Special Collections

The Silver Blade

With Sido safely in England and the Terror at it's height, Yann returns to France to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. But when Sido is kidnapped, he must use all his strength and courage to outwit the evil Count Kalliovski, and rescue her for a second time. Set against a vivid historical background, prize winning author Sally Gardner brings to life the horrors of the French Revolution in this breath-taking adventure, complete with intrepid heroism and a touching love story. Perfect for 9+ readers and fans of The Red Necklace and I, Coriander.Read by Janet Suzman(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 04/14/2022

The Letter with the Golden Stamp

From Onjali Q. Rauf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes another incredible story, told with humour and heart. Touching on the challenges navigated by children caring for loved ones at home, this story brings into focus their hardships and worries, alongside the unexpected, invisible sources of kindness which can change their lives.10-year-old Audrey has a secret. A secret no one - not her friends, her teachers, not even her neighbours - knows about. And to keep it hidden she has become one of the best actresses on the planet. As soon as she steps out of the front door, the show is on, and all the world becomes her stage! No-one would ever guess that she is a nurse and doctor for her mam, the family food shopper (and sometimes shoplifter), a medicines collector, and even bedtime-reader for her younger siblings.But when Audrey's mam gets sicker, things go from difficult to impossible. If Mam's condition doesn't improve, there's a chance the family will be separated. And so Audrey becomes determined to find a way of to get her mam the best treatment available, so that they won't ever need to be apart. The only problem is, the treatment will cost her thousands. Thousands that Audrey doesn't have.As Audrey sets about trying to make her dream for her family come true with a plan that involves her precious stamp collection, an unsuspecting postal system, and a journey all the way from Wales to London, someone else on the street embarks on a secret mission of their own. One that will alter Audrey's life - and that of her family - forever.

Date Added: 05/06/2024

Lily Grim and the City of Undone

Lily Grim's life is a mystery. She has lived with her guardian Gabriel, in their rundown second-hand shop in the City of Undone, for as long as she can remember.

For years, the city-dwellers have lived in uneasy discord with The Others—a community of wanderers forced to shelter within the city walls, after they were driven from their nomadic camps in the wilderness. But Undone is a dark and dangerous place to live, especially if you're an Other: feared for their special gifts, they are persecuted by the cruel Master of the City, and taken to the Ring—a prison from which few ever return.

When the Master captures Gabriel and throws him into the Ring, Lily is saved by a young Other boy called Dekka. He introduces her to a whole Otherworld that exists beneath the City of Undone. To her astonishment Lily discovers she is an Other, too—with powerful gifts—and is now in grave danger: because the Master wants her dead. But why?

Can Lily find answers about who she is, and where she's from. And can the new friends rescue Gabriel, before it's too late?

Date Added: 05/12/2023

Tariq and the Drowning City

The first story in an action-packed fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons aged 9+Time is running out. When crops fail and a new plague spreads across the land of Osha, Tariq has a troubling vision - an ancient prophesy is coming true. He travels to the capital city of Ethrial to warn the leaders of an impending flood, but no one listens. It's up to the seer and his new friends, an elf scientist and a dwarf soldier, to take matters into their own hands. Venturing off on an epic quest, the unlikely trio must find a magical moonstone and use its powers to prevent a tidal wave from wiping out the city. But they aren't the only ones seeking to find the moonstone . . . and not everyone wants to use its ancient powers to save Ethrial . . .This pacy adventure blends themes of classic fantasy, Indian mythology, climate emergency and steampunk imagery to create a richly imagined world.

Date Added: 05/06/2024

Wandi

A young cub is snatched from his family and home by a giant eagle, then dropped, injured and alone, in a suburban garden. This is where he meets his first Human, and begins his long journey to becoming the most famous dingo in the world. He will never see his mountain home again, or his family. But it is his destiny to save alpine dingoes from extinction, and he dreams of a time when all cubs like him can live in the wild in safety, instead of facing poison and bullets and hatred. A children's literary classic in-the-making from one of Australia's most-loved authors is brought to life by Helpmann and AACTA award-winning actress Marta Dusseldorp.

Date Added: 05/25/2022

Horrid Henry and the Secret Club

Includes four hilarious unabridged stories with really horrid music and sound effects :-Horrid Henry's InjectionHorrid Henry and the Secret ClubPerfect Peter's Horrid DayHorrid Henry's Birthday PartyRead by Miranda Richardson(P)2004 Orion Publishing Group.Ltd

Date Added: 03/30/2022

The Dragon and Her Boy

A story of a the very last living dragon, stuck living in a tunnel under London, and the boy who unintentionally finds himself as her protector. When Stick discovers there is a dragon living underneath the streets of London, he finds himself unintentionally drawn into an epic adventure and a quest -- but how can he find a place for a dragon to live in London when dragons aren't supposed to exist? And with foes at every corner who want to exploit the dragon for themselves, it's going to take a daring plan and a bit of help for Stick to find a safe place for his dragon -- and for himself.

Date Added: 05/23/2022

When I Feel Red

'I feel like I'm always ... last. Like I'm running to try and keep up with everyone but it's no good.'April has always marched to the beat of her own drum, but would life be easier if she learned to fit in? Now that she's in Year 8, things have got even worse. She's much more likely to be trying to rescue an animal in need than worrying about who's dating who at school, which April just finds BORING. Plus, her lessons feel like they're in a foreign language, and it suddenly seems impossible to make it through the week without landing in detention.As family worries and classroom romances ramp up, it feels like everyone around her is pulling away - even her best friend Ben. But when the pressure's on, can she find a way to fit in and still be true to herself? An empowering follow up to When I See Blue about finding your place in the world from the inspiring author and mental health activist, Lily Bailey. Perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll.'An authentic and tender look at fitting in when you don't and being true to yourself' - A.M. Dassu'This is a vivid account of being out of step with your peers, not limited to discussions about dyslexia and dyspraxia' - The Guardian

Date Added: 05/06/2024