Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

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Rosemary Sutcliff

Set more than a thousand years ago in the soft green hills of Ireland, in a shifting time when enchanted creatures and the Fairy Kind still flickered in and out of the lives of men, the ancient stories of Finn MacCool and the brotherhood of the Fianna shimmer with magic. Here Rosemary Sutcliff breathes new life into adventures of these Irish heroes and their battles with strange and supernatural beings.

The High Deeds Of Finn MacCool

Bonnie Bryant

For as long as Carole and Lisa have known their best friend, Stevie, she’s been at war with one – or all – of her three brothers. In fact Stevie never misses an opportunity to tease Chad about his current girlfriend, dye Alex’s underwear pink, or put stones in Michael’s lunchbag. But all that changes when Stevie’s twin, Alex, contracts meningitis, and becomes seriously ill. This time Stevie is looking for a way to show one of her brothers just how much she cares…

Saddle Club 32: Chocolate Horse

Josephine Pullein-Thompson

Diana Pullein-Thompson

Christine Pullein Thompson

Everyone's heard about Black Beauty, probably the greatest horse that ever lived. But what about the rest of his family? Here we meet some of his other extraordinary relations, each with an amazing story to tell. There's his brother, Black Ebony, who is involved in a terrible mining accident; his great niece, Black Princess, a heroine in World War One; and then there's Black Velvet, a distant relation whose life as a show jumper is about to change dramatically.

Black Beauty's Family

Susie Day

Sam likes being a twin. He likes having two mums. He likes cheese sandwiches and his dog and drawing comics with his friend Pea. He does not like humus - or heights . . . 
 
His twin sister Sammie likes being a twin too. She knows that she's perfect best friend material for somebody - the girls in her class just haven't realised yet. And she knows that she's the best Sam - Sam A. 
 
Both Sam and Sammie - and everybody in their lives seems to be keeping secrets - which ones will come out? 
 
Meet the very different twins and their very different problems in this funny, heart-warming story of modern family life for boys and girls.

The Secrets of Sam and Sam

When Carole Hanson and her father travel to Minnesota to visit relatives, Carole has the perfect opportunity to work on a school assignment to create a family tree. Ever since her mother died, Carole has been curious about that side of the family, especially about an ancestor who journeyed North along the Underground Railroad. 
Then Carole discovers a secret lurking in her family tree, and she begins to question where she’s come from. Do bloodlines matter as much with people as they do with horses? Carole discovers the answer when a dangerous horseback ride threatens the life of one of her relatives.

Saddle Club 39: Pure Bred

Best friends May Grover and Jasmine James each have their own pony. They also belong to the local Pony Club at Pine Hollow Stables. They’re determined to do well in the Pony Club mounted games, and they practise whenever possible. 
 
Then a new neighbour moves into the house between May and Jasmine. At night, lights flicker on and off and strange noises come from the stables. What’s going on? Can two pony-crazy girls find out? 
 
From the author of the bestselling series, The Saddle Club.

Pony Tails 1 : Pony-Crazy

Carole Hanson has always wanted a brother or sister. So she should be delighted when her father tells her that thirteen-year-old Marie Dana will be staying with them for two weeks while Mrs. Dana is out of town. But instead of being happy about her “temporary sister”, Carole can barely contain her jealousy. Colonel Hanson is making a big fuss over Marie; and Stevie and Lisa are planning a big party for Marie in the hay loft at Pine Hollow. 
Will Carole manage to put aside her jealousy before Marie’s visit is over? Not until she discovers some common ground in the stables at Pine Hollow…

Saddle Club 36: Riding Lesson

Theresa Tomlinson

‘This little lass is strong. She will carry the ropes and walk forever.’ 
 
It is as well that these words, spoken by Minnie’s great grandmother at her birth, prove to be prophetic, for the ropemaker’s youngest daughter needs all the strength and courage she can muster in the subterranean cavern which is the family home. And not only there but even more so in Sheffield where she goes to support her ailing sister and finds an even harsher existence where squalor and injustice are rife.

The Rope Carrier

Richard Kidd

Jimmy's dad has to get rid of his fishing boat and the whole family - Mam, Dad, Jimmy and his tealeaf-reading Gran - are forced to move away from their coastal village home. At first, Jimmy thinks none of them will never get used to living inland and it will be a disaster, but Gran's tea leaves tell a stranger story than that... 
 
Jimmy's continued fascination with all things aquatic leads him to meet the local retired Major, whose hobby is keeping a pond full of valuable koi carp. When Jimmy inadvertently overhears of a plot to steal the fish, he doesn't mean to tackle the burglars single-handedly. But neither does he really intend to do it with the help of the awful school bully... or of several hundred alarm clocks...! 
 
A truly entertaining, pacy adventure story, which boys will especially love.

The Giant Goldfish Robbery

Kate Devine, an out-of-town member of The Saddle Club, has invited Carole, Lisa, and Stevie out West to visit her family’s dude ranch. This time the girls’ parents are coming along, and The Saddle Club is looking forward to showing them how much fun riding can be. 
But out West, the family vacation doesn’t go exactly as planned, and soon the girls are wishing that their parents – or the “Saddlebag” – had stayed home where they belong. 
Then, during an overnight cattle drive, a terrible rainstorm breaks out while the parents are off exploring an arroyo. The Saddle Club knows the “Saddlebags” are in grave danger – but can they rescue them in time?

Saddle Club 42 - Saddlebags

Joan Aiken

King Richard, son of James III lies gravely ill and there are rumours that the king's enemy, the Duchess of Burgundy, is preparing an imminent invasion. The ancient crown of Alfred must be found so King Richard can pass it on to his successor. Is Simon, Duke of Battersea and friend of the king, next in line to the throne or will the evil werewolf Baron Magnus Rudh succeed in his plot to make his son, Lot, king? To add further complications, Dido Twite, held prisoner by the Baron and the Duchess, does not know the whereabouts of either Simon or the dying king: can she escape in time to find and warn them of the treachery afoot? This adventure with a truly galloping plot and breath-taking situations will delight all fans of Joan Aiken's books

Midwinter Nightingale

Pea's family are separating for the summer holidays. Big sister, Clover, is off to Drama Camp, Mum is staying at home to finish her new book, and Pea and Tinkerbell are going camping. 
 
But things don't go quite to plan, and Pea finds her summer suddenly filled with Enid Blyton, castles, ghosts and mysteries . . .

Pea's Book of Holidays

Brian Jacques

Henry Mawdsley is a terrific liar. However, the more people get to know him, the less they believe in his lies - and it won't be long until nobody in his town believes a word he says! So when a chance encounter with the devil offers him the opportunity to have everyone believe his lies unconditionally for a week for the measly price of his soul, Henry jumps at the chance. But as the week draws to a close, and the date of Henry's descent into hell gets closer, he begins to fear for his life . . . 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

The Lies of Henry Mawdsley (Storycuts)

Thomas P Kanne is the Phantom Snake, an elusive graffiti artist who has made many enemies in his attempts to vandalise his home city of Middlechester. Mr Bausin, the caretaker of the local museum is a seemingly harmless old man with a dark secret, but more importantly, a vendetta against the Phantom Snake. When Mr Bausin finally gets to confront his nemesis in the dark, abandoned corridors of the Egyptian exhibit, Thomas faces a terrifying game of cat and mouse. 
 
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

The Fate of Thomas P Kanne (Storycuts)

The Saddle Club girls are in for some real excitement when Stevie’s boyfriend Phil invites them – along with a few other kids from their Pony Club – to participate in a genuine fox hunt. Stevie, Lisa and Carole can’t wait for the event to begin, especially when they find out that no harm will come to the fox. But first, to give everyone a chance to learn the ropes, there’s a mock hunt in Pine Hollow Stables. As the most devious of the bunch, Stevie is chosen to play the fox. On the day of the hunt, she finds she isn’t the only one who’s devious… when her prank-playing brothers get involved in the chase!

Saddle Club Book 22: Fox Hunt

May Grover is sick and tired of being treated like a little kid. Her two older sisters, Ellie and Dottie, tease her all the time, especially about being pony-crazy. When May is chosen to lead the Pony Parade at Pine Hollow Stables, she decides to prove to Ellie and Dottie that she’s a serious rider. What May doesn’t know if that her sisters have a surprise of their own in store! 
 
From the author of the bestselling series, The Saddle Club.

Pony Tails 5: May Takes The Lead

Penelope Farmer

Penelope's mother died when she was a very young child and she was subsequently adopted by her mum's best friend, Aunt Jo. On the surface her life seems as normal as anyone's and yet underneath she is deeply confused. Why does she suffer such painful headaches, why does she remember things that can't possibly have happened to her, and why can she speak phrases of Latin when she has never been taught the subject?!. Sometimes she really believes she is going mad. And then when even her best friend, Piloo, starts talking about reincarnation it's almost more than she can bear. Penelope only wants to be herself, but in order to achieve that she has to look to her past and discover just who she really is. . . . .

Penelope

Mitchell Symons

From bestselling revolting reference expert Mitchell Symons comes this wickedly funny modern take on Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Verses. 
 
Meet a true rogue's gallery of horrid kids who hit the skids. Callum: who was a dreadful bully until he received his come-uppance; Tiffany: who couldn't put down her mobile phone and died a horrible death; Bill: whose ability to fart ended in tears and Chloe: whose determination to have the most Facebook friends meant she lost her real ones.

Happily Never After

Modern Cautionary Tales

Simon Rae

All his life, Jack Henley has felt at home in the woods - more at home than when he's actually at home with his parents. He loves watching the badgers play-fighting in the summer evenings, and pretending to be outlaws or cannibals with his two best friends. When Jack discovers that the woods hide an incredible secret - a beautiful, extraordinary, unicorn - he cannot believe his eyes. 
 
He and the owner of the woods, the eccentric Mr Finistaire, embark on a journey to save the unicorn from extinction. But as they continue in secrecy, Jack begins to wonder whether Mr Finistaire is quite what he seems.. Will the bond between Keras and Jack be enough to withstand the danger that awaits them both?

Keras

Susan Sallis

Two disabled children love their new bungalow by the sea. It even has its own spectral steam-train which only they can hear each night. The train holds many mysteries which will change their lives.

No Time At All

When Jonathan joins a new school, he is an easy target for R.S.B. Limited, three bullies who demand money in exchange for 'protection.' Unable to afford the rates, he is subjected to a humiliating daily ritual. However, a pale anonymous boy who looks eerily similar to Jonathan has been glimpsed around the school - and he's not going to let R.S.B. Limited get away with their bullying any more. 
 
Part of the Stroycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.

RSB Limited (Storycuts)

Carole, Stevie and Lisa can’t believe their luck when they get another chance to visit their good friend Kate Devine at her family’s ranch. The Bar None. It’s a perfect time to visit, since the annual rodeo has come to town. Eli Grimes, who works at The Bar None, will be in the rodeo, and the girls can’t wait to watch him compete. 
But the girls hear some bad news when they arrive. The Bar None has lost a lot of business to a flashy new ranch closer to town. The Devines may not be able to keep their ranch running much longer. That’s when The Saddle Club – including new member Christine Lonetree – comes up with a plan to help. They’ll enter the rodeo’s barrel-racing contest and carry off the cash prize! Can Christine, Kate, Stevie, Carole, and Lisa pull out all the stops and win big for The Bar None?

Saddle Club Book 12: Rodeo Rider

School is out for the summer, and The Saddle Club has big plans. Lisa, Carole and Stevie have all been invited to Wyoming to work on a ranch and help run a Western riding camp. The girls are looking forward to a great summer of fun and riding until Lisa’s parents break the terrible news: they want Lisa to go with them to Europe for a month. Lisa’s upset and she’ll be missing the chance to work as a ranch hand – how will she survive for four whole weeks without her best friends Stevie and Carole, and horses to ride? And how will Stevie and Carole get on in Wyoming without Lisa?

Saddle Club 29: Ranch Hands

The girls of The Saddle Clun have headed West to the Bar None Ranch. This time they’ve brought their friend Emily, who has cerebral palsy. Emily is going to help the ranch’s owner make it accessible to riders with special needs. Then the four girls meet a guest their own age. She’s a former rider who has lost part of one leg in a motorbike accident. She doesn’t plan to get on a horse ever again. In the meantime, The Saddle Club and Emily are riding so much, they’re saddle sore!

Saddle Club 66: Saddle Sore

In this third St Boan mystery, Ned is summoned once again by his Aunt Lal to help the famous but cantankerous poet, Sir Thomas Menhenitt. In confronting the poet's problems, Ned rescues Sir Tom's granddaughter, Jonquil from a bizarre and highly dangerous situation.

Bone And Dream : A St. Boan Mystery

When Carole finds out that she’s going to Florida for a winter holiday, she’s thrilled. She’ll miss her horse, Starlight, but she knows that Stevie and Lisa, her best friends in The Saddle Club, will take good care of him while she’s away. And her cousin Sheila has made plans for several fun activities, including a day at a popular theme park, a big family reunion and, best of all, the chance to ride along Florida’s beautiful sandy beaches. But Carole’s ride along the sunny coastline turns out to be much more exciting – and frightening – than she ever imagined…

Saddle Club Book 26: Beach Ride

Jonathan Kebbe

They've put a price on Hopper's head, 
A million quid I heard it said... 
 
Hopper Rooney's famous for his outrageously unreal stories. So it's no surprise that no-one believes him when he tells them that someone is living in his da's garden shed! 
 
Da's in hospital, the weight walking off him, his head filled with worry about his garage business, and Hooper is sure that the last thing he needs to know is that a mysterious African has moved in with their lawn-mower. 
 
Can Spoofer prove he's not the eejit everyone reckons he is? That this time, he's telling the truth? 
 
Bring him in alive or dead, 
And never let a tear be shed.

Spoofer Rooney

Phil Marsten, Stevie’s boyfriend and an out-of-town member of The Saddle Club, is boarding an Arab mare at his family’s stable. When Phil offers to let Stevie ride the horse, she eagerly accepts. In exchange, Stevie has promised to give the horse all the care and exercise she needs. As Stevie begins working with the horse and preparing her for a forthcoming dressage exhibition, she quickly comes to love and respect her beautiful new mount. But the mare also has a mysterious allergy that won’t go away. Can Stevie find the cause, and live up to her side of the bargain to take the very best care of the horse?

Saddle Club 38: Horse Trade

Carole, Stevie and Lisa – the girls of The Saddle Club – are heading west to spend the first part of their Christmas holidays at the Bar None Ranch. But when a winter storm keeps them from returning home to Willow Creek for the holiday celebrations, the girls are heartbroken. 
Then an almost miraculous series of events touches each member of The Saddle Club and reminds them that there are more important things than presents and time off from school. 
Join The Saddle Club on an unforgettable trip that recalls the true spirit of giving and the strength of friendship.

Saddle Club Super: Western Star

Leon Garfield

In 1847, an orphaned baby is rescued as the sole survivor of a massacre in a Polish village. Many years later a mysterious and disturbed Russian lady turns up unexpectedly at one of Mr Dolly’s regular Friday night dinner parties. So begins a search for identity and lost inheritance in the seedy and crowded streets of nineteenth century London.

The House of Cards

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