The Indian in the Cupboard - Lynne Reid Banks

A young boy, Omri, discovers the powers of a magical cupboard. When plastic toys are locked in the cupboard, they become real, living beings, resulting in Omri befriending an 18th-century Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) chief named Little Bear.

The Island at the End of Everything - Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Amihan lives on Culion Island, where some of the inhabitants – including her mother – have leprosy.

Ami loves her home – with its blue seas and lush forests, Culion is all she has ever known. But the arrival of malicious government official Mr Zamora changes her world forever: islanders untouched by sickness are forced to leave.

Banished across the sea, she's desperate to return, and finds a strange and fragile hope in a colony of butterflies. Can they lead her home before it's too late?

Kick - Mitch Johnson

Budi works in a footwear factory in Indonesia, making the football boots he longs to wear but is unlikely to ever afford. His ambition is to be a famous football player for a team like Real Madrid, but Budi’s reality is rather different. The conditions in the sweatshop are appalling, and instead of the luxurious life enjoyed by his idols, Budi has to go without food to manage on his tiny salary and live under constant threat of abuse and intimidation from the factory foreman. And when Budi attracts the notice of the dangerous Dragon, it seems less and less likely that he will ever achieve his dream.

Murder Most Unladylike - Robin Stevens

There's been a rather shocking murder at Deepdean School for Girls - but luckily, young detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are on the case!

When Hazel discovers Science Mistress Miss Bell lying dead in the Gym, she thinks it must have been a terrible accident - but when she and Daisy return a few moments later, the body has completely disappeared. The girls realise a murder must have taken place, and soon discover that there's more than one person at Deepdean with a motive. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime, Hazel and Daisy put their detective skills to the test - but can they uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Wolf - Gillian Cross

Cassy, a teenage girl, lives with her Nan. She knows nothing about her father, and asks no questions. Nan says it's better to keep quiet. Suddenly she is packed off to stay with her beautiful, feckless mother, Goldie. Cassy discovers Goldie with her boyfriend and his teenage son, living in a squat. They are producing a play on Wolves. As Cassy becomes more involved in the production, she begins to sense a terrifingly real wolf stalking her.

The London Eye Mystery - Siobhan Dowd

Ted likes the weather, he also likes statistics and routine but his life is thrown into disarray when his Aunt Gloria and cousin Salim arrive, like a hurricane, to stay in London en-route to a new life in New York.

Ted and his older sister Kat arrange to take Salim on the London Eye but although they watch him go up in a pod, he never comes down again. Salim is missing. Ted's analytical mind becomes an asset as he and Kat piece together the information surrounding their cousin's disappearance and begin to unravel the mystery.

Across the Barricades - Joan Linguard

Kevin and Sadie just want to be together, but it's not that simple. Things are bad in Belfast. Soldiers walk the streets and the city is divided. No Catholic boy and Protestant girl can go out together - not without dangerous consequences . . .

Cherry Crush - Cathy Cassidy

Cherry’s single Dad has found a new love, but when he and Cherry move to live with her, there are four daughters already in the family, one of whom is not welcoming.

The Cay - Theodore Taylor

Phillip is excited when the Germans invade the small island of Curaçao. War has always been a game to him, and he's eager to glimpse it firsthand-until the freighter he and his mother are traveling to the United States on is torpedoed.
When Phillip comes to, he is on a small raft in the middle of the sea. Besides Stew Cat, his only companion is an old West Indian, Timothy.

Carrie's War - Nina Bawden

Carrie Willow and her younger brother Nick are evacuated to a rundown mining town in Wales during the Second World War. After a traumatic difficulty in finding a family to foster them, they stay with a shopkeeper, Mr Evans, who dominates his gentle but weak younger sister, whom they call "Auntie Lou".

Once - Morris Gleitzman

Felix has lived in a Catholic orphanage for over three years but always hopes that his Jewish bookseller parents to come for him. Alarmed by the sight of what he assumes are official 'librarians' burning Jewish books in the orphanage, he sets off in search of his parents to warn them of the danger.

The Blackbird Girls - Anne Blankman

A reactor at the nuclear power plant where their fathers work - Chernobyl - has exploded. Before they know it, the two girls, who've always been enemies, find themselves on a train bound for Leningrad to stay with Valentina's estranged grandmother. 

Opal Plumstead - Jacqueline Wilson

Opal is a bright intelligent fourteen year old girl living in Edwardian Britain. But when her father is sent to prison for embezzlement she is forced to leave her scholarship and start work at Fairy Glen sweet factory. It is here that she is tormented, bullied and alienated from her former society.

Granny - Anthony Horowitz

Twelve-year-old Joe has an unbelievably evil Granny. Not only is Granny physically repulsive and horribly mean, but she also has the look in her eye of a predatory crocodile. Soon Joe starts to suspect that she has unpleasant designs on him. But what are they and how can he foil them?

Boy/Going Solo - Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl wasn't always a writer. Once he was just a schoolboy. Have you ever wondered what he was like growing up?
In BOY you'll find out why he and his friends took revenge on the beastly Mrs Pratchett who ran the sweet shop. He remembers what it was like taste-testing chocolate for Cadbury's and he even reveals how his nose was nearly sliced off.
Then in GOING SOLO you'll read stories of whizzing through the air in a Tiger Moth Plane, encounters with hungry lions, and the terrible crash that led him to storytelling.
Roald Dahl tells his story in his own words - and it's all TRUE.

Birthday Boy - David Baddiel

This is the story of Sam Green, who really, really, really loves birthdays. He loves the special breakfasts in bed. The presents. The themed parties. Blowing out the candles on his cake. Everything.

He is so excited about his 11th birthday, in fact, that he wishes it was his birthday every day.

So, at first, it’s quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. And again…

But it’s not long before things start to go wrong. Soon, disaster strikes, threatening something Sam loves even more than birthdays.

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for…

The Last Kids on Earth - Max Brallier 

Meet Jack Sullivan, self-described as a late-blooming, slow-developing 13-year-old who has so far survived the zombie apocalypse by hiding out in his treehouse. Overnight Jack’s life has become like the plot of a video game and he has come up with his own ULTIMATE FEATS OF APOCALYPTIC SUCCESS:

· Locate Quint Baker, best friend and inventor
· Find and rescue June Del Toro, his secret love interest
· Defeat Blarg, the biggest, baddest monster in town
· Become a zombie-fighting, monster-bashing tornado of cool!

White Bird - R J Palacio

White Bird reveals a new side to Julian's story, as Julian discovers the moving and powerful tale of his grandmother, who was hidden from the Nazis as a young Jewish girl in occupied France during the Second World War.

An unforgettable, unputdownable story about strength, courage and the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives, from the globally bestselling author of Wonder.

Trespassers - Breena Bard

Gabby Woods is looking forward to another summer vacation at her family's lake house, even though she would rather bury herself in a mystery novel than make new friends. But soon Gabby meets Paige, a snarky kid from Chicago, and they get caught up in a local mystery: the sudden disappearance of a glamorous couple and the extravagant lake house they left behind. To gather clues about the missing couple, Paige coaxes Gabby into trespassing. Though Gabby knows it's wrong, each sneaky visit to the abandoned lake house uncovers new mysteries. With suspicions mounting about foul play, Gabby must decide what she's willing to risk to uncover the truth, or if solving this mystery -- and keeping her friendship with Paige -- are more trouble than they're worth.

His Dark Materials - Phillip Pullman

His Dark Materials is an epic trilogy of fantasy novels consisting of Northern Lights (1995, published as The Golden Compass in North America), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000). It follows the coming of age of two children, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they wander through a series of parallel universes.

Time Travelling with a Hamster - Ross Welford

When 12-year-old Al Chaudry learns there is a time machine, made by his father, sitting in the garage of his old house, he has to go and get it - doesn't he? Then he can travel back in time and save his father's life. With his pet hamster Alan Shearer for company, Al is determined to follow his dad's instructions.

The Girl of Ink and Stars - Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella Riosse dreams of the faraway lands her father once mapped. When her closest friend disappears into the island's Forgotten Territories, she volunteers to guide the search.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdean, the story's narrator, tells the tale of a dominating Capitol and the mistreated twelve districts of Panem. Yearly, each district is forced to send a boy and a girl between the age of 12 to 18, called tributes, to fight to the death in an annual Hunger Games. Katniss' little sister, Prim, is selected for the games, but Katniss bravely takes her place and finds herself thrusted in to a whirlwind of violence, confusion and domination as she struggles to survive.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - C S Lewis

Set during World War II, it tells the story of four siblings who stumble upon a magical wardrobe that leads them to the enchanted land of Narnia. There, they must help the lion Aslan defeat the evil White Witch and fulfill an ancient prophecy.

The Boy at the Back of the Class - Onjali Q. Raúf

When a new boy joins their class, a group of children try to befriend him. They soon learn that Ahmet is a refugee and has been separated from his family. None of the grown-ups seem to be able to help him, so the friends come up with a daring plan, embarking on an extraordinary adventure.

Oranges in No Man's Land - Elizabeth Laird

Oranges in No Man's Land is set in Lebanon during the Civil War. Elizabeth Laird writes about difficult subjects from the child's point of view. War, refugees, shelter, disability, abuse. The main character Ayesha has no idea why her country is at war.

A Boy Called Hope - Laura Williamson

A Boy Called Hope is a moving story about a boy's search for his dad. Dan is a funny and likeable boy who tackles the questions he has in his life head on. His determination to find answers is inspiring and will make the reader laugh as well as cry.

No Fixed Address - Susin Neilsen

Felix Knuttson, twelve, is an endearing kid with an incredible brain for trivia. His mom Astrid is loving but unreliable; she can't hold onto a job, or a home. When they lose their apartment in Vancouver, they move into a camper van, just for August, till Astrid finds a job.

Wonder - R J Palacio

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face.

Artichoke Hearts - Sita Brahmachari

Artichoke Hearts is a book, written in diary form about a month in a girl's life when just about everything changes: her beloved bohemian grandmother is dying and she's falling in love with a boy in her class for the first time.

Can You See Me - Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott

Tally knows she's different: she's autistic, meaning she sees and feels everything differently to her friends and family. Now, as she enters this new stage in her life, she is painfully aware of the way she is perceived and feeling an almost unbearable pressure to try to fit in.

Brazen - Penelope Bagieu

Immerse yourself in the captivating adventures of some of history’s unsung heroines, whose stories are told through engaging voices, dazzling drawings and with startling wit.

Discover the life of an apache warrior dubbed “strong as a man and braver than most of them”, the only female Empress of China, three rebel sisters who toppled a fascist regime, a dancer who escaped poverty in America to become the darling of the Paris jazz scene and a resistance fighter, and a little girl who grew up to realise that being a witch is better than being a princess.

Take in the stories of volcanologists, astronauts, animal whisperers, activists and explorers and feel ready to take on the world.

You Are A Champion - Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford MBE is famous worldwide for his skills both on and off the pitch – but before he was a Manchester United and England footballer, and long before he started his inspiring campaign to end child food poverty, he was just an ordinary kid from Wythenshawe, South Manchester. Now the nation's favourite footballer wants to show YOU how to achieve your dreams, in this positive and inspiring guide for life.

The History of Everything - Anna Claybourne

In the beginning, about 13.8 billion years ago, the Universe started with a bang. Travel through time and space to learn how the world has evolved from the Big Bang onwards!

From the creation of the stars, through the evolution of plants and animals, the dawn of the dinosaurs, and on towards the first humans, early civilisations, empires and technology, this incredible book will take you through the history of, well, everything!

The History of Everything in 32 Pages is a visual guide to 'everything' - from the formation of the solar system, right up to the modern day.
 

Kay's Anatomy - Adam Kay

Do you ever think about your body and how it all works? Like really properly think about it? The human body is extraordinary and fascinating and, well . . . pretty weird. Yours is weird, mine is weird, your maths teacher's is even weirder.

This book is going to tell you what's actually going on in there, and answer the really important questions!

You Can Save The Planet - Jacquie Wines

The effects of pollution, global warming and the destruction of our planet have never been so visible or measurable. The book introduces and explains the massive global problems that need to be addressed NOW and is packed with 101 smart, practical and fun things kids can do to make their homes, schools and neighbourhoods more environmentally friendly.

Go Big - Matthew Burton

Secondary school can seem scary. Corridors are wide, older students look terrifying and there's homework, messy friendships and stressful exams to deal with.

But, whether you're about to land at secondary school or you're still settling in, Mr Burton is here to guide you through your journey - worry-free.

From your first day to your final exams, this handbook will have you achieving, succeeding and being the best you can be. Find great friends, boost your confidence and start building toward your brilliant future.