Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book nine, the Famous Five are really worried - George and her devoted Timmy have disappeared. Not only that, somebody has broken into Kirrin Cottage. Could there be a connection? Will the Five find George and Timmy and bring them home safe?Fantastic new cover art by Laura Ellen Anderson will draw young readers into this accessible timeless classic.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't -- Alexander McCall Smith * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure -- Dan Smith * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book fourteen, George is not pleased when Berta, a spoilt American girl, turns up at Kirrin Cottage in the dead of night. But George hasn''t got time to be jealous, Berta is in hiding from kidnappers. The Famous Five are the only ones who can protect her - but will they take on dangerous criminals to help out a stranger?Fantastic new cover art by Laura Ellen Anderson will draw young readers into this accessible timeless classic.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't -- Alexander McCall Smith * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure -- Dan Smith * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book fifteen, the Famous Five go camping and pitch their tent near a ruined and seemingly abandoned cottage. When Anne hears strange noises at night the others don''t believe her... Until they see the ghostly lights. Is the cottage really haunted, or is there another, equally sinister, explanation?Fantastic new cover art by Laura Ellen Anderson will draw young readers into this accessible timeless classic.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't -- Alexander McCall Smith * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure -- Dan Smith * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisA funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob. Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!   Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!   All aboard! There’s a mystery on the railway! Join Beancat and her friends as they uncover secrets and spies on the tracks. Who is the ticket-swapping, train-hopping stranger? Is Beancat’s beloved railway in danger? It’s up to our furry (and purry!) hero to solve the puzzle, before it’s too late.

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Book SynopsisEd Clayton is a liar. It started when his dad went to prison and now he can’t seem to stop. When his younger brother, Sam, goes missing one day, nobody believes Ed when he says he can’t remember what happened.He’s used to going without, but living without his brother is impossible. With the police and press asking questions and friends turning against the family, Ed is left trying to find Sam with only the help of his new neighbour, Fallon. When the two stumble on a secret that even Ed could never have imagined, it’s up to the liar to uncover the truth . . .A sensitive and engaging fourth novel about brotherhood, hardship and being yourself from the multi-award-winning author, Kim Slater.

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Book Synopsis'Immensely, cheerily silly' Guardian 'A thunderously good read, so funny and action packed. Children are going to love it!' Serena Patel, author of ANISHA, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE Grown an extra head and don't know why? Pocket money stolen by a green blob? Lost your peculiar pet? You need the Space Detectives! What seems like a simple case of a missing pet soon has the Space Detectives completely bamboozled! This is no ordinary pet – it’s a synthpet, where owners mix in different animals to make a totally unique one-of-a-kind pet. The missing pet has the body and legs of a cat, a duck’s bill, long rabbit-like ears and the scaly tail of a crocodile. A creature like that should be easy to spot, right? Not on Starville, the universe’s biggest space station where every inhabitant looks different – it’s like looking for a star in a galaxy. Where should our heroes Connor and Ethan even begin? Another out-of-this-world adventure awaits!Trade ReviewImmensely, cheerily silly * Guardian - PRAISE FOR SPACE DETECTIVES *

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Book SynopsisBob is the stationmaster’s dog at Puddle Train Station and a reporter for the Daily Bark, Puddle's best (and only) newspaper for dogs. It’s up to Bob to make sure the trains are on time every day. He has everything under control until the day he digs up the SCOOP of a lifetime in the park – a DINOSAUR skeleton! Suddenly Bob’s life isn’t running like clockwork, it’s running WILD, as he and the other News Hounds catch the scent of a dastardly dinosaur THIEF. Can Bob pull off a daring dinosaur rescue, or is he on the express train to DISASTER? This young fiction series by the author of Captain Pug is perfect for fans of The Secret Life of Pets and Toto the Ninja Cat.Trade ReviewA great book with lovely pictures and typography for five- to seven-year-olds who are starting to read for themselves and like dogs with multiple chins * The Times on COWBOY PUG *Gorgeous funny young fiction * Bookseller on CAPTAIN PUG *Zany … Even reluctant readers will have a blast * Irish Times on FABIO: CASE OF THE MISSING HIPPO *This neon-bright mystery involves a talent show, a hippo jazz singer, gallons of pink lemonade and, of course, Fabio * Metro on FABIO: CASE OF THE MISSING HIPPO *

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Book SynopsisThe 3rd volume of the beloved Miss Demeanor series is finally here. Red Nose Fred, a professional clown, has come to town to appear at children’s parties. Unfortunately, he’s also a jewel thief.Celia begins her Forensic II summer class following her successful investigation of The Case of the Crooked Cat. She meets Jimmy, a Native American boy from the Cherokee Nation, vacationing at his sister’s home in Connecticut. A new emotion troubles Celia, something she has not previously experienced.Is it love?

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Book SynopsisThings are going great for Hayley LeBlanc on the set of mystery show Sadie Solves It. But one day, things start disappearing from the studio-expensive things. Is there a thief involved? Hayley tries not to get drawn in, but when one of the missing items is found in her trailer, and her favorite makeup artist is blamed, she realizes she needs to do something. With the help of her two best friends, Hayley starts an investigation of her own. Can they find the real culprit before things get worse...?

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Book SynopsisFor Aiden, Chloe, Ava and Josh, holidays at their grandparents' cottage mean wild beaches, no curfew, Bella the dog, and most of all - adventure!The lead actress in Frost Castle's winter play is sure she's cursed! A break-in, a car accident, and now her precious locket is missing. But the cousins suspect a ruthless thief. With a blizzard raging outside and a legendary ghost in the castle corridors, unmasking this villain will take all their bravery and skill...Fleur Hitchcock is famous for her excellent "thrillers for beginners". This action-packed series takes 7+ readers on fantastic, realistic adventures.Cover illustration by Tom Clohosy Cole.Don't miss the other Clifftoppers adventures!The Arrowhead Moor AdventureThe Thorn Island AdventureThe Fire Bay AdventureLook out for Fleur Hitchcock's stories for older readers:Dear ScarlettSaving SophiaMurder In MidwinterMurder At TwilightThe Boy Who Flew

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Book SynopsisA Young Adult Mystery Adventure set in Cornwall, by the 2013 winner of The Next Novelist. When fourteen-year-old Holly Champion's father sends her to an exclusive clifftop academy in Cornwall, she must race against time to save the people she loves and expose a chilling plot.

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Book SynopsisOn his return to London after serving in the Second Anglo-Afghan War as an assistant surgeon, Doctor Watson is looking for a place to live. He is introduced to a certain Mr Holmes, an eccentric, pipe-smoking gentleman who shows an interest in chemistry and is currently engaged in a test to detect human haemoglobin. What begins as a simple house-sharing enquiry soon turns into a fully fledged “study in scarlet”, a case of blood, murder and betrayal that will transport the reader from the streets of London to the early settlements of Salt Lake City in Utah…

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Book SynopsisArthur Rackham (1867-1939) was one of the leading illustrators from the golden age of British book illustration. Fairy-tale and fantasy were his forte and in later life he responded to the dark stimulus of Poe's gothic tales with gleeful appreciation of their macabre and otherworldly qualities, claiming afterwards that he had quite succeeded in frightening himself! For lovers of the thrilling and chilling, young and old, Poe's sensational stories cannot fail to hit the spot. This collection contains the best of his prose works, including of course the well-known masterpieces 'The Fall of the House of Usher' (the ultimate haunted house story), 'The Pit and the Pendulum', 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' (the very first detective story in fiction). First published in 1935 it has been redesigned, re-typeset and republished in a handsome edition which features all Rackham's original colour and black and white illustrations. A perfect gift - though not for the faint-hearted!

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Book Synopsis From the author of The Last Chance Hotel comes a brand new fantastical mystery series! Praise for THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL: 'Blending magical adventure with Golden Age crime mystery, this delightfully atmospheric spin-off from the author of The Last Chance Hotel confirms Thornton's place as one of the most original children's writers around.' WATERSTONES 'A jolly, atmospheric mystery.' THE TIMES Magic must never be misused ... When there's a murder in the village and a hag is heard howling at the local inn, secret witch Raven Charming realizes she could have a rival – one who practises the worst kind of magic. With the help of amateur sleuth, Mortimer Scratch, and Nightshade, a talking cat with a feline sense of detection, she sets out to solve what's been going on ... A magical murder mystery perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Harry Potter Book 1 in a new spin-off series from the author of The Last Chance Hotel, chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Award Features fan-favourite Nightshade as the star of her very own mystery!

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Book SynopsisBuild your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right levelFollow the life of a little boy called Oliver as he goes from being a workhouse orphan to a life with a group of young pickpockets. Will he ever manage to escape his life of crime? This wonderful retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story was written by Hilary McKay.This is a Band 11/Lime book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which has longer sentence structures and a greater use of literary language. This is a retelling of a story by a significant author, and supports literacy learning around extended stories and significant authors. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. For more guided reading books in this Collins Big Cat band, try Wild Weather (9780007591282) by Chris Oxlade.

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Book SynopsisA nail-biting page turner written with cinematic sparkle - Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All The Bright Places Think Serial at Malory Towers - Katie Lowe, author of The FuriesWelcome to the Magpie Society...Tragedy has struck Illumen Hall, a prestigious boarding school of tradition and achievement. The body of student Lola Radcliffe is discovered on the beach, and on her back someone has tattooed an elaborate magpie.For new student Audrey, it''s just another strange and unsettling thing about her new surroundings. For her roommate Ivy, the death of her friend Lola is something she''s desperate to get past - and Audrey''s presence isn''t helping. But the two girls are thrown together when a mysterious podcast airs, with a sinister headline: I KNOW WHO KILLED LOLA. AND ONE OF YOU IS NEXT.This edition includes the spine-chilling first chapter of THE MAGPIE SOCIETY: TWO FOR JOY.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing The Famous Five to younger readers with this NEWLY-CREATED story for children aged 5 and up!The Five are on a special mission to help create a little public garden to honour late Mr Tidyworth. But when Timmy digs up a shining silver necklace, they must find out who buried it and just how valuable it really is...Set in the world of Enid Blyton''s best-loved series, this newly created story follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog on a special new adventure. The story is broken down into short chapters with vibrant, full-colour illustrations on every page - perfect for shared reading or for newly confident readers to enjoy independently.Also look out for: The Birthday Adventure and Five to the Rescue!, illustrated by Becka Moor.Enid Blyton''s eight original short stories about the Famous Five are also available as early readers illustrated by Jamie Littler. Collect them all!A Lazy AfternoonGeor

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Book SynopsisOut of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by New York Times bestselling author Ruth Sepetys, this novel has something for everyone: love, mystery, murder, blackmail and warmth.Josie Moraine wants out of The Big Easy - she needs more than New Orleans can offer. Known locally as a brothel prostitute''s daughter, she dreams of life at an elite college, far away from here.But then a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie caught between her ambition and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans is luring Josie deeper in as she searches for the truth, and temptation beckons at every turn.Praise for Between Shades of Gray:''This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch'' - The New York Times''. . . moving and heart-wrenching.'' - The GuardianRuta Sepetys was born and raised in

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Book SynopsisAn addictive thriller crossed with the darkest of fairytales that''s guaranteed to keep you up all night...THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SEQUEL TO INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING NOVEL THE HAZEL WOOD Alice has fought hard for a normal life. Having escaped the Hinterland - the strange, pitch-dark world she was born into - she has washed up in New York City, determined to build a new future for herself. But when her fellow survivors start being brutally murdered, Alice must face the fact that the Hinterland cannot be so easily escaped. And that, from the shadows of her past something - or someone - is coming for her...Praise for Melissa Albert: ''Magical, mesmerising and inventive'' Karen McManus, bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying ''This book will be your next obsession'' Stephanie Garber, bestselling author of Caravel ''Insidiously beautiful'' GuardianTrade ReviewA lush and enchanting tale. Albert effortlessly draws on a wide range of literary references and builds a world where magic really does emerge from pages and where books are not just figurative but literal doors. Dreamy and disturbing in equal measure, it's the perfect antidote to a grey winter's day. -- Irish TimesAlbert's legion of fans will relish her return to the bloody, terrifying, seductive world of her debut and the inventive brilliance of her storytelling. -- GuardianDarker, bloodier and even stranger than THE HAZEL WOOD, THE NIGHT COUNTRY invites the wolf from the forest inside your home. A sinister jewel of a novel, like splitting a pomegranate and finding the inside filled with blood and rubies, every sentence of this book thrilled and chilled me to the bone. -- Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater's DaughterA charming, mysterious fable that unpacks what it means to be a story and whether we are all simply the stories we hear and tell. -- Cassandra Clare, author of the Mortal Instruments seriesWhat Albert renders on the page is audacious: with resounding success, she keeps a firm grip on her characters and their stories, and her prose weaves a magic of its own, animating the ever-expanding fantastical premise through lyrical language, striking metaphor, and a mastery of tone that forces readers to feel the magic along with the underlying emotional stakes. -- BooklistMelissa Albert deftly weaves her magic once again between our world and the fairy tale realm of the Hinterland. The Night Country is a new modern classic filled with wondrous delights and daring forays into the dark. Not to be missed! -- Kim Liggett, author of The Grace YearThe Night Country is so deliciously creepy?the kind of puzzle box nightmare you have to see through to the end. One of the most unputdownable books I've read in a long time. -- Emily X. R. Pan, author of The Astonishing Color of AfterPraise for The Hazel WoodThis eerie debut YA novel puts such a terrifying twist on classic bedtime stories, you'll not sleep a wink * Heat Magazine *Simultaneously enticing and fearsome, much like the Hazel Wood of the title ... insidiously beautiful * Guardian *A bewitching, elegant blend of contemporary thriller and dark fantasy * Observer *MAGICAL, MESMERISING AND INVENTIVETHE HAZEL WOOD KEPT ME UP ALL NIGHT . . . as I fell completely into the dark and beautiful world within its pages. Terrifying, magical, and surprisingly funny, it's one of the very best books I've read in yearsA WINDING, CREEPY, INSIDIOUSLY DELICIOUS NOVEL. UTTERLY SPECTACULAR - I read it in one sittingTHIS BOOK WILL BE YOUR NEXT OBSESSION. Welcome to the Hazel Wood, where bad luck is a living thing, princesses are doomed, and every page contains a wondrously terrible adventure - it's not safe inside these pages, but once you enter, you may never want to leave.Darker, bloodier and even stranger than THE HAZEL WOOD, THE NIGHT COUNTRY invites the wolf from the forest inside your home. A sinister jewel of a novel, like splitting a pomegranate and finding the inside filled with blood and rubies, every sentence of this book thrilled and chilled me to the bone. -- Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater’s Daughter

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Book SynopsisEnthralling children''s fiction for everyone who loves Robin Steven''s Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries and Frances Hardinge''s The Lie Tree.Twelve mysteries.Twelve authors.One challenge: can YOU solve the crimes before the heroes of the stories?These are twelve brand-new short stories from twelve of the best children''s crime writers writing today.These creepy, hilarious, brain-boggling, heart-pounding mysteries feature daring, brilliant young detectives, and this anthology is a must for fans of crime fiction and detection, especially the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries, The Roman Mysteries and The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow.The Crime Club are twelve UK-based authors who are mad about crime fiction. Clementine Beauvais, Elen Caldecott, Susie Day, Julia Golding, Frances Hardinge, Caroline Lawrence, Helen Moss, Sally Nicholls, Kate Pankhurst, Robin Stevens, Harriet Whitehorn and Katherine Woodfine can be found anywhere there is a mystery to be solved, a puzzle to be cracked or a Trade ReviewI can't pick a favourite of the twelve because they were all so different and gripping; all I can say to all you other young sleuths out there is track down a copy of this book and read it. 5 stars out of 5 in my opinion. -- BookieCookie Guardian Children's Books The variety contained in these pages is breath-taking. There are poisonings, dog-nappings and a good number of crimes that seem, at first glance, simply impossible to commit. You'll be whisked from contemporary Britain to the eighteenth century and to Victorian London. You'll find yourself in theatres, grand country houses and the American suburbs, and you'll discover enigmas and puzzles concerning pearls, pineapples, poisons and poodles (to employ just one letter of the alphabet). All the clues are there on the page, there's no cheating or actually-I-never-told-you-but, so you can set to and get to the solution before Emily, Minnie, Marcel and co, or you can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. You'll laugh, you'll gasp with shock, you'll admire their cleverness (and your own!) and you'll occasionally grind your teeth as adults step in at the last minute and take all the credit. But most of all you'll have lots and lots of fun. -- Linda Lawlor The Bookbag

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Book SynopsisExplorer: The Mystery Boxes is an exciting anthology of short graphic works by established artists and innovative newcomers in the comic and animation fields, who have each created a unique story on a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels, or mayhem, inside. Collected and edited by Kazu Kibuishi these well-written, beautifully illustrated stories reflect a range of styles from the humorous to the fantastic.

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Book SynopsisJulian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton''s most popular series. The most famous racehorse in England is being trained in Kirren, and the Famous Five are eager to watch. But when the horse bolts the friends need to think quickly to make sure he isn''t lost or injured. The whole of England is depending on them!In addition to the Famous Five novels, Enid Blyton wrote a clutch of short stories based on the characters. These were published in magazines and collected in the Famous Five Short Story Collection (Hodder). For the first time, the complete and original text of Well Done, Famous Five (1956) appears in an individual volume, illustrated with brand new colour art by Jamie Littler.

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Book SynopsisSolve the mystery with the Secret Seven - everyone''s favourite detective club! These timeless stories are perfect for young fans of mystery, adventure or detective series. Also available in audiobook! In book five, a sinister-looking man gets George in trouble with the police. The Secret Seven are outraged. Spying on him, the gang are certain he''s bad news, but what exactly is he up to?They need to investigate, and solve the mystery, once and for allSolve the mystery! Cover and inside illustrations are by the brilliant Tony Ross, illustrator of David Walliams''s books. The story was first published in 1953. This edition features the classic text and comes with a Bonus Blyton section at the back with quizzes, puzzles and other bonus extras! Enid Blyton , The Secret Seven and Enid Blyton''s signature are Registered Trademarks of Hodder and Stoughton Limited. No trademark or copyrighted material may be reproduced without the express written pe

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Book SynopsisA super sleuth like Kalle Blomkvist is always looking for the next case to crack. So when a mysterious stranger arrives in town he finds the perfect excuse to start an investigation, one that will draw him and his friends into a thrilling case of theft and deception.

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Book SynopsisThe fourth globe-trotting installment in the exciting SECRET AGENTS JACK AND MAX STALWART series, by beloved children's author Elizabeth Singer Hunt (SECRET AGENT JACK STALWART). Now Jack teams up with his older brother Max to solve a thrilling California puzzle, using their special training as Global Protection Force agents.In the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, an unbelievable discovery is made: $10 million in rare coins dating back to the California Gold Rush! Secret Agents Jack and Max Stalwart are sent to protect the treasure. But almost as soon as they arrive, it vanishes into thin air. Little do they know that the culprit is someone from Jack's past. Unfortunately for the brothers, the criminal isn't only after the loot. He wants revenge.

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Book SynopsisDot, her best friend Beans and her dog McClusky all love sniffing out a good mystery and together they will solve the case and save the day . . .It's the last week of school term and the children are looking forward to the School summer fair. Dotty and best pal Beans will be looking after pet's corner, starring McClusky and his two canine pals: Geoffrey and the little sausage dog puppy, Chipolata. But just days before the fair disaster strikes Chipolata has gone missing.Dotty and Beans get on the case. Can they solve the mystery of the missing puppy?Trade ReviewPraise for Dotty Detective – The Lost Puppy “These would be great for children who are starting to gain more independence in their reading as the text is really clear and simple” ReadingZone “I’ve enjoyed Dotty’s latest mystery, The Lost Puppy, just as much as her earlier adventures” ReadingZone Praise for previous Dotty titles: ‘It's funny, it's mysterious and you will be puzzled for a long time.’ – Aarav Mehta, age 7 ‘This book was amazing and I really enjoyed it.’ – Cassandra Butler, age 6 ‘I liked how Dot solved the mystery.’ – Ruby Laverty, age 6

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Book SynopsisJoin brave Kat Wolfe and her animal sidekicks in this second mysterious adventure filled with friendship, freedom and a fierce wild cat! When a landslide on the Jurassic Coast reveals a rare ‘dragon’ dinosaur, best friends Kat Wolfe and Harper Lamb are thrilled, especially when stars and scientists come flocking to sleepy Bluebell Bay.But after they begin investigating a suspicious death, events spiral quickly out of control for detectives Wolfe and Lamb. Worse still, Kat’s wild cat is in trouble. Can they solve the mystery – and save the cat's life – before it’s too late?Kat Wolfe Takes the Case is the second book in Lauren St. John's Wolfe & Lamb series, and is illustrated by Daniel Deamo.Trade ReviewFirst-class fun! -- Hilary McKay, on Kat Wolfe Takes the CaseJust perfect storytelling. -- Gill Lewis, on Kat Wolfe Takes the CaseLauren St John knows just how to create the perfect children’s adventure stories... another enthralling adventure... this is exactly the kind of book to encourage children’s interest in the environment and their world as the pages keep turning. Thoroughly recommended. -- Andrea Reece * LoveReading4Kids, Children's Book of the Month *A book that will inspire kids to be kinder to each other and to the world's precious animals -- Abi Elphinstone, on Kat Wolfe Takes the CaseHurrah for a new series from Lauren St John! It’s literary Katnip for the summer holidays — especially for dedicated pet fanciers... St John writes with apparent ease, but refuses to compromise on language while mixing modern life with old-fashioned Blyton-style follow-the-clues mystery. It’s an excellent combo. If this first invigorating book is anything to go by, St John had better start writing some follow-ups. -- Alex O'Connell * Saturday Times, Children's Book of the Week *Everything you want from a Lauren St John book: timeless storytelling with a contemporary edge, thrilling mystery, characterful animals and tenacious children yearning to make their mark on the world. * Editor's Choice, The Bookseller *St John's book is suspenseful in its shifting possibilities, constructed with care, scattered with information, techno-savvy and engaging in its characterisation -- Nicolette Jones * Children's Book of the Week, Times *Full of adventure, excitement, heart and wit… Kat Wolfe Investigates is a story to delight in. -- Katherine RundellSt John is a wonderful writer... this is just the sort of thoroughly wholesome novel that should really be consumed outdoors. -- Emily Bearns * Telegraph *Warm, intriguing characterisation with just the right amount of peril - not to mention a resident wildcat. -- Imogen Russell Williams * Guardian *Kat Wolfe Investigates is the kind of book I’d have devoured as a child - lucky, lucky kids having this to read now. -- Abi ElphinstoneAll you want from a good mystery - a compelling storyline, a determined lead character, heroes and villains, some intriguing animals for a refreshing change... all excellently interwoven * Parents in Touch *A story with a great sense of adventure, transporting you to that place of excitement when you can’t wait to find out what happens next! * The Book Activist, Book of the Month *

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Book SynopsisLucy Bussell is the last person Jennifer expects any sympathy from, but she's also the last person she has left. FINDING JENNIFER JONES is the powerful sequel to the highly acclaimed, Carnegie Medal nominated LOOKING FOR JJ.Trade ReviewA powerful story and it challenges the reader to consider what they think about punishment and rehabilitation. How much do any of us really believe in forgiveness? -- Martin Chilton * The Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFaith Erin Hicks is a writer and artist who lives in Vancouver, Canada. Her published works include Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, Friends with Boys, One Year At Ellsmere, The Adventures of Superhero Girl, The Last of Us: American Dreams (with Neil Druckmann), The Nameless City trilogy, Comics Will Break Your Heart, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong (with Prudence Shen) and the New York Times bestselling Pumpkinheads (with Rainbow Rowell).Trade ReviewPanels are broken out to capitalize on specific moments, creating a variety of impactful emotional beats: sardonic retorts, profound loneliness, smug satisfaction, and doe-eyed vulnerability. * Publisher's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisAfter a tumultuous term in Paris, Libby and Connie are looking forward to a quiet holiday at Connie's family home. But before long they find themselves caught up in another mystery, this time set against the dramatic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh.

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Book Synopsis'A rollicking, salty, breath of fresh air.' Hilary McKay'Absolutely adored it!' Emma CarrollBy the celebrated author of The Pear Affair and The Secret Starling - Patch finds adventure on every deck of the 'floating palace' she accidentally stows away on.Liverpool, 1910When Patch runs up the gangway of steamship, RMS Glorious, she isn't planning to hang around. But if she leaves her hiding place the constable might catch her: sitting tight is worth the risk. Too late, she realises the ship is setting sail! Patch has become an accidental stowaway.Luckily, Patch's unconventional past has made her pretty fearless when it comes to fending for herself, and besides there are friends in high and low places to be made onboard.But hiding away becomes less and less easy: her new friends urgently need her help and there's a mystery that needs solving, all before they reach New York . . .With gor

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Book SynopsisGrowing up in Hackney with his loving but troubled single mum, fifteen-year-old Donny's life has been shaped by poverty, crime and casual violence, including grooming by a local gang. When his mum is jailed for drugs offences, Donny is fostered outside London to the Hertfordshire countryside. Life in the rural Home Counties is a bit like landing on another planet but doing work experience on the Hertford Union Canal, Donny feels like he's finally found his purpose. When Donny's posh new friend Zoe is offered a dubious modelling audition in London, the pair decide to 'borrow' a canal barge and navigate the 29 locks down to Kings Cross. As they start out on their journey the future looks as unpromising as Zoe's fake audition. But as each lock is navigated and conquered, their adventures take on a new dimension, and life will never be the same again.Trade Review'It crackles off the page!' (ALEX WHEATLE); 'Urgent, gripping, relevant and important: I loved 29 Locks' (Anthony McGowan, winner, Carnegie Award 2020); 'Raw, unique and often-tender, this novel is an anthem for the ordinary spirit that burns so fiercely inside each of us. A must-read for all young adults' (Aoife Fitzpatrick, Winner of Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize'); 'An essential read for the many young people today who can relate to Donny, showing them that amidst all the pain and inequalities of the world, justice can still be served and a future can be built from learning and kindness' (Ms Florence Bauhofer, PLS EAL Department ); 'It's a was a perfect book for people my age. My favourite character is Donny because he was so resilient even though he had a difficult life. He inspires me to always keep going even when things are tough. I also really liked that the novel was about family and friendship because both my family and my friends are very important to me' (Othman, age 15, Prendergast Ladywell School); 'The characters on these pages are real. If you have spent time around young people, you have seen how these relationships form and Nicola Garrard captures this in a way that feels truly natural and authentic'); (Casey Bailey, Birmingham Poet Laureate); 'The author really captured the life of a modern day teen and the struggles that life can present. I believe many young adults will enjoy and relate to this book. Excellent work! I finished the book looking at things differently' (Reader in Brinsford Prison and Young Offenders Institution for men); 'An incredible debut - smart and funny, poignant yet uplifting. Donny is an unforgettable character who navigates life with humour and compassion. From the estates of north London to the leafy canals of Hertfordshire (via Peckham), 29 Locks is totally immersive and unlike anything I've read before' (Juliet West, author of The Faithful ); 'Absolutely eye-opening about poverty in London. Great book for older children and young adults' (The Reading Pioneers, Northampton International Academy);

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Book SynopsisJoin Kat Wolfe and her best friend Harper Lamb on the winter holiday of a lifetime in Kat Wolfe on Thin Ice – full of mystery, intrigue, snow and huskies, by bestselling author Lauren St John!Kat and Harper can’t wait to join their parents on a winter vacation in a mountain cabin in the US. But a series of misadventures result in them being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Alone. When Kat discovers that an argument she witnessed in New York City holds the key to a major crime, she's certain that it’s only a matter of time until the culprits come looking for her. With a snow storm moving in and no way out, all that stands between the girls and disaster are a team of eight huskies and one impossible raccoon.Trade ReviewFirst-class fun! -- Hilary McKay on Kat Wolfe Takes The CaseFull of adventure, excitement, heart and wit… Kat Wolfe Investigates is a story to delight in -- Katherine Rundell on Kat Wolfe InvestigatesWarm, intriguing characterisation with just the right amount of peril -- Imogen Russell Williams on Kat Wolfe Investigates * Guardian *Everything you want from a Lauren St John book: timeless storytelling with a contemporary edge, thrilling mystery, characterful animals and tenacious children yearning to make their mark on the world. * Editor's Choice, The Bookseller, on Kat Wolfe Investigates *Just perfect storytelling. -- Gill Lewis, on Kat Wolfe Takes the CaseLauren St John knows just how to create the perfect children’s adventure stories... another enthralling adventure... this is exactly the kind of book to encourage children’s interest in the environment and their world as the pages keep turning. Thoroughly recommended. -- Andrea Reece * LoveReading4Kids, Children's Book of the Month, on Kat Wolfe Takes the Case *Kat Wolfe Investigates is the kind of book I’d have devoured as a child - lucky, lucky kids having this to read now. -- Abi ElphinstoneAll you want from a good mystery - a compelling storyline, a determined lead character, heroes and villains, some intriguing animals for a refreshing change... all excellently interwoven * Parents in Touch, on Kat Wolfe Takes the Case *Hurrah for a new series from Lauren St John! It’s literary Katnip for the summer holidays — especially for dedicated pet fanciers... St John writes with apparent ease, but refuses to compromise on language while mixing modern life with old-fashioned Blyton-style follow-the-clues mystery. It’s an excellent combo. If this first invigorating book is anything to go by, St John had better start writing some follow-ups. -- Alex O'Connell * Saturday Times, Children's Book of the Week, on Kat Wolfe Investigates *A story with a great sense of adventure, transporting you to that place of excitement when you can’t wait to find out what happens next! * The Book Activist, Book of the Month, on Kat Wolfe Takes the Case *A page turner, in which the reader feels real tension at the perils, curiosity at the puzzles and pleasure at the cost moments... it is all sorts of dreams come true -- Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week, on Kat Wolfe on Thin Ice

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Book SynopsisThe fourth story in this big-hearted series takes on the most important case ever investigated in Detective Gordon’s forest—where is Buffy’s mother? Gordon faces his old nemesis, the fox, in an investigation that leads to the edges of the forest.Trade Review"A gentle, mothercentric mystery that couldn’t be less threatening and a fine addition to the series." -- Kirkus Reviews (US)"gentle adventures, droll humor and delicious cakes at every turn. -- Starred Review, Shelf Awareness (US)"This one is a gentle little gem made all the more so by Gitte Spee’s whimsical illustrations." -- Red Reading Hub

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Book SynopsisCollins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners.Collins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners.Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now Collins hasadapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These readers have beencarefully adapted using the Collins COBUILD grading scheme to ensure that the language is at thecorrect level for an intermediate learner. This book is Level 4 in the Collins ELT Readers series. Level4 is equivalent to CEF level B2 with a word count of 20,000 26,000 words.Each book includes: Full reading of the adapted version available for free online Helpful notes on characters Cultural and historical notes relevant to the plot A glossary of the more difficult wordsHercule Poirot is enjoying a relaxing holiday when a glamorous actress arrives to join their group then just two days later she is found murdered on a quiet, shaded beach. In

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available.Fatima thinks the stories about the weird and wonderful Mysterious Museum are all nonsense exhibits don't come to life! But then her best friend Florence disappears inside the museum and Fatima must follow the riddles to find her, even if it means risking her own life Sapphire/Band 16 books offer longer reads to develop children''s sustained engagement with texts and are more complex syntactically.Text type: An adventure storyIdeas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.Aisha Bushby was born in Bahrain and has lived in Kuwait, England and Canada. Now she mostly lives in the worlds of her childre

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.Christopher Brown loves drawing. When he enters the local art competition he doesn't realise that his photo research will lead him to becoming a detective and solving the village crimes!Emerald/Band 15 books provide a widening range of genres including science fiction and biography, prompting more ways to respond to texts.Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

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Book SynopsisJump into a thrilling new series about fairy-tale heroines, ninja moves and epic adventures in this debut book perfect for children aged 5+CAN THEY SCARE OFF ALL THE BADDIES?Nothing very exciting EVER happens in the town of Hobbleton. Then Red, Snow and Goldie are trained up as fairytale ninjas, and find that anything is possibleWhen Madame Hart is accused of taking Prince Inigo, the fairytale ninjas are sure that she isn't behind the kidnapping. Can they use their new-found skills to catch the real villain? Or will their ballet teacher stay banished forever?

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This genre-blending contemporary thriller offers a searing indictment of men who prey on women while the book’s fantasy elements offer a form of revenge and resolution… Potent, atmospheric, and wholly satisfying.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A backwoods murder ballad of a book that draws from the old songs and legends that underpin so many areas of rural America. [The River Has Teeth] is well worth a listen.” — NPR "Soft and seething, with an undercurrent of longing and rage, THE RIVER HAS TEETH is the perfect story for anyone who is tired of feeling helpless. This book has teeth, too." — Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf "Waters weaves a spell on the page, seeped with dark and murky magic, both beautiful and terrifying, just as her girls are beautiful and terrifying. Set loose upon the Bend, Natasha and Della are two forces crashing into one another with a strength that makes their world tremble." — Emma Berquist, author of Missing, Presumed Dead "Packed with monstrous magic and a wicked bite, The River Has Teeth is the perfect read for fans of Beware the Wild and Wilder Girls. Fierce and flawless." — Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake “Full of fierce women and wild magic, The River Has Teeth is a captivating story of love, grief, and the power of anger. From its eerie opening pages to its gripping finale, it kept me enthralled.” — Kate Alice Marshall, author of Rules for Vanishing “The River Has Teeth is one of those books I could not put down—even when I knew I should. The lush, haunting story gave me the most gorgeous nightmares I’ve ever had.” — Kylie Schachte, author of You're Next “With its witches, monsters, and missing girls, The River Has Teeth is a hypnotic, suspenseful read.” — Wendy Heard, author of She’s Too Pretty to Burn “This horror-tinged tale from Waters (Ghost Wood Song) spotlights issues of racial and socioeconomic injustice…. [A] lushly written story.” — Publishers Weekly “A cathartic portrait of two girls’ anger toward a world whose cruelty and injustice forced them to fight back. The River Has Teeth delivers ferociously good thrills.” — BookPage “Waters’ southern gothic thriller cleverly uses magic as a metaphor for the ways women resist the harm that men do.” — Booklist Praise for GHOST WOOD SONG: “What a gorgeous, creepy gem of a book, brimming with magic, mystery, music, and so much love that you’ll ache as if these characters were your actual friends. Ghost Wood Song weaves a captivating spell you won’t want to break.” — Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn and Sawkill Girls "Ghost Wood Song sings a high and lonesome love song to family, to place, to music, and to love itself. It will make your heart dance." — Jeff Zentner, Morris Award winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days "These haunted pages are full to bursting with intricate family dynamics, a nuanced queer romance, and a crescendo of an ending readers won’t see coming. With notes of southern gothic and mystery, Ghost Wood Song will strike a chord with fans of The Raven Boys and Beautiful Creatures." — Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished Are the Stars "Strikes the perfect balance of atmospheric chills, dark familial secrets, and a yearning for the warm comforts of home. I could hear the cicadas' call and feel the smothering humidity, even as I shivered!" — Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author, House of Salt and Sorrows "Ghost Wood Song is a dusky, haunting daydream of a debut that hits all the right notes." — Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights and editor of His Hideous Heart “A gorgeously written debut filled with ghosts, a queer love triangle, a murder mystery, & a healthy dose of bluegrass. When you finish, you’ll want to turn back to page one and start all over again.” — Amanda Lovelace, author of The Princess Saves Herself in this One “Waters' debut features a bisexual lead with both male and female love interests, an atmospheric southern gothic setting, and, for the musically inclined, lots of folk and bluegrass references. For teens with a penchant for eerie ghost stories, this lyrical tale will hit the spot.” — Booklist “Debut author Waters weaves an intense and spectral atmosphere with vivid prose…Haunting and alluring.” — Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisFletcher Moon is a schoolboy and private investigator. Since graduating online, he has solved all sorts of minor mysteries at school and at home. It was only a matter of time before things got serious.Trade ReviewPraise for Half Moon Investigations: 'Repartee, irreverence, a zippy pace and suspense will leave the readers wanting more' – Irish Times Praise for Artemis Fowl: 'Fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek, with laugh-out-loud jokes. Smart and page-turning' – Sunday Times'Fast, funny and very exciting' – Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisAFTER THE FIRST DEATH is a brilliantly tense hostage drama, by Robert Cormier, the acclaimed author of THE CHOCOLATE WAR. It is one of The Originals from Penguin - iconic, outspoken, first. On the outskirts of a small American town, a bus-load of young children is being held hostage. The hijackers are a cold and ruthless group, opposed to the secret government agency Inner Delta. At the centre of the battle are three teenagers. Miro is the terrorist with no past and no emotions. Kate is the bus driver, caught up in the nightmare, and Ben is the General''s son who must act as a go-between.The Originals are the pioneers of fiction for young adults. From political awakening, war and unrequited love to addiction, teenage pregnancy and nuclear holocaust, The Originals confront big issues and articulate difficult truths. The collection includes: The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton, I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith, Postcards from No Man''s Land - Aidan Chamb

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Book Synopsis**The first book in the new fantasy series from the author of Half Bad**This is the perfect story for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Laini Taylor. -------------A princess, a traitor, a soldier, a hunter and a thief.Five teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands.Five nations destined for conflict.In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father, while her true love, Ambrose, faces the executioner''s block.In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people. In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town.And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell.As alliances shift and shatter, and old ceTrade ReviewAn excellent read * The Bookbag *Catherine is a fully fleshed heroine whose storyline advocates self-empowerment and independent thought * Publishers Weekly *As the Half Bad trilogy proved, Green is adept at writing a propulsive narrative * Financial Times *A rewarding read worth smoking out * The Times *This has elevated Sally Green's work to the next level... this series is going to be awesome * Clumsiness is a Curse *A gripping piece of fantasy * Parabatai Reviews *Bloody, fast paced and adventurous * She Loves to Read *It snares your attention, and keeps it * Faerie on the Shelf *Sally Green has fully captured me with this new series * This Booky Place *

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Book SynopsisA stunning coming-of-age tale from poet and writer Savannah Brown.Sydney''s dad is the only psychiatrist for miles around in their small Ohio town.He is also unexpectedly dead.Sydney believes the crash was anything but an accident. And when the threatening texts begin, and June Copeland - homecoming queen and golden child - appears at his funeral out of nowhere, she''s sure of it.But through Sydney''s newfound relationship with June, she''s given a glimpse of a life without the darkness of an unresolved grief and the chance, just maybe, of a fresh start.Until it''s clear that the secrets won''t go away, and the truth might bring everything crashing down...Imperfect friendships, the shadow of grief and the sweet pain of romance - this is a poetic, thrilling ode to being human.

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