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Cathy Cassidy is one of the UK's top-selling children's authors. She was an art teacher, a magazine editor and an agony aunt before becoming a full-time writer. She has worked at Shout magazine and previously at Jackie, the magazine named after Jacqueline Wilson. Cathy tours extensively around the UK - meeting over 10,000 young readers in 2012. She has twice won the prestigious 'Queen of Teen' award. Cathy lives in Merseyside with her husband, two dogs and a cat. Read more about the author here.
Cathy Cassidy has a talent for writing positive and life-affirming stories even though they’re about young people facing really difficult situations. Sami’s story is almost too sad to be told. He’s a refugee from Syria, and lost his father, mother and little sister in the Mediterranean as they tried to reach the safety of Europe. That story is told through the pages of his notebook, but it’s interspersed with the story of his life now, living in England with his aunt and uncle and playing in the band Lost and Found. The friendship of the other band members is the best healing possible, and he has a special friend in Lexie, star of the first book in this series. Sub-plots provide light relief, e.g. when Marley recruits tone-deaf Bobbi-Jo into the band convinced her record-producer dad will make them stars. It’s a lovely and very successful mix of music, friendships and the power that comes from kindness and compassion, and classic Cathy Cassidy.
In a nutshell: families lost and remade through love, friendship and music Lexie is a rescuer: it starts when she finds a lost tortoise and leads to her setting up the Lost and Found group at school. That’s meant to be a talking session for the lonely, but turns instead, thanks to the input of school bad boy Marley, into a vibrant musical band. Forming the Lost and Found helps Lexie understand her own feelings - she’s been looking for her mum who disappeared when Lexie was just nine. It also helps her finally accept the love of her foster family. It’s a typically heart-warming story, filled with characters young readers will understand, and shows how we can all find communities to love and support us. Cathy Cassidy writes with the insight and lightness of touch that marks out Jacqueline Wilson, and this new series will be another favourite with readers. ~ Andrea Reece
June 2017 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: families lost and remade through love, friendship and music Lexie is a rescuer: it starts when she finds a lost tortoise and leads to her setting up the Lost and Found group at school. That’s meant to be a talking session for the lonely, but turns instead, thanks to the input of school bad boy Marley, into a vibrant musical band. Forming the Lost and Found helps Lexie understand her own feelings - she’s been looking for her mum who disappeared when Lexie was just nine. It also helps her finally accept the love of her foster family. It’s a typically heart-warming story, filled with characters young readers will understand, and shows how we can all find communities to love and support us. Cathy Cassidy writes with the insight and lightness of touch that marks out Jacqueline Wilson, and this new series will be another favourite with readers. ~ Andrea Reece
A new book from Cathy Cassidy is always a treat, and her many fans are going to love The Broken Heart Club. Cathy Cassidy has a gift for capturing the turbulent emotions of young adolescents, those who are no longer children, yet not very adult, and writes about them with extraordinary warmth and sensitivity. It’s a time when friendships, even long established ones, can come under pressure, as happens in this book. Andie, Eden, Ryan, Tasha and Hasmita were best friends forever, but at the end of year six something happened to cause a massive break up between Eden and Ryan. Two years on, they want to reform their group. The friendships and emotions described will be completely familiar to readers, who will be entranced by this story from the very first page. ~ Andrea Reece
May 2016 Book of the Month A new book from Cathy Cassidy is always a treat, and her many fans are going to love The Broken Heart Club. Cathy Cassidy has a gift for capturing the turbulent emotions of young adolescents, those who are no longer children, yet not very adult, and writes about them with extraordinary warmth and sensitivity. It’s a time when friendships, even long established ones, can come under pressure, as happens in this book. Andie, Eden, Ryan, Tasha and Hasmita were best friends forever, but at the end of year six something happened to cause a massive break up between Eden and Ryan. Two years on, they want to reform their group. The friendships and emotions described will be completely familiar to readers, who will be entranced by this story from the very first page. ~ Andrea Reece
Best-selling Cathy Cassidy weaves the classic story of The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland into this no holds-barred contemporary story of bullying and its impact. Alice accepts an invitation to Savvy’s sleepover because she hopes it might be a genuine offer of friendship. Two years into secondary school, Alice has been isolated and bullied by her former friends who are now part of Savvy’s gang. But Alice soon finds that things are about to get worse! Alice’s accident takes her into a wonderland of her own. How will she get out of it? ~ Julia Eccleshare One of our Books of the Year 2015 Download a letter from Cathy Cassidy to her readers about The Looking-Glass Girl.
Fortune Cookie is a typically sweet, soulful story from the excellent Cathy Cassidy. There’s a surprise in store for the Tanberry sisters. Staying with their father in Australia, Honey discovered the existence of a half-brother they never knew they had. Impulsive as always, she wrote to the boy, and invited him to come and stay. Jake, nickname Cookie, is in trouble at home and uses the train ticket she sent to escape his problems. We see all the sisters through his eyes, and his presence helps bring about a reconciliation between Honey and Cherry at last. There’s a definite fairy tale ending to the series and the girls – happier, more tolerant, easier in themselves – deserve it. It will warm readers’ hearts. ~ Andrea Reece ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
December 2015 Book of the Month Cathy Cassidy writes brilliantly observed stories of contemporary teenage life, and the characters in her Chocolate Box Girls series are hugely popular with young readers. Though the series ended with Fortune Cookie, this special collection brings together six satisfying stories about the girls and their extended family, mostly written from the viewpoint of one of the minor characters. There’s a typical Cassidy mix of romance, jealousy and friendship to be enjoyed, and some extra insight to be had into the characters of the girls. Fans of the series will gobble it up, and it will probably send them back to the original books with even more enthusiasm. ~ Andrea Reece ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
June 2015 Book of the Month Fortune Cookie is a typically sweet, soulful story from the excellent Cathy Cassidy. There’s a surprise in store for the Tanberry sisters. Staying with their father in Australia, Honey discovered the existence of a half-brother they never knew they had. Impulsive as always, she wrote to the boy, and invited him to come and stay. Jake, nickname Cookie, is in trouble at home and uses the train ticket she sent to escape his problems. We see all the sisters through his eyes, and his presence helps bring about a reconciliation between Honey and Cherry at last. There’s a definite fairy tale ending to the series and the girls – happier, more tolerant, easier in themselves – deserve it. It will warm readers’ hearts. ~ Andrea Reece ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Young readers who love Cathy Cassidy’s Chocolate Box Girls series will devour this too! The five Tanberry-Costello sisters are super-creative, that’s part of the fun of the series, and this book encourages readers to do some of the crafty, imaginative activities that they do, such as creating vintage outfits, hosting a chocolate themed sleepover, and writing your own stories. The recipes and instructions all presented in an encouraging and friendly way, as though written by the characters themselves. This is just the book to make the summer holidays fly by, and then there are special activities for the autumn, winter and New Year too. A book to spread a little happiness! ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2015 Best-selling Cathy Cassidy weaves the classic story of The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland into this no holds-barred contemporary story of bullying and its impact. Alice accepts an invitation to Savvy’s sleepover because she hopes it might be a genuine offer of friendship. Two years into secondary school, Alice has been isolated and bullied by her former friends who are now part of Savvy’s gang. But Alice soon finds that things are about to get worse! Alice’s accident takes her into a wonderland of her own. How will she get out of it? ~ Julia Eccleshare Download a letter from Cathy Cassidy to her reader about The Looking-Glass Girl.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 - One of the Lovereading4kids Readers' Choice Books of the Year 2014 Cathy Cassidy’s Chocolate Box Girls are growing up and learning to deal with new problems. Fifteen year old Honey flies off to live with her dad in Australia. After all her troubles at home, Honey is determined to make a new start. She’s thrilled to meet her dad at the airport and impressed by the fancy house he lives in with his partner Emma. Honey starts a new school and even makes new friends. Is this all going to be better than her life before? Disaster strikes Honey when she makes a bad mistake about an online friend. Soon someone is spreading terrible things about her all over the internet. Does she really know who Riley is? And at home, she soon realises that her father is not quite the good guy she had imagined; she learns a dangerous secret about him which she will not let go lightly. Honey returns to Tanglewood wiser and more experienced. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
One of our Books of the Year 2014 - One of the Lovereading4kids Readers' Choice Books of the Year 2014 Cathy Cassidy’s Chocolate Box Girls are growing up and learning to deal with new problems. Fifteen year old Honey flies off to live with her dad in Australia. After all her troubles at home, Honey is determined to make a new start. She’s thrilled to meet her dad at the airport and impressed by the fancy house he lives in with his partner Emma. Honey starts a new school and even makes new friends. Is this all going to be better than her life before? Disaster strikes Honey when she makes a bad mistake about an online friend. Soon someone is spreading terrible things about her all over the internet. Does she really know who Riley is? And at home, she soon realises that her father is not quite the good guy she had imagined; she learns a dangerous secret about him which she will not let go lightly. Honey returns to Tanglewood wiser and more experienced. ***STOP PRESS*** Cathy Cassidy has written a new ebook short story, this time from Finch's perspective. It's Halloween and Finch is returning to Tanglewood - Skye can't wait to see him. But Finch has a secret - will he find the courage to do the right thing? You can find an extract here.
February 2014 Book of the Month Horse-mad Coco is the youngest of the sisters in the family. Different from all the others, she is a tomboy at heart and passionate about saving the endangered species of the world. Coco’s main passion is for riding and it is through her love of horses - and the temperamental Caramel in particular - that Coco gets involved with the moody and unpredictable Lawrie Marshall. Soon Coco finds herself in all kinds of trouble while also trying to keep abreast of the complicated lives of her sisters! Will the chocolate box girls lives ever settle down to something like normal? Cathy Cassidy brings an ebullient family vividly to life. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Best-selling Cathy Cassidy's third story of the Chocolate Box Girls is as irresistible, insightful and captivating as its predecessors. Summer has always longed to be a professional dancer but when she doesn't make the grade for the Royal Ballet School she is sure that her dreams are over. When happier times come to the family and her chance of a big audition comes round again, Summer feels her dreams will be fulfilled. But there are complications and Summer finds nothing is quite as simple as she used to think it was. Cathy Cassidy has an unusual ability to get write under the skin of her teen heroines. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Best-selling Cathy Cassidy's third story of the Chocolate Box Girls is as irresistible, insightful and captivating as its predecessors. Summer has always longed to be a professional dancer but when she doesn't make the grade for the Royal Ballet School she is sure that her dreams are over. When happier times come to the family and her chance of a big audition comes round again, Summer feels her dreams will be fulfilled. But there are complications and Summer finds nothing is quite as simple as she used to think it was. Cathy Cassidy has an unusual ability to get write under the skin of her teen heroines.
April 2012 Book of the Month. Skye and Summer are identical twins but Skye wants to be her own person, but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? And will Skye ever step out of Summer's shadow and find her own chance to shine? ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
All the teenage humours of romance, jealousy, friendship and sorrow rage freely in this brilliantly observed story of contemporary life. Skye and Summer are identical twins but Skye wants to be her own person, but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? And will Skye ever step out of Summer's shadow and find her own chance to shine?
All the teenage humours of romance, jealousy, friendship and sorrow rage freely in this brilliantly observed story of contemporary life. Cherry tells what it feels like to arrive in a new family. Her dad has fallen in love with an old college friend and soon he and Cherry are off to a new life. Cherry charts the ups and downs of her adjustment to the new ‘family’ with the particular difficulty of Honey who clearly doesn’t want her and her equally up and down feelings about the gorgeous Shay. Cathy Cassidy’s insight into teenage thinking is pin-point sharp while her light tone makes the story sing. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Daizy's finally found her star quality - modelling. Will Dad's latest crazy scheme ruin her big break? Can Daizy save her family from becoming castaways on a remote island and discover how to be a top model in time for the class Fashion Show? Or will she be one big catwalk catastrophe...?
All the teenage humours of romance, jealousy, friendship and sorrow rage freely in this brilliantly observed story of contemporary life. Cherry tells what it feels like to arrive in a new family. Her dad has fallen in love with an old college friend and soon he and Cherry are off to a new life. Cherry charts the ups and downs of her adjustment to the new ‘family’ with the particular difficulty of Honey who clearly doesn’t want her and her equally up and down feelings about the gorgeous Shay. Cathy Cassidy’s insight into teenage thinking is pin-point sharp while her light tone makes the story sing.
Bestselling Cathy Cassidy captures the importance of friendship – and first love – in this touching story of Year 8s Jess and Kady. The girls have shared everything together since playgroup. But, both are looking for love and, when Jack Summers arrives in Year 9, it looks as if their forever friendship may be over – Forever! This is just one of a number of Pocket Money Puffins. To view others click here.
Friends and relationships are the hallmarks of Cathy’s novels as she portrays her characters and their friendships particularly well. The plot lines are easy to get into, there’s always a subliminal message too and in Angel Cake it’s don’t judge a book by its cover as first impressions aren’t always right. Yet again she doesn’t disappoint, Angel Cake is a cracking, fast-paced easy read for 9+ year olds. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Friends and relationships are the hallmarks of Cathy’s stories as she portrays her characters and their friendships particularly well. The plot lines are easy to get into and there’s often a subliminal message too within the story. They’re cracking, fast-paced easy reads for 9+ year olds. Full of lots of interactivity this great new way for kids to read using their Nintendo DS™ enables the reader, in this Cathy Cassidy FLIPS title, to spot the animals, flowers, fish, stars and fruit hidden within the pages and collect them all to unlock jokes, activities, games and recipes to try out with friends. Hold your DS like a book, use the stylus or your finger on the touch screen or the direction buttons to turn the pages. Click on links to pop up extra content such as character information and take part in quizzes at the end of chapters to find out more about your personality. You can even share a chapter with friends using the DS™ wireless connections and unlock more bonus content. Cathy Cassidy, one of the launch authors for FLIPS said: ‘It’s fab to see my books come to life in a whole new format giving readers the choice of how they read my books. Friends are really important to my readers and one of the key features of the FLIPS range is that you can share a chapter with your best friends as many times as you like – how cool is that?” Cathy Cassidy books in launch FLIPS title (6 books): Scarlett, Angel Cake, Sundae Girl, Shine on Daizy Star, GingerSnaps, Driftwood. These 6 titles are also featured on Lovereading4kids in traditional paperback form. Just click here to view them
Friends and relationships are the hallmarks of Cathy’s novels as she portrays her characters and their friendships particularly well. The plot lines are easy to get into, there’s always a subliminal message too and in Angel Cake it’s don’t judge a book by its cover as first impressions aren’t always right. Yet again she doesn’t disappoint, Angel Cake is a cracking, fast-paced easy read for 9+ year olds. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Entertainingly capturing the important details of life, including the need for friends, for being cool and having fun, this tells how Daisy Star’s life is turned upside down when her father comes up with a completely mad-cap plan. Surely no one is really going to make Daisy give up everything she knows? Daisy’s too horrified to tell anyone and as a consequence she’s soon caught up in some very complicated and very funny confusions. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Shortlisted for the Young Minds Book Prize 2009. Tender, touching and convincing, Ginger Snap charts the ups and downs of growing up. Shy, friendless Ginger has blossomed at secondary school. She’s best friends with Shannon and now, just going into Year 8, looks set to have everything she’s always wanted. But when’s she’s kind to lonely Emily and falls for the gorgeous Sam, everything chances. Can Ginger get her happiness back? This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Tender, touching and convincing, Ginger Snap charts the ups and downs of growing up. Shy, friendless Ginger has blossomed at secondary school. She’s best friends with Shannon and now, just going into Year 8, looks set to have everything she’s always wanted. But when’s she’s kind to lonely Emily and falls for the gorgeous Sam, everything chances. Can Ginger get her happiness back?
Dramatic and emotionally charged, Cathy Cassidy’s stories are also warmhearted and funny. Fourteen year old Mouse has a way of falling into trouble. He doesn’t go looking for it but it seems to find him anyway. When he falls for a cool and confident girl called Cat he little guesses that he’ll not only be in trouble but in danger too. Can Mouse keep his head above water?
Dramatic and emotionally charged, Cathy Cassidy’s stories are also warmhearted and funny. Fourteen year old Mouse has a way of falling into trouble. He doesn’t go looking for it but it seems to find him anyway. When he falls for a cool and confident girl called Cat he little guesses that he’ll not only be in trouble but in danger too. Can Mouse keep his head above water?
All Jude wants is a simple, hassle-free life. But, with their endless broken promises, her family seem to create nothing but problems. Maybe the boy from school on his shiny new rollerblades will provide the answer…A thoughtful and tender story about growing up and finding yourself. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Scarlett's not red like a sunset, she's red with rage. She cannot believe her mum's sunk so low as to pack her off to Ireland to stay with the dad who left them. Surely he's the reason for everything going wrong, her never being able to stay in a school, rules always just, somehow, seeming to get broken? Ha! They won't get round her so easily. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Hannah and Joey have been best friends for ever. Joey's parents love rescuing things and making them beautiful - their house is full of things made from driftwood, old glass and shells from the beach. Which is why the scraggy kittens the girls find in a bin at school end up living there. And when Paul moves in as Joey's foster brother, everyone thinks that maybe he needs rescuing too. But nobody knows quite how badly. At first, it's great - Hannah's brother befriends Paul, and the four of them hang out together. But then things start to go wrong. Paul is being bullied. Subtly at first - but quickly it gets dangerous. People aren't like driftwood or abandoned kittens and Hannah doesn't know how to rescue him. Paul doesn't want to be rescued - but with help, he can find a way to save himself. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
The must-have second book in the brilliant Lost and Found series from Cathy Cassidy, bestselling author of the Chocolate Box Girls. Forced to flee his home in Syria for safety in England, Sami attempts to begin a new life but struggles to overcome the pain of the past. Memories of the long and dangerous journey across icy waters, armed with only his dad's old coat, a flute and the hope of a brighter future, are never far away. Can his new friends in the Lost and Found band and a blossoming romance with the girl of his dreams melt his frozen heart or is it too late to find a silver lining? Touching, tender and unforgettable. - The Guardian
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Samis Silver Linings by Cathy Cassidy, read by Irfan Shamji. Forced to flee his home in Syria for safety in England, Sami attempts to begin a new life but struggles to overcome the pain of the past. Memories of the long and dangerous journey across icy waters, armed with only his dads old coat, a flute and the hope of a brighter future, are never far away. Can his new friends in the Lost and Found band and a blossoming romance with the girl of his dreams melt his frozen heart or is it too late to find a silver lining?
The must-have second book in the brilliant Lost and Found series from Cathy Cassidy, bestselling author of the Chocolate Box Girls. Forced to flee his home in Syria for safety in England, Sami attempts to begin a new life but struggles to overcome the pain of the past. Memories of the long and dangerous journey across icy waters, armed with only his dad's old coat, a flute and the hope of a brighter future, are never far away. Can his new friends in the Lost and Found band and a blossoming romance with the girl of his dreams melt his frozen heart or is it too late to find a silver lining? Praise for Cathy's books: Touching, tender and unforgettable. Guardian
Cathy Cassidy has a talent for writing positive and life-affirming stories even though they’re about young people facing really difficult situations. Sami’s story is almost too sad to be told. He’s a refugee from Syria, and lost his father, mother and little sister in the Mediterranean as they tried to reach the safety of Europe. That story is told through the pages of his notebook, but it’s interspersed with the story of his life now, living in England with his aunt and uncle and playing in the band Lost and Found. The friendship of the other band members is the best healing possible, and he has a special friend in Lexie, star of the first book in this series. Sub-plots provide light relief, e.g. when Marley recruits tone-deaf Bobbi-Jo into the band convinced her record-producer dad will make them stars. It’s a lovely and very successful mix of music, friendships and the power that comes from kindness and compassion, and classic Cathy Cassidy.
In a nutshell: families lost and remade through love, friendship and music Lexie is a rescuer: it starts when she finds a lost tortoise and leads to her setting up the Lost and Found group at school. That’s meant to be a talking session for the lonely, but turns instead, thanks to the input of school bad boy Marley, into a vibrant musical band. Forming the Lost and Found helps Lexie understand her own feelings - she’s been looking for her mum who disappeared when Lexie was just nine. It also helps her finally accept the love of her foster family. It’s a typically heart-warming story, filled with characters young readers will understand, and shows how we can all find communities to love and support us. Cathy Cassidy writes with the insight and lightness of touch that marks out Jacqueline Wilson, and this new series will be another favourite with readers. ~ Andrea Reece
Penguin presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy, read by Katie Leung. Chocolate Box Girls: Cherry Crush is the first of five in this addictive series by Cathy Cassidy. Cherry Costellos life is about to change forever. She and Dad are moving to Somerset where a new mum and a bunch of brand-new sisters await. And on Cherrys first day there she meets Shay Fletcher - the kind of boy who should carry a government health warning. But Shay already has a girlfriend, Cherrys new stepsister, Honey. Cherry knows her friendship with Shay is dangerous - it could destroy everything. But that doesnt mean shes going to stay away from him... The Chocolate Box Girls Cherry: Dark almond eyes, skin the colour of milky coffee, wild imagination feisty, fun... Skye: Wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, smiley, individual, kind... Summer: Slim, graceful, pretty, loves to dance, determined, a girl with big dreams... Honey: Willowy, blonde, beautiful, arty and out of control, a rebel... Coco: Blue eyes, fair hair, freckles, a tomboy who loves animals and wants to change the world... Each sister has a different story to tell, which will be your favourite? All the teenage humours of romance, jealousy, friendship and sorrow rage freely in this brilliantly observed story of contemporary life. - Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids.co.uk ***Includes delicious recipes, character quizzes and more!***
Penguin presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy, read by Rosie Jones. SKYE and SUMMER TANBERRY are identical twins, and Skye loves her sister Summer more than anyone else in the world. They do everything together, but lately Skyes been feeling like second-best - its the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses hes fallen not for her, but for Summer, it hurts. Skye wants to be her own person, but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? Will Skye ever step out of Summers shadow and find her own chance to shine?
Penguin presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of Love from Lexie by Cathy Cassidy, read by Ellie Bamber. Ever since Lexies mum vanished, her world hasnt stopped spinning. A new home, a new school - even a new family but Lexie never gives up hope that her mum will come back and writes her letters every day to tell her all about her new life. Theres plenty to tell - the new group of misfits she calls friends, the talent for music she never knew she had and the gorgeous boy with blue eyes and secrets to hide. But her letters remain unanswered and shes starting to feel more alone than ever. Lexies about to learn that sometimes you need to get lost in order to be found. The first in a gorgeous new series from the bestselling author of the Chocolate Box Girls and the perfect next step for fans of Jacqueline Wilson.
Sweet but with a little bite, Cherry Skye is the first book in the Sweeties exploring tasty family dynamics, dealing with boys, and dealing with each other. Cherry Costello's father, Paddy, owns a successful candy store franchise. The father-daughter team must relocate to a new town as Paddy has remarried to the Tanberry clan. Cherry now has four new half-sisters and must start at a new school. Trouble (and romance) arises as Cherry meets Shay, who happens to be the boyfriend of her older (and meaner) half-sister, Honey! Plus, the Tanberry twins Skye and Summer have some growing pains as they learn life is not identical for the both of them. It's going to take a sweet miracle- or some Costello best-selling chocolates- to overcome the sour tensions in this household!
Sweet but with a little bite, Cherry Skye is the first book in the Sweeties exploring tasty family dynamics, dealing with boys, and dealing with each other. Cherry Costello's father, Paddy, owns a successful candy store franchise. The father-daughter team must relocate to a new town as Paddy has remarried to the Tanberry clan. Cherry now has four new half-sisters and must start at a new school. Trouble (and romance) arises as Cherry meets Shay, who happens to be the boyfriend of her older (and meaner) half-sister, Honey! Plus, the Tanberry twins Skye and Summer have some growing pains as they learn life is not identical for the both of them. It's going to take a sweet miracle- or some Costello best-selling chocolates- to overcome the sour tensions in this household!
A new book from Cathy Cassidy is always a treat, and her many fans are going to love The Broken Heart Club. Cathy Cassidy has a gift for capturing the turbulent emotions of young adolescents, those who are no longer children, yet not very adult, and writes about them with extraordinary warmth and sensitivity. It’s a time when friendships, even long established ones, can come under pressure, as happens in this book. Andie, Eden, Ryan, Tasha and Hasmita were best friends forever, but at the end of year six something happened to cause a massive break up between Eden and Ryan. Two years on, they want to reform their group. The friendships and emotions described will be completely familiar to readers, who will be entranced by this story from the very first page. ~ Andrea Reece
The Chocolate Box Girls Six fantastic stories, which one will be your favourite? Bittersweet - Will Honey's cry for help cause trouble for Shay and Cherry? Chocolates and Flowers - Can Alfie plan the perfect Valentine's Day surprise without breaking Summer's heart? Hopes and Dreams - Will Jodie finally take a risk and step into the spotlight? Moon and Stars - Is Finch and Skye's whirlwind romance in trouble? Snowflakes and Wishes - Caught up in another daring animal rescue, can Lawrie and Coco save the day? Hearts and Sunsets - Now that Ash's summer of adventure is coming to an end, what does the future hold for him and Honey? Dip into the world of the Chocolate Box Girls with this delicious collection of short stories. This fantastic collection includes Cathy Cassidy's four e-shorts, available in print for the very first time and a brand new, never before seen, story. A must-have for all fans of the Chocolate Box Girls!
Al treilea volum al seriei Clubul fetelor dependente de ciocolatancA o poveste delicioasA din seria Clubul fetelor dependente de ciocolatA , alA turi de Pasiunea lui Cherry E i CufA rul lui Skye.Summer s-a visat dintotdeauna dansatoare E i, cnd apare un loc la E coala de balet, E i-l doreE te dureros de tare. Gimnaziul se terminA E i ncepe vacanE a dar, spre deosebire de geamA na Skye E i de celelalte surori, Summer nu are timp de petreceri pe plajA .AudiE ia devine noua ei obsesie, iar lucrurile ncep sA scape grav de sub control...Cu ct ncearcA mai mult sA atingA perfecE iunea, cu att se pierde mai tare. Va realiza Summer - cu ajutorul bA iatului care vrea sA -i fie mai mult dect prieten - cA visurile vin n tot felul de forme E i mA rimi?EmoE ionant, tandru, de neuitat."e; - The GuardianFiica mea era o cititoare foarte selectivA , aE a cA am vrut sA scriu cA rE i pe care sA nu le lase din mnA , poveE ti care sA o facA sA viseze, sA -E i punA ntrebA ri, sA mediteze E i - de ce nu? - sA nE eleagA mai bine viaE a."e; - Cathy CassidySora mea roE eE te pnA n albul ochilor E i pare cA E i-a pierdut cu desA vrE ire darul vorbirii. (...) Apoi rde cu gura pnA la urechi, iar Finch i ntoarce un zmbet la fel de luminos. n clipa n care noi celelalte simE im miros de ars, e greu de spus dacA acesta vine de la privirile lor electrizate, ori de la fierul de cA lcat pe care Skye l-a abandonat pe unul dintre cele mai bune furouri vintage ale ei."e;
May 2016 Book of the Month A new book from Cathy Cassidy is always a treat, and her many fans are going to love The Broken Heart Club. Cathy Cassidy has a gift for capturing the turbulent emotions of young adolescents, those who are no longer children, yet not very adult, and writes about them with extraordinary warmth and sensitivity. It’s a time when friendships, even long established ones, can come under pressure, as happens in this book. Andie, Eden, Ryan, Tasha and Hasmita were best friends forever, but at the end of year six something happened to cause a massive break up between Eden and Ryan. Two years on, they want to reform their group. The friendships and emotions described will be completely familiar to readers, who will be entranced by this story from the very first page. ~ Andrea Reece
After the amazing twist at the end of Sweet Honey, the sixth and final book in Cathy Cassidy's Chocolate Box Girls series follows Jake, the Tanberry sisters' newly discovered half-brother . . . As if the bombshell that he had three half-sisters wasn't enough, Jake's life in London is turning into a nightmare. He has nowhere to run - except for maybe his new family in Somerset . . . But Jake knows next to nothing about the Tanberrys. Will he be welcome there? And even if he is, can anyone really help him turn things around?
Young readers who love Cathy Cassidy’s Chocolate Box Girls series will devour this too! The five Tanberry-Costello sisters are super-creative, that’s part of the fun of the series, and this book encourages readers to do some of the crafty, imaginative activities that they do, such as creating vintage outfits, hosting a chocolate themed sleepover, and writing your own stories. The recipes and instructions all presented in an encouraging and friendly way, as though written by the characters themselves. This is just the book to make the summer holidays fly by, and then there are special activities for the autumn, winter and New Year too. A book to spread a little happiness! ~ Andrea Reece
Fortune Cookie is a typically sweet, soulful story from the excellent Cathy Cassidy. There’s a surprise in store for the Tanberry sisters. Staying with their father in Australia, Honey discovered the existence of a half-brother they never knew they had. Impulsive as always, she wrote to the boy, and invited him to come and stay. Jake, nickname Cookie, is in trouble at home and uses the train ticket she sent to escape his problems. We see all the sisters through his eyes, and his presence helps bring about a reconciliation between Honey and Cherry at last. There’s a definite fairy tale ending to the series and the girls – happier, more tolerant, easier in themselves – deserve it. It will warm readers’ hearts. ~ Andrea Reece ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Best-selling Cathy Cassidy weaves the classic story of The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland into this no holds-barred contemporary story of bullying and its impact. Alice accepts an invitation to Savvy’s sleepover because she hopes it might be a genuine offer of friendship. Two years into secondary school, Alice has been isolated and bullied by her former friends who are now part of Savvy’s gang. But Alice soon finds that things are about to get worse! Alice’s accident takes her into a wonderland of her own. How will she get out of it? ~ Julia Eccleshare One of our Books of the Year 2015 Download a letter from Cathy Cassidy to her readers about The Looking-Glass Girl.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 - One of the Lovereading4kids Readers' Choice Books of the Year 2014 Cathy Cassidy’s Chocolate Box Girls are growing up and learning to deal with new problems. Fifteen year old Honey flies off to live with her dad in Australia. After all her troubles at home, Honey is determined to make a new start. She’s thrilled to meet her dad at the airport and impressed by the fancy house he lives in with his partner Emma. Honey starts a new school and even makes new friends. Is this all going to be better than her life before? Disaster strikes Honey when she makes a bad mistake about an online friend. Soon someone is spreading terrible things about her all over the internet. Does she really know who Riley is? And at home, she soon realises that her father is not quite the good guy she had imagined; she learns a dangerous secret about him which she will not let go lightly. Honey returns to Tanglewood wiser and more experienced. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Jodie always feels like second best, caught in the shadow of her best friend Summer.Now Jodie has taken Summer's place at the prestigious Rochelle Academy. It's everything she's ever dreamt of, but she's racked with guilt and struggling to follow her dancing dreams.With the help of her friends and the gorgeous Sebastien, will Jodie finally take a risk and step into the spotlight?
February 2014 Book of the Month Horse-mad Coco is the youngest of the sisters in the family. Different from all the others, she is a tomboy at heart and passionate about saving the endangered species of the world. Coco’s main passion is for riding and it is through her love of horses - and the temperamental Caramel in particular - that Coco gets involved with the moody and unpredictable Lawrie Marshall. Soon Coco finds herself in all kinds of trouble while also trying to keep abreast of the complicated lives of her sisters! Will the chocolate box girls lives ever settle down to something like normal? Cathy Cassidy brings an ebullient family vividly to life. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Alfie knew how he felt about Summer Tanberry from the moment he saw her dance. As Valentine 's Day and Summer's birthday approaches, Alfie is determined to find the perfect present to make her smile again. With the help of an old-friend he hatches what he thinks is the perfect surprise, but Summer's twin sister Skye isn't so sure . . . Can Alfie make Summer's dream come true without breaking her heart?The first in a delicious series of eBook shorts from Cathy Cassidy.
Best-selling Cathy Cassidy's third story of the Chocolate Box Girls is as irresistible, insightful and captivating as its predecessors. Summer has always longed to be a professional dancer but when she doesn't make the grade for the Royal Ballet School she is sure that her dreams are over. When happier times come to the family and her chance of a big audition comes round again, Summer feels her dreams will be fulfilled. But there are complications and Summer finds nothing is quite as simple as she used to think it was. Cathy Cassidy has an unusual ability to get write under the skin of her teen heroines. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Daizy can't believe that primary school is nearly over and when Miss Moon surprises Year Six with a trip to France Daizy wants it to be perfect... Paris might be the city of poets, painters and chocolate croissants, but so far Daizy's no closer to finding her own star quality. And with Willow and Beth acting weirdly (not to mention Ethan Miller) will Daizy's dream trip turn into a nightmare?
April 2012 Book of the Month. Skye and Summer are identical twins but Skye wants to be her own person, but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? And will Skye ever step out of Summer's shadow and find her own chance to shine? ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Hannah and Joey have been best friends for ever. Joey's parents love rescuing things and making them beautiful - their house is full of things made from driftwood, old glass and shells from the beach. Which is why the scraggy kittens the girls find in a bin at school end up living there. And when Paul moves in as Joey's foster brother, everyone thinks that maybe he needs rescuing too. But nobody knows quite how badly. At first, it's great - Hannah's brother befriends Paul, and the four of them hang out together. But then things start to go wrong. Paul is being bullied. Subtly at first - but quickly it gets dangerous. People aren't like driftwood or abandoned kittens and Hannah doesn't know how to rescue him. Paul doesn't want to be rescued - but with help, he can find a way to save himself. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Daizy's finally found her star quality - modelling. Will Dad's latest crazy scheme ruin her big break? Can Daizy save her family from becoming castaways on a remote island and discover how to be a top model in time for the class Fashion Show? Or will she be one big catwalk catastrophe...?
'I need a seriously brilliant daydream . . . because everything is far from OK . . .' When Indigo's mum announces that they're moving - just Indie, Mum and baby Misti - Indie doesn't understand. Why the hurry? Where are they going? Will her best friend, Jo, still be there for her? In a dingy old flat with a grumpy neighbour, no heating and only biscuits to eat, Indie begins to realize that her mum's got a reason for running away - a secret no one can admit . . .
'I never sleep, the night before my birthday . . . it's the only day of the year I hear from her . . .' Dizzy's mum left when she was small. But every year, on her birthday, something arrives in the post - a present or a card with her mum's loopy writing on it. Dizzy has kept everything. This year is different. Nothing comes in the post, but something amazing is about to arrive on Dizzy's doorstep. Something that will whisk her away - and put Dizzy's world in a spin.
All Jude wants is a simple, hassle-free life. But, with their endless broken promises, her family seem to create nothing but problems. Maybe the boy from school on his shiny new rollerblades will provide the answer…A thoughtful and tender story about growing up and finding yourself. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Scarlett's not red like a sunset, she's red with rage. She cannot believe her mum's sunk so low as to pack her off to Ireland to stay with the dad who left them. Surely he's the reason for everything going wrong, her never being able to stay in a school, rules always just, somehow, seeming to get broken? Ha! They won't get round her so easily. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Friends and relationships are the hallmarks of Cathy’s novels as she portrays her characters and their friendships particularly well. The plot lines are easy to get into, there’s always a subliminal message too and in Angel Cake it’s don’t judge a book by its cover as first impressions aren’t always right. Yet again she doesn’t disappoint, Angel Cake is a cracking, fast-paced easy read for 9+ year olds. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
Dramatic and emotionally charged, Cathy Cassidy’s stories are also warmhearted and funny. Fourteen year old Mouse has a way of falling into trouble. He doesn’t go looking for it but it seems to find him anyway. When he falls for a cool and confident girl called Cat he little guesses that he’ll not only be in trouble but in danger too. Can Mouse keep his head above water?
Shortlisted for the Young Minds Book Prize 2009. Tender, touching and convincing, Ginger Snap charts the ups and downs of growing up. Shy, friendless Ginger has blossomed at secondary school. She’s best friends with Shannon and now, just going into Year 8, looks set to have everything she’s always wanted. But when’s she’s kind to lonely Emily and falls for the gorgeous Sam, everything chances. Can Ginger get her happiness back? This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
All the teenage humours of romance, jealousy, friendship and sorrow rage freely in this brilliantly observed story of contemporary life. Cherry tells what it feels like to arrive in a new family. Her dad has fallen in love with an old college friend and soon he and Cherry are off to a new life. Cherry charts the ups and downs of her adjustment to the new ‘family’ with the particular difficulty of Honey who clearly doesn’t want her and her equally up and down feelings about the gorgeous Shay. Cathy Cassidy’s insight into teenage thinking is pin-point sharp while her light tone makes the story sing. ***And all Cathy fans will love The Chocolate Box Secrets. It's a delicious scrapbook of fun, creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. Make your own vintage style top or try some of the recipes and there are some cool ideas to make your sleepovers really fun!
Meet the one and only Daizy Star! Daizy is ready to dazzle everyone with her brand-new pink guitar - maybe she'll even find her star quality! But then Dad comes up with another crazy idea, which means swapping happy family life for milking African goats. Eeeek! Daizy needs a clever plan . . . she's got to win the Battle of the Bands, or she can say goodbye to all her friends, sleepovers and - worst of all - custard doughnuts . . .
Bestselling Cathy Cassidy captures the importance of friendship – and first love – in this touching story of Year 8s Jess and Kady. The girls have shared everything together since playgroup. But, both are looking for love and, when Jack Summers arrives in Year 9, it looks as if their forever friendship may be over – Forever! This is just one of a number of Pocket Money Puffins. To view others click here.
Have you ever had a crush? Fallen out with your best friend? Cathy Cassidy is here for you. There are no questions Cathy hasn't been asked and isn't afraid to answer, from growing-up to dating, making friends, following your dreams and much more. Through the happy times, the mad and crazy times and the days when you simply find yourself asking 'Why? '- whatever's bugging you, Cathy can help . . .
Entertainingly capturing the important details of life, including the need for friends, for being cool and having fun, this tells how Daisy Star’s life is turned upside down when her father comes up with a completely mad-cap plan. Surely no one is really going to make Daisy give up everything she knows? Daisy’s too horrified to tell anyone and as a consequence she’s soon caught up in some very complicated and very funny confusions. This title is also available as a Nintendo DS™ FLIPS title - click here
The first in a new series of OneCity books (crime and London to follow in 2009), this is a cracking collection of specially commissioned stories for upper primary school children, by nine of the best children's writers, who are either based in Scotland or have a Scottish background. All stories will include themes relevant to the work of the OneCityTrust. It is beautifully illustrated by author and illustrator John Fardell (Canongate Kelpies, Viz).
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