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[[Category:New Reviews|Confident Readers]] __NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn= 1836285493|title=The Double Life of a Wheelchair User|author=Cathy HopkinsRob Keeley|rating=5|genre=Confident Readers|summary= Will is a keen player of video games, a conscientious student, a slightly annoying brother and a supportive friend. But most of all, he is an aspiring writer. English is his favourite lesson at his school, Marlowe Park, and one at which he excels. This hasn't gone unnoticed by his headteacher, Mrs Howarth, and she has suggested to Will and his mum that he spends a couple of afternoons a week at a different school, Station Road, where his ability might be better extended.}}{{Frontpage|isbn= 1836282028|title=The Valentine's Day KittenFighting Spirit|author=Rob Keeley

|genre=Dyslexia FriendlyConfident Readers|summary=Marcie is distraught. On Valentine's Day last year she'd didnWould you like to adopt a ghost?'' ''t receive a single card and her parents could see that she was upsetYoung spirit, born 1887, so when she came seeks kind home from school there was a box to haunt. Gentleman by birth. Good company. Gets on the kitchen table and in it was the most gorgeous fluffy silver kittenwell with other children. Misty Jokes and Marcie were soon inseparable until the day that Misty went out without shocks a collar on - and didnspeciality.'' ''t come If interested, place outside your homethree twigs, in the shape of an arrow, pointing to your front door... Marcie blamed herself: Misty'' Hooray! Bookbag favourite Rob Keeley is celebrating a decade of his wonderfully entertaining [[Rob Keeley's collar had broken and she'd never got round to buying 'Spirits'' series in Chronological Order|Spirits]] series with a new oneadventure that is both a reboot and a continuation. Mum Just like Doctor Who, Edward Fitzberranger, our incorrigible Victorian ghost boy, has put notices up everywhere she can think of some new companions. Ruby and Jayden respond to this intriguing advertisement and rung Edward, who has broken the local vets rules as usual and animal rescue centresabsconded from his manor house home, but there's no sign of Mistyis adopted by them and takes up residence in... Then Marcie starts having dreams, about a boy, a hotel, a painting - and Misty. Will there be a happy ending?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>178112678X</amazonuk>wardrobe!

{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Shane HegartyRob Keeley|title= DarkmouthChildish Spirits: Hero Rising10th anniversary special edition|rating= 4.5|genre= Confident Readers|summary= Things seem as bad as they can get for FinnAround here, trainee Hunter we're big fans of all those nasty things that keep trying to get through to our world from the Infested Sidechildren's author Rob Keeley. His dad has been sackedHe's a ball of happy positivity, leaving him practically alone to face the baddieshe understands children, both monstrous and human, he has no weapons or back-up apart from his friend Emmie, writes for their pleasure and the family has even been kicked out of the house they've lived in for generations. Of courseenjoyment, in the way of the best stories, you only have not to hint that things couldnlecture or hector.  The 't get worse for them to do exactly that'Childish Spirits'' series is one of his greatest achievements. And any beastie thatIt's got all a sequence of ghost stories centring on Ellie, a stalwart young girl who can cope with anything the monsters from spirit world throws at her, and Edward, a spoiled lordling and the other dimension scared is not going to be a doddle to fight. Far, far from it. first spirit Ellie encounters|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007545622</amazonuk>1783064617

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Tamsin CookeMax Boucherat|title=Stunt DoubleThe Last Life of Lori Mills

|summary= Finn wants We meet Lori on the first evening she's got the house to be actor butherself – no neighbour to pop in, babysitter poorly, mother at work, just an avidly rule-breaking eleven year old, when his first ever lines on her lonesome. What could possibly go wrong? Snuggled in a film are cutblanket fort, she has one main intention, heand that is to log on to Voxminer, the world-building, critter-collecting game that is a hit in Lori's happy to settle for stunt-doubleworld. He But first Lori has all the skills for a tiny inkling that this demanding role: hestormy night doesn's a natural dare devil with a karate black-belt (almost)t find herself entirely on her own, and then she finds something even more spooky. The only downside is For the person Finn has to double for: Finn server she and teen-star Blake have history her bestie and a relationship nobody else should be able to enter shows signs of mutual hatredtampering. Pretty soon When malevolent eyes spark up on her phone screen, howeverand her safe place in the game has been doctored – well, this where is the least of Finn's worries. The eccentric film director, Novak, pushes him to the limits with increasingly dangerous stunts, manipulating Finn into doing the stunts without safety gear. But that seems tame when they transfer a girl to film on location in a remote part of Papua New Guinea and Finn discovers what Novak really has planned for him.turn?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>019274982X</amazonuk>0008666482

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=David Roberts Kieran Larwood and Alan MacDonaldJoe Todd-Stanton|title=My Burptastic Body Book (Dirty Bertie)Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Meet Kit. Like most of the people in his world, it seems, he is an avid fan of Dungeon Running – the sport where a team of warrior, mage and healer enter specially prepared, century-old, magical mazes, and race to the exit, perhaps bothering with the treasure or the big bad and the points they grant you along the way. Unfortunately for Kit, the only thing he's seen of the latest race on the inn TV equivalent is that one team has been retired, eaten, and a new trio of questors is needed. Possibly very unfortunately indeed for Kit, he has taken to the goading from the token bully of his world and stumbled into declaring he'll enter as a team. What chance does this friendless, muscle-free-zone have in actually managing that, and how could he possibly hope to succeed?|isbn=1839945184}}{{Frontpage|author=James Sherwood Metts|title=Planet Storyland

|genre=Children's Non-FictionConfident Readers|summary=OhThings have been a bit sticky for the Earthlings. AI and automation have been proceeding apace, often replacing jobs they're paid to do and other tasks that took time to accomplish. Just as they were beginning to be young get used to all this technological change and innocentstarting to think of other, new ways to spend time, along came an awful pandemic. Life was pretty much shut down and to be full , along with it, all the many daily social interactions on which they depend so heavily.|isbn=1736128426}}{{Frontpage|author=Tom Percival|title=The Wrong Shoes|rating=5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Will's life is difficult, in a multitude of questionsways. Questions like He is bullied because he has 'is eating my bogies good for methe wrong shoes', or he has the wrong shoes because his dad can'why is poo brownt work and doesn't have enough money for even the most basic of things like food, or and his dad can'what makes sweat smellt work because he lost 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 life seems bleak in every direction. And yet, he still has a tiny amount of hope. You donHe is good at art, and clings to the moments of joy when he is drawing, that feel like a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.|isbn=1398527122}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1805141872|title=The Teacher Who Knew Too Much|author=Rob Keeley|rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=''t Seventeen banks and a jeweller’s have been raided. The 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 trail, Miss Judson and Ben go on the run. But Al needs them for one last job...'' Goodness me, that Miss Judson is a terror! How on earth did a nice teacher like her manage to be get mixed up with a kid bad 'un like Dirty Bertie to want to know Al? We'll find out. Luckily for Miss Judson, the answers – respectivelypupil who discovers her terrible secret is Ben, no; it's down the son of a famous magician who has ambitions to dead bacteria; be as good as his father some day, and it doesnwho thinks Miss Judson is worth saving}}{{Frontpage|author=Christopher Edge|title=Black Hole Cinema Club|rating=4|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Lucas and his friends are all booked in for a movie marathon at their local cinema, a place that has the nickname of 't – itThe Black Hole's other bacteria again. If you think you have a lad (orAll big movie fans, letthey's face itre looking forward to lots of exciting films, and many, many snacks! However, a lass) interested in learning such stuffas the movie starts, they very quickly realise that something about this book could well be new film format is very different, and they are swept up into an adventure they couldn't even imagine. But as they lurch from one film genre to the next, can they figure out what on earth is going on? Will they ever get back to the place cinema, and to turn.their real lives?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847156754</amazonuk>1839942738

{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Matt StantonAdam Stower|title= Funny Kid for PresidentMurray and Bun|rating= 4.5|genre= Confident Readers|summary=Max Walburt has Murray is supposed to be a real problem with his teacher humble, tidy and nothing seems friendly cat, one who is able to make it bettersleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the two. Running for class president seems like But he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a good way 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 his problems 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 inevitably it doesnhe's turned up and he't run smoothly.ll have to do…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0008220166</amazonuk>0008561249

{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Kid NormalAlex Bell and Tim McDonagh|authortitle=Greg James and Chris SmithThe Glorious Race of Magical Beasts

|summary=Murph Cooper Eli is fed up. He a busy lad – by day an apprentice in the wondrous library we start by visiting with him, and in the evening a helper at the dessert cafe his mum have moved housegran owns and runs. Again. This means another new home to get used to. This means another new school to get used to. This means another set of friends left behind Eli lives with his lovely gran, too – for there is a generation missing in the family. And if that weren't enough A few short years ago, this time he doesnEli't even have a new school s parents were both lost to go to. Everywhere is full. Eventuallythe titular race, a place is found globe- at ''The School'', a strange place hidden away trotting adventure where all entrants have to navigate the world in the company of a back streetmagical beast. ''The School'' is This has made the race anathema to the pair – but when a bad incident at the eatery leads to a school unlike any other. It caters for children with superpowers. But Murph doesn't have any superpowers and confession from gran, Eli knows his only hope is soon consigned to dare to enter what he most hates, with the sole aim the prize of magic at the socially undesirable super zeroes gang. The kids with superpowers are not kind end – the only thing to the super zeroes..possibly save his gran.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408884534</amazonuk>0571382231

{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Max BrooksHelen Cooper|title= Minecraft: The IslandTaming of the Cat|rating= 3.5|genre= Confident Readers|summary= Max Brooks perfectly captures Once again, mice are pitched against cat. 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 the names used here seem to be the experience names of playing Minecraft without instructions or assistance cheeses. Anyway, Brie is shunned, scorned and, if you must, mous-tracised, for the way his habits don't match the other mice he lives with. They nibble up paper wrapping from the random punching stage through cheese for bedding – he displays it as art and makes stories based on the visuals on it. And that story-telling will come in handy one night, when he feels all alone and cast out. It's almost as if there were another character from fable who had had to tell stories to building towers that touch keep themselves alive. This makes Brie the top dog in the sky. Just mouse community, though, as schools around all the world are using Minecraft others had the chance to teach computer science and other skills Brooks uses his novel to demonstrate how valuable life lessons can be learned from this online phenomenahalf-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>178089774X</amazonuk>0571376010

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Gillian Cross Lauren St John|title=The Demon Headmaster: Total Control Finding Wonder

|genre=Confident Readers |summary= Lizzie and her younger brother Tyler arenRoo't looking forward to returning to Hazelbrook Academys life has become almost impossibly difficult. However, Her mum died when they arriveshe was young, they find everything and now she finds herself awoken in the middle of the night by the police banging on her door to tell her that her dad has changed. And it's not for dropped dead on his way to the better. Every pupil is now perfectly behaved and suddenly everyone seems corner shop to have buy a special talentlottery ticket. Even the teachers are acting strangely. And When asked what other family she has, she can only name her aunt, Joni, if that isnwho she knows her dad didn't enough, Lizzie inexplicably finds herself throwing food around the canteen and being accused think very highly of vandalising the school. Lizzie is determined to find out what But she has caused the sudden change in everyone's behaviour but it's hard because no one seems else, and so off she goes to be able to talk about what's going onlive with her unreliable aunt. It's almost as if the Hazelbrook students are no longer able Things continue to think and act get worse for themselves. Could itRoo, perhapsas when she and Joni leave London in Joni's old campervan, be something to do with it breaks down in the mysterious new headmaster? middle of nowhere and then bursts into flames! Poor Roo!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0192745743</amazonuk>0571376169

{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Laura PowellAdam Baron and Benji Davies|title= The Last Duchess: a Silver Service MysteryOscar's Lion|rating= 4.53|genre= Confident Readers|summary= Being a Lady's maid doesn't sound like 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 whole lot couple of funtimes before he has to be ready for school. Don But when he enters his parents't read novelsbedroom, which will make you dissatisfied with your condition. Be observant and cheerful at all timeshe sees is a mahoosive male lion on their bed, looking sheepish, and grateful admitting that he won't be hungry for the another two days. But there are benefits you receive from your employment - however difficult to having a lion around – it may seem, it is, after all, far better than living in poverty on can be shown as an unspoken threat to the bully that ruined a birthday party for Oscar the streetsother month. And never express your own opinionit can shapeshift, even if your mistress asks for so he can take it to school and itcan get him out of a problem. These are the rules (among many, many others) used to train girls at Mrs Minchin And it's Academy of Domestic Servitude. There are no rules for what goes on in wonderful to have around the privacy of your own headhouse – not limiting his biscuit intake, howeverbeing much more lax about the rules, and Patternso on. OK, generally considered the Academyit can's most gifted student, has plenty of opinions which, if she said them aloud, would cause her teachers to faint in genteel horrort work a dimmer switch but it can give Oscar a wonderful time.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1509808906</amazonuk>0008596751

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Robyn Swift and Sara Lynn CrambJudith Eagle|title=National Trust: Complete Night Explorer's KitThe Stolen Songbird

|genre=Children's Non-FictionConfident Readers|summary=There is Caro's mother, a misfortune to the modern world-famous whistler, in that we have killed off a common hobby has failed to return home from when I was a ladher recent work trip abroad and is now missing. Nowadays light pollution Her other mother, Ronnie, is so awful it's certainly not uncommon for people having to go up North to hardly see any take care of the stars and her sister who is unwell. So who is going to get look after Caro? Sent to learn the constellationsstay with Gam, someone Caro has heard her mother despises, she feels frustrated and while I only went out to go 'meteor hunting', it's patently obvious that the chance to lie down confused and stargaze is a dying oneworried. Elsewhere the nocturnal youth can struggle All her summer holiday plans of building herself some equipment to have much opportunity practise her gymnastics are brought to explore the night-time nature as a halt whilst she is stuck inside this book suggests – it begins staid old Victorian lady's house, along with setting an orphan boy, Albie, who is living there too. But she soon finds herself caught up in a tent in your back gardenmystery, and too many donas she discovers a painting of a bird hidden away inside her mum't even get that chances old suitcase, for want of possession of oneand all across London a fearsome gang called the Snakes are thieving artworks and terrorising people. Yes, if this book is only read once in Is the daytime and never referred painting somehow linked to again, due the gang? And what has happened to lack of opportunity, it really will be a crying shame.Caro's mother? Is she somehow involved in the mystery too?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857638777</amazonuk>0571363148

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=David Walliams and Tony RossTania Unsworth|title=The World's Worst Children 2Nowhere Island

|summary=I sometimes wonder if David Walliams gets sick of the comparisons with Roald Dahl that he getsMeet Gil. It's such an easy comparison Just twelve, he is so determined to make, however, because both wrote very funny, escape the care system – the system that constantly puts him in futureless places that are not homes – and yet really very dark stories find a home for childrenhimself. They don't shy away from the nastinessHe is en route to yet another fosterer, and ugliness in life and instead face it head onwhen he jumps into an anonymous car, and flip lets it around, and make you laugh along the wayride him to his future. This is That future seems to be in jeopardy when someone steals his one bag of belongings – but that someone lives with his brother in a rollercoaster ride through a wide range camp on an island between the two directions of truly dreadful children who range from being a fussy eatermotorway, to a spoiled brat, place inaccessible and definitely ignored enough to Harry, who never, ever did his homework! provide for their safety and seclusion. Yes, their dark deeds vary in despicablenessThem, and along with dreadfulness galore a mute girl also finding a home there are fabulous illustrations, albeit so much more successfully. Over a large variety of fontsfew weeks we see if their oddball destinies can combine, unusual page layouts and a Royal introduction from the Queen...or if this is one place where life as we would want it just would not work…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0008259623</amazonuk>1804540080

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jeff Brown and Rob BiddulphHelen Peters|title=Stanley Friends and the Magic Lamp (Flat Stanley)Traitors|rating=3.5|genre=Emerging Confident Readers|summary=It was far too recently that I picked up [[Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown and Rob Biddulph|Flat Stanley]] and met with a character now fifty years old for England, WW2. Two young girls are new at the first timecountry pile called Stanbrook. One is Nancy, and found out how he got destined to be flat and what happened as in service all her life it seems, like the female generations before her. The other is Sidney, a girl from a resulthoity-toity Sussex boarding school that has been removed there away from bomber flight-paths. BizarrelyThe girls are chalk and cheese, however, despite the success of and if we hadn't guessed that then their behaviour with each other over their first book encounters would only prove it was twenty full years before the author picked up the pen to give Stanley this sequelso. Or perhaps it's not such a surprise – without giving too much awayBut something is amiss, and first separately and then in combination they realise the character had met with Lord Evesham must be a certain change at the end rum 'un. Midnight deliveries are received under cover of secrecy, talk is made of book onemeetings with Germans, and therefore wasn't exactly ready for more of the samenot only that, a local Spitfire factory has been attacked. Well, over But surely the decades there have been six official books by Jeff Browngirls are wrong, and this was the first instance where I upper class could find out for myself if '''I''' was ready for more of the same…never be so underhand?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>140528806X</amazonuk>1788004647

{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Ethan I Was BeforeJamie Littler|authortitle=Ali StandishArkspire

|summary=Ethan Two sisters, Juniper and his family Elodie, born fifteen minutes apart, are moving growing to a little town be chalk and cheese. Juniper is an eager hunter and trader in Georgia 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 big city religious districts of Boston Arkspire, perhaps even to become the child in a last ditch attempt line to help Ethan get over inherit the loss power of best friend Kacey. And the move does give Ethan Watcher, the closest to a great deal else to think aboutruler the district has, and one of the five major victors in said earlier war. There's living Being trained in Grandpa Ike's dilapidated old house and the uncommunicative Grandpa Ike himselfmagic that only five people can use would definitely change the status of the whole family. There's a new school with a new pecking order to navigate. There's a new friend But in Coraleefinding something oddly magical, who has a great line in tall stories and who likes adventures almost as much as Kacey did. But it's hard Juniper might just be able to leave grief behindgain some power of her own – for good, or for very, especially when you feel as guilty as Ethan does...very bad…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408342928</amazonuk>0241586143

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Goldie Hawk and Rachael Saunders024162343X|title=National Trust: Go Wild in the WoodsStolen History|author=Sathnam Sanghera|rating=45

|summary=I am a man who likes his creature comfortswas the bad company other people got into at school. Always have been, always will – and creature comforts don't involve snuggling down I was disruptive in religious education classes because I disputed the existence of a sleeping bag, however comfortable, to watch creatures, as far as I'm concernedgod'. LuckilyWhere was the proof? In history lessons, howeverit was probably worse still. Not too long after the end of WWII, many people are of another bent entirely – they find no problem in getting out and I didn't so much want to learn about, taking whatever weather the British army's successes (and wildlife can throw at themoccasional failures, and spending time out of doors for but we didn't dwell on those) in what came to be called 'the colonies' as want to dispute what right the army had to be there in the hell of itfirst place. This book is Looking back, I still believe I was right - but I regret that I lacked the first stage maturity to that, and needs to be read in full before you step out your front doorapproach 'the problem' politely. And even if itI wish I'd had Sathnam Sanghera's your ''onlyStolen History'' stage, it will still be pleasantly educational…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>085763917X</amazonuk>.

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Paul Stewart and Chris RidddellThiago de Moraes|title=Free Lance and the Lake of SkullsOld Gods New Tricks

|genre=Dyslexia FriendlyConfident Readers|summary=Our hero is Meet Trixie. Forever getting into scrapes, larks and adventures involving flooding the school aircon with fart powder, she could almost be thought a free lance – young goddess of nuisance. But just when she's being told that by her one of the traditional self-employed menlast-chance-giving headteacher, going round the countryworld changes. Suddenly, practically everything electronic stops working – a power-out, jousting when he caneven of electric cars, doing fantastical errands when they come uphits not just the town the school's in but the entire planet (apart from mobile phones, and all with no fixed employerthat powers the Internet, just for our convenience's sake). But Trixie, luckily, realises what has happened – the ancient Gods have taken the lack power of fixed income hits home at timespower from us. And at those timesso she begins her epic quest, to gather all the people that can steal it back – namely the characters from myth that have past form in stealing from the Gods, those fantastical errandsie the semi-deities, however nightmarish they can clearly begiants, get to be all half-gods and so on known as the more appealing…tricksters.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>178112714X</amazonuk>178845295X

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jeremy Strong Hannah Gold and Scoular AndersonLevi Pinfold|title=The Ghost in the BathFinding Bear

|genre=Dyslexia FriendlyConfident Readers|summary=Luke has got problems – [[The Last Bear by Hannah Gold|Last time]], April had been on Bear Island, a lot further north than many people would venture, and just about every school subject qualifies as one at the moment. But none of those are finding a bigger problem than history – he's been tasked ridiculously unexpected but delightful friendship with a research-heavy project for homeworkpolar bear – that she called Bear. Back home, but has no idea. So when he is having a brainstorm in a bath things on the domestic and is interrupted by family front are a ghostbit advanced, of all thingsbut not perfect for her, it might just and so can easily be ignored when word comes through from the way for him islands Bear was last left on. For a bear doing very Bear-y things has been shot and wounded. Desperate to be connected with the past. But thatmake sure he's ignoring OK, she and her father return to the fact Arctic and hope that the girl left as in a ghost might be wanting a connection world of her own very white and very dangerous things, she can find one specific white and dangerous thing – and perhaps an end to an unusual problem she herself has…that the friendship can continue.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781127263</amazonuk>0008582017

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Giles Chapman and Us NowSimon Fox|title=The Story of the CarDeadlock

|genre=Children's Non-Fiction Confident Readers|summary=Dinosaurs… farm machinery… science fiction… trains… carsLate one night Graham Blake is late back from his shift on the force, and then suddenly rings Archie, demanding he fetch something from a secret place, and join him on the run. I can't think They get together, but barely begin to smell the whiff of many other subjects that inspired Southern trains when the father is arrested, leaving Archie on the young me late express to have Brighton, toting a tin his father was determined to keep away from his colleagues, and the bearer of a full non-fiction book about them whole heap of questions.|isbn=1839944420}}{{Frontpage|author=Cath Howe|title=My Life on my juvenile shelvesFire|rating=5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Ren's family home is destroyed in a fire. Most of course I lost interest in with maturityShe, her parents, and her little brother lose everything. But the young child these days wonShe doesn't be much differenthave any of her clothes, for good or badany of her special little knick-knacks from her cupboard, and so now she is living at her grandmother's house where they can't touch anything, or do anything, or even eat the foods they normally eat. When she goes back to school she discovers that the class are doing a special art project, creating boxes of their lives, to display things that are important to them and show who they will like are as not want a book about broom-brooms for the shelfperson. But Ren has nothing to put in a box, and so she finds herself starting to steal things. And this is pretty Small things, things that people might not really miss, not when they have so much the go-already. But what will happen to volume for such an interest.her if someone finds out what she is doing?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1526360268</amazonuk>1839942835

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Libby WaldenRob Keeley|title=In Focus: CitiesThe Boy Who Disappeared and Other Stories

|genre=Children's Non-FictionConfident Readers|summary=The [[In Focus: 101 Close Ups, Cross-Sections and Cutaways by Libby Walden|first book in this series]] promised 101 close-ups, cross sections and/or cutways, but here we're restricted Hooray! Bookbag favourite Rob Keeley is back with a return to just ten. Why? Because the subject matters are so much bigger – one is home short story format! The Boy Who Disappeared treats us to 37 million peopleeleven new tales, of all things. Yes, we're talking cities, and while this book tries each as fun to follow the read as his previous – different artist every page, an exclusive inside look within the volume, and a self-deceiving page count – we are definitely in new territory. We're seeking the trivial, the geographical and the cultural, all so that the inquisitive young student can find out the variety to be had in the world's metropolisesofferings.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848575912</amazonuk>B0BVW69N1G

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Cornelia FunkeLaura Noakes|title=Dragon RiderCosima Unfortunate Steals a Star

|summary=My daughter first read ''Dragon Rider'' when she discovered it in Meet Number One. Or rather, Cosima Unfortunate. Or rather, just Cos to her school library aged about 8friends. She loved it, so much so that The practice in the home she borrowed it over and overlives in is for the girls to just be named by the number they correspond to in the ledger, reading and they're-reading itall Unfortunates – young people with disabilities, her head full of dragonsuncommon mentalities or suchlike that Victorian society frowns greatly upon. I finally sat down But Cosima bears the tag as a surname because nothing else seems to give it a read myselfbe known about where she came from, as the first ever inmate, excited at and unique in having no known family in the prospect of a good fantasy storyoutside world. Firedrake is During a daring escapade to steal some posh cakes from the kitchen oneafternoon, brave dragon from she discovers a small dragon community who, when faced with the incoming humans who will destroy their home, decides to go out into the plan involving said outside world – a devilish Lord Fitzroy seems to try want to find adopt all the Rim of Heaven, a hidden home girls for the dragonshis Institute. There's a far-ranging, adventurous journeyBut why, and there are fantasy creatures galore, such as Firedrake's brownie friend, Sorrel, a djinn, a basilisk, a sea serpent and what does that body entail? And could it possibly bring Cos closer to the big baddie, Nettlebrand.past she has so little link with?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1911077856</amazonuk>0008579059

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jo Manton, Phyllis Bray and David BuckmanAlice M Ross|title=Titania and OberonThe Nowhere Thief

|summary=''Equus''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, ''Waiting for Godot'' and ''A Mid-summer Night's Dream'' – three very distinctive playsbecause she has the ability to leave this world, and my favourite three, out use an unworldly portal of which you won't often get me choosing just one. But were I kaleidoscope colours to do soenter other worlds, it might actually be where the last, for sea levels are rising dramatically and the simple reason I would delight in playing any buildings are generally empty of humans and all characters from itripe for plunder. Yes With eviction imminent, I know Hermia and Helena look a bit implausible now – but I put it can Elsbeth nab anything to you stranger things happen on stage… actually generate custom at the shop? Some of Well yes, is the strangest things involve a player himselfanswer, a lowly actor who gets given an ass's head and is forced to be but the enamoured of fact a fairy queen. It's this section of the play that this book concentrates on, in quite stunning form.mysterious man knows exactly which items come from these different Somewheres only raises more questions…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>184365329X</amazonuk>1839943769

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Michael Morpurgo and Briony May SmithNatasha Farrant|title=The Giant's NecklaceRescue of Ravenwood|rating=4.5

|summary=On holiday This story is another excellent adventure from the author of ''Voyage of the Sparrowhawk''. Ravenwood is an old house, in Cornwall Cherry found a length the North of fishing line England, where Bea and decided that she was going to make Raffy have been living for most of their lives. They are part of a giant's necklace complex, extended family arrangement, as Bea is there with cowrie shells. She's patient and painstaking - it takes her weeks to gather the shellsUncle Leo, cleanand Raffy is there with his mum, polish and string them they are living togetheras a family. On They have grown up swimming in the final day cove, roaming through the trees, completely at one with all of the holiday she knows how many more she needs nature around the house and she's determined that she's not going to be beatenloving every inch of the place. The family head off for But now the house is under threat, as Leo is under pressure from his other two brothers to sell the property to a day on their beach developer as it's becoming more and Cherry begs more expensive to stay on for a little longer so that she can get the shells she needsmaintain. Only she's The children find themselves worrying not only about where they're going to live, but if they'quite'' careful enough ll even be together, and allows herself to if Ravenwood itself will be cut off by the tide when the weather takes a turn for the worsetorn down.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1406373494</amazonuk>0571348785

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Derek LandyRobin Birch and Jobe Anderson|title=ResurrectionSecret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street

|summary=Skulduggery Pleasant Jayden's nose is forever in a book, which means he knows a lot about mythological creatures – the sharply dressed phoenixes and wise-cracking skeleton – unicorns of the world, for example. Aisha is back and he needs helpaddicted to her new tablet, where she can see videos of anything that might be out there. A small group of disgruntled sorcerers have banded together and have plans to use The problem, as their unique set of skills to wage war on mothers see it, is that they are never 'out there' themselves, exploring the mortal outside worldof Hackney, London. Others have tried this in the But when a narrowboat turns up carrying a science-minded, educational purpose, and with a past but this particular group have involving Jayden's cousin, they find a scheme that should guarantee their success: magical world theynever knew existed. For many of those mythological creatures are real, including the one Aisha thinks she're going to resurrect s seen on a terrifying evilbit of local footage. Despite his powers The crew of the boat, Skulduggery can't defeat them alone. He successfully persuades his former partner – Valkyrie Cain including a living gargoyle, are tasked with saving the rare critters – and the kids unknowingly have the magical sight needed to join him for just twenty-four hoursin. But will she stay when Dare they side with Leila, the time runs out? Will they be able to save woman on board, and her relative who lives as a figure in a painting, and become saviours of the worldunseen?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0008169020</amazonuk>0241573483

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Barry HutchisonB09XWSXSKY|title= Super Creepy Camp (Beaky Malone)|rating= 5|genre= Confident Readers|summary=First of all, I'd like to start off by making a complaint to Barry Hutchison. His latest book, ''Super Creepy Camp'' has been giving me sleepless nights. I've been kept awake by the raucous laughter emanating from my son's bedroom as he reads it before bed. I'd just be settling down Maestro Orpheus and then it would start again, bouncing off the walls in the dead of night and probably keeping the neighbours awake too. I'd stomp angrily across the landing, open his door, to find him helplessly rolling around on the bed in fits of giggles. So thanks, Barry. Thanks a lot.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847158129</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewWorld Clock|author=Rachel Renee Russell|title=The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 2: Middle School Mayhem|rating=2.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Max is in the middle of a situation, and no mistake. [[The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero by Rachel Renee Russell|Last time]] he had to bust himself out of his own school locker, Robert Penee and found himself caught up in a right scrape suitable only for his own superhero aspirations, involving burglars at the school, retrieving valuable comics, and so much more. Joining right back into the action with a literal ''splat'' this time we face the thieves up front and personal, and at the same see Max trying to save what little friendship he has with the hot computer-loving girl at school, who can easily rank as his only friend there – and whose clothes he happens to be wearing. Oh woe is he…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>147114464X</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author= Rosemary Sutcliff|title= Black Ships Before TroyJoanne Grodzinski|rating= 4.5|genre= Confident Readers|summary= This is the perfect book for those that want a taste of Homer's Iliad before attempting the full work. Although aimed at a younger reading audience, Sutcliff's writing is concise and gripping; thus, this will be as equally beneficial to adults. This, when brought together with the excellent artistic skills of Allan lee, makes for a lavish retelling of the Iliad. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847809952</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Judith Kerr|title=When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit|rating=5

|summary=ItFrederick (or Fred, but never Freddy, please) couldn's Germanyt sleep. A tune, 1933 rather like the ticking of a clock was playing over and nine year old Anna has a dream – she wants over in his mind. It happened every time he came to be famous when she grows upvisit his grandfather. Unfortunately nearly He hadn't really wanted to come; after all the famous people she, he's heard of have suffered from a ten now and all those old clocks don't appeal to him anymore. 'difficult childhood'Who needs old clocks anyway? All they do is tell the time. And time isn' and Anna knows that's not hert good for anything.. She has a loving family with enough money. Her life is, however, turned upside down by Adolf Hitler's rise to power. Anna's told  And that she's Jewish (her parents aren't particularly religious so she was only dimly aware of this) and her dad is likely to be a target under a Nazi government. Anna and her family are forced to flee Germany and build a new life as refugees in Switzerland, then France and ultimately Englandwhy he was looking at the clock beside the bed. Itwas nearly twelve o's a hard life, especially when money worries settle in, clock but at midnight the clock chimed only six times. There was nothing for Anna it but to go and her brother itfind grandad - but where was he? And why had all the clocks stopped at twelve o's also an adventure. It's, therefore, a long time before Anna realises that her experiences might actually count as a ''difficult childhood''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007274777</amazonuk>clock?