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Karen McCombie has written over 80 books full of endearing characters and quirky humour; her series Ally’s World has sold over 200,000 copies. Born in Scotland, Karen now lives in north London. Karen loves her job, but is a complete fidget. She regularly packs up her laptop and leaves Office Number 1 (her weeny back bedroom) and has a brisk walk to Office Number 2 (the local garden centre café). Read more about the author here.
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Bridie lives on the remote Scottish island of Tornish, the youngest of three sisters. Although she loves her island, with its wild seas and big skies, she guiltily nurses a secret dream of flight - to America and the freedom of the New World. But her family are struggling under the spiteful oppression of the new Laird, and it seems that even some of the Laird's own household are desperate to leave. When the Laird's full cruelty becomes apparent, there's no more time for daydreams as Bridie needs to help the people she loves escape to safety. The first in a gripping, dramatic new series from much-loved author, Karen McCombie.
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Karen McCombie tells a big story in a short extent in this new book for dyslexia specialists Barrington Stoke, and it's one that will intrigue readers from the opening pages. Hannah is feeling left out - her mum and dad are so preoccupied with her stroppy big sister that they don't notice their younger daughter, and her best friends seem to have new interests that shut Hannah out. So when she finds a diary in the park, it feels like she has a new friend, the person who wrote it seems so open, cool and honest. When the two girls actually meet, both their lives are changed for the better. The story is full of surprises and its message to look for the best things in life is valuable for everyone.
In a nutshell: fun and friendship at 21st century boarding school Eleven-year-old Dani is a few weeks into life at her new boarding school, St Grizelda’s, aka St Grizzle’s. She’s got used to the school’s relaxed attitude to rules and regulations, and to going to assembly in her pyjamas! And she’s made some good friends too. But she still feels a bit homesick. When the school decides to enter a film-making competition set by the local council, Dani is in her element - back at home she often makes videos with her friend Arch. But managing groups of people isn’t easy, can Dani give everyone a chance to shine – including her flamboyant granny – without making herself invisible again? Amongst the fun and crazy adventures, there are subtle messages about being yourself, and developing confidence. A great take on the boarding school genre. ~ Andrea Reece Readers will also enjoy Jeanne Willis’s new take on Enid Blyton’s avant-garde boarding school stories, The Diary of the Naughtiest Girl.
A story of family, friendship and mystery from oneof the UK's best-loved writers. When Scarlet's grandma goes into a retirement home, she must sort through her belongings in the cramped flat above a shop in Crouch End, north London. Here Scarlet comes across a real treasure: a novel that Gran wrote, imagining the life of a girl just like Scarlet, who once upon a time lived in the flat and worked in a cakeshop downstairs. But as Scarlet reads about Ruby's life in Victorian London, she begins to realise this is no piece of fiction - Ruby was real! A real life, facing real danger - and a mystery that unravels to the present day. BOOKS BY KAREN MCCROMBIE Catching Falling Stars Life According to Alice B Lovely Pearl In the Attic
In a nutshell: Highly enjoyable, thoroughly contemporary boarding school story | Eleven-year-old Dani is horrified to hear she’s going to spend the next term at St Grizzelda’s School for Girls, but there’s no option: her zoologist mum is heading off to the Antarctic to study penguins’ waddles, and doesn’t trust Dani’s grandma to look after things. St Grizzles however is not what Dani, her mum or the reader expects: the new head believes in learning through play putting as much emphasis on circus skills as trigonometry. It actually sounds great fun, but Dani is too homesick to enjoy it. As the days pass though, she comes to love her new school especially when she makes friends with the other pupils. A lively book that puts a 21st century spin on the boarding school story while keeping the emphasis on the things that make the genre so popular: friends, camaraderie and independence. Readers will also enjoy Jeanne Willis’s new take on Enid Blyton’s avant-garde boarding school stories, The Diary of the Naughtiest Girl. ~ Andrea Reece
Four girls bond over a school project to create a blog. The subject? Their mums. Its title? OMG – or Our Mums Grrrrr. It’s quite possible to love your mum loads but still be driven mad by her as this demonstrates. Each girl is horribly embarrassed by her mum – too clingy, too pushy, too loud – grumbling online helps them let off steam and more importantly enables them to talk about the issues with their mums. This contemporary story is warm and rewarding, as good on the girls’ relationships with each other as it is on their feelings for their mums. Nicely designed it’s a great addition to the Barrington Stoke Conkers series, easy-to-read, packing a great story in a short extent. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Karen McCombie writes straight to the heart of pre-teens, and Honey and Me is a perfect McCombie novel. Kirsten has just moved up to secondary school and is really enjoying the fresh start. Life at home is difficult however: Mum and Dad are arguing all the time, and her brother is getting into trouble with his teachers. She doesn’t feel she can talk about it to her new school mates, so turns to her oldest friend instead. Talking to Honey really helps, as it always does, so why does Kirsten need to keep her friend a secret? Involving, reassuring and full of truths, this will go down really well with young girls. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Hilarious comedy by a top author. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 Lucky Dixie gets to do work experience at the offices of her favourite teen magazine Candy. But it turns out to be a massive disappointment: instead of meeting models and pop stars, she’s the office slave, making cups of tea all day. Most disappointing though is meeting the magazine’s Agony Aunt, who is nothing like the tell-me-anything type Dixie is expecting, in fact she gets Dixie to write replies to the letters for her. But something good, and totally unexpected, does come out of the experience. A funny, lively story that cleverly answers a question frequently asked on problem pages. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest age 9-12, Reading age 8+. A fun, sweet story of a girl building confidence and making friends when she moves to a new school. Starting a new school is torment for shy Rosie. The only way she can make it better is to make several things are kept Secret! The first is her real name, the second is that her mom is a new teacher and the third is that her dad is a dog walker… How Rosie’s secrets are uncovered and how she learns to live with the truth will touch a chord with anyone trying to give themselves a new image – and get over their shyness. Heartfelt drama, perfect for tweens. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Brilliantly observed, this is a thoughtful story about truth and friendship. Tilly’s thrilled by her new friendship with Mia; she is chatty and funny and soon the two of them are Best Friends Forever – Already – even though they are only newly met, as new girls as Beech Cliff School. But when Amber Sweet arrives Tilly wants to be friends with her too. Why is Mia so mean about Amber? And who is telling the truth? Tilly finds she has a lot to learn about people as she sorts out new life in secondary school. ~ Julia Eccleshare Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Best-selling Karen McCrombie brilliantly captures the whirlwind of emotions that Meg is thrown into when her mum starts dating a new partner. Meg loves her life with just her mum. Everything is neat and orderly and she loves being the smiling bridesmaid to help promote Mum’s wedding dress business. But then Mum falls in love…Disaster! Danny lives on a scruffy houseboat and has four messy sons! How can Meg ever get used to the new family? How Meg changes is sensitively captured in this tender, funny and heart-felt story. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Two books in one in this bumper book about a magical creature and the unusual things that happen when it is around. In The Great Expanding Guinea Pig Ruby Morgan introduces Thing, her special and very unusual friend who can do magic and often does so with very unpredictable results! Thing is also at the heart of Beware of the Snow Blobs. In both, Ruby’s chirpy first person storytelling brings both the everyday and the unexpectedly vividly to life. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Brilliantly observed, this is a thoughtful story about truth and friendship. Tilly’s thrilled by her new friendship with Mia; she is chatty and funny and soon the two of them are Best Friends Forever – Already – even though they are only newly met, as new girls as Beech Cliff School. But when Amber Sweet arrives Tilly wants to be friends with her too. Why is Mia so mean about Amber? And who is telling the truth? Tilly finds she has a lot to learn about people as she sorts out new life in secondary school. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+
Ruby and Jackson get the surprise of their lives when they discover a Thing living at the bottom of their gardens. But Thing is cute, and funny, even if sometimes when it upset it gets a bit Arrghh! And that's when the trouble starts. Like the time Ruby and Jackson sneak Thing along with them on a school trip to the museum. In case you're wondering, it goes very, badly wrong...!
From bestselling author Karen McCombie comes the third book in her funny, utterly irresistible illustrated series about freindship, secrets and an adorable...Thing. Everyone will be charmed by this cutest of creatures to have appeared in children's literature in years. It's sure to make all 7+ readers giggle.
The second in a hilarious new series by best-selling author Karen McCombie, illustrated throughout with irresistible black and white line art by Alex T. Smith. Everyone (young and old) will be charmed by the cutest creature to appear in children's literature in years, the very loveable THING. Perfect for 7+ readers.
Next-door neighbours Ruby and Jackson get the surprise of their lives when they discover a Thing living at the bottom of their gardens. And when Thing places a curse on the inhabitants of the new house that's been built over his old home, Ruby and Jackson find themselves up to their eyeballs in jellybabies, magic and big trouble.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Hilarious comedy by a top author. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 Lucky Dixie gets to do work experience at the offices of her favourite teen magazine Candy. But it turns out to be a massive disappointment: instead of meeting models and pop stars, she’s the office slave, making cups of tea all day. Most disappointing though is meeting the magazine’s Agony Aunt, who is nothing like the tell-me-anything type Dixie is expecting, in fact she gets Dixie to write replies to the letters for her. But something good, and totally unexpected, does come out of the experience. A funny, lively story that cleverly answers a question frequently asked on problem pages. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
A funky novel, complete with funky title and funky cover from a bestselling author who is just brilliant at getting under the skin of that nearly teen market. It’s bursting with humour and charm despite the sometimes fraught friendships between family and friends. We also rate another novel of hers highy and it’s called Bliss.
Well-written and so true to life. Teenage girls are lucky to have the opportunity to read books by an author who has her finger on the pulse of the teenage world. Easy to read and funny yet dealing with issues teenage girls face on a daily basis.
Indie Kids best (est) friend Fee is very sad because her cat was run over. So, she goes all out to ‘cheer up Fee’ – but what Indie Kid hasn’t got yet is that Fee needs sometime to be glum and grieve for her cat. A great book for helping children understand death and loss and why it’s OK to be sad and how you can get through it.
Meg is the girl with the sunshine smile. That's what they call her at the wedding fairs where she models her mum's dresses. But then Mum meets Danny. Danny, with the grotty houseboat, four sons and a three-legged cat. All of a sudden, Meg's life clouds over. Will Meg ever find her sunshine smile again? A brand-new low reading age edition of a wonderfully warm and wise story about new families and new relationships from bestselling author Karen McCombie. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Bridie lives on the remote Scottish island of Tornish, the youngest of three sisters. Although she loves her island, with its wild seas and big skies, she guiltily nurses a secret dream of flight - to America and the freedom of the New World. But her family are struggling under the spiteful oppression of the new Laird, and it seems that even some of the Laird's own household are desperate to leave. When the Laird's full cruelty becomes apparent, there's no more time for daydreams as Bridie needs to help the people she loves escape to safety. The first in a gripping, dramatic new series from much-loved author, Karen McCombie.
When a flood closes the village school, Lulu invites the staff and pupils to come and join them at St Grizzle's. Dani and her friends can't believe their bad luck - it was awful enough bumping into Spencer and his cronies in the village but now they've got to share lessons with them. Before long pupils are clashing with pupils, there are pranks aplenty and even the teachers aren't getting along. Rehearsals get underway for the school show but with tempers fraying it's soon looking like a big failure. Determined that the show will go on, Lulu calls on Dani and co, as the oldest children in the school, to set a good example and make friends. But with Spencer up to his usual tricks, can the two rival groups put aside their differences long enough to turn a disaster into a triumph? This warm, funny series based in the maddest of mad boarding schools, is perfect for fans of SCARLET AND IVY and A MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE. Fizzing with mayhem - Sally Morris, The Daily Mail
When Arch turns up at St Grizzle's, Dani is delighted to introduce her best friend to her new classmates. But she soon discovers that mixing her old life with her new one isn't quite as easy as she'd imagined. And Arch isn't the only new pupil - there's also super-smart Boudicca, who barely says a word to anyone. It's only when she meets Arch that she perks up and takes to following him everywhere he goes. Then she disappears. With the help of Granny Viv, it's up to Dani and Arch to find Boudicca ... and unravel the truth about this shy tag-along zombie. This warm, funny series based in the maddest of mad boarding schools, is perfect for fans of SCARLET AND IVY and A MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE.
Ketty was technically dead for two minutes and thirty-nine seconds according to the doctors who saved her. She's on the mend yet can't remember anything about her life before the accident. But people are treating her really weirdly and Ketty just can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. When her new friend Otis reveals that pre-crash Ketty was a spiteful bully, she faces a tough decision. What kind of person can she be now? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
In a nutshell: fun and friendship at 21st century boarding school Eleven-year-old Dani is a few weeks into life at her new boarding school, St Grizelda’s, aka St Grizzle’s. She’s got used to the school’s relaxed attitude to rules and regulations, and to going to assembly in her pyjamas! And she’s made some good friends too. But she still feels a bit homesick. When the school decides to enter a film-making competition set by the local council, Dani is in her element - back at home she often makes videos with her friend Arch. But managing groups of people isn’t easy, can Dani give everyone a chance to shine – including her flamboyant granny – without making herself invisible again? Amongst the fun and crazy adventures, there are subtle messages about being yourself, and developing confidence. A great take on the boarding school genre. ~ Andrea Reece Readers will also enjoy Jeanne Willis’s new take on Enid Blyton’s avant-garde boarding school stories, The Diary of the Naughtiest Girl.
A story of family, friendship and mystery from oneof the UK's best-loved writers. When Scarlet's grandma goes into a retirement home, she must sort through her belongings in the cramped flat above a shop in Crouch End, north London. Here Scarlet comes across a real treasure: a novel that Gran wrote, imagining the life of a girl just like Scarlet, who once upon a time lived in the flat and worked in a cakeshop downstairs. But as Scarlet reads about Ruby's life in Victorian London, she begins to realise this is no piece of fiction - Ruby was real! A real life, facing real danger - and a mystery that unravels to the present day. BOOKS BY KAREN MCCROMBIE Catching Falling Stars Life According to Alice B Lovely Pearl In the Attic
Frank is shy and worried about making friends at his new school. He finds a special stone, and names it Stanley. But what will Frank's new classmates think of Stanley Stone? Oxford Reading Tree All Stars is an engaging chapter fiction series which combines age-appropriate content with imaginative stories, perfect for inspiring and stretching able infants. The series develops comprehension skills and provides a wide variety of fiction topics and styles, alongside illustrations that aid understanding. All the books in this series are carefully levelled, so it's easy to match every child to the right book - one which will develop their reading skills and fuel their love of reading. Help with children's reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.
In a nutshell: Highly enjoyable, thoroughly contemporary boarding school story | Eleven-year-old Dani is horrified to hear she’s going to spend the next term at St Grizzelda’s School for Girls, but there’s no option: her zoologist mum is heading off to the Antarctic to study penguins’ waddles, and doesn’t trust Dani’s grandma to look after things. St Grizzles however is not what Dani, her mum or the reader expects: the new head believes in learning through play putting as much emphasis on circus skills as trigonometry. It actually sounds great fun, but Dani is too homesick to enjoy it. As the days pass though, she comes to love her new school especially when she makes friends with the other pupils. A lively book that puts a 21st century spin on the boarding school story while keeping the emphasis on the things that make the genre so popular: friends, camaraderie and independence. Readers will also enjoy Jeanne Willis’s new take on Enid Blyton’s avant-garde boarding school stories, The Diary of the Naughtiest Girl. ~ Andrea Reece
Four girls bond over a school project to create a blog. The subject? Their mums. Its title? OMG – or Our Mums Grrrrr. It’s quite possible to love your mum loads but still be driven mad by her as this demonstrates. Each girl is horribly embarrassed by her mum – too clingy, too pushy, too loud – grumbling online helps them let off steam and more importantly enables them to talk about the issues with their mums. This contemporary story is warm and rewarding, as good on the girls’ relationships with each other as it is on their feelings for their mums. Nicely designed it’s a great addition to the Barrington Stoke Conkers series, easy-to-read, packing a great story in a short extent. ~ Andrea Reece
When Flora dreams of happiness, she doesn't expect to be thrown on to the back of a great, black bull! But as Flora and the bull travel from glen to glen, is the silent beast all that he seems? Ruby/Band 14 books give increasing opportunities for children to develop their skills of inference and deduction. Text type: A traditional tale Curriculum links: English: fairy stories, myths and legends; books from other cultures and traditions This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Hilarious comedy by a top author. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Interest age 9-12, Reading age 8+. A fun, sweet story of a girl building confidence and making friends when she moves to a new school. Starting a new school is torment for shy Rosie. The only way she can make it better is to make several things are kept Secret! The first is her real name, the second is that her mom is a new teacher and the third is that her dad is a dog walker… How Rosie’s secrets are uncovered and how she learns to live with the truth will touch a chord with anyone trying to give themselves a new image – and get over their shyness. Heartfelt drama, perfect for tweens. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Karen McCombie writes straight to the heart of pre-teens, and Honey and Me is a perfect McCombie novel. Kirsten has just moved up to secondary school and is really enjoying the fresh start. Life at home is difficult however: Mum and Dad are arguing all the time, and her brother is getting into trouble with his teachers. She doesn’t feel she can talk about it to her new school mates, so turns to her oldest friend instead. Talking to Honey really helps, as it always does, so why does Kirsten need to keep her friend a secret? Involving, reassuring and full of truths, this will go down really well with young girls. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Edie Evans is sick of being treated like a kid. And she doesn't, repeat, doesn't need a babysitter! And then along comes the strange, the shy, the captivating Alice B. Lovely. But is she too good to be true?
Angels Like Me is the third title in the enchanting and magical friendship series from bestselling author Karen McCombie that began with Angels Next Door. Riley's best friends, the Angelo sisters, are special. Sparkly, strange and full of secrets . . Life at home is tricky for Riley Roberts. She misses her mum and wants to learn more about her. But Dad is as secretive as ever. She hopes the sisters can work their magic and help her find out the truth. But Riley is about to discover something more magical than she could have imagined - something that could bring her closer to her mum and answer her questions at last. About the author: Bestselling author Karen McCombie trained as a magazine journalist in her native Scotland before moving to London. After several years working on teen favourites Just 17 and Sugar, she turned to fiction, with her first series, Ally's World, becoming an instant success. In total she's had more than 70 books published and translated around the world, and more than a million books sold. Karen lives in North London with her very Scottish husband Tom, her sunshiney daughter Milly, a demented cat called Dizzy and Biscuit, the button-obsessed hamster. Angels Like Me is the third title in her Angels Next Door series. www.karenmccombie.com Also available: Angels Next Door (book 1) Angels In Training (book 2) Angels Like Me (book 3)
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Best-selling Karen McCrombie brilliantly captures the whirlwind of emotions that Meg is thrown into when her mum starts dating a new partner. Meg loves her life with just her mum. Everything is neat and orderly and she loves being the smiling bridesmaid to help promote Mum’s wedding dress business. But then Mum falls in love…Disaster! Danny lives on a scruffy houseboat and has four messy sons! How can Meg ever get used to the new family? How Meg changes is sensitively captured in this tender, funny and heart-felt story. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
A brand new story of friendship and ghostly mystery from one of the best-loved UK writers for girls. Maisie's dad has a new job as live-in caretaker of a Victorian secondary school. Finding it hard to make friends, things change when Maisie tells her new classmates about something strange she saw the night before - a girl's face in the window of a gothic tower. The girls tell Maisie about the ghost of a Victorian pupil rumoured to wander the corridors. One particular student called Kat seems captivated by what Maisie has seen, and - both feeling like outsiders - they quickly become close. One night, though, Maisie comes across a tin box full of photos and notes. It's plainly decades old, and, squinting at the photos - belonged to a smiling girl who looks exactly like Kat...
The second book in the gorgeous new magical friendship series, Angels Next Door, by bestselling author Karen McCombie Riley's life has changed a lot since she discovered the Angelos sister's secret. You see her new neighbours are a little bit . . . magical. They know things that no-one else does and that's why she thinks they can help her find out about mum. But just as she's about to get some answers, mysterious events start happening at school. As things get stranger and stranger, Riley begins to suspect that they're the only ones who can work out what or who is behind them. Who are these new girls and what's with all the glitter? 'A wonderful, funny, heart-warming and comforting tale . . . will be a success with female readers aged 9 and upwards' The School Librarian About the author: Bestselling author Karen McCombie trained as a magazine journalist in her native Scotland before moving to London. After several years working on teen favourites Just 17 and Sugar, she turned to fiction, with her first series, Ally's World, becoming an instant success. In total she's had more than 70 books published and translated around the world, and more than a million books sold. Karen lives in North London with her very Scottish husband Tom, her sunshiney daughter Milly, a demented cat called Dizzy and Biscuit, the button-obsessed hamster. Also available: Angels Next Door, Angels in Training and don't miss Angels Like Me
Two books in one in this bumper book about a magical creature and the unusual things that happen when it is around. In The Great Expanding Guinea Pig Ruby Morgan introduces Thing, her special and very unusual friend who can do magic and often does so with very unpredictable results! Thing is also at the heart of Beware of the Snow Blobs. In both, Ruby’s chirpy first person storytelling brings both the everyday and the unexpectedly vividly to life. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Brilliantly observed, this is a thoughtful story about truth and friendship. Tilly’s thrilled by her new friendship with Mia; she is chatty and funny and soon the two of them are Best Friends Forever – Already – even though they are only newly met, as new girls as Beech Cliff School. But when Amber Sweet arrives Tilly wants to be friends with her too. Why is Mia so mean about Amber? And who is telling the truth? Tilly finds she has a lot to learn about people as she sorts out new life in secondary school. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+
Ruby and Jackson get the surprise of their lives when they discover a Thing living at the bottom of their gardens. But Thing is cute, and funny, even if sometimes when it upset it gets a bit Arrghh! And that's when the trouble starts. Like the time Ruby and Jackson sneak Thing along with them on a school trip to the museum. In case you're wondering, it goes very, badly wrong...!
Fun, sweet story of a girl building confidence and making friends when she moves to a new school. Rosie Roberts has a secret. So when she moves to a new school, she's desperate not to draw too much attention to herself. But things aren't so easy when your mum is the popular new teacher everyone is talking about - Fun story about growing up from the top author of Candy Girl and the Ally's World series.Particularly suitable for reluctant, struggling anf dyslexic readers.
Next-door neighbours Ruby and Jackson get the surprise of their lives when they discover a Thing living at the bottom of their gardens. And when Thing places a curse on the inhabitants of the new house that's been built over his old home, Ruby and Jackson find themselves up to their eyeballs in jellybabies, magic and big trouble.
There are days when Ally just doesn't 'get' the male species. Take Billy, her so-called best mate, who's being even more annoying than usual - so how come she's having slushy love-type feelings for him? And then there's little brother Tor, and his habit of asking embarrassing questions ('Ally, where do baby mice come from?'). But right now, Ally's got more pressing concerns - like how to get rid of her love handles...
Dixie's landed a dream work experience placement at Candy magazine. But rather than interviewing celebs and mingling with models, Dixie spends all her time making tea! And then the problem page editor makes her read all the letters from readers. Worse still, Dixie finds a letter from her own sister. What will she do? Hilarious comedy by a top author. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
Meet the Love children: oh-so-perfect Linn, airy-fairy Rowan, animal-obsessed Tor - and Ally, trying to have a normal life somewhere in the middle of it all. Which isn't easy when you live in a house that's a cross between an animal hospital and something out of 'Changing Rooms'. And then there's school and the small matter of the forgotten history project and the obnoxious new girl that - oh joy! - Ally's been nominated to look after. It's going to be a fun couple of weeks...This is the first in the wildly successful, utterly loveable Ally's World series.
Ally's feeling inadequate. Her only romantic experience amounts to a burping-in-mouth scenario with Keith Brownlow, but Kyra's only been in Crouch End two seconds and she's got herself a boyfriend! Even Ally's dad seems to be 'dating' - has he forgotten all about her mum. Still, Ally's not sure what's more worrying: not having a boyfriend, or being invited on a double date with Kyra, Ricardo and Ricardo's mystery mate...
A guide to making and keeping friends, from the irrepressible Indie Kidd. Featuring all-new stories and information, this bonus book in the hilarious Indie Kidd series is an essential guide to making and keeping best friends - in whatever shape or size they come! Indie and her friends let us in on the stories of how they all came to be best friends, giving tips on how to handle friends that are bossy or shy, in your family or, even, boys. With a quiz and advice, this is a most excellent guide whether you are a newcomer to Indie Kidd or already a fan of her adventures with the school (un)fair or her big (crazy) happy family. Plus - FREE limited edition friendship bracelet for you to make!
Kezzy and Nell have their own club: a secret society for acts of kindness. It's their mission to cheer people up with golden moments and sparkly surprises. But when Kezzy's mum admits a not-very-golden secret of her own, the Karma Club's best intentions start going weirdly wrong. It's starting to look as if no good deed goes unpunished.
Animal advice, short stories and furry facts abound in this fun compendium of pets, starring the lovable Indie Kidd. Indie Kidd is potty about pets - her school project is crawling with them! Pore over these crazy pages for Indie's animal advice, stories of her pets, plus freaky facts about creatures great and small. Did you know that alligators have a food radar in their cheeks? That a group of hippos is known as a bloat ? Then get your paws on this amazing digest for the animal-mad!
Attack of the cheesy grins! Naff dance-routines, corny tunes and Psychedelic shorts galore - yep, having a brother in a boy-band is big time cringey. Still, Sadie can't help wondering ...what would life be like if she was the centre of attention?
Somebody stop the mayhem! Heather thinks everyone in her family comes from Planet Perfect. Everyone except her, that is. Then dad drops a bombshell, and the world turns upside down... Life's become surprising, exciting and just a little bit mad - but is this topsy-turvy new family somewhere Heather can fit in? A scrumptious new novel from best-selling author Karen McCombie.
A funky novel, complete with funky title and funky cover from a bestselling author who is just brilliant at getting under the skin of that nearly teen market. It’s bursting with humour and charm despite the sometimes fraught friendships between family and friends. We also rate another novel of hers highy and it’s called Bliss.
Well-written and so true to life. Teenage girls are lucky to have the opportunity to read books by an author who has her finger on the pulse of the teenage world. Easy to read and funny yet dealing with issues teenage girls face on a daily basis.
Indie Kids best (est) friend Fee is very sad because her cat was run over. So, she goes all out to ‘cheer up Fee’ – but what Indie Kid hasn’t got yet is that Fee needs sometime to be glum and grieve for her cat. A great book for helping children understand death and loss and why it’s OK to be sad and how you can get through it.
Sixth in the series about the pet-mad ten-year-old Indie Kidd and friends! Indie decides to try to get her separated parents to be friends - and comes up with some endearingly dopey, harebrained schemes. But when Mum and Dad eventually do get matey, it's because they're trying to figure out what on earth is up with their very strangely behaved daughter!
There's always something going on in Ally's World ! Ally's totally gobsmacked when she finds out that her best mate Sandie's moving away and even more shocked to find that her big sis is considering going to university miles away from home. She's only just got Mum back and now everyone else seems to want to leave...Apart from Billy, that is, who's become a bit like a shadow, following Ally's every move - just what is the loveable muppet up to?
Stella, along with her mum, dad and mildly mad twin brothers, has just moved from buzzy London to the sleeeepy seaside town of Potbay. Not only has she had to leave her best mate Frankie behind but she's also kissed goodbye to Seb - only the guy she's ever liked. Still, Portbay's got its own charms; they might just take a littldiscovering...
Welcome to my world. It's weird but kind of wonderful. For once, Ally's looking forward to school - well, the last week of it anyway. There's a fun run and - joy - the legendary end-of-term party. But that's before Kyra starts smuggling illegal pets into school, and then expects Ally to deal with the fall-out. But Ally's got her own problems to deal with, not least a game of Spin the Bottle that goes weirdly, worrisomely wrong...
Ally's worried about the family finances. Her big sister Linn has found herself a Saturday job, but Ally's too young to work ...unless she's a wee bit economical with the truth and braves the mad wig lady in the cardshop down the road. And talking of mad, what's going on with Rowan? If everyone's so broke, where does all her sparkly new stuff come from - the Shopping Fairy?
Ally seems to have developed a siamese twin: Sandie! Suddenly Sandie's got the same hairstyle as her, the same outfit and same bedroom decor. Talk about Attack of the Clones...As if that wasn't enough, Ally also has the Nightmare School Project to worry about. Until inspiration strikes and the Raspberry Pink Windowsill Bird table is born...
Meet the Love children: oh-so-perfect Linn, airy-fairy Rowan, animal-obsessed Tor - and Ally, trying to have a normal life somewhere in the middle of it all. Which isn't easy when you live in a house that's a cross between an animal hospital and something out of 'Changing Rooms'. And then there's school and the small matter of the forgotten history project and the obnoxious new girl tha - oh joy! - Ally's been nominated to look after. It's going toe a fun couple of weeks...This is the first in the wildly successful, utterly loveable Ally's World series.
Angels Next Door is a gorgeous new magical friendship series for 8+ readers by bestselling author, Karen McCombie. Riley's best friend has gone away forever and Lauren 'Queen of Everything' Mayhew is making school a nightmare. It looks like Riley's on her own, until the three Angelos Sisters move in next door. Her new neighbours are . . . different. Colourful and sparkly, they stand out. It's not just their names or how they dress - there's something magical about them. And since they arrived there have been loads of strange coincidences. Who are these new girls and what's with all the glitter? 'A wonderful, funny, heart-warming and comforting tale . . . will be a success with female readers aged 9 and upwards' The School Librarian About the author: Bestselling author Karen McCombie trained as a magazine journalist in her native Scotland before moving to London. After several years working on teen favourites Just 17 and Sugar, she turned to fiction, with her first series, Ally's World, becoming an instant success. In total she's had more than 70 books published and translated around the world, and more than a million books sold. Karen lives in North London with her very Scottish husband Tom, her sunshiney daughter Milly, a demented cat called Dizzy and Biscuit, the button-obsessed hamster.
More adventures with Indie Kidd, her animal-mad mum, best-est friends Soph and Fee and geeky (but loveable) step-brother Dylan. When Fee's cat gets run over, Indie thinks she knows exactly how to cheer her best friend up. But a trip to the Animal Rescue Centre goes horribly wrong, and Indie realizes that Fee needs a bit more time to get over the loss of her pet.
Sisters - one of the closest relationships in the world? Megan and Sarah wouldn't agree... MEGAN'S STORY: Megan is constantly in her big sister's shadow. Prettier, smarter, funnier, Sarah has it all; the adoration of their parents, a great group of friends, talent, and - of course - Conor. Megan struggles to retain her identity as she tries to turn the tables on her lucky, gifted sibling. But is the pecking order ever going to change? SARAH'S STORY: Now we see the sisterly relationship from Sarah's point of view, and slowly, it begins to dawn on the reader that things are not quite as they seem. Could it be that Megan's perspective is not quite as accurate as originally perceived?
Everything about Lemmie Ferguson's life is bright and shiny and sunny - her special way of looking at the world means she sees it in vivid, rainbow-hued technicolour. Lemmie's eighteen-year-old sister, the spontaneous, sparkly Rose Rouge, calls it marshmallow magic...But there's a dark spot in Lemmie's life, and with the return of her primary-school rival, Sian, even the old marshmallow magic doesn't seem to be working. Lemmie needs her special sister more than ever, but can she count on Rose when she needs her the most?
It's all change in Ally's world in this, the last in the series. Ally's totally gobsmacked when she finds out that her best mate Sandie's moving away and even more shocked to find that Linn is considering going to university miles away from home. She's only just got Mum back and now everyone else seems to want to leave...Apart from Billy, that is, who's become a bit like a shadow, following
Sisters - one of the closest relationships in the world? Megan and Sarah wouldn't agree... MEGAN'S STORY: Megan is constantly in her big sister's shadow. Prettier, smarter, funnier, Sarah has it all; the adoration of their parents, a great group of friends, talent, and - of course - Conor. Megan struggles to retain her identity as she tries to turn the tables on her lucky, gifted sibling. But is the pecking order ever going to change? SARAH'S STORY: Now we see the sisterly relationship from Sarah's point of view, and slowly, it begins to dawn on the reader that things are not quite as they seem. Could it be that Megan's perspective is not quite as accurate as originally perceived?
Are other thirteen-year-old girl's lives this stressful? Ally's got a list as long as her arm of things to worry about. First of all, it's enough just to get by, living in a madhouse (well, more of a cross between an animal hospital and something out of Changing Rooms). I mean, Ally loves her family, but every now and then Linn (she's the eldest) is so bossy it's untrue! For example, her idea for a present for their Dad's fortieth birthday. Well, frankly, it's rubbish-but try telling Linn that. Rowan (second eldest) did, and she's got the scars to prove it! Tor isn't much help (well, he is only seven). Neither is Ally's best mate, Billy, but then he is a boy, so what can you expect? And then there's school...just in case she did'nt have enough to worry about there's the forgotten history project that's due and, oh yes, the deeply obnoxious new girl that-oh joy!-Ally's been nominated
Ally's feeling inadequate. Why is it that her only romantic experience amounts to a burping-in-mouth scenario with Keith Brownlow? Kyra's only been in Crough End two seconds and she's got a boyfriend already! Even Ally's dad seems to be 'dating'-which is not only embarrassing, but also worrying-has he forgotten all about her mum? Could it be that he's found someone else? Still, Ally's not sure what's more worrying-not having a boyfriend, or being invited on a double date with Kyra, Ricardo (yes, that's his real name) and Ricardo's mate. Wonder what this boy's going to be like...
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