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Topic: BAME characters

Picturebook

A story of imagination and adventure from the acclaimed author of The Misadventures of Frederick , Ben Manley, and Daddy Long Legs illustrator Aurelie Guillerey .

Who will Albert be next? A fearless mountaineer, a brilliant mechanical engineer or a galactic megalord? Anything is possible with an imagination like Albert’s as he powers through his day.

As a boy, Albert is nervous in a swimming lesson, but as Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner and slayer of vampire cuttlefish, he’s as brave and bold as can be. Show and Tell in front of the whole class can be a bit scary, but by imagining himself to be Professor Octavius Pickleswick he’s proud to show off his greatest invention yet.

A brilliantly funny story, full of exciting things to look at, about the joys of being whoever you want to be . . . and the comfort of sometimes just being yourself.

Fred may look ordinary, but sometimes people who look ordinary turn out to be not very ordinary at all … because it just so happens that Fred is a Wizard!

Sounds pretty great, right? Except that Fred is absolutely, completely, mind-boggingly TERRIBLE at magic. At school, he’s stuck in a class of wizards half his age, feeling like a twit among tots. At home, he’s endlessly teased by his siblings and always a disappointment to his parents. All Fred wants is to become a better wizard….

So when he hears about a competition to meet Merlin(yes, THE Merlin!) Fred knows it’s his one chance to prove to his family that he’s not the worst wizard in town. The catch? To win the competition he has to capture the tail of a terrifying, fire-breathing lizard…

From Simon Philip, author of You Must Bring a Hat and I Really Want the Cake, and Sheena Dempsey, illustrator of Dave Pigeon, comes a tale full of magic and fun.

Chapter book

After getting lost at sea in a tropical storm, Ariki and Ipo discover an uncharted island and have a great adventure in the second book of the Ariki series.

Ariki and Ipo are making the most of a beautiful day, sailing the sea near Turtle Island on a “borrowed” boat. They’re too busy daydreaming to spot the grey clouds gathering overhead – but then a terrible storm breaks, carrying them miles from home. After days without food or drink, they are washed up on an unfamiliar island. The island is beautiful beyond belief: they see butterflies, each one lovelier than the last, lizards chasing across the rocks and, most wonderful of all, a gigantic blue bird with eyes that glow purple. When they meet another castaway, however, the children discover this island is no paradise – there are dangers lurking in the shadows! A nail-biting adventure with a strong message about endangered animals and human intervention, and a wonderful partner to Ariki and the Giant Shark .

Chapter book

Poor Fangs, the tarantula, is terribly lonely and bored with her life in the pet-shop. So when Nathan takes her home, she’s more than excited about her new life. But before Nathan can introduce his new pet to his family, he’s going to need her help to convince them that spiders aren’t just creepy and crawly . . . They’re beautiful and brave too!

This funny story from the Children’s Laureate, Malorie Blackman, is perfect for building confidence in young readers – whether reading aloud or reading alone.

Chapter book

Hari is a dreamer with an unusual talent. He spends the few coins he earns washing cars on cinema trips to watch (and learn from) his beloved Bollywood films. Then one day Hari’s gloriously fancy footwork is spotted by Mr Ram, a man on a mission to resolve conflicts near and far. Hari so entrances everyone with his magical dancing that soon he is travelling all over the world and his electric feet bring harmony to all who see him dance. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+.

Chapter book

Running. That’s all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons -until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medallist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

NB Contains strong language.

Chapter book

On her twelfth birthday Cecilia goes out with her parents and sister to celebrate with a visit to a museum. On their way Cecilia drops the marble that her sister gave her as a present, and running to pick it up she is taken away on an empty underground train into a dark and deep tunnel. The fun family outing becomes a much more serious mission when Cecilia finds that she and her marble have a very important role to play in freeing the inhabitants of the tunnels from the tyrannical rule of the Corvus.

A truly inventive, clever and magical story about the power of friendship and the importance of self-belief by debut novelist Nadine Wild-Palmer.

Picturebook

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swimming test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board…

In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

Chapter book

HELP! My super-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and she’s having a mega meltdown.

But sssh! I’ve just found a ransom note, pushed through the letter box, saying Uncle Tony, Bindi’s husband-to-be, has been kidnapped, and will only be freed if the wedding is cancelled!

I have to keep this a secret otherwise it’ll be panic-central…

I guess it’s up to me – Anisha, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE, to save the day.

Chapter book

Sahira’s family are travelling to England to deliver two majestic Indian tigers to the menagerie in the tower of London.

But tragedy strikes and sickness steals Sahira’s parents from her on the journey. Left alone in London, Sarhira finds herself confined to a miserable and dangerous orphanage. Despite her heartache and the threats she faces, Sahira is determined to carry out her father’s last request – to protect God’s beautiful creatures: her tigers. To do so, Sahira must set out on an adventure and use all her powers of persuasion to engage the help of some new friends along the way.

Can the quest to find her tigers a safe home, lead Sahira to find her own place of hope and belonging in this strange and foreign land?

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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