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X The Unknown
By Shaun Hutson. 2012
In a quiet field in Buckinghamshire, a huge crack has appeared in the earth's surface. And people are dying. Incinerated…
beyond recognition. At the same time, hospitals have noticed an increase in catastrophic deformities in foetuses, and cancer levels soaring.Dr Adam Royston, a scientist working at the nearby military base, thinks he knows what it is; a creature as old as the earth that slumbers for centuries, then wakes to feed on the energy and radiation produced by humans. But if he's right, and they can't find a way to destroy the creature roaming the countryside, then it's not just Buckinghamshire that could be in danger, but the whole world.X-Isle
By Steve Augarde. 2009
Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X-Isle,…
the island where life is rumoured to be easier than on what's left of the mainland. Only young boys are in with a chance, the smaller and lighter the better. Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but they soon discover that X-Isle is a far cry from paradise. Ruled by Preacher John, a dangerous religious fanatic, it's a violent, unpredictable place where terrible things can happen at any moment.The boys hatch an extraordinary plan in order to protect themselves - the construction of a mighty weapon of defence. But can they complete this weapon in time, and are they really prepared to use it in order to secure their freedom? Powerful and compelling, X-ISLE is a fast-moving thriller that will keep you guessing right to the very end.Wyrd Sisters - Playtext
By Stephen Briggs, Terry Pratchett. 1988
Terry Pratchett takes Shakespeare's Macbeth and then turns it up 'till the knob comes off. It's all there - a…
wicked duke and duchess, the ghost of the murdered king, dim soldiers, strolling players, a land in peril. And who stands between the Kingdom and destruction? Three witches. Granny Weatherwax (intolerant, self-opinionated, powerful), Nanny Ogg (down-to-earth, vulgar) and Magrat Garlick (naïve, fond of occult jewellery and bunnies).Stephen Briggs has been involved in amateur dramatics for over 25 years and he assures us that the play can be staged without needing the budget of Industrial Light and Magic. Not only that, but the cast should still be able to be in the pub by 10 o'clock!Oh, and a world of advice omitted from the play text:LEARN THE WORDSHavelock, Lord VetinariWorst. Holiday. Ever. (Worst. Holiday. Ever.)
By Charlie Higson. 2021
A hilarious new book from the bestselling children's author - Adrian Mole for the new generation!*'Made me cry with laughter…
and my heart ache' Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy**'Funniest. Book. Ever' Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster*Stan is going on holiday to Italy with his (fifth) best friend Felix and a load of strangers.Stan is absolutely terrified.Luckily, his mum's given him an emergency list that includes how to survive a shark attack, and what to do if he gets kidnapped.Stan thinks that a better list would include how to cope with odd food, and what to do if he accidentally calls Felix's mum 'mum' in front of everybody.And it soon turns out Italy is full of dangers and things that can go wrong.One thing's for certain, Stan's not going to come back the same boy he left. He just hope he comes back at all . . .Worst. Holiday. Ever is a story about facing fears, dealing with worries, and how it's OK to be anxious, scared, and sometimes a little bit brave.Once again, THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson captivates readers with an eminently readable piece of historical fiction. If…
you're a fan of Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, you'll love this.'The Matthew Hervey books have a way of getting under your skin...reveals a man who is very much of his time -and one to have beside you when riding into action.' - DAILY MAIL'One for the fans, who will not be disappointed by Mallinson's winning combination of scrupulous research and derring-do...with the French in front and the Russians behind, Hervey's your man.' - THE TIMES'Leaves the reader slavering for the next instalment.' -- ***** Reader review'This is historical fiction at its very best.' -- ***** Reader review'Such a pleasure to read a well written, well edited, well researched, readable piece of historical fiction.' -- ***** Reader review******************************************************************January 1830, and one of the hardest winters in memory...The prime minister, the Iron Duke, is resisting growing calls for parliamentary reform, provoking scenes of violent unrest in the countryside.Against this inflammable backdrop Lieutenant-Colonel Matthew Hervey, recently returned from an assignment in the Balkans, takes command of his regiment, the 6th Light Dragoons. His fears that things might be a little dull are quickly dispelled by the everyday business of vexatious officers, NCOs promotions and incendiarists on the doorstep of the King himself.But it's when the Sixth are sent to Brussels for the fifteenth anniversary celebrations of the battle of Waterloo and find themselves caught up in the Belgian uprising against Dutch rule that the excitement really starts.Will Hervey be able to keep out of the fighting - a war that would lead, nearly a century later, to Britain's involvement in an altogether different war - while safeguarding his country's interests? Not likely!World Cup WAGS
By Anonymous Anonymous. 2010
An ordinary girl thrown into an extraordinary life . . .England have made it to the World Cup in Spain…
and Damien can't wait to see his friends playing for their country. But a last-minute injury means he may get to do more than just watch. His seventeen-year-old girlfriend, Amy, has been trying to get her life back on track, but when a Spanish summer is calling, what's a WAG to do . . . ?Woof!
By Allan Ahlberg. 1986
He felt a curious tingling in his hands and feet. He felt his nose becoming cold and wet, his ears…
becoming flappy. The thought in his mind was: 'I'm turning into a dog!'Eric is a perfectly ordinary boy. Perfectly ordinary that is, until the night when, in fifteen seconds flat, he turns into a dog! Eric and his best friend are determined to sniff out the truth - what makes an ordinary boy go 'woof'?When Dorothy and her little dog Toto are caught in a tornado, they and their Kansasfarmhouse are suddenly transported to…
Oz, where Munchkins live, monkeys fly and Wicked Witches rule. Desperate to return home, and with the Wicked Witch of the West on their trail, Dorothy and Toto - together with new friends the Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow and cowardly Lion - embark on a fantastic quest along the Yellow Brick Road in search of the Emerald City. There they hope to meet the legendary, all-powerful Wizard of Oz, who alone may hold the power to grant their every wish.Just as captivating as it was a hundred years ago, this is a story that all ages will love.Wonder Tales: Six Stories of Enchantment
By Marina Warner. 1994
Marina Warner has gathered together a magical collection of fairy tales by the great women storytellers of the 17th and…
18th centuries. These are passionate, extraordinary, and occasionally proto-feminist retellings of classic fairy stories by women who ingeniously used the fairy tale genre to comment on their own times and experiences. The stories are all in superb new translations by celebrated writers, including A. S. Byatt, Gilbert Adair and John Ashbery. With a brilliant intorduction by Marina Warner, recognised as one of our greatest experts on myth and fairy tale.Workhouse Nightingale
By Holly Green. 2018
Can this orphan ever fulfil her nursing dreams...?After her mother's death, Dora is sent to live with her father and…
his other family. But the fact that Dora is mixed race and illegitimate see her treated as little more than a servant by her step-mother and half siblings. This doesn't stop the son of the house abusing his position and Dora finds herself on the streets and pregnant...Sent to the local workhouse, Dora's future looks bleak but she still dreams of a better life where she can help others as her late mother did with her herbal remedies. But can a girl from a workhouse ever achieve anything, let alone become one of Florence Nightingale's nurses?________________________________Make sure you've read all the books in the Workhouse series:1. Workhouse Orphans2. Workhouse Angel3. Workhouse Nightingale4. Workhouse GirlAnd don't miss Holly Green's new series about wartime nurses:1. Frontline Nurses2. Frontline Nurses On Duty3. Secrets of the Frontline NursesThe Wrong Pong (The Wrong Pong)
By Steven Butler. 2011
The Wrong Pong by Steven Butler is a laugh-out-loud, stinky story for 5+ girls and boys.One night, Neville Brisket wakes…
up from a strange dream - a dream that there is a horrible, stumpy finger stuck up his nose. Then he finds his room in a mess, and his dog in the laundry basket.Neville's investigations end sposhily, when he is whooshed down the toilet to the land of Under! In a case of mistaken troll-dentity, he finds himself part of a disgusting new family. Will anybody help Neville get back to Over, or will he be stuck eating rat patties and left sock stew forever?This hilariously delivered tale will delight and disgust parents and children alike. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Horrid Henry.'Horrid Henry's favourite book!' - Francesca Simon, author of Horrid Henry 'A triumphant debut which will have children clutching the loo-seat in apprehension and laughter' - Amanda Craig, The TimesSteven Butler is an actor, dancer and trained circus performer as well as a keen observer of trolls and their disgusting habits. He has starred in Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and as Henry in Horrid Henry Live and Horrid! His primary school headmaster was fantastically funny author Jeremy Strong.A Wolf in Hindelheim
By Jenny Mayhew. 2013
An atmospheric and gripping novel from an exciting new voice for fans of The Snow Child and The Hundred-Year-Old Man…
Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.South-West Germany, 1926. The disappearance of a baby girl calls for Constable Theodore Hildebrandt and his son Klaus to visit the remote village of Hindelheim, a place where nothing ever happens. But the news of the missing baby has brought darkness to the community. It is as if someone or something wicked is playing a game. As the wind blows and the mist thickens, tensions rise amongst the villagers as everyone falls under suspicion. And when the rumours begin and secrets start to unravel, the quiet village of Hindelheim is set to change for ever.An iconic classic, The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum is a must-read for adults and children alike. Follow…
the yellow brick road!Dorothy thinks she is lost forever when a terrifying tornado crashes through Kansas and whisks her and her dog, Toto, far away to the magical land of Oz. To get home Dorothy must follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City and find the wonderfully mysterious Wizard of Oz. Together with her companions the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion whom she meets on the way, Dorothy embarks on a strange and enchanting adventure.With a charming introduction by award-winning Cornelia Funke, The Wizard of Oz is one of the twelve wonderful classics relaunched in Puffin Classics in March 2008.***PLUS a behind-the-scenes journey, including an author profile, a guide to who's who, activities and more...***Frank L. Baum (1856-1919) was born in New York. He enjoyed making up stories, particularly for his own children. The Wizard of Oz, based on their favourite bedtime story about a land of Oz, was published in 1900 and it immediately became a huge international success. He wrote several sequels and numerous other kinds of books under a pseudonym.Worth
By Jon Canter. 2011
For Richard and Sarah, leaving the rat-race of London for the sleepy village of Worth feels like a dream come…
true. But their new life isn’t quite as idyllic as it first seems. The cottage is tiny and the neighbours are excruciating. Soon they find themselves reverse-commuting back to London on the weekends, just to be with people they like. Then Catherine moves in next door. Smart, sophisticated, beautiful Catherine seems like the answer to their prayers. But will their new best friend turn out to be their enemy?Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson, a moving and emotional saga of fierce passions set in the Lancashire cotton mills…
from the Sunday Times bestseller Ruth Hamilton. "Very much the successor to Catherine Cookson. Her books are plot driven, they just rip along; laughs, weeps, love, they've got the lot, and they're quality writing as well" - Sarah Broadhurst on Radio Four. "This book captures your heart..." - ***** Reader review."From start to finish I was gripped, full of twists and turns that keep you hooked at all times..." - ***** Reader review. Ruth Hamilton [-] excellent excellent excellent..." - ***** Reader review. ************************Can you love and hate someone in equal measure?1904. Despite their riches and wealth, the Swainbank family cannot find peace. The poor Maguires are destitute but proud. There is no love lost between the two families.When Richard Swainbank and Philly Maguire first meet, a train of overpowering love, passion, hatred and secrecy is born, which would dog the two rival families for years and years, and have far reaching consequences...The Witch's Warning (Aberrations)
By Joseph Delaney. 2019
A gloriously spooky horror-fantasy story from Joseph Delaney, the internationally multi-million bestselling author of The Spook's ApprenticeCrafty halted, his heart…
lurching with fear, his mouth dry. There were bare footprints in the white snow, and each one was smeared with red, as if the owner of those clawed feet had stepped in a puddle of blood . . . Crafty and his friends have already faced dozens of horrifying aberrations during their time as Castle Gate Grubs - assistants to the mysterious guild of Gatemancers, who fight against the terrifying Shole. But the real battle is only just beginning. New and more dangerous aberrations are appearing all the time, and worse yet, it seems someone from within the Castle is helping them attack. And when an old enemy returns to give Crafty a disturbing warning, it seems time might be running out for all of them . . .The Witches
By Peter Curtis. 1960
Walwyk seemed a dream village to the new schoolteacher, Miss Mayfield. But dreams can change into nightmares...When one of her…
students accuses his friend Ethel's grandmother of abusing her, Miss Mayfield cannot let it go. But Ethel won't say anything, despite the evidence of Miss Mayfield's own eyes. But as she attempts to get to the truth of the matter, she stumbles on something far more sinister. Walwyk seems to be in the grip of a centuries-old evil, and anybody who questions events in the village does not last long. Death stalks more than one victim, and Miss Mayfield begins to realise that if she's not careful, she will be the next to die...A Witch In The Classroom!
By Ghillian Potts. 2000
"You're a frog, Ryan James, you're a frog. Slimy and jumpy, bug-eyed and lumpy . . ."Abigail is thrilled when…
she discovers that she's a witch - at last she can get her own back on her bullying classmate, Ryan.With help from her pet rat, Gnasher, Abigain turns Ryan into a frog, but that's when disaster strikes - she can't change him back! And suddenly Abigail discovers that she's not the ONLY witch in the classroom . . .Witch Baby and Me On Stage (Witch Baby #4)
By Debi Gliori. 2010
It's a rainy spring-time, coming up to Witch Baby Daisy's second birthday. Her nursery class are putting on a musical…
performance, helped by the older children, including big sister Lily. Meanwhile Mum is trying to potty train Daisy, unaware that as soon as she succeeds, Daisy will be reclaimed by the witches who live on the hill, who've only been waiting for their little protegee to be out of nappies before they take her 'home'. Happily, Daisy is so rubbish at toilet training that Lily persuades Mum to drop the idea, and the day is saved! The concert is a great success, despite Daisy turning Lily's bagpipes into a spider, and the witches are distracted by spells for romance.Another charming, brilliantly plotted and gorgeously illustrated gem of a book by this outstandingly talented author/illustrator.The Rocking Chair Prophet
By Matthew Kelly. 2023
New York Times USA Today The Wall Street Journal & Amazon Best Selling Author There Is A Voice Within You.…
Listening to that voice is the difference between happiness and misery, wonderful memories and heartrending regrets. The Rocking Chair Prophet is a transformational story about reclaiming that voice and the unmitigated joy that comes from following it. After an unspeakable tragedy devastates his life, Daniel, a thirty-three-year-old suburban man, disappears into the mountains. Years later, he remerges filled with uncommon wisdom and other extraordinary gifts. From that day on, people travel from far and wide to meet with Daniel, who sits on his rocking chair, meeting with visitors, and helping them explore their deeply personal questions. These questions lead to a series of epic conversations that traverse life’s quintessential topics: love, suffering, health and well-being, education, work, money and things, spirituality, regrets, depression, ambition, nature, parenting, midlife crisis, choices, our hopes and dreams, the meaning of life, and enduring friendship. The Rocking Chair Prophet is a rich exploration of life and the human condition. It’s an invitation to rediscover yourself and reorient your life. Matthew Kelly has masterfully woven into the story a piercing wisdom that is thought-provoking on a life-changing scale. It is stunning that one book can have something so meaningful to say on so many topics. This is destined to be a book readers return to time and again, a book that speaks to us anew in every season of life.