Written by Charlie James, with illustrations by Ned Joliffe
Published by Bloomsbury

It's bad enough being the kid in the middle, with a ditzy elder sister and an unpredictable younger brother, but Ned Finn is also weighed down by a very strong sense of responsibility. When things go wrong, he generally has to put them right. Which is not easy when your younger brother experiments with some high-potency fish crisps and turns into a cod. This fast paced comedy is full of puns, near-misses and close shaves - ideal for those graduating from the Horrid Henry school of fiction. The Finn family is not one you're ever likely to forget...

Written by Heather Dyer, illustrated by Peter Bailey
Published by Chicken House

A hugely enjoyable, old-fashioned fantasy adventure with short chapters, good size print and excellent line drawings. Toby is an orphan who has lived and worked in a seaside hotel since he was abandoned there as a baby. He is desperately lonely until the day he meets the kindly Flot family, who just happen to be mermaids, and his fortunes start to change for the better.

Written by Ian Ogilvy, illustrated by Chris Mould
Published by Oxford University Press

When young Measle Stubb's parents go missing, he's sent to live with his ghastly guardian, Basil Tramplebone. But Basil is an evil wizard who shrinks Measle and makes him live as a villager in his model train set along with his other victims… and a man-eating bat called Cuddlebug. Madcap gothic fun!

Written by Margaret Ryan, illustrated by Teresa Murfin
Published by Scholastic

Airy Fairy is the clumsiest fairy around and her school report is the worst her school has ever seen. So while other fairies are having fun preparing for the holidays, Airy Fairy is set a special task - she has just six chances to turn the nasty Grimm family into nicer people or else she won't be allowed to attend the school party.

Margaret is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here

Written and illustrated by Knife & Packer
Published by Egmont

Captain Fact is the 'fact world's first information superhero'. By day he's mild-mannered weatherman, Cliff Thornhill, but when the local museum hatches a baby Triceratops that has to be reunited with its mother, he flies into action using his encyclopaedic knowledge to save the day. A surprisingly informative and very funny strip cartoon.

Written by Eoin Colfer
Puffin

Marty and Will beg their parents not to make them go to the library where the legendary librarian, Spud Murphy is rumoured to keep order with her terrible spud gun. They just know they'll be spudded (or else die of boredom), but to their surprise the two young brothers discover that libraries, books and even Spud herself are much more fascinating than they ever realised. A superb introduction to Eoin Colfer's brilliant writing and to the wonders of the local library!

Written by Jacqueline Wilson
Published by Corgi Children's Books

Reading Champion, Margaret Ryan recommends this book by one of our most popular writers, 'When Andy's mum and dad split up, she has to choose which one to live with, but she can't because she loves them both. She opts to stay with them week about, but it's not easy. Now she's part of two different families. This is a sometimes sad, sometimes funny story, told from the child's point of view.'

Written by David Bedford and illustrated by Keith Brumpton
Published by Little Hare Books

The team should have won the league, but a fumbled shot by Darren the goalkeeper loses them the game. The others are furious, but even when Darren quits the team they don't seem to realise how serious the situation is and it's left to Harvey to find another goalie and save the situation. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this fast-moving, humorously illustrated football story.'

Written by Malorie Blackman and illustrated by Lis Toft
Published by Barn Owl Books

Maxine is a resourceful child and if she can rope her twin brothers into helping to solve the family's problems she will, but of course things rarely go accordingly to plan. These are warm, funny, family stories packed with everyday adventure and excitement. They're all narrated by Maxine and are perfect to read aloud.

Written by Terry Deary
Published by A&C Black

Laura's family is rich - her dad won the lottery - and Tommy's family is poor, but they're good friends and always look out for each other. So when Laura is kidnapped by the mysterious Marvello, it's Tommy who sets out to rescue her, only to become a prisoner himself. A thrilling and chilling adventure story. Look out for more stories in the Black Cats series.

Written and illustrated by Richard Brassey
Published by Orion

Brilliant Brits is a new, non-fiction series in a comic strip format. It's great fun for all ages and full of informative snippets. The series will eventually cover a wide range of famous figures from Boudicca to Beckham and this title and Henry VIII are available now.

Written by Catherine MacPhail and illustrated by Sarah Nayler
Published by Scholastic

Granny Nothing may look like a rhino in a frock and have the most disgusting habits, but she's kind and generous at heart and is soon rescuing her grandchildren from cruel Nanny Sue and the school bullies. This is the first in a new series of hilariously funny stories about the ghastly Glasgow granny, by popular writer Cathy MacPhail.

Cathy is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written by Franzeska G Ewart, illustrated by Mark Oliver
Published by Egmont

Spike is scared of his own shadow and does his best not to be noticed. But one day, out amassing Sunshine Points by picking up litter in the playground, it suddenly dawns on him that he is in control. And after that there's no stopping him.

Franzeska is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written and illustrated by Harry Horse
Published by Puffin

Grandfather's letters home tell of the adventures he encounters in the company of his intrepid, and rather thrawn dog, Roo. Surprisingly, given the hair-raising nature of some of the scrapes they find themselves in, neither Grandfather nor Roo ever seem especially concerned. And if you like this, there are other books about Grandfather and Roo.

Written by Sue Purkiss
Published by A&C Black

Spooker doesn't live up to his name - he's a lousy ghost and dreading his Haunting exam. How is he going to pass - especially as the house he's supposed to haunt is brand new? The signs are not promising in this funny romp of a book.

Written by Joan Lingard, illustrated by Paul Howard
Published by Hodder Children's Books

Robbie is fed up at moving from his Highland home to a tenement in the city. But his main concern is for his tortoise, Herman. How will they both cope?

Joan is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written and illustrated by Scoular Anderson
published by Birlinn Ltd.

Scottish history as you've never read it before, packed with cartoons, fascinating facts and many interesting if quirky questions.

Scoular is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written by Alan Temperley
Published by Macmillan Children's Books

This is an exciting adventure set in the stunning city of Samarkand in which the wicked Zohak Ali is determined to enslave young Anahita. She, however, has other ideas.

Alan Temperley is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.