Undercover Princess
11+ readersJuly 2018 Debut of the Month | An unusual friendship, a chance to live as a princess, mystery, romance and intrigue, all set in the luxurious surroundings of a top boarding school – every summer holiday calls out for a book like this! Lottie has always longed to attend Rosewood Hall, which offers an escape from her nasty step-mother, and worked hard for her scholarship. Ellie has always wanted to go there too, but for very different reasons. She’s a princess and the school allows her a last chance for anonymity and freedom. The two become unlikely friends, and Lottie agrees to pretend to be Ellie, both of them undercover princesses. But it seems someone is out to get Ellie, could Lottie be in danger? Cinderella stories don’t come sparklier than this, and it will be dream holiday reading for many. If you like your romance tinged with a hint of royalty, look out too for Rachel Hickman’s One Silver Summer.
Frog Hops Off!
3+ readersJuly 2018 Book of the Month | Lydia Monks’ new series is perfect for little children particularly those just starting nursery or reception. Frog is the star of this story which recounts his adventures on the school trip. He’s a very bouncy character and is so excited at the prospect of the day out that he can’t keep still at all. Wise Miss Hoot tells everyone to hold hands to avoid getting lost, but Frog can’t resist heading off on his own… All ends well though and the final page shows Frog and his daddy hopping home together very happily. There’s no mistaking the range of emotions felt by Frog, they are so clearly depicted in the illustrations, and his little friends are just as engaging and characterful. An excellent first book, lovely to look at, with a real story and lots to discuss throughout.
Dog Diaries
5+ readers 7+ readersJune 2018 Book of the Month |Narrated at breathless speed by super-excited puppy Junior, this new series is spot-on for newly confident readers. Junior’s honest, direct, puppy’s-eye-view account of his life with new owner Ruff Catch-a-bone (aka much-loved Patterson character Rafe Khatchadorian) is one of non-stop domestic drama. Junior’s enthusiasm for life is catching, and it’s impossible not to be completely caught up in his descriptions of his daily activities. Excitement comes in the form of puppy-obedience training, and reaches a climax at a local dog show. Junior’s future depends on him winning a prize, which he does, but in a typically funny and unexpected way. Great fun, and super-readable too, helped by well-spaced, large type and Richard Watson’s comic illustrations.
The Nerdiest, Wimpiest, Dorkiest I Funny Ever
9+ readers 11+ readersJamie Grimm is back, and if you don't know why that's cause for celebration then it's time to wise up. Jamie is the star of the best-selling Middle School series by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein. Slick, sharp and effortlessly readable the books describe Jamie's exploits as America's funniest stand-up kid comic - or sit-down comic as Jamie would insist (he uses a wheelchair following a car accident). In this episode, Jamie is off on an international tour to compete for the title of the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic: a dream come true, or the stuff of his nightmares as Jamie worries he's only ever got the sympathy vote? There are laughs galore - Jamie really is very funny, and watch out for Peter Kay's guest appearance - but underneath it all there's lots too about the importance of friends and family, and why we need laughter to bring the world together. Give it up for Jamie Grimm everyone!
Barry Loser is the best at football NOT!
7+ readers 9+ readersEveryone at Barry's school has gone football crazy, but Barry gets thrown out of the team (the Mogden Maniacs) for being completeerly rubbish. Then it turns out that his best friend Bunky is a super striker - so Barry becomes his manager. The cup final match is approaching and Bunky's getting carried away with his football fame - can Barry keep his head in the game? Join everyone's favourite Loser on his tenth hilarious adventure! Barry Loser: I am not a loser was selected as a Tom Fletcher Book Club 2017 title. Future Ratboy and the Invasion of the Nom Noms is shortlisted for the Lollies Award 2017.
Ella on the Outside
9+ readers 11+ readersIt's hard to be the new girl but for Ella things are even more complicated. She has recently moved to a new area - and a new school - with her mum and brother, and a big secret. Ella has a talent for art, particularly photography, and joins the art club where she grows her friendship with Lydia, the school queen bee. But Lydia isn't all she seems and her motives behind her friendship with Ella are unpleasant. Soon Ella realises she is under Lydia's control but why? And what does Lydia hold against Molly? This is a pacy story of secrets and lies but it also carries a heartwarming message of friendship and finding the inner strength to be who you really want to be.
Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans
9+ readersThe bestselling fully-illustrated Tom Gates series is back with a new book! This book is VERY important because it contains BISCUITS, BANDS and all my (doodled) plans to make DogZombies the BEST band in the world. MY VERY BIG PLAN: 1. Write more songs about VERY important things like... ... biscuits 2. Make sure there's a good supply of SNACKS for our band practice 3. Avoid Delia at ALL COSTS, she thinks I've been SNOOPING in her room. (I have.) 4. DOODLE as much as possible, especially if Marcus is watching
Get Me Out of Witch School!
7+ readers 9+ readersEven if it means CHAOS and DISASTER, the show MUST go on! The second in the spellbinding, spine-tingling school series in which Twinkle Toadspit tests out her new powers with MAGICAL results! Look out for Twinkle's first adventure, You Can't Make Me Go To Witch School!
Judy Moody Declares Independence!
7+ readers 9+ readersAnother day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest-best, in this laugh-a-minute sixth adventure in the international bestselling series.
Judy Moody: Around the World in 8 1/2 Days
7+ readers 9+ readersAnother day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest best, in this laugh-a-minute seventh adventure in the international bestselling series.
Matt Millz
7+ readers 9+ readersHarry Hill’s new children’s book is funny (no surprise), features great characters, particularly would-be comic Matt and his terrifyingly ambitious manager Kitty (age 11), but also offers a mini-masterclass in stand-up comedy. Matt’s dream is to make it on the comedy circuit and he’s prepared to work his way up from the school talent show, via the local WI, and TV talent show. Along the way, he is helped and/or hindered by best mate Rob, step-dad Ian and the style-vacuum that is his headmaster Mr Pavey. It’s great fun and some of the best scenes are interspersed with real advice on everything from working on your timing to dealing with hecklers. By the end readers will hope that Matt gets to follow his heroes onto the Apollo stage, but will also understand just why that’s such a uniquely exhilarating thing to do. Readers looking for something similar should look out for Christine Hamill’s Lollies shortlisted The Best Medicine, in which Harry Hill has a starring role.
Mascot!
7+ readersIn a nutshell: ever fresh and funny, the adventures of an inveterate scamp It’s hard to believe this is the 30th Dirty Bertie story, it’s so fresh and full of energy. Bertie just can’t avoid trouble, and gets up to all sorts of mischief in the three self-contained stories in this collection, often intentionally. He proves the best worst mascot in the world for his local football club, inadvertently scoring a goal for them when he wanders onto the pitch in the Larry Lion costume (that he shouldn’t be wearing). Stuck on a summer camp that he describes as ‘school for swots’ he tries his hardest to be sent home in disgrace, while a surprise triumph in the inter-schools Robot Wars lands him in trouble with Miss Boot, the inspiration for the fierce ‘Bootosaurus’. There’s an indomitable enthusiasm and confidence about Bertie that children love and through him they can be thoroughly and thrillingly naughty. David Roberts’ quirky, stylish and distinctive illustrations are an absolute joy too. Children who admire Dirty Bertie will also like the Number 1 Boy Detective books by Barbara Mitchelhill. ~ Andrea Reece
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The Gingerbread Star
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Henderson's Boys: The Escape
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No Fixed Address
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The Way Past Winter
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Stubby: A True Story of Friendship
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The Silk Roads A New History of the World - Illustrated Edition
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