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CHRIS PRIESTLEY: THE DEAD OF WINTER (Bloomsbury PB)
Michael Vyner recalls a terrible story, one that happened to him. One that would
be unbelievable if it weren't true! Michael's parents are dead and he imagines
that he will stay with the kindly lawyer, executor of his parents' will ...Until
he is invited to spend Christmas with his guardian in a large and desolate
country house. His arrival on the first night suggests something is not quite
right when he sees a woman out in the frozen mists, standing alone in the
marshes. But little can prepare him for the solitude of the house itself as he
is kept from his guardian and finds himself spending the Christmas holiday
wandering the silent corridors of the house seeking distraction. But lonely
doesn't mean alone, as Michael soon realises that the house and its grounds
harbour many secrets, dead and alive, and Michael is set the task of unravelling
some of the darkest secrets of all. This is a nail-biting story of hauntings and
terror by the master of the genre, Chris Priestley. This is an extraordinary book, chock-full of atmosphere, written in a very Dickensian or Bröntean style, even reminscent of Henry James and Wilkie Collins - first class entertainment!
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Reed's back but Noelle's gone...
 KATE BRIAN: VANISHED (Simon and Schuster PB)
After the initiation ceremony of Reed's newly created secret society, Noelle has disappeared and the only clue is a mysterious note. Is Reed's behaviour the cause or is there something more sinister happening? With the kidnapper warning of worse things to come if Reed tells anyone of Noelle's
abduction, Reed realises it's up to her discover who has taken Noelle and to try and rescue her...before she becomes the next target. Latest in the Reed saga, and this time Noelle's missing the secret society meetings, and Reed starts to get text messages with tasks she must complete, most of them impossible, ni order to find and rescue her best friend. You won't be prepared for what she eventually finds out
- absolutely terrific series, and this is one of the very best!
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KRISTINA STEPHENSON: SIR CHARLIE STINKY SOCKS AND THE REALLY FRIGHTFUL KNIGHT (Egmont PB)
At the top of a tall, tall tower with a pointy roof something is stirring. Lightning flashes, thunder roars and something goes bump in the night. Sir Charlie Stinky Socks - honourable, feisty, tenacious and courageous - enters. But, will he be able to thwart his foes in this ghostly adventure
or will he succumb to the hideous Cellar Dweller. This delightful story book contains a CD recording of the story as well, so excellent value. Charlie Stinky Socks is the type of character to have three-four year olds chuckling hysterically, and I wish he'd been around when I was trying to get my three off to sleep! Mind you, we did have Noddy....
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 DORLING KINDERSLEY CHILDREN'S BOOK OF MUSIC (HB)
Go on a musical journey around the world Help your child discover the power of music and be inspired by cultures all over the world with the Children’s Book
of Music. Discover how instruments are played and get the low-down on the
fascinating lives and achievements of great composers, from Mozart to Debussy.
Packed with examples from a variety of cultures and styles, from classical and
folk, to hip-hop and dance. Fun, try-it-yourself activities and an interactive
CD take children on the ultimate musical journey – a delightful gift for budding
musicians. An utterly stupendous book and CD, taking you on a musical journey through the instruments of the orchestra, but not just about classical music - you'll find information on reggae, pop, musicals, everything that's musical is included in this wonderful book, together with a fantastic CD with illustrtive pieces from the text, such as ballet music by Tchaikowsky. Absolutely brilliant introduction to music, a book no music teacher could do without, and one that will inform and delight children of all ages. Fantastic!
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 FRANCESCA SIMON: SPIDER SCHOOL (Orion Book and CD)
Snakes and snails and spiders for dinner! Kate was having a bad day. Her first morning at her new school and already her clothes have gone missing, her
best friend has disappeared, and her new teacher is a comic-reading gorilla.
Something is very wrong! Francesca Simon brings every child's worst nightmare to
life in this funny, original story brought to life with Tony Ross's inimitable
illustrations..
A funny, original story from the bestselling HORRID HENRY team, Francesca Simon and Tony Ross, with the added bonus of a CD containing SPIDER SCHOOL, read by Steven Butler, and a read-along version of the story with page-turning sound effects. This is a terrific early reader, with stunning illustrations and the simple, but very effective story of Kate, who faces her first ever day at school, but doesn't want to go. Tony Ross's illustrations are reminscent of 1960s weekly comic stories, and the whole package is brilliant. Steven Butler reads the story to perfection and the whole thing will delight younegr readers and parents alike, it's colourful and captivating!
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ALAN GARNER: THE MOON OF GOMRATH (Harper Collins Children's Books PB)
Enthralling sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen It is the Eve of Gomrath -- the night of the year when the Old Magic is aroused. Had Colin and Susan known this, they would never have lighted a fire on the Beacon, thereby releasing the uncontrollable ferocity of the Wild Hunt. Soon they are inextricably caught up in the struggle between their friend, the Wizard Cadellin, and the evil Morrigan. The strength of their courage will determine whether or not they survive the awaiting ordeal! Reviewed next month - just arrived!
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"ANTHONY BROWNE: BEAR'S MAGIC PENCIL (Harper Collins Children's Books PB)
Bear was walking in the forest. Suddenly…" What happens next? Winners of the children’s competition featured in The Sun decide… Children’s Laureate, Anthony Browne, has collaborated with budding
author-illustrators, aged 8 and under, to create an exciting and unique picture
book – combining Anthony’s character – the bear with the magic pencil – with art
and stories from the winning entries. Wherever Bear goes he takes his magic pencil with him. If ever he has a
problem he just draws his way out of trouble – whatever he draws becomes real .
. .Anthony Browne started the story of a bear with a magic pencil, and children
aged eight and under were invited to join in and complete the story. Working with The Sun team, Anthony has selected the best ideas, and used them
to create the rest of the story. The result is this fabulous picture book!
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REINHARDT JUNG: BAMBERT'S BOOK OF MISSING STORIES (Egmont PB)
Bambert lives alone in his attic home. He feels out of place in the world and finds solace in the characters he creates in his stories. One day, he decides to send his eleven stories out into the world, to find their own (true) setting. He attaches them to paper balloons and sends them out on a
windy night. The eleventh story is blank. Bambert hopes it will write itself. Gradually the stories return, with postmarks from all round the world. But Bambert's life-work is not complete until the return of the eleventh story, the fate of which is still unknown... Another fantastic find from Egmont - stunning illustrations and what appear to be traditional tales - great fun to read and a delightful package.
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THOMAS E. SNIEGOSKI: FALLEN & LEVIATHAN BOOK 1 (Simon and Schuster PB)
On his eighteenth birthday, Aaron begins to hear strange voices and is convinced he is going insane. But having moved from foster home to foster home, Aaron doesn't know whom he can trust. He wants to confide in the cute girl from class, but he's afraid she'll confirm he's crazy. Then a mysterious
man begins following Aaron. He knows about Aaron's troubled past and his new powers. And he has a message for Aaron: As the son of a mortal and an angel, Aaron has been chosen to redeem the Fallen. Aaron tries to dismiss the news and resists his supernatural abilities. But he must accept his newfound heritage - and quickly. For the dark powers are gaining strength, and are hell-bent on destroying him... Ah,
those voices are back... high school caper with cute cheerleader-types and immortal beings trying to get in touch with Aaron - moody and magnificent - great fun.
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SILVER DOLPHINS #9: HIGH TIDE (Harper Collins Children's Books PB)
Dive into another exciting magical adventure for girls -- will you answer the call of Silver Dolphins? Young girls will love it...
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JIM ELDRIDGE: DEATH IN THE DESERT (Egmont PB)
Let's give 'em something to think about! Another day, another mission. Now a fully fledged member of covert military squad Delta Unit, Mitch is thrust straight back into the battle zone. And there's more at stake then ever before. The Mission: smuggle an undercover peace negotiator through war-torn
Afghanistan to the secret hideout of a powerful Taliban leader. The Squad: elite, Black-Ops soldiers - Mitch, Gaz, Two Moons, Tug, Benny and Nelson - codename, Delta Unit. Six men set out on the mission. How many will come back? Pre-teen and young teen boys will love this high action, explosive tale from Jim Eldridge. Straight from the pages of Battle comic...
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EDWARD HARDY: MARTHA NO! (Egmont HB)
Meet Martha Felicity Molly-Anne May - let her bring chaos into your day. She's the naughtiest girl you'll ever meet, even Mary Poppins would be knocked off her feet! When Martha spends the day with Miss Harrington-Chive, the new nanny gets more than she's bargained for. At the bandstand, at the
science Museum and at the restaurant, this poor childminder finds herself screaming - Martha, No! Egmont continue to produce outstanding picture story books for pre-school children, and this one, MARTHA, NO! is exceptionally good. Wonderful illustrations and a delightful story...
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BRIDGET R COLLINS (Bloomsbury PB)
Zach and his sister Annis have been uprooted by their parents from their comfortable home to a remote and half-built barn in France. Zach is being removed from his 'bad-influence' friends, their parents are trying to salvage their marriage and still remain on speaking terms whilst the bitterness
of their father's affair bubbles underneath the surface. And Annis - Annis just keeps going, keeping her head down, trying to keep it together. So far so normal. And then Zach, uncommunicative and contrary as ever these days, defies everything their parents have said and makes his way to the unsafe ruined building at the edge of their new garden, and leans up against the wall. The wall bulges, totters - and suddenly collapses on top of him. Annis, horrified, sees him crumpled on the ground. Desperate, she races
towards him, not daring to think anything at all. She sees him, on the ground, broken, silent, not there any more. And then, unbelievably, he moves. Zach moves. Zach, in an extraordinary and instinctive decision, has broken his bond with his own soul, the essence of himself. By doing so he has cheated death. By doing so he has also cheated life. He is unable to touch any human person again. And the essence of himself, his 'other', his soul, is chasing him, determined to rejoin what should rightfully be together.
Zach is on the run, from himself, whom he can never escape, from death, but also from the life that he can never enjoy again. Perhaps only a sister can help him now. Creepy, atmospheric, spooky - what more do you want from a teen read?
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GEMMA MALLEY: THE LEGACY (Bloomsbury PB)
When a Pincent Pharma lorry is ambushed by the Underground, its contents come as a huge surprise - not drugs, but corpses in a horrible state. It appears Longevity isn't working and the drugs promising eternal youth are failing to live up to their promises. A virus is sweeping the country, killing
in its wake, and Longevity is powerless to fight it. When Richard Pincent of Pincent Pharma suggest that the Underground has released the virus, something has to be done to put the story straight and once and for all alert everyone to the truth. I was tempted to believe this might have been written by Anthony Horowitz, but it wasn't. It's a great yarn, perfect for reading after you've done your homework!
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THE BEASTLY BOYS: SEA MONSTERS AND OTHER DELICACIES (Simon and Schuster PB)
The second book in this fantastic series. Ulf is an orphaned werewolf who has lived his whole life at Farraway Hall, the headquarters of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts (RSPCB), a rescue centre for rare and endangered beasts. When an injured sea monster arrives, Ulf uncovers
a poisonous mystery and a world of beast poaching in which sea beasts are eaten as delicacies. With the help of Orson the giant, Tiana the fairy and Dr Fielding the RSPCB vet, Ulf must defeat the cruel beast hunter Baron Marackai and stop the Beast Feast. The future of the RSPCB depends on it... Werewolves for the younger reader... whatever next? Another first-class teen read from Simon and Schuster - excellent.
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DAV PILKEY: THE ADVENTURES OF OOK AND GLUK, KUNG FU CAVEMEN FROM THE FUTURE (Scholastic PB)
From the creators of the massively successful Captain Underpants series comes a terrific blend of past and future featuring
Flintstone style cavemen but set in the future. The characters Ook and Gluk are past masters at martial arts as well as being completely wacky and very funny. Laughs on every page will ensure the reader, however reluctant will be hooked. Pilkey is legendary, as are his underpants! This is an hilarious story, and it's difficult to find anything to dislike about it.
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RUPERT KINGFISHER: MADAME PAMPLEMOUSSE AND THE ENCHANTED SWEET SHOP (Bloomsbury HB) - Illustrated by Sue Hellard
It's winter in Paris and Madeleine is having problems at school. A new girl, Mirabelle, is bullying her. Madeleine is too ashamed to ask for help from her friends, Madame Pamplemousse and Camembert, but she's befriended by a woman called Madame Bonbon, who runs an alluring-looking sweet shop. The
sweets Madame Bonbon gives Madeleine have the most bewitching effect, at first making her feel much stronger and able to confront Mirabelle. But soon they start drawing her into a strange, enchanted world from which she finds she cannot escape. For Madame Bonbon is really someone else in disguise - an old enemy from Madame Pamplemousse's past, who has come to Paris seeking her revenge. Second in this delightful
series sees Madeleine in trouble at school, and feeling she can't ask her friends for help. Utterly charming and beautifully illustrated.
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BARRY HUTCHISON: INVISIBLE FIENDS (Harper Collins Children's Books PB) Afraid of a cute little dolly, are you? Well, you should be…Almost, but not quite. Because now Raggy Maggie is back, and she wants Kyle to play a game. The game is very simple. Find where
she's hidden Billy – or Billy dies…About the Author: Barry Hutchison hails from the Highlands of Scotland, where he spends time writing screenplays, comics and scary children’s books. He is in his early thirties – but on a good day could easily pass for mid-forties – and lives happily with his long-term partner and young son. He is tall – but not like the BFG or that – and likes seafood, comics and Elvis, though not necessarily in that order.Billy is the hardest kid in school and a horrible bully. So Kyle could
almost find it funny that Billy's childhood invisible friend was a little dolly named Raggy Maggie. Third in the series - those dolls are quite terrifying, aren't they? Not for the faint-hearted!
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JENNY VALENTINE: THE DOUBLE LIFE OF CASSIEL ROADNIGHT (Harper Collins Children's Books PB)
Two boys. One identity. He can change his life if he says yes…An explosive new mystery from the award-winning author Jenny Valentine, The
Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight is the story of a boy who assumes the identity
of a missing teenager and in-so-doing unearths a series of shattering family
secrets – and the truth about who he really is. With all the classic hallmarks of a Jenny novel – a fantastically strong,
sensitive and memorable first person narration; themes of loss and betrayal,
family secrets and personal identity; truly quality writing that is 'literary'
but never inaccessbile or pretentious, this is the thrilling new novel from the
author of Finding Violet Park. A great follow-up from Jenny Valentine. Atmospheric, spooky, just right for today's mystery-hungry teens. Brilliant.
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JENNY VALENTINE: FINDING VIOLET PARK (Harper Collins Children's Books PB)
A stunning new look for Jenny Valentine’s debut novel, winner of the Guardian
Children’s Fiction Prize. The mini cab office was up a cobbled mews with little flat houses either
side. That's where I first met Violet Park, what was left of her. There was a
healing centre next door, a pretty Sixteen-year-old Lucas Swain becomes
intrigued by the urn of ashes left in a cab office. Convinced that its occupant
– Violet Park – is communicating with him, he contrives to gain possession of
the urn, little realising that his quest will take him on a voyage of
self-discovery and identity, forcing him to finally confront what happened to
his absent (and possibly dead) father… This is a second edition - thought-provoking semi-fantasy which really grabs your interest - a real page-turner!
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