search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
There’s lots of intrigue in this selection, see if you can work out what is going on and why before the main characters do. But beware of red herrings, and I don’t mean the fishy kind!


Frockodile - Jeanne Willis/ Stephanie Labers (Hodder, £6.99)


When Cliff, the little crocodile, finds a pile of clothes including a slinky dress, frilly underwear, stilettos and pearls lying on the ground, he can’t resist trying them on. They fit and he likes how it feels wearing them, but when the other animals see him they make fun of him, threatening to tell his dad. His dad is a scary leather clad motor-biking baddy with a patch over his eye. Although Cliff is very close to his dad, he isn’t sure what he would say to his son in a frock and so begs the others not to tell him, pretending he is rehearsing for a play. Not believing him, they set off telling everyone to go and


Bookstore


I Don’t Like Books. Never. Ever. The End Emma Perry/ Sharon Davey (David Fickling Hb, £11.99)


Mabel didn’t like books, the end. Despite this she


was constantly being given them so she found as many ways as she could to use them without opening them: as a step; sledge, plate, hat and something to juggle. The books wanted to be read and decided it was time for action. That night when Mabel went to bed the books started flying around her room making a terrible noise until she fell into one of them, a detective story. She thought she would be great at solving crimes and tried to follow the detective to see what was happening, but ended up in a space story, then one with a knight about to fight a dragon and then... a blank page with nothing for her to do. Arriving back in her bedroom she saw not boring books, but stories and adventures to be enjoyed.


Cloudburst - Wilbur Smith with S


Star


S Read


Indicates a book is part of a series


The House on Hoarder Hill- Mikki Lish / Kelly Ngai (Chicken House, £6.99)


Hedy and her brother, Spencer, reluctantly go to stay with their


grandfather while their parents are away. Knowing he used to be a celebrated magician they expect to see evidence of magic tricks, Spencer is hoping he will learn some. What they were not prepared for was all the evidence of real magic. Could it all be linked to the shocking disappearance of their gran during a magic show decades ago? Despite being told not to explore or touch anything, they befriend a talking bear rug and stags head who want to help. Pleas of ‘find me’ start appearing making the siblings determined to find their gran, accidentally releasing a malevolent spirit in the process who complicates proceedings, making them question who they can trust and putting them in danger. There are shocks and surprises at every turn in this spooky, engaging story, cleverly interspersed with some very funny moments. It will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat throughout. Full length novel.


see the non-existent play. Luckily his friends rally round and produce a play for him to perform in wearing his new clothes, but will his father see it, and what will he say if he does? There is a nice surprise in store in this funny, touching story that shows we shouldn’t worry what others think and should be proud of who we are. The gorgeous colourful illustrations add much to the story.


S


Chris Wakling (Piccadilly £6.99) Jack and his friends, Amelia and Xander, are on a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with his parents. As environmental campaigners, they are there to help get an


important vote passed to stop illegal mines that are destroying the environment. Jack’s mum is hoping seeing the countryside will get him interested in the cause of ethical mining. They are joined by Jack’s Uncle Langdon and his obnoxious son, Callum, who always tries to show superior knowledge he doesn’t actually possess. On a wildlife safari Callum’s behaviour escalates with disastrous effect. Horrified, the youngsters return to the hotel and learn Jack’s parents are missing, abducted by mercenaries. Sure the disappearance has something to do with nearby mines, the friends set out to investigate these and are shocked by what they uncover. Despite a reluctance to help on Langdon’s part, Jack is determined to rescue his parents in time for the vote, or at least present the evidence on their behalf. There is danger around every corner, shocking family secrets are revealed and some people are misjudged in this gripping, fast paced adventure. With plenty of unexpected developments and a big shock towards the end, this first book in a new series will keep you hooked throughout. Full length novel for older juniors.


So she opened one, and guess what? She became a girl who loved books! A lovely story with expressive illustrations that could spur on reluctant readers to give books a go.


Unicorn Muddle Hannah Shaw (Usborne, £5.99)


S


Princess Pea loves breaking the rules, getting muddy and avoiding lessons — much to the dismay of her very organised mother, the Queen, who liked everything to be perfect and tidy. One thing


they were both looking forward to was the Unicorn Parade when Pea could choose her own unicorn. She loved the thought they could be magical even though magic was strictly banned by her mother. Her excitement diminished when she realised what vain, boastful, selfish creatures they were. That was not the sort of companion she had dreamed of. The parade soon became very boring until a unicorn pig joined in, as if by magic, causing chaos. The Queen was horrified, but you can imagine Pea’s reaction! This is a laugh out loud first story in a new series ‘Unipiggle The Unicorn Pig’. It is full of vibrant pictures which add much to the story and encourage newly developing readers onto a short novel.


Mickey and the Animal


Spies - Anne Miller (Oxford, £6.99) Mickey loves cracking codes and is very good at it, so when she sees a coded message taped on a bus window, she has to crack it. This leads her to a very strange shed which turns out to be the secret HQ of talking animal spies headed


S Catnapped! S Gareth P. Jones (Stripes, £6.99)


To keep his dragon identity a secret, detective Dirk Dilly has to avoid actually meeting people. He doesn’t accept minor cases — or cases from minors, so when a young girl called Holly phones to ask him to find her cat he refuses. But Holly is persistent and turns up at his home office. To keep her quiet Dirk agrees to look into her case, which opens up a much larger, far-reaching problem involving other dragons. There is also an imminent disaster that needs to be avoided. Reluctantly having a new partner turns out to be lucky for Dirk, making him realise two heads are often better than one. Entertaining first in a new series with appealing main characters forming an unlikely, but very funny, partnership. Fair size print, some pictures, medium length novel.


by a cobra. They need to recruit a human operative to help with certain things they find difficult — such as anything requiring opposable thumbs — and replace the last one who has gone missing, but they want a grown up. Having solved their code, Mickey is determined to be given a chance to help with their current case of missing diamonds. Soon there is a case of a missing dog as well and evidence points to the shocking possibility of a traitor in the group. Will Mickey be able to prove her worth and become an accepted member? There are plenty of thrills and amusing characters in this medium length novel with fair sized print. Great to share and encourage newly developing readers. First in a new series.


14 | Go to www.primarytimes.co.uk for thousands more great days out


The House of One Hundred Clocks A. M. Howell (Usborne, £6.99)


Helena, her parrot and her father move to live in wealthy Mr Westcott’s house when he appoints her father as his clock minder. There is one simple rule — the clocks must never stop. That shouldn’t be a problem for someone with her father’s expertise, but the potential awful consequences if the clocks do stop are worrying. With a hundred clocks, the house is more like a museum than a home and Mr Westcott’s behaviour is rather odd, as is that of his daughter, called Boy. Is there something from their past causing it? There are also many mysterious goings on. Who is leaving strange notes? Why are people creeping around at night? What has happened to Boy’s mother? Will Helena be able to uncover the secrets causing the unhappiness in the house and beyond and do something to change matters before she and her father lose everything? There are many surprises and twists and turns to keep you gripped to the very end of this action packed adventure. Full length novel.


The Missing Diamonds Annabelle Sami (Stripes, £6.99) Zaiba is determined to follow her aunt and become a detective. She is always on the lookout for crimes to solve and investigations to make. With her friend Poppy and brother Alie, Zaiba tries to discover the identity of the VIP staying in the same


S


hotel where her cousin’s Mehndi party is being held when things take a serious turn and the celebrity’s dog goes missing. The trio successfully find the dog, but without his priceless diamond collar — a real crime to solve. It takes all of Zaiba’s observational skills backed up by Poppy and Ali to work out who stole the collar and why, without ruining her cousin’s party. This is an exciting first story in a new mystery series ‘Agent Zaiba Investigates’ with lots of plot twists and clues to follow — see if you can solve the case before they do. With tips and puzzles at the end for those who want to test their detective skills. Fair size print to encourage readers onto a full length novel.


Text © D J Williams 2020


Debbie


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16