Format: Chapter book

Creepy Araminta

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

The portrait of a beautiful girl with tumbling red hair takes on sinister undertones in this unnerving tale from much-loved, multi-award-winning author Anne Fine.

Jess is delighted when she finds the perfect picture to cover up a dirty mark on her bedroom wall. The beautiful portrait of a girl with tumbling red hair is exactly the right size, and she doesn’t even have to pay for it!

But when she hangs the painting in her room, Jess is tormented by disturbing nightmares featuring Araminta from the portrait.

Her mum thinks Jess is making it all up, but she’s in for a shock when she experiences the power of the painting for herself …

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.

Soul Feeder

Jennifer Killick & Marina Vidal

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Caiden and Sam find themselves trapped and alone in a vast warehouse with a soul-feeding demon in this hair-raising horror from bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Killick.

Caiden and his best friend Sam are used to coming across some pretty weird stuff while helping Caiden’s dad in his house-clearing business. But they’ve never seen anything like the grotesque mounted heads of bizarre, other-worldly creatures they find in what was Sasha Kinski’s home. It’s clear that something awful has happened here, and it’s not over yet …

Alone at the company warehouse that evening, the boys make the terrifying discovery that they have brought an uninvited evil passenger back with them from Miss Kinski’s house.

With their very souls in peril, can Caiden and Sam unravel the mystery in time to save themselves …?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Esme Pepper

Jacqueline Wilson & Rachael Dean

Chapter book

A funny, heartbreaking and hopeful story of one girl’s resilience, from the author of the bestselling Tracy Beaker series.

Esme’s mum would do anything for her, including trying to steal the expensive dolls house that Esme desperately wants. When Mum gets caught, Esme has to go into foster care.

When a placement proves hard to find, Esme has to stay with an elderly couple who have retired from fostering. She knows she only has to stay until Mum gets back, but she still has to deal with a new school, and a real idiot of a class bully.

Esme might like to cause trouble, but this time she is going to have to find a way to get along.

Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens

J. J. Arcanjo

Chapter book

A group of young, street-smart kids with a dark secret – the ability to transform into powerful animals – must navigate a dangerous world where their extraordinary abilities are both a blessing and a curse.

As they unravel the mysteries of their past and how they came to be shapeshifters, they’ll face life-threatening challenges, betrayals, and an organisation that seeks to harness their power for evil.

Can they master their inner beasts and keep their secret safe?

Into Thin Air

S.E. Durrant

Chapter book

Into Thin Air is a thought-provoking mystery novel that follows the disappearance of Luna and Jade’s dad one Wednesday night. Luna saw him leave, Mum says he’s visiting Nan but suspicions are raised when Nan’s nursing home call and it becomes clear that Dad is not there. Next, the family are struggling to pay for food, Dad’s boss and other frightening people start to call at the house to ask for him and Mum says the girls must not answer the door.

Although they are sisters, Luna and Jade could not be more different but along with their friend, Casey, they search for clues and hypothesize about what has led to Dad’s disappearance.

Underlying themes of friendship, kindness, diverse characters, celebration of differences, environmental awareness and the challenges and joy of family life underpin this exciting story that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

G.O.A.T.: The Greatest of All Time!

Harry Briggs & Karelle Tobias

Chapter book

Goat, the ‘Greatest Of All Time’, is new to Harmony Farm, but when Rooster gives him the lay of the land, he manages to ruffle more than a few feathers. And things take a turn for the worse when he insults Horse’s legendary dance moves.

Horse decides there’s only one thing for it:: an epic dance battle! All competitors will need to display their popping and locking skills – with the Notorious P.I.G. providing the music, of course. Whoever stops dancing is out!

However, it soon becomes clear that Goat’s skills might be slightly exaggerated. Will he ever find his place at the farm???

A new, quirky, laugh-out-loud farm-based graphic novel series including a wide cast of characters and satisfyingly silly storylines.

The Othernauts:

Clare Pollard & Macha Yao

Chapter book

AN ORIGINAL RETELLING OF THE CLASSIC GREEK MYTH OF JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS FOR YOUNG READERS WITH A FRESH AND FUNNY TWIST, PERFECT FOR FANS OF LOKI AND DAVID SOLOMONS.

Meet Phoebe. She’s eleven years old and desperate to escape the boring island where she lives.
Enter the Argonauts – a crew of so-called heroes on a quest to grab the golden fleece.

Before Phoebe can think better of it, she boards the ship and stows away on the Argo. But the Argonauts have their work cut out. From attacking harpies to deadly whirlpools, giant sea monsters to skeleton armies, there is peril at every turn. Fortunately the Othernauts are on hand – though with Phoebe’s unhelpful prophecies, Perry’s unreliable shape-shifting skills and Cora the siren’s headache-inducing singing, it’s not quite clear exactly how much help these kids will be . . .

Do the Othernauts have what it takes to get the Argo and its motley crew back to safety in one piece?

AN ANCIENT GREEK ADVENTURE TO CAPTURE THE LEGENDARY GOLDEN RUG, I MEAN, FLEECE – BUT NOT LIKE YOU’VE EVER HEARD IT BEFORE . . .

The Horse Dreamer

Holly Surplice

Chapter book

This is a stunning story for horse lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike – perfect for 9-12 year olds. Merryn lives what should be a charmed life in a cosy cottage near the woods and a secret beach all her own – but the loss of her dad in an accident at sea hangs over her heart and her family and sadness seems inescapable….until, that is, an unexpected encounter with an enchanted horse breaks through her loneliness and makes joy possible again.

This is a story that explores the highs and the lows of life, the power of imagination and the treasure to be found in friendships that are true. Holly Surplice writes in a style that feels effortless and beautiful, with a gentleness and lightness of touch. Despite the heaviness of grief and depression hanging over Merryn’s small family, it still feels like it would be suitable to put this book in the hands of a nine year old.

Holly Surplice is also an outstanding artist, and her work illustrating her story brings it to life in a magical way, making it an easier read for more reluctant readers. I loved the writing, I adored the illustrations, I loved the characters, I loved the hope Merryn finds at the end of the story. It’s just a beautiful book!

Sammy Versus the Smart Phone

Victoria Williamson

Chapter book

My parents have a new daughter.

One who’s smarter. Prettier. Better.

Her name is Hollis. And she’s my worst enemy.

Tonight, I made a decision. It’s either her, or me.

I only have one way to win my family back.

I have to KILL Hollis!

Sammy loves football, being creative, and spending time with her family and friends. But when she gets a smartphone for her eleventh birthday, everything changes.

HOLLIS, a holographic AI interface, is Sammy’s perfect digital double. She’s determined to get Sammy hooked on scrolling on social media, posting stunning selfies, and obsessing over likes and comments. Soon enough, Sammy’s family and friends become addicted to their devices too, and, thanks to her tech-obsessed head teacher, the hands-on learning Sammy loved is no more.

Stressed, unhappy, and bullied online, Sammy decides to fight back!

Can Sammy win the war against the attention-sucking smartphones that have taken over her life?