary times you’re sure to find something that fascinates.
Finally, race headlong into the new year and keep ahead of the crowds, by discovering our latest exclusive Pre-Publication titles:
Henderson Boys – The Escape, is an exciting adventure by Robert Muchamore about child spies helping the British Secret Service win the war.
The Sandfather by Linda Newbery is a wonderful story about a boy searching for some grounding in life, and doing a lot of growing up along the way.
And Dogs, by Emily Gravett, is another awesomely satisfying picture book filled with gorgeous bounding canines of every sort – and a twist in the tail.
So download a few free Opening Extracts for your children and suss out which are going to get their 2009 off to an energetic flying start.
Tags: Anne Frank, Chains, children's book reviews, chris higgins, Costa Book Awards, Diary of a Young Girl, Dogs, Emily Gravett, Everything Beautiful, Henderson Boys The Escape, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant, Johnny Macintosh and the Spirit of London, Just Henry, Keith Mansfield, Laurie Halse Anderson, Linda Newbery, Love ya Babe, lovereading4kids, Marie Louise Jensen, Mark Skelton, Michelle Harrison, michelle magorian, Morris Gleitzman, Numbers, opening extracts, Rachel Ward, robert muchamore, Simmone Howell, The 13 Treasures, The Bad Tuesdays, The Lady in the Tower, The Monkey Pirates, The Sandfather, Then, Twisted Symmetry, Vanessa Curtis, Zelah Green Queen of Clean
Posted in Newsletters | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008
It’s nearly time for schools to break up and for us all to start planning our Christmas festivities – but if you need a few more presents then Lovereading4kids is a brilliant place to look. We have wonderful selections of Gift Books and Stocking Fillers for all ages.
But if you are still stuck for choice here’s a small selection of personal favourites selected by the team here where you may just find the perfect book or books you’re looking for:
Jeremy thinks, books shortlisted for prizes are always worth reading and definitely worth giving as presents. There are two big prizes with recently announced shortlists and we have them all on Lovereading4kids. The Costa Children’s Award winner will be announced on 6 Jan and the Marsh Award for books translated into English will be announced on 16 Jan. Read a Free Opening Extract to find the right one for you.
Louise recommends you take a look at our special ‘Ology’ section. Ologies have become a publishing phenomenon and we have been featuring them all year. The latest book is Spyology with its wealth of real and imaginary information – it will absorb children (and parents) for hours.
Kasey believes, it wouldn’t be Christmas without the classic story A Christmas Carol. Everyone will love this gorgeous and sumptuously illustrated new unabridged edition, from the small but perfectly formed publishing house, Templar – this edition of A Christmas Carol is an absolute dream of a gift.
Finally, Peter who like his namesake has never grown up!, suggests a gift subscription of The DFC. Created by the publisher who brought you Northern Lights and featuring stories by Philip Pullman and other award winning authors – The DFC will ignite every child’s imagination. If you or your children love reading comics but maybe not books then sign up today we have some money saving offers for Lovereading4kids members and exclusive prizes to be won!
Happy Christmas to you all – Lovereading4kids
Tags: A Christmas Carol, book reviews, books of the year, Costa Children's Award, lovereading4kids, Marsh Award, opening extracts, spyology, stocking fillers, the dfc, translated books
Posted in Children's Book News | No Comments »
Friday, December 5th, 2008
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
Tags: A Christmas Carol: The Graphic Novel (Quick Text), A Perfect Ten, airhead, before i die, Carol Ann Duffy, Charles Dickens, children's book review, children's books, chris higgins, Dog Biscuit, Frankenstein - retold by Gill Tavner, girls are best, Helen Cooper, jenny downham, Joanna Nadin, julia donaldson, Kaspar, Lost Happy Endings, lovereading4kids, Mary Shelley, Matt And Dave, meg cabot, Michael Morpurgo, My Grandpa's Amazing Inventions, opening extracts, Patrick Ness, Richard Johnson, sandi toksvig, Sarah Prineas, Stephenie Meyer, the birthday book, The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil, The Gruffalo Pop-up Theatre Book, The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Magic Thief, the meaning of life, Twilight, Wiley Miller, Yuck's Supercool Snotman
Posted in Most Popular Books | No Comments »
Friday, November 14th, 2008
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
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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 |
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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 |
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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
Tags: A Perfect Ten, Anthony Horowitz, before i die, Book Reivew, Carol Ann Duffy, chris higgins, christmas, david almond, Do Try This At Home!, girls are best, jenny downham, julia donaldson, Kaspar, Katherine Kingsley, Kristina Stephenson, Loaded And Fabulous, Lost Happy Endings, lovereading4kids, Magic Thief, Michael Morpurgo, Mini Grey, neil gaiman, opening extracts, Power Of Five: Necropolis, Punk Science, sandi toksvig, Sarah Prineas, Sir Charlie Stinky Socks And The Really Frightful Night, Skellig, stick man, Teach Your Granny To Text And Other Ways To Change The World, The Graveyard Book (illustrated by Chris Riddell), the mysterious benedict society, Tracey Turner, Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog, Trenton Lee Stuart, Valerie Thomas, We Are What We Do, Whitaker's World Of Weird, Winnie's Flying Carpet, Young
Posted in Most Popular Books | No Comments »
Monday, November 10th, 2008
This month’s ‘featured books’
Age Books for 0 – 5′s
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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.
Buy £8.24 Save 25%
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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…
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Giles Andreae
Fantastic adventures for Nat as his supercharged sneeze changes him into a superhero, ready to battle anyone, anywhere. Leaving the comfort of his bedtime story, Nat takes off to fight crocodiles and stop bank robbers. A vigorous story with ebullient…
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Margaret Mahy
This fabulous and ridiculous bouncing story told in a rollicking rhyme charts the adventures of a baby who gets wafted away in a bubble. Over the heads of all bibble – bobbles the baby in the bubble while everyone wonders,…
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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…
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Debi Gliori
A cautionary tale for readers young and old about the use and misuse of the planet, featuring dragons. Accessible and fun it is both beautiful and timely and will teach the reader about caring and sharing and working together.
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Kazuno Kohara
Dare you enter the Haunted House? In a big old house at the edge of
town there’s a spooky surprise in store . . . But who’s afraid of a few
ghosts? Certainly not the heroine of this story who is an…
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Simon Puttock
Goat and donkey are an absolutely delightful duo that readers will instantly warm to and be entertained by. With strong characterisation, wacky and unpredictable storyline, offbeat humour and a great strength of friendship between the two characters, this picture book…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Mick Inkpen
All the fun of play is captured in this most recent story about Kipper, the loveable dog who has delighted readers for 18 years. When a mouse suddenly appears in Kipper’s life he promises to hide him from the cat…
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Ferida Wolff, Harriet May Savitz
A beautifully heart-warming story about generosity rewarded with stunning illustrations by the award-winning illustrator Elena Odriozola.
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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…
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This month’s ‘featured books’
Age 5+ readers
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Jeremy Strong, Amanda Li
Far more than just a joke book, this title is jam-packed full of quizzes, games, jokes and so much more. From Swashbuckling Crosswords to Puzzling Planet Puzzles, it is guaranteed to entertain and amuse both parents and children alike, whilst…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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Ben Cort
This amazing book contains everything you need to create your own dragon tamer’s castle, plus there’s an exciting storybook to read again and again. So read the book, build the castle and let the adventure begin.
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Nick Denchfield and Adam Stower
A pop-up extravaganza, full of adventure and crammed with magnificent monsters. Join Professor Potts the monster catcher, if you dare as her goes on a perilous quest that’s not for the faint-hearted. Pefect gift for boys, with plenty of gross-out…
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Roddy Doyle
The first picture book from award winner Roddy Doyle is a heart-warming and gently reassuring tale about moving on and growing up. The writing is quite sublime and the luscious illustrations by Freya Blackwood compliment the words beautifully.
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Amnesty International
An arrestingly original way of informing children of their human rights, We Are All Born Free depicts each of the 30 Articles of Universal Declaration of Human Rights in wonderful illustrations by thirty best known illustrators. Each of the important…
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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…
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Ian Falconer
Why not get into the Christmas spirit with the adorable but mischievous Olivia. There are presents to wrap, ornaments to hang on the tree, snowpigs to build…But what mayhem will she get up to this time? Delightfully told and beautifully…
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Marion Bataille
A spectacular pop-up alphabet book for all the family to enjoy. Each spread is devoted to a letter of the alphabet and each letter comes brilliantly to life through either the most intricate of paper engineering or sometimes the simplest…
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Brian Sibley
Cliff Richard’s readings of the 50 stories in this collection provide a vivid audio version which makes a perfect partner to the beautifully illustrated book. All the classic stories of the Bible including the story of the Creation, the building…
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This month’s ‘featured books’
Age 7+ readers
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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…
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Dugald Steer
Inventive and imaginative, this pack is fun to read and make. It introduces the elusive Frost Dragon, a little known species among some more familiar names. Acquiring knowledge of this curious creature is fun while the additional model pack gives…
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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…
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Jill Murphy
Full of witchcraft, wizardry and black magic, The World’s Worst Witch is a suitable alternative if you’re fed up of re-reading your Harry Potter. Any child who remembers their first day at school will sympathise with Mildred Hubble. Usually a…
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Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi
2008 has been a great year for Spiderwick, for the film brought in millions more readers to the books on which the film was based. The creators of the world of Spiderwick have gone ‘beyond’ and through Nixie’s Song…
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Geraldine Mccaughrean
This is a lush, illustrated gift edition of Geraldine McCaughrean’s official sequel to Peter Pan that was such a huge bestseller when it first came out in both hardback and paperback. The text in this special edition has been specially…
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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…
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Tracey Turner
Everything important that’s happened in the world – in pictures, brilliant!
Lovereading comment:
If you’re not into history but feel you need to know just a little bit more than you do, then this is the book for…
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Glenn Murphy
From the same author as last year’s huge hit, Why Is Snot Green?, comes a brand new collection of answers to an awful lot of questions ranging from ‘what are clouds for?’ and ‘how loud can you burp?’ to ‘why…
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Simon Adams
This is a fabulous pictorial guide to the world’s people and events from 10,000 BC to the present. Highly illustrated, it presents a dramatic insight into what the world was like during key historical periods – the Ancient world, Medieval…
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This month’s ‘featured books’
Age 9+ readers
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Elizabeth Goudge
A classic fantasy adventure story that has transfixed generations since it was first published in 1946. This wonderful new hardback edition, cloth bound and slip cased is truly special and a must for a child’s bookshelf. The writing is lyrical…
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Geraldine Mccaughrean
Geraldine McCaughrean is a genius in her ability to draw the reader in
to a part of history that might not immediately spring to mind as being
of interest and yet she makes you hungry for more. Here, she draws
upon a violent…
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Charlie Higson
Adventure, and loads of it – By Royal Command is the fifth page turning thriller about the school days of James Bond. Whether on holiday or at school, James finds it hard to keep out of danger. Even on school…
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This riveting book tells the stories of people who have influenced the course of history over the last 2000 years, from sportsmen to statesmen, from artists to film stars and from scientists to inventors. Arranged in themes and chronologically, all…
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Paul Kieve
Abracadabra! This mysterious book will without doubt inspire the young apprentice magicians of the 21st century with the unveiling of basic conjuring tricks, some of which dazzled audiences in the age of Robert Houdin and The Great Lafayette. The reader…
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John Agard
Brilliantly original, John Agard’s poetic reworking of Dante’s Inferno for a young, modern audience is a thrilling journey of discovery. Told in thirteen Cantos which follow the hero in a hoodie, it takes readers into the Circles of Hell where,…
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Biddy Baxter
As the programme celebrates its 50th anniversary, Biddy Baxter – the show’s legendary editor and the woman who used the Blue Peter badge to encourage children to write in – reveals an extraordinary correspondence that, by the late 1980s, saw…
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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 stop…
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Philip Reeve
With comic genius and storytelling brilliance the author has woven an ingenious and inventive space travel fantasy adventure, featuring a wild and wacky family that will enthral every reader and get both children and adults turning the pages faster than…
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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…
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Philip Ardagh
From Public Enemies to St Paul’s Cathedral, every one’s fascination with lists will be satisfied once they’ve digested the 366 included in this attractive, chunky book.
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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 – all…
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This month’s ‘featured books’
Age 11+ readers
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Sally Nicholls
Sympathetic,
touching, and surprisingly funny, Ways To Live Forever is a fantastic
debut from Sally Nicholls. Sam loves facts. He wants to know about UFOs and
horror movies and airships and ghosts and scientists, and how it…
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Katie Grant
Love, divided loyalty and the struggles of France’s proud South intensifies in this the second book of a thrilling trilogy. More twists and turns in this adventure set in 13th century France that involves bandits, renegade knights, broken promises but…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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David Almond
In his exceptional, delicate writing, prize-winning author David Almond weaves together many strands which together give an intimate insight into the thinking of two boys growing up in his familiar Northumberland countryside. Against a background of fighter planes swooping overhead,…
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Kevin Crossley-Holland
A tense, fast-paced detective story set in the 1950s in the haunting north Norfolk salt marshes where a dark secret has lain hidden, but suddenly there’s more than just Annie and Sandy trying to solve the case of the missing…
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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…
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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 you to…
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This month’s ‘featured books’
Age 14+ readers
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Fridrik Erlings
This is a wonderful coming-of-age novel that every teenage boy will empathise with, and every teenage girl will glean insight from. Whilst constructing a moving narrative, the novel also explores a number of issues, including single parenthood, absentee fathers, truancy and bullying. …
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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. A stunningly original novel deftly constructed over…
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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.
Brisingr means fire and was the first word that came out of the mouth of the dragon….
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Chris Priestley
This is seriously 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…
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Mal Peet
A dramatic, topical novel inspired by Shakespeare’s Othello which will appeal to both boys and girls with its themes of football and celebrity culture. Award winning Mal Peet’s Exposure is the third in the gripping trilogy which began with Keeper,…
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James Jauncey
A thought adventure begins with a heart-stopping moment. Fin hears car doors slam, a scream and a dull thud. Through the mist he glimpses a figure falling from the bridge; when he reaches it he finds it is a girl…
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Tags: 11+, 5+, 7+, 9+, age 0-5, book review, book reviews, christmas books, free postage, gift books, lovereading4kids, opening extracts, teenage books
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Friday, October 24th, 2008
Age 0 – 5 Years
5+ readers
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1
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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 …
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2
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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 …
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3
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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
9+ readers
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1
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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 …
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2
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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 |
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3
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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
14+ readers
Tags: A Perfect Ten, Allan Ahlberg, before i die, Blade: Closing In, book review, book reviews, Bubbi Morthens, chris higgins, Chris Priestley, Cornelia Funke, Cosmo and the Secret Spell, Gruffalo Pop-up Theatre Book, Gwyneth Rees, Inkdeath: Inkheart 3, Jan Pienkowski, jenny downham, julia donaldson, Julie Burchill, Kaspar, lovereading4kids, Michael Morpurgo, Mini Grey, Nut Cracker, Oliver Moon And The Spider Spell, opening extracts, Philip Caveney, rick riordan, Robert Jackson, Sam Stern, Sam Stern's Student Cookbook, Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools, stick man, Storlax: The Power of the Deep, Sue Mongredien, Susan Stern, Sweet, The 39 Clues 1: The Maze Of Bones, The Pencil, Tim Bowler, Traction Man Is Here, Uncle Montague's Tales Of Terror
Posted in Most Popular Books | No Comments »
Friday, October 17th, 2008
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
Featured Books for 14+ readers
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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 |
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2
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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 …
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3
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Exposure
Mal Peet
A dramatic, topical novel inspired by Shakespeare’s Othello which will appeal to both boys and girls with its themes of football and celebrity culture. Award winning Mal Peet’s Exposure is the third in the gripping trilogy which began with Keeper, …
Download free opening extract |
Tags: A Perfect Ten, before i die, Ben Cort, book extracts, book review, book reviews, Bubbi Morthens, Carol Ann Duffy, chris higgins, Chris Priestley, Cosmo and the Secret Spell, Eclipse, exposure, Ferida Wolff, geraldine mccaughrean, Gwyneth Rees, Harriet May Savitz, Her Mother's Face, jenny downham, julia donaldson, Kaspar, Lost Happy Endings, lovereading4kids, Magic Thief, mal peet, Michael Morpurgo, michael rosen, Michael Rosen's Book of Nonsense, opening extracts, Patrick Ness, rick riordan, Robert Jackson, Roddy Doyle, Sarah Prineas, Stephenie Meyer, stick man, Storlax: The Power of the Deep, Tamburlaine's Elephants, The 39 Clues 1: The Maze Of Bones, The Dragon Tamer's Castle, The Knife of Never Letting Go, the story blanket, Uncle Montague's Tales Of Terror
Posted in Most Popular Books | No Comments »
Boonie
Sorrowline
Into That Forest
Author of the Month
