Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Young Willie Beech is evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of WW2. A sad,
deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley - but his newfound happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother back in London.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Magical, this timeless farmyard story tells of the power of friendship. When the runty little
piglet is saved from an early death, he grows into a fine and handsome pig. And the farmer
wants to kill him. Can Charlotte, the spider who has grown to love him, save his life?
Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden
Evacuated from London to Wales during World War II, Carrie and her brother are sent to live
with the very strict Mr Evans. In trying to heal the breach between Mr Evans and his
estranged sister, Carrie does the worst thing she ever did in her life.
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis
Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are evacuated to a house during the war wherein
lives a vague professor. Left much to their own devices, they find a way into another
world - Narnia - and discover Aslan, the lion king in hiding.
Hollow Earth by John Barrowman
Twins, Matt and Emily Calder, have extraordinary powers - they are Animare which
means they can bring art to life. But the villains, who are trying to access Hollow
Earth and release the evil creatures trapped there, want these powers too. Will the
twins be able to protect themselves...and Hollow Earth?
The Butterfly
Lion by Michael Morpurgo
The inspiring magic of a white lion brings friendship and hope to a lonely ten year
old. Miserable at his boarding school, Bertie runs away. He is rescued by a kind old
lady who tells him of how another Bertie, a little boy from a long time before, saved
an orphaned lion cub in Africa. The symbol of the white lion becomes an emblem of
hope as well as a link across generations. Michael Morpurgo is skilful in weaving
together magical and real stories.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two
people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows
how trust and love develops between them. It also shows that bullying must not be
tolerated and Dahl is at his might best here by eventually ensuring the big bad giants
get their comeuppance whilst the big friendly giant wins the day alongside the little
girl Sophie.
Peter Pan by JM Barrie
It was Friday night. Mr and Mrs Darling were dining out. Nana had been tied up in
the backyard. The poor dog was barking, for she could smell danger. And she was
right - this was the night that Peter Pan would take the Darling children on the most
breath-taking adventure of their lives, to a place called Neverland, a strange country
where the lost boys live and never grow up, a land with mermaids, fairies and pirates
- and of course the terrible, evil, Captain Hook. Peter Pan is undoubtedly one of the
most famous and best-loved stories for children, an unforgettable, magical fantasy
which has been enjoyed by generations.
Wolf Brother by Michele Paver
Wolf Brother tells how orphaned Torak must set out on a terrible mission. Tricked,
trapped and betrayed at almost every turn, it’s a lonely quest but Torak finds
comfort in the support of a wolf cub. Relying on their quick wits, the two journey
through danger until Torak must make the final sacrifice.
Tom’s Midnight Garden by Phillipa Pearce
A classic time slip story in which Tom, staying in big house now divided into flats,
manages to get into the garden at night and make friends with a little girl. But who is
the girl? Can she really be the old woman in Tom’s waking life?
Winner of the Carnegie medal 1958,
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein
This story follows the quest of home-loving Bilbo Baggins as he leaves his comedicrustic village and moves into darker, deeper territory along with the thirteen
dwarves and the wizard Gandalf. Bilbo encounters various denizens of the
Wilderland, in order to reach and win his share of the treasure guarded by the
dragon, Smaug.
The Granny Project by Anne Fine
When Granny begins to need more looking after, Mum and Dad decide she’d be
better off in a home. But Ivan, Tanya, Nicholas and Sophie have other ideas. Saving
Granny soon becomes the topic for their school project as well as a useful way of
persuading – or blackmailing- Mum and Dad into letting Granny stay at home. A
funny and touching story which says much about optimistic and loving grandchildren
are about their grandparent.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Half hero, half villain and wholly brainy, although still only a boy, Artemis is a criminal
mastermind who has a very daring scheme in mind. Can he steal what he wants from
the fairy world and get away with it? Artemis will stop at nothing less…Full of tricks,
plots, secret codes and fantastical characters including Holly Short, Mulch Diggums
and Foaly and propelled by outrageous cheek sprinkled with the touch of very special
magic, Artemis Fowl is a book to love forever.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 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.
Winner of the Blue Peter Best Book of the Decade.
Mr Stink by David Walliams
"Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he
stinked as well…” It all starts when Chloe makes friends with Mr Stink, the local
tramp. Yes, he smells a bit. But when it looks like he might be driven out of town,
Chloe decides to hide him in the garden shed. Now Chloe's got to make sure no one
finds out her secret. And speaking of secrets, there just might be more to Mr Stink
than meets the eye… or the nose.
Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Best Book of the Decade. A World Book Day
'Recommended Read' for 2011. Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize
2010.Galaxy Children's Book Award shortlist 2010
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett
This is the wretched book that started all the trouble. Violet, Sunny and Klaus are
three intelligent, charming and resourceful children but they suffer some very bad
luck indeed when their parents die in a fire that destroys their home and they are
packed off to live with their nasty relative, Count Olaf. Here they encounter a greedy
villain, disgusting food, strange behaviour by those around them and much more - all
of which is revealed in the hugely entertaining, totally deadpan humour that has
made this series so original and so captivating.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Witches really are a detestable breed. They disguise themselves as lovely ladies,
when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they
despise. Luckily one boy and his grandmother know how to recognize these vile
creatures, but can they get rid of them for good?
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
An enchanting classic that will fire up a child’s imagination as the storyline unfolds of
little creatures living under the floorboards and borrowing everything they need
from the humans above the boards. The author describes quite brilliantly what it
would be like to be as small as a borrower and to go off on frightening and exciting
adventures to borrow what they need.
Carnegie Winner in 1952.
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks
This text is the first of five stories about Omri and his plastic North American Indian Little Bull - who comes alive when Omri puts him in a cupboard. Little Bull is
everything an Indian brave should be - proud, fearless and defiant, but being in
charge of a human is a heavy responsibility.
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll
The story of Alice's fall down the rabbit hole and the extraordinary experiences she
has there is one of the best known of all the classics. Everything is Wonderland is
curious and different; there's the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the White Rabbit who
constantly checks his watch and is always in a tearing habbit, the very grumpy Queen
and many more unusual and unpredictable characters. Alice's exploration of this
world is funny, touching and utterly original.
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
How feisty Anne, an orphan who is sent by mistake to Green Gables, enchants
Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert and so begins a new life for herself, makes a winning
story. Anne has two overwhelming characteristics: she has a tremendous
imagination and an ability to chatter on ceaselessly – although she can be completely
silent when requested.
What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge
A timeless story about a young girl who wants to be sweet natured, good and easy to
love. Somehow she never is. Instead, her dress is always torn, her hair is always a
tangle and she doesn’t care whether she’s thought good or not. But then Katy has a
terrible accident and has time to find out what really matters to her and to change. A
trifle moral in parts, this is none-the-less a memorable story about a strong willed
but likeable heroine.
The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
The trials and tribulations of a disastrous new girl at Miss Cackle’s Academy for
Witches a gloriously witchy boarding school, The Worst Witch has magic galore.
Unfortunately for Mildred Hubble, most of it has a habit of going badly wrong. Her
broomstick won’t fly straight, her cat is tabby not black and she manages to turn her
arch-enemy into a toad.
Just William by Richmal Crompton
There is only one Just William. The loveable imp has been harassing his unfortunate
family and entertaining readers for years. Here, the Outlaws plan a day of non-stop
adventure. The only problem is, William is meant to be babysitting. But William
won't let that stop him having fun with his gang - he'll just bring the baby along!
The Ghost of Thomas Kemp by Penelope Lively
James is fed up. His family has moved to a new cottage - with grounds that are great
for excavations, and trees that are perfect for climbing - and stuff is happening. Stuff
that is normally the kind of thing he does. And he's getting blamed for it. But it's not
him who's writing strange things on shopping lists and fences. It's not him who
smashes bottles and pours tea in the Vicar's lap. It's a ghost - honestly. Thomas
Kempe the apothecary has returned and he wants James to be his apprentice. No
one else believes in ghosts. It's up to James to get rid of him. Or he'll have no pocket
money or pudding ever again.
Winner of the Carnegie Medal
Skellig by David Almond
When a move to a new house coincides with his baby sister's illness, Michael's
world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain. Then, exploring a ramshackle garage
with new-found friend Mina, he finds something magical. A strange creature - part
owl, part angel, a being who needs Michael's help if he is to survive.
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
This satisfyingly old-fashioned story is set in the early 1900s. Orphan Maia is
thrilled to learn she is to live with relatives in South America. She cannot wait to
experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Amazon and is particularly looking
forward to meeting her twin cousins.
Demon Dentist by David Walliams
Darkness had come to the town. Strange things were happening in the dead of
night. Children would put a tooth under their pillow for the tooth fairy, but in the
morning they would wake up to find… a dead slug; a live spider; hundreds of
earwigs creeping and crawling beneath their pillow.
Evil was at work. But who or what was behind it…?
Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life by James Patterson
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.