"Blackberry Blue" By Jamila Gavin

Step into a world of enchanted forests, wicked witches, talking animals and magicians in this collection of six new and original fairy tales.

 Sad, exciting, romantic, they all feature more ethnically diverse characters than many traditional fairy tales, which gives them a fresh feel, and they are beautifully illustrated.

A lovely book to while away the hours with and to set your imagination flowing.

Jamila Gavin's website

"Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends"
by Shannon Hale

Ever After High is an enchanted boarding school for the children of fairy tale characters. They are all expected to sign up to become the characters they are written to be- but is that what they always want?

Evil is not Raven Queen's style, even though her mother was the evil queen, but if she doesn't give Apple White the poisoned apple as she is meant to, will anyone be able to live happily ever after?

The story continues in "The Unfairest of Them All".

The "Barry Loser" books
 by Jim Smith

If you like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries books, don't miss the adventures of poor Barry, who is always trying to prove that he is not the "Loser" that his name suggests.

Very funny.

Books in Order-

I am Not a Loser

I am Still Not a Loser

I am So Over Being a Loser

I am Sort of a Loser

Barry Loser and the Holiday of Doom

Barry Loser and the Case of the Crumpled Carton

"Paws and Whiskers"
edited by Jacqueline Wilson

A collection of stories about cats and dogs- what's not to like?

 It includes new stories from authors such as Malorie Blackman, Michael Morpurgo and Jacky herself, but also extracts from old favourites like "The Hundred and One Dalmations," "Gobbolino the Witch's Cat" and "David Copperfield."

The book has been put together in support of Battersea Dogs' and Cats Home.

"The Girl Who Wasn't There"
by Karen McCombie

Karen is one of our favourite authors, especially since she came to visit Bromley High two years ago.

This book is a bit different to her others as it is a gentle ghost story.
New girl Maisie finds it hard to fit in at her new school until she grabs everyone's interest by telling of a strange figure she saw in one of the school's windows. The other girls tell her that the old school is haunted by the ghost of a Victorian girl, and she becomes friends with Kat, who seems particularly interested. Does Kat know more about the ghost than she admits?

A thrilling mystery that will send chills down your spine.

An interview with Karen

"The Baking Life of Amelie Day" by Vanessa Curtis

Amelie loves to bake, and is thrilled to be chosen to compete as Best Teen Baker of the Year. But Amelie has Cystic Fibrosis, and is worried that it will all be too much- can her own brand of "flour power" get her through?

A charming book about the importance of determination and courage, it is sweet and funny with a big heart, and will make you think differently about disability.

It even includes recipes to get you reaching for your mixing bowl- or for the nearest cupcake!

"Awful Auntie" by David Walliams

Awful Aunt Alberta is determined to cheat Stella out of her inheritance, the very grand Saxby Hall. But she hasn't counted on Stella's secret weapon- Soot, the ghostly chimney sweep. Can they save the day?

A funny romp with engaging- and sometimes awful- characters, Walliams has done it again. Read it before it is on TV!

"The Snow Merchant"
by Sam Gayton

This enchanting story is about Lottie Peppercorn, who leads a boring life apart from at night, when she dreams of her mother, who disappeared.

When she meets the snow merchant, she is drawn into a whirlwind of adventures, because he is an alchemist, and in his bag he carries his new invention- called snow.

Full of magic, family secrets and friendship, with the bonus of illustrations by one of our favourite artists, Chris Riddell. Also on the Year 6 Recommended Reading list.

Sam Gayton's website

Also by Sam Gayton                                                    

I have met Sam and he is not this scary! He was really nice!

       

                                            

"The Midnight Kittens" 
by Dodie Smith

I'm sure you all know "101 Dalmatians" by this author- the book and the brilliant film. This is less well known, but worth a look, especially if you are a cat lover.

Orphaned twins Tom and Pam live with their grandmother. They discover the mysterious kittens coming out of a tree at midnight and drinking the milk left out for hedgehogs. This is the beginning of an adventure involving secret rooms, squatters and a touch of magic....

"Dear Hound" 
by Jill Murphy

Alfie the deerhound puppy loves his boy, Charlie, and has a happy home- until the night he is left at the kennels. The family are away at a wedding for one night, but Alfie thinks they have abandoned him and escapes. Soon he is lost and afraid....

Charlie and the family do everything they can think of to find him, but months pass and they wonder if they will ever see Alfie again.

I love a "beast" story and this is a great one, with lovely pictures, too. Prepare to feel happy, sad, excited and worried!