Special Collections
Reluctant or struggling readers (Book Trust list): 9-12 years
Description: List of titles selected by the Book trust as those supporting learners with an interest age of 8-10+ and a reading age 7+.
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My Magical Life
by Zach King and Beverly ArceSelected as a title in Tom Fletcher's Book Club 2018! -------------A debut series from the mega-talented Zach King, full of laughs, zany action and more than a hint of magic.Eleven-year-old Zach has magical powers, just like everyone in his family, but he's having trouble harnessing his abilities... Obviously being magical, but not being able to use his abilities isn't exactly great for ZachSo, his parents decide he needs to be around real people. No more home schooling- it's time to go to the scary world of secondary school! But Zach can't resist a bit of magic... A simple spell ends with him and his best friend stuck in a vending machine. Someone filmed it and by the next day he's gone viral on YouTube, getting the attention of Rachel, the prettiest girl at school. With everyone wondering how Zach does his tricks, and with head mean girl Trisha plotting to bring him down, Zach's got his work cut out if he's going to survive year 7 and keep his dreams of becoming a master magician intact.Get the app! With the My Magical Life app, you can bring the book to life in front of your eyes!
The Funny Life of Pets
by James CampbellUncover the sidesplitting life of cucumber scaredy-cats, non-stop pooping hamsters, exploding fish and everything in-between (and some things that have nothing to do with pets but are still ridiculously funny). This hilarious book answers all the big questions, like: do sausage dogs eat sausages? Why has my cat done a poo behind my wardrobe? And how can I persuade my parents to get me a pet? For real-life pet facts, imaginary stories, and a generally laugh-so-hard-snot-comes-out-your-nose read, this is the only pet book you'll ever need!Written by the outstanding children's comedian James Campbell, prepare yourself for The Funny Life of Pets! But be WARNED – this IS NOT a normal book…You read a normal book by starting on page one and reading to the end (BORING). You can read this book forwards, backwards, sideways, and in approximately 861,000 different ways in-between.This is a book with outrageous facts, hilarious jokes, insanely funny online videos and brilliant stories all about pets, the author, and all sorts of other things.WARNING: Anything you think you might have learned from this book might not be very accurate so should not be used in a school project or as part of homework. Unless of course, you are made of stardust and are as brave as sunshine.
Notebooks of a Middle-School Princess
by Meg CabotNotebooks of a Middle-School Princess is the first in a funny, heart-warming illustrated Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot.Olivia Grace is completely average. Or so she thinks . . . until Her Royal Highness, Princess Mia Thermopolis turns up at her school one day and whisks Olivia away to New York City! In a limo, no less! Where you can eat all the cookies you want and the ceiling lights up pink and purple – like a disco! But discovering that your father is actually the Prince of Genovia is quite a shock. Especially since it means you're a descendant of the Kingdom of Genovia, and a princess. Olivia's got a lot to learn about her long-lost family – and everyone's got a lot to learn about her! Olivia chronicles her transformation from ordinary girl to princess in her notebook, with illustrations from author Meg Cabot, who studied Fine Arts as an undergraduate.
An Eagle in the Snow
by Michael MorpurgoThe powerful new novel from the master storyteller - inspired by the true story of one man who might have stopped World War II.
Blue Moon Day
by Anne FineEveryone thinks they know what it's like, going to school. But have you ever wondered what life must be like at a boarding school? A school for young offenders? A school for the blind? With her trademark humour, insight, sensitivity and razor-sharp wit, Anne Fine explores these different worlds in a short story collection that will fascinate young readers.
Danger Is Everywhere
by David O'Doherty and Chris JudgeDiary of a Wimpy Kid meets The Dangerous Book for Boys, DANGER IS EVERYWHERE is a brilliantly funny handbook for avoiding danger of all kinds that will have everyone from reluctant readers to bookworms laughing out loud (very safely) from start to finish.DOES IT WARN YOU ABOUT WHAT TO DO IF A SHARK COMES UP OUT OF THE LOO WHILE YOU ARE SITTING ON IT? Yes it does.AND HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOUR GRANNY IS A ROBOT? That too.AND WHAT TO DO IF A VOLCANO ERUPTS UNDERNEATH YOUR HOUSE? After you've made sure it's not a neighbour's barbecue, this book will let you know exactly how to deal with it.'I dislocated my jaw laughing' Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis FowlWritten by Docter Noel Zone, the world's greatest (and only) Dangerologist, with the help of his neighbours:David O'Doherty (words) is a stand-up comedian, writer and regular guest on television shows such as QI, Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You? He has written two theatre shows for children, including one where he fixed their bicycles live on stage.Chris Judge (pictures) is the award winning author/illustrator of The Lonely Beast and a number of other picture books for children. His work has appeared in high-profile advertising campaigns, newspapers, magazines, exhibitions and other media in Ireland and the UK. His most recent work includes cover artwork for Roddy Doyle's Brilliant.www.DangerIsEverywhere.co.uk'A brilliantly silly survival guide' Sunday Express'A Joyful riposte to over-cautious parents . . . well-paced and funny throughout.' Time Out London'A surreal, daft and funny book . . . A bracing satirical sideswipe at today's health-and-safety culture, aimed at kids who'll get the irony and relish the silliness.' Financial Times'Brilliantly funny' Gransnet'A brilliantly mapcap guide' ni4Kids.com'Laugh-out-loud' TheSchoolRun.com
The Way of the Warrior
by Chris BradfordAugust 1611. Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan - his beloved father and the crew lie slaughtered by ninja pirates. Rescued by the legendary sword master Masamoto Takeshi, Jack's only hope is to become a samurai warrior. And so his training begins. But life at the samurai school is a constant fight for survival. Even with his friend Akiko by his side, Jack is singled out by bullies and treated as an outcast. With courage in his heart and his sword held high, can Jack prove himself and face his deadliest rival yet?