FANTASY BOOKS

/ The Graveyard Book- Neil Gaiman
When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the entire family, who would have thought it would find safety and security in the local graveyard?
The Graveyard Bookfollows the story Nobody "Bod" Owens, a young boy who is adopted and raised by the supernatural occupants of a graveyard after his family is brutally murdered. This book is creepy whilst also being magical and gripping.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Coraline
/ The Dream Snatcher- Abi Elphinstone
Twelve-year-old Molly Pecksniff wakes one night in the middle of the forest, lured there by a recurring nightmare - the one with the drums and the rattles and the masks. The Dreamsnatcher is waiting. He has already taken her dreams and now he wants her life.
The Dream Snatcher has one of the most thrilling opening chapters to a story ever and the book continues to be equally gripping, filled with tension and excitement.
This is the first in a series.
/ Lost Tales- Adam Murphy
In the land of the Mi'kmaq, there lived an invisible warrior who longed to be seen. In the Punjab, there lived a poor hermit who renounced riches. In Brazil, there lived a lonely princess who yearned for a playmate. Uncover these tales of wonder from around the world. From Adam Murphy, creator of CORPSE TALK, comes a collection of the most magical myths and legends you've never heard before...
A graphic novel comprising of folk tales from across the world. Short, fast-paced stories that will capture the imagination of all readers.
/ The Girl of Ink and Stars- Kiran Millwood Hargrave
When Isabella's friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search party. As a mapmaker's daughter, she's equipped with elaborate ink maps and knowledge of the stars, eager to navigate the island's forgotten heart. But beneath the mountains a legendary fire demon awakens, and her journey is fraught with danger...
This is a thrilling adventure story told with a beautiful poetic language, reminiscent of classic fairytales. The main character, Isabella, is a great example of resilience.
ALSO CHECK OUT: The Island at the End of Everything
/ The Many Worlds of Albie Bright- Christopher Edge
When Albie's mum dies, it's natural he should wonder where she's gone. His parents are both scientists and they usually have all the answers. Dad mutters something about Albie's mum being alive and with them in a parallel universe. So Albie finds a box, his mum's computer and a rotting banana, and sends himself through time and space to find her.
Modern Science Fiction with real heart. This book deals with the concept of bereavement in a gentle and tender manner.
ALSO CHECK OUT: The Jamie Drake Equation
/ Artemis Fowl- Eoin Colfer
Twelve-year-old villain, Artemis Fowl, is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. His bold and daring plan is to hold a leprechaun to ransom. But he's taking on more than he bargained for when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance Unit). For a start, leprechaun technology is more advanced than our own. Add to that the fact that Holly is a true heroine and that her senior officer Commander Root will stop at nothing to get her back and you've got the mother of all sieges brewing!
Artemis Fowl is the perfect anti-hero for child readers- a twelve-year-old criminal genius. This book is fast-paced and chock-full of both high-tech gadgets and mythic folklore.
This is the first in a series.
ALSO CHECK OUT: The Artemis Fowl graphic novel
/ My Brother is a Superhero- David Solomons
Luke is a comic-mad eleven-year old who shares a treehouse with his geeky older brother, Zack. Luke's only mistake is to go for a wee right at the wrong time. While he's gone, an alien gives his undeserving, never-read-a-comic-in-his-life brother superpowers and then tells him to save the universe. Luke is massively annoyed about this, but when Zack is kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, Luke and his friends have only five days to find him and save the world...
Fantastic for fans of comics and superhero films! This book is a laugh-out-loud fast-paced romp!
This is the first in a series
/ Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth- Frank Cottrell Boyce
The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word. Then one dayPrez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik. The family all think that Sputnik is a dog. It’s only Prez who thinks otherwise.
Funny, moving and heart-breaking all at once. This deals with huge themes- friendship, dementia, the concept of home- but does so with great warmth and humour.
ALSO CHECK OUT: The Astounding Broccoli Boy
/ The Legend of Podkin One-Ear- Kieran Larwood and David Wyatt
When a travelling bard arrives at Thornwood Warren on Midwinter night, he is warmly welcomed. In return for food and lodging, he settles down to tell the tale of Podkin One-Ear - and soon the rabbits are enthralled to hear the story of how one lost little rabbit overcame the cruellest enemy imaginable, and became the greatest warrior their land has ever known.
These are not your typical fluffy bunnies.The Legend of Podkin One-Ear is a wildly exciting tale of warrior rabbits. The illustrations by David Wyatt are absolutely stunning too.
This is the first in a series.
/ A Place Called Perfect- Helena Duggan
Violet never wanted to move to Perfect. Who wants to live in a town where everyone has to wear glasses to stop them going blind? And who wants to be neat and tidy and perfectly behaved all the time? But Violet quickly discovers there’s something weird going on – she keeps hearing noises in the night, her mum is acting strange and her dad has disappeared. When she meets Boy she realizes that her dad is not the only person to have been stolen away... and that the mysterious Watchers are guarding a perfectly creepy secret!
Absolutely original with a mystery at it’s core- why are the people of Perfect at the risk of going blind? A gripping and creepy tale.
/ Hamish and the Worldstoppers- Danny Wallace and Jamie Littler
What would YOU do... if the whole world just stopped? Yes the WHOLE WORLD. Birds in the air. Planes in the sky. And every single person on the planet - except you! Because that's what keeps happening to ten-year-old Hamish Ellerby.
Filled with cheeky humour, great jokes and fun illustrations, Hamish and the Worldstoppers is a fast-paced adventure novel with a few added scary parts!
This is the first in a series.