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[[Category:New Reviews|Confident Readers]]==Confident readers==__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Penny DolanMax Boucherat|title=A Boy Called M.O.U.S.EThe Last Life of Lori Mills

|summary=There seem We meet Lori on the first evening she's got the house to herself – no neighbour to be a lot of Victorian adventures around pop in, babysitter poorly, mother at the moment: the combination of neglectwork, poverty and fiercelyjust an avidly rule-protected social divisions typical of the age allows evil breaking eleven year old, on her lonesome. What could possibly go wrong? Snuggled in a blanket fort, she has one main intention, and greed that is to log on to flourishVoxminer, the world-building, and creates wonderful situations for adventurecritter-collecting game that is a hit in Lori's world. And But first Lori has a tiny inkling that this book is an excellent example of the genrestormy night doesn't find herself entirely on her own, with its wide range of characters both good and bad, then she finds something even more spooky. For the server she and its child hero who must suffer her bestie and struggle as he travels through a multitude nobody else should be able to enter shows signs of colourful settings before reaching his goaltampering. When malevolent eyes spark up on her phone screen, and her safe place in the game has been doctored – well, where is a girl to turn?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408801388</amazonuk>0008666482

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Simon Cheshire|title=Saxby Smart: Private Detective: The Secrets of the Skull|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Saxby Smart solves mysteries brought to his office in the garden shed by friends Kieran Larwood and neighbours. So far so good, but nothing really new. What is so attractive about this series of stories is the fact that it is the reader who acts as Saxby's side-kick, playing the role of soundingJoe Todd-board for the young detective. Add to this exciting, complex plots and a protagonist who is warm and funny and you have a winning formula.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848120559</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Daren King and David RobertsStanton|title=Frightfully Friendly GhostiesDungeon Runners: Ghostly Holler-dayHero Trial

|summary=After scaring all Meet Kit. Like most of the still-alives from their house we're back with the frightfully friendly ghosties whopeople in his world, since it's winterseems, have decided that they need he is an avid fan of Dungeon Running – the sport where a hollerteam of warrior, mage and healer enter specially prepared, century-day. After an argument over their destination (will it be Frighten-on-Sea old, magical mazes, and race to the exit, perhaps bothering with the treasure or Scare-borough?) the big bad and the points they receive a postcard from their friend, Headless Lesliegrant you along the way. He Unfortunately for Kit, the only thing he's seen of the latest race on the inn TV equivalent is in Frighten that one team has been retired, eaten, and has forgotten how to get back home! a new trio of questors is needed. SoPossibly very unfortunately indeed for Kit, off they go he has taken to Frighten to enjoy the delights goading from the token bully of his world and stumbled into declaring he'll enter as a haunted pier and fun fair team. What chance does this friendless, muscle-free-zone have in actually managing that, and how could he possibly hope to try and rescue Headless Leslie from whatever trouble he has landed himself in.succeed?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857380451</amazonuk>1839945184

 {{newreview|author=Nadia Aguiar|title=Secrets of Tamarind|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=The Island of Tamarind is once again under threat, from the evils of the Red Coral. Once more Simon and his sisters Maya and Penny (but mostly Simon) must save the island that only they can reach, as it lies in some exotic Bermuda Triangle. For a second book running they must breach the barriers, solve mysteries surrounding their native friend Helix's legacy, and the native magical element ophalla, and put the island to rights.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141384336</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Francesca Simon and Tony RossJames Sherwood Metts|title=Horrid Henry RocksPlanet Storyland

|summary=''Horrid Henry Rocks'' brings us four more stories from Things have been a bit sticky for the delightfully horrid little boyEarthlings. AI and automation have been proceeding apace, Henryoften replacing jobs they're paid to do and other tasks that took time to accomplish. Here we see him battle with his sappy little brother PeterJust as they were beginning to get used to all this technological change and starting to think of other, sabotage his neighbournew ways to spend time, Moody Margaret'salong came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and, sleepoveralong with it, write his autobiography and finally he's evicted by security from all the Dancing Daisies children's stage show where he stands many daily social interactions on stage singing songs by The Killer Boy Rats!which they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1842551345</amazonuk>1736128426

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=John BoyneTom Percival|title=Noah Barleywater Runs AwayThe Wrong Shoes|rating=4.5

|summary=Noah Barleywater gets up very early one morningWill's life is difficult, in a multitude of ways. Heis bullied because he has 'the wrong shoes', he has the wrong shoes because his dad can't work and doesn's eight years old t have enough money for even the most basic of things like food, and his dad can't work because helost his job at the college, was working a cash-in-hand job on a building site and had an accident. Throw into that mix the fact that his mum and dad are separated, and Will's decided to leave home life seems bleak in search of adventureevery direction. Off And yet, he goes through the forest and villages until he sees still has a marvellous treetiny amount of hope. As he gazes He is good at itart, and clings to the moments of joy when he meets is drawing, that feel like a friendly dachshund and light at the end of a (very) hungry donkey who tell him all about the toyshop behind the marvellous tree. And so Noah opens the door and goes inlong, dark tunnel. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0385618956</amazonuk>1398527122

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Chris Priestley1805141872|title=The Dead of WinterTeacher Who Knew Too Much|author=Rob Keeley

|summary=Michael Vyner's father died when Michael was just 'Seventeen banks and a babyjeweller’s have been raided. He was a heroThe police are baffled, sacrificing himself to save the life of Sir Stephen Clarendon whilst fighting for but only Ben knows the British Empire in Afghanistan. This was precious little comfort to Michael and truth – his motherMaths teacher, who resented the rich man's largesse over the yearsMiss Judson, wishing for the man they lost is really a safecracker! With police and not the charity of the man he saved. Soher gangster boyfriend Al on their trail, when Michael's mother dies too Miss Judson and he finds himself all alone in Ben go on the world, he is not entirely overjoyed to discover that Sir Stephen is now his guardian and has invited him to spend Christmas at Hawton Mererun. But Al needs them for one last job... |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408800136</amazonuk>}}''

{{newreview|author=Natasha Narayan|title=The Book of Bones: A Kit Salter Adventure|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=I thoroughly enjoyed Kit Salter's previous two adventuresGoodness me, [[The Mummy Snatcher of Memphis: A Kit Salter Adventure by Natasha Narayan|The Mummy Snatcher of Memphis]] and [[The Maharajah's Monkey: A Kit Salter Adventure by Natasha Narayan|The Maharajah's Monkey]], so I was looking forward that Miss Judson is a terror! How on earth did a nice teacher like her manage to her latest outing. Here in get mixed up with a bad 'un like Al? We'The Book of Bones'' I read anxiously as Kit and her friends were kidnapped by their arch enemies, The Baker Brothersll find out. The Baker Brothers tell them that one of the friends has been poisonedLuckily for Miss Judson, but not which one, and the only way to save themselves pupil who discovers her terrible secret is if they undertake a dangerous journey to China in search of an ancient book about martial artsBen, the Book son of Bones. En route the children do battle with pirates, doctors of phrenology a famous magician who has ambitions to be as well good as the Emperor's army. Will they discover which of them has been poisonedhis father some day, or find the magical book, before it's too late...?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849162417</amazonuk>and who thinks Miss Judson is worth saving

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Pippa FunnellChristopher Edge|title=Tilly's Pony Tails: Parkview Pickle, the Naughty Show PonyBlack Hole Cinema Club

|summary=Here Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at Bookbag Towers we first met Tilly Redbrow in [[Tillytheir local cinema, a place that has the nickname of 'The Black Hole's Pony Tails: Neptune the Heroic Horse by Pippa Funnell|Neptune the Heroic Horse]]. TillyAll big movie fans, they's back home from her holiday in Cornwall re looking forward to lots of exciting films, and back at the Silver Shoe Riding Stables as often as she can be – which is before schoolmany, after school and every minute she can be at weekends and in the holidays. many snacks! There's a lot of excitement at However, as the stables when movie starts, they find out very quickly realise that a something about this new show pony film format is moving in. Parkview Pickle is a real beautyvery different, although perhaps a little bit on the plump side and with a rather nervous rider and the ultimate pushy parent.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444000837</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=David Whitley|title=The Children of the Lost|rating=3.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Mark and Lily have left Agora and they have no idea what to expect from the land beyond the city walls. They have been brought are swept up within a rigid system based on barter in a city where everything can be traded: goods, services, people, into an adventure they couldn't even emotions are up for saleimagine. They have also been taught that outside But as they lurch from one film genre to the city walls next, can they figure out what on earth is a wilderness, with no civilised life. going on? Do bear in mind here that their idea of civilisation is Agora…They are ill equipped Will they ever get back to survivethe cinema, and immediately make things worse by arguing with one another. Mark is furious with Lily for her part in to their banishment and his actions lead to Lily being placed in great danger.real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141330120</amazonuk>1839942738

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Aesop, Fiona Waters and Fulvio TestaAdam Stower|title=Aesop's FablesMurray and Bun

|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Everyone knows Murray is supposed to be a humble, tidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and loves eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the two. But he''Aesops a bad magician's Fables''. They're part of our literary tapestry and our everyday lives. We know sour grapescat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, we know [[Tortoise vs. Hare - The Rematch! by Preston Rutt and Ben Redlich|the tortoise and catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the hare]]regular back garden, the boy who cried wolf but into a world of frightening adventure and so many more. Fiona Waters has retold 60 of the most famous fables in this delightful anthologywhiffs. 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…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1849390495</amazonuk>0008561249

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sara StarbuckAlex Bell and Tim McDonagh|title=Dread Pirate Fleur and the Hangman's NooseThe Glorious Race of Magical Beasts

|summary=When Eli is a mysterious young girl busy lad – by day an apprentice in a barrel is fished from the sea wondrous library we start by visiting with him, and rescued by in the pirate ship belonging to Fleur's uncle William, it seems bad news might be on evening a helper at the waydessert cafe his gran owns and runs. The girl turns out to have psychic abilities - and they're just about to hit landfall at SalemEli lives with his lovely gran, right too – for there is a generation missing in time for the witch-hunts. But worse is to comefamily. William gets captured thereA few short years ago, and someone Fleur thought long dead starts Eli's parents were both lost to take his place on board instead. Fleur then has to skipper the craft herselftitular race, on a rescue mission, globe-trotting adventure where all entrants have to navigate the world in the company of a very tense domestic situationmagical beast. That's hard enough This has made the race anathema to the pair – but when you're a mere teenaged girlbad incident at the eatery leads to a confession from gran, against ruffians and piratesEli knows his only hope is to dare to enter what he most hates, but when with the sole aim the ship has secrets prize of her own magic at the end – the only thing to be revealed..possibly save his gran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1862307296</amazonuk>0571382231

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Rupert KingfisherHelen Cooper|title=Madame Pamplemousse and The Taming of the Enchanted Sweet ShopCat|rating=43.5

|summary=This is not a stereotypical fantasyOnce again, mice are pitched against cat. Madeleine In this case, principally, we have Brie the mouse, up against Gorgonzola the heroinecat – and in case you're seeing a connection, is not required to find mystical items or defeat evil beings they live in order a cheese shop and therefore all the names used here seem to save be the worldnames of cheeses. And although she lives in a world where magic exists Anyway, she does not have any other-worldly powers herself. She Brie is quite simplyshunned, despite her young agescorned and, an extremely good cook. Mind if youmust, mous-tracised, this quaint little book is set in for the centre of Paris, so to be gifted in way his habits don''la gastronomie'' probably does count t match the other mice he lives with. They nibble up paper wrapping from the cheese for bedding – he displays it as magic art and makes stories based on the visuals on it. And that story- the French see these things differentlytelling will come in handy one night, after when he feels all. No, she is just a little girl who is bullied at school by someone who seems determined to humiliate alone and hurt her by preying on her natural shynesscast out. The bullying is skilfully done, by emphasising MadeleineIt's gift for creating wonderful meals and turning it into a reason almost as if there were another character from fable who had had to tell stories to pity herkeep themselves alive. Fortunately for our heroine This makes Brie the top dog in the mouse community, she is noticed crying in Notre-Dame Cathedralthough, and is comforted by a kindly sweetas all the others had the chance to half-shop owner, Madame Bonboninch some cheese while the cat was distracted. But is this woman really so kind? And doesn't Madeleine know she shouldn't take sweets from strangerswill the story have the successful sequel it needs when that cheese runs out?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408805057</amazonuk>0571376010

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Holly WebbLauren St John|title=Rose and the Magician's MaskFinding Wonder

|summary=The cover Roo's life has become almost impossibly difficult. Her mum died when she was young, and now she finds herself awoken in the middle of this book the night by the police banging on her door to tell her that her dad has lots of pretty gold stars and dropped dead on his way to the corner shop to buy a girl with a cute round facelottery ticket. When asked what other family she has, she can only name her aunt, Joni, but donwho she knows her dad didn't be fooled: while young girls will love all the magic and adventure, there is a fair amount think very highly of darkness in this third book in the Rose series. A magical mask But she has been stolen by an evil magicianno one else, and if he wears it in Venice, on the first Sunday of the New Year, he will gain enormous powerso off she goes to live with her unreliable aunt. Needless Things continue to sayget worse for Roo, Rose as when she and Joni leave London in Joni's old campervan, it breaks down in the other members middle of the household set off to prevent this.nowhere and then bursts into flames! Poor Roo!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>140830449X</amazonuk>0571376169

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=L J SmithAdam Baron and Benji Davies|title=The Night of the SolsticeOscar's Lion|rating=3.5

|summary=Claudia knew she wasn't really supposed We start incredibly bluntly, with Oscar hoping to follow the fox - not on her ownhave his mother – or father, but mother is more likely – read him his very favourite book a couple of times before he has to the old, forbidden house on the hillbe ready for school. But she did. And it will change everything. The fox when he enters his parents' bedroom, all he sees is the familiar of Morgana Sheea mahoosive male lion on their bed, looking sheepish, powerful sorceress and only guardian of the passageway to admitting that he won't be hungry for another universe, Wildworldtwo days. But Morgana has gone missing and she must there are benefits to having a lion around – it can be found before shown as an unspoken threat to the solstice, bully that ruined a birthday party for then Oscar the gateway will be open to allother month. And it can shapeshift, including Cadal Forge, an evil magician dedicated so he can take it to conquering Earthschool and it can get him out of a problem. Claudia And it's wonderful to have around the house – not limiting his biscuit intake, and her siblings, Charlesbeing much more lax about the rules, Jane and leader Alys, must find herso on. And find her quickly OK, for everything hangs in the balance on the night of the Winter Solsticeit can't work a dimmer switch but it can give Oscar a wonderful time.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857070509</amazonuk>0008596751

 {{newreview|author=Cathy Cassidy|title=Cherry Crush: The Chocolate Box Girls|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=When Cherry Costello told her teachers that she was leaving Glasgow and moving to live in a cliff-top house in Somerset where her father would make organic chocolates everyone thought that it was just another of her tall tales. But this one was true. Not only was Cherry moving to Somerset the Costellos, father and daughter, were going to live with his girlfriend and her four daughters. From it just being the two of them there would be seven altogether. How will Cherry cope? And how will the Tanberry family cope with two new members?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141384794</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Kelly McKain|title=Half a Sister|rating=4|genre=Teens|summary=When Hannah's parents begin to have whispered, but obviously heated discussions about something her immediate thought is that they're splitting up. There's quite a bit of that at school and Hannah would hate it to happen to her. But when it all comes out the reality is rather different. Sam has just discovered that he has a fifteen year old daughter living in Paris and that her mother has been in a serious car accident. Sam sees no alternative but to bring Ellie to live with them, but Charlotte is worried about how this will affect their daughter. When it's put to Hannah she has visions of long girly chats and swopping clothes and makeup and agrees without further thought. To begin with it's everything she hoped it would be but then a darker side of Ellie emerges and life turns into a nightmare for Hannah.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0746091249</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jenny NimmoJudith Eagle|title=The Witch's TearsStolen Songbird

|summary=Theo and DodieCaro's cat mother, a world-famous whistler, has failed to return home from her recent work trip abroad and is now missing. Her other mother, it's snowingRonnie, their clock-mender dad is awayhaving to go up North to take care of her sister who is unwell. So who is going to look after Caro? Sent to stay with Gam, someone Caro has heard her mother despises, she feels frustrated and confused and Mr Oak from the village has warned Theo all about witchesworried. It 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's almost impossible to detect a witchhouse, y'knowalong with an orphan boy, but if by some small miracle you can get them to cryAlbie, their tears turn to crystalwho is living there too. When Mrs Scarum turns But she soon finds herself caught up at Theo and Dodiein a mystery, as she discovers a painting of a bird hidden away inside her mum's houseold suitcase, Theo is incredibly wary..and all across London a fearsome gang called the Snakes are thieving artworks and terrorising people. Is the painting somehow linked to the gang? And what has happened to Caro's mother? Is she somehow involved in the mystery too?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007364717</amazonuk>0571363148

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jenny ValentineTania Unsworth|title=Iggy and Me On HolidayNowhere Island

|summary=We've already met Iggy Meet Gil. 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 Flo [[Iggy find a home for himself. He is en route to yet another fosterer, when he jumps into an anonymous car, and Me by Jenny Valentine|twice]] [[Iggy and Me and the Happy Birthday by Jenny Valentine|before]]lets it ride him to his future. They're back again, That future seems to be in jeopardy when someone steals his one bag of belongings – but that someone lives with their tales his brother in a camp on an island between the two directions of daily lifea motorway, a place inaccessible and this time the short stories cover definitely ignored enough to provide for their summer holidayssafety and seclusion. We've been massive fans of the ''Iggy Them, and Me'' books from day onea mute girl also finding a home there, and will continue to be albeit somuch more successfully. They're super! Over a few weeks we see if their oddball destinies can combine, or if this is one place where life as we would want it just would not work…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007283652</amazonuk>1804540080

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ellen RennerHelen Peters|title=City of ThievesFriends and Traitors|rating=53

|summary=There's nothing better than an adventure story where the thrills and shocks just keep on comingEngland, where you sneak a look WW2. Two young girls are new at the number of pages left and think nothing more can country pile called Stanbrook. One is Nancy, destined to be piled on in service all her life it seems, like the unfortunate heroesfemale generations before her. The other is Sidney, only to see them hit again a girl from a hoity-toity Sussex boarding school that has been removed there away from bomber flight- paths. The girls are chalk and cheese, and if we hadn't guessed that then again! - their behaviour with shocks each other over their first encounters would only prove it so. But something is amiss, and reversals of fortunefirst separately and then in combination they realise the Lord Evesham must be a rum 'un. At the beginning Midnight deliveries are received under cover of this gripping Gothic tale twelve-year-old Charlie has found her long-lost mothersecrecy, and talk is about to be crowned Queen Charlotte made of Quale; her dear friend meetings with Germans, and playmate Tobias is still in shock from the revelation not only that his father is the traitor who plotted to betray their country, a local Spitfire factory has been attacked. The villain, who also killed Charlie's father But surely the Kinggirls are wrong, is about to be hanged for his crimes and the two young people feel once he is dead they will upper class could never be able to get on with their lives. But mere hours before he is due to die, the devious and complex Windlass escapes from his prison cell . . . so underhand?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408304465</amazonuk>1788004647

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alan MacDonaldJamie Littler|title=Arrrrgh! Slimosaur!Arkspire|rating=3.54

|summary=Iggy the Urk wants to spend his days playing boulderball with his friendsTwo sisters, Juniper and trying Elodie, born fifteen minutes apart, are growing to get one over on his nemesis Snarkbe chalk and cheese. Juniper is an eager hunter and trader in illicit magic, including relics from prior major wars left out in the Badlands. His dad takes him hunting - Iggy Elodie is desperate intent on getting closer to bag a woolly mammoth or snaggle-toothed tiger. When they come across huge tracks and an power in one of the religious districts of Arkspire, perhaps even bigger pooto become the child in line to inherit the power of the Watcher, his dad worriesthe closest to a ruler the district has, and Iggy's Grumma warns him about one of the scary slimosaur five major victors in said earlier war. Being trained in the magic that's out thereonly five people can use would definitely change the status of the whole family. Life But in finding something oddly magical, Juniper might just be able to gain some power of her own – for a caveboy isn't easy.good, or for very, very bad…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408803356</amazonuk>0241586143

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Calcutt024162343X|title=The Map of MarvelsStolen History|author=Sathnam Sanghera|rating=2.5|genre=Confident ReadersChildren's Non-Fiction|summary=Connor is trying to draw 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 map for a school project but can't find any inspiration until an old book drops on god'. Where was the floorproof? In history lessons, it was probably worse still. Opening it Not too long after the end of WWII, I didn't so much want to find a maplearn about the British army's successes (and occasional failures, he gets inspired and starts work but we didn't dwell on his project. Hethose) in what came to be called 'the colonies's drawn as want to dispute what right the army had to putting a tower be there in which he feels will complete itthe first place. Looking back, and gets upset with his younger sister Alice when she scribbles itout after claiming she's seen a nasty face in it I still believe I was right - so he retaliates by kicking down her tower but I regret that sheI lacked the maturity to approach 'the problem' politely. I wish I'd made of stuff from her toyboxhad Sathnam Sanghera's ''Stolen History''. As he does so, he finds himself transported onto the ship of Sindbad, King of the Pirates, and his daughter.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0192729675</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Katie DaviesThiago de Moraes|title=The Great Rabbit RescueOld Gods New Tricks

|summary=Joe-Down-The-Road has Meet Trixie. Forever getting into scrapes, larks and adventures involving flooding the school aircon with fart powder, she could almost be thought a new love in his lifeyoung goddess of nuisance. ItBut just when she's his new pet rabbitbeing told that by her one-last-chance-giving headteacher, a replacement for the old one that died of frightworld changes. As Suddenly, practically everything electronic stops working – a result he keeps it guarded day power-out, even of electric cars, hits not just the town the school's in but the entire planet (apart from mobile phones, and nightall that powers the Internet, water-pistolling anything that might or might not be a threat to its safetyjust for our convenience's sake). But when he leaves home to live with his dadTrixie, luckily, realises what becomes has happened – the ancient Gods have taken the power of power from us. And so she begins her epic quest, to gather all the rabbit? What if people that can steal it isn't back – namely the characters from myth that have past form in stealing from the Gods, ie the right move for Joe semi- or the rabbit deities, giants, half- gods and they need to be reunited? Only Anna and friends can possibly helpso on known as the tricksters.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847385966</amazonuk>178845295X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Michelle LovricHannah Gold and Levi Pinfold|title=The Mourning EmporiumFinding Bear|rating=4.5

|summary=Two years ago in 1898[[The Last Bear by Hannah Gold|Last time]], TeodoraApril had been on Bear Island, the Undrowned Child of prophecya lot further north than many people would venture, saved Venice from its resurrected traitor, Bajamonte Tiepoloand finding a ridiculously unexpected but delightful friendship with a polar bear – that she called Bear. Since then Back home, she things on the domestic and family front are a bit advanced, but not perfect for her partner-in-prophecy Lorenzo, and so can easily be ignored when word comes through from the Studious Son, have led islands Bear was last left on. For a fairly uneventful existencebear doing very Bear-y things has been shot and wounded. But now, Venice is in peril once more. Ice creeps through its lagoon, vampire eels encased menacingly within it Desperate to make sure he's OK, she and black cormorants have returned her father return to spy on the city Arctic and hope that in their greata world of very white and very dangerous things, black clouds. Teodora knows baddened magic when she sees it, can find one specific white and dangerous thing – and her heart sinks at that the awful realisation - il Traditore is back..friendship can continue. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1842557017</amazonuk>0008582017

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anthony BrowneSimon Fox|title=Play The Shape GameDeadlock|rating=4|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=You might have already played the shape game. It involves doing a squiggle on a piece of paper, then either you or someone else has to turn that squiggle into a full picture. Anthony Browne played it lots when he was little, and now he's playing it with 45 celebrities and you. Proceeds from the book and the auction of the artwork are going to [http://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity], who provide emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. A fantastic cause.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406331317</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Geraldine McCaughrean|title=Stop the Train|rating=5

|summary=Cissy and her family have come to set up a grocery store in Late one night Graham Blake is late back from his shift on the brand new town of Florenceforce, Oklahomaand then suddenly rings Archie, near the railroad. She quickly makes friends with demanding he fetch something from a very chattysecret place, kind boy called Kookie, short for Habbakukand join him on the run. Other people come to stake their claim on plots of land They get together, and open up businesses. It is all very exciting but barely begin to smell the settlers whiff of this new town soon discover they have a serious problem. The railroad company wanted the land Southern trains when the town father is being built arrested, leaving Archie on, and when everyone turns down the cash they are offered late express to give up their claimsBrighton, the railroad boss announces toting a tin his father was determined to keep away from his trains will not stop in Florence. The railroad is the reason for the town's existencecolleagues, and without it Florence will collapse before it is properly startedthe bearer of a whole heap of questions.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192718819</amazonuk>1839944420

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Geraldine McCaughreanCath Howe|title=Pull Out All The Stops!My Life on Fire

|summary=A diphtheria epidemic Ren's family home is destroyed in town and has already claimed several victims including pupils at schoola fire. The school is closed She, her parents, and all the remaining children sent out of town to stay with relatives and friends until the danger is overher little brother lose everything. Cissy and two She doesn't have any of her classmates are sent away to stay with their former teacherclothes, Miss Loucienor any of her special little knick-knacks from her cupboard, and now part of a touring theatre company with she is living at her new actor husbandgrandmother's house where they can't touch anything, or do anything, or even eat the foods they normally eat. Their new teacher When she goes back to school she discovers that the class are doing a special art project, Miss May Marchcreating boxes of their lives, comes along to display things that are important to them and show who they are as a chaperone on the train journeyperson. But Ren has nothing to put in a box, motivated by a sense of duty and concern for so she finds herself starting to steal things. Small things, things that people might not really miss, not when they have so much already. But what will happen to her charges' welfare.if someone finds out what she is doing?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192789953</amazonuk>1839942835

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anne-Marie ConwayRob Keeley|title=Phoebe Finds Her Voice (Star Makers Club)The Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories

|summary=This Hooray! Bookbag favourite Rob Keeley is back with a sweet story in which Anne-Marie Conway makes good use of the current obsession with all-singing, all-dancing shows. Her lead character, Phoebe, is painfully shy. She never used to be though, and always loved singing and dancing before, but since she moved up return to the big school, and things started short story format! The Boy Who Disappeared treats us to go wrong at homeeleven new tales, she has lost her confidence. Against all her inner fears she somehow ends up joining the local drama club, and whilst she tries each as fun to find ways to deal with her crippling stage fright she also begins fighting to get her parents back together againread as his previous offerings.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1409516512</amazonuk>B0BVW69N1G

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Nick GreenLaura Noakes|title=The Cat KinCosima Unfortunate Steals a Star

|summary=A group of misfit children find themselves at Meet Number One. Or rather, Cosima Unfortunate. Or rather, just Cos to her friends. The practice in the local sports centre having arrived home she lives in is for the girls to take various different classes but find just be named by the number they correspond to in the ledger, and they're all part of a group being run by the strange Mrs Powell who teaches them about PashkiUnfortunates – young people with disabilities, uncommon mentalities or suchlike that Victorian society frowns greatly upon. Pashki shows them how But Cosima bears the tag as a surname because nothing else seems to 'find their inner cat' be known about where she came from, as it were (I know - bear with methe first ever inmate, it does get better!) and utilise their new skills unique in having no known family in the outside world. During a daring escapade to move quietlysteal some posh cakes from the kitchen one afternoon, stealthily and even super-humanly across fences, tree branches, skipping from pole she discovers a plan involving said outside world – a devilish Lord Fitzroy seems to pole and even from one bus rooftop want to another in an exciting chase sequenceadopt all the girls for his Institute. Ben and Tiffany both have their own sets of troubles at homeBut why, and so Pashki becomes an escape for them both. what does that body entail? However, they soon find their new skills get them into more trouble than they And could ever have imagined.it possibly bring Cos closer to the past she has so little link with?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1905537166</amazonuk>0008579059

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Tony Bradman and Tony Alice M Ross|title=The Orchard Book of Swords, Sorcerers and SuperheroesNowhere Thief|rating=4.5

|summary=Jason At last there is new stock in the impoverished yet over-full antiques shop Elsbeth and her mother run in a seaside town. Elsbeth knows this because she has stolen it. She also knows she should be free from worries about being found out, because she has the Argonautsability to leave this world, King Arthurand use an unworldly portal of kaleidoscope colours to enter other worlds, Aladdin, William Tell, Hercules, Sinbad, St George, Ali Baba, Theseus where the sea levels are rising dramatically and Robin Hood. If you love myths and legends as much as [[Top Ten Retellings the buildings are generally empty of Myths, Legends humans and Fairy Tales|we do]] then those ten heroes will have got your juices flowingripe for plunder. With eviction imminent, and you'll be desperate can Elsbeth nab anything to dive in to this collection of adventures. It's fantastic. You'll love it!actually generate custom at the shop? Well yes, is the answer, but the fact a mysterious man knows exactly which items come from these different Somewheres only raises more questions…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408309211</amazonuk>1839943769

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Betty G BirneyNatasha Farrant|title=Humphrey's Great-Great-Great Book The Rescue of StoriesRavenwood

|summary=There This story is nothing quite like being proven correctanother excellent adventure from the author of ''Voyage of the Sparrowhawk''. And this Ravenwood is one an old house, in the North of those rare times I England, where Bea and Raffy have beenliving for most of their lives. From the evidence They are part of the sixth main Humphrey booka complex, extended family arrangement, as Bea is there with her Uncle Leo, [[Holidays According to Humphrey by Betty G Birney|Holidays According to...]]and Raffy is there with his mum, I declared the whole series to be quite brilliantand they are living together as a family. The booksThey have grown up swimming in the cove, I decidedroaming through the trees, were cute without ever being cloying, clever without being too clever-clever, full completely at one with all of morals without ever forcing them on the reader, nature around the house and packed with entertaining plot and lovely charactersloving every inch of the place. And But now the book reviewing gods have decided I read a fantastic collection of the last three novelshouse is under threat, as Leo is under pressure from his other two brothers to expand my knowledge of sell the seriesproperty to a developer as it's becoming more and more expensive to maintain. The children find themselves worrying not only about where they're going to live, but if they'll even be together, and if Ravenwood itself will be torn down.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0571255949</amazonuk>0571348785

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Philip ArdaghRobin Birch and Jobe Anderson|title=Grubtown TalesSecret Beast Club: Splash, Crash and Loads The Unicorns of CashSilver Street

|summary=If thereJayden's one thing that we've learnt from nose is forever in a book, which means he knows a lot about mythological creatures – the previous five Grubtown Tales, it's that Jilly Cheeter phoenixes and Mango Claptrap are never separated. Whatever extraordinary circumstance unicorns of life turns upthe world, they'll always work togetherfor example. So why Aisha is Mangoaddicted to her new tablet, in his shortest where she can see videos of short trousers anything that might be out there. The problem, as usualtheir mothers see it, sat on top is that they are never 'out there' themselves, exploring the outside world of Hackney, London. But when a floating mayornarrowboat turns up carrying a science-minded, in shark-infested seaseducational purpose, and why is Jilly only taking her poorly dog to the vet's? And what sort of help can we expect from with a back story past involving some liberated lab rats?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571253490</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Michael Rosen|title=Michael RosenJayden's Big Book cousin, they find a magical world they never knew existed. For many of Bad Things|rating=4.5|genre=Children's Rhymes and Verse|summary=When he was littlethose mythological creatures are real, Michael Rosenincluding the one Aisha thinks she's dad remembered all the bad things he'd done and reminded him of them when appropriate, so Michael imagined he'd written them all down in seen on a Big Book bit of Bad Thingslocal footage. Here he presents the eponymous poem, as well as many many other tales The crew of childhood, from the horrors of being a second late to schoolboat, to making including a raftliving gargoyle, to going to a café. Some bad, some sad, some quirky, some funny, some touching, some light-hearted, all wonderful.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141324511</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Simon Packham|title=comin 2 gt u|rating=4.5|genre=Teens|summary=Sam Tennant is reasonably happy at school, generally gets on alright are tasked with people, saving the rare critters – and doesn't the kids unknowingly have much the magical sight needed to worry about – until he's murdered join in . Dare they side with Leila, the first chapter of this novel. Ohwoman on board, not '''really''' murdered – his character and her relative who lives as a figure in a game he plays online is killed. But then, the two who kill him refer to him by his real name instead of his computer personapainting, and he realises that virtual life has just become very nasty indeed.saviours of the unseen?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848120958</amazonuk>0241573483

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John E SmelcerB09XWSXSKY|title=The Edge of NowhereMaestro Orpheus and the World Clock|author=Robert Penee and Joanne Grodzinski

|summary=Could you survive in the wilds of Alaska if you were washed overboard from a fishing boat during a storm and somehowFrederick (or Fred, amazinglybut never Freddy, managed to make it to dry land? please) couldn't sleep. This is A tune, rather like the challenge facing Seth ticking of a clock was playing over and over in his loyal dog, Tuckermind. They are out on Seth's father's fishing boat during a terrible storm and neither Seth's dad or It happened every time he came to visit his friend realise that the boy and dog have been washed overboard until they reach home and are found to be missing from the boatgrandfather. A search party is sent out, but Seth is assumed drowned. Luckily, Seth and his dog manage He hadn't really wanted to get to one of the tiny islands that run along the coast of Alaskacome; after all, he's ten now and after realising that no one is coming all those old clocks don't appeal to help them they slowly make their way hundreds of miles over many monthshim anymore. Will they starve to death, or freeze, or be eaten by bears before they manage to make it home?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849391963</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Teresa Flavin|title=The Blackhope Enigma|rating=4|genre=Teens|summary=14-year ''Who needs old Sunni finds it bad enough that when she's trying to clocks anyway? All they do some research on a famous Fausto Corvo painting in Blackhope Toweris tell the time. And time isn's Mariner's Chamber, she gets lumbered with her annoying stepbrother to look aftert good for anything... Add to that the presence of her classmate Blaise, a boy who's better at art than she is, and her day is looking depressing – and that's '''before''' Dean mysteriously vanishing when walking around the chamber's labyrinth.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848770340</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Joshua Doder|title=Grk Down Under|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=If you'd ever wondered where speed and agility, and a huge appetite for going where And that was why he shouldnwas looking at the clock beside the bed. It was nearly twelve o't and eating what he oughtn't can get a dog, you clock but at midnight the clock chimed only have to turn to this book for evidencesix times. I won't let on how a tiny dog manages There was nothing for it but to get himself to Australia unaided, go and find grandad - but where was he does - leaving his human owners back in England, and young Tim Malt especially desperate for his return. ? But And why had all the dog called Grk is about to find out how dangerous and nasty Australians can be...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1842709313</amazonuk>clocks stopped at twelve o'clock?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Julia JarmanNigel Baines|title=The Time-travelling Cat and the Great Victorian StinkA Tricky Kind of Magic

|genre=Confident Emerging Readers|summary=Consider catsCooper loves to perform magic tricks. Normally they like to leave you things like poopHis father was a magician, and dead animals, generally in the middle of named Cooper after the kitchen floorgreat Tommy Cooper. TopherBut sadly Cooper's cat leaves himself a stone statue version of himself when he decides father died suddenly, and now Cooper doesn't quite know who to time travel be, or how to some past time of historybe. I know - odd. I can also introduce you And when his dad's prop rabbit starts talking to a very different Topherhim, one just escaped from the workhouse in Victorian London - if only he could escape the stench of the open sewers in London, and the hunger in his stomach just as easily. Well, I could - but actually they are the same person, just with a completely different mind. When our Topher travels through time as well - ''really'' doesn't know what's going on the back of a bird - he finds himself in the person of the second, historical lad. Will that homework project about Victorian history be enough to help him out, and perhaps prevent a nasty crime or two?anymore!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1849390193</amazonuk>1444960261