Most popular books, by age range, on Lovereading4kids 4 - 11 July 2016

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		The Famishing Vanishing Mahoosive Mammoth Hollie Hughes July 2016 Book of the Month  Picture book heroes come in all shapes and sizes but seldom has there been a pair of friends quite as eye-catching as Bug and his best friend Mammoth. With huge pink and orange ears, ... Download free opening extract
2		Macavity's Not There! A Lift-the-Flap Book T. S. Eliot July 2016 Book of the Month Young readers will love searching for the mischievous, mystery cat Macavity as they peek under the flaps to hunt for the cat who’s never there, following the clues until they discover the feisty feline ... Download free opening extract
3		Up, Up and Away Tom McLaughlin Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month July 2016  Inventive Orson builds his own planet with a cupful of rocks, a dash of water, a sprinkling of metal and a lot of nothingness. He loves his planet and is proud of ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for Young Adults

1		Blame Simon Mayo July 2016 Book of the Month | In a nutshell : tense, unusual thriller   Set in a not-too-distant future in which, following the collapse of the EU and a major recession in the UK (that must feel much more prescient now ... Download free opening extract
2		The Moonlight Dreamers Siobhan Curham July 2016 Book of the Month | In a Nutshell: Awesome Empowerment * Sisterly Support * Pursuing Passions This inspirational story about following dreams and the power of female friendship is as rich, warm and cheering as being curled up with ... Download free opening extract
3		Children of Icarus Caighlan Smith July 2016 Book of the Month  | In a Nutshell: * Dystopian deception * Greek myth * Survival A labyrinthine world of brutality, deception and monstrous creatures awaits in this intense coming-of-age fantasy about fighting to survive. Being chosen to enter ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats Alicia Potter July 2016 Book of the Month The story of the scaredy cat finding unexpected resources of courage to save the day is given a lovely – and literal – twist in this delightful picturebook. Miss Hazeltine takes in all shy ... Download free opening extract
2		The Hippopandamouse Jools Bentley July 2016 Debut of the Month   Perfection is in the eye of the beholder says this funny picture book, and we should be slower to write off things judged imperfect. There’s a frenzy of activity at Fuffley’s Toys in advance of ... Download free opening extract
3		Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea Morag Hood July 2016 Debut of the Month  Simplicity is the charm of this picture book story of the unlikely friendship between very different vegetables. Lee is a very green pea and so are all of his friends except for Colin who ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Billy Button, Telegram Boy Sally Nicholls July 2016 Book of the Month  Meet the Buttons. Mrs Button runs a shop – the nicest thing about it, she says, is the people – Mr Button runs the post office. The story is set in the days before ... Download free opening extract
2		Flo of the Somme Hilary Robinson Winner of the 2016 Historical Association’s ‘Young Quill’s Award for Historical Fiction’ (primary school category) | One of our Books of the Year 2015 | The stories of the many animals involved in the First World War make a great ... Download free opening extract
3		Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door Julia Donaldson, Catriona Black Interest Age 5-8  Former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson’s story is a touching adventure told in easy to read chapters. Elmo and his sister want to move to the run down house with the overgrown garden. Instead, their parents choose to ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Baby Zebra Rescue Tamsyn Murray July 2016 Book of the Month | In a nutshell : animals – friendship – looking after animals Readers who like animals are going to love Tamysn Murray’s new series set in Tanglewood Animal Park. It’s a dream come true for ... Download free opening extract
2		Half a Man Michael Morpurgo M.B.E. Former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo deftly captures the devastating and long lasting impact of war in this stunning and beautifully produced short story. Michael’s grandfather is badly disfigured by his horrific experiences in the war. One of only three to ... Download free opening extract
3		Holiday Ha Ha Ha! Various Authors If there’s any likelihood of rainy days on your holiday, be sure to pack a copy of this sparkling collection of stories written by some of our wittiest and most inventive authors, as it’s certain to brighten the mood until ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot Horatio Clare Winner of The Branford Boase Award 2016. One of our Books of the Year 2015. This is a special and unusual book. It features some beautiful writing, and conjures up the sights, sounds and smells of the English countryside with ... Download free opening extract
2		Strange Star Emma Carroll Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month July 2016 Rich in thrilling details, Strange Star is a cleverly told story-within-a story that draws together true stories with an original adventure. Italy, 1816, Felix works as a servant to the Lord Byron ... Download free opening extract
3		My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord David Solomons July 2016 Book of the Month  | In a nutshell : aliens invade Bromley The follow-up to David Solomon’s prize-winning sci-fi comedy My Brother is a Superhero delivers just as much in the way of tension, adventure and laughs. Still resentful ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Such Stuff A Story-Maker's Inspiration Michael Morpurgo M.B.E. Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month July 2016  Award-winning former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo gives all those who love his books a fascinating behind-the-scenes introduction to how he came to write twenty of them. While each story and the inspiration ... Download free opening extract
2		Private Peaceful Michael, M. B. E. Morpurgo It will seem odd when reading this book that the author enjoyed writing it the most of all the 90 or so he has written so far. That’s because it’s the one that most touched a nerve with him, that ... Download free opening extract
3		Over the Line Tom Palmer Interest Age 10+ Reading Age 8   Football never dies – even during the darkest days of the First World War. Tom Palmer tells the true story of the Footballers’ Battalion. Accused of cowardice because they are out playing football instead ... Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 13+ readers

1		The Otherlife Julia Gray July 2016 Debut of the Month Absolutely compelling. I have to admit to being rather surprised by ‘The Otherlife’, I think I was expecting a rollicking fantasy adventure, instead a startling, yet subtle and thought provoking read awaited. Either told ... Download free opening extract
2		Wave Paul Dowswell July 2016 Book of the Month | Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8  World War One didn’t just affect those involved in the fighting but those left at home, and subsequent generations too as this novel shows. Charlie joins up, ... Download free opening extract
3		The Lie Tree Frances Hardinge Winner of the UKLA 2016 Book Award in the 12 - 16 year old category. WINNER of the 2015 COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR and Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award  Award-winning Frances Hardinge is spellbinding is this hugely entertaining ... Download free opening extract