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Oliver Twist and Other Great Dickens Stories

Graphic Novel

A selection of the works of one of the world’s greatest writers, retold in accessible comic-strip style.

Charles Dickens is not only the author of some of the best-loved stories in the English language, but also the creator of some of its most memorable characters. Meet them all between the pages of this splendid book, which retells, in lively comic-strip style, five of Dickens’s most popular stories: Oliver Twist , Great Expectations , A Tale of Two Cities , David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol .

Goodnight Mister Tom

Chapter book

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian is the unforgettable story of young Willie Beech, evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of the Second World War. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the unlikely care of grumpy old Tom Oakley. But then his new-found happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother to return to London. As the weeks pass by Tom begins to worry when William doesn’t answer his letters, so he goes to London to find him, and there makes a terrible discovery.

Darwin’s Dragons

Chapter book

How to Train Your Dragon meets Robinson Crusoe in this high-flying dragon adventure from Lindsay Galvin!

Syms Covington has landed the job of a lifetime – cabin boy and fiddler on Charles Darwin’s Beagle – but when he is separated from the crew during a storm, his life takes a truly extraordinary turn.

Shipwrecked on a Galapagos island, he makes a discovery that could change the world – and make his fortune. But should he share his find, or will it lead to the extinction of a legendary species?

There’s one person who could help, but he’s busy writing a book …

Based on a true story and Charles Darwin’s real journal!

Perfect for fans of Cornelia Funke’s Dragon Rider or Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series.

Effortlessly blends exciting adventure with a rip-roaring historical story and non-fiction elements.

Carrie’s War

Chapter book

I did a dreadful thing, the worst thing of my life, when I was twelve and a half years old, and nothing can change it’

It is wartime and Carrie and her little brother Nick have been evacuated from their London home to the Welsh hills. In an unfamiliar place, among strangers, the children feel alone and find little comfort with the family they are billeted with: Mr Evans, a bullying shopkeeper and Auntie Lou, his kind but timid sister.

When Carrie and Nick visit Albert, another evacuee, they are welcomed into Hepzibah Green’s warm kitchen. Hepzibah is rumoured to be a witch, but her cooking is delicious, her stories are enthralling and the children cannot keep away. With Albert, Hepzibah and Mister Johnny, they begin to settle into their new surroundings. But before long, their loyalties are tested: will they be persuaded to betray their new friends?

The Vanishing Trick

Chapter book

Step into a world of secrets, folklore and illusions, where nothing is as it seems and magic is at play…

Madame Augustina Pinchbeck , travels the country conjuring the spirits of dearly departed loved ones… for a price. Whilst her ability to contact ghosts is a game of smoke and mirrors, there is real magic behind her tricks too – if you know where to look.

Through a magical trade, she persuades children to part with precious objects, promising to use her powers to help them. But Pinchbeck is a deceiver, instead turning their items into enchanted Cabinets that bind the children to her and into which she can vanish and summon them at will.

When Pinchbeck captures orphan Leander , events are set into motion that see him and his new friends Charlotte and Felix , in a race against time to break Pinchbeck’s spell, before one of them vanishes forever…

The Midnight Guardians

Chapter book

Sometimes at the darkest hour, hope shines the brightest…

When Col’s childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians – a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight – Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.

But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.

Queen Victoria

Non-fiction

This vibrant mini-hardback celebrates the reign of one of Britain’s most iconic rulers. Filled with beautiful illustrations, early photographs and details from throughout her reign. She guided Great Britain through a period of immense change and invention. This book explores the lasting legacy Victoria and her devoted husband, Prince Albert, had on the world.

The latest in the popular V&A Introduces series which celebrates icons of the art and design world.

Mohinder’s War

Chapter book

A thrilling World War II adventure set in occupied France, featuring an Indian RAF pilot. Great for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne, and those who want diverse historical fiction. Thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it’s up to her and her parents to hide him from the Nazis. After all, her parents are brave members of the French Resistance and will do everything they can to help get Mohinder back to Britain. But when they are betrayed and tragedy strikes, Joelle and Mohinder will have to act fast if they are ever to evade the enemy. Flashbacks offer dramatic stories set in key moments of history, perfect for introducing children to historical topics.

Hetty Feather

Chapter book

London, 1876. Hetty Feather is a tiny, fiery-haired baby when her mother leaves her on the steps of the Foundling Hospital.

Sent to live with a foster family in the country until she is big enough to go to school, Hetty plays vivid imaginary games with her foster brothers. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus, and Hetty is mesmerised by the show – especially the stunning Madame Adeline and her performing horses.

But Hetty’s happiness is threatened when she must return to the Foundling Hospital to begin her education. The cruel matrons’ strict regime is a terrible struggle for Hetty, and she desperately misses her beloved foster brother, Jem. But now she has the chance to find her real mother. Could she really be Madame Adeline? Or will the truth be even more surprising?

An original, compelling and utterly fascinating tale from one of the most beloved writers of our time, and now a major CBBC series.

Letters from the Lighthouse

Chapter book

We weren’t supposed to be going to the pictures that night. We weren’t even meant to be outside, not in a blackout, and definitely not when German bombs had been falling on London all month like pennies from a jar.

February, 1941. After months of bombing raids in London, twelve-year-old Olive Bradshaw and her little brother Cliff are evacuated to the Devon coast. The only person with two spare beds is Mr Ephraim, the local lighthouse keeper. But he’s not used to company and he certainly doesn’t want any evacuees.

Desperate to be helpful, Olive becomes his post-girl, carrying secret messages (as she likes to think of the letters) to the villagers. But Olive has a secret of her own. Her older sister Sukie went missing in an air raid, and she’s desperate to discover what happened to her. And then she finds a strange coded note which seems to link Sukie to Devon, and to something dark and impossibly dangerous.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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