Another week of evictions sees three more fabulous books leave this year’s competition.
What’s The Story – The Hoys by Kes Gray, illustrated by Mark A Chambers
Pirate Jake feels that he cannot be a ‘real pirate’ until he has come face to face with a Hoy. Ahoy there! But what is a hoy, and why can Pirate Jake never see one?! No matter how hard he looks, Jake cannot see the mysterious hoys he keeps hearing so much about. How can he ever be a proper pirate if he can’t see a hoy? With his parrot on his shoulder, he walks gloomily across the sand dunes. Until something quite unusual catches his eye.
If that was your favourite, try Billy And The Pirates by Nadia Shireen
Prepare to set sail on a grand adventure with Billy and her loyal companion, Fatcat, in their latest escapade! In this third thrilling instalment, our brave duo stumbles upon a mysterious message in a bottle while navigating the high seas. But their journey takes a perilous turn when they encounter the notorious Captain Howl and his odorous crew of pirates.
Fear not, for Billy and Fatcat are well-versed in the art of adventure and always have a clever trick (or treat) up their sleeves. Along the way, they’ll meet enchanting singing mermaids and even some sticky toffee-loving sharks!
Join Nadia Shireen as she brings us another delightful tale of courage and camaraderie with our favourite heroine and her ever-hungry feline friend.
Telling Tales – Reggie Rabbit: The Great Carrot Heist by Swapna Haddow and Becka Moor
Reggie Rabbit wants to be a big-shot detective in Bearburgh City, just like his hero, Detective Fox. His parents have other ideas: they would rather he stayed at home and worked on their vegetable stall. But when a carrot-snatching crime wave hits the canals, the family stall is in danger of closing. Even worse, the famous Detective Fox won’t take the case. Reggie needs to step in!
If you loved Reggie, try Indiana Bones by Harry Heape and Rebecca Bagley
Embark on an extraordinary adventure with Indiana Bones, the superpowered shaggy dog, and his clever young friend, Aisha! This dynamic duo is here to solve mysteries that would leave even the world’s top detectives scratching their heads.
In their very first case, Indiana Bones and Aisha are hot on the trail of a treasure hidden centuries ago by the legendary knight, The Lonely Avenger. Their thrilling quest takes them all the way to the majestic pyramids of Egypt.
This inventive new series, brought to life by one of the funniest author/illustrator teams in the business, promises to be a delightful and entertaining read for all.
Hooked On Booked – The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgeman
Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the Chief Horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him. Hunting a trail of clues through London’s landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father – and time itself.
If that was your favourite, try S.T.E.A.L.T.H. Access Denied by Jason Rohan
Transformers meet Bond in this adrenaline fuelled action packed adventure.
When his dad disappears, Arun Lal is amazed to discover that he was secretly working on a classified project and has been kidnapped by people intent on stealing it. Along with his geeky best friend Sam and tough-talking Donna, Arun is plunged into a race to rescue his father and find his creation before the thieves can turn it into a destructive global weapon…
The children leave the security services trailing in their wake as they pool their skills and knowledge to get to the truth behind what has happened to Arun’s Dad. Whether police, security services, military, or the people behind the kidnapping they use street smarts and technical savvy to keep up as the clock ticks down.
Arun, Sam and Donna are not a natural team at first glance. The boys see Donna as trouble, while she sees them as a way to escape another dull day at school. Arun, with his level head and clear thinking, is the gel that binds them together, as the three get to know each other better. The technical skills Sam possesses are way beyond my capabilities and I echo Sunny’s confusion as he explains some of the gadgetry he whips up. Donna is forthright and street smart, with skills no child her age should have, but her sense of right and wrong is one that would put many adults to shame.
What I loved most was the culturally diverse cast of characters that reflect the city it is set in. Jason doesn’t shy away from tackling subconscious bias either as we see through early interactions between Sam and Donna.
Happy reading, and keep voting to make sure your favourite isn’t evicted next!
