KIDS' CHOICE 2009

Thanks to all of you who voted for your favourite book of 2009! We got heaps of votes, and we've put the results into two lists: 25 Most Popular Books for Older Kids (for ages 10 and up) and 25 Most Popular Books for Younger Kids (for 5s to 10 year olds). Here they are! (You can also collect a paper copy of the lists from a Wellington City Libraries branch.)

25 Most Popular Books for Younger Kids

1 Zac Power series by H I Larry 2 Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows 3 The Twits by Roald Dahl 4 Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey 5 The Naughtiest Girl collection by Enid Blyton 6 Spy Dog series by Andrew Cope 7 The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi 8 Deltora Quest series by Emily Rodda 9 The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss 10 Beast Quest series by Adam Blade 11 Astrosaurs series by Stephen Cole 12 The Big Friendly Giant (BFG) by Roald Dahl 13 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 14 Matilda by Roald Dahl 15 Extreme Adventures series by Justin D'Ath 16 Horrible Histories series by various authors 17 Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon 18 Goosebumps series by R L Stine 19 Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 20 A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket 21 The Cat Mummy by Jacqueline Wilson 22 Max Flash series by Jonny Zucker 23 Treasure Fever by Andy Griffiths 24 We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen 25 Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss

25 Most Popular Books for Older Kids

Note: some of these books are found in the Young Adult collection. They are marked with a *.

1 Twilight Saga* by Stephenie Meyer 2 CHERUB series by Robert Muchamore 3 Harry Potter series by J K Rowling 4 Warriors series by Erin Hunter 5 Maximum Ride* series by James Patterson 6 Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan 7 Alex Rider* series by Anthony Horowitz 8 Diary of a wimpy kid series by Jeff Kinney 9 Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan 10 Fruits Basket* series by Natsaki Takaya 11 Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer 12 Vampire Academy* series by Richelle Mead 13 Anne of Green Gables series by L M Montgomery 14 Georgia Nicholson* series by Louise Rennison 15 The boy in the striped pyjamas* by John Boyne 16 Holes* by Louis Sachar 17 Candyfloss by Jacqueline Wilson 18 Enemy at the gate by Philippa Werry 19 Young Bond series by Charlie Higson 20 Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy 21 The Inheritance Cycle* by Christopher Paolini 22 Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson 23 The 39 Clues series by various authors 24 The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver 25 Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Sunrise, by Erin Hunter.
"When Firestar's grandchildren, Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather, finally discover who their true parents are, there are dire consequences for ThunderClan and the Warrior Code." (catalogue entry)

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The Pirates' Treasure, by Emily Bearn.
"In the broom cupboard of a Rose Cottage, stands a house fit for a mouse - well, two mice actually. A house made of pebblestone, with gables on the windows and turrets peeking out of the roof. A house with a ballroom, a billiard room, a banqueting room, a butler's room and a drawing room. The house belongs to Mr and Mrs Nutmouse, or Tumtum and Nutmeg as they affectionately call each other. When General Marchmouse unexpectedly joins the Nutmouses on a camping trip things soon begin to go horribly wrong. Before they know it, the mice are whisked downstream on Arthur's toy boat Bluebottle. The General soon spies an island in the distance that he is determined to explore - and fiddlesticks to anyone who disagrees! But once ashore the mice soon find that they are not the only ones to have discovered the island..." (amazon.co.uk)

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Death Diamond, by Dan Jerris.
"Al and his best friend Owen are peering into an old sea trunk in Al's attic when, all of a sudden, they find themselves sitting on a small rocky outcrop in the middle of the ocean. Before they know it, a strange, three-legged cat joins them, seemingly scared out of its wits. And to top it all off, a pirate ship sails in to rescue them! The boys hop aboard The Booty, where they meet Captain Gunner, Mahoot, his cabin boy, and Slicer, the cook. Mahoot tells them that they are sailing the Dragon Blood Islands in search of treasure. Bewildered, Al and Owen realise they must have travelled back in time. Al then comes across a map showing where the infamous Death Diamond is hidden, and Captain Gunner and his crew decide to go in search of it. However, they don't realise they are being followed by the nasty one-eyed Snotty Nell, captain of The Tormenter." (amazon.co.uk)

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The School Story, by Andrew Clements.
"After twelve-year-old Natalie writes a wonderful novel, her friend Zoe helps her devise a scheme to get it accepted at the publishing house where Natalie's mother works as an editor. Natalie uses a pseudonym to write her first book, and her friend, Zoe, pretends to be an agent. With a little help from an English teacher, the book exceeds everyone's expectations and becomes a bestseller!" (catalogue entry)

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Mouse Noses on Toast, by Darren King.
"'I will have the colourful parrot soup,' the lady said, 'with extra beaky bits.' 'And I,' said her husband, 'will have mouse noses on toast.' The waiter flipped open his notebook and wrote this down. 'Would that be with whiskers, Sir, or without?' Hiding on the restaurant table, Paul Mouse's world has just turned upside down. Surely the man is making a joke? Isn't mouse noses on toast just a big myth? Gathering his friends - Sandra the Christmas tree decoration, Rowley Barker Hobbs, the sheepdog, and the Tinby, a kind of monster - Paul becomes determined to find the truth. So begins an adventure involving mouse activists, the prime minister, cheese addicts and a wildly insane Tinby. But what awaits them all at the mouse noses abbatoir...?" (amazon.co.uk)

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What with spies, gorillas, mysteries and clues and penguins, there's a lot happening in this month's Kids' Choice selection!

The 39 Clues: Beyond the Grave, by Jude Watson.
"Amy and Dan are hot on the trail of the fourth Clue, but their ruthless relatives will stop at nothing to eliminate them from the competition. Their hunt leads them to an ancient city that has been a hot bed of Cahill activity for centuries. All that stands between the siblings and the Clue is a cryptic riddle, a missing relic, and the secret of their grandmother's past. The clock is ticking for Amy and Dan, but can they really solve a mystery that has eluded their ancestors for generations?" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Daisy and the Trouble with Zoos, by Kes Gray.
"It's Daisy's birthday and she's having a special birthday treat! Mum has invited her best friends, Gabby and Dylan, on a trip to the zoo - and, best of all, Mum has arranged for Daisy to go into the actual penguin cage with the actual zoo keeper and FEED actual penguins! REAL ACTUAL PENGUINS! With actual beaks and everything!! Trouble is, Daisy doesn't just feed the penguins, she 'adopts' one to take home and everything." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The Recruit, by Robert Muchamore.
"A terrorist doesn't let strangers in her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligence agents, but her children bring their mates home and they run all over the place.

"The terrorist doesn't know that a kid has bugged every room in her house, cloned the hard drive on her PC, and copied all the numbers in her phone book. The kid works for CHERUB.

"CHERUB is not James Bond. There are no master criminals or high-tech gadgets. CHERUB kids live in the real world. They slip under adult radar and get information that sends criminals and terrorists to jail.

"For official purposes, these children do not exist." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Gorilla Adventure, by Willard Price.
"Hal and Roger Hunt head off for another challenging mission-this time to search for gorillas deep in the Congo jungle. But when the boys stumble across the evil trade in baby gorillas, someone seems determined to silnece them once and for all." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Nina of the Dark, by Ken Catran (New Zealand author).
"A sweeping epic fantasy adventure, Nina of the Dark tells the compelling story of a slave girl and a warrior queen, in a medieval world where humans battle for existence in fortified towns scattered through a fertile lowlands, dominated by the grim mountains of Backbone. Beyond Backbone is a land of demons, flying dragons, witchers, ogres and goblins. Rescued at birth only to be doomed to a life of slavery, Nina has no idea she has been foretold by ancient prophets, and carries within her a key that will unlock an unlikely future. In the shadow of a prophecy of a young woman with hair the colour of sunlight on snow, raven-haired Nina the foundling is suspected of witchcraft when she starts to experience sharp pain in her thumbs at adolescence, a sure sign of witchery and evil to those she serves. When her village is attacked and Nina is made the scapegoat she is forced to flee for her life, beginning a classic journey of discovery and coming of age in a brutal and violent world where nothing is the way it seems and secrets and lies wait round every corner." (Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie)

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This month there are some really popular children's authors; make sure you let us know if you've read a fantastic book!

Cry of the Taniwha, by Des Hunt (New Zealand author).
"Sitting on the dark earth and staring up at him was a skull, the lower jaw below ground so Matt didn't have to cope with the thing grinning up at him. The empty eye sockets were scary enough... Matt Logan isn't looking forward to spending the school holidays with his grandmother and her new husband. He has to fly to Rotorua, where he doesn't know anybody, and he's a bit wary of his new step-grandfather. All Matt knows is that he's Maori and a bus driver. Along with his worries, Matt packs his pride and joy - a homemade metal detector, because, you never know, he might find something interesting. What he finds is Juzza, who lives over the back fence and wants to join a local gang. When the boys unearth a handcuffed skeleton, a chain of events begins to coil around them. Together they are thrown into a deadly search for treasure when the local gang boss decides to exploit their find for himself." (Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie)

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Hatching Magic, by Ann Downer.
"When a thirteenth-century wizard confronts twenty-first century Boston while seeking his pet dragon, he is followed by a rival wizard and a very unhappy demon, but eleven-year-old Theodora Oglethorpe may hold the secret to setting everything right." (Catalogue entry)

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Bluestar's Prophecy, by Erin Hunter.
"Bluefur, a warrior of ThunderClan, struggles under the weight of a prophecy that promises her glory as Clan leader, but also spells out her ultimate demise." (Catalogue entry)

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Cookie, by Jacqueline Wilson.
"Beauty Cookson is no beauty. She's a plain, timid girl surrounded by super-confident, snooty girls at school. Worse than the teasing in the playground, though, is the unpredictable criticism from her father. Frequently berated for breaking any of Dad's hyper-fussy house rules, as well as for her lack of looks, confidence and friends, Beauty lives in uneasy fear whenever Dad's at home. Her pretty, sweet mum is equally subject to Dad's tirades. Eventually, after an unbearable birthday party and a very real fear that Dad's temper is out of control, Mum and Beauty run away. Very soon Mum and Beauty find themselves in an idyllic seaside resort where their new-found freedom and a moment of culinary inspiration give them a hobby, an income and even a new nickname for Beauty. Soon all Beauty's dreams come true - and she deserves it! This is a charming, page-turning and heart-warming story from this beloved author." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Utterly me, Clarice Bean, by Lauren Child.
"Clarice's extraordinarily ordinary family are under pressure. Dad keeps muttering about how 'there might be a reshuffle going on at work' and how he will 'have to jump through hoops' if he wants to get a 'share of the pie' because 'the big cheese' has been making noises about 'some people being left out in the cold if they don't keep their eye on the ball', while mum spends her life 'gribbling about pants on the floor and shoes on the sofa'. And as for her brother, Minal Cricket, he 'tends to be utterly a nuisance'.

"Meanwhile, Mrs Wilburton, the school teacher who insists that Clarice sets a book project 'which sounds utterly dreary', until, that is, Miss Bean realises there is a prize. Together with best friend Betty Moody, Clarice sets about bagging the booty with the aid of The Ruby Redford Collection, a series of books about an 11-year-old detective.

"As the games commence, Clarice tells her story through her diary, navigating childhood minefields and inviting readers to join her in her wide-eyed wonder at the madness of it all. Children will enjoy the easy-flowing, slightly breathless style and the familiarity of day-to-day dramas, and will undoubtedly agree with many of Clarice's observations on the utter unfairness of childhood in general." (Amazon.co.uk)

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From classics to cool new books, this month's Kids' Choice selections have something for everyone!

The Tapestry Book 2: The second siege , by Henry Neff.
"It's Max McDaniels' second year at Rowan Academy, a contemporary American boarding school where students are trained to fight against supernatural foes. He and his sorcerer roommate, David, along with several others, human and non, are embroiled in a quest to stop the demon Astaroth from finding the Book of Thoth, which holds the key to all creation. As governments fall to Astaroth, Max and David travel across Europe and beyond in search of the book's location. Proud, emotional Max and frail, calculating David suffer realistic setbacks and humbling experiences that change them, while Astaroth is delightful in his sly, polite wickedness. Neff's writing is infused with history and myth, and a sense of adventure: add well-rounded characters, and this makes for a captivating read. New readers should start with the first book, The Hound of Rowan (2007) as this one doesn't look back, but the dark conclusion and its potential consequences will ensure an eager readership for the third. Although Neff will not escape Harry Potter comparisons, in this volume he moves into his own distinctive voice." (From Amazon.com)

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Billy Bones: A Tale from the Secrets Closet , by Christopher Lincoln.
"The Bones Family lives in a dark closet, guarding the secrets and lies (little white ones and big whoppers) that belong to the hideous Biglums. But Little Billy Bones craves the excitement of the big wide world outside. Then Millicent, a new friendly Biglum, arrives at the mansion. And when a skeleton-boy with a hidden history meets a no-nonsense orphan girl with a nose for mysery, the truth is bound to burst out of the Secrets Closet." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The shade of Hettie Daynes, by Robert Swindells.
"If you expect to see a ghost, you see a ghost... That's what Bethan tells herself when her brother Harry takes her to see the ghost at the old reservoir. But she really can see it: a pale figure floating over the water, one finger pointing downwards. Local legend says that the ghost is Hettie Daynes, an ancestor of their family, who vanished over a hundred years ago. If so, what does she want? And why is she appearing now? Harry and Bethan and their friends Rob and Alison are determined to find out! A deliciously shivery ghost tale from multi award-winning author Robert Swindells." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The girl who loved wild horses, by Paul Goble.
"For most people, being swept away in a horse stampede during a raging thunderstorm would be a terrifying disaster. For the young Native American girl in Paul Goble's 1979 Caldecott-winning masterpiece, The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, it is a blessing. Although she loves her people, this girl has a much deeper, almost sacred connection to her equine friends. The storm gives her the opportunity to fulfill her dream - to live in a beautiful land among the wild horses she loves." (Amazon.com)

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Heidi, by Johanna Spyri.
"... In Heidi what happens when a little orphan girl is forced to live with her cold and frightening grandfather? The heartwarming answer has engaged children for more than a century, both on the page and on the screen. Johanna Spyri's beloved story offers youngsters an endearing and intelligent heroine, a cast of unique and memorable characters, and a fascinating portrait of a small Alpine village." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Phew! We had heaps of reviews sent in this last month: here are five of the best recommendations. Thanks for all your work reviewing!

Malice, by Chris Wooding.
"Everyone's heard of it, but nobody's read it... Seth and Kady have heard all the stories about MALICE - a secret comic about a strange and awful world full of traps and tricks, overseen by a sinister master of ceremonies, Tall Jake. But if rumours are to be believed, the children in this comic are real..." (Amazon.co.uk) This book has a really cool 3D cover!

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Lucky for Some, by Fleur Beale.
"Lacey Turner is a city girl. The idea of leaving her city life of friends, dancing lessons, school and hairdressers to live in a ramshackle house in the country is a nightmare. What does the country have to offer a girl like her?" (Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie)

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The Master of the Fallen Chairs, by Henry Porter.
"'He came on the shortest day of the year between the storms that carried the sea twenty miles inland and the great snow of that winter. But before his arrival there was an equally mysterious disappearance.' The first in a trilogy, The Master of the Fallen Chairs sees thirteen-year-old orphan Kim living with his elusive guardian, surly tutor and various servants in a grand but dilapidated old house called Skirl. When one of the servant girls goes missing, a dark cloud descends on the house. The arrival of a stranger in the dead of night plunges everything further into mystery, and introduces a bit of magic to the mix too..." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The Dragonfly Pool, by Eva Ibbotson.
"Tally Hamilton is furious to hear she is being sent from London to a horrid, stuffy boarding school in the countryside. And all because of the stupid war. But Delderton Hall is a far more interesting place than Tally ever imagined, and an exciting school trip to the beautiful and luscious kingdom of Bergania whisks Tally into an unexpected adventure ...will she be able to save her new friend, Prince Tamil, before it's too late?" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Thomas Trew and the Flying Huntsman, by Sophie Masson.
"'The Thomas Trew stories (this is the fifth) are always evocative and exciting, but this is one of the most thrilling ... Sophie Masson's version of the Flying Huntsman is magnificent.'" (Writeaway.org - from Amazon.co.uk)

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Here's our selection of five Kids' Choices for this month: thanks again for your reviews and suggestions, we love hearing from you!

Ruby Clair: the trouble with ghosts, by Mary K. Pershall.
"Ruby Clair is used to weird stuff happening. Like being able to see the lights around people and hearing whispery voices in the dark. But getting a call from her cousin Nicola goes way beyond weird. It's impossible. If this is a gift, Ruby's not sure she wants it. Why does the one things she seems to be good at have to be so spooky?" (provided by publisher)

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Thornspell, by Helen Lowe.
"In this elaboration of 'Sleeping Beauty', Prince Sigismund, having grown up in a remote castle dreaming of going on knightly quests, has had only a passing interest in the forbidden wood lying beyond the castle gates until a brief encounter with a beautiful and mysterious lady changes his life forever." (catalogue entry)

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The Incredibly Boring Monotonous Family, by Philip Barry.
"Dahl-esque fantasy adventure for children in which a very boring family, the Monotonous family, discover a taste for excitement through the workings of a magic key. Ann and Stan Monotonous are extremely brainy nine-year old twins. However, their family life is painfully dull - dull routines, stultifying hobbies, even their meals are agonisingly awful as they are all rigidly based on the most basic of food pyramids. Their only excitement in life is a recording of a bland voice reciting the numbers of pi to which they listen in the car. Then one day Ann Monotonous finds a magic key. The key comes with a special message and Ann suddenly, and literally, find exciting new doors opening for the Monotonous family. Then the unthinkable happens - the Monotonous family becomes entirely too exciting. Now it's up to Ann to save her family ... from themselves. Philip Barry is a 24 year-old English and History teacher. He has been a secondary teacher for the past two years and has worked and lived in a boys boarding school for five. He writes poetry and stories, and The Incredibly Boring Monotonous Family is his first novel." (provided by publisher)

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School Spirit, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.
"Like her mother, a professional medium, Kat has been able to see dead people since turning thirteen, and although they would prefer to be normal, Kat and her best friend come to terms with their own talents while helping free the spirit of a girl trapped at their middle school." (catalogue entry)

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Riding the storm, by Salamanda Drake.
"At Dragonsdale, where riding is the most important thing in the world, there's trouble ahead for best friends Cara and Breena, and their beloved dragons. Poor Breena. When her show dragon, Moonflight, is injured, it looks like time will run out for the pair to qualify for the Island Championship. Cara and her dragon, Sky, however, have never looked better, and although she misses her friend at her side, winning means so much. But, both Breena and Cara fail to notice their spiteful rival, Hortense, making mischief behind their backs. It's only a matter of time before their friendship is put to the ultimate test - even if it means braving the wild seas off the Isles of Bresal." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Here are the five top nominations for this month: thanks for all your awesome reviews and suggestions, keep them coming!

Riding Icarus, by Lily Hyde.
"When rich Uncle Igor sends her mother abroad to work, Masha stays in Kiev and moves into an old, disused trolleybus called Icarus. But one night there is a terrible storm and Icarus takes off! Masha is transported to an enchanted place where she discovers that, on midsummer eve, she will be able to wish for whatever her heart desires. But will Masha be able to find the enchanted place again and work out her heart's desire in time? And will she make the right wish to bring her mother back home so they can escape Igor's clutches for ever?" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Stoneheart, by Charlie Fletcher.
"Deep in the City something had been woken, so old that people had been walking past it for centuries without giving it a second look...' When George breaks the dragon's head outside the Natural History Museum he awakes an ancient power. This prehistoric beast, sentry-still for centuries, hunts him down with a terrifying wrath. And this is just the beginning... The taints and spits - statues with opposing natures - are warring forces; wreaking deadly havoc on the city landscape. The World War One gunner offers protection of sorts; and the wisdom of the Sphinx is legendary. But George and his companion Edie are trapped in a world of danger. And worse - they are quite alone. The rest of London is oblivious to their plight. This epic adventure exposes forces long-layered in the fabric of London. After entering its richly original and breathtaking world, the city streets and skyline will never again seem the same!" (Amazon.co.uk)

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The Diary of a World War II Pilot, by Dennis Hamley.
"This lively black and white series aims to make history into an interesting read. Each title is the personal diary of a teenager, set against the background of a specific historical time. The books include details of daily life, relations with family and friends, jokes and humorous events, doubts and hopes and dreams. The storyline of each book employs interesting historical facts designed to give an understanding of the period, in line with the National Curriculum; the diary format supports the National Literacy Strategy. World War II Pilot - It is 1938, and with World War II looming Johnny Hedley joins up to become a pilot in the Royal Air Force, surviving both the Battle of Britain and D-Day." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan.
"What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world in the form of 39 clues? What if you were given a choice - take a million dollars and walk away... or get the first clue and begin the search?" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Kaimanawa Princess, by Dianne Haworth.
"Inspired by a true life story, Dianne Haworth has woven a moving and inspiring story of love and courage, and the bond between a young girl and her pony. When the Department of Conservation announced plans to cull the wild Kaimanawa herds, some unlikely bedfellows found themselves locked into a desperate fight to save the horses. When a young girl stood beside the desert road in protest, her inspiring stand moved hearts and changed her own life, when a shy black and white mare looked to her for help - and paid back her debt in love and devotion." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Here are the five top nominations for this month: once again, some fantastic books; make sure you read them!

Pencil of Doom, by Andy Griffiths.
"When Henry McThrottle doodles with his new pencil, his pictures come alive! Henry's classmates get greedy and draw all the things they could possibly wish for - with chaotic results, for the pencil twists their dreams into nightmares. Instead of cuddling a cute little kitten, the kids are trapped in their classroom with a large and ferocious lion!" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Oh The Places You'll Go, by Dr Seuss.
"Advice in rhyme for proceeding in life; weathering fear, loneliness, and confusion; and being in charge of your actions." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The Return of the Killer Cat, by Anne Fine.
"The killer cat is back - and he's dangerous! Tuffy can't wait for Ellie and the family to go away on holiday. A week of freedom lies ahead - if only he can get away from the catsitter. But everything goes wrong when Tuffy is catapulted into the arms of horrid, sweet-as-pie Melanie. Melanie has always longed for a lovely, cuddly ickle pussykins. And, with the promise of cream, fresh fish and escape from the catsitter, Tuffy loses all his dignity. Dressed up in baby-clothes and pampered like a pussycat, has the killer cat reall gone for good?" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Why eating bogeys is good for you, by Mitchell Symons.
"I have just finished reading this really neat book called Why eating bogeys is good for you... and other crazy facts explained. This book says that eating your bogeys is actually good for your health, yuck. I also found out why birds don't get electrocuted when they perch on electricity wires and why women don't have beards. There are some funny and interesting facts in this book. You won't be able to put it down." (kids' blog staff entry)

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Titchy Witch and the Bully Boggarts, by Rose Impey.
"Titchy Witch is only a little witch but she spells BIG trouble. When she waves her wand - watch out!" (Amazon.com)

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Voting Results!

My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson was the most popular of the Kids' Choice selections for 2008!

The medal winners were...

Gold Medal
My Sister Jodie, by Jacqueline Wilson.
"Pearl and Jodie are sisters. Pearl is the quiet, cautious, studious younger sister. Jodie is bold and brash and bad - but Pearl adores her anyway. When their parents get new jobs as the cook and caretaker at a fusty old boarding school, the girls have to move there and spend their summer holidays in the school with just a few children and staff for company. And when they arrive, things start to change. Jodie has always been the leader - but now it's Pearl who's making new friends like the amazingly tall, badger-watching Harley and Mrs Wilberforce, the wife of the Head who's confined to a wheelchair after an accident but introduces Pearl to wonderful new books. Jodie just seems to be getting into more and more trouble - arguing with Mum, scaring the little children, flirting with the gardener... When term begins, their strange summer is over. But things keep on changing. Jodie really doesn't fit in with the posh teenagers at the school. But Pearl is doing well in lessons and has even more friends. Maybe she doesn't need Jodie as much as she used to. But Jodie needs her." (Amazon.co.uk)

Silver Medal
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, by Jeff Kinney.
"Greg Heffley tells about his summer vacation and his attempts to steer clear of trouble when he returns to middle school and tries to keep his older brother Rodrick from telling everyone about Greg's most humiliating experience of the summer." (Amazon.co.uk)

Bronze Medal
Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire, by Derek Landy.
"Just when you think you've saved the world! 'You will kill her?' the Torment asked. Skulduggery sagged. 'Yes.' He hesitated, then took his gun from his jacket. 'I'm sorry, Valkyrie,' he said softly. 'Don't talk to me,' Valkyrie said. 'Just do what you have to do.' Valkyrie parted her tunic, and Skulduggery pointed the gun at the vest beneath. 'Please forgive me,' Skulduggery said, then aimed the gun at the girl and pulled the trigger. With Serpine dead, the world is safe once more. At least, that's what Valkyrie and Skulduggery think, until the notorious Baron Vengeous makes a bloody escape from prison, and dead bodies and vampires start showing up all over Ireland. With Baron Vengeous after the deadly armour of Lord Vile, and pretty much everyone out to kill Valkyrie, the daring detective duo face their biggest challenge yet. But what if the greatest threat to Valkyrie is just a little closer to home!?" (Amazon.co.uk)

Here are the five top nominations for this month: some really cool books again, so make sure you read them!

The 13 clocks, by James Thurber.
"The 13 Clocks is James Thurber's sublimely revamped fairy tale, in which a wicked Duke who imagines he has killed time, and the Duke's beautiful niece, for whom time seems to have run out, both meet their match, courtesy of an enterprising and very handsome prince in disguise. Readers young and old will take pleasure in this tale of love forestalled but ultimately fulfilled, admiring its upstanding hero (He yearned to find in a far land the princess of his dreams, singing as he went, and possibly slaying a dragon here and there) and unapologetic villain (We all have flaws, the Duke said. Mine is being wicked), while wondering at the enigmatic Golux, the mysterious stranger whose unpredictable interventions speed the story to its necessarily happy end." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Warriors, by Terry Deary.
"Terry Deary tells the terrible truth about fighting men from around the world, including Roman soldiers, Greek soldiers, Vikings, Samurai and native American warriors." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The Reptile Room, by Lemony Snicket.
"The Baudelaire siblings suffer all sorts of misfortunes in this, the second book of their adventures." (Amazon.co.uk)

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The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's journal, by Jeff Kinney.
"Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into a new year and a new school where undersize weaklings share the corridors with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving. Desperate to prove his new found maturity, which only going up a grade can bring, Greg is happy to have his not-quite-so-cool sidekick, Rowley, along for the ride. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend's popularity to his own advantage. Recorded in his diary with comic pictures and his very own words, this test of Greg and Rowley's friendship unfolds with hilarious results." (Amazon.co.uk) Look out for the next in the series, coming this year: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw.

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Young Bond: Silverfin, by Charlie Higson.
"FILE NOTE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL - AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY Subject: James Bond Age: 13 Description: dark hair that falls in a comma above his brow, despite efforts to control it; blue eyes; tall for age; surprisingly strong; fluent French, good German Essential components: A villain so vile no white fluffy cat would go near him A girl - blond, green-eyed, named Wilder Lawless One fast car Additional detail: Sinister experiments at a remote castle in the Scottish Highlands The disappearance of a young boy Britain building to war in the 1930s." (Amazon.co.uk)

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Here are the five top nominations from the beginning of this year: there are some awesome titles in here, check them out!

Inkdeath, by Cornelia Funke.
"The Adderhead - his immortality bound in a book by Meggie's father, Mo - has ordered his henchmen to plunder the villages. The peasants' only defence is a band of outlaws led by the Bluejay - Mo's fictitious double, whose identity he has reluctantly adopted. But the Book of Immortality is unravelling, and the Adderhead again fears the White Women of Death. To bring the renegade Bluejay back to repair the book, the Adderhead kidnaps all the children in the kingdom, dooming them to slavery in his silver mines unless Mo surrenders. First Dustfinger, now Mo: Can anyone save this cursed story?" (Amazon.com)

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Blackthorn, by Elizabeth Pulford (NZ).
"Young orphan Alyana leaves her village to become the warrior she feels she truly is. Taking the name of Blackthorn, she meets a hunter called Boar, who takes her into his camp and teaches her the ways of the woods. Alyana constantly struggles between wanting the comforts of family and the solitary life of a warrior and is captured by her tribal enemies, uncovering a plan to destroy her old village. In an act of sacrifice, she saves the village and truly becomes a warrior. Elizabeth Pulford is a New Zealand author who has had more than 20 books published over the past twelve years." (Children's Bookshop Kilbirnie)

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Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones.
"Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl - and herself - than first meets the eye." (Amazon.com)

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Pink Chameleon (Silk Sisters), by Fiona Dunbar.
"In the not too distant future, Rorie and Elsie's parents have disappeared. Just like that. And with only their cruel uncle to look after them, the girls are swept off to his miserable boarding school. But the sisters are determined to escape their uncle's grip - and discover the truth behind their parents' disappearance... A wild and futuristic fashion adventure!" (Amazon.co.uk)

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Long Shadows, by Erin Hunter.
"The Clans are in turmoil. ShadowClan has turned its back on StarClan and pledged to follow the dark predictions of Sol, the strange cat who foretold the solar eclipse. But not all the cats have lost faith in their warrior ancestors... Jaypaw is convinced that StarClan still holds an important place in the warrior code, and his search for answers leads him far back into the past, farther back than even StarClan can remember. Lionblaze, tortured by violent dreams and bloody visions, wishes he had never been prophesied to be one of the three but to turn his back on his littermates would be the ultimate betrayal. And Hollyleaf is terrified that once the Clans lose their faith, the warrior code will fall apart. She's willing to fight tooth and nail to preserve it - whatever the cost. And when murder stalks into the heart of ThunderClan, the cats realize that the darkest shadows don't always lie outside the territory." (Amazon.com)

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See the Kids' Choices for 2008.