Older readers — Holiday Reading 2010
Almond, David My name is Mina
“I keep on saying that I’ll write a journal. So I’ll start right here, right now. I open the book and write the very first words: My name is Mina and I love the night.”David Almond revisits Mina before she has met Michael or Skellig, in what is a thought-provoking and extraordinary prequel to his best-selling debut novel, Skellig.
Boyne, John Noah Barleywater Runs Away
Noah is running away from his problems, or at least that’s what he thinks, the day he takes the untrodden path through the forest. When he comes across a very unusual toyshop and meets the even more unusual toymaker he’s not sure what to expect. But the toymaker has a story to tell, a story full of adventure, and wonder and broken promises.
Colfer, Eoin Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis complex
Artemis is behaving strangely - he seems different. Something terrible has happened to him…Artemis Fowl has become nice. The fairies diagnose Atlantis Complex. Can Holly get the real Artemis back before robot probes destroy every human and life form?
Creech, Sharon Unfinished angel
In the ancient stone tower of the Casa Rosa, in a tiny village high in the Swiss Alps, life for one angel has been the same for as long as she (or he?) can remember. Until Zola arrives, a determined American girl who wears three skirts all at once.
Cushman, Karen Alchemy and Meggy Swann
In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute Meggy Swann goes to London, where she meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, and eventually discovers that although her legs are bent and weak, she has many other strengths.
Dakin, Glenn Candle man
Theo Wickland lives a life of isolation - he has only ever known three people: his butler, his maid and his guardian. Two societies are hunting for him: onewill protect and help him and one wants to harness his power for evil.
Ewing, Garen Rainbow orchid, Vol. 1
In Volume One, follow the story’s hero, Julius Chancer, as he embarks on a hazardous quest for the rainbow orchid - a mythical flower last mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher, Theophrastus, and steeped in legend. His epic journey takes him from 1920s Britain to the Indian subcontinent and its mysterious lost valleys.
French, Jackie Oracle
Nikko lives in a small farming village in Greece near the stronghold of Mycenae in 1200 BC. When his sister Thetis is born, Nikko rescues her from the hillside where she has been abandoned, setting off an unforeseen chain of events.
Gleitzman, Morris Now
Once upon a time there was a boy in a story called Felix. The book was called Once. Then there was another book about him called Then. Now, Morris Gleitzman brings his holocaust trilogy series to an end in an uplifting story called Now.
Griffiths, Andy Very bad book
If you thought ’The Bad Book’ was bad, prepare yourself for something so bad - it’s VERY BAD!
Hunt, Des Crocodile Nest (New Zealand)
Luke Evans never knew his father, so when his internet skills track down someone who could be his dad, living at a luxurious resort in Queensland, Australia, his imagination runs wild. But Luke is shocked when they finally meet, and has some hard lessons to learn as he realises that nobody is perfect and nothing can be accepted at face value. How Luke deals with what he finds will change his life, if he can survive.
Ibbotson, Eva Ogre of Oglefort
When a Hag, an orphan boy and a troll called Ulf get sent to rescue a princess from an ogre, they expect it to be a fairly standard magical mission. But the ogre is depressed, the princess doesn’t want to be rescued - and the ogre’s dead wife is turning in her grave. The Norns who rule their fates decide to take things in hand - will the Ogre meet a bloody end, or will he get a happy ending?
Jacques, Brian Sable Quean
The courageous Redwall creatures band together as Vilaya, the evil Sable Quean, and her horde of vermin attempt to make off with the young animals of the Abbey.
Jones, Diana Wynne Enchanted glass
Aidan Cain has had the worst week of his life. His gran died, he was sent to a foster home, and now malicious beings are stalking him. There is one person Gran told Aidan to go to if he ever got into trouble—a powerful sorcerer who lives at Melstone House.
Kenna, Anna Viola Vincent reporting
The accident that almost killed her mother seals Caitlin’s own destiny. Determined to find out why it happened and who’s to blame, she sets off on a journey that puts her on the wrong side of her family and the law. Then she meets a kick-butt reporter and a ghost from the past and the fun really begins.
Landy, Derek Skulduggery pleasant: mortal coil
The fifth instalment of the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series – guaranteed to contain at least 40% humour, 50% action, and 100% thrills.
Mahy, Margaret Organ music (New Zealand)
A tale of danger, ghosts and secret experiments hidden deep in the forest.
Morpurgo, Michael Elephant in the garden
It’s 1944. Elizabeth’s father is fighting with the German army on the eastern front. Her mother works at Dresden Zoo, where her favourite animal is a young elephant named Marlene. When the zoo director tells her the dangerous animals must be shot to prevent them running amok if the town is bombed, Elizabeth’s mother moves Marlene into the back garden to save her… and then the bombs start to fall.
Mowll, Joshua Great space race
A crazy world domination conspiracy is uncovered and foiled by the most unlikely family on Earth in this highly entertaining and madcap adventure.
Nelson, Sandy Ghosts of Iron Bottom Sound (New Zealand)
Paddy, a young New Zealand schoolboy, becomes so obsessed with a book about the wrecks of warships sunk in World War Two battles at Guadalcanal that he’s lucky not to be killed in a traffic accident. His parents ban him from reading the book. But Paddy can still hear the voices of men who died during the Battle of Savo Island (one of the battles depicted in the book). He is horrified and fascinated, whose voices are they and why are they reaching out to him?
Paulsen, Gary Lawn boy returns
Having expanded his summer lawn-mowing job into an ever-growing business conglomerate, a 12 year old boy gets involved in high finance (thanks to his hippie stockbroker), takes on sponsorship of a boxer, and becomes a media sensation.
Pratchett, Terry I shall wear midnight
As the witch of the Chalk, she performs the bits of witchcraft that aren’t sparkly, aren’t fun, don’t involve any kind of wand, and that people seldom ever hear about. She does the unglamorous work of caring for the needy. But someone — or something — is igniting fear, dark thoughts and angry murmurs against witches. Aided by her tiny blue allies, the Wee Free Men, Tiffany must find the source of this unrest and defeat the evil at its root — before it takes her life. Because if Tiffany falls, the whole Chalk falls with her.
Riordan, Rick Red pyramid
The first book in the new Kane Chronicles series. Sadie and Carter Kane battle Egyptian gods and monsters.
Turner, Megan Whalen Conspiracy of kings
Kidnapped and sold into slavery, Sophos, an unwilling prince, tries to save his country from being destroyed by rebellion and exploited by the conniving Mede empire.
Wilson, Jacqueline Little darlings
Sunset lives a life of luxury with her beautiful ex-model mum, her world-famous ex-rocker dad and two little celeb siblings. Destiny, on the other hand, is an only child living on a rundown estate with a sickly but devoted mum who constantly tells her that she’s really the daughter of a famous former rock star. When the two girls meet in unlikely circumstances, they are surprised to find in each other something they’ve been missing all their lives.