Archive 7+ : 2009
Humphrey's Big-Big-Big Book of Stories by Betty G. Birney
Humphrey's Big-Big-Big Book of Stories contains the first three books written by Betty G. Birney and starring everyone's favourite educated hamster. Humphrey is the classroom pet for room 26 of Longfellow school and has become good friends with all the children in the class. What they don't know is that he is a very intelligent hamster who can read, write and scores highly in the spelling tests. Most of all Humphrey likes to help people out and when his classmates are in trouble he always finds a solution... Full Review Here
A Necklace of Raindrops by Joan Aiken & Jan Pienkowski
There are eight of Joan Aiken's classic short stories in this collection which takes it's title from the first of them, A Necklace of Raindrops. These modern fairytales range from a tiger who runs faster than the wind to a magical flying patchwork quilt. Everything about these wonderful tales evokes the feel of magic in the air and a world where a child's wishes really can come true... Full Review Here
The Spookoscope by Ceci Jenkinson
Another adventure for Oli and Skipjack and this time they are having a bit of trouble with ghosts! Lord and Lady Spiffing own a great big haunted mansion but the roof is falling down and they have to rely on money from tourists to keep the building upright. They have hired Madame Moonbeam a clairvoyant (and fraud) to tempt their spiritual ancestors into spooking all these visitors but even so they just can not keep their heads above the water and it looks like Lord Spiffing will have to face a fate worse than death; selling his prize cow, Mildred... Full Review Here
Madame Pamplemousse and the Time Travelling Café by Rupert Kingfisher
Madeleine is a young girl with an exceptional talent for cooking who lives with her new family in a restaurant in Paris. Since her adventures with the extraordinary Madame Pamplemousse, the inventor of the most incredible edible ever, life has really improved for the budding cook. One day however a woman sent from the President of France appears at her door and threatens to arrest her if she does not reveal the location of Madame Pamplemousse. It turns out that the President hates the happy atmosphere of Paris and is intent on destroying it... Full Review Here
The Dragonology Chronicles (Vol II): The Dragon Diary by Dugald Steer
Fresh from their previous adventures Daniel and his sister Beatrice are busy studying Dragonology with Dragon Master Dr Drake. They are also waiting for a dragon egg in their care to hatch. But despite the appearance of peace things are starting to go very wrong in the world of Dragons. First of all the siblings parents disappear, then rumours of a deadly dragon plague start to spread; it would seem that the evil dragonologist Alexandra Gorynytchka is back!... Full Review Here
Ghost Hunter: Bk6 (Chronicles of Darkness) by Michelle Paver
The last book of The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and Torak must face the final and most powerful of the Soul Eaters, the Eagle Owl Mage Eostra. The Soul Eater has sent Grey Moths to bring sickness and fear to all the Clan camps. Tokoroths, once children and now mad killers, are ravaging the lands on her command and she has sent some of her vicious birds to attack Wolf’s mate and cubs. It is fast becoming clear that the final struggle is about to begin and so the trio are forced to set out to the Mountain of Ghosts where they will attempt to put an end to Eostra’s plan to raise the dead... Full Review Here
Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky (Grubtown Tales) by Philip Ardagh
Grubtown can’t be found on any maps; in fact the only way to hear about it is by reading the tales written by Beardy Ardagh, author and town resident. Most of the inhabitants are the strangest people you’ll ever hear of, from the mayor who is knitting his own house, the thieving chief of police, through to the family of duck-haters. But the worst of them all is Manual Org, the most repulsive man in history. The people of Grubtown have had enough and together they pick one girl to face Manual Org and tell him to either clean up or clear out... Full Review Here
My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School by Hiawyn Oram
A witch that doesn’t wear black? And doesn’t cackle? And would rather go for a smoothie with human children than scare them? Haggy Aggy, the unwilling witch, is a fabulous main character for the Unwilling Witch series. She and her familiar, the cat Rumblewick, get into a scrape when Haggy Aggy decides to become a ballet dancer. Straightening her hair and dressing in feathers and frills gets her in trouble with the Head Hags, trouble through which Rumblewick has to think their way. Many plies, arabesques and tantrums later and all is well for the unwilling witch... Full Review Here
Hero and the Sinking Ships by Richard Hamilton
The Morgan Street rats thought they had the perfect life living in a warm house with plenty of food. But suddenly their world is turned upside down when a murderous cat is introduced to their home. Forced to flee with a young family in tow they set off to the tropics in an attempt to find somewhere warm to live. But the rats' plans begin to unravel at the seams as the family takes to the high seas. And danger looms on the horizon as Hero, the most adventurous of the youngsters, befriends a human!... Full Review Here
