Good Reads Years 3 & 4

Here are some books that you might like to read:

Beryl Goes Wild by Jane Simmons

When Beryl escapes from the lorry taking her to the abattoir, she finds a new and rather frightening world. A world of wild pigs, where she makes a friend called Amber, meets the Sisterhood of the Mystic Boar and goes on an epic journey. Beryl Goes Wild introduces children to many sensitive themes during her journey. It is a truly powerful book on many levels.

The Dread Pirate Fleur and the Ruby Heart by Sara Starbuck

With a feisty heroine and a sea-savvy partner in piracy Tom, this action packed and fast paced adventure will appeal to both girls and boys. Following a death and the discovery of a dark family secret orphaned Fleur finds her sea legs and a thirst for adventure. 

The Talent Thief by Alex Williams

A fast-paced, thrilling first novel by BAFTA award winner Alex Williams. Packed with thrills, spills, daring high-speed chases and compelling characters. The Talent Thief is an extraordinary tale of peril and adventure from a far-from ordinary new talent in children’s books.

The Savage by David Almond

Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. Prize winning novelist David Almond has a rare ability to seamlessly blend magic and reality in stories. Teamed up with illustrator Dave McKean the two have created a powerful, moving and original story told in words and pictures. Asked to write a story, Blue writes about the harsh realities of his own life including facing up to the Hopper, the town bully and coming to terms with his own grief.

The  Story of Matthew Buzzington by Andy Stanton

The bestselling creator of Mr Gum turns his hand to a wildly fanciful story about a boy with a very unusual power; he can turn himself into a fly. Matthew Buzzington’s adventures including getting locked into school and dealing with the big robber and the little robber. And dealing with becoming a fly.  This book has a  reading age of 8+ but an interest age of 9-11

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Meet four very unusual children each with three things in common – all orphans, all incredibly talented and all utterly and completely honest. Akin to Lemony Snicket readers are plunged head-first into a world of puzzles and logic, testing their ingenuity and cunning as well as that of the four children. It’s fast-paced, with a superb plot.

Ice Shock by M G Harris

Josh thought the worst was over - but it hasn't even started... Josh is even more certain now that his father's death was no accident - and he's starting to wonder if he can really trust his closest allies. When he learns of a secret buried within the Ix Codex, he must journey back to the secret Mexican city of Ek Naab. Shocking news awaits him about the mysterious Bracelet of Itzamna. Did Josh's dad really take it? And where is it now? Josh has no idea what's waiting for him...

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Liam is too big for his boots, for his football strip, and for his school blazer. Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job? This is a roller coaster adventure that takes him up into space with a handful of other children and their parents. It’s an hilarious journey of discovery as Liam hurtles around the world finding out exactly what makes children and adults different.

The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams

Touching, funny and full of insight, this tender story tells how Dennis decides that everyone does not have to be the same. Bravely, he decides to do something completely different. Taking a risk he reinvents himself and begins to see the world in a whole new way. Quentin Blake’s illustrations capture the exhilarating liberation that Dennis feels.

Stone Heart by Charlie Fletcher

Deep in the City something had been woken, so old that people had been walking past it for centuries without giving it a second look!' When George breaks the dragon's head outside the Natural History Museum he awakes an ancient power. This prehistoric beast, sentry-still for centuries, hunts him down with a terrifying wrath. And this is just the beginning! The taints and spits -- statues with opposing natures -- are warring forces; wreaking deadly havoc on the city landscape. The World War One gunner offers protection of sorts; and the wisdom of the Sphinx is legendary. But George and his companion Edie are trapped in a world of danger. And worse -- they are quite alone. The rest of London is oblivious to their plight. This epic adventure exposes forces long-layered in the fabric of London. After entering its richly original and breathtaking world, the city streets and skyline will never again seem the same!

Tollins by Conn Iggulden

It's Peter Pan with attitude as Conn Iggulden, creator of the phenomenal bestseller The Dangerous Book for Boys, introduces an explosive and magical new fictional world of the Tollins – flying creatures that aren’t fairies! - all beautifully illustrated in full colour by Lizzy Duncan. Complete with thrilling stories of danger and derring-do, glorious drawings, maps and diagrams, this is more than a fantastic fiction debut for children, it's also the definitive guide to these remarkable little flying creatures. Just don't ever call them fairies!

Iggy and Me by Jenny Valentine

Funny and touching and with a brilliant understanding of the delicate balance within families, this  captures the daily lives of two absolutely contemporary little sisters. Narrated by Flo, a very tolerant o lder sister, each of the eight stories relates a specific episode in the life of her younger sister who  has renamed herself Iggy.

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

Kenneth is a little rabbit with a very big problem. His two best friends are heading for a battle of legendary proportions - with each other! In one corner there's Graeme, a well-read and cultured dragon, with sophisticated tastes and no stomach for battle. In the other, there's George, a retired knight and dragon slayer who would be content to spend the rest of his days in his bookshop with a pipe and a good book. But when the townsfolk catch wind there's a dragon running loose in the countryside, and call George out of retirement, the stage is set. And it's up to Kenny to avert disaster. A fun-filled, thoroughly theatrical spin on a classic tale of subterfuge and showmanship.

Foul Play by Tom Palmer

Danny is obsessed with two things: football, and investigating crimes. So when England and City footballing hero Sam Roberts is reported missing the day after Danny saw him being taken, blindfolded, into the bowels of the City FC stadium late at night, he's determined to get to the bottom of it. But is Danny getting into something he can't handle?

Tom also writes a series of books for younger children and is one of the exciting authors who are running workshops during our Literature Festival 14-18 June 2010