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[[Category:Confident Readers|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|Confident Readers]] __NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Violet and the Pearl of the OrientMax Boucherat|authortitle=Harriet WhitehornThe Last Life of Lori Mills
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=This is a story about Violet Park. Violet is about ten years We meet Lori on the first evening she's got the house to herself – no neighbour to pop in, babysitter poorly, mother at work, just an avidly rule-breaking eleven year old, on her favourite activity is climbinglonesome. What could possibly go wrong? Snuggled in a blanket fort, she has one main intention, and that is an only child and has learned useful skills from her parents such as how to read log on to Voxminer, the world-building, critter-collecting game that is a menu hit in French and mix a perfect cocktailLori's world. She lives in But first Lori has a stylish and incredibly tidy flat tiny inkling that this stormy night doesn't find herself entirely on her own, and when we first meet our heroine then she is hanging upside down in a treefinds something even more spooky. One could safely say that Violet is not a typical ten year old For the server she and her bestie and nobody else should be able to enter shows signs of tampering. When malevolent eyes spark up on her eccentric neighbourphone screen, Dee Dee Derota, has and her precious jewel, The Pearl of safe place in the Orientgame has been doctored – well, stolen the clues lead Violet to think that her strange new neighbours are responsible. However no one will listen where is a girl to her so the intrepid Violet decides to discover the truth herself.turn?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1471122611</amazonuk>0008666482
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Odyssey (The Classics)Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd-Stanton|authortitle=Rosemary Sutcliff and Alan Lee (illustrator)Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=It took ten years but Meet Kit. Like most of the people in his world, it seems, he is an avid fan of Dungeon Running – the drama contained within [[The Iliad (The Classics) by Rosemary Sutcliff sport where a team of warrior, mage and Alan Lee (illustrator)|The Iliad]] finally concludedhealer enter specially prepared, century-old, magical mazes, and race to the exit, perhaps bothering with the treasure or the few people to survive were able to go back home. Many packed up their black ships big bad and sailed from whence the points they arrived, although one was not to find grant you along the journey so directway. OdysseusUnfortunately for Kit, and his command the only thing he's seen of twelve shipsthe latest race on the inn TV equivalent is that one team has been retired, were to be battered and torneaten, tried and tested in all manner a new trio of waysquestors is needed. Possibly very unfortunately indeed for Kit, before they had any hope he has taken to the goading from the token bully of finishing their circuitous loops of the classical his worldand stumbled into declaring he'll enter as a team. But for all the threat they enduredWhat chance does this friendless, muscle-free-zone have in actually managing that, something equally base and nasty was happening at the home they so actively sought…how could he possibly hope to succeed?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847805299</amazonuk>1839945184
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Quest for the Magic PorcupineJames Sherwood Metts|authortitle=John Dougherty and David Tazzyman (illustrator)Planet Storyland
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Here's an abject lesson Things have been a bit sticky for you – when you've got a large collection of evil badgers in your prison, don't let them play with a Monopoly set. For one thing one of them will eat all the fake banknotes, and for another it will come with a 'get out of jail free' cardEarthlings. Then the rain will be mucky AI and smell of bananasautomation have been proceeding apace, often replacing jobs they're paid to do and the King will come knocking on the door and asking for help and suggesting the butcher in the post office is the best person other tasks that took time to tell you about stories and might give a clue accomplish. Just as they were beginning to how best get used to go about living through all this onetechnological change and starting to think of other, new ways to spend time, along came an awful pandemic. And Life was pretty much shut down and, along with it'll still only be chapter four, all the many daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192734970</amazonuk>1736128426
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=A Brotherly Bother (Pip Street)Tom Percival|authortitle=Jo SimmonsThe Wrong Shoes|rating=45
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=This Will's life is difficult, in a tale multitude of two elderly men, neither of whom can get around very well without helpways. One He is Richard Keithsbullied because he has 'the wrong shoes', who he has lived on Pip Streetthe wrong shoes because his dad can't work and doesn't have enough money for even the most basic of things like food, and taught electric guitar lessons, for as long as anyone his dad can remember. He needs 't work because he lost his mobility scooterjob at the college, but it's gone and broken down. The other is was working a mysterious rich man, who swoops into town cash-in-hand job on the back of a crazy sleigh towed by five huge malamute dogsbuilding site and had an accident. For some reason he seems to have an eye on Throw into that mix the Keiths house, number 8fact that his mum and dad are separated, and is talking of demolishing it – and possibly even the whole street – so he can go fracking for oil underneath everyoneWill's happinesslife seems bleak in every direction. OhAnd yet, and he's also Richard Keiths' brotherstill has a tiny amount of hope. Can our heroic children friends raise enough money He is good at art, and clings to keep the scooter on moments of joy when he is drawing, that feel like a light at the road and the road intact from the baddy's evil intentions?end of a long, dark tunnel.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1407132849</amazonuk>1398527122
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1805141872|title=Paddington Marches OnThe Teacher Who Knew Too Much|author=Michael BondRob Keeley
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=We all remember Paddington, I’m sure''Seventeen banks and a jeweller’s have been raided. The Brown family police are baffled, but only Ben knows the truth – his Maths teacher, Miss Judson, is really a safecracker! With police and her gangster boyfriend Al on their housekeepertrail, Miss Judson and Ben go on the formidable Mrs Birdrun. But Al needs them for one last job...'' Goodness me, and the that Miss Judson is a terror! How on earth did a nice/nasty/nosy next door neighbour Mr Curry and teacher like her manage to get mixed up with a bad 'un like Al? We'll find out. Luckily for Miss Judson, the rest of pupil who discovers her terrible secret is Ben, the gang. This book son of seven classic Paddington stories a famous magician who has everything I knew ambitions to be as good as his father some day, and loved about the bear, reissued for the next generation.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0006753620</amazonuk>who thinks Miss Judson is worth saving
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Iliad (The Classics)Christopher Edge|authortitle=Rosemary Sutcliff and Alan Lee (illustrator)Black Hole Cinema Club|rating=34
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=How do you retell the Iliad Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, a place that has the modern young reader? nickname of 'The Black Hole'. Do youAll big movie fans, for example, have Helen they're looking forward to lots of Troy but only implyexciting films, not stateand many, that hers was the face that launched a thousand ships? many snacks! Should youHowever, as Rosemary Sutcliff does herethe movie starts, they very quickly realise that something about this new film format is very different, ignore all the important background detail and just let they are swept up into an adventure they couldn't even imagine. But as they lurch from one film genre to the story tell itselfnext, can they figure out what on earth is going on? How do you convey Will they ever get back to the masses the mythical talent of a story that has lasted millenniacinema, yet when it all comes down and to it is just a lot of detail of people fighting, and fighting, and fightingtheir real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847805280</amazonuk>1839942738
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) Adam Stower|authortitle=Michelle PaverMurray and Bun
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers|summary=ItMurray 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 seven long months since Hylas turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and Pirra were separated in the wake of catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the devastating eruption regular back garden, but into a world of Thalakreafrightening adventure and whiffs. The eruption This time round it drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was followed by tsunami , to be honest, but he's turned up and the coldest winter anyone can remember. There is no spring. No sun.he'll have to do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141339314</amazonuk>0008561249
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Paddington Takes the TestAlex Bell and Tim McDonagh|authortitle=Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum (illustrator)The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=In Eli is a busy lad – by day an apprentice in the eyes of those who write proverbswondrous library we start by visiting with him, giving is as good as receiving. Similarly and in the eyes of Paddington Bear, taking evening a test is as good as giving a testhelper at the dessert cafe his gran owns and runs. Eli lives with his lovely gran, too – for he there is without equal a generation missing in giving tests – to the patience of the Brown family who adopted him many . A few short years ago, principally. Other people he meets on Eli's parents were both lost to the titular race, a temporary basis globe-trotting adventure where all entrants have to navigate the world in the course company of his adventures a magical beast. This has made the race anathema to the pair – pantomime magicians, art school bosses, country house owners – have varying degrees of luck and ability in dealing with him, but it's when a bad incident at the family he returns eatery leads to each night that is put through a worrying mill so oftenconfession from gran, and still comes out loving him. But when Eli knows his only hope is to dare to enter what he himself takes a test most hates, with the sole aim the prize of magic at the end – well, the kind it actually is is best for you only thing to discover yourself…possibly save his gran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0006753787</amazonuk>0571382231
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Paddington at WorkHelen Cooper|authortitle=Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum (illustrator)The Taming of the Cat|rating=43.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=You remember Once again, mice are pitched against cat. In this case, principally, we have Brie the mouse, up against Gorgonzola the stories of a bear called Paddington coming to London from darkest Peru cat – leaving his aunt Lucy behind and in case you're seeing a retirement home connection, they live in Lima? a cheese shop and therefore all the names used here seem to be the names of cheeses. Once on these shores Anyway, Brie is shunned, scorned and, if you must, mous-tracised, for the way his habits don't match the other mice he met lives with. They nibble up with paper wrapping from the Brown family, cheese for bedding – he displays it as art and then all hell broke loosemakes stories based on the visuals on it. He blundered into And that story-telling will come in handy one misfortune, made mistake after error after miscomprehensionnight, when he feels all alone and only barely got away with his marmalade sandwiches intactcast out. Well, these are these same It's almost as if there were another character from fable who had had to tell stories – but with a slight twistto keep themselves alive. This is makes Brie the top dog in the second coming of Paddingtonmouse community, though, as he is once again on a transall the others had the chance to half-Atlantic liner, returning this time from a holiday back homeinch some cheese while the cat was distracted. Only, this time he But will not quite reach London when the disturbing adventures of story have the bear and the Brown family are resumed…successful sequel it needs when that cheese runs out?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0006753671</amazonuk>0571376010
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Diary of Dennis the Menace: Rollercoaster RiotLauren St John|authortitle=Steven ButlerFinding Wonder
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Beanoland, Beanotown, is going to be the home of the worldRoo's most extreme rollercoasterlife has become almost impossibly difficult. Her mum died when she was young, and now she finds herself awoken in the Vomit Comet, and as he's a fan middle of all things extreme, scary and menacing, Dennis the Menace is determined night by the police banging on her door to brighten up his current school term with an early ride tell her that her dad has dropped dead on it. By an act of subterfuge during his latest detention he finds out way to the school is holding corner shop to buy a competition to win the prize of being first in line at its grand openinglottery ticket. Surely this When asked what other family she has Dennis's , she can only name all over it? Wellher aunt, Joni, he thinks so – but then he doesnwho she knows her dad didn't yet know what he think very highly of. But she has no one else, and so off she goes to do live with her unreliable aunt. Things continue to win get worse for Roo, as when she and Joni leave London in Joni's old campervan, it breaks down in the contest…middle of nowhere and then bursts into flames! Poor Roo!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141355743</amazonuk>0571376169
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Girl Who Wasn't ThereAdam Baron and Benji Davies|authortitle=Karen McCombieOscar's Lion|rating=4.53
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Maisie doesn’t believe in ghosts. At least she didn’t until she started at her new We 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. Her dad has a new job working as the school caretaker and as Maisie stands at her new But when he enters his parents' bedroom window one night she thinks she , all he sees something or someone at one of the windows of the closed is a mahoosive male lion on their bed, looking sheepish, and empty schooladmitting that he won't be hungry for another two days. On her first day the other girls tell her of rumours of But there are benefits to having a ghost of a long-gone girl who wanders the school corridors. Could this lion around – it can be the answer shown as an unspoken threat to the mysterious shape at bully that ruined a birthday party for Oscar the window? With the help of her new friend Katother month. And it can shapeshift, Maisie decides so he can take it to find out more about the school ghost and solve the mysteryit can get him out of a problem. However her investigations unearth surprises that she could never have expected.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1407138901</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Apple and Rain|author=Sarah Crossan|rating=5|genre=Teens|summary= And it''A story about sad endings.''<br>''A story about happy beginnings.''<br>''A story s wonderful to make you realise who is special.''<br> This is have around the blurb on house – not limiting his biscuit intake, being much more lax about the back jacket of ''Apple rules, and Rainso on. OK, it can'' and t work a dimmer switch but it sums up the book just perfectlycan give Oscar a wonderful time.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>140885306X</amazonuk>0008596751
}}
{{newreview|title=Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins?Frontpage|author=Liz Kessler|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Who doesn't dream at times of having a super-power? Suddenly being able to creep around without anyone knowing you're there, or to soar above the tree-tops with the birds? When you're an ordinary thirteen year old girl, going to an ordinary school, finding out that bits of you have started disappearing and reappearing must come as a bit of a shock, especially as it happens the first time right in the middle of a rather boring double geography lesson. Luckily Jessica has Izzy, who willingly helps her recover from the news and start to control the way she uses this new and exciting aspect of her life. And Izzy isn't even jealous, which, let's face it, is definitely the sign of a real, true friend.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>144401398X</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewJudith Eagle|title=Danger Is Everywhere: A Handbook for Avoiding Danger|author=David O'Doherty and Chris JudgeThe Stolen Songbird
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Meet Docter Noel ZoneCaro's mother, a world-famous whistler, has failed to return home from her recent work trip abroad and is now missing. YesHer other mother, it's his spelling – safely making sure people don't think he Ronnie, is having to go up North to take care of her sister who is a real doctorunwell. And safety So who is his first going to look after Caro? Sent to stay with Gam, someone Caro has heard her mother despises, she feels frustrated and confused and foremost interestworried. After having All her summer holiday plans of building herself some equipment to practise her gymnastics are brought to rescue a halt whilst she is stuck inside this staid old Victorian lady's house, along with an orphan boy, Albie, who is living there too many people . But she soon finds herself caught up in his job a mystery, as she discovers a swimming pool lifeguard – he banned painting of a bird hidden away inside her mum's old suitcase, and all movement in across London a fearsome gang called the Snakes are thieving artworks and around the water as it was just too dangerous, after which however the terrorising people in . Is the water started painting somehow linked to drown – he made it safer for all concerned by removing the water. gang? I'm sure he'd barricaded the diving board off long before – even in his own home heAnd what has happened to Caro's removed the stairs as a safety risk. mother? This book is his illustrated guide to playing it safe, Is she somehow involved in all aspects of life – from the hazmat suit needed to make toast to illustrating what you need to do when attacked by a polar bear or a toothbrush snake.mystery too?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141354151</amazonuk>0571363148
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Mr Gum and the Biscuit BillionaireTania Unsworth|authortitle=Andy Stanton and David TazzymanNowhere Island
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Meet Alan TaylorGil. NoJust twelve, sorry he is so determined to escape the care system – you'll have to look down if you want to. He's only 15.24 centimetres tall, but now you're looking down you can see the blue sparks system that come off constantly puts him when his electric muscles move him. Alan's a true gentleman born in futureless places that are not homes – and (ginger)bread, but he's been tainted by money – find a massive fortune the little gingerbread man carries around in a biscuit tinhome for himself. He's of the impression that is en route to yet another fosterer, when he needs jumps into an anonymous car, and lets it ride him to scatter his dosh around in order to make friendsfuture. Nobody else That future seems to be in their right mind in the town jeopardy when someone steals his one bag of Lamonic Bibber is of the same opinion, belongings – but two people who are certainly keen to be that someone lives with his brother in a camp on an island between the receiving end two directions of the cash include the nasty Mr Gum – a motorway, a place inaccessible and he wants definitely ignored enough to receive it all through some evil robberyprovide for their safety and seclusion. What's Them, and a mute girl also finding a home there, albeit so much moresuccessfully. Over a few weeks we see if their oddball destinies can combine, he'll do or if this is one place where life as we would want it in the middle of Alan's impromptu party, complete with helicopter rides, a full fairground and the world's nastiest hot dog stand…just would not work…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>140527493X</amazonuk>1804540080
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Aesop's Fables (The Classics)Helen Peters|authortitle=Beverley Naidoo Friends and Piet GroblerTraitors
|rating=3
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=They're not Aesop's fablesEngland, WW2. They're oursTwo young girls are new at the country pile called Stanbrook. The stories have lasted for so many thousands of yearsOne is Nancy, and have been told and retold both verbally and destined to be in print that they are of this earth and service all upon her life itseems, like the female generations before her. So The other is Sidney, a girl from a hoity-toity Sussex boarding school that when has been removed there away from bomber flight-paths. The girls are chalk and cheese, and if we realise we donhadn't really know much about Aesop himself, guessed that then their behaviour with each other over their first encounters would only prove it hardly mattersso. Basing this collection on the idea that he was of African ancestryBut something is amiss, and first separately and then in combination they realise the creators give us Lord Evesham must be a dozen or so short snappy talesrum 'un. Midnight deliveries are received under cover of secrecy, peopled talk is made of meetings with southern African nature Germans, and sensibilitynot only that, a local Spitfire factory has been attacked. The result is a vivid and bright guide to But surely the moralistic little tales – that always felt African girls are wrong, and not European in style, according to the introduction.upper class could never be so underhand?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847805302</amazonuk>1788004647
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Tiger MothJamie Littler|authortitle=Suzi MooreArkspire|rating=34
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Both Alice Two sisters, Juniper and Zack have had idyllic childhoods with wonderful homes Elodie, born fifteen minutes apart, are growing to be chalk and loving parentscheese. However Juniper is an eager hunter and trader in illicit magic, including relics from prior major wars left out in the Badlands. Elodie is intent on getting closer to power in one of the bluereligious districts of Arkspire, they find their lives turned upside down. When Zack's dad diesperhaps even to become the child in line to inherit the power of the Watcher, he is forced the closest to leave his luxurious home a ruler the district has, and all his friends for a tiny cottage by one of the sea with his mumfive major victors in said earlier war. With Being trained in the magic that only five people can use would definitely change the grief at his loss still very much raw, he struggles to deal with status of the added difficulties that this move bringswhole family. Meanwhile But in finding something oddly magical, Juniper might just be able to gain some power of her own – for Alice it is the arrival of a new lifegood, namely a new baby sisteror for very, which has left her reelingvery bad…|isbn=0241586143}}{{Frontpage|isbn=024162343X|title=Stolen History|author=Sathnam Sanghera|rating=5|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=I was the bad company other people got into at school. Fearing rejection from her adoptive parents I was disruptive in favour religious education classes because I disputed the existence of a child 'god'. Where was the proof? In history lessons, it was probably worse still. Not too long after the end of their ownWWII, she finds herself overwhelmed by a whirl of emotions too complicated for her I didn't so much want to express learn about the British army's successes (and occasional failures, but we didn't dwell on those) in words, words that abandon her altogether what came to be called 'the colonies' as she loses her ability want to dispute what right the army had to speak. When be there in the two tweens meet at a beautiful, secret beach, they not only find a first place where they can get away from their angst. Looking back, I still believe I was right - but also a friend with whom they can share their troubles and talk about I regret that I lacked the maturity to approach 'the things that their parents simply donproblem' politely. I wish I'd had Sathnam Sanghera's ''Stolen History''t get.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857075101</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Dangerous Discoveries of Gully PotchardThiago de Moraes|authortitle=Julia LeeOld Gods New Tricks
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Gully never intended to get Meet Trixie. Forever getting into troublescrapes, larks and adventures involving flooding the school aircon with fart powder, she could almost be thought a young goddess of nuisance. At But just when she's being told that by her one-last-chance-giving headteacher, the beginning world changes. Suddenly, practically everything electronic stops working – a power-out, even of our story he has a good job as a delivery boy electric cars, hits not just the town the school's in but the entire planet (apart from mobile phones, and a safeall that powers the Internet, secure home with a loving familyjust for our convenience's sake). But a single action can Trixie, luckily, realises what has happened – the ancient Gods have a multitude taken the power of effectspower from us. And so she begins her epic quest, and being forced by Nathan Boldree and his gang to take part gather all the people that can steal it back – namely the characters from myth that have past form in their latest scam soon has Gully fleeing his home. He takes refuge stealing from the villains with his uncle on Gods, ie the Isle of Wightsemi-deities, giants, but even there danger half-gods and menace pursue himso on known as the tricksters.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192733699</amazonuk>178845295X
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Girl Who Walked on AirHannah Gold and Levi Pinfold|authortitle=Emma CarrollFinding Bear|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=I have been looking forward to reading this book for some time. [[:Category:Emma CarrollThe Last Bear by Hannah Gold|Emma Carroll’sLast time]] debut novel, [[Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll|Frost Hollow Hall]]April had been on Bear Island, a lot further north than many people would venture, was one of my favourite children’s books of last year and I was delighted to discover finding a ridiculously unexpected but delightful friendship with a polar bear – that this is just as goodshe called Bear. This is Back home, things on the exciting story of Louie domestic and her hopes to become family front are a circus star. Ever since she was abandoned as a baby at Chipchase's Travelling Circusbit advanced, Louie has dreamed of becoming a 'Showstopper’ but Mr Chipchase only ever lets not perfect for her sell tickets, and so can easily be ignored when word comes through from the islands Bear was last left on. However Louie For a bear doing very Bear-y things has a talent as a tightrope walker been shot and every morning wounded. Desperate to make sure he's OK, she practises her act in secret watched by and her little dog Pip. Can Louie find the courage father return to overcome the challenges Arctic and hope that face herin a world of very white and very dangerous things, defy Mr Chipchase she can find one specific white and achieve her dream?dangerous thing – and that the friendship can continue.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0571297161</amazonuk>0008582017
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Jedi Academy 2: Return of the PadawanSimon Fox|authortitle=Jeffrey BrownDeadlock
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=A long time ago in Late one night Graham Blake is late back from his shift on the force, and then suddenly rings Archie, demanding he fetch something from a galaxy farsecret place, far awayand join him on the run... There lived a boy called Roan Novachez who always dreamed They get together, but barely begin to smell the whiff of being Southern trains when the father is arrested, leaving Archie on the late express to Brighton, toting a pilot like tin his big brother. Fate works in mysterious ways and poor Roan ended up at Jedi academy instead. His first year father was full of drama and tween angst; trying determined to make friendskeep away from his colleagues, fit in, impress girls and avoid lightsaber-wielding bullies. Roan thinks this year is going to be different: '''This school year will definitely be the BEST YEAR EVER!''' Of course, nobody told Roan that when you make statements like that, you are just asking for trouble..bearer of a whole heap of questions.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1407144715</amazonuk>1839944420
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Hattie B, Magical Vet: The Dragon's Song (Book 1)Cath Howe|authortitle=Claire Taylor-SmithMy Life on Fire|rating=45
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=HattieRen's birthday family home is not going as well as she planneddestroyed in a fire. Mum She, her parents, and Dad are busy at workher little brother lose everything. She doesn't have any of her clothes, or any of her teenage brother is ignoring special little knick-knacks from her cupboard, and now she is living at her best friend has decided to go away for grandmother's house where they can't touch anything, or do anything, or even eat the weekendfoods they normally eat. Hattie is resigned When she goes back to school she discovers that the class are doing a morning special art project, creating boxes of watching DVD's their lives, to display things that are important to them and show who they are as a person. But Ren has nothing to put in her bedroom until a surprise knock at the door heralds the delivery of a very special gift box, and 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 change happen to her life forever.if someone finds out what she is doing?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141344628</amazonuk>1839942835
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jean UreRob Keeley|title=Jelly BabyThe Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Flora, who Hooray! Bookbag favourite Rob Keeley is generally called 'Bitsy' and sometimes 'Jelly Baby' because she's well rounded, doesn't really know what it's like back with a return to have a mother. Mum died when she was two and only her elder sister, Emily, who's thirteen, has any real memory of her. Since then the girls have lived happily with Dad - the rather absent-minded Professor - and Aunt Cass. They've not really bothered about keeping the house tidy and things do get rather scruffy but it doesn't seem important until they're told that their father is bringing a girlfriend home. short story format! The girls are delighted. They want their father Boy Who Disappeared treats us to eleven new tales, each as fun to be happyread as his previous offerings.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007518692</amazonuk>B0BVW69N1G
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Wild Boy and the Black TerrorLaura Noakes|authortitle=Rob Lloyd JonesCosima Unfortunate Steals a Star|rating=54
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=In Victorian LondonMeet Number One. Or rather, Cosima Unfortunate. Or rather, just Cos to her friends. The practice in the city has been plunged into shock and confusion home she lives in is for the girls to just be named by a poisoner who strikes without tracethe number they correspond to in the ledger, driving victims insane before killing them. Wild Boy and Clarissathey're all Unfortunates – young people with disabilities, still hated and feared by much of uncommon mentalities or suchlike that Victorian society frowns greatly upon. But Cosima bears the populationtag as a surname because nothing else seems to be known about where she came from, must try to avoid detection as they aim to solve the case first ever inmate, and free unique in having no known family in the capital outside world. During a daring escapade to steal some posh cakes from the terrorkitchen one afternoon, she discovers a plan involving said outside world – a devilish Lord Fitzroy seems to want to adopt all the girls for his Institute. But why, and what does that body entail? And could it possibly bring Cos closer to the past she has so little link with?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1406341401</amazonuk>0008579059
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Buckle and Squash and the Monstrous Moat-DragonAlice M Ross|authortitle=Sarah CourtauldThe Nowhere Thief
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=In 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 story we have two sistersbecause she has stolen it. There is ElizaShe also knows she should be free from worries about being found out, because she has the ability to leave this world, who dreams and use an unworldly portal of being a swashbuckling herokaleidoscope colours to enter other worlds, whilst her sister Lavender spends her time mooning over pictures where the sea levels are rising dramatically and the buildings are generally empty of princes, hoping to become a real princesshumans and ripe for plunder. One day Lavender gets kidnapped out in the forest by a rather dreadful villainWith eviction imminent, Mordmont. Will poor Lavender ever escape? Will Eliza get can Elsbeth nab anything to be actually generate custom at the heroshop? And what about Well yes, is the answer, but the fact a mysterious man knows exactly which items come from these monstrous moat dragons?!different Somewheres only raises more questions…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1447255550</amazonuk>1839943769
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Natasha Farrant|title=The Land Rescue of Stories: A Grimm Warning|author=Chris ColferRavenwood|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=My This story is another excellent adventure from the author of ''Voyage of the Sparrowhawk''. Ravenwood is an old house , in the North of England, where Bea and Raffy have been living for most of their lives. They are part of a complex, extended family arrangement, as Bea is a messthere with her Uncle Leo, the laundry and Raffy is piling there with his mum, and they are living together as a family. They have grown up around meswimming in the cove, my poor children haven't been fed and I lay roaming through the blame squarely trees, completely at one with all of the feet nature around the house and loving every inch of Chris Colferthe place. From But now the moment I opened house is under threat, as Leo is under pressure from his other two brothers to sell the cover of his latest book, I have been spirited away property to a magical land of fairiesdeveloper as it's becoming more and more expensive to maintain. The children find themselves worrying not only about where they're going to live, elves, dragons and trolls and Ibut if they'm afraid all of my mundanell even be together, everyday tasks and responsibilities have been sadly neglected ever sinceif Ravenwood itself will be torn down.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>034912437X</amazonuk>0571348785
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Michael BondRobin Birch and Jobe Anderson|title=Secret Beast Club: The Classic Adventures Unicorns of PaddingtonSilver Street
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Some characters have stood Jayden's nose is forever in a book, which means he knows a lot about mythological creatures – the test phoenixes and unicorns of time and few would deny the world, for example. Aisha is addicted to her new tablet, where she can see videos of anything that might be out there. The problem, as their mothers see it, is that accolade to Paddingtonthey are never 'out there' themselves, exploring the bear from darkest Peru who now lives with the Browns at 32 Windsor Gardensoutside world of Hackney, London. WeBut when a narrowboat turns up carrying a science-minded, educational purpose, and with a past involving Jayden've enjoyed him for over fifty years now and to celebrate s cousin, they find a magical world they never knew existed. For many of those mythological creatures are real, including the occasion eleven one Aisha thinks she's seen on a bit of local footage. The crew of the boat, including a living gargoyle, are tasked with saving the rare critters – and the classic books kids unknowingly have been collected the magical sight needed to join in one, slipcase volume. All Dare they side with Leila, the stories are unabridged woman on board, and her relative who lives as a figure in a painting, and accompanied by become saviours of the gorgeous illustrations by Peggy Fortnum.unseen?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007562071</amazonuk>0241573483
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=B09XWSXSKY
|title=Maestro Orpheus and the World Clock
|author=Robert Penee and Joanne Grodzinski
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Frederick (or Fred, but never Freddy, please) couldn't sleep. A tune, rather like the ticking of a clock was playing over and over in his mind. It happened every time he came to visit his grandfather. He hadn't really wanted to come; after all, he's ten now and all those old clocks don't appeal to him anymore.
''Who needs old clocks anyway? All they do is tell the time. And time isn't good for anything...''
And that was why he was looking at the clock beside the bed. It was nearly twelve o'clock but at midnight the clock chimed only six times. There was nothing for it but to go and find grandad - but where was he? And why had all the clocks stopped at twelve o'clock?}}{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Andy StantonNigel Baines|title=The Story A Tricky Kind of Matthew BuzzingtonMagic|rating=4.5|genre=Dyslexia FriendlyEmerging Readers|summary=Ten year old Matthew Buzzington Cooper loves to perform magic tricks. His father was less than impressed when his father got a newmagician, high-powered job and they had to move to named Cooper after the big city like IMMEDIATELYgreat Tommy Cooper. It meant a new schoolBut sadly Cooper's father died suddenly, complete with a bully called Pineapple Johnson. (No. Sorry. Youand now Cooper doesn'll have t quite know who to find out for yourselfbe, or how to be.) Matthew held on And when his dad's prop rabbit starts talking to one fact though - him, he knew that he had a superpower. He could turn himself into a fly. There's only one problem. It didn'really'' doesn't work. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how he concentrated know what's going on thinking himself into being a fly, he was still a ten-year-old boy with curly hair and he was getting bullied. Then everything changed one night when Matthew, his four-year-old sister Bella and Pineapple Johnson were accidentally locked in the school one night. And burglars broke in. anymore!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781124140</amazonuk>1444960261
}}
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