In the far future, in a world devastated by the effects of the sun Gaia and her parents struggle to survive outside the walled enclave. Those within the walls live in luxury. Each month Gaia and her mother and other midwives deliver a quota of babies for a new life in the enclave. Gaia accepts this until her parents are arrested and she becomes their only hope of survival; but it will mean entering the enclave which is illegal and the punishment is death. An enthralling and exciting story set in a dystopian future.

Roz

This is a mesmerising and fantastic novel – which made my heart beat faster!Set in Felixstowe it begins with some unsavoury teenagers breaking in to a creepy Victorian house which has been boarded up for years.  There are urban legends surrounding the history of previous occupants but only Sheila the girlfriend of the ringleader is aware of these. They are all affected by the damp dark atmosphere in the house but Sheila’s boyfriend Jezza is unaffected and really excited about exploring.  Things start to get really weird when they discover packing boxes full of books, all the same, called Dancing Jacks. Jezza acts as if he was meant to discover them and these books have an immediate hold on every reader who turns the first page. The story follows the lives of the young people of Felixstowe and how they are drawn in to events controlled by the Dancing Jacks.  There is a terrible tragedy and only Paul, the son of a local school teacher seems to notice the link to this mysterious book which is being read by everyone, but can he make anyone listen before it is too late? It is so exciting and in places quite horrific and at times the situation seems totally hopeless; such is the power of events taking hold in the town. A great story and I just cannot wait for the sequel.

Lesley

 

When their house blows up due to some mysterious force, twins Jack and Jaide are sent by their parents to stay with a grandmother they have never met in the weird town of Portland. Strange weather, talking cats, swarms of frenzied rats and cockroaches are the least of their worries as they unravel the mystery of who they are, awaken their latent powers and do battle to save the Wards around the town against the onslaught of The Evil. A fast paced adventure story with two very strong willed main characters, first in the TroubleTwisters series.

Sue

This is a funny and thoughtful picture book for older readers. A litter of rodents outgrow their burrow (possibly hamsters?) and venture across imaginary oceans and deserts on a quest to find a new home. An enjoyable adventure with lots to discuss about belonging, courage and being part of the wide world.

Sally

Sassoon is a colourful snake who likes to hide anywhere and everywhere. A rhyming picture book story, ideal for sharing one to one or with a small group, to search for Sassoon. Finding him can be a challenge but fun.

Linda

A boy imagines himself as all sorts of fantastic creatures as he goes through his day, slowly driving his Mum and Dad crazy. A great fun picture book story told in rhyme with lots of wonderful illustrations. 

Linda 

The final book in the series which started with the prizewinning ’13 Treasures’. Rowan is now living at Elvesden Manor and trying to lead as “normal” life normal life as you can when you world is full of fairies and goblins. However she is haunted by nightmares from the past and all too soon is involved with a secret group dedicated to stop the changeling trade between fairies and humans. This book is a darker tale than the previous ones on the series and there are many violent and scary situations which can have a life or death outcome. An entertaining story full of fairies, mystery and friendship.

Roz

A story set in two time periods with two young people, Tony who is evacuated from London to the Lake District, and Mallie who wants to encourage her Mum to start painting again and buys her a drawing of a girl with a rabbit. It is this picture that links the past and present and the two people. A great read.

Linda

11 year old Martha looks after her father and her younger brother Tug after her mother died two years ago. However dad is a problem, he has stopped working and started acting very strangely. This involves taking them on a picnic in the park at midnight and leaving them on their own at night. It becomes apparent he is an alcoholic and just cannot cope with life without his wife. This could have become a very “issue” driven book but instead becomes a story full of wit, humour, life and above all love. The characters are wonderfully drawn especially Martha’s friend Marcus and her little brother Tug. Moon Pie is on the longlist for this year’s Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize.

Roz

Sue

Douglas’ Dad gives him a new woolly hat but it soon begins to unravel. His friends try to help fix Douglas’ problem in their various ways. The second Douglas book, with just as brilliant illustrations as the previous one Hugless Douglas.

Linda

Calypso is on the run, but she doesn’t know from who or what. She has been injured and has to find some where to hide – fast.  Shelter is found in a disused hospital and with the help of a homeless old man and a new friend Alfie she succeeds on evading capture. But why is her mother not looking for her and is Alfie really the friend he seems to be? An intriguing adventure with a twist at the end.

Roz

Alex’s final superspy mission sees him again pitting his wits against the evil Scorpia. This evil organisation seek revenge and to frame Alex who has thwarted them twice in the past. An action packed final adventure set in Egypt full of surprising plot twists and turns and which sees the death of a major character.

Sue

After his mother’s death, Phoenix and his father are shocked to find that they have inherited Gravenhunger Manor. Then Phoenix finds a letter from his mother that alludes to a terrible childhood tragedy. With his father and cousin, Rose, Phoenix heads to Gravenhunger Manor determined to solve the mystery. His encounter with a mysterious ghost and the discovery of a  horde of Anglo Saxon treasure places his life in danger.

Sally

Ben and his friends from the School of Night investigate why something strange and frightening is happening in the village of Templeton, which was evacuated in World War II, so that even the ghosts are leaving.  Second in the series and a great read!

Linda