Children's Fiction Recent Picks

March 2009

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

Reavers' ransom by Emily Diamond.
"Lilly Melkun is out fishing with her seacat when bloodthirsty reavers come raiding - and kidnap the Prime Minister's daughter. When Lilly's village is blamed for the kidnapping, she gets out to find the girl. Off she sails with the ransom - an extraordinary talking jewel. Nothing prepares her for what happens next..." (book cover)

Solitaire by Bernard Ashley.
"A boy. Lost. Alone. Shipwrecked on an island called Solitaire. He doesn't know who he is, how he got there or where he's from. All that matters is survival... A man. Rich. Powerful. Convinced his grandson is still alive. He has the influence and determination to fond and rescue him. His search will bring him to Solitaire." (book cover)

The ice-cream man by Jenny Mounfield.
"Playing a prank on the ice-cream man seems harmless enough at the time. After all, he asked for it! But what happens next ignites a terrifying chain of events that will bond three friends for life. The ice-cream man is coming. He knows where to find them." (Book cover)

Just Henry by Michelle Magorian.
"The Second World War has ended, but Henry is fighting his own battles... He misses his father who died a war hero, and his only distraction is the cinema. But everything is about to change... When Henry develops an old camera film he discovers a mystery and events spiral until his life resembles the drama of the big screen." (book cover)

Silver world by Cliff McNish.
"The ferocious predator called Roar has reached Earth. Can the children of Coldharbour stop her from devouring their world? Milo uses his silver wings against a shower of poison. Walter fights to save the lives with his amazing strength. Helen probes the Roar's mind for secrets. Thomas finds a new kind of transformative power. Emily and Freda's mysterious Protector offers help. Jenny turns into a terrifying weapon. Will their efforts be enough to save Earth? The battle comes to a stunning climax in the conclusion to he critically acclaimed Silver Sequence." (book cover)

Kenny and the dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi.
"Kenny made it to the grassy top by the sunset. From here he could see the little lamplights of Roundbrook flickering along the horizon. To the west, billowy clouds changed in hue from gold to a fiery orange, then turned red before cooling off into a lovely shade of lavender. As Kenny looked east, he could see the North Star, Polaris, twinkling low in the sky. Directly below, curled up and sleeping on the far side of the hill, was the dragon. He gulped. This animal was bigger than the illustrations in his book. Much bigger." (book cover)

Von Gobstopper's arcade by Alexandra Adornetto.
"After a perilous journey to the Conjuror's Realm, Milli and Ernest have again escaped the clutches of the wicked Lord Aldor... Milli and Ernest's excitement turns to intrigue when they encounter a small band of toys hiding underground... Could Aldor be behind this pernicious scheme to eradicate childhood?" (book cover)

Empty Quarter by Julia Golding.
"I woke to find your face splashed across the front pages. U r supposed to b in hiding! What the hell r u doing getting mixed up with the US President's out of control daughter?" (book cover)

Violet Raines almost got struck by lightning by Danette Haworth.
"Spunky, headstrong Violet Raines isn't scared much; she's lived in the sleepy little town of Mitchell Hammock all her life, and things are just the way she likes them. But Violet's world changes in a flash... (book cover)

Stargazer by Patrick Carman.
"When last we saw Alexa Daley, she had defeated a threat in her homeland and was sailing with Roland Warvold across the Lonely Sea. She had no idea what adventures awaited her now. After a tragic attack by and evil force, Alexa and her friend Yipes are stranded in a strange community... as darkness descends Alexa must risk everything to defeat it - even if it means taking to the skies." (book cover)

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