Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy

Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.Presenting a mischievous new reading of Roald Dahl''s George''s Marvellous Medicine, read by BAFTA-winning comedian Romesh Ranganathan. This immersive audiobook is bursting with phizzwhizzing sound effects, dynamic sound design, and original music composed by Rusty Bradshaw.George Kranky''s grandma is a grouch. She''s always mean to George (and not much nicer to his parents either). She just LOVES being mean and miserable!Once when George is put in charge of giving Grandma her medicine, he wonders if he could come up with his own remedy to try and help her become less of a grump.So, using some rather unusual ingredients, George creates his magic medicine*. But will it stop his grandma from being so horrible . . . or will it blow the top of her head off?!*WARNING: Do NOT try to make George''s Marvellous Medicine yourselves at home. It''s likely to be dangerous.Li

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Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.Presenting a magical new reading of Roald Dahl''s James and the Giant Peach, read by iconic British comedian James Acaster. This immersive audiobook is bursting with fantabulous sound effects, dynamic sound design, and original music composed by Rusty Bradshaw.James Henry Trotter is about to go on the adventure of a lifetime . . .James lives with his awful Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, two of the meanest people you can imagine!Life isn''t much fun at all, until something peculiar happens at the bottom of his garden . . .A peach at the very top of a tree begins to grow . . . and grow . . . and GROW! Inside are seven very unusual insects - all waiting to take James on a magical journey.But where will this very special GIANT PEACH take James and his new friends? And what will happen to his horrible aunts if they stand in their way?Listen to James and the Giant Peach and other fantastic

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Book SynopsisSettle down for bedtime with this brand new lift-the-flap adventure in the no.1 bestselling Ten Minutes to Bed series!It''s almost time for bed . . . but where''s Twinkle? Travel through the Land of Nod and help find this little unicorn to say goodnight!This magical lift-the-flap adventure features sturdy, durable flaps on every spread as young children search for Twinkle, meeting all their favourite characters from the Ten Minutes to Bed series along the way, from Rumble the dinosaur to Flicker the dragon!Weaving a journey from lively beginning to a gentle end, this gorgeous novelty board book is perfect for little ones winding down for bedtime.This no. 1 bestselling bedtime series has now sold 3 million copies worldwide! Have you collected all the books?Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn (also available as a board book)Ten Minutes to Bed: Little DinosaurTen Minutes to Bed: Little Mermaid (also available as a board book)Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Monster (also available as a board book)Ten Minutes to Bed: Little DragonTen Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn''s BirthdayTen Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn''s Christmas (also available as a board book)Ten Minutes to Bed: Baby Unicorn

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Book SynopsisA spell-binding new adventure from acclaimed performer and bestselling author Carrie Hope Fletcher.After defeating the Crowood Witch and saving the day, Ivy, Maggie and the rest of the Double Trouble Society are on the lookout for their next big adventure.They won''t have to wait long - there are three new kids in town and they''re all behaving very mysteriously . . .The Double Trouble Society know how to handle witches but can they manage vampires, werewolves and ghosts as well?Readers love The Double Trouble Society series:''Makes you believe there''s magic in every one of us''''Could not stop reading this wonderful and charming story''''Mysterious and exciting!''

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Book SynopsisTwo stories that build on the phonics learned in previous steps and focus on the sound and letter combinations: ai, ee, oa, oo (long), oo (short).Queen Joan is from Beginner Reader Level 0 and is ideal for children aged from 4+ who are developing their phonics and early reading skills.Each book has been carefully checked by educational and subject consultants and includes comprehension puzzles, book band information, and tips for helping children with their reading.With five levels to take children from first phonics to fluent reading and a wide range of different stories and topics for every interest, Read It Yourself helps children build their confidence and begin reading for pleasure.

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Book SynopsisBrought to you by Puffin.Mab''s mum is obsessed with fairies - she even named Mab after the Fairy Queen! Their flat is full of fairy ornaments, tiny fairy furniture and they''ve even got fairy lights in the toilet. Mab doesn''t quite get it, but she knows that fairies make her mum happy, especially after Dad left.When Mab comes into school with a new fairy dress on her birthday, her teacher gives her a book all about Victorian fairies. She reads it with her mum and her little brother Robin, and she''s surprised to see the drawings inside are nothing like the sweet fairies she imagined.But the biggest surprise of all is a tiny thing that tumbles out of the pages of the book...A magical, captivating story about fairies, families and friendship from the brilliant, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson. Jacqueline Wilson 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

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Book SynopsisLadybird Readers is an ELT graded reader series for children aged 3-11 learning English as a foreign or second language. The series includes traditional tales, favourite characters, modern stories and non-fiction. Written by experts, it uses proven methods to help children learn English and grasp key grammar and vocabulary points. Perfect for learning English in school or at home Develops reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking skills Features much-loved characters and authors such as Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, Roald Dahl and Eric Carle Eight levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR) Language activities in every book provide preparation for the Cambridge English Pre-A1 to A2 (YLE) tests Features free online resources including audio, answer keys, lesson plans and tips for parents Izzy''s Presents, a Beginner level Reader, helps children to learn and practice their first words in English. It introduces everyday phrases and focuses on vocabulary that young children can use in daily life. Simple text and repetition support understanding, and speaking and listening activities develop confidence.How can Izzy make presents for her friends? Visit the Ladybird Education website for more information.

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Book SynopsisLadybird Readers is an ELT graded reader series for children aged 3-11 learning English as a foreign or second language. The series includes traditional tales, favourite characters, modern stories and non-fiction. Written by experts, it uses proven methods to help children learn English and grasp key grammar and vocabulary points. Perfect for learning English in school or at home Develops reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking skills Features much-loved characters and authors such as Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, Roald Dahl and Eric Carle Eight levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR) Language activities in every book provide preparation for the Cambridge English Pre-A1 to A2 (YLE) tests Features free online resources including audio, answer keys, lesson plans and tips for parents Sparky, Where are You?, a Beginner level Reader, helps children to learn and practice their first words in English. It introduces everyday phrases and focuses on vocabulary that young children can use in daily life. Simple text and repetition support understanding, and speaking and listening activities develop confidence.Hitch cannot find Sparky. Where is he?Visit the Ladybird Education website for more information.

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Book SynopsisMaster storyteller Walter Mosley deftly mixes speculative and historical fiction in this daring New York Times bestselling novel, reminiscent of Colson Whitehead''s The Underground Railroad. 47 is a young slave boy living under the watchful eye of a brutal slave master. His life seems doomed until he meets a mysterious runaway slave, Tall John. 47 finds himself swept up in a struggle for his own liberation.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Shannon Hale and Gail Carson Levine, comes an enchanting fairy tale retelling of the Japanese Cinderella, set in the magical world of Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch.Once upon a time, Alliana believed in dreams and fairy tales as sweet as spun-sugar clouds. Alliana wished on shooting stars, sure that someday she and her grandmother would be able to travel to the capital city to see the queen. Then her grandmother passed away—and those dreams disappeared in a disenchanted puff. Now Alliana’s forced to attend to the whims of her wicked stepmother—with long days of cleaning her stepfamily’s inn as her skin burns raw or staying up until the crack of dawn to embroider her stepsister’s ball gowns. Until she meets two beings who change her life forever—the first is a young nightdragon who Alliana discovers she can magically talk to. And the second is Nela, a young witch. Nel

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Book SynopsisGo on a journey of discovery, magic, science, and hope with this remarkable debut novel about a girl''s powerful connection to a mysterious lake. Twelve-year-old Addie should stay away from Maple Lake. After all, her twin brother, Amos, drowned there only a few months ago. But its crisp, clear water runs in Addie''s veins, and the notebook Amos left behind -- filled with clues about a mysterious creature that lives in the lake''s inky-blue depths -- keeps calling her back. So despite her parents'' fears, Addie accepts a Young Scientist position studying the lake for the summer, promising she''ll stick to her job of measuring water pollution levels under adult supervision. Still, Addie can''t resist the secrets of Maple Lake. She enlists the lead researcher''s son, Tai, to help her investigate Amos''s clues. As they collect evidence, they also learn that Maple Lake is in trouble -- and the source of the pollution might be close to home. Addie finds herself caught

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Book SynopsisA smooth-talking monster gets what's coming to him in this funny and slyly subversive picture book for fans of There's a Monster in Your Book and We Don't Eat Our Classmates. A big orange creature lurks in a crowded playground...but don't worry! He would never eat a child. What do you think he is…a MONSTER? And kids are definitely not disappearing every time you turn a page. You're imagining things. The monster has nothing to hide; in fact, he loves children. And he would never, ever, ever—oops! There goes another kid....   This laugh-out-loud story will keep readers guessing until the end, then send them straight back to the beginning to keep a close eye on the wily monster (and the one kid who knows exactly what he's up to). A great read aloud for bedtime (or anytime!), this silly and subversive picture book delivers poetic justice and giggles galore.

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Book SynopsisThe heart-pounding conclusion to the Daughter of Sparta series forces Daphne to face her past, her deepest fears, and an enemy who can defeat even the all-powerful gods of Olympus in this epic reimagining of classic Greek mythology, for fans of Lore. After fighting in the Trojan War against her own people, Daphne is plagued by memories—of her family, of her shortcomings, of her lover, Apollo, and of the secrets he and the gods keep. As she reels from the horrendous sacrifice she had to make and her own failure in the battle for Troy, she knows the Titans are out there—just beyond the island of Aeaea where she has taken refuge—raging a war against the world.   As Daphne struggles to regain her will to fight as well as rein in the new abilities that have been thrust upon her, the gods call for her help once more. But it has been prophesized that she will bring about the ruin of Olympus and the downfall of Sparta, just as she caused the destruction of Troy. Now, as she begins to witness her terrible destiny coming true, she must become a hero to rival those of myth and save the gods, her people, and the world. Or she will watch it all burn around her.   Claire M. Andrews has crafted a jaw-dropping conclusion to an epic series that gives women a powerful place among Greek mythology, flipping the world of gods and goddesses on its head.

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Book SynopsisCamelot knights-in-training Ellie and Caedmon must complete three quests that put them on opposing sides or risk losing their Knighthood and magic forever -- now in paperback. Best friends Ellie Bettlebump and Caedmon Tuggle are different as the day is long. Caedmon’s a human, from a non-magical realm known as Wisconsin. Ellie, on the other hand, is full of magic—illegal magic. What they have in common is far more important, however. After the adventure of a lifetime, they are both officially Knights of the Round Table…in training. To graduate to the next level at the Knights Academy, they must complete three quests proving their heroism. If they fail, they’ll have to achieve the dreaded Impossible Quest, and repeat the same year forever.   Unfortunately, their quests prove more than a little difficult. Ellie is exposed as a witch and her magic is locked away by the powerful DeJoie family. In an effort to free herself from their control, Ellie winds up embroiled in a plan that could ruin the Knights of the Round Table: steal the source of the knights' power, and a wicked sorcerer will restore her magic.   As fate would have it, one of Caedmon's quests leads him to protect the source of the knights' power. If Caedmon wants to graduate—not to mention save the realms from certain disaster—he'll have to betray his best friend, forcing him to choose what truly matters most to him: knighthood or friendship.   As centuries of secrets collide and an ancient evil arises, Ellie and Caedmon must overcome this test of loyalty and friendship. If they don't, they will lose more than their battle against evil forces keeping them apart.   They will lose each other.

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Book SynopsisElla Enchanted meets The Parent Trap in this spellbinding wintery tale where two young enchanters team up to break a centuries-old family curse and accidentally put their entire town at risk along the way. Every winter solstice, when people lock eyes in the Ambrose Ensorcelled Cottage, they fall in love.     This year, Alice Ambrose has secretly invited her dad in hopes that her parents will realize they’re happier together than apart. With her parents together, Alice will finally feel whole. But when Alice's parents lock eyes…nothing happens.    Turns out, the women in her family are cursed to never fall in love.   Ronan Knight will do anything to get his enchantress mom to settle on a forever home. Luckily, he’s found her a perfect job at a perfect place: the Ensorcelled Cottage. The only snag? His mom would rather run from their mysterious past than settle down.    When Ronan learns about Alice’s family curse, he figures he can kill two birds with one broken curse, since helping Alice will surely earn his mom points with the owner of Ensorcelled Cottage. But when their meddling causes the town to lose the ability to love all together, and ghosts whisper of the very past haunting Ronan’s family, Alice and Ronan discover that happily ever after doesn’t look the same for everyone. And sometimes, to get what you want, you’ll have to give your heart away. 

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Book SynopsisMagic is tough. Family is tougher. Boys are a complete mystery. Follow Lilla as she stumbles her way through each of them in Eleanor Crewes''s uniquely illustrated debut middle-grade graphic novel.Thirteen-year-old Lilla feels she is a bit different. She''s quiet and shy and sometimes feels uncomfortable in the company of boys. She''d much rather spend time by herself drawing and daydreaming. This summer, while staying with her aunt in rural Italy, Lilla discovers a book of magic which reveals that she is a witch with special powers, the magic of ''Strega''.But unbeknownst to her, an ancient witch, Stregamama, threatens to ruin more than just her summer. Lilla is soon faced with a choice that could change her life forever.

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods comes a thrilling fantasy about three unlikely allies bound together in a deadly, magical competition-perfect for fans of Holly Black and Erin A. Craig.Every five years, two kingdoms take part in a Wild Hunt. Joining is a bloody risk, and even the most qualified hunters can suffer the deadliest fates. Still, hundreds gamble their lives to participate-all vying for the Hunt''s life-changing prize: a magical wish granted by the Otherking.BRANWEN possesses a gift no other human has: the ability to see and slay monsters. She''s desperate to cure her mother''s sickness, and the Wild Hunt is her only option.GWYDION is the least impressive of his magically talented family, but with his ability to control plants and his sleight of hand, he''ll do whatever it takes to keep his cruel older brother from becoming a tyrant.PRYDERI is prince-born and monster-raised. Deep down, the royal crown doesn''t interest him-all he wants is to know where he belongs.A trickster, a prince, and a wild huntress-all in pursuit of the Champion''s prize. If they band together against the monstrous creatures within the woods, they have a chance to win. But nothing is guaranteed. After all, all are fair game in love and the Hunt.Set in the same world as The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods but with a whole new, unforgettable cast of characters-The Wild Huntress will have readers hooked from the very first page.

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Book SynopsisA touching, out-of-this-world graphic novel about a daughter, her father, and the aliens that may or may not be speaking to him. Julia didn’t always believe in aliens.   It was her father who convinced her otherwise. You see—Julia’s dad believes he was abducted by aliens. And ever since then, he’s been obsessed with the extraterrestrial beings living out there.   So when a festival commemorating the 75th anniversary of the infamous UFO crash in New Mexico rolls around, Julia turns down a dream vacation to Hawaii with her best friend, Sara, to join her dad for a weekend trip to Roswell, where he expects the aliens to make contact.   But amid the alien-themed goofiness of the festival, Julia finds she isn’t sure whether her father really did get abducted. His memories of alien interference are starting to sound increasingly shaky, and with them, her faith in him. Will

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Book SynopsisA gorgeous new series introducing the dazzling circus acrobat, Esme Miranda-Maclinkey, and her trusty side-kick, Donk - the ugly but loveable donkey!Trade ReviewEsme is a delightfully engaging heroine... a charming, happy book. * Bookbag *Fantastic. * Metro *Plentiful pictures from Michael Fowkes and an exuberant story by Tamara Macfarlane make Amazing Esme perfect for younger readers as a lovely engaging romp. * School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisFrankie and his team love playing football. There''s always time for a game. And now that they have their magic football they''re playing against teams they never imagined!So when Frankie, Louise, Charlie and trusty Max get sent back to medieval times they''re going to have to beat the nastiest knights to get home.Trade ReviewI can't wait to read his other books now! -- Jack Pettman * Match of the Day Weekly *

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Book SynopsisEverything in Echo''s life changed in a blinding flash when she learned the startling truth: she is the firebird, the creature of light that is said to bring peace.The firebird has come into the world, but it has not come alone. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and Echo can feel a great and terrible darkness rising in the distance. Cosmic forces threaten to tear the world apart.Echo has already lost her home, her family, and her boyfriend. Now, as the firebird, her path is filled with even greater dangers than the ones she''s already overcome.She knows the Dragon Prince will not fall without a fight.Echo must decide: can she wield the power of her true nature - or will it prove too strong for her, and burn what''s left of her world to the ground? Welcome to the shadow hour.Trade Review[STAR] Sparks fly... Will please fans of Cassandra Clare and Game of Thrones watchers with its remarkable world building; richly developed characters; and themes of family, power, loyalty, and romance... [Book 2] cannot come soon enough! Booklist, Starred, on The Girl at Midnight [STAR] [The] perfect blend of action and amour Kirkus Reviews, Starred, on The Girl at Midnight Sharp drama that leads to a conclusion begging for a sequel The Bulletin on The Girl at Midnight A stunning debut. Equal parts atmosphere and adventure, Melissa Grey's The Girl at Midnight is positively divine Victoria Schwab, author of A Darker Shade of Magic Inventive, gorgeous, and epic -Grey dazzles in her debut Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die on The Girl at Midnight Fast-paced, action-packed, and full of laughs Nerdist.com on The Girl at Midnight Ripe with sarcasm and complicated relationships, an action- and angst-packed installment reminiscent of Buffy and Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisA fantastic series for 5+ readers combining magic and football, by superstar footballer Frank Lampard.Trade ReviewThis book will appeal to young footballers, time travellers and fantasy fans * Carousel *

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Book SynopsisFans of One of Us Is Lying and The Hazel Wood are cordially invited to spend one fateful night surviving an elite private school''s epic masquerade ball in Jen Wilde''s debut thriller, This Is the Way the World Ends.As an autistic scholarship student at the prestigious Webber Academy in New York City, Waverly is used to masking to fit in - in more ways than one. While her classmates are the children of the one percent, Waverly is getting by on tutoring gigs and the generosity of the school''s charming dean. So when her tutoring student and resident ''it girl'' asks Waverly to attend the school''s annual Masquerade disguised as her, Waverly jumps at the chance - especially once she finds out that Ash, the dean''s daughter and her secret ex-girlfriend, will be there.The Masquerade is everything Waverly dreamed of, complete with extravagant gowns, wealthy parents writing checks, and flowing champagne. Most importantly, there''s Ash. All WaverTrade ReviewQuickly grabs your attention and doesn't let go. It's a bold move to set the story over a single night and it pays off in dramatic fashion. Jen Wilde has written a thrilling tale about privilege, power, and the different routes our future may take, depending on who has the controls * Vincent Ralph, New York Times bestselling author of Lock The Doors *Propulsive, unique, and a main character that jumps off the page. I needed to know what happened next * Goldy Moldavsky, author of The Mary Shelley Club *A wild, anxiety-ridden ride through New York's elite prep school scene. Dark academia turns sideways in this compelling, suspenseful, romantic thriller * Wendy Heard, author of She's Too Pretty To Burn *A dark, twisted Cinderella story featuring the most spunky, lovable heroine. You'll finish these pages long before the clock strikes midnight * Julia Lynn Rubin, author of Trouble Girls *Seeing girls and women uplifting, protecting, and loving each other is extremely powerful...deals head on with issues of mental health, body shaming, sexuality, and internet celebrity, handling them with a delicate and skillful touch * Teen Vogue on Queeks of Geek *

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Book SynopsisFrankie and his team love playing football. There''s always time for a game - especially in space!When Frankie and his friends climb into a broken Galaxy Quest ride, the shuttle sends them flying beyond the stars! Can Frankie and his team win a game against aliens, and save their new friends from a meteor? Frankie needs to win like never before!

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Book SynopsisFrankie and his team love playing football. There''s always time for a game. And now that they have their magical football they''re playing against teams they never imagined!While on holiday at a summer camp, Frankie, Charlie, Louise and Max the dog are transported to a prehistoric land of dinosaurs. Can they reunite a baby pterodactyl with its mum, and avoid being eaten by a hungry T-Rex? The friends will need to use all their football skills to get home in one piece!

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Book SynopsisCities will fall, hearts will shatter and a god will rise in the spectacular conclusion to Katy Rose Pool''s Age of Darkness trilogy - a YA fantasy series packed with magic, prophecy and adventure.Praise for the The Age of Darkness:''A successful ending to a brilliant trilogy about human hope and connection'' Kirkus''Masterful . . . Katy Rose Pool is a writer to watch'' Sebastien De Castell, author of Traitor''s Blade''Adventurous relic-hunting, mind-blowing twists, budding love and terrible betrayals feature in this multiple-narrator, character-driven study of power, agency and identity'' Kirkus (starred review)''Unforgettable . . . feels both utterly original and like the best of classic fantasy'' Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand''Katy Rose Pool combines lovable characters, a gorgeously tangible world and an intricate puzzle-box plot to create a storyTrade ReviewA successful ending to a brilliant trilogy -- KIRKUS (starred review)A masterful fantasy debut. Katy Rose Pool is a writer to watch -- Sebastien de Castell on THERE WILL COME A DARKNESSA well-crafted, surprising, and gripping start to a new trilogy -- KIRKUS on THERE WILL COME A DARKNESSA beautiful woven fantasy of prophecy, intrigue and unforgettable characters. There Will Come a Darkness feels both utterly original and like the best of classic fantasy -- Tasha Suri on THERE WILL COME A DARKNESSKaty Rose Pool combines lovable characters, a gorgeously tangible world and an intricate puzzle-box plot to create a story that will pull you inexorably toward the explosive end -- Sarah Holland on THERE WILL COME A DARKNESSPool accomplishes a masterful balance of exposition, action and characterisation . . . full of genuinely surprising and interesting twists that will have readers anxious to get to the last page -- THE BULLETIN on THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS

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Book SynopsisWhizziwig is a small, furry alien who has crash-landed on Earth and ended up on top of Ben''s wardrobe. Once Ben has recovered from the shock of this unexpected arrival he''s delighted to learn that Whizziwig is a ''wish-giver'' able to turn wishes into reality. But it''s not as straightforward as it sounds. The wishes have to be made for someone else, and by accident, so it isn''t long before some very strange, and very funny, things start happening.Trade ReviewA fun light-hearted book bursting with amusing episodes . . . jam-packed with imagination and humour * writeaway.org.uk *Very funny . . . another winning book from this ever-popular author * Teaching & Learning *Full of wild misunderstandings, simple justice, satisfying revenges and real humour . . . Demonstrates [Malorie Blackman's] great versatility as a writer * Carousel *

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Book SynopsisA brilliantly inventive, fabulously illustrated addition to the Far-Flung Adventure series from the award-winning, bestselling author and illustrator team, Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. Set in the same world as Fergus Crane and Corby Flood''s stories, this is the tale of a small boy, Hugo Pepper, and his amazing exploits. Raised in the Frozen North by reindeer herders, his parents eaten by polar bears when he was just a baby, Hugo discovers that the sled they arrived in has a very special compass - one that can be set to ''Home''. And so Hugo arrives in Firefly Square - to discover a group of very special friends, and a dastardly enemy... With three-toed snowmen, a secret buried treasure and a host of fabulous stories, this is a fantastic new tale in this series.Trade ReviewPaul Stewart and Chris Riddell share one of the most dynamic author-illustrator partnerships in children's literature today. The fruits of this truly collaborative process shimmer, shine and truly stand-out from the crowded book shelves in shops, libraries, schools and homes . . . The gentlemen are on fine flying form here, prompting the request, Please Sirs, we want some more . . . * Achuka *Without a doubt this book will absolutely charm young readers who have a fondness for stories with lots of layers . . . Quirky, utterly delightful and captivating -- Marya Jansen-Gruber * Through the Looking Glass *A wildly inventive tale * The Children's Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisCorby Flood and her family are about to set sail on the rather ramshackle cruise ship, the S.S. Euphonia. Her boisterous brothers might not have noticed that anything is wrong, but Corby is highly observant and has a lot of time for note-taking and eavesdropping. Onboard, amongst all the odd passengers and eccentric crew, there is a strange group of men in bowler-hats who call themselves The Brotherhood of Clowns. There''s also a melancholy wailing sound coming from the hold. It''s strictly out of bounds but Corby can''t help investigating. What could be inside the crate she discovers down in the hold? As the ship arrives at its destination, Corby must enlist the help of some very well moustachioed locals to uncover the contents of the crate and the dark secrets of the menacing Clowns...Trade ReviewThe second sparky tale in the series, again embellished by the drawings of Chris Riddell, our latter day Heath Robinson . . . An eagerly awaited sequel -- Christina Hardyment * Independent *Corby Flood is Stewart and Riddell's best book yet. Completely satisfying as an adventure, the new book is full of amusing characterisation and is endlessly playful and inventive -- Michael Thorn * TES *Extremely funny and, of course, brilliantly illustrated by Chris Riddell * The Children's Bookseller *It's difficult to comment when each book from these two, author and artist, sets a standard whereby the outstanding is normal for them! * The School Librarian *

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Book Synopsis''I adore stories in which people have weird dreams, and strange things happen. But that''s in books. Real life is supposed to be real, and I like my world to be solid around me . . . ''Mel is the class bookworm. She prefers books to people and doesn''t want - or need - friends. She certainly doesn''t want to be first-week minder for new girl, Imogen. And Imogen is odd. Slowly, Mel discovers that Imogen has a special talent - a family ''gift'' that Mel thinks is more like a curse. And that''s when she realizes that stories can happen in real life, too. For only she can stop Imogen''s private horror story - stop the bad dreams . . .Trade ReviewA spirited defence of individuality. An enthusiatic advertisement for the delights of reading * Literary Review *A beautifully plotted, well-told mix of fantasy thriller and closely observed school drama * Telegraph *A fast and compelling tale * Independent *

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Book SynopsisFrom #1 bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz comes the heart-pounding follow-up to The Queen''s Assassin, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black.Lilac''s birthright makes her the Queen of Renovia, and a forced marriage made her the Queen of Montrice. But being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the opportunity to be with love of her life, the kingdom''s assassin, Caledon Holt. Worse, Cal is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac''s sovereignty. Now Cal and Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that''s ever saved them. In the riveting conclusion to Melissa De La Cruz''s fantasy duet, love and magic are at war, and victory rests on a knife''s edge.

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Book SynopsisWhen the power-crazy Most Royal of Fire Dragons decides he wants to rule not only his own hot southern kingdom but also the icy wastes of the Snow Dragons'' northern territory, catastrophe occurs. The Fire Dragon ignores the warning from the powerful Book that Twolegs will eventually destroy his kind, and sets out crisping and frazzling the world. Little Tuft, a Twoleg, can''t ignore the warning and enlists the help of the last remaining Snow Dragon in a thrilling and magical quest to save the world from burning up...An entrancing story, lyrically told and gorgeously illustrated, which will be appreciated on a variety of levels by children from pre-school to 8-year-olds and older.Trade ReviewIdeal for reading aloud, this is an epic tale of triumph over evil, presented amidst rolling artwork in which the inspired use of perspective emphasises the enormous task facing the central character, the endearing Twoleg, Little Tuft. Recommended * Scotsman *Vivian French's delightful picture book is a masterful modern fairy tale . . . Young children will be captivated by both the story and the pictures and will delight in having this book read to them again and again * Schoolsnet.com *

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Book SynopsisEven though Thom Creed''s a basketball star, his high school classmates keep their distance. They''ve picked up on something different about Thom. Plus, his father, Hal Creed, was one of the greatest and most beloved superheroes of his time until a catastrophic event left him disfigured and an outcast. The last thing in the world Thom wants is to add to his father''s pain, so he keeps secrets. Like that he has special powers. And he''s been asked to join the League -- the very organization of superheroes that disowned Hal. But joining the League opens up a new world to Thom. There, he connects with a misfit group of aspiring heroes:* Scarlett, who can control fire but not her anger* Typhoid Larry, who can make anyone sick with his touch* Ruth, a wise old woman who can see the futureTogether these unlikely heroes become friends and begin to uncover a plot to kill the superheroes. This groundbreaking and widely acclaimed novel tells an unforgettable story aboutTrade ReviewThe story tackles love, friendship, and the eternal struggle to come to terms with who we really are in a tactful, interesting, and well-developed manner . . . Hero becomes a real page-turner -- Dylan Thomarie * School Library Journal *Moore's writing has the slangy, vernacular, easy read style of teen fiction: it's punchy, fast-flowing and perfectly captures the voice of the narrator * Inis *An original and entertaining take on a classic genre * The Bookseller *Perry Moore brings an enticing new genre to the world of young adult novels -- Maurice SendakWow! This totally original, can't-put-it-down page turner is more than a terrific read, it's an unforgettable experience-not to be missed! -- Stan Lee

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Book SynopsisFullwinter in the weald - a season of almost unsurvivable cold for anyone foolish enough to venture outside. Even wyrmes die, frozen in the icy wasteland, or falling lifeless from the skies as the host heads west to escape the advance of the two-hides: man... Huddled in a winter den, Micah is thankful to cragclimber Eli Halfwinter for providing him and kingirl Thrace with shelter, while Thrace aches to leave and fly through the skies on her whitewyrme once more. But sniffing out their whereabouts, fuelled by the invigorating liquor known as bloodhoney, is a brutal assassin, seeking vengeance. And worse is to come when they stumble upon a bizarre community headed by a charismatic stone prophet - Deephome...Trade ReviewLike the first book in this series, this story combines the hardships and the determination of explorers in a cruel and unyielding land with the breath-taking beauty of a world where fantastic creatures roam free and proud. It skilfully shows several sides to the pioneer myth, particularly when we realise that the wyrmes, considered by the human kith merely as animals to be hunted, have their own language, culture and family loyalties. . . . Fans of fantasy, and of Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell in particular, will love this book, and they will not mind that for full enjoyment, they will need to read the whole trilogy. -- Linda Lawlor

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Book SynopsisFlame-haired Princess Torina knows nothing of battles and conquest until her father, the king of Bellandra, returns home with an orphaned prince from the neighbouring enemy kingdom. The boy prince is offered to Torina as a slave, but she frees him from his bonds and their unusual friendship develops in the years that follow. But Torina faces terrible danger - she has an amazing gift that many would kill for, and when her father is brutally murdered she is forced to flee for her life. An evil usurper takes over her rightful throne, and the kingdom is ruled by cruelty and fear. Can Torina''s gift - to look into the future of others - help her win back what is rightly hers? This is an epic fantasy of extraordinary scope and vision. Its twists and turns will leave readers breathless.Trade ReviewVictoria Hanley is a born storyteller . . . Gripping and absorbing * Sainsbury's Magazine *Deceptive qualities all cleverly combined * School Librarian *Characters are great, the plot is something that's done before, but maybe not for children, who will love it. Great stuff * Gatewaymonthly.com *A great story * Teen Titles *

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Book SynopsisAnne Fine has been an acknowledged top author in the children's book world since her first book was published in the mid 1970s, and has now written more than forty books and won virtually every major award going, including the Carnegie Medal (more than once), the Whitbread Children's Award, the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, the Smarties Prize and others. Anne was appointed the Children's Laureate from 2001-2003.She lives in the North-East.Trade ReviewAnne Fine is right on top form in The Devil Walks, a page-turning sinister tale where the tension mounts to the very end . . . Now read on! A splendid child's introduction to the gothic -- Marilyn Brocklehurst * The Bookseller *A superb and subtle writer . . . a joyful marriage of style and content . . . The Devil Walks is immediately a classic in its own right -- Mal Peet * Guardian *It is a pitch-perfect Gothic thriller * Daily Telegraph *Recommended, but not for a dark and stormy night * Financial Times *Crackling with suspense, The Devil Walks is a dense psychological thriller set in a richly imagined past. Moody and unsettling, it is filled with intrigue and uncertainty to keep the readers guessing until the last page -- Jake Hope * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisWith the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesnÃe(tm)t want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save CallieÃe(tm)s life Ãe' but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter HelenaÃe(tm)s memories, too . . . and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? The thrilling sequel to Starters.Trade ReviewPure, adrenaline-fueled plot . . . Fans of Starters will gobble this up. * Booklist (starred review) *A delightfully disturbing climax . . . [Enders] offers some answers and a solid conclusion that will repay readers. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisMeg Lytton has always known of her dark and powerful gift. Raised a student of the old magick by her Aunt Jane, casting the circle to see visions of the future and concocting spells from herbs and bones has always been as natural to Meg as breathing. But there has never been a more dangerous time to practise the craft, for it is 1554, and the sentence for any woman branded a witch is hanging, or burning at the stake.Sent to the ruined, isolated palace of Woodstock to serve the disgraced Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and half-sister of Queen Mary, Meg discovers her skills are of interest to the outcast princess, who is desperate to know if she will ever claim the throne. But Meg''s existence becomes more dangerous every day, with the constant threat of exposure by the ruthless witchfinder Marcus Dent, and the arrival of a young Spanish priest, Alejandro de Castillo, to whom Meg is irresistibly drawn - despite their very different attitudes to her secret.Thrilling

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Book SynopsisFifteen-year-old Raim lives in a world where you tie a knot for every promise that you make. Break that promise and you are scarred for life, and cast out into the desert.Raim has worn a simple knot around his wrist for as long as he can remember. No one knows where it came from, and which promise of his it symbolises, but he barely thinks about it at all - not since becoming the most promising young fighter ever to train for the elite Yun guard. But on the most important day of his life, when he binds his life to his best friend (and future king) Khareh, the string bursts into flames and sears a dark mark into his skin.Scarred now as an oath-breaker, Raim has two options: run, or be killed.Trade ReviewThe Oathbreaker’s Shadow is a very promising debut in what bodes to be an electrifying duology. * Robin Hobb *Absolutely gripping * Conn Iggulden *The Oathbreaker's Shadow is a rare, rare thing; something new in fantasy. At last we've got a story without all the tropes of elves, ogres and knights but a high adventure inspired by Mongolia.McCulloch's story is rich with life, real, vivid and utterly compelling. * Sarwat Chadda *Exotic lands, cool magic and high adventure - The Oathbreaker's Shadow has it all . . . the most compelling fantasy I've read in years * Jonathan Stroud *

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Book SynopsisTwo brothers, Michael and Stephen MacIntyre, together with their sister Sarah and the local vicar Tom Aubrey, uncover a deadly secret buried near their village. But time is short: can they prevent the awakening of an ancient evil before its powers corrupt them for ever?Trade ReviewJonathan Stroud writes like a seasoned veteran with a voice all his own, and tells a cracking story that races to a strong climax * Daily Telegraph *An atmospheric and gripping debut * The Times *An impressive debut * Observer *A well-written, intensely imagined first novel * Carousel *

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Book SynopsisDarra is an omen of unluck: a thirteenth child. To appease the dark god, Dond, and bring good fortune to her small island community, Darra must be sacrificed at the age of thirteen - by drowning. On the eve of her final birthday, Darra begins to dream of the twin brother she has watched from afar but never met, and dares to hope that she might escape her fate . . . The scouring wind and remorseless waves which beat against Darra''s island world are matched in Pam Smy''s powerful, wild and emotive illustrations. The Ransom of Dond is our final story from Siobhan, and a book to be treasured.Trade ReviewEmbraces the magic of myths, with animal transformations and transporting dreams. Movingly, it is above all about the power of a mother's love and how much anyone facing death would want to live -- Nicolette Jones * Sunday Times *This new title, in its elegance, wisdom and lyricism, provides a poignant coda to Siobhan Dowd's earlier achievements -- Robert Dunbar * The Irish Times *A beautiful, mystical fable for our time . . . The Ransom of Dond is a book to be read aloud or alone. It provides a marvellous opportunity for storytelling and discussion -- Clare Morpurgo * The School Librarian *One of the most attractively produced works of junior fiction -- Robert Dunbar * The Irish Times *A riveting story . . . Raises questions about religion and highlights the dangers of ignorance. But equally, it is a tale of love and family, and their ability to conquer all . . . As a physical thing, it is a beautiful book. From the dustcover to the endpapers, it is a joy to hold * Children's Books Ireland - Inis magazine *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED BRANFORD BOASE AWARDPeople call me Fish Boy. My skin goes up and down like the waves. My mind goes in and out like the sea. They say I've always got my mouth open, that I ask too many questions. But what's wrong with that?Billy''s got a lot on his mind that he''d rather not think or talk about. So he watches David Attenborough, because Sir David''s asked all the questions and got all the answers, and swims in the sea, just letting his mind drift . . .So when new boy and nature fan Patrick Green starts at school with ''fingers like steel, strength of a bear' and a mackerel swims up to Billy''s face, blows bubbles into his Vista Clear mask goggles and says: ''Fish Boy'', Billy knows he can''t keep it secret, because . . . a crazy talking mackerel changes EVERYTHING.Shimmering with almost-magic and adventure, this is an exceptional read.Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by Richard Jones.

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