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Topic: Empathy

The Last Bear

The Last Bear

Chapter book

There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…

This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.

The Shark Caller

The Shark Caller

Chapter book

Dive beneath the waves with this spell-binding adventure of friendship, forgiveness and bravery, set on the shores of Papua New Guinea, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Eva Ibbotson.

“I want to be able to call the sharks. Teach me the magic and show me the ways.”

Blue Wing is desperate to become a shark caller, but instead she must befriend infuriating newcomer Maple, who arrives unexpectedly on Blue Wing’s island.

At first, the girls are too angry to share their secrets and become friends. But when the tide breathes the promise of treasure, they must journey together to the bottom of the ocean to brave the deadliest shark of them all…

the soup movement

The Soup Movement

Chapter book

To aid his recovery from a life-threatening illness Jordan and his family move out of the city for a healthy new start. Jordan’s getting enough funny looks as the new boy at school as it is, without his Mum giving him homemade soup every day for lunch! But when Jordan meets a homeless man called Harry, and gives him the soup, it is the start of an unlikely friendship. Soon the two of them begin giving soup to the other homeless people around town and when his sister shares their antics on Instagram the #SOUPMOVEMENT begins-they even make it on the news!

Stars With Flaming Tails: Poems

Stars with Flaming Tails

Poetry

I travelled once around the world

On stars with flaming tails,

And touched the colours of my dreams

Along some silver trails.

Look out for best friends, pancakes, and Grandad singing; discover a river dolphin, a poison dart frog and the most dangerous animal in the world; imagine a talking nose, meet the Zimbats of Zingley Dell and find the colour of your dreams.

allergic

Allergic

Graphic Novel

A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel featuring a girl with severe allergies who just wants to find the perfect pet!
At home, Maggie is the odd one out.

Her parents are preoccupied with the new baby they’re expecting, and her younger brothers are twins and always in their own world.

Maggie thinks a new puppy is the answer, but when she goes to select one on her birthday, she breaks out in hives and rashes. She’s severely allergic to anything with fur!

Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet?

A Different Sort of Normal

A Different Sort of Normal

Non-fiction

The beautiful true story of one girl’s journey growing up autistic and the challenges she faced in the ‘normal’ world.

Abigail wass not like the other children in the class at school. Abigail didn’t didn’t know she was autistic until she was an adult.

This is her true story of growing up in the confusing ‘normal’ world, all the while missing some Very Important Information about herself.

There are be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heart-warming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including her dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way you’ll also find some Very Crucial Information about autism.

If you’ve ever felt different, out of place, like you don’t fit in – this book is for you.

A Street Dog Named Pup

A Street Dog Named Pup

Chapter book

Between dog and human there is a special bond. A bond that must never be broken . . .

Pup and his boy are inseparable. But both their worlds change forever when Pup is cruelly taken away and abandoned.

With nowhere else to turn, Pup becomes a Street Dog – part of a misfit pack fighting for survival on the streets.

Pup clings to the hope of one day being reunited with his boy. But as time passes, his hope shrinks. Will he ever know love like his boy’s again?

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths

Chapter book

Eleven-year-old Danny Chung loves drawing more than anything – certainly more than maths, which, according to his dad and everyone else, is what he is ‘supposed’ to be good at. He also loves having his own room where he can draw in peace, so his life is turned upside down when a surprise that he’s been promised turns out to be his little, wrinkly, ex-maths-champion grandmother from China. What’s worse, Nai Nai has to share his room, AND she takes the top bunk!

Nai Nai can’t speak a word of English, which doesn’t make things easy for Danny when he is charged with looking after her during his school holidays. Babysitting Nai Nai is NOT what he wants to be doing!

Before long though it becomes clear to Danny that there is more to Nai Nai than meets the eye, and that they have more in common that he thought possible …

how to be me

How to Be Me

Chapter book

A beautiful, moving story of family, friendship and self-discovery.

Super rich. Super shy. Super lonely.

Lucas is all alone.

Since his mum died, Lucas and his dad don’t seem to understand each other at all – it’s almost as if they’re speaking different languages. With a long, hot summer facing him, Lucas is dreading the drama club that his dad has signed him up for – he doesn’t know how to be around new people and he can’t stand performing. But the people Lucas meets at the club force him to open up and start talking, and when disaster strikes, Lucas is forced to step in and help. Can his new-found friends teach Lucas how to be himself?

Filled with empathy and insight, and sensitively touching on issues including grief, anxiety, loneliness with great understanding and an incredible lightness of touch, How to be Me is a kind, heartwarming, and uplifting story, from the author of the high-acclaimed novels Ella on the Outside and Not My Fault – perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Lisa Thompson.

Nen and the Lonely Fisherman

Nen and the Lonely Fisherman

Picturebook

Far out to sea and deep below the whispering waves lives a merman called Nen. Nen spends his days exploring his underwater kingdom, but something is missing: his heart is empty. So, Nen ventures to the forbidden world above and it is here that he meets Ernest, a lonely fisherman. But can two people from different worlds be together and what will happen when a terrifying storm gathers? A lyrical, beautiful celebration of love, acceptance and faith, with a gentle message about how we treat our oceans, and each other.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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yes

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