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This eagerly-awaited sequel to SECRET OF THE SIRENS (and Book Two in THE COMPANIONS QUARTET) begins with the birth of a rare golden dragon, which are born only once a millennium. Connie, the main character, has chosen to be companion to the new golden dragon, named Aragand. She and her friend Col, however, are soon confronted once again by their old enemy, Kullervo, an evil Shape Shifter who can turn into many different animals. Will they escape his clutches once again?
This scary, mysterious and adventurous book is just fantastic - you have to read it!
Review by Makenzie Moor (aged 10)
MOUSE NOSES ON TOAST by Darren King
Faber 057122802X £9.99
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Oh dear, life is unusual for Paul Mouse. He is allergic to cheese in a bottom-turning-blue, tail curling into a question mark, kind of way. Together with his friends: Sandra, the Christmas tree fairy, and Rowley Barker Hobbs, a dog who can say hello with paws and tail, they set off to find out why posh humans have been eating horrifying delicacies like MOUSE NOSES ON TOAST!! Brilliantly straightforward and laugh out load funny!
Age 7+
Review by Sam Hearn
DRIFT HOUSE: THE FIRST VOYAGE by Dale Peak
Bloomsbury 074757751X £6.99
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This is an excellent, exciting and very well-written book. It is set in the year 2000, at the time of the attack on the Twin Towers. It is about three children, Susan, Charles and Murray, who leave New York to live with an uncle that they don't know. Little do they know what magical adventures lie in store for them...
Look out for Charles' glossary of Affected Words. It is interesting and helpful. So if you see a word that Charles says is 'Affected', look it up! Filled with mermaids, pirates, a magic carpet and a great whale this is a wonderful, action-packed adventure. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Review by Makenzie Moor (aged 10)
URGUM THE AXE MAN by Kjartan Poskitt, illustrated by Philip Reeve
Scholastic 0439959195 £8.99
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Usually I don't like funny books, some people say it's because I don't have a sense of humour. Well this book made me laugh. In fact I was getting some strange looks on the train I was laughing so much. The situations, the characters, the very world itself, are all ridiculous and excellent. Perfect for boys (and some girls) age 6 to 100.
Review by John Bittles
THE WHITE GIRAFFE by Lauren St John
Orion 1842555200 £9.99
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It passes the first-page test with flying colours, easily hooking the reader into the day Martine's life changed for ever when she is sent to South Africa to live with a grandmother she's never met. What is the mystery surrounding Martine's birth and why is Granny so determined to keep her away from the game reserve? A refreshing, confident debut novel from an author to watch. An engaging read for 7-9 year olds.
Review by Jenny Morris
LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
HarperCollins 0007209258 £6.99
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When Miles Halter goes to boarding school he is hoping his life will change - and it does, in ways he never could have imagined. He finds friendship, love and loss; and when he meets the crazy, charismatic Alaska Young nothing is ever the same again. It is funny, gripping, moving and original - read it.
Age 14+
Review by Margaret Wallace-Jones
PALACE OF LAUGHTER by Jon Berkeley
Simon & Schuster 1416910719 £8.99
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Miles Wednesday, run-awayed and barrell-dwelling, finds himself on a journey to find the Place of Laughter.
That's good.
No, that's bad. The Palace of Laughter is rather sinister and mysterious. He also encounters a very large tiger.
That's bad.
No, that's good. The tiger is friendly, and he can speak. He also saves an angel from a life as a circus-slave.
That's good.
No, that's bad. It gets him into a lot of trouble. There is also a bear.
That's bad.
No, that's good. It's a teddy bear! It's called Tangerine, like the song. It starts walking!
That's good.
No, that's bad. It walks straight into the hands of the Great Cortado and is kidnapped.
That's bad.
No, that's good. It means Miles can rescue Tangerine and be a regular hero. Of course, they have to get to the bottom of what's going on at the Palace of Laughter.
That's good.
No, that's bad. The bottom is a very long way down.
An enchanting picaresque tale - heart-warming and happy-endinged.
Full of wit and wisdom; e.g. 'Ignorance is a wide sea, and you are a very small fish.'
That's good.
Review by Tony West
JUST IN CASE by Meg Rosoff
Penguin 0141380780 £10.99
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When David Case's baby brother nearly falls out of a window, David loses the ability to cope with everyday life. Buried under an ever-increasing pile of what-ifs, David decides Fate must be out to get him and the only way to escape is to change his identity in the hope that his destiny won't recognise him. So David Case becomes Justin Case, an altogether cooler, less vulnerable version of himself and one that can hopefully escape the clutches of Fate.
Age 14+
Review by Aisling Kashishian
SET IN STONE by Linda Newbery
David Fickling Books 0385607482 £12.99
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A mystery surrounds the house Fourwinds and the people who live there, inspiring young artist Samuel Godwin to uncover the dark secrets hidden by it's past. By the brilliant Linda Newbery who brought us the exceptional SISTERLAND and THE SHELL HOUSE.
Age 14+
Review by Aisling Kashishian
THE EMPEROR OF ABSURDIA by Chris Riddell
Macmillan 1405050616 £10.99
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This is a wonderfully imaginative tale which will delight children and adults alike. The story concerns the Emperor who is on an epic journey through the magical world of Absurdia in an attempt to find his lunch. This lunch just happens to be a baby dragon. Understandably it doesn't particularly want to be eaten. A lovely going to bed book for three and four year olds.
Review by John Bittles
The following are a list of archived books from our Book of the Month section from the last three months: