Orla & The Serpent’s Curse, paperback ( Apr 2020) by CJ Haslam
£6.99
A spooky and darkly comic adventure set in Cornwall - Famous Five with a twist. Orla thought she was in for a relaxing family holiday, but when she finds a mysterious glowing necklace in the woods, it turns out there is a slight possibility she may have uncovered an ancient curse. After meeting a coven of old ladies, it becomes clear that Orla's arrival in Poldevel is no longer a coincidence.She's the only one who can solve this mystery, and she'll need help from the only other member of the family with good instincts - Dave the dog.
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The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree, by Paola Peretti
£6.99
A simply told, bitter-sweet story, with a powerful poetic message'
Nominated for the CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2019. A novel for all ages about a young girl losing her sight, inspired by the author's own life story. For fans of Wonder, or The Little Prince. Mafalda is a nine-year-old girl who knows one thing: some time in the next six months her sight will fail completely.
Can Mafalda find a way through a seemingly dark future and still go to school, play football and look after her beloved cat? With the help of her family, and her friends, Mafalda needs to discover the things that will be important to her when her sight has failed. A moving, empowering tale of courage and determination that will inspire young and old. It's uplifting and not depressing!
Jungle Drop, by Abi Elphinstone ( The Unmapped Chronicles series)
£7.99
'Imaginative, adventurous and wonderful' Robin Stevens, author of A Murder Most Unladylike series 'The Unmapped Chronicles series is irresistible' Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe '
Where the map ends, the adventure begins . . .
'Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more powerful than a child in possession of a plan.' Eleven-year-old twins, Fox and Fibber, have been rivals for as long as they can remember. Only one of them will inherit the family fortune and so a race is afoot to save the dwindling Petty-Squabble empire and win the love of their parents. But when the twins are whisked off to Jungledrop, a magical Unmapped Kingdom in charge of conjuring our world's weather, things get wildly out of hand.
An evil harpy called Morg is on the loose. And if she finds the long-lost Forever Fern before the twins, both Jungledrop and our world will crumble. Suddenly, Fox and Fibber find themselves on an incredible adventure in a glow-in-the-dark rainforest full of golden panthers, gobblequick trees and enchanted temples.
But, with the fate of two worlds in their hands, will the twins be able to work together for once to defeat Morg and her dark magic?
This series will not only leave children entertained, but will also empower them to battle climate change and environmental issues. Perfect for fans of Michelle Harrison, Piers Torday and Emma Carroll.
Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell (paperback, June 2020)
£7.99
When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a mysterious explosion on their way to school, they find themselves trapped aboard The Principia - a scientific research ship sailing through hazardous waters, captained by one Isaac Newton.
Lost in the year 2473 in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some unlikely historical heroes, to play their way home before time runs out. Jumanji meets Ready Player One in this fast-paced adventure featuring incredible real-life heroes, from the internationally bestselling author of The Uncommoners series.
October, October by Katya Balen ( PB, Sept 2021)
£7.99
Katya Balen's October, October is a very special new addition to the shelf and deserves classic status - The Times Children's Book of the Week
A classic in the making for anyone who ever longed to be WILD. October and her dad live in the woods. They know the trees and the rocks and the lake and stars like best friends.
They live in the woods and they are wild. And that's the way it is. Until the year October turns eleven.
That's the year October rescues a baby owl. It's the year Dad falls out of the biggest tree in their woods. The year the woman who calls herself October's mother comes back.
The year everything changes. Written in Katya Balen's heart-stoppingly beautiful style, this book is a feast for the senses, filled with the woodsmoke smell of crisp autumn mornings and the sound of wellies squelching in river mud. And, as October fights to find the space to be wild in the whirling chaos of the world beyond the woods, it is also a feast for the soul.
