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Children's reading lists

16 laugh-out-loud funny books for 9-12-year-olds

A selection of gaming books on a blue old school Super Mario Bros style background

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8 awesome books for gaming fans

The Sacrifice (The Enemy Book 4)

The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds, next it ravaged their bodies, now they roam the streets - crazed and hungry. A jaw-dropping zombie horror series for teens.

The fourth book in the bestselling zombie horror series from the author of Young Bond. Covers may vary. 
 
‘Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action!’ Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series 
 
All across London diseased adults are waiting, hungry predators with rotten flesh and ravaged minds. 
 
The sickness destroyed everyone over the age of fourteen. Small Sam and his unlikely ally, The Kid, have survived. They're safe with Ed and his friends at the Tower of London, but Sam is desperate to find his sister. 
 
Their search for Ella means Sam and The Kid must cross the forbidden zone. And what awaits them there is more terrifying than any of the horror they've suffered so far . . . 
 
Don't miss the next book in this edge-of-your-seat series: The Fallen.

Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old, but it was a long time before he got paid for doing it. On leaving university he was the singer in a pop group (The Higsons) before giving it up to become a painter and decorator. It was around this time that he started writing for television on Saturday Night Live. He went on to create the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show, in which he also appeared. Other TV work includes Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased ) and Swiss Toni. 
He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books, and The Sacrifice is the fourth book in his current horror series, The Enemy. 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso.

The Fear (The Enemy Book 3)

The third book in the bestselling zombie horror series from the author of Young Bond. Covers may vary. 
 
‘Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action!’ Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series 
 
He doesn't know it, but DogNut is about to set off a chain of events that will affect every kid in the city. 
 
The sickness struck everyone over the age of fourteen. Mothers and fathers, older brothers, sisters and best friends. No one escaped its touch. And now children across London are being hunted by ferocious grown-ups . . . they're hungry. They're bloodthirsty. And they aren't giving up. 
 
DogNut and the rest of his crew want to find their lost friends, and set off on a deadly mission from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace and beyond, as the sickos lie in wait. But who are their friends and who is the enemy in this changed world? 
 
Can these friends trust each other long enough to escape? 
 
Don't miss the next book in this edge-of-your-seat series: The Sacrifice.

Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, including the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer and co-creator of The Fast Show and Radio Four's award-winning Down the Line series - recently made into a popular BBC2 sketch show, Bellamy's People. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many young people sleepless nights with this series.

20th Anniversary Edition

Young Bond: SilverFin

The explosive first book in the bestselling Young Bond series, with a new introduction from the author. 
 
Before the name became a legend. Before the boy became a man ... 
 
Meet Bond. James Bond. 
 
There's something in the water at Loch Silverfin. Something that must be kept secret. Something deadly ... 
 
It's James Bond's first day at Eton, and he's already met his first enemy. This is the start of an adventure that will take him from the school playing fields to the remote shores of Loch Silverfin and a terrifying discovery that threatens to unleash a new breed of warfare. 
 
'Good, gritty and funny . . . Very clever, Bond, very clever indeed' Daily Mail 
 
'A page-turning adventure that will get the hairs standing up on the back of your neck' Sunday Express

Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old. After university he was a singer and painter and decorator before he started writing for television. He went on to create and star in the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show. He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books and the incredibly successful horror series, The Enemy. 
 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso.

The explosive first book in the bestselling Young Bond series, with a brand-new introduction by the author. 
 
Before the name became a legend. Before the boy became a man. Meet Bond. James Bond. 
 
There's something in the water at Loch Silverfin. Something that must be kept secret. Something deadly ... 
 
It's James Bond's first day at Eton, and he's already met his first enemy. This is the start of an adventure that will take him from the school playing fields to the remote shores of Loch Silverfin and a terrifying discovery that threatens to unleash a new breed of warfare.

The Enemy

The first book in the bestselling zombie horror series from the author of Young Bond. Covers may vary. 
 
‘Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action!’ Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series 
 
Every time he thought they’d gone, he heard them again. Searching for him. 
 
The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds. Next it ravaged their bodies. Now these zombies roam the streets, crazed and hungry. 
 
In a destroyed London, the young hide in gangs, scavenging to survive, but with little hope for the future. Until rumours of a safe house travel across the city. But to get there they must face the Enemy – the mindless zombies who lie in wait. 
 
Can these kids trust each other long enough to make it out alive? 
 
Don’t miss the next book in this edge-of-your-seat series: The Dead. 
 
‘The Enemy scores high with its brutal vision of a post-apocalyptic world’ Financial Times 
 
‘Clever . . . fast paced . . . inventive’ Guardian

Brutal, blood-soaked, full of zombies...it's ace

The Enemy scores with its brutal vision of a post-apocalyptic world

Gruesome entertainment of the highest calibre

Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, and is the author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer and co-creator of The Fast Show and Radio Four's award-winning Down the Line series. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many children sleepless nights with this series.

The first book in the bestselling zombie horror series from the author of Young Bond. Covers may vary. 
 
‘Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action!’ Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series 
 
Every time he thought they’d gone, he heard them again. Searching for him. 
 
The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds. Next it ravaged their bodies. Now these zombies roam the streets, crazed and hungry. 
 
In a destroyed London, the young hide in gangs, scavenging to survive, but with little hope for the future. Until rumours of a safe house travel across the city. But to get there they must face the Enemy – the mindless zombies who lie in wait. 
 
Can these kids trust each other long enough to make it out alive? 
 
Don’t miss the next book in this edge-of-your-seat series: The Dead. 
 
‘The Enemy scores high with its brutal vision of a post-apocalyptic world’ Financial Times 
 
‘Clever . . . fast paced . . . inventive’ Guardian

The Dead (The Enemy Book 2)

The second book in the bestselling zombie horror series, The Enemy, from the author of Young Bond. Covers may vary. 
 
‘Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action!’ Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series 
 
The child in the video was terrified. Within days it had gone viral. Then the internet stopped working . . . and they realized something was seriously wrong. 
 
The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds. Next it ravaged their bodies. Now these zombies roam the streets, crazed and hungry. 
 
Jack and Ed are survivors, determined to return home to London. Clinging to memories of the past, they join a mismatched group of kids on the road, and one adult, a butcher called Greg, who claims he is immune to the disease. 
 
But, when a devastating new threat comes to light, they realize not all of them will make it out alive this time . . . 
 
Don’t miss the next book in this edge-of-your-seat series: The Fear. 
 
‘Scores high with its brutal vision of a post-apocalyptic world’ Financial Times 
 
‘Clever . . . fast paced . . . inventive’ Guardian

Brutal, blood-soaked, full of zombies... It's ace

Higson has got the balance of blood and gore just right

Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action!

Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, and is the author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer on and co-creator of The Fast Show and Radio Four's award-winning Down the Line series, which was recently made into a popular BBC2 sketch show, Bellamy's People. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many children sleepless nights with this series.

Worst. Superhero. Ever

Stan has found himself a starring role as superhero in a popular TV show. 
 
He&rsquo;s absolutely terrified. 
 
After surviving a holiday to Italy without his parents (which included jellyfish and giant watermelons), Stan reckons he deserves a bit of a break. Or at a least a break in between trying to act in his school play. 
 
But when he&rsquo;s offered the chance to take a tour around a TV studio, he thinks it can&rsquo;t do any harm. 
 
How wrong he is. 
 
Before Stan can say &lsquo;Boy of Steel&rsquo; he&rsquo;s landed himself a part as a main character in one of the most well-known TV shows there is &ndash; as a brainy superhero. 
 
Convinced he&rsquo;s going to embarrass himself in front of millions of people &ndash; and worried about leaving his friends to face a school play on their own &ndash; can Stan find a way to use his new-found fame for good? 
 
Or will he be the Worst. Superhero. Ever . . .

Worst. Holiday. Ever.

A hilarious new book from the bestselling children's author - Adrian Mole for the new generation! 
 
*'Made me cry with laughter and my heart ache' Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy* 
 
*'Funniest. Book. Ever' Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster* 
 
 
Stan is going on holiday to Italy with his (fifth) best friend Felix and a load of strangers. 
 
Stan is absolutely terrified. 
 
Luckily, his mum's given him an emergency list that includes how to survive a shark attack, and what to do if he gets kidnapped. 
 
Stan thinks that a better list would include how to cope with odd food, and what to do if he accidentally calls Felix's mum 'mum' in front of everybody. 
 
And it soon turns out Italy is full of dangers and things that can go wrong. 
 
One thing's for certain, Stan's not going to come back the same boy he left. He just hope he comes back at all . . . 
 
Worst. Holiday. Ever is a story about facing fears, dealing with worries, and how it's OK to be anxious, scared, and sometimes a little bit brave.

Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy

Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster

Stan is going on holiday to Italy with his (fifth) best friend Felix and a load of strangers. 
 
Stan is absolutely terrified. 
 
Luckily, his mum's given him an emergency list that includes how to survive a shark attack, and what to do if he gets kidnapped. 
 
Stan thinks that a better list would include how to cope with odd food, and what to do if he accidentally calls Felix's mum 'mum' in front of everybody. 
 
And it soon turns out Italy is full of dangers and things that can go wrong. One thing's for certain, Stan's not going to come back the same boy he left. He just hope he comes back at all . . . 
 
Worst. Holiday. Ever is a story about facing fears, dealing with worries, and how it's OK to be anxious, scared, and sometimes a little bit brave.

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 1: Silverfin (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. 
 
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. 
 
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. 
 
Visit the Penguin Readers website 
Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. 
 
On Loch SilverFin in Scotland, a bad man lives in a castle with his son. James Bond and his new friend Red Kelly go to the castle. They must find Red's missing cousin, Alfie. But what do they find in the castle? Do they find Alfie, or is it too late?

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
Silverfin, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels. 
 
On Loch SilverFin in Scotland, a bad man lives in a castle with his son. James Bond and his new friend Red Kelly go to the castle. They must find Red's missing cousin, Alfie. But what do they find in the castle? Do they find Alfie, or is it too late?

Doctor Who: Thirteen Doctors 13 Stories

A collection of stories adapted for young readers taking them to the heart of the Whoniverse! Doctor Who is the longest running sci-fi show in the world, and a flagship BBC property. First appearing on air in 1963, it follows the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord who travels through time and space, fighting alien monsters and saving the universe.

A new version of this much-loved anthology, with a brand-new story featuring the brand-new Thirteenth Doctor from literary sensation Naomi Alderman! 
 
Twelve wonderful tales of adventure, science, magic, monsters and time travel - featuring all twelve Doctors - are waiting for you in this very special Doctor Who book. 
 
And now they're joined by a very exciting, and very exclusive, new tale - written by Naomi Alderman, author of The Power - that will star the Thirteenth Doctor, as she battles to save the universe with her three close and trusted friends. 
 
Other authors featured are: Eoin Colfer, Michael Scott, Marcus Sedgwick, Philip Reeve, Patrick Ness, Richelle Mead, Malorie Blackman, Alex Scarrow, Charlie Higson, Derek Landy, Neil Gaiman, and Holly Black.

Naomi Alderman (Author) Naomi Alderman has a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and another one in Classical Studies. Also an MA in Creative Writing and another MA in Classics. She's an award-winning novelist, broadcaster, TV producer and videogames creator. She has worked in technology startups for more than 20 years, since the time when people in tech still felt utopian about "making the world a better place". Which now makes her feel slightly embarrassed about her naivety. She is the author of the bestselling, multi-award-winning The Power, which was chosen as a book of the year by both Bill Gates and Barack Obama and became a TV series for Amazon Prime. Her other books include The Future, The Liars’ Gospel, The Lessons and Disobedience She is the co-creator of the fitness game and audio adventure Zombies, Run! which has more than ten million players. Naomi writes and presents Human Intelligence, a history of thinking on BBC Radio 4. Malorie Blackman (Author) Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults, including the Noughts &amp; Crosses series, Thief and a science-fiction thriller, Chasing the Stars. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts &amp; Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts &amp; Crosses, with Roc Nation (Jay-Z's entertainment company) curating the soundtrack as executive music producer. In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children's books. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children's literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children's Laureate. Most recently Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts &amp; Crosses series, Crossfire, was published by Penguin Random House Children's in summer 2019. Neil Gaiman (Author) Neil Gaiman is the bestselling author of Coraline and Stardust, both of which are major motion films. Neil also co-wrote the script for Beowulf starring Anthony Hopkins and Angeline Jolie. He is the creator/writer of the award-winning Sandman comic series and has written several books for children. Charlie Higson (Author) Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old. After university he was a singer and painter and decorator before he started writing for television. He went on to create and star in the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show. He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books and the incredibly successful horror series, The Enemy. 
 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso. Alex Scarrow (Author) Alex Scarrow used to be a rock guitarist, then he became a graphic artist, then he decided to be a computer games designer. Finally, he grew up and became an author. He has written a number of successful thrillers and several screenplays, but it's YA fiction that has allowed him to really have fun with the ideas and concepts he was playing around with designing games. Alex lives in Norwich. Richelle Mead (Author) Richelle Mead is the author of the international bestselling Vampire Academy series and Bloodlines series. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, travelling, trying interesting cocktails and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington. Eoin Colfer (Author) Eoin Colfer is the megaselling author of the Artemis Fowl series, Half Moon Investigations, The Supernaturalist, Airman, The Legend of . . . books and, most recently, the WARP series. He lives with his family in Ireland. www.eoincolfer.com

The End (The Enemy Book 7)

It all comes to an end in the final book in The Enemy series 
 
 
The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. 
First it twisted their minds. 
Next it ravaged their bodies. 
Now they roam the streets - 
Crazed and hungry. 
 
Sickos swarm the streets of London. Gathered in the centre of the city, they lie in wait. 
 
The survivors have one final epic battle to overcome. Together they must work out a plan of attack and end the grown-ups reign of terror before it's too late. 
 
The end is coming.

Praise for The Enemy series: 'Brutal, blood-soaked, full of zombies . . . it's ace'

The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. 
First it twisted their minds. 
Next it ravaged their bodies. 
Now they roam the streets - 
Crazed and hungry. 
 
Sickos swarm the streets of London. Gathered in the centre of the city, they lie in wait. 
 
The survivors have one final epic battle to overcome. Together they must work out a plan of attack and end the grown-ups reign of terror before it's too late. 
 
The end is coming.

The Enemy Series, Books 1-3

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you . . . 
 
The Enemy (Book 1) 
 
When the sickness came, every parent, police officer, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. 
 
Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. 
 
A gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. 
 
The Dead (Book 2) 
 
Jack and Ed are best friends, but their battle to stay alive tests their friendship to the limit as they go on the run with a mismatched group of other kids. And one adult. Greg, a butcher, who claims he's immune to the disease. 
 
As a fresh disaster threatens to overwhelm London, they realize they won't all survive... 
 
The Fear (Book 3) 
 
DogNut and the rest of his crew want to find their lost friends, and set off on a deadly mission from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace and beyond, as the sickos lie in wait. But who are their friends and who is the enemy in this changed world?

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you . . . 
 
The Enemy (Book 1) 
 
When the sickness came, every parent, police officer, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. 
 
 Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. 
 
 A gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. 
 
The Dead (Book 2) 
 
Jack and Ed are best friends, but their battle to stay alive tests their friendship to the limit as they go on the run with a mismatched group of other kids. And one adult. Greg, a butcher, who claims he's immune to the disease. 
 
 As a fresh disaster threatens to overwhelm London, they realize they won't all survive... 
 
The Fear (Book 3) 
 
DogNut and the rest of his crew want to find their lost friends, and set off on a deadly mission from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace and beyond, as the sickos lie in wait. But who are their friends and who is the enemy in this changed world?

The Enemy Series, Books 4-6

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you . . . 
 
The Sacrifice (Book 4) 
 
Small Sam and his unlikely ally, The Kid, have survived. They're safe with Ed and his friends at the Tower of London, but Sam is desperate to find his sister. 
 
Their search for Ella means Sam and The Kid must cross the forbidden zone. And what awaits them there is more terrifying than any of the horror they've suffered so far . . . 
 
The Fallen (Book 5) 
 
The Holloway crew are survivors. They've fought their way across London and made it to the Natural History Museum alive - just. But the fight will never end while the Enemy lives . . . 
 
The kids at the museum are looking for a cure. All they need are medical supplies. To get them means a journey down unknown roads. Suddenly it's not so clear who - or what - they're fighting. 
 
The Hunted (Book 6) 
 
The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella's all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface - and she's not even sure if he's a kid or a grown-up. 
 
Back in London, Ed's determined to find her. But getting out of town's never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country.

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you . . . 
 
The Sacrifice (Book 4) 
 
 Small Sam and his unlikely ally, The Kid, have survived. They're safe with Ed and his friends at the Tower of London, but Sam is desperate to find his sister. 
 
 Their search for Ella means Sam and The Kid must cross the forbidden zone. And what awaits them there is more terrifying than any of the horror they've suffered so far . . . 
 
The Fallen (Book 5) 
 
The Holloway crew are survivors. They've fought their way across London and made it to the Natural History Museum alive - just. But the fight will never end while the Enemy lives . . . 
 
The kids at the museum are looking for a cure. All they need are medical supplies. To get them means a journey down unknown roads. Suddenly it's not so clear who - or what - they're fighting. 
 
The Hunted (Book 6) 
 
The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella's all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface - and she's not even sure if he's a kid or a grown-up. 
 
 Back in London, Ed's determined to find her. But getting out of town's never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country.

Doctor Who: 12 Doctors 12 Stories

Twelve bestselling authors, twelve Doctors, twelve brilliant adventures in time and space for all Doctor Who fans! 
 
This collection features all twelve original Doctor Who eshort stories, covering each of the twelve Doctors and written by a selection of wonderful children's authors.

Charlie Higson (Author) Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old. After university he was a singer and painter and decorator before he started writing for television. He went on to create and star in the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show. 
He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books, and The End is the final book in his current horror series, The Enemy. 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso. Alex Scarrow (Author) Alex Scarrow used to be a rock guitarist, then he became a graphic artist, then he decided to be a computer games designer. Finally, he grew up and became an author. He has written a number of successful thrillers and several screenplays, but it's YA fiction that has allowed him to really have fun with the ideas and concepts he was playing around with designing games. 
 
He lives in Norwich with his son, Jacob, his wife, Frances, and his Jack Russell, Max. Eoin Colfer (Author) Eoin Colfer is the megaselling author of the Artemis Fowl series, Half Moon Investigations, The Supernaturalist, Airman and The Legend of . . . books. His brilliant new series WARP is out now. Eoin lives with his family in Ireland. www.eoincolfer.com

Following on from the success of the 50th anniversary anthology, 11 Doctors 11 Stories, this highly-acclaimed collection of short Doctor Who stories contains all of the original eleven adventures plus an exciting new Twelfth Doctor story. 
 
Authors featured in this incredible collection are Eoin Colfer, Michael Scott, Marcus Sedgwick, Philip Reeve, Patrick Ness, Richelle Mead, Malorie Blackman, Alex Scarrow, Charlie Higson, Derek Landy, Neil Gaiman and Holly Black.

The Hunted (The Enemy Book 6)

The Hunted is Charlie Higson's sixth terrifying installment in the thrilling The Enemy series 
 
The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. 
 
First it twisted their minds. 
 
Next it ravaged their bodies. 
 
Now they roam the streets - 
 
Crazed and hungry 
 
The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella's all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface - and she's not even sure if he's a kid or a grown-up. 
 
Back in London, Ed's determined to find her. But getting out of town's never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country. It's like they're being called towards the capital and nothing is going to stop them . . . 
 
In the penultimate book in The Enemy series, the survivors' stories cross with chilling consequences.

The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. 
First it twisted their minds. 
Next it ravaged their bodies. 
Now they roam the streets - 
Crazed and hungry 
 
The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella's all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface - and she's not even sure if he's a kid or a grown-up. 
Back in London, Ed's determined to find her. But getting out of town's never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country. It's like they're being called towards the capital and nothing is going to stop them . . .

The Fallen (The Enemy Book 5)

The Fallen by Charlie Higson is the fifth awesome book in The Enemy series. 
 
First the sickness rotted the adults' minds. Then their bodies. Now they stalk the streets, hunting human flesh. 
 
The Holloway crew are survivors. They've fought their way across London and made it to the Natural History Museum alive - just. But the fight will never end while the Enemy lives, unless there's another way. . . 
 
The kids at the museum are looking for a cure. All they need are medical supplies. To get them means a journey down unknown roads. Roads where not only crazed, hungry sickos hide in the shadows. 
 
SUDDENLY IT'S NOT SO CLEAR WHO - OR WHAT - THEY'RE FIGHTING. 
 
The fourth terrifying part of Charlie Higson's bestselling Enemy series. The Enemy is among us. . . 
 
** 2013 is the year of zombies, with Brad Pitt's World War Z and Nicholas Holt's Warm Bodies films hitting cinemas. 
** 'Lord of the Flies with zombies' - Rick Riordan, creator of the Percy Jackson series. 
** Charlie Higson is the bestselling author of Young Bond, and creator of The Fast Show. 
** Perfect for bloodthirsty fans of 28 Days Later and Darren Shan's Zom-B series.

Lord of the Flies with zombies . . . tons of nail-biting action

Rick Riordan, creator of the Percy Jackson series

Brutal, blood-soaked, full of zombies . . . it's ace

Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old, but it was a long time before he got paid for doing it. On leaving university he was the singer in a pop group (The Higsons) before giving it up to become a painter and decorator. It was around this time that he started writing for television on Saturday Night Live. He went on to create the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show, in which he also appeared. Other TV work includes Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased ) and Swiss Toni. 
He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books, and The Fallen is the fifth book in his current horror series, The Enemy. 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso.

First the sickness rotted the adults' minds. Then their bodies. Now they stalk the streets, hunting human flesh. The Holloway crew are survivors. They've fought their way across London and made it to the Natural History Museum alive - just. But the fight will never end while the Enemy lives, unless there's another way. . . The kids at the museum are looking for a cure. All they need are medical supplies. To get them means a journey down unknown roads. Roads where not only crazed, hungry sickos hide in the shadows. SUDDENLY IT'S NOT SO CLEAR WHO - OR WHAT - THEY'RE FIGHTING.

Ninth Doctor

Doctor Who: The Beast of Babylon

Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord. 
When a girl called Ali pockets a silver orb that falls from the sky, little does she realize it's her ticket to seeing the universe! Desperate to retrieve the mysterious object, the Ninth Doctor agrees to let her join him on a dangerous trip to ancient Babylon. Together they must join forces to stop a giant Starman from destroying Earth before it's too late! 
Author Charlie Higson puts his own unique spin on the Doctor's amazing adventures through time and space.

Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old. After university he was a singer and painter and decorator before he started writing for television. He went on to create and star in the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show. He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books the incredibly successful horror series, The Enemy. 
 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso.

The Enemy: Geeks vs Zombies

Can't get enough of Charlie Higson's gruesome Enemy series? This exclusive short story will satisfy that thirst for more blood and gore! 
 
In a changed world where adults have become sickos ravaged by disease, everyone under the age of fourteen is fighting to survive. 
 
Chris and his friends are determined to mark World Book Day, but when a fellow survivor turns against them they're left defenceless. Can they stop a gruesome attack from their violent enemy in a deadly battle of geeks vs zombies? 
 
** 2013 is the year of zombies, with Brad Pitt's World War Z and Nicholas Holt's Warm Bodies films hitting cinemas. 
** 'Lord of the Flies with zombies' - Rick Riordan, creator of the Percy Jackson series. 
** Perfect for bloodthirsty fans of 28 Days Later and Darren Shan's Zom-B series.

Lord of the Flies with zombies . . .

Rick Riordan, creator of the Percy Jackson series.

Charlie Higson started writing when he was ten years old, but it was a long time before he got paid for doing it. On leaving university he was the singer in a pop group (The Higsons) before giving it up to become a painter and decorator. It was around this time that he started writing for television on Saturday Night Live. He went on to create the hugely successful comedy series The Fast Show, in which he also appeared. Other TV work includes Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased ) and Swiss Toni. 
He is the author of the bestselling Young Bond books, and The Enemy: Geeks vs Zombies is part of his bestselling horror series, The Enemy. 
 
Charlie doesn't do Facebook, but you can tweet him @monstroso.

Can't get enough of Charlie Higson's gruesome Enemy series? This exclusive short story will satisfy that thirst for more blood and gore! 
 
In a changed world where adults have become sickos ravaged by disease, everyone under the age of fourteen is fighting to survive. 
 
Chris and his friends are determined to mark World Book Day, but when a fellow survivor turns against them they're left defenceless. Can they stop a gruesome attack from their violent enemy in a deadly battle of geeks vs zombies?

Young Bond: By Royal Command

Young Bond: By Royal Command is the fifth heart-stopping instalment in the phenomenal Young Bond series by Charlie Higson. 
 
Life for James Bond will never be the same again. 
 
Following a treacherous rescue mission high in the freezing Alps, James Bond is preparing for life back at Eton. But James is under surveillance; his every move is being watched. He alone holds the clue to a sinister plot that will bring bloodshed and carnage to his school - and his country. 
 
Life for James Bond will never be the same again. 
 
'Action-packed and not for the faint-hearted' Daily Mail 
 
'Double-oh so good' Sunday Times 
 
***www.youngbond.com***

Charlie Higson's Young Bond books get an A*

This is writing for children of the highest order

Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and adult thriller novels. He's also a performer and co-creator of The Fast Show. He has written five mega-selling novels about Young Bond - Silverfin, Blood Fever, Double or Die, Hurricane Gold and By Royal Command, as well as Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier and best-selling teen thrillers The Enemy and The Dead.

Following a treacherous rescue mission high in the freezing Alps, James Bond is preparing for life back at Eton. But James is under surveillance; his every move is being watched. He alone holds the clue to a sinister plot that will bring bloodshed and carnage to his school - and his country. 
 
Life for James Bond will never be the same again.

Young Bond: Hurricane Gold

Young Bond: Hurricane gold is the fourth book in the iconic Young Bond action series by Charlie Higson. 
 
James Bond is staring death in the face . . . 
 
As the sun blazes over the Caribbean island of Lagrimas Negras, its bloodthirsty ruler is watching and waiting. Criminals come here to hide, with blood on their hands and escape on their minds. 
 
On the mainland, in the quiet town of Tres Hermanas, ex-flying ace Jack Stone leaves his son and daughter in the company of James Bond. But a gang of thieves lies in ambush - they want Stone's precious safe, and will kill for its contents. 
 
James embarks on a deadly chase through the Mexican jungle. On this terrifying trail of greed and betrayal, only danger is guaranteed . . . Survival is not. 
 
'Action-packed and not for the faint-hearted' Daily Mail 
 
'Double-oh so good' Sunday Times 
 
***www.youngbond.com***

As the sun blazes over the Caribbean island of Lagrimas Negras, its bloodthirsty ruler is watching and waiting. Criminals come here to hide, with blood on their hands and escape on their minds. 
 
On the mainland, in the quiet town of Tres Hermanas, ex-flying ace Jack Stone leaves his son and daughter in the company of James Bond. But a gang of thieves lies in ambush - they want Stone's precious safe, and will kill for its contents. 
 
James embarks on a deadly chase through the Mexican jungle. On this terrifying trail of greed and betrayal, only danger is guaranteed . . . Survival is not.

Young Bond: Double or Die

Young Bond: Double or Die is the third book in Charlie Higson's bestselling Young Bond series. 
 
Kidnap. Violence. Explosions. Murder. No ordinary weekend. But then, James Bond is no ordinary boy . . . 
 
In a North London cemetery a professor is kidnapped at gunpoint. A suspicious letter crammed with cryptic clues arrives at Eton. To decipher the deadly mystery, James Bond must take a series of dangerous gambles. Once the code is cracked, he has just forty-eight hours to save the professor from the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both. 
 
And, if the professor can't escape, it's not only Jame's future under threat. It's the rest of the world's . . . 
 
'Action-packed and not for the faint-hearted' Daily Mail 
'Double-oh so good' Sunday Times 
 
***www.youngbond.com***

Kidnap. Violence. Explosions. Murder. No ordinary weekend. But then, James Bond is no ordinary boy . . . 
 
In a North London cemetery a professor is kidnapped at gunpoint. A suspicious letter crammed with cryptic clues arrives at Eton. To decipher the deadly mystery, James Bond must take a series of dangerous gambles. Once the code is cracked, he has just forty-eight hours to save the professor from the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both. 
 
And, if the professor can't escape, it's not only his future under threat. It's the rest of the world's . . .

Charlie Higson

A brilliant addition to the James Bond canon, written with great brio and aplomb and a shrewd understanding of what makes the Bond universe tick. Wholly compelling

[Charlie Higson] knows a thing or two about what makes for a good 007… the new film’s producers could certainly take tips when it comes to keeping 007 up to date… Fans can rest assured that King Zero also brims with danger and sensual femme fatales, with sex and run-ins with sharks – even a streak of horror… it’s a terrific read

Charlie Higson hasn’t just seamlessly picked up the Ian Fleming baton, he’s sprinted so far into the distance with it we can barely see his heels. King Zero is proper old-school Bond but with a modern edge (Bond on Spotify, anyone?) – violent, stylish, scarily plausible. And in King Zero, Higson has created the most memorable Bond villain for a long time, one who sits comfortably alongside Goldfinger, Dr. No and Hugo Drax . . . A superb book and highly recommended.

Sharks, Eton, a magnificently monikered femme fatale – King Zero is a surefooted homage to Bond’s heritage. Gives 007 the shake it needs

The Times Thriller of the Month (September 2026)

A Bond fit for the 2020s… [Higson] has made a very good job of it… a series of gloriously hair-raising action set-pieces, all of which culminate in an apocalyptic finale

A new Bond novel is always a major event, and with a new writer at the helm, expectations have run high. Higson does not disappoint. King Zero delivers the authentic Bond experience, whilst adding a sense of up-to-the-minute flair. When an old field agent turns up dead James Bond is called into action, dropping into a plot featuring everything we love about the franchise: exotic locations, dangerous women, villainous megalomaniacs, and, above all, Bond doing what he does best: fighting the good fight while dancing with the devil. A must for Bond and thriller fans alike

Charlie Higson has given us everything you could possibly want from a James Bond literary adventure - and so much more. All the Bond ingredients are present and refreshed with real contemporary wit and bite, with so many memorable characters and standout, unforgettable scenes. Bond stories excel when you are faced with something you’ve never seen or heard of before, and consequently blow your mind - and that happened repeatedly as the pages blasted by. Achingly exciting, desperately compelling and, at times, utterly jaw-dropping, King Zero is nothing short of an electrifying triumph - and up there with the very best of this beloved series

Charlie Higson's 007 is back on His Majesty's Secret Service in King Zero. As a guy who knows a bit about that, it's a cracking read

Unquestionably in the upper 007 echelons, a colourful, adroitly constructed adventure for a latter-day Bond that nevertheless cannily incorporates traditional elements of the franchise. Bond fans need not hesitate – not least for the fact that in the eponymous King Zero, the multi-talented Higson has created a truly memorable villain

Holy mackerel, that second half is one of the most page-turning, stay-up-and-finish second halves of any Bond novel!

A very exciting new chapter for James Bond... Interesting characters, good humour, intense action, cruelty, sex, sadism, beauty, death… a hell of a lot of fun, I truly loved reading this

The identity of the next big screen James Bond might be a closely guarded secret… but who cares when there are books as thrilling as this one keeping the literary franchise alive... one of the finest 007 continuation stories yet, a super-charged action adventure that is both bang up to date while remaining true to the Bond universe... As good as Ian Fleming and then some

Charlie Higson

Books by Charlie Higson

Series by Charlie Higson

Doctor Who Children's Collection52 Books

Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary Short Stories11 Books

The Enemy10 Books

Worst. Holiday. Ever.2 Books

Young Bond4 Books

Young Bond Graphic Novels1 Book

Articles featuring Charlie Higson

16 laugh-out-loud funny books for 9-12-year-olds

8 awesome books for gaming fans

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