Précis of Popular Fiction

Please note – any ages are purely for general guidance only as every reader is different.

SERIES FICTION

Young Bond – Charlie Higson. AGE – 13+

James Bond is re-imagined as a teenager. In the first book, Silverfin, he is 13 years old, orphaned and has just started at Eton. He goes to stay with his Aunt and Uncle (who is seriously ill) in Scotland during the school holidays. Whilst there, he investigates what appears to be a killer mutated eel in the local Loch. Charlie Higson is himself a Bond fan and has been faithful

to Ian Fleming’s original character.

Alex Rider – Anthony Horowitz. AGE – 12+

In Stormbreaker, the introductory novel in the series, orphaned Alex Rider lives with his Uncle, until his Uncle dies in a car accident. However, Alex discovers that his Uncle was actually murdered – and discovers that he had a secret life as a spy. Alex is also recruited into the spy business, and is tasked by MI6 to investigate a multi-millionaire who is gifting

computers to schools – MI6 suspects that this move is less altruistic than it seems. Fast paced spy adventure, reminiscent of James Bond.

Power of Five – Antony Horowitz. AGE – 13+

This is a gripping supernatural/fantasy thriller series, beginning with Raven’s Gate. When Matt is in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people, he is lucky to avoid a spell in a young offender’s institution. He is instead sent to live with a guardian in Yorkshire as part of a rehabilitation scheme. However, on his arrival, he realises that not everything is as it

seems – every time he tries to leave, he ends up back where he started. Could there be paranormal happenings in Yorkshire, and what is the connection to him? He teams up with a local journalist to investigate, and soon discovers that he is part of a greater battle between good and evil.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney. AGE – 8+

This is a phenomenally popular American series about a boy called Greg. Told in diary form, with black and white line illustrations, the stories follow Greg and his best friend Rowley through school, growing up, sibling rivalry, family life and first crushes. The stories are very amusing and relatable, stories that are particularly popular with reluctant readers.

Young Sherlock Holmes – Andrew Lane. AGE – 12+

Death Cloud is the first novel in this series, approved by the Conan Doyle estate, which again takes a well known, established character and imagines him as a teenager. In the first book, Sherlock is sent to stay with his Aunt and Uncle during the summer holidays. He fears that his summer is ruined, but he is soon drawn into a crime that takes in kidnap,

corruption, espionage and murder, and has to develop his powers of logic to solve the case.

Boy Soldier - Andy McNab. AGE – 13+

Andy McNab has written a number of series for young adults, but Boy Soldier is probably his best known. Danny is desperate to be a soldier, but his dreams have been thwarted by his grandfather. A former MI6 operative, his grandfather betrayed his country to the Columbian drug cartels. Danny’s determined to find him, but so are others – who will get there first?

CHERUB - Robert Muchamore. AGE – 12+

This series is another that deals with teenage spies – the hook of this one is that orphaned or abandoned children are recruited into a secret service (CHERUB) because they can get to places that adults cannot because they would never be suspected of being secret agents. In the first book, The Recruit, James (one of the main characters) is introduced and

sent on his first mission to infiltrate a terrorist group.

Henderson’s Boys – Robert Muchamore. AGE – 13+

The Henderson’s Boys series is a prequel to the CHERUB series, explaining what the organisation is and how it was formed during the Second World War. The first in the series is The Escape: two British children are trapped behind enemy lines. Spy Charles Henderson is sent to help them – but can only do so with the help of a 12 year old French orphan.

Tom Gates – Liz Pichon. AGE – 8+

Tom Gates is very much the British version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Diary based fiction based around the life of Tom Gates – embarrassing parents, an annoying older sister, and troublesome teachers. The books are full of humorous stories, doodles and illustrations, which again make them very popular with reluctant readers.

Percy Jackson – Rick Riordan. AGE – 10+

The Percy Jackson series is based around Greek Gods. In the first book, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Percy discovers that he is half Greek God and half human, as his father is Poseidon. Percy must go on a quest to recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt – and along the way avoid the hordes of Greek monsters who are determined to stop him. He’s joined

on his journey by Annabeth, whose mother is Athena, and Grover, a satyr whose duty is to protect Percy. Percy is Dyslexic and has ADHD (which are attributed to his Greek God heritage), and is a relatable character for boys.

Agent 21 – Chris Ryan. AGE – 14+

Zak Darke is orphaned when is parents die in a suspected outbreak of food poisoning. Zak is convinced they were murdered, and his suspicions are confirmed when he is recruited as an agent for a mysterious government organisation. He is sent to Mexico to infiltrate a drug cartel, where he must use his training and wits to survive.

TimeRiders – Alex Scarrow. AGE – 12+

Three teenagers, who were ‘saved’ moments from death, a mysteriously recruited to form a team who must travel back and forth through time to stop time travel from destroying the world. In the first book, the team must go back in time to prevent the Nazis from winning World War II. Other books in the series are based around themes such as the dinosaurs,

Robin Hood, the American Civil War and the Mayans, and there is an overarching mystery running through the whole series – who is the mysterious recruiter and how is he connected to them?

STAND ALONE

David Walliams is often touted as the new Roald Dahl – and his books are certainly very popular. Gangsta Granny is the story of Ben and his granny. Ben thinks she’s boring and she smells of cabbage. But then he discovers she has a secret life as an international jewel thief. She has been plotting to steal the crown jewels for some time – and Ben is drawn into her biggest

heist to date. AGE – 8+

Paul Dowswell has written a number of children’s books, but Auslander is one that I can particularly recommend. Set during WWII, Piotr is an orphan living in Warsaw. German soldiers decide that he is racially valuable, and he is sent to live with a high ranking Nazi family, and becomes Peter. But Peter comes to realise that he does not want to be a Nazi, and

so he embarks on a dangerous mission. AGE – 12+

Michael Morpurgo is a perennial favourite – War Horse and Private Peaceful are still very popular. But another of his books which the boys enjoy here is Shadow. The story is told by three people – Aman, an Afghani refugee, Matt, Aman’s best friend, and Matt’s Grandfather. Aman and his mother have managed to flee Afghanistan with the help of a stray dog. But

now Aman is being held in Yarl’s Wood, and he tells his story to Matt’s Grandad - who is determined to help him. AGE – 11+

BOOKS SIMILAR TO WONDER (books featuring life lessons)

Please note that I have only read the books highlighted in green. Some of the others have been suggested by other school librarians, but I would be reluctant to wholeheartedly recommend these to our boys until I’ve read

them.

•   15 Days Without a Head – Dave Cousins

The blurb:

Fifteen-year-old Laurence Roach just wants a normal life, but it's not easy when your mum is a depressed alcoholic, and your six-year-old brother thinks he's a dog. When Mum fails to come home one night, Laurence tells nobody, terrified he and his

brother will be taken into care if anyone finds out. Instead, he attempts to keep up the pretence that Mum is still around: dressing up in her clothes to trick the neighbours and spinning an increasingly complicated tangle of lies. After two weeks on their own, running out of food and money, and with suspicious adults closing in, Laurence finally discovers what happened to his mother. And that's when the trouble really starts... A compelling thriller filled with some hilarious and surreal moments. Fifteen Days Without a Head is a tender, honest story about family, forgiveness and hope.

The reviewers say:

This is a wonderful, uplifting book, a fabulous story of friendship, loyalty, ingenuity and brotherly love. – Books for Keeps.

This is a sensitively written book about two brothers coping with an alcoholic mother and a deceased father. It sounds bleak, but it is written with such lightness of touch and humour in places that it’s actually very hopeful.

•   The Weight of Water – Sarah Crossan

The blurb:

Armed with a suitcase and an old laundry bag filled with clothes, Kasienka and her mother head for England. Life is lonely for Kasienka. At home her mother's heart is breaking and at school friends are scarce. But when someone special

swims into her life, Kasienka learns that there might be more than one way for her to stay afloat.

The Weight of Water is a startlingly original piece of fiction; most simply a brilliant coming of age story, it also tackles the alienation experienced by many young immigrants. Moving, unsentimental and utterly page-turning, we meet and share the experiences of a remarkable girl who shows us how quiet courage prevails.

The reviewers say:

Succinct, with a gentle lyricism, the poems are telling about immigration, prejudice, self-delusion, families and first love, on the way to a life-changing conclusion. – Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times- Book of the Week

This poetic novel is sheer perfection - for adults as well as for teenagers. Being in Kasienka's head, the reader gains a new understanding of how alienation feels. I loved it. – Sue Leonard, Irish Examiner

This book is lovely, and is written entirely in poems – which you barely notice as the story is so engaging, and the sparseness of text only adds to the charm.

•   Road of Bones – Anne Fine

The blurb:

Before I was even seven, I swear I could spell ‘The Glorious Revolution’… ‘Glorious Lie, more like,’ is what Yuri’s grandmother calls it. Everyone believes what they’re told and everyone knows who to cheer for, now that the Czar has gone.

But people still vanish sometimes. No one sees anything, or hears anything. And no one ever comes back. Yuri knows this. But he never dreams that he too could be considered an ‘enemy of the state’ simply for letting drop a few careless words. Now he’s taking his first steps on a road to despair. A road built on the bones of those who dared to oppose. A road to a new Yuri… A chilling and dramatic adventure that also challenges the nature of beliefs, and how these can be taken and twisted to justify acts of real horror and inhumanity. Truly a novel for our times.

The reviewers say:

It carries lessons to be re-assimilated by young readers - how society can be deceived, how people can become powerless and how tyranny can breed tyranny – The Bookseller.

This is a modern novel with a mythical sensibility that grapples with those troubling questions about the atrocities human beings can perpetrate in the name of making the world a better place. – Diane Samuels, The Guardian.

•   Once/Now/Then – Morris Gleitzman

The blurb:

Once by Morris Gleitzman is the story of a young Jewish boy who is determined to escape the orphanage he lives in to save his Jewish parents from the Nazis in the occupied Poland of the Second World War.

Everybody deserves to have something good in their life. At least Once.

Once I escaped from am orphanage to find Mum and Dad.

Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house.

Once I made a Nazi with a toothache laugh.

My name is Felix. This is my story.

The reviewers say:

Even though a lot of the things that happen in the book are upsetting, try not to let that stop you from reading it. There is plenty of page-turning action and even though it is very moving it is also funny at times.

The story is told with a child's voice so flows very quickly.

This book is very special because not only is it a great story, it will also help children learn about this very difficult subject and understand the importance of stories and the gift of having an imagination. – Newsround review on bbc.co.uk.

•   The Fault in Our Stars – John Green

The blurb:

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once."

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal,

her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

The reviewers say:

[Green] shows us true love — two teenagers helping and accepting each other through the most humiliating physical and emotional ordeals — and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach. - Natalie Standiford, The New York Times

•   Small as an Elephant - Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it’s over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any

other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before DSS catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all.

The reviewers say:

Jacobson has great success putting readers inside Jack’s not-always-thinking-things-through mind, and by the end of the story, nicely tied together by the elephant theme, Jack comes to realize that he hadn’t been alone, that family and people he didn’t even know were there for him in a “makeshift herd”. The happy yet realistic ending leaves Jack (and readers) “light-headed with hope.” – Horn Book

•   Butter – Erin Lange

The blurb:

You think I eat a lot now? That's nothing. Tune in December 31st, when I will stream a live webcast of my last meal. Death row inmates get one. Why shouldn't I? I can't take another year in this fat suit, but I can end this year with a bang. If you

can stomach it, you're invited to watch... as I eat myself to death.

-Butter

So starts Butter, the story of a lonely 423-pound boy everyone calls 'Butter'. Worse than being ridiculed for his size at high school, he is simply ignored. Desperate, he pledges to eat himself to death live on the Internet - and everyone will watch. When he makes this announcement online, he expects pity, insults, or possibly sheer indifference. Instead, his classmates become morbid cheerleaders for his deadly plan.

Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline?

Readers will be surprised to find themselves identifying with both the bullied… and the bullies.

The reviewers say:

[It] is a darkly humorous tale of bullying, obesity and the craving for popularity in the Internet age. […] But Butter isn't about being fat, it's […] about being a target, and that experience may be more universal than any of us may want to acknowledge. – Martin Chilton, The Daily Telegraph.

•   A Dog Called Homeless – Sarah Lean

The blurb:

My name is Cally Louise Fisher and I haven't spoken for thirty-one days. Talking doesn’t always make things happen, however much you want them to.

Cally Fisher saw her mum bright and real and alive. But no one believes her, so Cally’s stopped talking.

A mysterious wolfhound always seems to be there when her mum appears and now he’s started following her everywhere. But how can Cally convince anyone that Mum is still with them, or persuade Dad that the huge silver-grey dog is their last link with her?

The reviewers say:

A tender story of heartache and hope, doubt and courage, silence and song. Sarah Lean's graceful, miraculous writing will have you weeping one moment and rejoicing the next.” – Katherine Applegate, author.

Ever so gently, this fine debut effort explores the power of human kindness as Cally and her father find effective ways to cope with their loss. — Kirkus Reviews

•   Trash – Andy Mulligan

The blurb:

Raphael is a dumpsite boy. He spends his days wading through mountains of steaming trash, sifting it, sorting it, breathing it, sleeping next to it.

Then one unlucky-lucky day, Raphael's world turns upside down. A small leather bag falls into his hands. It's a bag of clues. It's a bag of hope. It's a bag that will change everything.

Soon Raphael and his friends Gardo and Rat are running for their lives. Wanted by the police, it takes all their quick-thinking and fast-talking to stay ahead. As the net tightens, they uncover a dead man's mission to put right a terrible wrong.

And now it's three street boys against the world...

The reviewers say:

Reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire, three dumpsite boys take on the world in this gripping and intensely moving story [...] Harrowing, exhilarating, humbling and quite brilliant – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller.

•   A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

The blurb:

The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments,

the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming... This monster is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. It wants the truth. An extraordinary novel of love, loss and hope.

The reviewers say:

There’s no denying it: this is one profoundly sad story. But it’s also wise, darkly funny and brave, told in spare sentences, punctuated with fantastic images (“Her scariest frown burnt into her face like a scar”) and stirring silences. Past his sorrow, fright and rage, Conor ultimately lands in a place — an imperfect one, of course — where healing can begin. – Jessica Bruder, The New York Times.

Received wisdom dictates that books published for children need endings that are, if not exactly happy, then at least hopeful. A happy ending would have been a betrayal of the kind of bracingly honest book this is, but hope can be hard to come by in such a story. Here the desperate honesty and refusal to compromise do allow for a sort of brutal clarity to emerge, and from that finally a glimpse of something like hope. Brave and beautiful, full of compassion, A Monster Calls fuses the painful and insightful, the simple and profound. The result trembles with life. – Daniel Hahn, The Independent.

•   My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece – Annabel Pitcher

The blurb:

Ten-year-old Jamie Matthews has just moved to the Lake District with his Dad and his teenage sister, Jasmine for a 'Fresh New Start'. Five years ago his sister's twin, Rose, was blown up by a terrorist bomb. His parents are wrecked by their

grief; Jasmine turns to piercing, pink hair and stops eating. The family falls apart. But Jamie hasn't cried in all that time. To him Rose is just a distant memory. Jamie is far more interested in his cat, Roger, his

birthday Spiderman T-shirt, and in keeping his new friend Sunya a secret from his dad. And in his deep longing and unshakeable belief that his Mum will come back to the family she walked out on months ago.

When he sees a TV advert for a talent show, he feels certain that this will change everything and bring them all back together once and for all.

The reviewers say:

I love this book because it tackles so many interesting subjects in a realistic, honest way. At school, Jamie has to worry about friendships and bullying. At home, he has to worry about death, divorce and change. The issues of racism, religious differences and injustice also feature in the story.

Also, the book tackles the idea that even when dreams come true, there's always a risk that you'll end up feeling terribly disappointed. – Guardian reader SophieDophie, aged 12.

This is a book which could easily have sunk under the weight of sentimentality. That it doesn't, that it is an inspiring tale of resilience and kindness, is a tribute to Pitcher. This is a fine debut novel. Truthful, clear-eyed and wise. – Martin Chilton, The Daily Telegraph.

•   Ketchup Clouds – Annabel Pitcher

The blurb:

I've done something wrong.

Not a little bit wrong or even quite a lot wrong. What I've done is awful.

And do you want to know the worst thing? I've got away with it.

Zoe Collins has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she dares confess to no one that she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal on death row who knows all about secrets. And lies. And betrayal. Desperate to confide in someone, Zoe picks up a pen, and takes a deep breath.

These are the letters that she wrote.

The reviewers say:

An endearing love story, a painful account of guilt and loss, and a chilling show of the consequences of our actions this book is a worthwhile and thought provoking read. – Jenny Duffy, Lovereading4kids.co.uk

Ketchup Clouds is risky, confident, compelling and ends, as all prize-winning teen novels seemingly must, with hope for redemption and self-forgiveness. – Mal Peet, The Guardian.

•   There's a Boy In The Girls Bathroom - Louis Sachar

The blurb:

Give me a dollar or I'll spit on you. That's Bradley Chalker for you. He is the oldest child in the class. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls, and the teachers say he has ‘serious behaviour problems'. No one likes him - except Carla, the

new school counsellor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his far-fetched stories. Carla knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren't afraid to try. Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is believing in yourself.

The reviewers say:

A story of isolation, bravery and gradual acceptance told with humour by Louis Sachar, the author of the brilliant Holes. – Lovereading4kids.co.uk

•   Star Girl – Jerry Spinelli

The blurb:

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of colour and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl”. She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one

cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this

celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

The reviewers say:

An incredibly touching story about a girl who dared to be different. A wonderfully original and memorable read for it makes you realise that tweens and teens work too hard these days to conform and be the same in order not to be different. It’s a real breath of fresh air and the message from it to everyone is that it’s better to be different and have individuality. It’s a life-changing and thought-provoking read that will touch all who read it whatever their age. – Lovereading4kids.co.uk

[…] always respectful of his audience, Spinelli poses searching questions about loyalty to one's friends and oneself and leaves readers to form their own answers. – Publishers Weekly

•   Liar and Spy – Rebecca Stead

The blurb:

When Georges moves into a new apartment block he meets Safer, a twelve-year-old self-appointed spy. Soon Georges has become his spy recruit. His first assignment? To track the mysterious Mr X, who lives in the flat upstairs. But as Safer

becomes more demanding, Georges starts to wonder: what is a game and what is a lie? How far is too far to go for your only friend?

The reviewers say:

A skilful tale ... Despite its light touch, it contains important themes about the truths we tell ourselves. - Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

The boys learn from their friendship with each other, and Stead's readers will grow from knowing them, too. - Daniel Hahn, Independent on Sunday, Best Books of the Year

•   When You Reach Me – Rebecca Stead

The blurb:

Miranda's life is starting to unravel. Her best friend, Sal, gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The key that Miranda's mum keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a

mysterious note arrives:

'I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own.

I ask two favours. First, you must write me a letter.'

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realises that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

The reviewers say:

[…] though time travel is the frame around which the story is constructed, it's really a beautifully observed story about family and friendship[…] – Philip Ardagh, The Guardian

It’s a story that takes on big ideas about the nature of time, friendship, compassion, and sacrifice, while still — at its heart — giving kids access to the wonder, doubts, and worries of someone their age. – Kristen Kittscher, Los Angeles Review of Books

•   Uglies – Scott Westerfeld

The blurb:

Tally lives in a world where your sixteenth birthday brings aesthetic perfection: an operation which erases all your flaws, transforming you from an 'Ugly' into a 'Pretty'. She is on the eve of this important event, and cannot wait for her life to

change. As well as guaranteeing supermodel looks, life as a Pretty seems to revolve around having a good time. But then she meets Shay, who is also fifteen - but with a very different outlook on life. Shay isn't sure she wants to be Pretty and plans to escape to a community in the forest - the Rusty Ruins - where Uglies go to escape 'turning'. Tally won't be persuaded to join her, as this would involve sacrificing everything she's

ever wanted for a lot of uncertainty. When she is taken in for questioning on her birthday, however, Tally gets sent to the Ruins anyway - against her will. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she could ever imagine: find her friend Shay and turn her in, or never turn Pretty at all. What she discovers in the Ruins reveals that there is nothing 'pretty' about the transformations... And the choice Tally makes will change her world forever.

The reviewers say:

“This book, the first in a trilogy, asks engaging questions about the meaning of beauty, individuality, and betrayal. Highly recommended for SF fans or anyone who likes a good, thoughtful adventure.” – Kliatt