Many titles have full reviews that can be accessed by clicking on the book covers.
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I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree
Dive into a wonderful collection of poems, riddles, rhymes and limericks that celebrate and explore nature, animals, plants, weather and the seasons. With poems to make you laugh, poems to get your tongue in a twist, poems that make you think, poems to make you question, beautiful poems and more sombre poems. This really is a collection that has something for everyone...
Page Count: 336
Genre: Poetry Themes: Nature, animals, environment, seasons, weather 'a word about books' says..."A wonderfully curated and beautifully presented collection of three-hundred-and-sixty-six individual hugs to the natural world."
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The Incredible Record Smashers
Lucy loves fixing things but the one thing she has not been able to fix is her sad mum. Convinced that a meeting with pop-star Paul Castellini, the judge on new TV show Record Smashers, will solve all of her mum's problems, Lucy sets about coming up with a record-breaking attempt. But record-breaking is much harder than Lucy imagined and planning for happiness...impossible...
Page Count: 336
Genre: Adventure Themes: Friendship, family, growing-up, humour, mental health, depression 'a word about books' says…"Jenny Pearson seamlessly weaves emotional moments into a fast-paced and funny read that had me smiling from start to finish and will help all readers to understand that it is one-hundred percent OK to not feel OK."
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The Incredible Talking Machine
When Professor Faber and his incredible talking machine arrive from Vienna, Tig Rabbit is sure that it could be the act that is needed to save the Manchester Theatre Royale from closure. But when the talking head takes on a life of its own and starts making sinister prophecies, Tig must uncover the mystery of the automaton in order to save those she loves and her theatre home…
Page Count: 288
Genre: Historical, fantasy, mystery Themes: Friendship, magic, the arts 'a word about books' says…"Magical, mysterious and marvellous. The Incredible Talking Machine is a thrilling and spooky supernatural mystery with a five star performance by main protagonist, Tig Rabbit, that is wonderfully directed by the magical hand of Jenni Spangler."
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret
1931. Twelve-year-old orphan Hugo Cabret leads a life of secrecy in a Parisian train station where he is obsessed with restoring an old mechanical man that may reveal a message from his father. When he is caught stealing, his life becomes dramatically intertwined with a toy shop owner and his strange god-daughter that puts his secret life in great danger...
Page Count: 533
Genre: Adventure, fantasy, mystery Themes: Family, friendship, grief, loss 'a word about books' says…"Mysterious, intriguing and filled with the magic and wonder of early cinematic work. There are twists, turns and surprises, and as secrets and truths are shared, everything - like the cogs and gears in Hugo’s life - clicks wonderfully into place."
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The Island at the End of Everything
Welcome to Culion - beautiful, lush and home of the lepers. Ami and her infected mother love the island with its clear blue skies, sparkling oceans and green forests. But the arrival of an evil government official changes everything. Unaffected by the illness, Ami is forced off the island and faces a desperate race against time to return home before her mother takes her last breath...
Page Count: 256
Genre: Historical Themes: Courage, everyday life, friendship, hope, discrimination, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says..."Sometimes the cover of a book demands that it is read and what waits inside is a beautiful and heart-breaking story that highlights the very worst and the very best in people. A read full of adventures, bravery, love, loss and a lot of butterflies."
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Journey to Jo'burg
When Naledi and Tiro’s baby sister, Dineo, becomes gravelly ill the two children feel utterly helpless. They know they must get to their Mma but she works in the big city, Johannesburg, which is over three-hundred kilometres away. With no money and only their steely determination to do everything they can to save Dineo, the siblings set off on a walk along the big, dusty road…
Page Count: 112
Genre: Historical Themes: Everyday life, family, siblings, adventure, political & social issues 'a word about books' says…"Some books deserve to be classed as essential reading and this is definitely one of those. Naidoo tells a brilliant and eye-opening story that explores the horrors of apartheid-era South Africa and the unfairness of a system that favoured white people."
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Julia and the Shark
Julia and her parents are spending the summer on a remote Scottish island. Dad is there to automate the lighthouse and marine biologist mum is on the hunt for the Greenland shark. It should be a summer of new experiences, the thrill of living in a lighthouse and enjoying remote island life. But when mum's obsession to find the elusive shark becomes too much, Julia sets out on the most important adventure of her life to not only find the shark but to save her mum...
Page Count: 224
Genre: Adventure Themes: Everyday life, family, friendship, mental health, animals 'a word about books' says…"A beautifully written story with a wonderful emotional depth. Hargrave’s lyrical prose and de Freston’s exquisite illustrations are the perfect combination."
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Kick
Football-mad Budi has a dream of being a star player for Real Madrid. He dreams of leaving behind the poverty-ridden streets of his island home and escaping the factory in which he sweats making the boots for his heroes. But when a wayward kick of a football puts Budi firmly in the sights of a local tyrant, it’s not just his dreams that are in danger. His life is very much at stake…
Page Count: 304
Genre: Everyday life, adventure Themes: Sport, family, friendship, human rights, personal & social issues, international 'a word about books' says..."An essential read for any boy or girl who dreams of playing football. A necessary lesson for everyone about the realities of football kit manufacturing. A story of hope and friendship and ultimately doing what needs to be done to survive.”
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The Last Bear
April is thrilled when her father is invited to work at a remote Arctic island to monitor the weather patterns. But with her father lost in his work April finds herself exploring her new surroundings alone. That is until she sees something on the horizon. According to her father there are no polar bears on Bear Island so what has April just seen. It couldn't be...could it...
Page Count: 304
Genre: Adventure Themes: Life lesson, animals, friendship, loss, nature, environment, family 'a word about books' says…”A breath-taking adventure of friendship, love and about making sure your voice is heard. If we all roar as loud as Hannah Gold, April and Bear, then even the smallest of us can make the biggest difference. An empowering read."
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The Last Chance Hotel
Seth Seppi is the put-down-up-on kitchen boy at the remote Last Chance Hotel. When a group of magicians arrive for a secret meeting, Seth could do with conjuring some magic of his own to help him complete all his duties. Before the night is out, Dr. Thallomius is poisoned and all the evidence points to Seth. With magic afoot, can he find the killer or does life in prison await...
Page Count: 336
Genre: Mystery, crime Themes: Magic, family, food, feelings 'a word about books' says…”Perfect for amateur sleuths and wanna-be magicians. Nicki Thornton has created an Agatha Christie style murder-mystery and then interwoven her own blend of the best bits of magic from the Harry Potter books."
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A Laura Marlin Mystery: Dead Man's Cove
Eleven-year-old Laura Marlin has spent most of her life in the care of the authorities at Sylvan Meadows Children’s Home but her luck changes when she learns of an uncle that has agreed to take her into his care. She dreams of adventures and doesn't have to wait long as St. Ives and its residents has plenty of secrets and mysteries that are just waiting to be discovered...
Page Count: 208
Genre: Adventure, mystery Themes: Growing-up, adoption, family, seaside, animals 'a word about books' says…"Set in one of my favourite parts of England - the Cornish coast - Dead Man's Cove is a delightful classic mystery with all the traditional traits of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five but with a modern, independent and brilliant twenty-first century heroine.
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The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #1: Malamander
Welcome to Eerie-on-Sea, a town steeped in legend and shrouded in mystery. What happened to Violet Parma’s parents is a mystery. She hopes that S(Herbert) Lemons, Lost-and-Founderer at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, has the answer. When she seeks his help all clues seem to point to the mysterious Malamander. But no-one has ever seen it and those that have never return…
Page Count: 304
Genre: Adventure, mystery Themes: Family, friendship, monsters, legends 'a word about books' says…”A thrilling seaside adventure that moves at pace and is full of tension and with danger lurking at every turn. This is a fantastic fantasy mystery that is both thrilling and creepy in equal measure.”
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The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #2: Gargantis
Winter is looming in Eerie-on-Sea and a storm is brewing. Stories of a fabled creature from the deep are whispered amongst local fisherfolk, the only thing that could bring such a storm to the town is the mighty Gargantis. After an ancient bottle is found washed up on the shore many lay claim to it. But the bottle has secrets of its own and it is up to Herbie to find the rightful owner…
Page Count: 352
Genre: Adventure, mystery Themes: Family, friendship, monsters, legends 'a word about books' says…”Legends, rhymes, a magical sprightning, a ferocious storm and a hooded figure combine in a thrilling sea-side adventure that moves on at pace and is full of tension, suspense and with plot twists that are often chilling.”
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The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #3: Shadowghast
Eerie-on-Sea is readying itself for its traditional Ghastly Night celebrations and with a new troupe of performers in town it could be the most spectacular yet. But no sooner have the performers arrived than people start disappearing. Violet and Herbie are sure it is no coincidence but can they work out the magician’s secret before the Shadowghast unleashes havoc on the town…
Page Count: 352
Genre: Adventure, mystery Themes: Family, friendship, folklore, legends, magic 'a word about books' says…”Taylor delivers all the story elements that make this series such a hit in a devilishly delicious narrative that will leave you never looking at shadow puppet shows in the same light ever again. Just remember to light your manglewick candle before you begin."
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Letters from the Lighthouse
It should’ve been an enjoyable rare night out for Olive, Cliff and Sukie. But before the film had started the the bombs were falling and Sukie had disappeared. Evacuated to Devon for their own safety, Sukie and Cliff are placed with Mr. Ephraim, the local lighthouse keeper. Life on the coast is a far cry from London and Olive is desperate to find out what happened to her sister. The discovery of a coded message links Sukie to Devon but it brings great risks and dangers too...
Page Count: 288
Genre: Historical, adventure, mystery Themes: War, family, home 'a word about books' says…"I love a good war-time story and they don’t come much better than this from the ‘Queen of historical fiction.’ An absolute thriller full of mystery and intrigue."
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The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke
Lonny is a lifeling - a unique individual with the power to bring back life to living things that are on the brink of death. But every life saved shortens his own. Lonny is desperate to see the world outside of his own and to find the memories of his dead mother. But that means venturing outside of the forest and in doing so he may be forced to reveal his closely guarded secret…
Page Count: 272
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Magic, family, friendship, growing-up, grief, loss, love 'a word about books' says…"Kirsty Applebaum’s third book is utterly compelling from first page to last. It is a thought-provoking, enthralling and captivating read that is full of emotion and I say with some confidence that she has written one of the best middle-grade books of 2021."
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Lightfall #1: The Girl & the Galdurian
Dark forces are stirring in Irpa. After Bea's Gramps - Alfirid the Pig Wizard - goes missing, Bea must embark on a brave journey to find him. Accompanied by Cad - a Galdurian - Bea must venture far from home in a race against time to to stop the kingdom being plunged into eternal darkness. But with only hope and a scribbled note about the Seal of the Restless Sleeper from her Gramps, will Bea and Cad be able to find the Pig Wizard before it is too late...
Page Count: 256
Genre: Graphic novel, adventure, fantasy Themes: Magic, family, friendship, monsters 'a word about books' says…"Lightfall is an epic quest through a richly imagined world. If the Girl & the Galdurian is a taste of further things to come then readers are in for an absolute treat."
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Llama Out Loud
Ten year old Yasmin never asked for mayhem in her life but that's exactly what llama Levi has brought. He plays pranks, causes trouble at school and disrupts life at the old people’s home. Despite Yasmin’s best laid plans to rid herself of Levi nothing works and she is swept away by his antics. But perhaps there is method to Levi's madness and he can help Yasmin find her voice...
Page Count: 256
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals, family, friendship, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”Sami is rapidly becoming one of my favourite new authors of hilarious middle-grade fiction. This is laugh-out-loud storytelling about a shy young girl and one very LOUD llama. So grab a glass of ‘llamanade’ and get ready for plenty of llama-drama.”
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The London Eye Mystery
When the unthinkable happens on a family day out, everyone launches into panic mode. But how can somebody go missing from a sealed pod on the London Eye? Kids don’t just disappear do they? Everyone has a theory about what has happened to Salim…has run away, been kidnapped, spontaneously combusted. Ted has some answers, the only problem is no-one wants to listen...
Page Count: 336
Genre: Adventure, mystery Themes: Family, friendship, disability, autism, Aspergers syndrome, everyday life, behavioural issues, social issues, emotions 'a word about books' says…”Dowd delivers a fast-paced thriller around the streets of London that had me on tenterhooks all the way through. It is a very difficult book to put down."
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Look Both Ways
At Latimer Middle School, the bell rings for the end of another day and kids pour out of the front doors and onto the streets to make their journeys home. Amongst the throng of kids the Low Cuts excitedly plan their next hustle, skate-boarding Pia stops for no-one or nothing and Canton anxiously waits for his mother. Ten journeys home, ten different stories to tell…
Page Count: 208
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Growing-up, friendship, school, personal & social issues, relationships, BAME 'a word about books' says…”Witty and clever, poignant and powerful, heart-breaking and humorous; a very unique and original book from an incredibly talented author. Gripping, engrossing and essential reading, this is a walk around the block that is well worth taking."
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The Lost Whale
With his mum struggling with her mental health and hospitalised, Rio finds himself heading to California to stay with a grandmother he barely knows. Ocean Bay is definitely not home and his stay is lonely and frustrating until he meets Marina, a carefree girl who invites him on her dad’s whale watching trips. Seeing White Beak, a grey whale, sparks something inside of Rio and when she vanishes he must venture into the ocean to find the whale that he hopes can save his mum…
Page Count: 320
Genre: Adventure Themes: Animals, nature, environment, family, mental health, illness, oceans, friendship 'a word about books' says..."Environmentally conscious writing at its absolute best; Gold offers rainbow heart-shaped hope in every sense." A remarkable, important and heartfelt tale."
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The Lost Words
Words and nature combine to create magical poems that are an ode to flora, fauna and animals, including Acorns, Kingfishers, Otters and Willows. Words that were once part of a child's vocabulary are disappearing and are in danger of becoming extinct. Can these 'lost words' be found again before it is too late...
Page Count: 128
Genre: Poetry Themes: Animals, nature, environment 'a word about books' says..."Stunning to look at and is possibly the most beautiful book I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The words have definitely been found and we should all guard these incredibly important ones very closely to ensure that they never disappear ever again."
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The Many Worlds of Albie Bright
Albie Bright's parents are scientists and usually have all the answers. But after Albie’s mother dies the answers dry up. Then dad tells him about quantum physics and how his mother may be alive in a parallel universe. Behold the Quantum Banana Theory...with a cardboard box, a banana (that is ever so slightly radioactive), mum’s old laptop and a Geiger counter, Albie sets off to find her…
Page Count: 208
Genre: Science-fiction Themes: Humour, bereavement, family, STEM 'a word about books' says…”What Edge achieves in 191 pages is superb; a heart-felt story of a boy searching for his mum in all corners of the universe, sensitively dealing with grief and loss, and creating a buzz about science. The perfect antidote for any child struggling with loss.”
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Me and the Robbersons
Summer is going nowhere for Maisie. But then she gets kidnapped on the way to grandma's by a family of sweet-loving bandits. Is Maisie scared? No way! This is the adventure that she has been seeking and she is determined to enjoy it. So much in fact that when the police, rival bandits and her parents are closing in, Maisie is not quite ready for everything to come to an end just yet…
Page Count: 224
Genre: Adventure, humour, crime Themes: Family, friendship 'a word about books' says…”Pure enjoyment and escapism and is a read that allows children to live adventurously at a time when the global pandemic has severely limited our own adventures on the roads with sweet-stealing loveable bandits."
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Me, My Dad and the End of Rainbow
When Archie Albright's dad drops some life-changing news, Archie finds his life exploding into a million different pieces. In a desperate attempt to try and piece things back together and find the answers to the questions that are occupying his head he rounds up his friends, Bell and Seb, and they head to London in search of answers that they hope might lie at the end of the rainbow…
Page Count: 352
Genre: Everyday life, adventure Themes: LGBT+, family, friendship, school, feelings, emotions 'a word about books' says…”Benjamin Dean's debut is a wonderful celebration of people, particularly the LGBT+ community. Bursting with more colour than a packet of Skittles, this heart-warming hug of a book is one that many children will find comforting and reassuring."
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