Published by Orion.

This is a new book from a new author, but you could never tell that! Annabel Pitcher writes like an expert and this book is definitely going to be up for some awards soon!
10 year old Jamie has never cried in five years. Not since his sister, Rose, was blown up by a Muslim terrorist gang. Everything is falling apart now- Mum left and fell in love with another man, Dads too drunk to care for Jamie and Roses twin sister Jasmine, and moving house has only made things worse. Jamie gets bullied every day, not just by his dad by the awful school-kids, and only to make matters worse his best friend is Sunya, who Jamie likes but if his dad ever finds out Jamie’s in for a lot of trouble! Jamie is so upset and hates his life and his family, but he knows that everything can be repaired with the help of his sister and a show…can they pull it off to bring their family back together?
This story is for 11+, the perfect teen read. It isn’t your usual kind of weepy sad story, but packed with lots of funny and uplifting parts too! This book really does make you laugh and cry at bits, maybe at the same time, whatever your age. This book oh so easily switches from a really sad scene to a happy ending- I love it and its definitely one of my top favourite books!

Georgia

Published by Walker Books

A novel by Patrick Ness, from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd.

A sad, but gripping tale of a boy called Conner, whose mum is suffering from a life threatening illness- cancer. Conner is visited frequently by a monstrous yew tree, who over time tells three different stories to which will soon unlock Conner’s inside feelings about his mum. As well as coping with a monster and his mum, Conner is getting bullied at school- can he survive with all of this together?
This book is a really great, heart string pulling story that leaves you on the edge of your seat- it’s amazing! Not only is it so good, but what really makes it special is where the original idea came from. Siobhan Dowd thought up the idea of the novel first, but as she was piecing the bits together she sadly passed away from cancer herself, aged only 47. However, Patrick Ness took on the difficulty of finishing the tale, and transformed it into this bestselling book! Alongside with awesome illustrations by artist Jim Kay, this book is a brilliant, lovely read. But, it’s so sad, so I would say you should read it when you’re over ten!

Georgia

Published by Sterling

Make way for Drake Doyle and his friend Nell Fossey, year 5 science detectives, ready to solve any puzzle! This book is a fab, funny and useful book for children, telling you all about science, but in a really fun format! Read this cute book as Doyle and Fossey solve four unique mysteries based around the wonders of science, it’s really good! Plus, as well as stories, at the end of every book you will find out how to make your own science lab, the do’s and don’ts of experiments, and awesome sites to check out.

The Case of the Gasping Garbage is the first book in the series, make sure to buy the other titles!

Georgia

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books

Think of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter, add some of Terry Pratchetts’ Discworld series, then you have this book – totally amazing!

Drake is just exploring in his new home’s garden when he comes across a shed where a magic secret is contained inside… Three horsemen of the apocalypse! Only to add to Drakes amazement, they have been waiting for him, because he is perfect to be the horseman of death.

The only problem is, that Drake is the 13^th Horseman of the apocalypse – can this all work out, or will it just end up turning into the end of the world?  Drake Finn may not be scared, but he sure will be when he finds out what’s in store for him!

Barry Hutchison, a new author, is great at adding hilarious comedy to an action packed book…One minute it’s the end of the world and it’s very dark, the next the characters have saved the day, leaving you laughing at their stupid antics. It’s such a great read and the pages turn themselves as you’re plunging into a world of Armageddon, danger and fun!  This is an awesome book for all lovers of Harry Potter, and it’s published on the 1^st of March so make sure you get a copy!

And, you can order your copy here.

Georgia

Manga Workshop!

Last Saturday in Ashburton Library, Croydon a brilliant manga author/ illustrator popped in to give a talk on manga for 11-19 year olds!
The workshop is for a club in the Croydon libraries called ‘My Voice’ – full of great activities all of the time for teenagers who live locally. We all started off by being introduced to Chie Kutsuwada, an awesome manga artist whose work includes ‘As you like it’ in the Manga Shakespeare series. Chie’s work is excellent and really stands out in the modern world of Manga!!!
So, we were introduced by some well known Japanese comics, and learnt about the differences between American, English and Japanese art.

It was really interesting to see how different so many things are, but you would hardly ever notice! We went on to Chie showing us how to draw a facial profile of a manga style face, which was really fun!
After some snacks we went back to work, finding top tips on features and what manga chibis are-they’re really cute kind of versions of normal manga! Chie Kutsuwada was a really good teacher-she guided us through and worked with us by showing us the answers to all of our questions.
Overall, the workshop was great, many thanks to Chie Kutsuwada and the people who attended, I had so much fun!

Georgia

Published by Templar Publishing

This new picture book is a really sweet and charming story, quick to read but makes you want to read it again and again and again! A father always dreamed to fly, and tries to make a pair of wings but it just isn’t working for him. His little boys name isn’t mentioned in the book, which is actually kind of strange! Anyway, it really saddened me that the father had to leave for the war.
The beautiful illustrations really portray the majority of the story well, because there is not actually that many words! Can the son follow in his father’s footsteps, but this time, fly FArTHER?
I think this is a great book, and I would definitely recommend it for all ages, grab a copy (soon to be in paperback too) Now!

Georgia

Published By Faber Kids

Arlene Phillips is extremely well known for being on the judging panel for So you think you can dance? And strictly come dancing. She’s celebrated for her choreography skills and her brilliant musicals. But now, she’s writing children’s books! They are really great reads, it might have been a bit young for me, but still- I really did love it!
Based on her daughter, Alana, (and her little sister Abi is actually her sister in real life!) this book is one in a cool new series based on dancing. Each book is focused on a different type of Modern dance, the first book being samba dancing. This book is the second in the series, and focuses on Street and hip hop dancing. Alana and her friend Meena are entering a school talent show with a waltz sequence, however, they are told by others that they’re too old fashioned! So Alana goes down to the magic Madame Coco’s costume shop. There, Alana puts on a street dance outfit, and is transported to Hollywood, with her favourite band! Can the moves she has learnt help Alana and Meena to jazz up their routine and win the competition? Read this great book to find out!
Also don’t forget that books 3, 4, 5 and 6 are already out, so read these afterwards too!

Georgia

Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Vanessa Curtis is a quite new, brilliant author, who really connects with her character, Lilah May, and who loves rock music just like Vanessa! Vanessa used to play in ‘very loud’ rock bands!
Lilah is angry. VERY angry! Her brother seems lost to the world now, but from the day he went missing Lilah turned angry. She’s never stopped since. Her anger problems are only getting worse, causing her to nearly become excluded, not to mention that the only person that can understand her is her best mate, Bindi! It’s not going very well, and when your mum works as a clown, and your dad is a lion tamer, things aren’t exactly going to get any better! Can Lilah cope through her problematic life, and also try to forget about her missing brother- Jay???
This book is a fab new book, (published 2011) and is a great (albeit short) read for teens. It’s a really cool book and makes you wonder about people who are really in situations like Lilah Mays’, I love it! Don’t worry if you find that you get to the end and think… I really want to know what happens next! Because a second book is on its way-Lilah Mays Manic Days! Don’t miss it: I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Georgia

Published by Splinter (New York).

SPOILER ALERT!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

Kelsey thought she would be helping out in a circus for the summer, not breaking a curse in India!
A tiger at a Circus, is actually the ancient prince Dihren, who is cursed as a tiger. When a man turns up to buy Dihren and to take Kelsey with him as a Carer, Kelseys world is thrown upside-down as she finds herself hunting down secrets in all the corners of India. However, Kelsey is somehow drawn to Dihren, He can turn into a man, for only 20 minutes a day, and Kelsey eventually falls in love…But will she manage? Breaking a 4 century old curse, and loving a lost prince of India? Can she keep her love safe, as well as her at the same time?
Find out in this brilliant, compelling novel, out now in hardback. It is part of a great new ‘Tiger Saga’ of which the second and third books are out now too…go and grab a copy now from your nearest bookstore! This book is fab in every way and leaves you stunned, laughing, crying, shocked, all in one page, I couldn’t tear myself away!

Georgia