Written by Michael Morpurgo
Published by HarperCollins Children's Books

In 1943 Lily's dad goes to war and she is left with her mum, grandma, grandpa and her beloved cat, Tips. Soon after her dad has left, Lily and her family are forced out of their home so it can be used for training by the army, but Tips is left behind. Desperate to find Tips, Lily enters the danger zone, but will she ever find Tips? I think this is very good book.

Many thanks to Catherine Grant for her review.

Written by Anne Fine
Published by Corgi Yearling Books

Ralph is not having a good Christmas. He is stuck in his room on Christmas day and all because of the relatives coming to stay! Uncle Tristram is throwing potatoes at the cat, Titania is writing soppy letters to Santa and mum is on the verge of a breakdown. In this book more is certainly not merrier. But it is very funny!

Many thanks to Catherine Grant for her review.

Written by Terry Deary
Published by Kingfisher

Sentenced to have his liver ripped out every morning for eternity for having given fire to humans, Prometheus escapes to Eden City, a dark, grungy Victorian edifice where he strikes up a friendship with Jim. This author, who is best known as the power behind the Horrible History series, entwines the stories of ancient Greece and Victorian Britain with terrific energy, and chatty footnotes which keep readers well up to speed. It's an action packed tale - readers will devour it with gusto.

Written by Katherine Langrish
Published by Collins

When Peer's father dies, he goes to live with his vile uncles, the Grimssons at their mill near Troll Fell. His life is harsh, but worse is in store when he discovers that wicked uncles intend to sell Peer and his friend Hilde to the troll king as slaves. This dramatic, humorous and atmospheric tale of good and evil will appeal to boys and girls alike.

Written by Eva Ibbotson
Published by Macmillan Children's Books

Set in Vienna in the late 19th century the story begins when two middle-aged domestic servants find an abandoned baby girl in a church on a mountainside and take her home to Vienna where their employers, three eccentric professors allow her to stay and be brought up. She rapidly becomes proficient in all the domestic arts, but then her longed-for, unknown mother turns up and her life is suddenly changed. A rich, magical and superbly plotted tale of family, friendship and belonging.

Written by Gill Arbuthnott
Published by Floris Books

Kate and David are ordinary eleven-year-olds researching their school project together at the local museum. However that's where the ordinariness ends, as the children find themselves caught up in a bitter war between The Lords of Chaos who want to turn back time to the dark days and The Guardians of Time who, with David and Kate's help, are determined to stop them. An original and spine-chilling fantasy thriller by a new Scottish writer.

Written by Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore
Published by Puffin

Vernon Bright is a likeable, but over-confident know-all with a particular fascination for scientific facts. Unfortunately, although Vernon can explain the speed of light, he doesn't have so much success when it comes to lighting the school play and havoc ensues. Lots of appeal for boys and despite the mayhem, all the facts are spot on! Look out for the other Vernon Bright books in the series.

Written by Eva Ibbotson
Published by Macmillan

The hair-raising, heart-warming adventures of Maia and her tight-lipped (and tight-corseted) governess as they try to adapt to a new life on the banks of the Amazon with Maia's ghastly relatives. This is brilliant storytelling - an inventive, hilarious and tangled tale of bravery and loyalty. Look out for Eva Ibbotson's other books including Which Witch? and Dial a Ghost.

Written by Jonathan Kebbe
Published by Corgi

Lewis is fed-up being treated like a wimp by his classmates and fed-up with himself for putting up with it. He's the last person they expect to shine at football - all he's famous for is collecting bottle-tops - but he's determined to prove them wrong. A fast, funny and really satisfying story about the worm that turned.

Edited by Michael Harrison & Christopher Stuart-Clark

Reading Champion, Margaret Ryan enjoys reading poetry and thoroughly recommends this collection: 'Take time off to dip into this wonderful collection of Christmas poems, especially if you're feeling frazzled about the festive season. I especially liked Sandy Brownjohn's Christmas Eve, Peter Dixon's Nativity Play and Gavin Ewart's Christmas. Enjoy!'

Written by Philip Reeve
Published by Scholastic

This is a fantastic adventure story set in one of the most amazing and unusual fantasy worlds ever created. Cities are quite literally on the move as they roam on wheels around the globe and unlikely heroes Tom and Hester have been thrown out of London and left stranded while the city chases after its prey. A brilliant read - inventive and exciting.

Written by Beverley MacDonald
Published by Allen and Unwin

Reading Champion Nicola Morgan thoroughly enjoyed this. 'No one, of any age, could read this and say 'history is boring'. It takes you on a breathless ride through the whole idea of civilisation, from cannibals to the FBI. Written in a very direct style, not jokey, but straight to the reader (adult or child). Non fiction at its best.'

Written by Charlotte Moore
Published by Short Books

This is one of a series of biographies - stories of the lives of famous people - written like a story. It tells you the facts, but also lots of other details that make you feel that you have been introduced the real person. Although you are bound to know something about the person of whom the book is written, you will also find out lots more about their personality and about the people who helped them.

Written by Theresa Breslin
Published by Doubleday

We all dream, but Cy's dreams are more vivid than most, and he is constantly tussling with the Dream Master for control. Previous dreams have taken him to Viking and Egyptian times, but here he dreams his way into Pompeii, a bustling city in Southern which has no idea whatsoever about the dangers of its situation.

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

Astounding facts about plants
Published by Random House Children's Books

A fascinating collection of facts about plants - the speed at which they grow, how and what they eat, their contribution to science etc. This book was written by The Eden project, based in Cornwall. Look up the website for more fascinating information:
www.edenproject.com.

Astounding facts about plants
Written by Andrew Clements
Published by Simon and Schuster

Nick isn't the easiest pupil in the school - not that he's bad, he's just a bit different and likes to do things his way. Mrs Granger is having none of this, however. And the two lock horns with dramatic results!

Written by Pat Gerber, illustrated by Sue Gerber
Published by Glowworm Books

One night, when she's locking up the exhibits in her parents' folk museum, Annie bumps into the ghost, Jock. Who is he, what does he want, and how can Annie possibly help him?

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

Written by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman
Published by Collins

In a road accident - trying to save his dog - Robbie is hit by a car and sinks into a coma. His family and friends try everything to bring him round, and we gradually learn more and more about Robbie's life, his worries and his passion for football.

Michael Morpurgo has been appointed Children's Laureate 2003-2005. To find out more, log on to www.childrenslaureate.org.

Written by Robert Dodds
Published by Andersen Press

Ben and Claire are being hunted by a troupe of clowns determined to steal their childhood in this spine-chilling thriller!

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

Written by Catherine MacPhail
Published by Bloomsbury

Cathy wrote this book as a result of her daughter's experience of bullying while at school. A fast-paced adventure, this book won The Fidler Award for a first novel.

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

Jonathan Meres
Published by Piccadilly Press

There are no secrets in this story, told in a series of diary entries by a group of friends. Great fun, and remarkably realistic - and there are sequels to keep you up to date with the lives of the gang.

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