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A Pinch of Magic #3: A Tangle of Spells
Fliss, Betty and Charlie are thrilled to be leaving behind the gloomy island of Crowstone but their new home in the picturesque village of Pendlewick is not all that it appears. Blackbird Cottage is full of mystery and the village is steeped in a dark past with locals living in fear. Powerful magic is bubbling all around and the sisters are very much in danger of falling under a terrible spell...
Page Count: 352
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Magic, friendship, family, bravery, siblings 'a word about books' says…”A Tangle of Spells had me bewitched from the first page, so much so that I read it in one afternoon. It is everything I love about Harrison’s writing - wonderful characters, a village steeped in folklore and witchcraft, and that unbreakable sisterly bond."
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Rick
Changes are aplenty in Rick’s life. He is starting middle school, his sister, Diane, is heading off to university and his dad is talking to him about girls. The one constant in Rick's life is his 'friend' Jeff who is a bit of a jerk and makes fun of everyone, especially the LGBT+ kids. Middle school is presenting new opportunities for Rick and all roads are leading to the Rainbow Room...
Page Count: 240
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Growing-up, LGBT+, bullying, friendship, family, school, identity, feelings, emotions, personal & social issues 'a word about books' says…"Gino’s storytelling is perfect for children who may feel like Rick and are beginning to explore their own identities and feelings."
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Roller Girl
Astrid is excited to sign up for the Roller Derby summer camp but quickly finds herself out of her depth, lost amongst older and more experienced skaters and without her lifelong best friend by her side. In the rough and tumble world of roller derby and surrounded by cool kids, will Astrid be able to skate into new friendships, earn a place on the team and discover who she really is…
Page Count: 240
Genre: Graphic novel Themes: Family, friendship, sport, everyday life, growing-up 'a word about books' says…"Victoria Jamieson's brilliant coming-of-age story is one of my all-time favourite graphic novels. It is perfect reading for children in their later years of primary school who are preparing for high school and all of the changes and challenges that it brings."
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Rooftoppers
Charles Maxim has raised Sophie like his own, ever since rescuing her from a cello case. The authorities believe her mother is dead and want to take her away. Sophie is convinced her mother is alive. With the address of a cello-maker in Paris and with the help of Matteo and his gang of rooftoppers, Sophie races against time to find her mother before it's too late...
Page Count: 288
Genre: Adventure Themes: Family, friendship 'a word about books' says…"Katherine Rundell has opened up the world of the Parisian rooftops in the most wonderful of adventures. A thrilling story that I can read time and time again and a reminder to me that I should, "Never ignore a possible.""
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Room 13
Fliss should be excited about the school visit to the seaside town of Whity but a terrible nightmare on the eve of the trip has her panicked. Strange things are happening at the Crow's Nest Hotel and the room of Fliss's nightmares is all too real and alive. The only way to end things is to enter the numberless door. But what lies inside room 13 will terrify everyone...
Page Count: 160
Genre: Horror Themes: School, friendship, ghosts 'a word about books' says…"This is a heart-hammering, pulse-racing, spine-tingling read that will have readers racing through the pages desperate to find out what will happen next. Are you brave enough to uncover the terrifying truth inside room 13? Read at your own peril…"
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Rumblestar (The Unmapped Chronicles, #1)
Risk-averse Casper Tock is the least likely person to have an adventure but he finds himself thrust into one after accidentally stumbling into the world of Rumblestar. Casper is desperate to return home but first he must embark on an epic adventure with the feisty Utterly Thankless and her pet dragon Arlo to save two worlds from an evil harpy and the dangerous Midnights...
Page Count: 336
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Magic, friendship, courage, bravery, risk-taking, environment 'a word about books' says…"Rumblestar is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe of the 21st century and it fizzes and sparkles with Abi Elphinstone’s wonderful imagination. Adventures like this do not come along every day which is what makes them so special."
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Runaway Robot
After losing his prosthetic limb at the airport, Alfie meets Eric, an extremely polite, rather large and very literal robot. Eric is a bit of a nightmare, causing chaos and destruction wherever he goes and soon attracts the attention of the authorities. Alfie needs to keep Eric safe and hidden away because if the authorities get their hands on him he faces ending up at R-U-Recycling...
Page Count: 288
Genre: Adventure Themes: Humour, science, technology, inclusive, friendship, diversity, BAME, disability 'a word about books' says…”Provides lots of scope for discussion around issues of robots and whether robots and humans can live alongside one another. There are lots of pros and cons to artificial intelligence and this book is a great lead into such a topic for young readers."
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Scritch Scratch
Claire has no interest in ghost stories but when the regular driver of her dad’s ghostly bus tour calls in sick, she finds herself as his reluctant assistant. The tour has almost ended when an extra passenger briefly appears. She tries to forget, then the scratching starts, the number 396 appears and there's the whispering. She is being haunted and needs to find out why before it's too late…
Page Count: 288
Genre: Horror, mystery, historical Themes: Ghosts, international, family, friendship 'a word about books' says…”This is a spine-tingling, heart-hammering, nerve-shredding read and it is a brilliant addition to the middle-grade horror genre. You’ll have bitten off your fingernails by the end of the read but it’ll have been worth it.”
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The Secret Detectives
Recently orphaned Isobel is abroad the S.S. Marianna, heading from India to England to live with her uncle in Yorkshire. When a terrible crime occurs in the middle of the night, Isobel and two other children find themselves as the only witnesses and must join forces to try and bring the killer to justice before the ship docks and the killer has a chance to escape…
Page Count: 336
Genre: Mystery, crime, historical Themes: Friendship, trust, teamwork, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”An intriguing historical mystery set in the nineteenth century from a brand-new voice in children’s middle-grade fiction. This assured debut will hold much appeal to fans of the ever-expanding murder mystery genre for readers aged nine and over."
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The Secret of Platform 13
Every nine years for nine days a magical door under platform 13 at Kings Cross station opens to an island paradise. The last time it opened, the royal baby was kidnapped and now an old wizard, a fey, a hag and a one-eyed giant are going to find the prince and bring him back. But the prince has become a horribly spoilt boy who doesn’t believe in magic and has no intention of going home. Will the rescuers convince the prince to come with them before the door slams shut…
Page Count: 208
Genre: Fantasy, horror Themes: Family, magic 'a word about books' says…"Magic, unusual creatures and an island that can only be reached through a secret door, The Secret of Platform 13 is a delightfully quirky fantasy read."
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The Secret of the Night Train
Max dreams of adventure and is delighted when she boards a train to visit her Great Aunt Elodie in Istanbul. But everything on the train is not as it seems and when the famed Heart Break Diamond goes missing, Max is plunged into a murky world of crime, jewel smuggling and secret agents. In a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse where no-one is as they appear and everyone is playing their own game, can Max uncover the real thief before the train reaches its destination...
Page Count: 304
Genre: Adventure, mystery, crime Themes: International, family, travel 'a word about books' says…”A cracking little mystery with enough red-herrings and twists that make it a challenge to identify the culprit but not so many that it becomes confusing.”
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Secrets of a Sun King
Lil’s grandad falls ill at the same time a cursed parcel appears on his doorstep sent by a famous Egyptologist who has been reported as dead in the morning newspaper. Is the curse of Tutankhamun to blame? There’s only way to find out, a trip to Egypt…
Page Count: 304
Genre: Historical, adventure Themes: Friendship, family 'a word about books' says…"Coming soon..."
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Shadows of Winterspell
For years, Stella has been kept safe from the magic and shadows of the cursed Winterspell forest. She craves a normal life but first she will have to uncover a family secret. For she is tied to the forest and its dark magic in ways far beyond what she knows. It is only she that can free Winterspell from the Shadow King, break a dark curse and return light to the fae community...
Page Count: 320
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Magic, family, home, friendship, bravery, loneliness, loss 'a word about books' says…”Set in a unique world of faeries, imps, centaurs, trolls and sprites, this enchanting fantasy read sparkles with magic and mystery. Just beware of the shadows and don’t forget your fae-light."
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The Shark Caller
Orphaned child Blue Wing is desperate to be a shark caller but instead finds her life turned upside down when American tourist Maple arrives. Full of anger and animosity the two struggle to bond but as they learn more about each other they come to realise that they share much in common and together they might just be able to get what they both want from the island...
Page Count: 368
Genre: Fantasy, adventure Themes: Life, death, grief, loss, bereavement, family, friendship, acceptance 'a word about books' says…”Bethell has the reader in the palm of her hand for the entirety of the read, she builds up to a finale that will take the breath away and then leave you in tears. A profound and deeply moving read and one that will remain in the memory for a long time."
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The Ship of Cloud and Stars
Nico Cloud dreams of being an explorer but her parents are of the firm belief that such things aren’t for girls. When Nico accidentally stows away on a ship she finds herself on the voyage of a lifetime with a famous scientist who is on a quest for new discoveries. Faced with stormy seas and dangerous pirates, can the adventurous Nico sail to victory and prove her parents wrong...
Page Count: 336
Genre: Adventure Themes: Historical, family 'a word about books' says…”I strongly recommend you hop on board the 'Anthos' where knowledgeable stowaways are more than welcome. A beautifully written story full of girl-power and a wonderful desire to change the world. ‘Fossils are the past but seeds are the future.’"
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Shoestring, The Boy Who Walks on Air
Shoestring has left his days of street crime behind and has joined the Troupe of Marvels. He is the star act, performing on his invisible rope high above the ground. The future is looking promising until a cursed pair of white gloves appear. The gloves can bring Shoestring his deepest desires. But the gloves are pulling him towards a terrible end and his life is in danger…
Page Count: 368
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Magic, friendship, family 'a word about books' says…"It is eerie. It is mysterious. It is magic. There are twists, there are turns, there are delightful moments, there are chilling moments. A read that is set to enchant and will capture the imagination of many a young reader.”
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Skellig
Moving house was meant to be exciting for Michael. But his baby sister is ill and the presence of Doctor Death is putting a downer on things. In the crumbling ‘garage’, buried in the darkness, Michael and new friend Mina find a creature that is in need of their help. The creature is no ordinary being and as they nurse it back to health the most magical of things happen…
Page Count: 176
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Family, friendship, growing-up, fear, relationships 'a word about books' says…"Skellig is magical, mysterious and full of intrigue, and the beautiful story-telling will grab the attention of readers both young and old. The story highlights how hope and strength can be found even in the most difficult of times."
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Sky Song
For years, the tribes of Erkenwald lived in harmony beneath the Sky Gods. But one terrible act released dark magic and the Ice Queen now reigns and her quest for eternal life is drawing ever closer. It is up to Eska and Flint to release the kingdom from her icy grasp…
Page Count: 288
Genre: Adventure, fantasy, thriller Themes: Magic, myths, legends, animals, nature, monsters, down’s syndrome 'a word about books' says…"Coming soon..."
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The Somerset Tsunami
1616. Kings James is obsessed with witch hunts and fears of witchcraft are rife. Fortune Sharpe isn’t one for fitting in yet now is not the time to be standing out. After some harmless boat-making fun turns dangerous and Fortune is spotted rowing on the Sabbath, she is sent away for her own protection but finds herself at Barrow Hall with the very people she is trying to avoid…
Page Count: 304
Genre: Historical Themes: Family, personal & social issues, nature 'a word about books' says…”Emma Carroll is the go-to author when you need a fix of middle-grade historical fiction and in The Somerset Tsunami she brings her home county to life in a glorious tale of survival against extreme floods, superstitions and witchcraft.”
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Sticky Pines #1: The Bigwoof Conspiracy
After sneaking out on a dark and stormy night, Lucy found much more than she expected; namely a hairy monster and a thirteen-year-old boy named Milo. Certain that she is getting closer to uncovering the truth behind unexplained disappearances in Sticky Pines, Lucy recruits Milo to help investigate. But there’s more going on in Sticky Pines than anyone could have imagined…
Page Count: 224
Genre: Adventure, mystery, science-fiction Themes: Friendship, monsters 'a word about books' says…”Dashe Roberts' middle-grade debut is of all the best bits of science-fiction rolled into one big, ‘sweet and sticky’ offering. A funny and fast-paced mystery that will enthuse and capture the interest of even the most reluctant readers.”
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The Storm Keeper's Island
When Fionn and Tara Boyle’s mother sends them to the island of Arranmore for the summer to stay with their grandfather they have no idea of the adventures and troubles that await. As Tara catches up with friends, Fionn learns the secrets of the island from his grandfather; the Storm Keeper who protects it from the dark magic buried deep within the ground. With grandfather ageing, it's time for a new Storm Keeper to take control and to tackle the incoming storm...
Page Count: 320
Genre: Adventure Themes: Family, magic, myths, legends, siblings 'a word about books' says…”A thoroughly enjoyable adventure story that will leave you with the desire to go adventuring around rugged islands and exploring hidden caves."
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The Strange Worlds Travel Agency
Twelve-year-old Felicity Hudson is not thrilled to be moving to the village of Little Wyvern. Then she stumbles upon The StrangeWorlds Travel Agency - a place where adventure and new worlds are just a step into a suitcase away. But all is not well in the StrangeWorlds multiverse and Flick is catapulted into the adventure of a lifetime where the future of every world depends on her...
Page Count: 384
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Friendship, family, magic, moving home 'a word about books' says…”Lapinski’s debut is in a world, actually several worlds, of its own. It is magical and marvellous and I thoroughly enjoyed my getaway with The StrangeWorlds Travel Agency. The eccentric Jonathon Mercator makes quite the tour guide."
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Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Portico Reeves, aka Stuntboy, lives in the biggest apartment building on the block and has one goal in life…to ensure those he cares about stay super and safe. Working in secret, he keeps his identity hidden and uses his powers for doing good deeds. But not everything in Portico’s world is all sunshine and rainbows. His parents are fighting like all the time. With an arch-nemesis on his case and ‘The Frets’ invading his thoughts, can Stuntboy find a way to save his family…
Page Count: 272
Genre: Graphic novel Themes: Friendship, family, personal & social issues, everyday life, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”Written with understanding and empathy, Stuntboy will speak to many-a-reader, especially those experiencing anxiety, bullying and parental separation."
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The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates
Freddie and his mates Ben and Charlie should be looking forward to the summer holidays before starting high school. But…Freddie’s Grandma has just died and his dad is on crutches. After finding a note from his Grams with his birth certificate, Freddie decides to go in search of his biological father and of course his two best mates are more than happy to tag along...
Page Count: 224
Genre: Adventure Themes: Friendship, family, growing-up, humour, loss, bereavement 'a word about books' says…”Debut books do not come much better than this. Jenny Pearson makes a big seagull-shaped splash with a laugh-a-minute and feel good adventure story about mates having fun, searching for answers and enjoying the good times of summer."
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The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith
After receiving an unusual coin delivered by a beetle-shaped drone, Kip Bramley journeys to Quicksmiths. He soon finds himself trying to solve riddles and unpick puzzles that were set by a genius four hundred years earlier. And the more riddles he solves the closer he seems to be to danger and the need to be the finder of the Ark of Secrets becomes ever more important…
Page Count: 368
Genre: Science-fiction, fantasty Themes: Friendship, teamwork, resilience 'a word about books' says…”A thrilling race-against-time fantasy read full of excitement, mystery and with danger lurking at every turn. Venturing into the world of Quicksmiths for the first time brought that same buzz and excitement that I felt when I first visited Hogwarts.”
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