Reading

Giant Print (24 point) - New Books May 2008

Summary: Your regular update of new titles available for loan and sale from RNIB

• Adult fiction
• Adult non-fiction
• Children and young adult fiction
• Children and young adult non-fiction

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Giant print titles are only available for loan in the UK.

Adult fiction

Adams, Douglas

Life, the universe, and everything. 1982. 2v. Science Fiction.

Part of the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series. Arthur Dent finds himself hurtling back to Lord's Cricket Ground, England, after several million years in a time eddy. He again meets Marvin the Paranoid Android, and the infuriating Ford Prefect with his unassailable philosophy on life, the universe and everything.

Adams, Douglas

So long, and thanks for all the fish. 1985. 2v. Science Fiction.

Part of the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series. Arthur Dent is 1437 light years away from Earth, sitting in a Saab. He has just cracked his head on the door while climbing in. He feels stupified. Maybe it is because he has just laid eyes on the first female of the species that he has seen in years, sitting in the backseat.

Adams, Douglas

Mostly harmless. 1993. 2v. Science Fiction.

Part of the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series. It's very easy to get a little disheartened when your planet has been blown up, the woman you love has vanished in a misunderstanding about the nature of space/time and the spaceship you are on crashes in flames on a remote planet. However, instead of being disheartened, Arthur Dent makes the terrible mistake of starting to enjoy life a bit and, immediately, all hell breaks loose.

Brontë, Charlotte

Jane Eyre. 1994. 4v. Classic Fiction.

A story of passionate love, travail and final triumph. The relationship between the heroine and Mr Rochester is only one episode, albeit the most important, in a detailed fictional autobiography.

Cole, Martina

Close. 2006. 6v. Crime Fiction.

Set in London's dark and violent gangland, this novel tells the tale of a gutsy mother and her two sons, and their lives in and out of jail. Contains sex scenes, swear words and violence.

London, Jack

Call of the wild. 1994. 1v. Animal Stories.

Buck (a dog) goes through many lives, trials, and tribulations finally realising his potential. On the way he learns many concepts from surprise, to deceit, and cunning, loyalty, devotion, and love. As he is growing he feels the call of the wild.

Adult non-fiction

Drama

Miller, Arthur

The crucible. 1992. 2v. Play.

A study in the hysteria which led to the 1692 Salem witch trials, The crucible concentrates on the fate of the key figures caught up in the persecution. The play was written in 1953 as a parable for the events of the communist fearing McCarthy era in the USA, when anyone suspected of left wing views was arraigned for 'un-American' activities. This edition contains notes and activities to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the play.

Russell, Willy

Blood brothers. 1995. 2v. Play.

This tells the story of twin brothers who are born into a large working class family, and what happens when their mother decides to have one of them adopted. Comic, yet finally tragic, it relates the differences and conflicts of their upbringings, their relationships with each other and their real and adoptive mothers. With commentary and notes.

Sherriff, R.C.

Journey's end. 1929. 2v. Play.

About the lives of a group of British officers on the front line in World War I. Raleigh, fresh out of English public school, joins the besieged company of his friend and cricketing hero, Stanhope, and finds him dramatically changed. This is a play which deals with the horror and futility of trench warfare.

Children and young adult fiction

Age ranges are given as a guide only

Age range 0-4

Burningham, John

Mr Gumpy's outing. 2001. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Mr Gumpy series. One day, Mr Gumpy decides to take a trip along the river in his boat, but the children, the rabbit, the cat, the pig and a whole host of friends decide to join him. Everyone's having a lovely time until the animals start bleating and kicking, and the boat starts to rock.

Donaldson, Julia and Roberts, David

Tyrannosaurus Drip. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

Everyone knows that tyrannosauruses are big and scary, so when a placid duckbill dinosaur's egg ends up in the wrong nest confusion is sure to ensue! When the baby dinosaur hatches out, he's so out of place that his grisly big sisters call him Tyrannosaurus Drip. Poor little Drip: all he wants is a quiet life munching on water weed .

Gravett, Emily

Monkey and me. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

A cheeky little girl and her toy monkey swing irresistibly through the pages of this gorgeous playful book.

Hill, Eric

Spot's storybook. 2005. 1v. Short stories.

A wonderful collection of Spot stories - just the right length for sharing at bedtime or any time. With familiar settings and a gentle, friendly text, this collection is perfect for helping to foster early reading skills and a love of stories in young children.

Roberts, David

Dirty Bertie. 2003. 1v. General Fiction.

Bertie has shockingly dirty habits, from nose-picking to weeing on the flowerbed! Whenever he does anything dirty, Bertie's family shouts "No, Bertie! That's dirty, Bertie!" Will Bertie ever kick his horrible habits?

Rosen, Michael and Oxenbury, Helen

We're going on a bear hunt. 1993. 1v. General Fiction.

Follow the family's excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river and squelch through the mud in search of the bear. What a surprise awaits in the cave on the other side of the dark forest.

Age range 5-7

Cope, Andrew

Spy dog. 2005. 1v. Animal Stories/Thriller.

Part of the Spy Dog series. Lara, or GM451 as she is known by the government, is a highly trained special agent, bred by the British Secret Service for use on dangerous missions around the world. But her last mission went wrong and now she is being hunted down by an evil drugs baron, Mr Big. Lara must go undercover as a normal dog, 'choose' a family to look after her and await her retrieval by the Secret Service. But can she keep her true identity a secret?

Dahl, Roald

The Minpins. 1991. 1v. Adventure.

In the Forest of Sin, Little Billy meets the extraordinary Minpins, who live in terror of the most awesome creature invented: the Red-Hot Smoke-Belching Gruncher! And it is Little Billy - with some very special help from the Minpins themselves - who comes up with a plan to defeat the dreaded monster, and finds himself proclaimed a hero!

Day, Shirley

Luna and the big blur. 2002. 1v. General Fiction.

Do you remember the first time you had to wear glasses as a child? For the thousands of children today who experience this unsettling change in their lifestyle, this book helps them feel good about their glasses and themselves.

Donaldson, Julia and Scheffler, Axel

Charlie Cook's favourite book. 2006. 1v. General Fiction.

Charlie Cook is reading a book about a pirate captain, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, who is reading about a frog...From kings and queens to aliens and ghosts, there's something for everyone in Charlie's amazing book!

Grey, Mini

The adventures of the dish and the spoon. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon, the little dog laughed, to see such fun, and the dish ran away with the spoon. That's the bit we know - but have you ever wondered what happened next? This part love story, part crime caper, is the rags-to-riches and back again tale of the most dazzling crockery-cutlery duo of all time.

Grindley, Sally

Poppy and Max and the fashion show. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Poppy and Max series. Poppy and Max don't always agree. Sometimes they even argue. But there's one thing they know for sure - they are the best of friends! Poppy and Max see a sign asking for models for a fashion show and Poppy is desperate to volunteer. Max does not like wearing clothes, but somehow ends up as the star of the show!

Hoffman, Mary and Binch, Caroline

Amazing Grace. 1993. 1v. General Fiction.

Grace loves to act out stories. When her school decides to do "Peter Pan", Grace longs to play Peter, but classmates say that Peter was a boy, and besides, he wasn't black. But her mum says she can do anything if she puts her mind to it.

King-Smith, Dick and Parkins, David

The water horse. 1992. 1v. Animal Stories.

Kirstie finds a strange object which hatches into a creature with a horse's head, a warty skin, four flippers and a crocodile's tail. The adorable baby sea-monster soon becomes a pet - but the trouble is, he just doesn't stop growing.

McKinlay, Penny

Bumposaurus. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

Bumposaurus the baby dinosaur is so short-sighted he can't even find his way out of his egg, and life certainly doesn't get any easier once he has finally hatched.

Meadows, Daisy

Grace the Glitter Fairy. 2005. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic: Party Fairies series. Grace the Glitter Fairy can't bring a sparkle to the birthday without her magic party bag of balloons. But Rachel and Kirsty have a bright idea to keep Grace's glittery bag safe.

Meadows, Daisy

Hannah the Happy Ever After Fairy. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic series. Hannah, the Happy Ever After Fairy is very upset. Jack Frost has stolen the magic quill pen from Fairyland and he's rewriting all the fairytales. Can Rachel and Kirsty help Hannah get the magic pen back and save the Happy Ever Afters?

Meadows, Daisy

Honey the Sweet Fairy. 2004. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic: Party Fairies series. Honey the Sweet Fairy can't make any new sweets without her magic party bag of fairy dust. Can Rachel and Kirsty save it from the goblin so Honey can help the party fizz again?

Meadows, Daisy

Jasmine the Present Fairy. 2005. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic: Party Fairies series. Jasmine the Present Fairy can't conjure up the perfect prizes for the street party without her magic party bag of presents. Can Rachel and Kirsty help her to find it before it's all wrapped up?

Meadows, Daisy

Melodie the Music Fairy. 2004. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic: Party Fairies series. Melodie the Music Fairy can't hit the high notes without her magic party bag of tunes. But a tinkling piano and some clashing cymbals might help Rachel and Kirsty to rescue it.

Meadows, Daisy

Phoebe the Fashion Fairy. 2005. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic: Party Fairies series. Phoebe the Fashion Fairy can't rustle up pretty party outfits withoout her magic party bag of sparkly frocks. Can Rachel and Kirsty help her get it back in time for their friend's party?

Meadows, Daisy

Polly the Party Fun Fairy. 2005. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Rainbow Magic: Party Fairies series. Polly the party fun fairy can't help with pass the parcel without her magic party bag of fun. Can Rachel and Kirsty rescue it in time for the Brownies' party?

Simon, Francesca and Ross, Tony

Horrid Henry and the abominable snowman. 2007. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Horrid Henry series. Building a snowman brings out Henry's competitive streak; he sets up his Monstrous Makeovers business to rival Moody Margaret's Miraculous Makeovers; things go badly wrong when a famous author comes to school; and he thinks 'You'll all be sorry when I'm dead' and spends a rainy day writing his will.

Simon, Francesca and Ross, Tony

Horrid Henry and the football fiend. 2006. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Horrid Henry series. Horrid Henry reads Perfect Peter's diary and improves it; goes clothes shopping with Mum and tries to make her buy him some Rootatoot trainers; is horrified when his old enemy Bossy Bill turns up at school; and tries by any means, fair or foul, to win the class football match and defeat Moody Margaret.

Simon, Francesca and Ross, Tony

Horrid Henry gets rich quick. 1998. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Horrid Henry series. Henry manages to sabotage the school sports day, run away from home, wheedle his way into getting all the presents he wants for Christmas and then comes up with a cunning plan to get very, very rich.

Simon, Francesca and Ross, Tony

Horrid Henry's Christmas Cracker. 2006. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Horrid Henry series. Horrid Henry sabotages the school play, tries to do his Christmas shopping without spending his pocket money, attempts to ambush Father Christmas, and endures Christmas dinner with the guests from hell.

Thomas, Valerie and Paul, Korky

Winnie flies again. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Winnie the Witch series. Winnie the Witch loves travelling by broomstick. Sadly, when the sky starts filling up with all kinds of flying machines, Winnie and Wilbur have a few mid-air crashes and a few more near misses.

Thomas, Valerie and Paul, Korky

Winnie in winter. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Winnie the Witch series. Winnie the Witch is tired of winter. She's tired of shivering in the cold and looking out at her garden covered in snow. And Wilbur is tired of frozen fur and whiskers. So, Winnie uses a little magic to bring summer and sunshine to her house.

Thomas, Valerie and Paul, Korky

Winnie's magic wand. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Winnie the Witch series. Winnie is getting ready for the Witches' Magic Show. She can't wait to show off her favourite spells. But when Winnie puts her wand in the washing machine with her party dress, it comes out crumpled, soggy, and certainly not in working order!

Thomas, Valerie and Paul, Korky

Winnie's midnight dragon. 2007. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Winnie the Witch series. It's just after midnight. Winnie has gone to bed and is snoring peacefully when Wilbur is woken by a strange noise. He goes downstairs to investigate and, to his horror, discovers a baby dragon squeezing through his cat-flap!

Thomas, Valerie and Paul, Korky

Winnie's new computer. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Winnie the Witch series. Winnie the Witch is very pleased with her new computer. She decides to throw away her book of spells and her wand - from now on all her magic will be at the click of a mouse! When Wilbur tries to pounce on the mouse, things start to go wrong.

Thomson, Emma

The big book of magical mishaps. 2004. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Felicity Wishes series. Things always seem to go wrong for Felicity Wishes, even though her intentions are good. But with her optimistic attitude and fantastic friends, she always manages to come out on top.

Thomson, Emma

Dancing dreams and other stories. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Felicity Wishes series. A visit to the ballet is a dream come true for Felicity - but will she get to meet her favourite ballerina?

Thomson, Emma

Dreamy Daisy and other stories. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Felicity Wishes series. Daisy's obsession with winning Little Blossoming's best village display is clouding her already dreamy outlook. But a little bit of magic shows Daisy what's most important to her. Having won the best village display, Daisy decides to become a celebrity gardener

Thomson, Emma

Fairy fun and other stories. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Felicity Wishes series. It's the weekend and Felicity has decided to treat her friends to a day of fairy fun. But it's not long before their fun turns into a fiasco!

Thomson, Emma

Holiday hullabaloo. 2007. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Felicity Wishes series. Felicity and her friends explore the waters of Fairy World in their boat, but life on board is not everything they expect it to be!

Thomson, Emma

Perfect Polly and other stories. 2006. 1v. Magic and Fairy Stories.

Part of the Felicity Wishes series. For the first time in fairy history, Polly hasn't come top of the class! What's going on? Helping Hand Polly decides to help her friends revise with an end-of-term study class.

Age range 8-11

Ahlberg, Allan

Ten in a bed. 1990. 1v. General Fiction.

Each night Dinah Price finds a different fairy tale character occupying her bed - and they refuse to budge until she has told them a special bedtime story.

Arena, Felice and Kettle, Phil

Secret agent heroes. 2004. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Boy’s rule series. Nick and Matt become secret agents and uncover a real-life drama in their mission to attack Zit Face and his familiar female friend.

Banks, Lynne Reid

The key to the Indian. 2003. 2v. General Fiction.

Part of the Indian in the cupboard series. Omri's dad has found his greatest secret - the secret of the magic cupboard that makes plastic toy figures come to life. Together they resolve to go back two hundred years to the time of Little Bull, but they could never have dreamt of the adventures that await them there.

Blyton, Enid

Five go off in a caravan. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. A caravan holiday for the Famous Five is bound to be an adventure! And when they stumble across a circus troupe, the gang are thrilled. But some of the circus people have more sinister plans than just clowning around.

Blyton, Enid

Five go to Smuggler's Top. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. Can there still be smugglers at Smuggler's Top? The Famous Five go to stay at the large old house, and discover lots of brilliant hiding places, even underground tunnels! Then they catch people signalling out to sea - who are they?

Blyton, Enid

Five have plenty of fun. 1969. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. Another classic Blyton adventure, featuring Julian, Dick, Anne, George and not forgetting Timmy the dog! Berta is in hiding from kidnappers, and she needs help from the Five, but will they risk danger to themselves to help out a virtual stranger?

Blyton, Enid

Five on a treasure island. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. There is a shipwreck off Kirrin Island, but where has the treasure gone? The Famous Five set off in search of clues, but find they are not alone, for someone else has joined the treasure hunt.

Blyton, Enid

Five on Kirrin Island again. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. Whatever can Uncle Quentin be up to on Kirrin Island? He won't let anybody visit - not even the Famous Five! But he's not alone on George's Island - someone is watching his every move!

Blyton, Enid

Five run away together. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. Who's been on George's island? And what is locked in the mysterious trunk hidden on Kirrin Island? The Famous Five think they're on the trail of smugglers - until they hear a child scream...

Blyton, Enid

Five go off to camp. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. Spook trains in the dead of night that seem to vanish into thin air - but where do they go? The Famous Five are on to it! But discovery of an unusual underground tunnel system, and a secret train-service, has them puzzled. If they follow the tracks, will they solve the mystery?

Blyton, Enid

Five on a secret trail. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. Camping again! This time the gang of Five have pitched their tent near an old ruined cottage - which looks as though it's been abandoned for years! When Anne hears strange noises at night - coming from the cottage - the others don't believe her...Until they see the ghostly lights. All of a sudden camping doesn't seem like quite such a good idea. Is the cottage really haunted, or is there another, just as sinister, explanation?

Blyton, Enid

Five on a hike together. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. When Dick is woken by a light flashing through his window, he is puzzled. Is someone trying to send him a coded message? And when the Famous Five hear of an escaped convict in the area, they are on red alert. The police won't help, so the Five have no choice. Yet again, they'll be solving this mystery by themselves...

Blyton, Enid

Five fall into adventure. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. George and Timmy the dog have disappeared and somebody has broken into Kirrin Cottage! The Famous Five are sure there's a connection, but how can they solve the mystery when there are only three of them? Luckily, they meet scruffy tomboy Jo. Although she is surly and unfriendly at first, the children soon win her over, and her help is vital as they are drawn deeper into a sinister adventure involving kidnapping and danger.

Blyton, Enid

Five go adventuring again. 2001. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Famous Five series. There's a thief at Kirrin Cottage! The Famous Five think they know who it is but they need to prove it! Where can they find evidence? The discovery of an old map and a very unusual hiding place may help them get to the bottom of the mystery.

Brown, Jeff

Flat Stanley. 2006. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Flat Stanley series. Stanley is just a normal healthy boy, but since a large notice-board fell on him, he’s been only half an inch thick. But it's not always easy being different, and Stanley wishes he could be just like everybody else again. But how will he ever fill out?

Colfer, Eoin

Artemis Fowl and the opal deception. 2006. 2v. Fantasy.

Part of the Artemis Fowl series. Evil pixie Opal Kobio is plotting a terrible revenge against her enemies, starting with Artemis Fowl and Captain Holly Short - and ending with a plan to destroy the world below ground.

Coville, Bruce

Russel Troy, monster boy. 2003. 1v. Fantasy.

Part of the Magic Shop series. Mr Elives' Magic Shop seems to appear from nowhere - and disappears again just as fast! Never in the same place twice, it sells only the most exclusive wares. A talking toad, anyone? A dragon's egg? There's plenty to choose from.

Coville, Bruce

Juliet Dove, queen of love. 2004. 1v. Fantasy.

Part of the Magic Shop series. Juliet doesn't want anyone to notice her, but the amulet round her neck seems to be having the opposite effect - and worse still she can't take it off!

Cresswell, Helen

Moondial. 2000. 1v. Adventure.

Part of the Bookworms series. 'Moondial!' As Minty spoke the word, a cold wind went past her, and her ears were filled with a thousand frightened voices. She shut her eyes and put her hands over her ears - and the voices and the wind went away. Minty opened her eyes ...and knew that she was in a different morning, not the one she had woken up to. And so Minty's strange adventure begins - a journey through time into the past, where she finds Tom, and Sarah ...and the evil Miss Vole.

Cross, Gillian

Facing the demon headmaster. 2004. 1v. School Stories.

Part of the demon headmaster series. The demon headmaster is back, but why does he wear an electronic mask with a face that keeps changing? The mystery deepens when Dinah stumbles across something amazing on the internet. Can Dinah keep one step ahead, or will the demon headmaster triumph with his most threatening plan yet?

Dahl, Roald

The giraffe and the pelly and me. 2001. 1v. Animal Stories.

Billy is surprised when a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey move into the queer old wooden house that used to be a sweet shop. The giraffe is concerned because they need work for their Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. The next thing you know they are cleaning the windows of Hampshire House, home of the Duke of Hampshire and the pelican is catching a burglar.

Daniels, Lucy

Goat in the garden. 1994. 1v. Animal Stories.

Part of the Animal Ark series. Houdini the black goat is a mischief-maker. But he's beautiful and Mandy and James love him. Now Houdini's in big trouble - he keeps escaping and eating Mr Western's prize plants. And Mr Western is taking matters into his own hands. Can Mandy and James save Houdini?

Daniels, Lucy

Horse in the house. 1998. 1v. Animal Stories.

Part of the Animal Ark series. Mandy and James are sad when old Wilfred has to sell his riding stables and Sam Western turns the land into a campsite. But the campers are soon telling tales of a ghostly horse and rider passing by then vanishing into the night air. What is going on?

Daniels, Lucy

Ponies at the point. 1998. 1v. Animal Stories.

Part of the Animal Ark series. The Hopes and James are on holiday in Ireland. Mandy and James are thrilled to discover wild ponies on the beach. But one little foal needs help. She has a cruel head-collar cutting into her face. Who put it on her - and why?

Daniels, Lucy and McNicholas, Shelagh

Bunnies in the bathroom. 1995. 1v. Animal Stories.

Part of the Animal Ark series. John is crazy about rabbits and has set his heart on buying two baby rabbits in the pet shop, but they have gone. Can the new owner be found?

Daniels, Lucy and McNicholas, Shelagh

Piglet in a playpen. 1994. 1v. Animal Stories.

Part of the Animal Ark series. Ruby the piglet is the runt of the litter and there is no place for her on Greystones Farm. But she's cheeky and adventurous, and she's won the hearts of Mandy and James - they can't accept that Ruby has to go. Can Mandy and James turn the under-sized piglet into a prize winning pig?

Farmer, Penelope

Charlotte sometimes.1969. 1v. School Stories.

It is Charlotte’s first night at boarding school. Before she goes to sleep she sees from the window a corner of the new building, but when she wakes up, there is a huge, dark cedar tree in its place. The girl in the next bed is not the one that was there last night; she is a stranger who calls Charlotte "Claire", and says she is her younger sister Emily. Somehow, Charlotte has slipped back forty years.

Fine, Anne and Dupasquier, Philippe

Ivan the Terrible. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

It's Ivan's first day at his new school, and Boris is told to translate for him as Ivan can only speak Russian. When Ivan starts greeting people as 'lowly shivering worms', and asking for words in English like 'crush' and 'mutilate', Boris realises that he's going to have his work cut out for him. And that's just the start of the day - little does he know that Ivan will leave a lasting influence, and that he himself will never enjoy listening to nursery rhymes ever again....

Gantos, Jack

Joey Pigza swallowed the key. 2000. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Joey Pigza series. Joey isn't a bad boy, he just can't sit still for more than a couple of minutes. If he thinks of something, he's just got to do it, like putting his fingers in the pencil sharpener or swallowing his key.

Garnett, Eve

The family from One End Street. 2004. 1v. Family Stories.

Part of The family from One End Street series. There are seven children in the Ruggles family - three girls and four boys - and though they are poor, they manage to have a lot of fun.

Goudge, Elizabeth

The little white horse. 2000. 2v. Historical Fiction.

In 1842, thirteen-year-old orphan Maria Merryweather arrives at her ancestral home in an enchanted village in England's West Country, where she discovers it is her destiny to right the wrongs of her ancestors and end an ancient feud.

Hawking, Lucy and Hawking, SW

George's secret key to the universe. 2007. 2v. General Fiction.

Take a rollercoaster ride through the vastness of space and, in the midst of an exciting adventure, discover the mysteries of physics, science and the universe with George and his new friends next door.

Horowitz, Anthony

Groosham Grange. 2003, c1988. 1v. Thriller.

Part of the Groosham Grange series. David quickly discovers that his new school, Groosham Grange, is a very weird place indeed. New pupils sign their names in blood; the French teacher disappears every full moon and the assistant headmaster keeps something very chilling in his room...and that's just the first year. In his second year, David is on a course to win the Unholy Grail - but something is trying to stop him from winning.

King-Smith, Dick and Bennett, Jill

The queen's nose. 1985, c1983. 1v. General Fiction.

Harmony's uncle sends her on a treasure trail - which ends in finding a 50p piece. But the coin is a magic one, and when you rub the queen's nose, your wishes will come true.

Lawrence, Caroline

The thieves of Ostia. 2001. 1v. Historical Fiction.

Part of the Roman Mysteries series. In Rome in the year 79 AD, a group of children from very different backgrounds work together to discover who beheaded a pet dog - and why.

Lawrence, Michael

The killer underpants. 2000. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Jiggy McCue series. Jiggy's new underpants won't come off. As if that wasn't enough, they seem to give him a peculiar sort of power over people

Lawrence, Michael

The poltergoose. 2000. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Jiggy McCue series. Something's after Jiggy McCue! Something big and angry and invisible. Something which hisses and flaps and stabs his bum and generally tries to make his life a misery. Where did it come from?

Lawrence, Michael

The snottle. 2003. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Jiggy McCue series. A new girl at Jiggy's school has an allergy - her nose runs dramatically at unexpected times. One day, in class, the new girl does a mighty sneeze, spraying snot all over the window, and Jiggy sees pictures in it that foretell the future.

Lawrence, Michael

The toilet of doom. 2001. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Part of the Jiggy McCue series. "Feel that your life has gone down the pan? Well here's your chance to swap it for a better one!" When these tempting words appear on the computer screen, Jiggy McCue just can't resist. He hits 'F for Flush' and...oh dear.

McKay, Hilary

Saffy's angel. 2001. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Casson Family series. After Saffron Casson discovers that she's adopted, life is never quite the same. Her artistic parents and siblings adore her, but Saffy wants a piece of her past. So when her grandfather bequeaths a stone angel to her, Saffy knows she has to find it.

McNish, Cliff

The scent of magic. 2002. 2v. Fantasy.

Part of the Doomspell series. All over the world children are discovering they have magical powers. But the reason is that the evil Witches of the planet Ool are determined to avenge Dragwena's death by manipulating an army of children and fighting the good Wizards. Rachel's own powers, and the ability of her younger brother Eric to unmake magic, are tested to the full in a thrilling story in which she has to confront another child as strong as she is herself.

McNish, Cliff

The wizard's promise. 2003. 2v. Fantasy.

Part of the Doomspell series. Children all over the world are flexing their powers, but it is only Rachel and Eric who finally have the skill to confront the Griddas, the terrible creatures unleashed by the High Witch.

Morpurgo, Michael

Alone on a wide wide sea. 2006. 2v. General Fiction.

When orphaned Arthur Hobhouse is shipped to Australia after World War 2 he loses his sister, his country and everything he knows. The coming years will test him to his limits, as he endures mistreatment, neglect and forced labour in the Australian outback. When he meets a nurse whose father owns a boat-building business, Arthur builds a special boat for his daughter Allie, whose love of the sea is as strong and as vital as her father’s. Now Allie has a boat that will take her to England solo, across the world’s roughest seas, in search of her father’s long-lost sister! Will the threads of Arthur’s life finally come together?

Nimmo, Jenny

Charlie Bone and the hidden king. 2006. 2v. Fantasy/School Stories.

Part of the Children of the Red King series. Charlie Bone awakes one morning to find the city covered with snow and all the animals gone. Where have they gone - and why? Blessed the dog tells Billy there was a terrible shuddering of the earth and immediately after, he saw a witch with two shadows crossing the hall in Bloor's Academy. Could the discovery of an ancient mirror, and the movement of the shadow in the Red King's portrait have something to do with it? Then a strange girl appears outside Charlie's house. She tells him he must follow her to find the animals. Can he trust her, and will she perhaps lead him to find someone he lost long before the animals?

Nimmo, Jenny

Charlie Bone and the time twister. 2006. 2v. Fantasy/School Stories.

Part of the Children of the Red King series. On the coldest night in memory, Henry Yewbeam's cousin, Zeke, tricks him into using the Time Twister, a beautiful marble full of shining colours that draws him into the future.

Nimmo, Jenny

Charlie Bone and the wilderness wolf. 2007. 2v. Fantasy/School Stories.

Part of the Children of the Red King series. Charlie Bone has finally found his father, but he's disappeared again. However, this time Charlie knows where he is - on a second honeymoon with his mother. But there's no time to miss them, for there's a strange salty mist in the air, and chilling howls in the night. And someone has been searching Charlie's house. What are they looking for? And could Dagbert, the new boy with pale lips and cold aquamarine eyes, have something to do with it? Something is going on - and the Bloors have to be behind it. Charlie and his friends must find the creature who howls so desperately. But will they be in time?

Norton, Mary

The Borrowers. 1993. 1v. Classic/Fantasy.

Part of The Borrowers series. The Borrowers are a tiny race of people who live hidden away in houses or other safe, convenient places, and own nothing except what they borrow from 'human beans'. The last family to live in the old house, Pod, Homily and Arriety have made a comfortable home beneath the kitchen floor. But their lives become threatened when Pod is seen while on a borrowing expedition.

Ransome, Arthur

Swallows and Amazons. 1982. 3v. Adventure.

Part of the Swallows and Amazons series. To John, Susan, Titty and Roger, simply being allowed to use the boat, Swallow, to go camping on the island is adventure enough. But they soon find themselves under attack from the fierce Amazon Pirates, Nancy and Peggy. And so begins a summer of battles, alliances, exploration and discovery.

Saint-Exupery, Antoine de

The little prince. 1991. 1v. Fantasy.

A pilot forced to land in the Sahara meets a little prince. The wise and enchanting stories the prince tells of his own planet with its three volcanoes and a haughty flower are the result.

Sewell, Anna and Hough, Charlotte

Black Beauty.1954. 2v. Animal Stories.

Beauty's first memories are of a large and pleasant meadow and his mother's hope that her son "will grow up gentle and good and never learn bad ways". Black Beauty's character is tested by the many hardships he experiences, but whether saving his comrades from a fire, racing to fetch help for his beloved mistress, or working as a London cab horse, his brave and loyal nature shines through. Black Beauty is a moving record of man's cruelty to animals, but above all an exciting adventure story.

Smith, Dodie and Roberts, David

The hundred and one dalmatians. 2006. 1v. Animal Stories.

Cruella de Vil is enough to frighten the spots off a dalmation pup. And when she steals a whole family of them, Pongo and Missis set off on a desperate rescue mission. But will they be in time to save the puppies?

Stanton, Andy

You're a bad man, Mr Gum! 2006. 1v. General Fiction.

Part of the Mr Gum series. Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man. But this book is not just about him. There is also a little girl called Polly, an evil butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and Jake the dog, who must be saved from terrible, terrible evil.

Stevenson, Robert Louis

Treasure Island. 1994. 2v. Classic fiction.

Jim Hawkins had no idea, when he picked up the packet from Captain Flint's chest, that here lay the key to untold wealth - a treasure map. When Jim sails on the Hispaniola, with Long John Silver as ship's cook and the rest of the shifty crew, he embarks on the adventure of his life.

Wilson, Jacqueline

The Diamond girls. 2005. 2v. Family Stories.

Dixie is the youngest of the Diamond girls and the narrator of the story. Her sisters - Rochelle, Jude and Martine are all very different and each have their own needs, strengths and weaknesses.

Wilson, Jacqueline

How to survive summer camp. 1999. 1v. General Fiction.

Stella is determined not to enjoy her time at summer camp while her mum and new stepfather are on holiday, but finds herself having rather more of a good time than she expected.

Age range 12-14

Blackman, Malorie

Checkmate. 2005. 3v. General Fiction.

Part of the Noughts and Crosses series. Can the future ever erase the past? Rose has a Cross mother and a Nought father in a society where the pale-skinned Noughts are treated as inferiors and those with dual heritage face a life-long battle against deep-rooted prejudices.

Blackman, Malorie

Knife edge. 2005. 2v. General Fiction.

Part of the Noughts and Crosses series. Sephy is a Cross, one of the privileged in a society where the ruling Crosses treat the pale- skinned Noughts as inferiors. But her baby daughter has a Nought father - Jude is a Nought. Eaten up with bitterness, he blames Sephy for the terrible losses his family has suffered. Now Jude's life rests on a knife edge. Will Sephy be forced, once again, to take sides?

Cooper, Susan

The grey king. 1977. 2v. Fantasy.

Part of The Dark is rising series. Grey clouds are lowering round the Welsh hilltops as Will Stanton embarks on his dangerous mission to find the golden harp which will wake the six sleepers "by the pleasant lake" and send them out to take part in the great final battle of light against dark.

Cooper, Susan

Silver on the tree. 1979. 2v. Fantasy.

Part of The Dark is rising series. It is a hot, lazy summer's day. Will Stanton is fishing with two of his elder brothers and everything seems normal until he finds himself amidst a scene of panic-stricken flight, taking place hundreds of years earlier ... the last part of his task is about to begin in the battle of the light against the dark. "When the Dark is rising, six shall turn it back" - so ran the old prophetic rhyme and he is the last born of the Old Ones ...

Cross, Gillian

The great elephant chase. 1994. 2v. Adventure/Historical Fiction.

When the elephant came to town, Tad and Cissie went to the show. Little did they know it would change their lives for ever. Because of the elephant, Tad and Cissie get involved in a chase across America, by train, by flatboat, and steam boat. Winner of the Whitbread Children's Novel Award and the Smarties Prize.

Delaney, Joseph

The Spook's apprentice. 2005. 2v. Horror.

Part of the Wardstone chronicles series. Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the Spook is distant and many apprentices have falled before Thomas. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the county, the horror begins.

Fine, Anne

Flour Babies.1994. 1v. General Fiction.

When the annual school Science Fair comes round, Mr Cartwright's pupils don't get to work on the Soap Factory, the Maggot Farm or the Exploding Custard Tins. To their intense disgust they get the Flour Babies - sweet little six pound bags of flour that must be cared for at all times or the owner fails the project. And all of them have to keep a diary explaining how they feel about this new responsibility.

Fine, Anne

Madame Doubtfire. 1994. 1v. Humorous Fiction.

Lydia, Christopher and Natalie, since their parent's divorce, are used to travelling between their volatile mother, Miranda and Daniel their out-of-work actor father. When Miranda advertises for someone to supervise the children, Daniel disguises himself and applies for the job.

Garner, Alan

The owl service. 2002. 1v. General Fiction.

The curious pattern on the dinner service Alison finds in the loft bears a strange resemblance to an owl, interesting but unimportant. From that moment on begins a change of events that is as disturbing as it is inexplicable.

Holm, Anne and Kingsland, L.W.

I am David. 2000. 1v. General Fiction.

After escaping from an east European concentration camp where he has spent most of his life, a twelve-year-old boy struggles to cope with a strange world as he flees northward to freedom in Denmark.

Landy, Derek

Skulduggery Pleasant. 2007. 2v. Horror.

Part of the Skulduggery Pleasant series. Stephanie's uncle Gordon is a writer of horror fiction. But when he dies and leaves her his estate, Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn't fiction.

Mahy, Margaret

The haunting. 1992. 1v. Horror/Ghost Stories.

The family of Barney's dead mother is aware that there is something special about this particular boy. As he resigns himself to being haunted again, his sister and brother set out to discover the reason behind his supernatural attraction.

Nadin, Joanna

My so-called life: the tragically normal diary of Rachel Riley. 2007. 2v. Diary Fiction.

Rachel Riley is the offspring of a depressingly unbroken home. It is time to change things. Rachel resolves that this year she will become tragic, literary and interesting - and will win the heart of Justin, the lead guitarist from Certain Death, along the way. Laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end, this is a fresh new voice which will speak directly to teenagers everywhere.

Naidoo, Beverley

The other side of truth. 2000. 2v. General Fiction.

Twelve-year-old Sade and her brother Femi have to flee Nigeria when their mother is killed and their father won't stop criticizing the military rulers. The woman paid to bring them to London as her children abandons them and they are alone in a new, often hostile, environment.

Nye, Alex

Chill. 2006. 1v. Horror.

Samuel is trapped by huge snow drifts in an old, remote house. And that's not the only thing causing a cold shiver to creep down his spine. He feels like the ghostly figure in the locked library has a message ...but who is it for?

Peet, Mal

The penalty. 2006. 2v. Thriller/Fantasy.

As the city of San Juan pulses to summer's sluggish beat, its teenage football prodigy El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without trace. Paul Faustino, South America's top sports journalist, is reluctantly drawn into the mystery.

Reeve, Philip

A darkling plain. 2007. 3v. Science Fiction.

Part of the Hungry City chronicles. In "A darkling plain", Philip Reeve brilliantly completes the breath-taking adventures that began with "Mortal engines".

Reeve, Philip

Infernal devices. 2006. 2v. Science Fiction.

Part of the Hungry City chronicles. Anchorage has become a static settlement on the shores of the Dead Continent, and its inhabitants have been living peacefully for sixteen years. But now trouble is approaching - in a limpet sub, and fast.

Reeve, Philip

Predator's gold. 2003. 2v. Science Fiction.

Part of the Hungry City chronicles. Fleeing from an Anti-Tractionist sect, the Green Storm, Tom and Hester are left drifting in the frozen Ice Wastes.They are saved at the last minute, finding Anchorage, a once-beautiful ice city. Crippled by plague, there are barely fifty souls on Anchorage now, and the teenage margravine has made a desperate choice. They are heading for America, the Dead Continent.

Spinelli, Jerry

Stargirl. 2000. 1v. General Fiction.

From the day she arrives at Mica High School in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of Stargirl. She captures Leo Borlocks heart with just one smile and sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, a tense, emotional tale is woven about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Thompson, Kate

The new policeman. 2006. 2v. Fantasy.

Music proves to be the touchstone for communication between the fairy and the human domains and the book is saturated with the lure of Irish music. As for the New Policeman, Larry O'Dwyer, he is an enigmatic figure who has a significant bearing on the plot but whose identity is kept a superbly guarded secret to the very last surprising moment.

Turnbull, Ann

Forged in the fire. 2006. 2v. Historical Fiction.

London 1665-66. With the Plague raging and the scent of smoke upon the wind, Will and Susanna, separated by class and distance, struggle to re-unite. Will has become a Quaker and broken with his father. Leaving Susanna behind in Shropshire, he travels to London, swearing to send for her once he is settled. But Will is arrested and thrown in jail for standing up for his beliefs. This, along with the rapidly spreading plague and a dire misunderstanding, conspires to keep them apart.

Valentine, Jenny

Finding Violet Park. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Lucas Swain becomes intrigued by the urn of ashes left in a cab office. Convinced that its occupant - Violet Park - is communicating with him, he contrives to gain possession of the urn, little realising that his quest will take him on a voyage of self-discovery and identity, forcing him to finally confront what happened to his absent (and possibly dead) father!

Wynne-Jones, Tim

A thief in the house of memory. 2007. 1v. Thriller.

Dec hasn't seen his mother for six years. Having moved into a new home with his father, Dec rarely visits the old family home, until one day he makes a horrific discovery there - a man crushed to death in the hall. Was it an accident or is it more than a coincidence that Dec recognises the would-be thief? Suddenly the house is alive with memories, prompting Dec to investigate the past and piece together the puzzle which will reveal the elusive

truth about his mother's disappearance.

Age range 15+

Breslin, Theresa

The Medici seal. 2007. 3v. Adventure/Historical Fiction.

This story is set in Romagna, Italy in the year 1502. Fleeing from the murderous brigand Sandino, Matteo - a young boy - is saved from drowning by the companions of Leonardo da Vinci. From this moment on, Matteo is at the Maestro's side as he carries out his work. But Leonardo is employed by Cesare Borgia, head of one of Italy's leading families. As Da Vinci and Matteo travel across Italy on the Borgia's business, murder, deceit and revenge follow in their trail.

Chambers, Aidan

Postcards from no man's land. 2007. 3v. War Stories.

Two interwoven stories, separated by 50 years in time, make up this emotionally and intellectually challenging novel. Set in Holland, one story tells of the passionate love between a young Dutch woman and Jacob Todd, a wounded English soldier. The other story finds the English soldier's grandson visiting Amsterdam for the commemoration of The Battle of Arnhem.

Cormier, Robert

Heroes. 1999. 1v. General Fiction.

Maimed and disfigured whilst fighting in the war, young Francis Cassavant must hide both his face and his identity when he goes back home. For his past holds a bitter secret.

Doherty, Berlie

Dear nobody. 2001. 2v. General Fiction.

Helen and Chris are in their last year at school when Helen discovers that she is pregnant. Deeply unhappy and confused, she resolves to break off their relationship. Chris is bitter at Helen's decision, believing that he should be involved in any plans for the baby's future, but Helen needs time alone to make sense of her conflicting feelings.

Du Maurier, Daphne

Don't look now and other stories. 2006. 2v. Short stories.

John and Laura have come to Venice to try and escape the pain of their young daughter's death. But when they encounter two old women who claim to have second sight, they find that, instead of laying their ghosts to rest, they become caught up in a train of increasingly strange and violent events.

Rosoff, Meg

What I was. 2007. 1v. General Fiction.

Finn lives alone on an isolated slip of land and follows no rules: he spends his days swimming, fishing, and collecting driftwood for his tiny beach hut. H, on the other hand, is an upper-class boarding school boy stifled by monotony and endless rules. They meet by chance on the beach, and H is immediately awed by Finn’s way of life. They strike up an unlikely friendship but the gap between their lives becomes difficult to bridge, and before long the idyll that nurtured their relationship is shattered by heart-wrenching scandal.

Westall, Robert

The machine gunners. 2001. 2v. War Stories.

'Some bright kid's got a gun and 2000 rounds of live ammo. It'll go through a brick wall at a quarter of a mile.' Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth, and he desperately wants it to be the best.

Children and young adult non-fiction

Age range 0-4

Hill, Eric

Spot's big book of colours, shapes and numbers. 2005. 1v.

The fun way to find out about colours, shapes and numbers! Spot and his friends make first learning easy in this big, action-packed book.

Age range 5-7

Milne, AA and Shepard, Ernest H

Now we are six. 2007. 1v.

A book of verses about Christopher Robin and Pooh.

Age range 8-11

Dahl, Roald and others

Roald Dahl's revolting recipes. 1997. 1v.

A collection of recipes based on food and drink featured in Roald Dahl's books. They include mudburgers, hot frogs, lickable wallpaper, stinkbugs' eggs and crispy wasp stings.

Deary, Terry

The angry Aztecs. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series.The foulest facts about the people whose idea of fun was ripping out human hearts, and the gory details on the incredible empire that was brought down by 260 Spanish invaders and a few germs.

Deary, Terry

The awesome Egyptians. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series. Introduces aspects of everyday life in ancient Egypt, explaining the gory details of how mummies were prepared and the basics of Egyptian arithmetic.

Deary, Terry

The blitzed Brits. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series. What really happened to Dad's army? Want to know how to make a rude noise with a gas mask? This book provides spiffing slang, foul food facts about rotten rationing, and the terrible facts about London's bloodthirsty blackout murderer.

Deary, Terry

Even more terrible Tudors. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series. Takes you back for another look at the mad Tudor monarchs and their suffering subjects, who just could not help losing their heads. Read on for information about the good times and the gory from the great goose fairs to the painful punishments and trickery of the ruthless royal family.

Deary, Terry

The ruthless Romans. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series. The grim truth behind the greatest empire of all time - from the terrible twins who founded Rome to the evil emperors who made murder into a sport. Read on for the gory details about the cruel Colosseum and the people and animals who were massacred there.

Deary, Terry

The slimy Stuarts. 1996. 1v.

Horrible history series. It tells why some Stuarts ate toads, snails and fleas, which king picked his nose and never washed his hands, and who wore fish on their feet. Facts about the revolting Roundheads and ghastly Guy Fawkes are given.

Deary, Terry

The stormin' Normans. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series. Bill the Conquerer and his bully boys who battled at Hastings, stormed around Europe and joined the Crusades. There are tales of limb-chopping, terribly tortured saints and you can find out what "really" happened in 1066.

Deary, Terry

The villainous Victorians. 1994. 1v.

Horrible history series. Gives us more of the grim truth about the nasty nineteenth century.

Simon, Francesca and Ross, Tony

Horrid Henry's joke book. 2004. 1v.

Horrid Henry has collected all of his favourite jokes and is itching to share them.

Young Adult

Lee, Laurie

Cider with Rosie. 2002. 2v.

Growing up amongst the fields and woods and characters of the place, this memoir is about the author’s childhood in a remote Cotswold village, a village before electricity or cars, a timeless place on the verge of change

Shakespeare, William

The Tempest; edited by Gill Roma. 2001. 2v.

Oxford School Shakespeare series. A romantic drama about a duke who is ousted from his throne and banished with his daughter to an enchanted island. He releases spellbound spirits who help to undo his usurper. This series aims to help students understand and enjoy Shakespeare's plays. As well as the complete and unabridged text, each play has an extensive range of students' notes. Also included is a wide range of questions and activities for work in class, together with the historical background to Shakespeare's England, a brief biography of Shakespeare, and a complete list of his plays.

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Last updated: 16/05/2008 11:45