Claire Fayers - Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine - Blog Tour - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Welcome to readers and all sixty-seven cousins of Tapper Watson as we embark on another exciting Blog Tour stop. Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine is one of our favourite reads of the year. Therefore, we’re delighted to have a post from the author introducing The World of Tapper Watson – A Guide for New Adventurers and really hope that you enjoy finding out more. You can also read our raving review for the book HERE. 

The book is due to be published by all eight limbs of the publishing house (otherwise known as Firefly Press) on the 7th September 2023. Hope you enjoy it and see you on the next BIG ADVENTURE! 

Greetings, adventurers and welcome to Swansea, the capital of Earth and home to Earth’s only portal into the river Lethe.

Before you travel, there are a few things you should know.

SMILE - the Swansea Multiworld Institute of Lethe Exploration is situated on the far side of Swansea Bay. SMILE is Earth’s largest exploration and research centre, attracting visitors from hundreds of different worlds. The guards here have many powers: to grant and revoke submarine licenses, to confiscate goods and even issue arrest warrants. They take their jobs very seriously. It is said that the only thing a SMILE guard cannot do is actually smile, so please do not annoy them.

Submarines – These, of course, are our means of travel between worlds. We exit Earth via Swansea Bay and you may experience a momentary weight loss as you enter the Lethe. Your vessel will be fully equipped with the latest artificial gravity so do not worry.

The Lethe – The great space river is our pathway to a thousand other worlds. It is, of course, named after the Greek river of forgetfulness. You knew that, didn’t you? You will also know that the Lethe’s waters contain the memories of everyone who has ever lived, and that drinking a single drop will strip every memory out of your head. Submarines are tightly sealed so there is no cause for alarm, however, if you do notice a drop of water on your person, do not panic, but keep your mouth tightly shut and report to your submarine captain, using Morse Code, or mime.

Morse Code – As you are all aware, radio waves upset the waters of the Lethe, causing riverstorms, and so all submarines communicate by Morse Code. I assume you are all fluent in Morse, but if not, I suggest you brush up on your skills quickly.

Echolings – The memories in the Lethe are in constant motion and as they collide, they merge to create strange new shapes. Don’t be surprised if you spot a duck with an elephant’s trunk, or a teapot floating past your submarine window. Despite recent warnings of “incidents”, echolings are not alive and they are not dangerous. Most of them are insubstantial, like ghosts, and the few that take solid form will simply bounce away from the submarine. 

Worlds – Our first stop will be the octopod world, Zymandia. Take time to enjoy the pastel rivers and the curious towns on stilts. The low gravity means you will see the octopods flying. Please do not try to fly yourselves, the gravity is not that low.

From Zymandia, we will proceed to the fire world of Cassini where the dragonlike inhabitants have evolved scales that change colour according to their mood. Remember – a pale dragona is an angry dragona.

Our final stop will be a shopping trip to Eris. We allowed extra time for this as the Erisean merchants will ask you about your families and tell you all about theirs before letting you buy anything. A large family is a sign of status on Eris and it’s customary to have at least eight brothers and sisters.

Thank you for listening to this safety announcement. Now, please buckle up and enjoy the ride.

John Tarrow - The Stranger's Guide to Talliston (Talliston House & Gardens) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

The Stranger's Guide to Talliston is a YA fantasy adventure novel set inside ‘Britain’s Most Extraordinary Home’ (Sunday Times): the internationally famous Talliston House & Gardens. The book written by John Tarrow is an adventure like no other just to match the real-life setting. A journey into the unknown and back. A book we think you should READ. One of the best-hidden secrets. Published by Unbound UK. Purchase a signed 1st edition HERE

THE BLURB & BIO

Abandoned and alone, thirteen-year-old Joe’s world is shattered when he enters a deserted council house and becomes trapped within a labyrinth protecting the last magical places on earth. There, Joe discovers a book charting this immense no-man’s land, without time or place, its thirteen doors each leading to a different realm. Hunted by sinister foes, Joe is forced ever deeper into both the maze and the mystery of his missing parents. What will he find at the labyrinth’s centre, and can it reunite him with the family he so desperately needs?

 

John Tarrow is a novelist, poet, storyteller and award-winning writer. His fascination with folk and faerie tales has taken him around the world, gathering threads of story and legend to weave into his own mythologies. He spent twenty-five years transforming a three-bedroom, semi-detached, ex-council house in Essex into the world-famous Talliston House and Gardens.

DAN WALKER - THE LAST MONSTER - EXCLUSIVE BOOK COVER REVEAL - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Today we are really excited to REVEAL the stunning new book cover for Dan Walker's latest novel. We will be sharing it here and on social media. We are also doing a fantastic giveaway on our Twitter account @Enchantedbooks to win a great prize (see pinned Tweet for more details). 

This August, UCLan will be publishing the amazing MG adventure story, The Last Monster, by Dan Walker who is also the author of the Sky Thieves series. Anyway, this is the sequel to last year's book, The Light Hunters, which was also absolutely brilliant. With this new adventure, you can expect another fun and thrilling time - it's sure to be a hit with young readers looking for some much-needed escapism. The book cover has been created by the talented George Ermos who is one of my favourite book illustrators. He's produced so many great book covers - we absolutely LOVE this cover! 

Here is the blurb for the book to get you even more excited for the publication. 

The Light Hunters have fought Monsters for centuries and Squad Juno are the very best at it. From cities to villages, the young group’s abilities are on show for all to see now that their powers don’t have to be used in secret. Every victory they have prevents a Monster from taking more victims, preventing more loss.

Lux Dowd, Squad Juno’s healer, has had more than enough loss... But a more immediate loss is that of his powers. Lux can’t – or won’t – heal his teammates. Whenever he tries, a terrible energy comes from within and hurts the people around him. Lux can’t afford to lose anymore of those he cares about.

Sent on a mission that could end their war against the Monsters, the Light Hunters soon find themselves making new allies in their quest to unearth an ancient secret that may be able to stop the attacks. Could this really be the last monster they fight?

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Publisher 2020 - Winners Post

Hello Everybody. We had a lockdown idea to find your favourite children's publisher by giving you the chance to vote from 24 different children's publishers. Overall, we had an amazing response with the contest receiving over two thousand votes. Over half of these were from the final where more than 1200 votes were cast. It has been really exciting to watch and follow over the last five weeks. The whole experience has been a real privilege and a pleasure to host.




I would like to thank everybody involved in this all the publishers, authors, and voters for sharing and supporting this little adventure. A story of Winners and no losers.  We have had fun and excitement at times like these it's great to see the love for our children's book community once again. We love you. 

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books would love to take this opportunity to Congratulate CRANACHAN PUBLISHING for winning the first-ever favourite Children's Publisher of the year 2020. You are the shining jewel in the Scottish Crown of publishing.  Thank you all once again and enjoy your day. 

HarperCollins Children's Books: BIG NEW BOOK DEAL FOR DAVID BADDIEL ANNOUNCED

HarperCollins Children’s Books, home of the blockbuster fiction brands, looks to the long-term with new multi-book deal for David Baddiel publishing to 2019.

With their proven track record of publishing the biggest names in the children’s market, Children’s Publisher of the Year HarperCollins Children’s Books is delighted to announce the acquisition of a new multi-book deal with David Baddielthe author, screenwriter, stand-up comedian, and now bestselling children’s author. The first under the new deal, AniMalcolm, will publish on the 29^th September 2016, with simultaneous e-book and audiobook launches.  The audiobook will be read by David himself.  

World Rights were acquired by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins Children’s books, from Georgia Garrett at RCW. Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning illustrator, Jim Field, will continue to illustrate the books, having worked on both of David’s previous titles.

Supported by a global publishing vision and long-term growth strategy, David has celebrated unprecedented commercial and critical success since he debuted into the world of children’s literature in 2014. 

Combined sell-through across all formats for his two novels, The Parent Agency & The Person Controller stands at over 220,000 copies in the UK. Including sales of his World Book Day £1 story The Boy Who Could Do What He Liked, David’s books have now reached over 300,000 readers in the UK alone*. On the global stage, translation rights have been secured across 21 international territories and Fox 2000 recently announced it had acquired film rights to The Parent Agency in a major deal.

Described by the Guardian as, “Funny, sometimes moving, always engaging”, The Parent Agency was the biggest hardback middle grade debut of 2014 and won the inaugural LOLLIES Award for favourite laugh-out-loud book in the 9 – 13 category in June 2016.

Hardback sales of the follow-up title, The Person Controller (published Oct 15), surpassed those of its predecessor by more than 33%. The recently published paperback version has sold a staggering 47,000 copies through TCM since March* – a standout performance in the children’s fiction market.

Delighting readers with his high concept, wish-fulfilment adventures, David has captured the imaginations of children and garnered the power of the playground buzz. This is set to continue with David’s next novel AniMalcolm, the story of a boy who really doesn’t wish for what happens to him.  A cinematic adventure with all the laugh-out-loud humour and real heart of David’s brilliant storytelling, this is the tale of Malcolm, a boy whose upbringing in a pet-mad family has somewhat turned him off animals… which is why it’s so challenging when a magic goat transforms him into a series of them.  

“David Baddiel has taken the children's book world by storm! He combines his incredible literary talent with audacious and original storytelling for kids which together with his high octane humour have made his books a massive hit with his growing band of young Baddiel fans”, commented Executive Publisher, Ann-Janine Murtagh. “His latest novel is a testament to that - a hugely imaginative adventure with a Home Alone meets Animal Farm twist! We are truly delighted to have signed David for three more books which sets us up for brilliant publishing in the years ahead and is destined to make David Baddiel a major children's author brand in the future.”

Book News: #1 New York Times Bestselling Veronica Roth's New Book, Carve the Mark Out January 17th 2017

Announcing Carve the Markby #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Veronica Roth Fans of Star Wars and Divergent will revel in internationally bestselling author Veronica Roth's stunning new series. On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others' control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world? Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra's currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother's hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows. Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another. Carve the Mark is on sale January 17th, 2017—pre-order your copy now!

Mr Ripley's Book Review: Nick Handel - Newskids on the Net - Published by Troubador Publishing

Nick Handel is a former award-winning BBC producer. His 30 years of experience and creativity has helped to form and develop 'Newskids on the Net' as a thriller for children. This book was first published in 2008 and after much demand is now being reborn again.

Aimed at the 9-13 year old audience, Nick captured the story for this age-range brilliantly. Full of deadly adventure, strange kidnappings, late night stakeouts and secret recordings, the reader is propelled into a thrilling and original plot. I was captivated and I feel quite sure that any reluctant readers would find it hard not to be intrigued. We may soon find that garden sheds everywhere have an additional function as a newsroom that are run by, and for, children.

A range of subject areas were sensitively handled and explored within this book. Many children may find themselves being able to relate to some of these elements. However, these were also balanced alongside humorous and light-hearted issues to create a fun and engaging read.

The story is set in England at a time when the World Cup is finally being hosted by the home nation. Around this time the main character, Max Taylor, creates a TV station in his dad's garden shed as a community news programme. Before they know it they soon become unlikely candidates for not just presenting, but actually becoming the news. Unexpectedly they uncover a match fixing plot which throws them into a deadly adventure. Will they be able to save England's World Cup dreams or will it be shattered by corruption and bad press?

The ending leads to a nerve tingling climax and an exclusive scoop. Globally, Max and his team soon become local and national heroes. The world gets to hear their voice and story about what really did happen.

With christmas on the horizon, this would be a great book for any children interested in a career in media and entertainment. This book has been released and is out now in bookstores to purchase. Watch out for multi-functional sheds everywhere!

More details check out the dedicated website: Here or if you would like to buy a signed copy: Here

Ransom Riggs - 'Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children' Sequel Hollow City and Other News

                                   

                                       

This is an image possibly from the front cover of "Miss Peregrine's" sequel, "Hollow City," which picks up right where the first book left off, following the merry band of peculiar orphans as they travel to London in search of answers.

Who is this stern young man, and why is he lurking in this open door in a pair of the world's most high-waisted trousers? We've no idea, but you can bet the answer is something strange—in the "Miss Peregrine's" universe, it's always something weird. (Perhaps he's come in from out-of-doors to tell us that there's a hollowgast lurking in the yard.) Either way, he'll be waiting to meet you in the pages of "Hollow City" when it comes out January 2014.

Also other connected news: Fox also announced that Peregrine's Home for Peculiars will hit big screen July 31, 2015. The film, based on Ransom Riggs' debut novel, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, will be directed by Tim Burton from a script by X-Men: First Class writer Jane Goldman. The story follows a teenage boy who is transported to an island where he must help protect a group of orphans with special powers from creatures out to destroy them.

Film News: Relativity Signs Mikael Håfström To Direct Epic Adventure Film Tunnels Written By Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

                                           

THE BEST NEWS SO FAR THIS YEAR - Congratulations Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams.

Relativity Media announced today they have signed Mikael Håfström (The Tomb, 1408) to direct a film based on the New York Times' best-selling, internationally-acclaimed fantasy adventure book series Tunnels. The script by Andrew Lobel is based on the adapted screenplay originally written by Joel Bergvall & Simon Sandquist. Tunnels is the film adaptation of the first installment of the novel series from Scholastic/Chicken House publishing, by authors Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams, which has sold over one million copies and has been published in nearly forty countries worldwide.

The authors have already completed five sequels with the sixth and final book in the series, Terminal, to be published in the U.S. this fall. The property was unearthed by Barry Cunningham, the man credited with discovering "Harry Potter" creator J.K. Rowling and whose boutique Chicken House imprint is part of Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and the U.S. publisher of the "Harry Potter" and "The Hunger Games" series.

Tunnels is a thrilling, epic fantasy adventure for all ages. Beneath the streets of London, two teenage boys discover an incredible, hidden underground world where a secret civilization has been desperately waiting for a hero to save them all. The deeper they go, the closer they get to unearthing an evil that could destroy the world above and put an end to the lives they once lived.

Tunnels is being produced by Mark Canton (300, Immortals), Neil Canton (Back to the Future) and Danny Davids alongside Relativity's CEO Ryan Kavanaugh (The Fighter). Relativity's President Tucker Tooley (The Fighter) will executive produce with Kelly Dennis (1408). Atmosphere's David Hopwood will serve as co-producer.

Cunningham said, "Only a few times in my life have I felt that rush of imagination in a story that I know is going to sweep up an audience in its grip, 'Tunnels' made me believe in adventure, bravery and a new world."

Tooley said, "Andrew has written an incredible script and Mikael brings a creative and powerful vision to this project. The 'Tunnels' novels have proven to be one of the most immensely exciting adventure series in recent years and we can’t wait to translate that excitement to the big screen."

"The originality of the book and its sequels, which uniquely combine the adventure of Indiana Jones with the magic of Narnia, along with its franchise potential, is what attracted Relativity, Neil, Danny and myself to 'Tunnels' and I'm delighted to be producing it with them," Mark Canton added. "Having just finished 'The Tomb' with Mikael Hafstrom, I know first hand that he's the perfect person to direct this epic fantasy, and Andrew Lobel's script has captured every bit of the incredible world that Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams have created."

"Barry Cunningham clearly has a keen eye for spotting authors whose epic stories appeal to readers of all ages around the globe," said Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade. "Scholastic is proud to be the American publisher of the bestselling 'Tunnels' series, and we look forward to seeing this underground and imaginative world expand through film."

News: Shortlist for Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2013

          

The shortlist for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, created to reward and champion new and emerging talent in children’s writing has been announced. Now in its ninth year, the Prize consists of three categories: picture books; fiction for ages 5-12; and teen books, to reflect the breadth of quality in children’s books. Six books will compete within each category to be crowned category winner, with the three category winners then vying for the overall title of Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2013.

Picture Books:

• Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb (Macmillan Children’s Books)
• Rabbityness by Jo Empson (Child’s Play)
• Oh No George! by Chris Haughton (Walker)
• The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie (Simon & Schuster)
• The Journey Home by Frann Preston-Gannon (Pavilion Children’s Books)
• Can You See Sassoon? by Sam Usher (Little Tiger Press)

Fiction 5-12

• The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable (Chicken House)
• Atticus Claw Breaks the Law by Jennifer Gray (Faber and Faber)
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Random House Children’s Books)
• The Secret Hen House Theatre by Helen Peters (Nosy Crow)
• The Chronicles of Egg: Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff Rodkey (Puffin)
• Barry Loser: I Am Not A Loser by Jim Smith (Egmont)

Teen

• Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Random House Children’s Books)
• Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt (Egmont)
• Insignia by S.J. Kincaid (Hot Key Books)
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury Children’s)
• Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher (Indigo)
• Geekhood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind by Andy Robb (Little Tiger Press)

The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize is unique in that it is voted for by booksellers across the country. Final judging is currently underway.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 21st March. The winner of each category will receive £2,000 with the overall winner picking up an additional £3,000.

NEWS:BLOOMSBURY LAUNCHES HOOKED ON BOOKS

On Friday 9^th March Bloomsbury will formally launch its new Facebook page, Hooked on Books. The page will focus on Bloomsbury ’s young adult fiction and will feature news, events, giveaways and extras.  

The Hooked on Books logo will be unveiled on Friday morning and a day of exclusive news about summer 2012 super-lead, Burn Mark by Laura Powell , will follow. Be the first to read an extract from the book, find out about Laura, win a proof copy and see the jacket.

‘Like’ us at www.facebook.com/hookedonbooks

You can also ‘follow’ us at www.twitter.com/hooked_books

Press Release: HarperCollins Signs Chris Columbus For New Book Series

                                                 

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS SIGNS DIRECTOR CHRIS COLUMBUS FOR NEW BOOK SERIES

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER TO PEN MIDDLE-GRADE SERIES WITH BESTSELLING

TEEN AUTHOR NED VIZZINI

New York, NY/ London (January 5, 2012)—HarperCollins Publishers announced today that it has preempted rights to a three-book middle-grade series, House of Secrets by iconic Hollywood director and producer Chris Columbus, co-authored by acclaimed young adult novelist Ned Vizzini. This is Columbus’s debut series for young readers with the first book slated for global publication in Spring 2013.

Master storytellers Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini have created a high-stakes fantasy,” said Balzer. “From the very first page I knew we had to publish this series. It’s an incredibly imaginative adventure with clever plot twists and nonstop action—not to mention a family that readers will immediately fall in love with. House of Secrets has all the hallmarks of a new classic."

Denwood added, “Combining classic adventure with sublime offbeat humor, and with three brilliant siblings at its heart, this has the potential to be the next big series. It's going to be epic.”

“The opportunity to write this novel is a dream come true," said Columbus. "I have lived with the characters of this novel and their world for many years, and was saving them for something very special. Working on House of Secrets with Ned has been a thrill.”

The Pagett kids had it all: loving parents, a big house in San Francisco, all the latest video games . . . But everything changed when their father lost his job as a result of an inexplicable transgression. Now the family is moving into Kristoff House, a mysterious place built nearly acentury earlier by a troubled fantasy writer with a penchant for the occult. Suddenly the siblings find themselves launched on an epic journey into a mash-up world born of Kristoff's dangerous imagination, to retrieve a dark book of untold power, uncover the Pagett family's secret history and save their parents . . . and maybe even the world.

News: Joseph Delaney - New Book Deal For Random House

                        
HOT OFF THE PRESS!! 

Random House Children's Books is delighted to announce the acquisition of world rights in a four-book deal from Joseph Delaney. The first title Delaney will publish as part of the four-book deal is Slither, a terrifying stand-alone horror novel which will appeal to his existing fan base and lure in many new ones.

Delaney has decided that the twelfth book in the Wardstone Chronicles series, which will publish in 2013, will be the last.


I Am Grimalkin, the latest, brillilant instalment in Joseph Delaney's Wardstone Chronicles sequence. If you're not already a follower of the series then this book is also a great way in. It's a bit of a departure in that it's narrated by Grimalkin, the fearsome witch assassin herself, rather than Tom Ward the Spook's apprentice. But it picks up the story where book eight, The Spook's Destiny left off and all the things that make the Spook's books so fantastic are present and correct as usual; pace, tension, great characters and someseriously scary scenes. Joe loves writing Grimalkin as much as we love reading about her. This one is not for the faint-hearted, believe me, this kick-ass assassin does not suffer fools gladly and the body count is high!

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize Short List 2010

• Flyaway by Lucy Christopher - Published By Chicken House
• In this touching novel for ages 10+, Lucy Christopher explores the remarkable bond between a young girl, a boy and a damaged wild bird - a relationship that will touch everyone who reads it. While visiting her father in hospital, thirteen-year-old Isla meets Harry, the first boy to understand her and her love of the outdoors. But Harry is ill, and as his health fails, Isla is determined to help him in the only way she knows how. Together they watch a lone swan struggling to fly on the lake outside Harry's window. 

• The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh - Published By Chicken House - See Book Review
• It's 1347 and fifteen-year-old Will, an orphan boy, lives at Crowfield Abbey. Sent into the forest to gather wood, he rescues instead, a creature from a trap - a hob, who shares with Will a terrible secret. Somewhere in the forest behind the abbey where he lives,is a grave. And buried deep in the snow is an angel. But how can an angel die? What has it to do with the monks of the Abbey? When two hooded strangers arrive at Crowfield asking questions about the angel's grave. Will is drawn into a world of dangerous Old

• The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester - Published By Macmillan
• Piper McCloud can fly. Just like that. Easy as pie. Problem is, the good folk of Lowland County are afraid of Piper. And her ma’s at her wits' end. So it seems only fitting that she leave her parents’ farm to attend a top-secret, maximum-security school for kids with exceptional abilities, whose skills range from super-strength to super-genius. But Piper is special, even among the special. And there are consequences. Consequences too dire to talk about. Too crazy to consider. And too dangerous to ignore.
• 
  
  By turns exhilarating and terrifying, an unforgettable story of defiance and courage starring an irrepressible heroine who can, who will, who must . . . fly.
  
  
  

• Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur  - Published By Puffin
• Something terrible has happened. Eleven-year-old Aubrey is on her own. ‘It was fun at first, playing house. Nothing to think about but TV and cheese. A perfect world.Â’ SheÂ’s determined to hide away and take care of herself, because facing the truth is too much to bear. ‘I couldnÂ’t let anyone know that I was alone. I was staying right here.Â’ But with the love of her grandmother and the letters she writes, can Aubrey begin to see that even though sheÂ’s lost everything – all is not lost?

• The Seven Sorcerers by Caro King -  Published By Quercus - See Book Review
• Nin had never liked Wednesdays, but this one took the biscuit. On this Wednesday she woke up to find that it was raining buckets and that her brother had ceased to exist. Nin realizes she is the only person to remember Toby because whoever took him is about to make her disappear too. Enter Skerridge the Bogeyman, who steals kids for Mr. Strood. With his spindle, he draws all memories of Nin out of her mother's head. She escapes to the Drift, a land filled with the fabulous and the dreadful. What is the sorcerers' secret and will Nin and Toby escape their fate at the House of Strood?

• The Toymaker by Jeremy De Quidt - Published By David Fickling
• What good is a toy that will wind down? What if you could put a heart in one? A real heart. One that beat and beat and didn't stop. What couldn't you do if you could make a toy like that? From the moment Mathias becomes the owner of a mysterious piece of paper, he is in terrible danger. Entangled in devious plots and pursued by the sinister Doctor Leiter and his devilish toys, Mathias finds himself on a quest to uncover a deadly secret.

• Meteorite Strike by A.G. Taylor - Published By Usborne - See Book Review
• Sarah and Robert are sure their number is up when their aeroplane crashes over the Australian desert. But this is no ordinary air disaster. A meteorite strike has impacted Earth, bringing with it a deadly alien disease. Thousands fall victim to the virus, falling into a deep coma. Luckily, Robert and Sarah appear to be unaffected - until they begin to exhibit some extraordinary psychic side-effects. This quickly makes them a target for HIDRA, a rogue international agency determined to experiment on them like lab rats in an attempt to control their superpowers. Before long, the children are captured in HIDRA's secret desert HQ, a prison for superhuman kids who can control fire, create storms and tear steel with their minds. This new generation of superheroes must join forces if they are to escape HIDRA. But what kind of world awaits them outside?

• The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies. - Published By Simon & Schuster
• A very natural and honest version of life's events from the perspective of a young girl - from her suspicions about her neighbours, to her rocky friendship with the girl next door; from the sudden death of her beloved granny to her relentless quest for a pet hamster, only to then find it mysteriously slaughtered - which kickstarts a local investigation of 'suspects'. This is the first in a proposed series of short novels featuring the same characters and setting - with the themes of pets and detective work holding them together.

• Desperate Measures by Laura Summers - Published By Piccadilly Press 
• Vicky and Rhianna are twins but they couldn’t be more different. For their fourteenth birthday, Vicky wants a card from the hottest boy in school. Rhianna, brain-damaged at birth, wants a Furby. Instead they get a nasty shock – their foster parents can’t cope and it looks as if Vicky and Rhianna and their younger brother Jamie will have to be split up. How can they stay together? Desperate times call for desperate measures…

  Do you have your favorite?


Goog luck to you all! The winner will be announced on Wednesday 10 February.