"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!

"Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun"
by Liz Kessler

Liz Kessler is a wonderful storyteller and Emily Windsnap is one of my favourite heroines. In the first book of the series she discovers she is half mermaid and grows a tail when in water, although she still appears human when on land.

She then goes on to have some exciting salty adventures underwater, and in this latest one, she is sent by Neptune on a mission to the far North, to a kingdom where everyone has turned to ice.
A gorgeous "tail" of fantasy and friendship.

Read the earlier books about Emily-

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Emily Windsnap and the Monster From the Deep

Castle in the Mist

Siren's Secret

Liz's website

"School for Stars" series 
by Holly and Kelly Willoughby



If you have been watching "Strictly Come Dancing" on television, you will already know Holly Willoughby. She has written this delightful series with her sister, Kelly, and it is set in a performing arts school.

These stories are full of dreams, adventures and friendship. You will love them if you enjoy school stories such as Malory Towers, but with a little stardust thrown in the mix.

The Willoughby sisters

First Term at l'Etoile
Second Term at l'Etoile
Third Term at l'Etoile
Summer Holiday Mystery

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Race Against Time" by Frank Cottrell Boyce

What a great idea to write new stories about the magical flying car created by Ian Fleming and famously filmed. This is the second, following "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Rides Again," and here Chitty gets stuck in reverse and goes back in time with the unlucky Tooting family.

The film of the original book

Unlucky, because they end up face-to-face with a hungry T.Rex- how will they get out of it this time?
Funny, exciting and full of adventure, time travel with Chitty- if you dare!

"The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson" series by Stephanie Burgis

This series takes us back to the England of Jane Austen, but Kat is no dainty heroine looking for a good marriage, and she is not prepared to play second fiddle to her sisters.

She is lively, adventurous and a bit of a tomboy, and on top of that, she has magical skills- a combination set to lead her into all kinds of trouble!

A Most Improper Magick
A Tangle of Magicks
A Reckless Magick

"Brightling" by Rebecca Lisle

Orphan Sparrow and a cat hope to find a home and a family. Instead, they fall into the hands of the sinister Miss Minter and her smuggling ring, and are soon tied up with her dark secrets.....
Inspired by the Charles Dickens story "Oliver Twist," this is an exciting and sometimes chilling adventure with a touch of fantasy.

Rebecca's website

"Opal Plumstead" by Jacqueline Wilson

Watch the trailer for the latest book from one of your top authors, an exciting story about the fight for women to be allowed to vote.

"Girls, Goddesses and Giants: Tales of Heroines from Around the World" by Lari Don

We all know that girls are the best, and here is the proof!

No princes needed in this wonderful collection of folk tales about clever, brave and practical girls, who battle dragons, wolves and all kinds of mythical monsters and still come up smiling.

Each story is short, but full of excitement with striking illustrations-girl power rocks!

"Osbert the Avenger" 

by Christopher William Hill

Beastly fun!

This is the first in a "beastly" new series, Tales from Schwartzgarten, which will be enjoyed by older Hawthornes girls who like Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket's "Series of Unfortunate Events." 

Osbert determines to get revenge for the cruel treatment of his friend Isabella at ghastly school, the Institute. This involves doing away with (gasp!) mean teachers in the most gruesome way possible. 

Horrible and funny-but not for the faint-hearted! Age 8+

Book 2- The Woebegone Twins.

"My Funny Family's Got Talent" by Chris Higgins

Have you watched the TV shows "Britain's Got Talent" and "The X Factor"? In this tale about the hilarious Butterfield family, Mattie plans to make sure that Mum's birthday is special by showing that she can put on a better show than Simon Cowell any day!

Lots of laughs in this warm family story. See also

My Funny Family
My Funny Family Goes on Holiday
My Funny Family Gets Bigger

"The Forever Whale" by Sarah Lean

If you love animal stories, this is perfect for you!
Hannah's grandad is losing all his memories, but there is one story from his past that he is trying hard to remember- and it is something connected to the whale that appears off the coast. Can Hannah help to solve the mystery? The story is emotional as it deals with dementia, but it is very well told and will appeal to anyone who likes Jacqueline Wilson, Cathy Cassidy and Lauren St John.

You might also like Sarah's other books, all in the Library now-

A Dog Called Homeless

Hero

Jack Pepper

A Horse for Angel

http://www.sarahlean.co.uk/

See a film clip of Sarah talking about A Horse for Angel