Top 10 Children’s Fiction July 2017

The school holiday meant heaps of books going to people’s homes from our libraries.  So which ones did they like best?  There are three solid favourites for childrens reading, Diary of a wimpy kid, Tom Gates and the Storey Tree house series where the floors keep getting more intriguing! The New Diary of a Wimpy Kid is set for release of November 7, 2017. Place your reserves to at the front of queue in November =)

Roald Dahl of BFG fame was also a great holiday favourite.  Three of his books are in the top ten!  Did you know that you can find out which Roald Dahl character by height, if you visit the Road Dahl museum in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire – so if you’re not fully grown you can go through several versions!  I wonder who you would be?

  1. Diary of a wimpy kid (series), by Jeff Kinney
  2. Tom Gates (series), by Liz Pichon
  3. Storey treehouse (series), by Andy Griffiths
  4. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford
  5. The enormous crocodile, by Roald Dahl
  6. Matilda, by Roald Dahl
  7. George’s marvellous medicine, by Roald Dahl
  8. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton
  9. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling
  10. Demon dentist, by David Walliams

Some exciting new kids fiction books for you to enjoy!!!

Here’s an exciting selection of the newest Kids Fiction books to hit the shelves at your local library!  Get your homework done and snuggle up warm with your duvet and one of these!

The Lost Staff of Wonders by Raymond ArroyoImage courtesy of Syndetics

When the storied Staff of Moses responsible for summoning the plagues of ancient Egypt vanishes from the museum in Perilous Falls, Will Wilder is suspect number one. As the river runs with blood, sharp-toothed frogs surround his home, and clouds of swarming gnats choke the streets, Will must rely on his supernatural ability, everything he learned from his training, and help from his friends, siblings, and Great-Aunt Lucille to find the missing staff and unmask the hidden evil before time runs out for all of them.

Image courtesy of SyndeticsBattle of the Heroes by Kate Forsyth

The quest comes to an end as Tom, Quinn, Elanor and Sebastian return to Wolfhaven with their four magical beasts and the gifts they bear. Will they be in time to stop Lord Mortlake’s deadly plot?

 

 

The Worst Years of My Life by James PattersonImage courtesy of Syndetics

Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he’s got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off. With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school’s oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class – 5,000 points! Running in the hallway – 10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm – 50,000 points! But when Rafe’s game starts to catch up with him, he’ll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he’s finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he’s been avoiding.

Image courtesy of SyndeticsChitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon by Frank Cottrell Boyce

When Big Ben takes off like a rocket after the World Cup, it takes a visit to the moon and the help of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s previous owners, the Pott family, to save Chitty and Little Harry.

 

 

Stick Cat by Tom WatsonImage courtesy of Syndetics

While admiring the view of the city from his friend Edith’s apartment, Stick Cat notices that Hazel, the bagel maker, is in danger across the alley, and he devises a plan to rescue her.

 

Top 10 Children’s eBooks March 2017

Dowloading popular titles is great way to read though your favourite authors, or make sure you get to read all the books in a series.  You can reserve an eBook – just like a regular shelf one.  So when someone has finished their loan or returns the eBook you can read it.  Books that are movies are really popular at the moment with the likes of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, being enjoyed by library e-users.

Do you have a favourite? if you had to choose the book or movie as the best which would pick?

  1. Harry Potter eBook series, by J. K. Rowling
  2. The Hunger Games eBook Series, by Suzanne Collins,
  3.  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J. K. Rowling
  4.  The Mortal Instruments eBook Series, by Cassandra Clare
  5. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs
  6. The Twits, by Roald Dahl
  7. Rodrick Rules: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney
  8.  James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
  9. The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, by Roald Dahl
  10. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by J. K. Rowling

Top 10 Children’s eBooks November 2016

Overdrive has had a revamp! Are you liking the new layout?

Finding great titles that you can down-load and read remotely is a great way to carry your own personal library around with you.  And it’s not going to squash your sandwiches like a dozen or so books would!  So who did library children love in November? Authors whose first names begin with J.  So if you’re a budding author, tried writing fan fiction maybe? And your name begins with J you could be in the Top 10 before you know it!  If your name doesn’t begin with a J don’t despair – some very good authors who nearly made it into the Top 10, Neil Gaiman  with Coraline and Francis Hodgson Burnett with The Secret Garden wrote popular books with really cool characters without a J anywhere in their names!

Our classic favourites have a new addition with Jaqueline Harvey’s Clemantine Rose, a girl who has a teacup pig! Unusual pets and great characters make this fun series to read through in the holidays.  Have a look at Jaqueline Harvey’s blog for a choclatey recipe to try at home

 

1.  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

2.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling

3.  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ,by J. K. Rowling

4.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

5.  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling

6.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling

7.  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling

8.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

9.  Clementine Rose and the Special Promise, by Jaqueline Harvey

10.The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

Top 10 Children’s non-fiction October 2016

What’s so special about October’s most favourite non-fiction library loans?

Literature! It’s been a great year for Children’s literature, with the new Gecko Press Annual filled with stories, songs, poems and illustrations hitting the shelves (find it on the shelf at 828 ANN).

Shakespeare in the library, there’s another performance coming up on December 10 at the Central Library and now…

The Harry Potter play. The much read book is found in the non-fiction section, with the Dewey number: 822 THO (if it’s not being borrowed by some other Harry Potter fan!)

 

But that aside, here were the most borrowed non-fiction items from the library in October:

1. Lego : Awesome ideas, by Daniel Lipkowitz

2. Minecraft : the survivor’s book of secrets, by Stephanie Milton

3. Hacks for Minecrafters : Mods, by Megan Miller

4. Star Wars : absolutely everything you need to know, by Adam Bray

5. Minecraft : Redstone handbook, by Nick Farwell

6. Star Wars character encyclopedia, by Simon Beecroft

7. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by Jack Thorne

8. Star Wars, by David West Reynolds

9. Minecraft. Construction handbook, by Matthew Needler

10. LEGO Star Wars character encyclopedia, by Hannah Dolan

Top 10 Children’s eBooks October 2016

So what were the most popular eBooks for October online readers?  Classics, modern and old feature in the Top 10,  British authors, J. K. Rowling, Tolkien and Kenneth Grahame are leading with their adventures taking their characters through dangerous encounters. Valuable friendships are the magic ingredient to these tales.  So keep your friends close people, who knows when adventure will knock on your door!

 

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J. K. Rowling

2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling

3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling

7. The Bungalow Mystery : Nancy Drew Mystery series, by Carolyn Keene

8. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

9. The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

10. Rodrick Rules : Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

 

5 New kids fiction books to warm your heart on these freezing winter days

The Adventures of Alfie OnionImage courtesy of Syndetics by Vivian French

Alfie Onion has just set off on a great adventure …but only to carry his brother’s luggage. It’s his elder brother, Magnifico Onion, who’s destined to win their family a Happily Ever After. But when it turns out Magnifico isn’t half the hero he’s cracked up to be, it falls to Alfie to save the day – with a little help from his loyal dog, a talking horse and a couple of meddling magpies.

 

 

Perijee & MeImage courtesy of Syndetics by Ross Montgomery

When 11-year-old Caitlin discovers a shrimp-like alien creature on the shores of her island home, she takes responsibility for teaching it about the world. Mostly, this just involved stopping little Perijee from eating everything. Caitlin becomes increasingly close to her alien friend, treating him like a brother. There’s only one problem – Perijee won’t stop growing. Then the authorities try to hunt him down and through his fear, Perijee disappears and starts causing trouble. Caitlin must leave home and travel across the country to try and convince Perijee to stop destroying everything before it’s too late.

 

 

Binny Bewitched by Hilary McKayImage courtesy of Syndetics

Binny Cornwallis has lost some money.  Money that wasn’t really hers in the first place. With her best enemy Gareth and her beloved dog Max she turns detective to track it down, but the Cornwallis family are anything but helpful. Little brother James and his friend Dill are having an adventure of their own and big sister Clem is acting very strangely. And on top of all this, Binny suspects their next-door neighbour may be a witch …

 

 

The Girl of Ink and StarsImage courtesy of Syndetics by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped. When her friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search. The world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.

 

 

Emily Sparkes and the Backstage Blunder by Ruth FitzgeraldImage courtesy of Syndetics

‘It’s school play season, and Emily Sparkes has landed herself a starring role… not.  In fact it’s the most HUMILIATING role in the history of all time – even worse than the time she was cast as a duck. (Quack, quack.)  Emily’s friends Chloe (pretty much a Hollywood-star-to-be, daahling) and Zuzanna are very excited.  Partly because, for the first time ever, they’ll be performing in a gala at the local theatre like proper actors!  But things take a turn for the worse when they meet the other school who’ll be performing.  The girls from Mag Hall have a history with Chloe that seems a bit mysterious.  It’s going to take some real Emily Sparkes creativityness to get to the bottom of things!’ – taken from book cover.

 

New school year means new children’s fiction to try

We know you’re excited about the new school year school starting, and we reckon you should get excited about these new titles too! Give them a go; try something new!

Sammael’s Wings by Hilton Pashley

“Everything Jonathan loves is threatened. His angel father is wounded and lost, and his demon mother is missing in Hell. When his great-aunt Sammael, an archangel, returns from exile, Jonathan finally has a chance to bring his family back together. But a terrible new enemy wants to create chaos and fear throughout the universe, and he needs Jonathan’s wings to do it. Jonathan must go through Heaven and Hell to save them all…”–Back cover.

 

A Galaxy Too Far Away by Jamie ThomsonImage courtesy of Syndetics

Harry was just an ordinary teenage boy from Croydon when he was abducted by aliens and accidentally became the captain of their starship. His quest to get back home to Earth continues – but now he’s acquired an alien ‘son’ and a new spacecraft, and he’s being pursued by an eight-foot robot bounty hunter.

 

The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela BrownImage courtesy of Syndetics

When seven bored children discover an abandoned chapel in their home town, they decide to renovate it and to form the Blue Door Theatre Company. The talented and resourceful group soon discover that they are serious about their theatrical ambitions, but will their parents stand in their way?

 

The Power of Poppy Pendle by Natasha LoweImage courtesy of Syndetics

Ten-year-old Poppy will do anything to realize her dream of becoming a baker, although her parents insist she attend Ruthersfield, the exclusive girls school for witchcraft, where she excels despite her dislike of magic. Includes baking tips and recipes.

 

 

Pieces of Why by K.L. GoingImage courtesy of Syndetics

Twelve-year-old Tia lives in a white slum in New Orleans with her mother, and her whole world revolves around singing in the gospel choir with her best friend, Keisha–but when practice is interrupted by a shooting outside the church, and a baby is killed, Tia finds that she cannot sing, and she is forced to confront her feelings about her incarcerated father who killed a girl in a failed robbery years before.

Top 10 Children’s e-Books February 2016

Overdrive has some pretty popular children’s titles right now.  It’s not in the Top 10, but Frank Cottrell-Boyce, of Millions fame has The Unforgotten Coat newly added to the overdrive selections, along with Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The 39 Clues series.  Found a favourite of your’s as an eBook? let us know in the comments.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, By J.K. Rowling

2. The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 2, by Rick Riordan

3. The Crown of Ptolemy: Percy Jackson & The Kane Chronicles Crossover Series, Book 3, by Rick Riordan

4. The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 1, by Rick Riordan

5. The Mark of Athena: The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book 3, by Rick Riordan

6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, By J.K. Rowling

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, By J.K. Rowling

8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, By J.K. Rowling

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, By J.K. Rowling

10. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, By J.K. Rowling

4 more awesome new kids fiction

Freddy Tangles, Legend or Loser Image courtesy of Syndeticsby Tom Jellett

‘Noone is scarier than the bully Sid Malone, and now he’s coming to get Freddy.  Luckily Freddy’s got a plan.  LASER BEAM EYES!  If he stares at a white wall for long enough and wants it bad enough, his eyes will start to shoot laser beams…. On second thoughts, he might need a backup plan! – taken from book cover.

 

The Haunted Book Image courtesy of Syndetics (Scream #3) by Jack Heath

Dale lives in Axe Falls – a town of mysterious disappearances, terrifying visions and unusual events.

A family trip turns spooky when Dale finds an old, handwritten book, starting with the words: DO NOT STOP READING; MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.  Soon, strange things begin to happen.  When a ghost appears in the lake and a cursed giant stalks him through the woods, Dale starts to wonder…. –taken from book cover.

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsWitchMyth by Emma Fische

Flo loves her book of Witch myths.  Her favourite story is about the haggfiend, with her dark enchantments, missing witchgirls and evil cackle… But the Flo becomes sure the Haggfiend is real, and that she’s back in Haggspit. What can Flo do?  No one believes her, and no one will help.  This time she’s on her own…-taken from book cover.

 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsSecret of the Forbidden City by James Patterson

‘Bick and Beck Kidd are desperately trying to track down the ancient Chinese artefact that will buy their mother’s freedom from vicious pirates.  But when the kidnappers force them to find an even greater treasure – priceless paintings stolen by Nazis – the Kidds must rely on their own cunning to outwit the criminals, all while their mom’s life is on the line.’ – taken from book cover.