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Anthony McGowan is the author of many critically acclaimed YA novels and won the 2006 BookTrust Teenage Prize, the 2007 Catalyst Award and has been shortlisted for a raft of other major children’s literature prizes, including the Carnegie Medal for Rook in 2018. McGowan was born in Manchester, attended school in Leeds and now lives in London.
Photo credit Jerry Bauer
February 2019 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2019 | Interest Age Teen Reading Age 9 | Cleverly set within a gripping adventure, Lark is a deeply touching story of the special bond between brothers. Older brother Nicky narrates the story of the day he and his younger brother Kenny set out on a simple day out on the moors. Proposed by their father as a way of filling time while they wait nervously for their mum to return from her new life in Canada, it is meant to a fun day out tinged with a bit of nostalgia as they are retracing a walk that he used to enjoy. But the simple walk which begins in a light hearted way soon becomes a deadly dangerous adventure as the weather conditions close in, the boys get completely lost and Kenny has to show exceptional courage and intelligence to make sure he can get Kenny home safely. Anthony McGowan maintains the intensity of the story throughout while also keeping the writing simple.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+ | Expert Review for Brock by Julia Eccleshare: Nicky knows he must do everything in his power to save the innocent and brave badger. But fighting the three local bullies whose cruelty towards it seems to know no bounds is an incredible challenge. With his father drifting into depression and his younger brother needing constant supervision, Nicky has enough on his hands already but he knows the real value of nature and knows he cannot stand by and see such wilful destruction. A powerful story about the importance of protecting wildlife.Expert review for Pike by Andrea Reece:Not a word is wasted in this fine novel. On one level it is a thriller: fishing on Bacon Pond Nicky spots a glint of gold in its murky depths, and recognises the Rolex owned by a local gangster. It seems to be still attached to his wrist. Nicky feels that the gangster owes him and his family, and sets out to retrieve the Rolex with the help of his brother Kenny. Nicky’s search for the watch results in a series of events that will change his and his family’s life for the better. McGowan writes in prose as spare and effective as that of Barry Hines, to whom the book is dedicated, and there’s an extraordinary depth and elegance to this story. An outstanding novel.Expert review for Rook by Andrea Reece:This finely written story speaks directly to readers in language that is frill free but shines with original, precise imagery. It opens with a scene in which a young rook is attacked by a larger bird. Nicky and his younger brother Kenny save it. As the bird hovers between life and death, Nicky’s own future is in the balance: an incident with the school bully sees him facing expulsion, at the same time he’s tentatively trying to start a relationship with a girl he fancies. For all his nerve Nicky is vulnerable, and things could easily go wrong for him, instead they start to look up. He isn’t expelled, Sarah likes him too, and Rooky is taken in by the animal sanctuary despite being, in Nicky’s dad’s words, ‘too common and too scruffy and too much trouble. Bit like us, eh?’ There’s a lot of story effortlessly packed into this short novel and readers will be very happy for Nicky. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 13+
November 2017 Book of the Month | Interest Age 5-8 In a nutshell: Ho, ho … oh? It’s Christmas Eve and Jo-Jo’s parents are arguing again. After a particularly upsetting outburst from his mum, the idea lodges in Jo-Jo’s mind that he is responsible for ‘killing Christmas’ and that it’s therefore his duty to step into Father Christmas’s shoes and distribute presents, at the very least to people in his street. So far so interesting, touching and festive – Jo-Jo really has discovered the true meaning of Christmas. But this is Anthony McGowan, an author who is always ready to surprise readers and to subvert expectations, and there’s a delicious if dark shock in the final scene. Chris Riddell’s unmistakable illustrations are the perfect match to this witty, original story. Andrea Reece High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
UKLA Longlist Book Awards - 2019 | Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2018 | Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8 This finely written story speaks directly to readers in language that is frill free but shines with original, precise imagery. It opens with a scene in which a young rook is attacked by a larger bird. Nicky and his younger brother Kenny save it. As the bird hovers between life and death, Nicky’s own future is in the balance: an incident with the school bully sees him facing expulsion, at the same time he’s tentatively trying to start a relationship with a girl he fancies. For all his nerve Nicky is vulnerable, and things could easily go wrong for him, instead they start to look up. He isn’t expelled, Sarah likes him too, and Rooky is taken in by the animal sanctuary despite being, in Nicky’s dad’s words, ‘too common and too scruffy and too much trouble. Bit like us, eh?’ There’s a lot of story effortlessly packed into this short novel and readers will be very happy for Nicky. Readers shouldn’t miss the two previous books in this trilogy, Brock and Pike.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+. Powerful novel by an award-winning author, charting a boy’s harrowing schooldays in a sink estate in Liverpool. Two's company and three's a crowd, one has got to go. This is a terrifically taut and short novel and perfect for reluctant and struggling readers as it has a reading age of around 8 but an interest age appropriate for teens. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 13+ 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 Teen Reading Age 8+ Not a word is wasted in this fine novel. On one level it is a thriller: fishing on Bacon Pond Nicky spots a glint of gold in its murky depths, and recognises the Rolex owned by a local gangster. It seems to be still attached to his wrist. Nicky feels that the gangster owes him and his family, and sets out to retrieve the Rolex with the help of his brother Kenny. Nicky’s search for the watch results in a series of events that will change his and his family’s life for the better. McGowan writes in prose as spare and effective as that of Barry Hines, to whom the book is dedicated, and there’s an extraordinary depth and elegance to this story. An outstanding novel. ~ Andrea Reece One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2015 | Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ 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. .......................... Read a special Q&A with Anthony McGowan on his novels Pike and Brock.
Python Adventure is the next authorised Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers looking for action, adventure and animals!
Eva - a very popular girl - is found dead at the beginning of the book - the narrative unwinds from 6 different viewpoints and keeps wrong-footing the reader all the way to the end. A great teen thriller that will be appreciated across the ages.
Bear Adventure is the next authorised Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers looking for action, adventure and animals!
Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2014 - One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2013 - Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+ Nicky knows he must do everything in his power to save the innocent and brave badger. But fighting the three local bullies whose cruelty towards it seems to know no bounds is an incredible challenge. With his father drifting into depression and his younger brother needing constant supervision, Nicky has enough on his hands already but he knows the real value of nature and knows he cannot stand by and see such wilful destruction. A powerful story about the importance of protecting wildlife. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 13+ ............................ Read a special Q&A with Anthony McGowan on his novels Pike and Brock.
Shark Adventure is an authorised Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers. Full of action, adventure and animals!
There's an adventure, animals and action in the first authorized Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers. Over 5 million copies of the original Adventure series by Willard Price were sold and this new book is published in July 2012 to mark the 125th anniversary of Willard Price's birth.
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 8+. Powerful novel by an award-winning author, charting a boy’s harrowing schooldays in a sink estate in Liverpool. Two's company and three's a crowd, one has got to go. This is a terrifically taut and short novel and perfect for reluctant and struggling readers as it has a reading age of around 8 but an interest age appropriate for teens. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Michael Rosen: 'A crazy adventure set amongst the kids you don't want to know but who this book makes you really, really care about."This is one of Michael's chosen favourite books. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. Shortlisted for The Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2010 for Children aged 7-14. This is a nail-bitingly scary but hilarious story by a prize-winning author, featuring a stinking alien commander, eight freaky kids and a pair of faded Y-fronts. When crazy Uncle Otto warns of imminent invasion from outer space, his maths geek nephew Alexander takes on the task of saving the world. He recruits a ragged crew of school superheroes to help him, including Tortoise Boy, armed with Cedric the tortoise, the Human Hurricane, who possesses untold power in his bottom, and Really Annoying Girl. But can this wild and wacky trio ever hope to save the world armed just with a pack of cards, some toy ray-guns and a pair of old pants for help?
Michael Rosen: 'A crazy adventure set amongst the kids you don't want to know but who this book makes you really, really care about."This is one of Michael's chosen favourite books. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. Shortlisted for The Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2010 for Children aged 7-14. This is a nail-bitingly scary but hilarious story by a prize-winning author, featuring a stinking alien commander, eight freaky kids and a pair of faded Y-fronts. When crazy Uncle Otto warns of imminent invasion from outer space, his maths geek nephew Alexander takes on the task of saving the world. He recruits a ragged crew of school superheroes to help him, including Tortoise Boy, armed with Cedric the tortoise, the Human Hurricane, who possesses untold power in his bottom, and Really Annoying Girl. But can this wild and wacky trio ever hope to save the world armed just with a pack of cards, some toy ray-guns and a pair of old pants for help?
A brilliantly funny and utterly inventive tale of useless superheroes and disgusting aliens from the acclaimed Anthony McGowan, ideal for boys of 9-11.
A brilliantly funny and utterly inventive tale of useless superheroes and disgusting aliens from the acclaimed Anthony McGowan, ideal for boys of 9-11.
February 2010 Guest Editor Robert Muchamore on The Knife that Killed Me. I’ve always answered every fan who e-mails me. Questions about me or my books are easy enough to answer (yes we’re working on a CHERUB film, yes I’ll send you an autograph, no you can’t have a free book, no I’m not answering that list of 15 questions thus doing your entire homework assignment for you). But the trickiest question is, ‘I really liked your books, what else can I read?’. Knife tops a list of three (along with Sophie McKenzie’s Girl, Missing and Graham McNamee’s Bonechiller). It’s one of those rare kids’ books that manages to be clever without seeming preachy. Best of all there’s a scene where a kid gets peed on that I liked so much I stole it. Shortlisted for the Young Minds Award 2009. No holds are barred in this gripping story about knife crime. And there's no way to put it down…Tautly written, it captures how diffident Paul tries to chart his way through rival classroom gangs. Being an outsider is dangerous and Paul becomes a victim when the violence batween the two groups flares up out of control.
Winner of the Booktrust teenage prize in 2006, Henry Tumour is exceedingly funny, compulsive, thought-provoking, challenging, dark and tragic by turns. As Mal Peet, another author of brilliant teenage fiction said, ‘Henry Tumour is a boisterous, anarchic, frequently vulgar comedy. It is also a wise, sensitive, questioning novel about the opposing forces that make us what we are’.
February 2019 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2019 | Interest Age Teen Reading Age 9 | Cleverly set within a gripping adventure, Lark is a deeply touching story of the special bond between brothers. Older brother Nicky narrates the story of the day he and his younger brother Kenny set out on a simple day out on the moors. Proposed by their father as a way of filling time while they wait nervously for their mum to return from her new life in Canada, it is meant to a fun day out tinged with a bit of nostalgia as they are retracing a walk that he used to enjoy. But the simple walk which begins in a light hearted way soon becomes a deadly dangerous adventure as the weather conditions close in, the boys get completely lost and Kenny has to show exceptional courage and intelligence to make sure he can get Kenny home safely. Anthony McGowan maintains the intensity of the story throughout while also keeping the writing simple.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+ | Expert Review for Brock by Julia Eccleshare: Nicky knows he must do everything in his power to save the innocent and brave badger. But fighting the three local bullies whose cruelty towards it seems to know no bounds is an incredible challenge. With his father drifting into depression and his younger brother needing constant supervision, Nicky has enough on his hands already but he knows the real value of nature and knows he cannot stand by and see such wilful destruction. A powerful story about the importance of protecting wildlife.Expert review for Pike by Andrea Reece:Not a word is wasted in this fine novel. On one level it is a thriller: fishing on Bacon Pond Nicky spots a glint of gold in its murky depths, and recognises the Rolex owned by a local gangster. It seems to be still attached to his wrist. Nicky feels that the gangster owes him and his family, and sets out to retrieve the Rolex with the help of his brother Kenny. Nicky’s search for the watch results in a series of events that will change his and his family’s life for the better. McGowan writes in prose as spare and effective as that of Barry Hines, to whom the book is dedicated, and there’s an extraordinary depth and elegance to this story. An outstanding novel.Expert review for Rook by Andrea Reece:This finely written story speaks directly to readers in language that is frill free but shines with original, precise imagery. It opens with a scene in which a young rook is attacked by a larger bird. Nicky and his younger brother Kenny save it. As the bird hovers between life and death, Nicky’s own future is in the balance: an incident with the school bully sees him facing expulsion, at the same time he’s tentatively trying to start a relationship with a girl he fancies. For all his nerve Nicky is vulnerable, and things could easily go wrong for him, instead they start to look up. He isn’t expelled, Sarah likes him too, and Rooky is taken in by the animal sanctuary despite being, in Nicky’s dad’s words, ‘too common and too scruffy and too much trouble. Bit like us, eh?’ There’s a lot of story effortlessly packed into this short novel and readers will be very happy for Nicky. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 13+
November 2017 Book of the Month | Interest Age 5-8 In a nutshell: Ho, ho … oh? It’s Christmas Eve and Jo-Jo’s parents are arguing again. After a particularly upsetting outburst from his mum, the idea lodges in Jo-Jo’s mind that he is responsible for ‘killing Christmas’ and that it’s therefore his duty to step into Father Christmas’s shoes and distribute presents, at the very least to people in his street. So far so interesting, touching and festive – Jo-Jo really has discovered the true meaning of Christmas. But this is Anthony McGowan, an author who is always ready to surprise readers and to subvert expectations, and there’s a delicious if dark shock in the final scene. Chris Riddell’s unmistakable illustrations are the perfect match to this witty, original story. Andrea Reece High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
UKLA Longlist Book Awards - 2019 | Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2018 | Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8 This finely written story speaks directly to readers in language that is frill free but shines with original, precise imagery. It opens with a scene in which a young rook is attacked by a larger bird. Nicky and his younger brother Kenny save it. As the bird hovers between life and death, Nicky’s own future is in the balance: an incident with the school bully sees him facing expulsion, at the same time he’s tentatively trying to start a relationship with a girl he fancies. For all his nerve Nicky is vulnerable, and things could easily go wrong for him, instead they start to look up. He isn’t expelled, Sarah likes him too, and Rooky is taken in by the animal sanctuary despite being, in Nicky’s dad’s words, ‘too common and too scruffy and too much trouble. Bit like us, eh?’ There’s a lot of story effortlessly packed into this short novel and readers will be very happy for Nicky. Readers shouldn’t miss the two previous books in this trilogy, Brock and Pike.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+. Powerful novel by an award-winning author, charting a boy’s harrowing schooldays in a sink estate in Liverpool. Two's company and three's a crowd, one has got to go. This is a terrifically taut and short novel and perfect for reluctant and struggling readers as it has a reading age of around 8 but an interest age appropriate for teens. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 13+ 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 Teen Reading Age 8+ Not a word is wasted in this fine novel. On one level it is a thriller: fishing on Bacon Pond Nicky spots a glint of gold in its murky depths, and recognises the Rolex owned by a local gangster. It seems to be still attached to his wrist. Nicky feels that the gangster owes him and his family, and sets out to retrieve the Rolex with the help of his brother Kenny. Nicky’s search for the watch results in a series of events that will change his and his family’s life for the better. McGowan writes in prose as spare and effective as that of Barry Hines, to whom the book is dedicated, and there’s an extraordinary depth and elegance to this story. An outstanding novel. ~ Andrea Reece One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2015 | Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ 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. .......................... Read a special Q&A with Anthony McGowan on his novels Pike and Brock.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. When Ant discovers a room full of X-bots in X-bot Reboot, he is sure he can use them for good. Will his plan succeed? Or will the robots rise again? Each book also contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In The Snatcher there is a thief on the loose and only Team X can solve the mystery. The trap is set but will the Snatcher outwit them? Each book also contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Ant receives an unexpected invitation and finds himself tangled in a world of deception in A Dangerous Game.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In A New Alliance, the Collector is back but this time hes not alone who is the Collector's new partner in crime?
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. When Tiger's watch is stolen, the children have to go on an exciting, action-packed chase to get it back in The Chase. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Team X find themselves stuck at the bottom of the ocean in Operation Shipwreck when they try to stop the Collector stealing a valuable shipwreck. Will Tiger be able to save them and stop the Collector, or will the X-bots get them first? Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Tasmanian Terror Team X discover that a meteorite has caused the local animals to grow to enormous proportions. Can Team X survive the attack of a giant Tasmanian Devil and return the animals to their normal size? Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. When Max, Cat, Ant and Tiger are beamed up into a space craft in Revenge of the X-bots! they know that only one person can be behind it Dr X! But can they escape his army of X-bots or has Dr X finally captured them? Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Divided We Fall Max, Cat, Ant and Tiger realize that they have to work together if they want to get themselves out of some difficult scrapes in the first book of this two part adventure. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Max and Tiger go on a camping trip to the beach and decide to enter a surfing competition in Riding the Waves. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Hampster Rampage a trip to London goes horribly wrong when Ant's pet hamster accidentally grows to giant size! Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Ant Storm follow Max, Cat, Ant and Tiger as they are evicted from their micro-den by an army of ants. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. The children discover that an ants' nest has been turned into an X-bot factory, which has been creating fearsome ant-bots! Find out if the children can escape the ant-bots and shut the factory down in Ant Attack. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Team X are faced with an imminent attack from the evil Dr X and his robot army in the second book of a two-part adventure, Attack of the X-bots. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Stage Fright Miss Jones's class are doing a school assembly about global warning. But when two people dressed as chickens try to get hold of Max, Cat and Tiger's special watches, that's when things really start to hot up. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Team X are faced with an imminent attack from the evil Dr X and his robot army in the first book of a two-part adventure, The X-bots are Coming. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
He is coming to kill me. Now would be a good time to run. I cannot run. I am too afraid to run. Paul Varderman could be at any normal school - bullies, girls and annoying teachers are just a part of life. Unfortunately 'normal' doesn't apply when it comes to the school's most evil bully, Roth, a twisted and threatening thug with an agenda quite unlike anyone else. When Paul ends up delivering a message from Roth to the leader of a gang at a nearby school, it fuels a rivalry with immediate consequences. Paul attempts to distance himself from the feud, but when Roth hands him a knife it both scares and empowers him ...This thought-provoking and original novel highlights the terrible consequences of peer pressure and violence, and casts a spotlight on teenage knife crime.
Eva - a very popular girl - is found dead at the beginning of the book - the narrative unwinds from 6 different viewpoints and keeps wrong-footing the reader all the way to the end. A great teen thriller that will be appreciated across the ages.
"e;Gripping, original, stylish"e; - The Times. A darkly comic noir thriller from an award-winning author"e;Stealthy, furtive, unhurried yet urgent... In a few seconds of efficient butchery, the chickens are dead and dismembered."e; Someone is on a killing spree - slaughtering the school pets with a cold-blooded savagery. The number-one suspect: Johnny Middleton. Johnny's had problems in the past, but they're behind him now. So what if he still sees the world a little differently? He's not crazy and he's not a killer. And he's going to prove it.
Bear Adventure is the next authorised Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers looking for action, adventure and animals!
Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2014 - One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2013 - Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+ Nicky knows he must do everything in his power to save the innocent and brave badger. But fighting the three local bullies whose cruelty towards it seems to know no bounds is an incredible challenge. With his father drifting into depression and his younger brother needing constant supervision, Nicky has enough on his hands already but he knows the real value of nature and knows he cannot stand by and see such wilful destruction. A powerful story about the importance of protecting wildlife. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 13+ ............................ Read a special Q&A with Anthony McGowan on his novels Pike and Brock.
Shark Adventure is an authorised Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers. Full of action, adventure and animals!
There's an adventure, animals and action in the first authorized Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers. Over 5 million copies of the original Adventure series by Willard Price were sold and this new book is published in July 2012 to mark the 125th anniversary of Willard Price's birth.
Dermot Milligan's got problems. He's overweight, and hooked on donuts. His mother has booked him in to see Dr Morlock, a nutritionist who looks like a Dementor. The diary is Dr Morlock's idea. Not only does Dermot have to write down how many donuts he eats, but also - and this is the really rubbish part - HIS FEELINGS! This is Dermot's second hilarious adventure, featuring his battles against the bullies, and hardest of all, his beloved donuts. After one term at St Michaels, Dermot thinks things can't sink any lower. All his classmates call him Donut, his insane PE teacher Mr Fricker despises him, the evil Floppy-Haired kid is out to get him... and now someone seems to be, er, going to the toilet in inappropriate places around the school. The Head calls in the services of internationally famous poo expert Dr Morlock to help track down the culprit - and somehow the finger of suspicion is pointed at Dermot. Can he turn detective and find out who's behind the poo - before his reputation is ruined forever?
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 8+. Powerful novel by an award-winning author, charting a boy’s harrowing schooldays in a sink estate in Liverpool. Two's company and three's a crowd, one has got to go. This is a terrifically taut and short novel and perfect for reluctant and struggling readers as it has a reading age of around 8 but an interest age appropriate for teens. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
Michael Rosen: 'A crazy adventure set amongst the kids you don't want to know but who this book makes you really, really care about."This is one of Michael's chosen favourite books. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. A World Book Day 'Recommended Read' for 2011. Shortlisted for The Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2010 for Children aged 7-14. This is a nail-bitingly scary but hilarious story by a prize-winning author, featuring a stinking alien commander, eight freaky kids and a pair of faded Y-fronts. When crazy Uncle Otto warns of imminent invasion from outer space, his maths geek nephew Alexander takes on the task of saving the world. He recruits a ragged crew of school superheroes to help him, including Tortoise Boy, armed with Cedric the tortoise, the Human Hurricane, who possesses untold power in his bottom, and Really Annoying Girl. But can this wild and wacky trio ever hope to save the world armed just with a pack of cards, some toy ray-guns and a pair of old pants for help?
More brilliant jokes and plenty of laughs as the gang come together to battle some evil dogsnatchers! Ludo, Noah, Jamie, Phillip and Jennifer are THE BARE BUM GANG! They have an embarrassing name but a cool Gang Den, so things could be worse. The newest member of the gang is Rude Word, the world's ugliest dog - and he's causing trouble. He's throwing up strange furry body parts . . . and Mrs Cake's dog Trixie is missing! Ludo and the gang have to turn detective and get to the bottom of this gross mystery. But when other pets disappear, they realise the mystery is bigger than they thought. Can they get Rude Word off the hook?
Join Ludo, Noah, Jamie and Phillip - the Bare Bum Gang - as they defend their gang headquarters with Smarties tube fart bombs and other ingenious traps. The gang's new (and unwanted!) name is bad enough, but things are about to get much worse. Their number 1 enemies have challenged them to a football match, and the prize at stake is the gang den. And guess what - they're all completely rubbish at football! How can they save the den? How can they get back their pride? Find out in the first Bare Bum Gang adventure!
February 2010 Guest Editor Robert Muchamore on The Knife that Killed Me. I’ve always answered every fan who e-mails me. Questions about me or my books are easy enough to answer (yes we’re working on a CHERUB film, yes I’ll send you an autograph, no you can’t have a free book, no I’m not answering that list of 15 questions thus doing your entire homework assignment for you). But the trickiest question is, ‘I really liked your books, what else can I read?’. Knife tops a list of three (along with Sophie McKenzie’s Girl, Missing and Graham McNamee’s Bonechiller). It’s one of those rare kids’ books that manages to be clever without seeming preachy. Best of all there’s a scene where a kid gets peed on that I liked so much I stole it. Shortlisted for the Young Minds Award 2009. No holds are barred in this gripping story about knife crime. And there's no way to put it down…Tautly written, it captures how diffident Paul tries to chart his way through rival classroom gangs. Being an outsider is dangerous and Paul becomes a victim when the violence batween the two groups flares up out of control.
Winner of the Booktrust teenage prize in 2006, Henry Tumour is exceedingly funny, compulsive, thought-provoking, challenging, dark and tragic by turns. As Mal Peet, another author of brilliant teenage fiction said, ‘Henry Tumour is a boisterous, anarchic, frequently vulgar comedy. It is also a wise, sensitive, questioning novel about the opposing forces that make us what we are’.
It wasn't my choice: Henry was in charge. As if school bullies and his mum's tofu sandwiches weren't enough for Hector Brunty, he now has another dilemma: a talking brain tumour. Henry Tumour turns out to be the perfect alter-ego, advising Hector on haircuts, high-fashion, and tactics for snogging the best-looking girl in school, Uma Upshaw. Controlling his speech and brain chemicals is quite enough, but soon Henry Tumour is trying to make more decisions about Hector's life than he'd like. Can Hector overpower his tumour in order to get what he really wants...before they both go under the knife?
Sent to Hell for typical teenage misdemeanours, Conor is surprised to find that it's not all pitchforks and leaping flames. But an eternity in a fusty cave full of philosophy books and obscure classical music is actually worse. Then Conor realizes that his personal version of Hell might be someone else's idea of Heaven - and vice versa. He sets out on a filthy, funny and forbidden journey to search for his opposite number, accompanied by his repulsive pet dog, a depressed cross-dressing Viking and a stumpy devil called Clarence. What he sees is disgusting and what he discovers is shocking, but oddly enough Conor learns a hell of a lot about life - now that he's dead!
Python Adventure is the next authorised Willard Price book by award-winning author Anthony McGowan, for 8+ readers looking for action, adventure and animals!
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