Book Recommendations

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Book Recommendations
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Skilled Readers
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My Swordhand is SingingBy Marcus Sedgwick
Interest Level Aged 11

• Woodcutters Peter and his father Tomas arrive in
  the lonely village of Chust. Peter doesn't
  understand why his father carries a long wooden
  box around with him, or why he has dug a deep
  ditch around their hut. But he is increasingly
  aware of malevolence about the place. Menacing
  shadows, villagers missing and people murdered
  only to reappear.
• With the help of Sofia, a travelling gypsy, Peter
  sets out to conquer the evil threat to the
  village and uncover the secrets of his father's
  past. Set in the seventeenth century amid the
  bleakness of winter in Eastern Europe, and
  inspired by vampire folklore, this is a superbly
  crafted, dark and menacing tale.
• A sense of hardship, bitter cold and fear
  penetrates the text, resulting in a chilling
  page-turner.
• Publisher Orion Children's Books
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2007
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The Wind Singer By William Nicholson
Interest Level Aged 11

• Part one of the Wind on Fire trilogy by William
  Nicholson
• This is a stunningly original fantasy, set in the
  mythical city of Aramanth, where every household
  is judged solely on its members' ability to
  perform in examinations. Only one family has the
  strength to rebel, fighting the system, and, in
  doing so, risks all.
• Leaving their parents and baby sibling behind,
  Bowman and his sister, Kestrel, embark on a
  dangerous journey in search of secrets which will
  make the 'wind singer' sing once again, thus
  restoring normality to their world.
• Their epic quest is depicted with a perfect
  balance of drama, tenderness and a touch of
  humour.
• Publisher Egmont
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AsylumBy Rachel Anderson
Interest Level Aged 13

• Driven by drought, starvation and conflict, Rosa
  and Sunday have both undertaken perilous journeys
  across continents only to end up in Hawk Rise,
  a decaying tower block scheduled for demolition.
• Homeless, identity-less, Sunday is the caretaker
  despite his situation, he worries about the
  inhabitants, especially Rosa, who supports her
  ailing mother. Rosas optimism is unshakeable
  against all odds, she starts a garden in Hawk
  Rises wasteland convinced it can unite the
  residents immigrants and pensioners alike - who
  are facing eviction.
• An absorbing story from the viewpoint of those at
  societys edges who never stop hoping as Sunday
  realises, 'only over time did one learn how it
  was not the quality of the construction but the
  quality of the people which rendered a place
  habitable'.
• Publisher Hodder Children's Books
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Reckless By Cornelia Funke
Interest Level Aged 11

• A dark and dangerous world peopled by dwarves,
  shape-shifting vixen, mythical beasts and stone
  Goyls lurks on the other side of the ornate
  mirror in Jacob's father's study.
• Jacob has often secretly ventured through the
  mirror in search of his missing father. But one
  day his brother Will follows him, with disastrous
  consequences.
• Only the powerful Fairies, who can turn grown men
  into wriggling fish, can reverse the spell which
  is turning Will's flesh into jade. But should
  Jacob trust the Dark or the Red Fairy? Both can
  easily destroy Jacob, Will and his beloved
  Clara.An atmosphere bristling with menace and
  nerve-jangling apprehension permeates this
  fantasy thriller. Readers will beg for more, even
  as they turn the last page.
• Publisher Chicken House
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Burning IssyBy Melvin Burgess
Interest Level Aged 12

• Issy has no idea where shes from abandoned as a
  baby, adopted by the village cunning man, she
  knows only her name and that she is terrified of
  fire, of burning. Taunted by superstitious
  villagers fearing witchcraft, Issy is desperate
  to discover her identity. Is she like malevolent
  Old Demdyke, the worst witch of all? Or is she
  akin to Iohan a-Style, business-woman and healer?
  Even the Parson doesnt know whether to redeem or
  punish her. As the Witch Finders forces
  implacably close in, Issy must decide for
  herself...Issys voice lies at the heart of
  this gripping, often gruelling novel based on the
  Pendle witchcraft trials honest, terrified,
  unsure, she challenges good and evil head-on.
  Times change, but intolerance looks the same.
• Publisher Anderson Press
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Bad BloodBy Rhiannon Lassiter
Interest Level Aged 12

• In an abandoned house in the Lake District, a
  cupboard door opens into a playroom. Buried in
  dust is a collection of children's books in which
  the names of characters have been savagely
  crossed out. Here three children played a make
  believe game, sacrificing their dreams and wishes
  to make what they believed come true. But the
  game was never finished and in the woods behind
  the house something waits, hungry for the only
  food it knows. Now a new family has come to the
  house. Soon they will discover themselves in a
  game of terror and suspense.
• Publisher Oxford University Press
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2008
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The Unrivalled SpanglesBy Karen Wallace
Interest Level Aged 13

• As the daredevil equestrian act 'The Incredible
  Scarletta Sisters', Ellen and Lucy Spangle are
  the star attraction in their fathers circus. But
  while ambitious, self-centred Lucy loves the
  limelight, her thoughtful older sister Ellen
  secretly yearns to leave the circus and become a
  teacher. When a wealthy young man is attracted by
  Ellens glamorous career, the 16-year-old must
  decide where her future lies and where her heart
  really belongs.
• Packed with tragedy, drama and romance, this is a
  fast-paced novel that realistically evokes the
  atmosphere of Victorian circus life in the East
  End. The Unrivalled Spangles has been shortlisted
  for the 2005 Booktrust Teenage Prize.
• Publisher Simon Schuster Children's Books
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The Other LifeBy Susanne Winnacker
Interest Level Aged 14

• It's been 3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days
  since 15 year old Sherry had seen daylight and
  98, 409, 602 seconds since Sherry and her family
  had been shut off from the world. Only now do
  they need to escape. The world as Sherry knows it
  has changed. Imagine a life where people are no
  longer people but ravenous beasts out for the
  kill.
• This is a compelling, dystopian novel about
  survival. Its a novel about teenage attraction
  and love. Gut wrenchingly beautiful, this action
  packed story is filled with apprehension and
  tension for the reader. From start to finish I
  could not put this book down, I was hooked! A
  fantastic, gripping read for all those who love
  living on the edge!
• Publisher Usborne
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GONEBy Michael Grant
Interest Level Aged 14

• Fourteen year old Sam Templeton is having a
  completely normal day until his teacher
  disappears - poof! - in the middle of a class. He
  and his confused classmates soon discover that it
  isn't only their teacher who is gone - everyone
  over the age of fifteen has inexplicably
  disappeared from the small town of Perdido Beach,
  which has been isolated from the rest of the
  world by a mysterious force field.
• So what happens now? Sam and his friends Quinn,
  Edilio and Astrid attempt to restore order to the
  rapidly developing chaos and to work out what is
  happening to their town. But then a convoy of
  cards from the out-of-town school, Coates Academy
  appears, led by the charismatic and sinister
  Caine who quickly seizes power.
• Blending Lost with Lord of the Flies, this is a
  fast-paced, gripping, all-action novel that
  doesn't pull any punches. With spare dialogue and
  hard-hitting scenes of violence, it's certainly
  not for the faint-hearted, but there's no doubt
  that Gone delivers a powerfully exciting and
  engrossing read.
• Publisher Egmont
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Daylight SavingBy Edward Hogan
Interest Level Aged 14

• Daniel's life is falling apart his mum has left
  the family home and his dad's drinking has since
  gone out of control.
• When Daniel's dad decides to take him to the
  Leisure World Holiday Complex, Daniel isn't
  looking forward to the holiday, and on arrival,
  his first impressions of the strangely artificial
  resort do nothing to change his mind.
• Things change when Daniel befriends a mysterious
  girl called Lexi who he meets by the fake lake.
  Soon Daniel realises that only he can see Lexi
  and that, alarmingly, she has terrible injuries
  that seem to get worse each time they meet and a
  watch that inexplicably works backwards. As
  Lexi's horrifying story emerges Daniel discovers
  a strength he never knew he had.
• This book is from the pen of an award-winning
  author for adults and makes a haunting and at
  times disturbing read.
• Publisher Walker Books
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Dead RomanticBy C.J Skuse
Interest Level Aged 14

• She's only just started sixth form college, but
  already everything seems to be going wrong for
  Camille. She can't get the boy she likes to
  notice her her so-called best friends are
  obsessed with their new boyfriends and worst of
  all, she's just completely humiliated herself at
  the Fresher's Party. Then she meets Zoe, and life
  takes a turn for the better. Maybe it's a bit
  strange to come across a new best friend digging
  things up in the graveyard in the dead of night,
  but although everyone at college says Zoe is
  weird, Camille is immediately drawn to her.
• Meanwhile she's still longing for the perfect boy
  who'll take her to the Halloween party and make
  everyone jealous. Then Zoe steps in with an
  unusual new idea that takes biology homework to a
  whole new level - she's going to create Camille's
  dream boy and bring him to life.Putting an
  irreverent new spin on Mary Shelley's
  Frankenstein as well as numerous horror movies on
  the same theme, Dead Romantic is an entertaining
  and very different take on teenage love and
  friendship. C J Skuse has created a funny,
  sometimes gory, but often unexpectedly touching
  novel with a brilliantly dippy protagonist in
  Camille. In spite of the rather abrupt ending,
  teenage readers who enjoy horror and black comedy
  as well as romance will be certain to enjoy this
  story about the challenges of finding the perfect
  boy - and sometimes discovering that he might be
  right in front of you after all.
• Publisher Chicken House
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Looking for JJBy Anne Cassidy
Interest Level Aged 13

• When a 10-year-old girl kills her best friend,
  she is convicted of manslaughter and locked away.
  Seven years later she is released on licence with
  a new identity.
• In this brave and intelligent novel, Anne Cassidy
  explores a range of themes, questioning
  everything from the ethics of tabloid journalism
  to the outcome of ineffectual parenting.
• The book asks more questions than it answers and
  suggests that in some circumstances there is no
  'right' or 'wrong', merely 'consequences'. Should
  our sympathy lie with the killer as she is
  relentlessly pursued by the press, hungry for a
  story, or with the victim and her family in a
  society desperate for justice?
• This is a brilliant and disturbing piece of
  writing that looks behind the headlines and
  forces the reader to question some of their
  attitudes to a number of contemporary issues.
• Publisher Scholastic
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The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean telt by
hisselfby David Almond
Interest Level Aged 13

• The first of David Almonds books to be marketed
  for adult and child audiences, in separate, very
  differently styled, imprints. This is not an easy
  read, not least because Billy tells his story in
  non-standard, phonetic language to which readers
  need to adjust.
• Almond envisages a post-apocalyptic world in
  which Billy is hidden from others, immured in an
  inner room by his mother, ashamed at the manner
  of his conception, but also determined to
  preserve his innocence. Night-time visits from
  his father, at first loving, but increasingly
  hostile and conflicted, leave him yearning for
  knowledge of himself and his world and the
  ability to record his experience.
• Complex and difficult issues are reflected in
  both narrative style and content.
• Publisher Puffin Books
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There is no dogBy Meg Rosoff
Interest Level Aged 13

• In the beginning there was Bob. And Bob created
  the heavens and the earth and the beasts of the
  field and the creatures of the sea, and
  twenty-five million other species including lots
  and lots of gorgeous girls. And all of this, he
  created in just six days. Six days!
  Congratulations Bob! No wonder Earth is such a
  mess. Imagine that God is a typical teenage boy.
  He is lazy, careless, self-obsessed, sex-mad -
  and about to meet Lucy, the most beautiful girl
  on earth. Unfortunately, whenever Bob falls in
  love, disaster follows. Let us pray that Bob does
  not fall in love with Lucy.
• Publisher Puffin Books
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The Things we did for Love By Natasha Farrant
Interest Level Aged 13

• The year is 1944 and France is occupied by Nazi
  troops. When Luc Belleville returns home to his
  sleepy village in France after some time away,
  15-year-old Arianne is instantly drawn to him.
  Soon the pair fall madly in love but things are
  not easy for them - Arianne's childhood friend
  Romy is also in love with her and, consumed by
  jealousy, is determined to thwart her burgeoning
  relationship with Luc.
• Luc feels compelled to join the Resistance,
  knowing he is putting his relationship at risk
  but little realising the danger and devastation
  that will be ultimately brought upon the whole
  village as a result of Resistance activity.
• Although fiction, this novel is based upon the
  terrible events that took place in the real life
  village of Oradour-sur-Glane, it makes for a
  melancholic and memorable read.
• Publisher Faber Children's Books
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RevolutionBy Jennifer Donnelly
Interest Level Aged 13

• Andi leads a privileged life in New York - she's
  a talented musician and attends an elite school -
  but she's desperately unhappy two years ago her
  beloved ten-year-old brother was killed and now
  her life is falling apart.
• When Andis dismal grades at school are made
  apparent to her scientist father, he insists she
  accompany him on a trip to Paris, where he is
  planning to DNA-test a preserved heart believed
  to have belonged to the ten-year-old son of King
  Louis XVI, who was killed during the French
  Revolution.
• Although reluctant to go to Paris, once there
  Andi discovers an eighteenth-century diary,
  written by Alexandrine, an aspiring actress and
  companion to the murdered Prince, and her life
  takes an extraordinary turn.
• The diary, along with a burgeoning relationship
  with a handsome young musician, prompts Andi to
  re-examine her own life and start moving away
  from the pain that has enveloped her for two
  years.
• Readers will be gripped as Andi and Alexs
  parallel stories unfold Alexs account of life
  during the Terror is fascinating and when
  juxtaposed with Andis anguish, at times, can be
  a harrowing read. But a message of hope
  ultimately transcends the pain portrayed in this
  powerful novel.
• Publisher Bloomsbury
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MatchedBy Ally Condie
Interest Level Aged 12

• Welcome to a Society that utterly controls its
  citizens what they eat, what they do, who they
  marry - even when they die.
• When her life partner is revealed at her Match
  Banquet, Cassia is overjoyed to discover it is
  childhood friend, Xander. But later, accessing a
  screen-message from her new Match, it's not
  Xander's face that flickers on-screen, but Ky
  Markham's, outsider and known Aberration. How
  could such a mistake happen? Forced to question
  everything she's previously accepted, Cassia must
  decide how far should she transgress Society's
  rules in order to be true to her feelings.
• In this powerful, chillingly believable dystopia,
  Cassia's journey from unquestioning passivity to
  rebellion is compellingly portrayed. An
  intriguing, disturbing exploration of personal
  freedom in conflict with state control.
• Publisher Puffin
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WhisperBy Chrissie Keighery
Interest Level Aged 12

• Fifteen year old Demi is starting a new school
  always a nerve-racking experience. However, for
  Demi, it represents a time of far more dramatic
  change, as her new school is a college for deaf
  students, a recent case of Meningitis having left
  her profoundly deaf.The book follows her
  transition into a new school but also a new life
  and it is far from easy. The impact of her
  sudden loss of hearing is still painfully raw.
  Demi feels isolated, adrift, angry, and
  completely unsure of her identity. Relationships
  with her friends, family, the opposite sex and
  even complete strangers have become strange and
  difficult. We see her drawn in different
  directions, as she struggles to establish whether
  she can still fit in amongst her hearing friends
  or find a place within the unfamiliar Deaf
  community. Or is it ever possible for someone to
  belong to both worlds? Publisher Templar
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Black Rabbit Summer By Kevin Brooks
Interest Level Aged 12

• They were friends, werent they - Pete, Nicole,
  Eric, Pauly, Raymond? Theyd grown up together.
  But had they ever really liked each other?
• When Nicole suggests meeting at the old den,
  then going to the fair, Pete is up for it, but he
  soon realises none of his friends are who they
  once were. That night, old secrets and sexual
  tensions fuel an atmosphere of latent violence.
  By morning two people are missing, and Petes
  implicated in a murder enquiry.
• This is intense, vivid writing constantly
  changing pace and direction whilst skilfully
  manipulating time. In this darkly disturbing
  thriller, Brooks juxtaposes the fairgrounds
  hallucinatory disorientating effects alongside
  Petes dissolving certainty in everyone and
  everything, he thought he knew. Addictive,
  complex and incredibly compelling.
• Publisher Puffin
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AnnexedBy Sharon Dogar
Interest Level Aged 12

• Even if - somehow - you'd never heard of Anne
  Frank and her diary, this fictionalised account
  of Peter (a teenage Dutch Jew, hiding from the
  Nazis with his family and their friends, the
  Franks, in a tiny annex) would make an impact.
• Constantly afraid, living silently, secretively,
  tormented by the tension between 'outside' and
  'inside' and by terrible dreams, the threat of
  discovery constantly hovers.Dogar's novel
  doesn't diminish Anne's diary it extends the
  life of this multifaceted document in a striking,
  imaginative way. The emotional and sexual tension
  between Anne, Peter - and the diary - is intense
  and sensitively handled and the writing is simple
  and poetic in this meditation on the power of
  written testimony and the nature of evil.
• Publisher Andersen Press
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