Format: Chapter book

The Ministry of Manners

Chapter book

This is a cleverly thought out dystopian story imagining what the world could be like with no freedom or privacy and an authoritarian regime controls every part of your life.

Society has broken down in the world due to a lack of manners, courtesy and respect. The Ministry of Manners now controls every aspect of daily life. All spoken and written communication is monitored and life has become a performance for the authorities.

The story follows quiet and well-behaved Alfie, his older sister Margot, who has rebellion in her heart, and their parents, who both work in minor roles for the Ministry. Then rumours surface about The Unsilenced – a group of rebels who are challenging the Ministry with disruptive acts and we hear of The Harmoniser – an AI system built to reshape human behaviour and render people hollow, passive and obedient. To Alfie’s horror, Margot’s resistance flags her to the Ministry and she is taken to a Manners Retreat for personality recalibration, and Dad turns out to be the Harmoniser project leader.

This would be wonderful read-aloud with tense plot moments interspersed with humour, and a set up for a sequel at the end. There’s even a section at the back to explain how a collapsing society had led to a takeover by The Ministry of Manners.

Operation: Evil Genius

Danny Wallace & Gemma Correll

Chapter book

We absolutely love Danny Wallace’s books for their signature dry humour and Operation Evil Genius is another brilliantly funny addition to the library.

Wallace has a wonderful knack for capturing the real-world niggles and grumbles that drive human behaviour, offering a witty take on the everyday frustrations that children will find honest and instantly recognisable, knowing that things go awry when retaliating to those niggles is left uncapped. This time, that trademark wit follows a protagonist whose elaborate plans to get back at a former best friend backfire hilariously at every turn.

A high illustration-to-text ratio makes this incredibly readable, ramping up the comedy while keeping the pages turning quickly for reluctant readers. Beneath the laugh-out-loud moments, the story cleverly tackles shifting friendships, handling envy and navigating grief. A fantastic, high-energy pick for KS2 bookshelves.

Bobby Bains Ain’t Playing

Bali Rai & Daniel Duncan

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

The second in a brilliant dyslexia-friendly series that is also perfect as a quick read for Upper KS2 readers.

In this instalment, a five-a-side tournament is on the horizon and Bobby and his friend Maisie can’t wait to join in. However, an injustice arises when Maisie’s girls’ team is no longer allowed to play. Not one to let unfairness go unchallenged, Bobby comes up with a plan to turn the tide.

It’s a short read with heartwarming characters and real-life issues, and Bobby certainly strikes a chord with children who love football.

The Unlikely Diary of Prince Kal the Alien

Ross Welford

Chapter book

We always enjoy Ross Welford’s dry and intelligent humour, and this diary-style adventure with a difference is a real treat. It follows Prince Kal, a tiny and somewhat haughty royal alien from the Imaginaria Forests, who ends up stranded on a Northumberland beach after a mishap. In his diary, he logs his experiences of encountering the ways of Earth.

Interspersed with humorous observations and comical illustrations, this is an enjoyable blend of science fiction, satire and sharp wit.

Starminster

Megan Hopkins

Chapter book

There is something about a girl being brought up in a rhubarb shed that is instantly interesting and captivating! We only find out why at the end, but it is so compelling and awful and yet at the same time the reader knows there must be a good reason. That is how the story starts and the contrast between the enclosed space and the wide-open spaces is very much in evidence as the story progresses.

As a Londoner I loved the London setting. This is exactly the sort of story I love, combining fantasy and real places and there is even the ubiquitous school to train the students who have magical abilities – in this case wings. The school setting (the Starminster of the title) is actually St Paul’s Cathedral, which is such a fun place for a school.

Suitable for Key Stage 2, this is a wonderful and original story which fantasy lovers (and bird lovers!) will really enjoy.

Like a Brother

Nathanael Lessore

Chapter book

From the multi-award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of Steady For This, King of Nothing, What Happens Online and Against All Odds comes a laugh-out-loud new teen comedy about a summer turned upside down!

THEY’RE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. EXCEPT IN ALL THE WAYS THAT MATTER.

Owais lives a chill life. He’s well-liked, funny and everything’s a breeze – until his estranged cousin shows up.

Loud, unpredictable and one bad decision away from serious trouble, Abass crashes into Owais’ laidback world like a hurricane: picking fights, ruining parties, disappearing without explanation and clogging toilets in places he absolutely shouldn’t.

But as the boys get to know each other and their bond deepens, Owais starts to see there’s more to Abass than the chaos – and more to himself than just being the popular guy who coasts through life. Because sometimes, the person who turns your world upside down is also the person who helps you figure out where you’re really meant to be…

Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories

Jarvis

Chapter book

Bear and Bird are best friends! And while they don’t always understand each other, they both agree: all they want is to make the other happy. So when Bird has a secret to tell Bear he will not listen – because he is worried he’ll give it away! And when the pair find out they don’t actually like all the same things, they both agree it doesn’t matter, because the thing they like best of all is being friends with each other.

Full of comic mix-ups and misunderstandings, as well as genuine warmth and affection, these four stories are the sixth instalment in this irresistibly charming chapter book series from award-winning creator Jarvis. Bear and Bird’s adventures are perfect to read aloud together, or for children who are ready to start reading by themselves.

Readers can enjoy lots more Bear and Bird adventures! Look out for:
Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Stick and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Cave and Other Stories
The Cloud: A Bear and Bird picture book

Croaky: Caverns of the Gemosaurus

Matty Long

Chapter book

Froggy, Fearless, and Ready for Adventure! Leap into this action-packed chapter book series from Super Happy Magic Forest creator Matty Long-perfect for readers who love funny stories!

Croaky Hopper isn’t like other little frogs. His head is filled with thoughts of wild adventures. He dreams of hopping across crocodile-infested waters, or being chased by a giant boulder, just like the famous TV explorer Tennessee Toad. But where can an energetic amphibian like Croaky find real-life adventure? When his Aunt Lilly signs him up for the Woggle Scouts, he expects to spend his time crafting with pinecones and selling cookies, but he soon discovers there’s much more in store . . .

In Caverns of the Gemosaurus, the Woggle Scouts go underground to the Crystal Caverns in search of the mythical Gemosaurus. On the expedition, they find runaway minecarts, carnivorous plants, and deadly lava flows!

For more action-packed adventures with Croaky Hopper try:
– Croaky: Search for the Sasquatch
– Croaky: Quest for the Legendary Berry
– Croaky: Escape from Crow Castle
Collect them all for even more laugh-out-loud adventures!

Wild Magic: Escape of the Sea Turtles

Abiola Bello & Emma McCann

Chapter book

Wild Magic: Escape of the Sea Turtles, returns readers to the magical world of twins Misha and Ziggy in their third adventure of the Wild Magic book series.

This time, the story takes them to Mexico, where they work together to help sea turtles. The story will appeal to readers who enjoy stories about animals, magic and adventure. The choice of language used throughout make it accessible to all and easy to follow. A wonderful story which is sure to encourage readers to want to read the other books in the series.

One of the strongest parts of the story is the way it highlights the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and the real-life impact this is having on animals; readers will be inspired by the twins’ determination to help the turtles. Their courage and kindness make them easy characters to care about, and their mission gives the story a clear sense of purpose. The magical abilities of the twins add extra excitement also. Misha can talk to animals, while Ziggy can shape-shift into them, which makes the adventure even more imaginative and fun to read, as well as likely making the reader wish for their own magical animal power too!

There are interesting facts at the end of the book all about sea turtles and Mexico that add educational value. Some of these facts are trickled into the actual story itself. These extra details will interest readers who enjoy learning about different animals and geography.

This was a great read that would perfect as a class read or beginning chapter book for an independent reader.

Nora Nightsky

Becka Moor & Rebecca Lewis-Oakes

Chapter book

A funny, beautifully illustrated young fiction series about a star come to earth to cause trouble! Ideal for readers aged 6-9, the perfect next step for Isadora Moon fans or readers of Sibéal Pounder and Laura Ellen Anderson.

Nora Nightsky is a star – literally.

Her glamorous mum is the North Star, and their dazzling family works hard, bringing to life the Little Bear constellation and sprinkling magic down to earth to grant human wishes.

But Nora is nowhere near as shiny as her perfect brother and sister.

Then one day, a girl wishes on Nora for the first time, asking for a pet.

Rebelling against the rules, Nora sneaks down to Earth with her best friend Leap, a cute hare constellation, to give the girl a piece of her mind!

A charming new young fiction character for readers moving up from Isadora Moon, brilliantly illustrated throughout in black and white by Becka Moor.

Lots of humour, mischief and antics with a beautiful friendship at the heart.

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Format: Chapter book

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