lovereading4kids Latest: Featured Books for 9+ readers

Pendragon Legacy: Sword of Light - Katherine Roberts

Pendragon Legacy: Sword of Light
Katherine Roberts

Format: Hardback - Released: 01/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £7.49 - Saving £2.50 (25%)

A cracking page-turning adventure that brings a new twist on Arthurian legend. The future of Camelot is in the hands of Arthur's secret daughter, Rhianna. Utterly gripping, this is the start of a series for 10+ year olds by an award winning author. It's a magical quest based adventure that will appeal to Harry Potter and Tolkien fans. In a sentence, it's Arthurian legend reinvented for a new generation of readers! Author Katherine Roberts said: “As a big fan of Arthurian fantasy, I’ve always wanted to write my own version of the legend but didn’t want to repeat the old stories. When I found red-haired Rhianna, King Arthur’s daughter, hiding on the enchanted island of Avalon, I knew she would make a great young warrior princess to carry the Pendragon legend to a new generation.”

Gregor and the Marks of Secret - Suzanne Collins

Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Suzanne Collins

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
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Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins - the author of the blockbusting Hunger Games – is the story of a perilous fantasy adventure for young Gregor and his talkative little sister Boots, in their bid to save the Underland. It's only a few months since Gregor and Boots returned from the Underland, leaving their mother behind to heal from the plague. Though Gregor's family receives frequent updates on her condition, they all know Gregor must return to fulfill his role as the warrior who is key to the Underlanders' survival. This could be the answer for parents with teens and younger siblings. if your teens are mad keen on Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and you're being badgered by younger siblings to read it too, then give them Suzanne's Gregor series instead. It's a wonderful adventure. This is Book Four in the Underland Chronicles series. The others are: Gregor the Overlander: Book One Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane: Book Two Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods: Book Three Gregor and the Code of Claw: Book Five (to be published in the UK August 2012)

Katy's Wild Foal (Katy's Ponies) - Victoria Eveleigh

Katy's Wild Foal (Katy's Ponies)
Victoria Eveleigh

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £3.74 - Saving £1.25 (25%)

How Katy discovers a newborn Exmoor foal on her birthday and persuades her family that she can look after it launches a tender and convincing story of one girl’s passion for ponies. Victoria Eveleigh gives enough details of pony care and training to make the story essential reading for all those who are pony-mad and enough delightful general background about friends, family and farming to make it an enjoyable story for all. Adopt an Exmoor Pony: Want the chance to adopt an Exmoor pony at the Exmoor Pony Centre for one year? All you have to do is email competitions@orionbooks.co.uk with the subject heading 'Exmoor Pony' and one lucky winner will win a year's pony sponsorship. Closing date for entry is 1st September 2012.

The Worst Thing About My Sister - Jacqueline Wilson

The Worst Thing About My Sister
Jacqueline Wilson

Format: Hardback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £9.74 - Saving £3.25 (25%)

Best-selling Jacqueline Wilson understands perfectly how the needle sharp jealousy of sisters is matched only by the strength of their underlying affection. Marty and Melissa are not in the least little bit like each other; Marty is a tomboy and Melissa is as girlie as a girl can be. What on earth will happen when they have to share a bedroom? What looks like a disaster turns out surprisingly well as the girls learn just how important they are to one another – despite their differences!

Lizard Loopy (S.W.I.T.C.H. 7) - Ali Sparkes

Lizard Loopy (S.W.I.T.C.H. 7)
Ali Sparkes

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £3.74 - Saving £1.25 (25%)

Sizzling adventures happen when twins Josh and Danny swap places with a host of fascinating animals. Armed with the secret spray given to them by Petty Potts, the brilliant and eccentric scientist, Josh and Danny can get out of all kinds of fixes by turning into something else. As lizards, chameleons, turtles, geckos and anacondas the boys discover first hand dangers and the excitement of living in someone else’s skin. Josh and Danny can't wait to try out Petty Potts's crazy new formula - a spray that will turn them into lizards! Soon, they're making the most of their amazing speed and agility by whizzing up a tree. But in no time they're in deep doo-doo. Surrounded by bird poo and in serious danger of being swallowed whole by two moody owls ... Author Ali Sparkes is the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and illustrator Ross Collins is winner of the Royal Mail Book Award. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.

Chameleon Chaos (S.W.I.T.C.H. 8) - Ali Sparkes

Chameleon Chaos (S.W.I.T.C.H. 8)
Ali Sparkes

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £3.74 - Saving £1.25 (25%)

Sizzling adventures happen when twins Josh and Danny swap places with a host of fascinating animals. Armed with the secret spray given to them by Petty Potts, the brilliant and eccentric scientist, Josh and Danny can get out of all kinds of fixes by turning into something else. As lizards, chameleons, turtles, geckos and anacondas the boys discover first hand dangers and the excitement of living in someone else’s skin. Petty Potts, scientist extraordinaire, is losing her touch. The spray that's supposed to SWITCH Josh and Danny into chameleons refuses to work. But the next day, at school, things get VERY weird. Looks like Petty's spray has worked after all. And it shows no sign of wearing off any time soon ... Author Ali Sparkes is the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and illustrator Ross Collins is winner of the Royal Mail Book Award. Click here for the S.W.I.T.C.H. series website with games, activities and competitions.

Not Bad for a Bad Lad - Michael Morpurgo

Not Bad for a Bad Lad
Michael Morpurgo

Format: Paperback - Released: 24/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £4.49 - Saving £1.50 (25%)

If you loved War Horse, you'll love this... This wonderful story was inspired by a conversation that Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman had about a prison at Hollesley Bay in Suffolk that Michael Foreman remembered from growing up nearby. Into this Michael Morpurgo weaves his story of how the relationship between a man – who starts work in the prison stable - and a horse can change a life forever, when you show someone how to follow their dreams. Master storyteller and former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo tells a heart-warming story of how a bad lad becomes a good lad as a result of being treated well and finding something to be good at and to love. A grandpa tells his life story evocatively capturing the changes that came over him when he was given the chance to take care of horses that he loved and cherished. Michael Foreman’s stunning illustrations capture the mood of the story perfectly. A message from Philippa Perry who works at the publisher: 'Of the 20 or so books the two Michaels have written and illustrated together, I think this is truly one of the best and I heartily recommend it.'

Charles Dickens A Life of Storytelling; a Legacy of Change -

Charles Dickens A Life of Storytelling; a Legacy of Change

Format: Hardback - Released: 01/11/2011
Lovereading4kids Price: £11.24 - Saving £3.75 (25%)

This is an absolutely terrific book that just goes to show that Dickens isn’t just for grown-ups or teenagers. This one is guaranteed to engage young readers – even those as young as 8 or 9 – and bring about a love of Dickens, his life, his work and the times in which he lived. And, as Simon Callow so succinctly put, ‘knowing the background and something of the character of the man who wrote them can only ensure that Doctor Who’s prediction remains true’. Part of Templar’s Historical Notebook series – there is also one on William Shakespeare (click here). And Simon Callow (aka Mr Dickens) waxes lyrical about it: ‘A highly entertaining journey through Dickens’ life and reproducing original documents, covers of the original books, plan of workhouses, many of which feature in advent calendar form with flaps to be opened. The book repeatedly brought a smile to my lips, which, after all, is one of the things Dickens most liked to do. It seems to me very encouraging that such books exist to engage the interest of young readers, who can be very daunted by the sight of a page of a Dickens novel; dense and apparently difficult locutions’.

Twelve Minutes to Midnight - Christopher Edge

Twelve Minutes to Midnight
Christopher Edge

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read series for fans of Philip Reeve, Marcus Sedgwick and Anthony Horowitz.

Katy's Champion Pony (Katy's Ponies) - Victoria Eveleigh

Katy's Champion Pony (Katy's Ponies)
Victoria Eveleigh

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £3.74 - Saving £1.25 (25%)

Pony mad Katy is growing in confidence and ambition. Despite changes at Barton Farm and losing both her best-friend and her knowledgeable aunt, Katy is determined to train her pony Trifle to be a champion. It’s a much harder task than she bargains for. Can Katy succeeed? As ever, deep passion and knowledge infuse this gripping story which vividly creates the pony world. Adopt an Exmoor Pony: Want the chance to adopt an Exmoor pony at the Exmoor Pony Centre for one year? All you have to do is email competitions@orionbooks.co.uk with the subject heading 'Exmoor Pony' and one lucky winner will win a year's pony sponsorship. Closing date for entry is 1st September 2012.

Return to King Solomon's Mines (Luke Challenger Book 3) - Steve Barlow, Steve Skidmore

Return to King Solomon's Mines (Luke Challenger Book 3)
Steve Barlow, Steve Skidmore

Format: Paperback - Released: 01/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £4.49 - Saving £1.50 (25%)

The terrifying Sons of Destiny are closing in on the location of the legendary Spear of Destiny - an ancient weapon that grants the power of invincibility. In a race against time, Luke Challenger and his cousin Nick must track down the fabled King Solomon's Mines where the spear is believed to have been hidden. This is the fantastic third instalment in the Challenger series that revisits Sir H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines in a way that will grip a whole new generation of readers. Part of the Luke Challenger Series, along with Return to the Lost World and Return to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The Poodle Problem - Anna Wilson

The Poodle Problem
Anna Wilson

Format: Paperback - Released: 03/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £4.49 - Saving £1.50 (25%)

Welcome to the Pooch Parlour: where pampered pet salon meets canine detective agency! First in the Pooch Parlour series.

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop - Kate Saunders

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop
Kate Saunders

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

A bewitching, bewildering, hilarious and absolutely irresistible magical adventure. A wonderful new life begins for Oz and Lily when their father inherits the family chocolate factory from a long lost uncle. Moving into their new home, Lily knows at once that strange and magical things are about to happen… First she meets an invisible cat, then there’s a talking rat and finally the ghost of an elephant. Whether the family like it or not, they are now involved in a thrilling battle to protect the precious family chocolate recipe from the ruthless villains who are after it. Click here for more books by Kate Saunders.

Will Gallows and the Thunder Dragon's Roar - Derek Keilty

Will Gallows and the Thunder Dragon's Roar
Derek Keilty

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £4.49 - Saving £1.50 (25%)

A welcome return for Will Gallows, a charming sky cowboy hero who is willing to risk all. When Will’s uncle is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Will is determined to prove his innocence. Uncovering a sinister plot as he does so, it’s a quest in which young Will risks his life as he does battle with the deadly thunder dragons. Action packed, this is an inventive story with a host of larger-than-life characters. The first book, Will Gallows and the Snake Bellied Troll, was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club and as a Blue Peter Book of the Month. Film rights for the series have been optioned by Elton John’s company, Rocket Pictures!

A Hen in the Wardrobe - Wendy Meddour

A Hen in the Wardrobe
Wendy Meddour

Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012
Lovereading4kids Price: £4.49 - Saving £1.50 (25%)

Witty and warm-hearted, this is a delightful family story spiced with adventure. Everything is distinctly not normal in Ramzi’s house. While mum’s away studying Domes of the East for her architecture course, dad starts waking in the night to do unusual things such as chasing a hen in Ramzi’s wardrobe and trying to catch frogs in the pantry. The truth is, dad’s homesick for his village in Algeria. Soon Ramzi is off on a great trip but will he be able to find the help he needs to get dad back to normal? Winner of the 2010 Islamic Foundation International Writing Competition, (8-11 category) and The John C Laurence Award (for writing that improves relations between the races). Shortlisted for the Muslim Writer’s Award 2011.