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[[Category:Confident Readers|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|Confident Readers]]==Confident readers==__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Morris GleitzmanMax Boucherat|title=GraceThe Last Life of Lori Mills|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=We meet Lori on the first evening she''In s got the beginning there was me and Mum and Dad and the twinshouse to herself – no neighbour to pop in, babysitter poorly, mother at work, just an avidly rule-breaking eleven year old, on her lonesome. And talk about happy families What could possibly go wrong? Snuggled in a blanket fort, we were bountiful. But it came to pass that I started doing sins. And loshe has one main intention, and that's when all our problems began.'' This is exactly how Grace talks because she lives with her family as part of a separatist fundamental Christian sect. She goes to a church school. The school bus driver log on to Voxminer, the world-building, critter-collecting game that is a church Elder because she mustnhit in Lori't talk to or touch an outsider as outsiders are uncleans world. She can But first Lori has a tiny inkling that this stormy night doesn't eat outsider food without purifying it first - find herself entirely on her own, and then she finds something even ice cream must more spooky. For the server she and her bestie and nobody else should be microwavedable to enter shows signs of tampering. She wears When malevolent eyes spark up on her unrulyphone screen, curly hair and her safe place in the game has been doctored – well, where is a bun and woe is upon her when wisps free themselves from her hairpins. girl to turn?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>014133603X</amazonuk>0008666482
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sorrel Anderson|title=The Clumsies Make A Mess of the Big Show|rating=3.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=This is the third book about The Clumsies, two small mice who live in Howard Armitage's office, Kieran Larwood and manage, whatever the situation, to make a mess! A big show is being put on at work, and Howard's boss wants Howard to sing. The Clumsies decide to intervene, in order to help out Howard, and chaos ensues...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007339364</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=David PetersenJoe Todd-Stanton|title=Mouse GuardDungeon Runners: Legends of The Guard|rating=4|genre=Graphic Novels|summary=To start with, I have never heard of Mr Petersen and his Mouse Guard franchise. But I'm often up for an introduction to a fantasy cycle, and I always relish being welcomed to an author by the most esoteric, unusual, quirky and short route. My first entry to the His Dark Materials world was [[Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman|a collector's spin-off]], and I'm just as likely to start the Twilight series, if ever, with the latest brief whimsy. And for those of a similar mind-set, this collection of tales from the pens of guest writers and illustrators, serves as an odd-shaped doorway on to this particular universe.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857681427</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Francesca Simon and Tony Ross|title=Horrid Henry's Thank You LetterHero Trial
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=I'm sure Meet Kit. Like most of us havethe people in his world, at one time or anotherit seems, found ourselves being forced to write he is an avid fan of Dungeon Running – the sport where a huge pile team of thank you letters warrior, mage and healer enter specially prepared, century-old, magical mazes, and race to distant relativesthe exit, perhaps even bothering with the treasure or the big bad and the points they grant you along the way. Unfortunately for gifts that we werenKit, the only thing he't all that excited to receive in s seen of the latest race on the first place! This inn TV equivalent is the predicament that Henry finds himself inone team has been retired, eaten, and rather than knuckle down a new trio of questors is needed. Possibly very unfortunately indeed for Kit, he has taken to get them over the goading from the token bully of his world and done with stumbled into declaring he, of course, procrastinates 'll enter as much as possible before coming up with an ingeniousa team. What chance does this friendless, moneymuscle-making scheme!free-zone have in actually managing that, and how could he possibly hope to succeed?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1444001051</amazonuk>1839945184
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Richmal CromptonJames Sherwood Metts|title=Just WilliamPlanet Storyland|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Whether itThings have been a bit sticky for the Earthlings. AI and automation have been proceeding apace, often replacing jobs they's a trip re paid to do and other tasks that took time to accomplish. Just as they were beginning to get used to all this technological change and starting to the cinemathink of other, babysitting a youngsternew ways to spend time, being a page boy at a weddingalong came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and, or running away from home to take a job below stairsalong with it, all the 11-year old William Brown can always be relied many daily social interactions on to create chaos and havoc wherever he goes. This short story collection (the first of 38 books) is a wonderful introduction to a classic characterwhich they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0330507451</amazonuk>1736128426
}}
|rating=5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=In ZimbabweWill's life is difficult, Nice Will Silver in a multitude of ways. He is bullied because he has 'the wrong shoes', he has lived all her life with her father Nice William Silverthe wrong shoes because his dad can't work and doesn't have enough money for even the most basic of things like food, and his dad can't work because he lost his employer Nice Captain Brownejob at the college, was working a cash-in-hand job on a building site and her friend Nice Simonhad an accident. But when Nice Captain Browne falls Throw into that mix the fact that his mum and dad are separated, and Will's life seems bleak in love with Nasty Cynthia Vincyevery direction. And yet, Nice Will he still has a tiny amount of hope. He is uprooted from her roots good at art, and sent clings to an English boarding schoolthe moments of joy when he is drawing, that feel like a light at the end of a long, run by Nice Miss Blake and her assistant Nasty Mrs Robinsondark tunnel. How will she cope?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0571254314</amazonuk>1398527122
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Elizabeth Beresford1805141872|title=The Wombles at WorkTeacher Who Knew Too Much|author=Rob Keeley
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Bloomsbury ''Seventeen banks and a jeweller’s have re-issued another tranche of the original Womble booksbeen raided. The police are baffled, following the release of the first titles in late 2010. This brings but only Ben knows the total to six available titles for you to have a Wombling good time with. And quite franklytruth – his Maths teacher, what's not to love here? Any story featuring Elisabeth Beresford's environmentally-mindedMiss Judson, charming characters is really a delightsafecracker! With police and her gangster boyfriend Al on their trail, Miss Judson and Ben go on the run. But Al needs them for young and old alikeone last job...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408808366</amazonuk>}}''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Hazel AllanChristopher Edge|title=Bree McCready and the Flame of IrenusBlack Hole Cinema Club
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Bree is back! She Lucas and her best his friendsare all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, Sandy and Honey, are enjoying a place that has the summer holidays until one day Miminickname of 'The Black Hole'. All big movie fans, Honeythey's little sisterre looking forward to lots of exciting films, goes missing. and many, many snacks! The three friends find themselves once more having to search out However, as the oldmovie starts, mysterious book they very quickly realise that fits with the heart locket in order to try to find something about this new film format is very different, and save Mimithey are swept up into an adventure they couldn't even imagine. Back in But as they lurch from one film genre to the mysterious land next, can they figure out what on earth is going on? Will they went ever get back to during the [[Bree McCready and the Half-heart Locket by Hazel Allan|first of Bree's adventures]] the three friends face more challenges than ever beforecinema, and this time Mimi's life hangs in the balance so they must succeed!to their real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1905537174</amazonuk>1839942738
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jonathan StroudAdam Stower|title=The Amulet of SamarkandMurray and Bun
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Murray is supposed to be a humble, tidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the two. But he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and the catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the regular back garden, but into a world of frightening adventure and whiffs. This time round it drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, to be honest, but he's turned up and he'll have to do…
|isbn=0008561249
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=Alex Bell and Tim McDonagh
|title=The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=When you summon Eli is a demon busy lad – by day an apprentice in the last thing you want is for you to lose power over it - for wondrous library we start by visiting with him, and in the shoe to end up on evening a helper at the other footdessert cafe his gran owns and runs. Especially when Eli lives with his lovely gran, too – for there is a generation missing in the demon shifts shape and is currently an eight-legged spiderfamily. That's whatA few short years ago, Eli's happened parents were both lost to young Nathanielthe titular race, having summoned Bartimaeus for a task globe-trotting adventure where all entrants have to navigate the world in the company of vengeancea magical beast. But perhaps it's worst of all This has made the race anathema to the pair – but when you have to rely on a bad incident at the same demon's help eatery leads to protect you a confession from an even greater evil - gran, Eli knows his only hope is to dare to enter what he most hates, with the sole aim the wicked intent prize of a fellow manmagic at the end – the only thing to possibly save his gran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0552563706</amazonuk>0571382231
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Melanie WattHelen Cooper|title=Scaredy Squirrel at NightThe Taming of the Cat
|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Scaredy Squirrel is scared to go to sleep at nightOnce again, mice are pitched against cat. He has In this case, principally, we have Brie the mouse, up against Gorgonzola the cat – and in case you're seeing a connection, they live in a cheese shop and therefore all sorts the names used here seem to be the names of tricks to keep himself awake so that he doesncheeses. Anyway, Brie is shunned, scorned and, if you must, mous-tracised, for the way his habits don't have to face his night-time fearsmatch the other mice he lives with. But his sleeplessness is having a toll They nibble up paper wrapping from the cheese for bedding – he displays it as art and makes stories based on the visuals on his healthit. Can And that story-telling will come in handy one night, when he find a solution feels all alone and cast out. It's almost as if there were another character from fable who had had to tell stories to keep themselves alive. This makes Brie the top dog in the mouse community, though, as all the others had the chance to his problemhalf-inch some cheese while the cat was distracted. But will the story have the successful sequel it needs when that cheese runs out?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846471109</amazonuk>0571376010
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Terry DearyLauren St John|title=Put Out The LightFinding Wonder|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=In 1940Roo's life has become almost impossibly difficult. Her mum died when she was young, Billy and Sally Thomas are living now she finds herself awoken in Sheffield, a city which is well aware the middle of the night by the police banging on her door to tell her that German bombs will almost surely find their her dad has dropped dead on his way there sooner or later. As to the air raid sirens blare out, they help friendly Warden Crane corner shop to make sure the blackout is kept up buy a lottery ticket. - but when they find that people are having money stolen while theyWhen asked what other family she has, she can only name her aunt, Joni, who she knows her dad didn're in the shelterst think very highly of. But she has no one else, they try and so off she goes to solve the crimelive with her unreliable aunt. Meanwhile, in Germany, Manfred and Hansl are determined Things continue to do their bit get worse for the war effort by getting into the bomb factory Roo, as when she and writing an English soldierJoni leave London in Joni's name on a bomb. Then they meet Polish youngster Irena and become quickly embroiled old campervan, it breaks down in a frantic escape attempt. By December, the two sets middle of children will both have been thrust nowhere and then bursts into the thick of the action, and we get a finale that's truly explosive – in more ways than oneflames! Poor Roo!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408130548</amazonuk>0571376169
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sally PrueAdam Baron and Benji Davies|title=Ice MaidenOscar's Lion|rating=53
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Franz isn't popular in the villageWe start incredibly bluntly, with Oscar hoping to have his mother – or father, but mother is more likely – read him his very favourite book a couple of times before he has to be ready for school. It But when he enters his parents's 1939bedroom, and the German boy all he sees is a mahoosive male lion on an extended holiday in England. Unsurprisinglytheir bed, looking sheepish, the local boys donand admitting that he won't appreciate be hungry for another two days. But there are benefits to having a lion around – it can be shown as an enemy in their midstunspoken threat to the bully that ruined a birthday party for Oscar the other month. Franz isn't happy at home either - And it can shapeshift, so he mistrusts his Nazi parents can take it to school and he remembers the rounding up it can get him out of a problem. And it's wonderful to have around the disabledhouse – not limiting his biscuit intake, being much more lax about the gypsies and the Jewsrules, and the smashing glass at nightso on. Lonely OK, Franz spends it can't work a dimmer switch but it can give Oscar a lot of wonderful time on the common, observing the natural world and the wildlife, in all its beauty and cruelty. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192729659</amazonuk>0008596751
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=M T McGuireJudith Eagle|title=K'Barthan Trilogy: Few Are ChosenThe Stolen Songbird
|rating=4
|genre=TeensConfident Readers|summary=The Pan of Hamgee is Caro's mother, a relatively inconspicuous fellow living in the world of K'Barth-famous whistler, the setting of the battle between the overbearing, alien Grongolian settlers has failed to return home from her recent work trip abroad and the fanatic Resistanceis now missing. Her other mother, described aptly by The Pan as being 'The lesserRonnie, but only very slightly lesser is having to go up North to take care of two evilsher sister who is unwell. So who is going to look after Caro? Sent to stay with Gam, possiblysomeone Caro has heard her mother despises, she feels frustrated and confused and worried. All her summer holiday plans of building herself some equipment to practise her gymnastics are brought to a halt whilst she is stuck inside this staid old Victorian lady' Naturallys house, The Pan wants nothing to do along with this political conflict but due to a number of unfortunate cases of wrong placean orphan boy, wrong time and disastrous luckAlbie, he has somehow been drafted who is living there too. But she soon finds herself caught up in a mystery, as the getaway driver she discovers a painting of a group of bank robbersbird hidden away inside her mum's old suitcase, and all across London a fearsome gang called the Snakes are thieving artworks and terrorising people. Is the painting somehow come into possession of a magical thimble with linked to the power gang? And what has happened to allow teleportation, an object greatly desired by K'BarthCaro's despot ruler Lord Vernon.mother? Is she somehow involved in the mystery too?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1907809007</amazonuk>0571363148
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Philip ThreadneedleTania Unsworth|title=The Astronaut's ApprenticeNowhere Island|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Bradley is as normal as any boy could beMeet Gil. He lives on Just twelve, he is so determined to escape the care system – the system that constantly puts him in futureless places that are not homes – and find a farm with his father and grandma and loves all sorts of boy thingshome for himself. But it's at this point that things begin He is en route to get a little bityet another fosterer, wellwhen he jumps into an anonymous car, oddand lets it ride him to his future. His grandpa is an alien and That future seems to be in jeopardy when someone steals his one bag of belongings – but that someone lives with his mother is brother in a camp on an island between the attictwo directions of a motorway, but she's deada place inaccessible and definitely ignored enough to provide for their safety and seclusion. Grandma's not your normal cuddly versionThem, either. She's of the opinion that childbirth is much over-rated, both from the point of view of the mother and the child and she's not above calling her husband a love rat and mute girl also finding a womaniserhome there, albeit so much more successfully. StillOver a few weeks we see if their oddball destinies can combine, even the best of families have their little oddities…or if this is one place where life as we would want it just would not work…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1453843809</amazonuk>1804540080
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alan SnowHelen Peters|title=Ratbridge Chronicles: Worse Things Happen at SeaFriends and Traitors|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Meet England, WW2. Two young girls are new at the Nautical Laundrycountry pile called Stanbrook. A boatOne is Nancy, crewed by piratical rats who weren't wicked enough destined to bring themselves to actual piracybe in service all her life it seems, it's wedged under a bridge in like the town of Ratbridgefemale generations before her. They're trying to lead The other is Sidney, a girl from a humble lifehoity-toity Sussex boarding school that has been removed there away from bomber flight-paths. The girls are chalk and cheese, doing the townand if we hadn's laundry - but when someone sees the scanties displayed for all around to seet guessed that then their behaviour with each other over their first encounters would only prove it so. But something is amiss, and first separately and then in combination they're whisked to court - and fined realise the Lord Evesham must be a piraterum 's treasureun. LuckilyMidnight deliveries are received under cover of secrecy, there might be help at hand - the local miracle medicine man, who's just started curing everyone talk is made of everything meetings with the same gloopGermans, called Black Jollopand not only that, is willing to pay a king's ransom for a boat to take him for new supplieslocal Spitfire factory has been attacked. Or, is there something elseBut surely the girls are wrong, secret and evil behind these weird happeningsthe upper class could never be so underhand?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192719653</amazonuk>1788004647
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=P L TraversJamie Littler|title=Mary Poppins: The Complete CollectionArkspire
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=It Two sisters, Juniper and Elodie, born fifteen minutes apart, are growing to be chalk and cheese. Juniper is coming up for eighty years since ''Mary Poppins'' was first published an eager hunter and trader in Great Britainillicit magic, but it including relics from prior major wars left out in the Badlands. Elodie is still intent on getting closer to power in one of those children's books you will find in every library and bookshop. Almost everyone in the countryreligious districts of Arkspire, young and old, can tell you perhaps even to become the story and describe all child in line to inherit the main characters, and power of the Poppins nameWatcher, along with the carpet bag and closest to a ruler the parrot-headed umbrella, district has become a cultural reference. But to be honest, what most people actually know is and one of the 1960s Disney film: five major victors in said earlier war. Being trained in the original nanny who blew into magic that only five people can use would definitely change the life status of the Banks children is a much darkerwhole family. But in finding something oddly magical, Juniper might just be able to gain some power of her own – for good, or for very, more mysterious being altogether.very bad…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007398557</amazonuk>0241586143
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Rebecca Stead024162343X|title=When You Reach MeStolen History|author=Sathnam Sanghera
|rating=5
|genre=Confident ReadersChildren's Non-Fiction|summary=Miranda has quite I was the bad company other people got into at school. I was disruptive in religious education classes because I disputed the existence of a bit going on in her life'god'. Since her best friend Sal Where was the proof? In history lessons, it was punched on probably worse still. Not too long after the street for no reasonend of WWII, heI didn't so much want to learn about the British army's been distant, shutting Miranda out of his life. This loss leaves Miranda somewhat adriftsuccesses (and occasional failures, but we didn't dwell on those) in what came to be called 'the colonies' as she and Sal have been inseparable since they were at day care togetherwant to dispute what right the army had to be there in the first place. So she strikes up a friendship with Annemarie Looking back, I still believe I was right - but I regret that involves coming between Annemarie and I lacked the maturity to approach 'the stuck-up Juliaproblem' politely. And then Colin joins the group, which adds yet more complications - Miranda likes Colin, but she I wish I'd had Sathnam Sanghera's worried he might like Annemarie''Stolen History''. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849392129</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ulf StarkThiago de Moraes|title=Fruitloops and DipsticksOld Gods New Tricks
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Simone is not happyMeet Trixie. Her mother Forever getting into scrapes, a flaky artist larks and adventures involving flooding the school aircon with fart powder, she could almost be thought a peculiar sartorial bent, has forgotten her daughteryoung goddess of nuisance. But just when she's twelfth birthday and Simone has had to make being told that by her own cakeone-last-chance-giving headteacher, the world changes. And that Suddenly, practically everything electronic stops working – a power-out, even of electric cars, hits not just the town the school's only in but the beginning. They've also had to move away entire planet (apart from school mobile phones, and friends to a house outside town. Hmph. The house belongs to Ingvarall that powers the Internet, Simone's motherjust for our convenience's nerdy and hypochondriac new boyfriendsake). He's a pain. In the confusion of the move, Kilroy Trixie, Simone's beloved dogluckily, realises what has been left behind. Nobody can find himhappened – the ancient Gods have taken the power of power from us. And as if so she begins her epic quest, to gather all this weren't enough, Grandpa has run away the people that can steal it back – namely the characters from myth that have past form in stealing from the care home and turned up at Gods, ie the doorsemi-deities, giants, wearing highhalf-heeled boots gods and not a lot elseso on known as the tricksters. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1877467588</amazonuk>178845295X
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jeff Kinney|title=Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=It's all change for the wimpy kid. He's still as flummoxed by school life, and the social kudos gained by certain second hand textbooks. He's still not sure why he's not getting the attention at home that's now being delivered on his younger brother. He's not certain what to do now his mother's gone back to work and the menfolk have to do the catering and cleaning - but there's nothing odd about that, for none of the males have a clue. So what is changing? Well lots of things - inside and out. Just as he and his friends are gaining muscles, deeper voices and zits, and interest in mixed-sex partying, so the school are segregating the genders, Hannah Gold and showing educational videos you need parental permission to watch. Who is going to guide him through this time in life - especially as he's dumped his best buddy?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141331984</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Robin Price|title=Cleocatra's Kushion (Spartapuss Tales)|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Spartapuss is now a wealthy, elderly, rather overweight cat. He is on his way back to Rome from the land of the Kitons. His son - known as SOS (Son of Spartapuss) keeps sending him messages requesting more money. SOS falls in love with the beautiful Haireena, only to have her taken from him as a gift for the emperor's retired gladiator. SOS is sent to Hades Row, and all that can save him is a ransom payment from his father...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906132070</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Liz KesslerLevi Pinfold|title=A Year Without AutumnFinding Bear
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=It just takes one action[[The Last Bear by Hannah Gold|Last time]], one smallApril had been on Bear Island, apparently insignificant word or deed to change your world forever. You miss a plane lot further north than many people would venture, and it crashes. You change your usual numbers and win the lottery. You miss finding a party because you have ridiculously unexpected but delightful friendship with a spot, and never get to meet your soul-matepolar bear – that she called Bear. For Jenni Back home, things on the domestic and family front are even worse because somehow she ends up a year in the futurebit advanced, but not perfect for her, and so can easily be ignored when word comes through from the damage is done and the fallout is already destroying the safe, happy life she knewislands Bear was last left on.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1842555863</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Sonya Hartnett|title=The Midnight Zoo|rating=5|genre=Teens|summary=It's Eastern Europe during World War II and orphaned Roma brothers Andrej and Tomas are journeying through war For a bear doing very Bear-ravaged countryside carrying a precious y things has been shot and secret bundlewounded. It's an odd kind of journey because they really don't have anywhere to go. They have a great deal Desperate to avoid, however, such as soldiers with rifles, bombs, and villagers who would decry them on sight. As Andrej trudges on, worrying about Tomas, make sure he is thinking it's just another nightOK, just another village she and her father return to the Arctic and hope that in ruins. But he's wrong. The boys stumble across a zoo. The cages are still standingworld of very white and very dangerous things, intact she can find one specific white and dangerous thing – and locked. And that the animals have no food and water. But they are alive. And they friendship can talkcontinue. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>140633149X</amazonuk>0008582017
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ted HughesSimon Fox|title=The Iron ManDeadlock
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=I first read this book many years ago at Primary school, and it hasn't lost any of its charm over Late one night Graham Blake is late back from his shift on the years. At times it feels like science fiction; this strange, enormous metal man who falls off a cliffforce, breaking into pieces and then slowly puts himself back togethersuddenly rings Archie, his hand crawling around looking for his eye, then searching for the rest of his body piece by piece. At other times it feels like some sort of folklore fairytale, with the space-bat-angel-dragon threatening the worlddemanding he fetch something from a secret place, and the people of the world relying join him on the Iron Man's bravery and intelligence in thwarting himrun. I love how poetic the language feelsThey get together, for example as Hughes describes but barely begin to smell the Iron Man falling apart 'His great iron ears fell off and his eyes fell out. His great iron head fell off. All whiff of Southern trains when the separate pieces tumbled, scattered, crashing, bumping, clangingfather is arrested, down leaving Archie on to the rocky beach far below. A few rocks tumbled with him. Then silence.' The language makes it a joy late express to read aloudBrighton, but it also works perfectly as toting a story tin his father was determined to be read alone by keep away from his colleagues, and the bearer of a confident readerwhole heap of questions.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1406324671</amazonuk>1839944420
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Andy StantonCath Howe|title=Mr Gum and the Secret HideoutMy Life on Fire
|rating=5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Mr Gum Ren's family home is out for revengedestroyed in a fire. So often has he tried to get the best of Lamonic BibberShe, the town our heroes live inher parents, and so often he has failedher little brother lose everything. This timeShe doesn't have any of her clothes, howeveror any of her special little knick-knacks from her cupboard, he and now she is well preparedliving at her grandmother's house where they can't touch anything, or do anything, or even eat the foods they normally eat. He has When she goes back to school she discovers that the class are doing a secret hideout (the clue was in the title)special art project, creating boxes of their lives, he has Billy William the Third with him - his accomplice to display things that are important to them and show who's stupid and evil enough to laugh at they are as a person getting their eyebrows burnt off, before realising said person is himself, and he . But Ren has nothing to put in a ready-made supply of stinkybox, rotting meat and animal parts so she finds herself starting to help in his vengeancesteal things. Small things, things that people might not really miss, not when they have so much already. Just But what all this adds up will happen to her if someone finds out what she is well worth the wait in the eighth entry in this expanding series of books.doing?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405253274</amazonuk>1839942835
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Robin PriceRob Keeley|title=I Am Spartapuss|rating=3.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=This is a slightly strange book. It's history, disguised as the diary of a slave-cat in Ancient Rome, and full of groanworthy puns. As I read it, I found myself unsure, at times, whether it was really very clever, or just irritatingly silly. It somehow managed to be both. The blurb on the back describes it as a 'witty Roman romp', which is exactly what it is. It's Ancient Rome - approximately - in a universe where cats rather than humans are in charge. Indeed, humans don't seem to exist at all, although other animals Boy Who Disappeared and some birds feature in the book. There's plenty of romping, and it's certainly witty. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0954657608</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Colin Bateman|title=SOS Adventure: Fire StormOther Stories
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=This book opens Hooray! Bookbag favourite Rob Keeley is back with a breath-taking chase as a young local boy, Joe, flees the bandits who have just murdered his father; they intend return to kill him too so they can take over the land owned by his village. short story format! The plight of the Joe and the villagers, who have Boy Who Disappeared treats us to choose between keeping their land and risking deatheleven new tales, or selling it for a few dollars, continues each as a theme right through the book and provides a nice counterpoint fun to the exploits of Michael and Katya.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340998873</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Ann Turnbull and Sarah Young|title=Greek Myths|rating=5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=One word keeps coming to mind when looking at this book: lavish. Sixteen well-known stories are presented here, in a book positively overflowing with brightly coloured illustrations. Generous use of gold makes the book feel even more special, and the only danger, if you buy it for a child, is that you may not be able to bring yourself to give it awayread as his previous offerings.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1406300837</amazonuk>B0BVW69N1G
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Bob Hartman and JagoLaura Noakes|title=Mr Aesop's Story ShopCosima Unfortunate Steals a Star
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Aesop's fables have been known Meet Number One. Or rather, Cosima Unfortunate. Or rather, just Cos to her friends. The practice in the home she lives in is for centuries all around the worldgirls to just be named by the number they correspond to in the ledger, and here is a new edition where a selection of the fables have been given some new embellishmentsthey're all Unfortunates – young people with disabilities, uncommon mentalities or suchlike that Victorian society frowns greatly upon. Aesop features in But Cosima bears the stories himself, tag as a teller of tales himself with a stall in the market surname because nothing else seems to be known about where peopleshe came from, especially childrenas the first ever inmate, gather to listen and hear himunique in having no known family in the outside world. His stories are often set within During a daring escapade to steal some posh cakes from the context of an understandable situationkitchen one afternoon, making it easier for children she discovers a plan involving said outside world – a devilish Lord Fitzroy seems to want to see parallels between adopt all the animals in the tales girls for his Institute. But why, and what does that body entail? And could it possibly bring Cos closer to the real life action.past she has so little link with?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0745969151</amazonuk>0008579059
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Shirley HughesAlice M Ross|title=The Christmas Eve Ghost|rating=5|genre=For Sharing|summary=Bronwen and Dylan live in the poor part of 1930s Liverpool. Their mam takes in washing to make ends meet, and often has to leave them alone whilst she's pushing the big old pram full of washing to the part of the city where the well-off people live. They're under strict instructions to have nothing to do with their neighbours, the O'Rileys. Then, on Christmas Eve, when they're alone, Bronwen and Dylan hear a plonk, plonk, plonk and are sure it's a ghost...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406320633</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Ruth Wickings and Frances Castle|title=Pop-Up: A Paper Engineering MasterclassNowhere Thief
|rating=4.5
|genre=Children's Non-FictionConfident Readers|summary=With its subtitle of ''A Paper Engineering Masterclass'', you know exactly what you're getting from ''PopAt last there is new stock in the impoverished yet over-Up''full antiques shop Elsbeth and her mother run in a seaside town. You'll see how pop-up books are made Elsbeth knows this because she has stolen it. She also knows she should be free from worries about being found out, learn because she has the tips ability to leave this world, and use an unworldly portal of kaleidoscope colours to enter other worlds, where the trade, sea levels are rising dramatically and the buildings are generally empty of humans and make four elaborate 3D models yourselfripe for plunder. If you're not rushing out With eviction imminent, can Elsbeth nab anything to buy it immediatelyactually generate custom at the shop? Well yes, is the answer, there's something wrong with you!but the fact a mysterious man knows exactly which items come from these different Somewheres only raises more questions…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>140633085X</amazonuk>1839943769
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Faye DurstonNatasha Farrant|title=The Wychwood FairiesRescue of Ravenwood
|rating=5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=There are some books that manage to be something more than a This story and become, instead, an experienceis another excellent adventure from the author of ''Voyage of the Sparrowhawk''. Sometimes they're pop-up storiesRavenwood is an old house, sometimes they're simple lift in the flap books like [[Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell|Dear Zoo]] (which I North of England, where Bea and Raffy have read to my daughter again and again and again!) been living for most of their lives. Then there They are extra special books like The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg whichpart of a complex, if you haven't read yet then you really ought toextended family arrangement, but I have now discovered the delightful Wychwood Fairies which as Bea is another utterly delightful reading experience.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>023071496X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Angela McAllister|title=The Double Life of Cora Parry|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=When the meanthere with her Uncle Leo, controlling woman who Cora has been living and Raffy is there with dieshis mum, Cora thinks she is finally free to live and they are living together as she choosesa family. However, fate is against her and she ends They have grown up abandonedswimming in the cove, aloneroaming through the trees, on completely at one with all of the streets nature around the house and loving every inch of Victorian Londonthe place. Desperate not But now the house is under threat, as Leo is under pressure from his other two brothers to go back sell the property to the workhouse where her mother died she finds herself drawn into the world of Fletch, a street kid who teaches Cora how developer as it's becoming more and more expensive to survive by thieving and confidence tricksmaintain. Although this goes against CoraThe children find themselves worrying not only about where they's conscience she has re going to find a way to survivelive, but if they'll even be together, and as a coping strategy she imagines another persona for herself, Carrie, who carries out all the illegal activities leaving Cora free from guiltif Ravenwood itself will be torn down.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1842556037</amazonuk>0571348785
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Philip CaveneyRobin Birch and Jobe Anderson|title=Sebastian DarkeSecret Beast Club: A Buffalope's TaleThe Unicorns of Silver Street
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Don't be too worried by what is said on the front cover: this book may purport to be buffalope MaxJayden's life story in his own miserable words, but it nose is, forever in facta book, which means he knows a warm lot about mythological creatures – the phoenixes and funny tale. Max is a larger-than-life character in every sense unicorns of the word: a brilliant thinker and a gifted linguistworld, he is quickly able to pick up the human tonguefor example. And he Aisha is always ready addicted to give his opinion or a piece her new tablet, where she can see videos of advice — whether it's wanted or notanything that might be out there.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184624563X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Georgie Adams|title= The Railway Rabbits: Wisher and the Runaway Piglet|rating=4.5|genre=For Sharing|summary=Wisher and the Runaway Piglet problem, as their mothers see it, is the first book in a charming series about the Railway Rabbits. The little family of rabbits that they are delightful creatures who enjoy life and never 'out there' themselves, exploring the big wide outside world. Lots of dangers lurkHackney, but they always seem to come through unscathedLondon. However, But when they hear rumours of a fierce dog chasing narrowboat turns up carrying a science-minded, educational purpose, and with a runaway pigpast involving Jayden's cousin, even they are find a little dauntedmagical world they never knew existed. All except Wisher that is For many of those mythological creatures are real, who feels including the need to go and warn her friend Violet Voleone Aisha thinks she's seen on a bit of local footage. Along The crew of the way she is almost trapped by boat, including a living gargoyle, are tasked with saving the buzzard rare critters – and trampled over by the Red Dragonkids unknowingly have the magical sight needed to join in. Somehow though Dare they side with Leila, she escapes major disaster and even manages to save the day. Maybe such narrow escapes woman on board, and her parents' obvious relief on her return may lead her to be more cautious relative who lives as a figure in a painting, and become saviours of the future but that remains to be seen. Somehow, I doubt it!unseen?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1444001566</amazonuk>0241573483
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=L J SmithB09XWSXSKY|title=The Night of Maestro Orpheus and the Solstice: Heart of ValourWorld Clock|author=Robert Penee and Joanne Grodzinski
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Frederick (or Fred, but never Freddy, please) couldn'Heart of Valour' is t sleep. A tune, rather like the sequel to [[The Night ticking of the Solstice by L J Smith|The Night of the Solstice]], where Alys, Janie, Charles and Claudia discover a strange, enchanting clock was playing over and terrifying worldover in his mind. The Guardian of the mirror-gate between the worlds, Morgana Shee, had been imprisoned by the evil Cadel Forge, and the siblings were called It happened every time he came to rescue hervisit his grandfather. He hadn'Heart of Valour' picks up the story a year later. Morgana has t really wanted to leave the children to cope alone as she travels north to battle her arch-rival Thia Pendrielcome; after all, but dangers nearer home send them off on a quest he's ten now and all those old clocks don't appeal to find herhim anymore.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857070525</amazonuk>}}
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=John FosterNigel Baines|title=See You Later, EscalatorA Tricky Kind of Magic
|rating=4.5
|genre=Children's Rhymes and VerseEmerging Readers|summary=Always Cooper loves to perform magic tricks. His father was a sucker for a good poetry anthology here at Bookbagmagician, and named Cooper after the great Tommy Cooper. But sadly Cooper's father died suddenly, weand now Cooper doesn've enjoyed two previous collections from John Fostert quite know who to be, or how to be. And when his dad's prop rabbit starts talking to him, he ''really'See You Later, Escalator'doesn't know what' continues in the same vein, with poems from the likes of Tony Mitton, Michael Rosen, Michelle Magorian and Brian Patten.s going on anymore!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192731831</amazonuk>1444960261
}}
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