Zeina Starborn and the Emerald King

Zeina Starborn and the Emerald King
Author: Hannah Durkan
Publisher: Hachette UK
Total Pages: 203
Release: 2023-07-06
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1510111875

The thrilling sequel to ZEINA STARBORN AND THE SKY WHALE, perfect for 9+ fans of BRIGHTSTORM and ORPHANS OF THE TIDE. After months of being on the run, Zeina is thrilled when the Smog Rats are invited by ice bears to an infamous festival featuring horned sky whales. But, from an ice palace with crumbling ice structures to the strange behaviour of the new Emerald King, something doesn't seem quite right . . . Zeina and Jackson find themselves going up against both new enemies and familiar foes in order to halt the invention of an advanced, cruel technology. PRAISE FOR ZEINA STARBORN AND THE SKY WHALE: 'A thrilling tale of intrigue and adventure in the clouds, full of wonderful creatures, mind-boggling gadgets, bravery, kindness and hope' Thomas Taylor, author of MALAMANDER 'What a ride! Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale takes you on an adventure worthy of a great explorer.' Kate Gilby-Smith, author of THE ASTONISHING FUTURE OF ALEX NOBODY 'Packed to the fins with adventure, gadgets and plenty of heart' Maria Kuzniar, author of THE SHIP OF SHADOWS 'An exhilarating read with an immersive world that all readers will enjoy ... and a main character that you'll be rooting for all the way' Rachel Faturoti, author of SADÉ AND HER SHADOW BEASTS

Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale

Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale
Author: Hannah Durkan
Publisher: Hachette UK
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2022-05-12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1510109609

*Winner of the Northern Writers' Award 2020* 'A thrilling tale of intrigue and adventure in the clouds, full of wonderful creatures, mind-boggling gadgets, bravery, kindness and hope' Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander When Zeina Starborn's dream of exploring the skies becomes a reality, she finds herself in a daring adventure beyond her wildest imagination. Meet explorers, inventors, and mighty sky whales in this richly inventive fantasy, perfect for 9+ fans of BRIGHTSTORM and ORPHANS OF THE TIDE. Zeina Starborn spends her days dreaming of adventure in the sky and escaping the smog-filled city of Ravenport. So, when she wins the chance to visit the famous Willoughby Whale Hotel - a ginormous structure built on the back of a flying whale - Zeina grabs it. Even clashing with Jackson, spoiled heir to the Willoughby fortune, can't dampen her excitement. But a series of clues makes her question what she's been told about this dazzling world of inventors, explorers and mighty sky whales. Zeina and Jackson must put aside their differences to uncover the secret plot around them as they embark on the journey of a lifetime.

Starbird

Starbird
Author: Sharon King-Chai
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Total Pages: 43
Release: 2019-09-05
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1529001935

A stunning book shimmering with shiny silver foil throughout, from the astonishingly talented Sharon King-Chai, illustrator of Animalphabet written by Julia Donaldson. WINNER of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Shadowers' Choice Award 2021. Starbird is a magical story about love, freedom, and the wisdom of children. Starbird's songs weave the richest dreams and delight all who hear him, but when the Moon King traps him in a cage as gift for his daughter, the colour and life in his voice begin to drip away. While the Moon King is blinded by greed and selfishness, his young daughter can clearly see the injustice and cruelty of his actions. A heartfelt, lyrical story that shows the importance of standing up for what is right.

The Secret Detectives

The Secret Detectives
Author: Ella Risbridger
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2021-06-03
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1788006011

A gripping, beautifully written historical mystery, from an incredible new voice in children's fiction. The body seemed to fall for a long time. There was no splash, or if there was it was lost in the waves. Isobel was frozen to the spot for a moment - and then her common sense caught up with her, and she stepped back quickly into the shadows. When Isobel Petty is orphaned, she finds herself being taken away from her home in India and sent to live with a distant uncle in England. On board the S.S. Marianna, she witnesses a shocking act - somebody being thrown overboard in the middle in the night. But when the ship's captain insists that nobody is missing, Isobel and her two new reluctant friends must solve two mysteries - the identities of both the murderer and the victim - before they reach England and the culprit has the chance to escape. Inspired by The Secret Garden and the golden age of crime writing, The Secret Detectives is perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Rundell. "A thoroughly entertaining mystery and a heartening story of friendship. I loved it." - Katherine Woodfine, author of The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

Saucy

Saucy
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2021-10-05
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1442412798

When eleven-year-old Becca, a quadruplet, finds a sick piglet on the side of the road, her life is changed forever.

The Song of the Tree

The Song of the Tree
Author: Coralie Bickford-Smith
Publisher: Particular Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2020
Genre: Children's stories
ISBN: 9780241367216

Bird loves the towering tree that grows in the jungle, but when the season changes she must say goodbye until next year. Then one day Bird wonders- what happens to the tree when she flies away? As she discovers the stories of the other creatures who live in the tree, Bird learns to sing a new song. Lyrical, heart-warming and beautifully illustrated, this new fable from Coralie Bickford-Smith is a tale about growing up and finding our own way of exploring the world, and a celebration of belonging.

The Greatest Inventor

The Greatest Inventor
Author: Ben Brooks
Publisher: Quercus Children's Books
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2021-06-03
Genre: Blessing and cursing
ISBN: 9781786541147

Victor is skeptical when Walter Swizwit comes to the village of Rainwater. He's the latest in a string of inventors passing through, and no one wants to buy his cheap magic tricks. But Walter doesn't take rejection well, and puts a curse on the village. Only Victor is unaffected and he must leave Rainwater for the first time in his life if he's to find the cure. Victor's path takes him past other villages that Walter has damaged, and he picks up new companions on the way: Elena, handy with bow and arrow; Mo-Lan, a science prodigy, and scaredy-cat Mingus. It's soon clear that they underestimated Walter's power. Only he has the cure for his magic and he's locked away in his castle a thousand leagues away. But he's not the only inventor out there...if Victor and his friends can get someone more powerful on their side, maybe they can win: find Walter, break the curse and return as heroes. After all, there's no place like home...

Wildspark: A Ghost Machine Adventure

Wildspark: A Ghost Machine Adventure
Author: Vashti Hardy
Publisher: Scholastic UK
Total Pages: 283
Release: 2019-05-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1407189859

A mind-bending adventure from the author of Brightstorm! A year after the death of her older brother, Prue Haywood's family is still shattered by grief. But everything changes when a stranger arrives at the farm. A new, incredible technology has been discovered in the city of Medlock, where a secretive guild of inventors have developed a way to capture spirits of the dead in animal-like machines, bringing them back to life. Prue knows that the "Ghost Guild" might hold the key to bringing her brother back, so she seizes the stranger's offer to join as an apprentice. But to find her brother, she needs to find a way to get the ghost machines to remember the people they used to be. Yet if Prue succeeds, all of society could come apart...

Has Anyone Seen Archie Ebbs?

Has Anyone Seen Archie Ebbs?
Author: Simon Packham
Publisher: Firefly Press
Total Pages: 165
Release: 2022-04-07
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1913102734

Archie Ebbs has the perfect life. Good friends, a nice home and classmates who laugh at (nearly) all his jokes. But all that is about to change. As his family have to face unsettling times, Archie has his own worries ... is he really starting to become invisible?

The Boy Behind The Wall

The Boy Behind The Wall
Author: Maximillian Jones
Publisher: Welbeck Children's Books
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2021-10-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1801300011

A riveting story of adventure, danger and friendship for readers 11+, perfect for fans of Alex Rider and CHERUB. What would you risk for a friend you've never met . . . ? In 1960s Berlin the Wall is everywhere. It cuts through streets, parks, even houses. Teenagers Harry and Jakob live either side of the divide. In West Berlin, American Harry witnesses the brutal shooting of a boy trying to escape over the Wall into the West, and decides to emulate his comic book heroes and help those in the East however he can. On the other side in East Berlin, Jakob is the adopted son of a high up Stasi officer, feeling suffocated by the rules of a strictly regimented society and desperate to find his real family. When Jakob finds a message that Harry has sent over the Wall, he grasps the opportunity. The boys begin a secret friendship, evading the authorities using lemon juice as invisible ink to share hidden messages. They soon realise that a bold plot to carve a tunnel under the wall is the only way out for Jakob – and it's time to put their friendship to the test. Just how much are they prepared to risk for each other – and for freedom? 'A real page turner which will keep you reading long after you should have turned out the light!' Independent Book Reviews – Fiona Sharp 'It has everything a school Library Manager could possibly hope for in a book to recommend to their students. It gives the reader historical knowledge. It is an adventure. It is thrilling. The pacing is perfect. There is no bad language' Dudley School Librarian