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Amazing Adventures

From the waterways of Venice to the lush South American rainforest, from life in Neanderthal Africa to the legendary battle for Troy - this collection of amazing adventures span the globe, past and present. Reading these books is almost as good as travelling the world yourself. Should suit most 12-14 year olds.

This collection of Amazing Adventures has been selected by Tim Cross and is available from Badger Publishing for £139 (or £125.10 if you send a cheque with your order). Go to www.badger-publishing.co.uk

Lian Hearn, Across the Nightingale Floor
(Macmillan, 2002, 294 pages, 1 4050 0032 5)

 

The story of a boy discovering his destiny in a mythical world, much like ancient Japan, where he has many enemies and few friends. See review

 

 

Katherine Roberts, The Babylon Game
(Collins, 2002, 299 pages, 0 00 711279 3)

 

A fast-paced adventure supposedly set in the ancient city of Babylon. The Babylon game is the second in the Seven Fabulous Wonders Series, by Katherine Roberts. This time it follows Tiamat, a young girl who suddenly discovers she has the power to save or destroy her city. See review

 

 

Andy Jennings, The Beach Dogs
(Hodder Children's Books, 2000, 231 pages, 0 340 77869 5)

 

A gripping story of the stray dogs living in a tropical climate, where they are hounded mercilessly, and staying alive is a supreme challenge. See review

 

 

Brian Jacques, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman
(Viking, 2001, 327 pages, 0 670 89925 9)

 

This book starts off on the Flying Dutchman, a the mystical ghost ship. In a storm Neb & his faithful dog Ben are washed onto the shores of South America as the only survivors.  An adventure soon ensues. See review

 

 

Jamila Gavin, Coram Boy
(Mammoth, 2000, 324 pages, 0 7497 3268 7)

 

Set in the eighteenth century, Coram Boy is a stunning read with a huge variety of characters and places and a very complex storyline. It mainly follows Alexander and Aaron, a father and son who never meet. See review

 

 

Kristine Franklin, Cuss
(Walker, 2003, 297 pages, 0 7445 9095 7)

 

Set in 1920s America, this read follows Slava, a young European, who must endeavour to support his crumbling family with as much as he can, but will he go to the lengths of being separated forever? See review

 

 

Suzanne Staples, Daughter of the Wind
(Walker, 2002 (first published in 1989), 267 pages, 0 7445 9011 6)

 

This book is all about a young Muslim girl living in Pakistan. The book does not have much action in it, but it is still an interesting read - all about whether Shabanu will desert her family and culture and follow her own wishes. See review

 

 

Nicola Morgan, Fleshmarket
(Hodder, October 2003, 263 pages, 0 340 855576)

 

Fleshmarket follows Robbie, living in 19th century Edinburgh where the poor live in complete squallor and doctors are just beginning to research the frontiers of medical science. His mothers was one of the first victims of these 'advances' and Robbie has sworn revenge. See review

 

 

Mal Peet, Keeper
(Walker, October 2003, 234 pages, 0 7445 9025 6)

 

A mythical tale, charting the rise of the world's greatest football player, from a small boy living in the heart of the south American forest to El Gato, the cat, the winner of the world cup. See review

 

 

Peter Dickinson, The Kin
(Macmillan, 1998, 632 pages, 0 333 73735 0)

 

The Kin by is a wonderful book which follows the action-packed story of six children living hundreds of thousands of years ago in Africa on their own. It is fairly lengthly and quite complicated, so it might be best for older readers. See review

 

 

Geraldine McCaughrean, The Kite Rider
(Oxford University Press, 2001, 212 pages, 0 19 271860 6)

 

The book follows a young boy mourning the death of his father. He takes up the profesion of Kite Rider, soaring high above everything to speak to spirits, but his services are soon stolen by Kublai Khan, leader of the mongols, who wants to use him to spy ahead. Can Haoyou, the boy, survive the harsh regime, and can he escape? See review

 

 

Theresa Tomlinson, The Moon Riders
(Corgi, 2003, 335 pages, 055254910X)

 

Yet another Trojan myth, this time with the involvement of the mystical Amazons, who aid the Trojans against Agamemnon and his army of Greeks, creating a complex tale of blood, war and battles. See review

 

 

Alison Prince, Oranges and Murder
(Oxford University Press, 2001, 143 pages, 0 19 271825 8)

 

Set among streetsellers in the East End of London in the early 1900s. Oranges and Murder is a fast-paced, twisting and thoroughly enjoyable read. It follows Joey as he scrapes a living off the streets selling oranges and then becomes embroiled in a murder case, which he certainly could have done without. See review

 

 

Deborah Ellis, Parvana's Journey
(Oxford, 2002, 202 pages, 0 19 275285 5)

 

Parvana lives in Afghanistan. This book follows her as she struggles to survive and find her family on her own, but the rigid Taliban regime makes this almost impossible. See review

 

 

Geraldine McCaughrean, Plundering Paradise
(Oxford, 2001 (first published 1996), 214 pages, 0 19 271876 2)

 

The story of three childrens' adventures among the pirates in 18th century Madagascar where fighting and wild battles soon ensue. A vivid and colourful read which can lighten up the gloomiest of days! See review

 

 

Henning Mankell, Secrets in the Fire
(Allen Unwin, 2000 (first published in 1999), 167 pages, 1 86508 181 7)

 

Set in a war torn part of Mozambique. Secrets in the Fire is a story about Africa. It was first written in Swedish and has been translated into English. It's all to do with the life of Sofia, a young girl, who steps on a land-mine, and the tattered life that she tries to rebuild afterwards. See review

 

 

Catherine Fisher , The Snow Walker Trilogy
(Red Fox, 2003, 468 pages, ISBN 0 009 944806 8)

 

The Snow Walker Trilogy follows a group of adventurers in a snow-swept Norse land, who are determined to rout the evil from their land, even if it means undertaking a dangerous quest to the ends of the world as they know it. With huge odds massed against them, can they succeed? See review

 

 

Geraldine McCaughrean, Stop the Train
(Oxford University Press, 2002 (first published in 2001), 238 pages, 0 19 275266 9)

 

Set among settlers in the harsh prairies of America 100 years ago.  Cissy Sissney is a young girl who, along with many other settlers is desperately trying to scratch out a living from the barren terrain, but what can they do when their most impotant link to the rest of the world, the train, is cut off? See review

 

 

J.D. Wyss, The Swiss Family Robinson
(Puffin Books, 1986 (first published 1814), 383 pages, 0 14 035044 6)

 

A vibrant tale of tropical islands, beasts and companionship as a shipwrecked family are marooned on a desert island, where they must soon learn to fend for themselves. Exciting adventures soon ensue, including battling giant snakes, taming ostrichs and building huge tree houses. See review

 

 

Cornelia Funke, The Thief Lord
(Chicken House, 2002 (first published in Germany 2000), 348 pages, 1 903434 70 x)

 

This book is set in Venice and is all about two children running away from home. It is interesting and a really gripping read, with great characters and a good storyline. See review

 

 

Adele Geras, Troy
(Scholastic Ltd, 2000, 346 pages, 0439014093)

 

This entrancing story of love, lust and passion is intertwined with hate, deceit and trickery as the legendary battle for Troy gets underway. It's quite complex, but certainly worth the effort. See review

 

 

Ken Catran, Voyage with Jason
(Flyaways, 2001 (first published 2000), 199 pages, 0 86315 345 3)

 

Set in Ancient Greece with Jason and the Argonauts. Voyage with Jason is a much more interesting version of the classic Jason and the Argonauts. With fights, chases and loads of action it's a great read for any adventure fan. See review

 

 

Odo Hirsch, Yoss
(Allen and Unwin, 2001, 298 pages, ISBN 1 86508 467 0)

 

Yoss is a young boy from the mountains, embarking on his coming of age mission to prove himself a man. He must bring some object or skill back to the mountain village, to show his worth. On his travels into the unknown he is hoodwinked by a pair of villains who want to turn him into a fellow thief. Can he escape from their clutches before it is too late or will he face the hangman's rope?

 

 

Karen Hesse, Young Nick's Head
(Simon and Schuster, 2001, 294 pages, 0 689 83508 6)

 

Set on a ship in the 18th century, where the new frontiers of the world are being explored. Alongside the scientists, naturalists and botanists on the ship is Nick, a former butcher's boy, who keeps a diary of the events onboard. See review

 

 




Quick Pick
- 11 December 2011 -

Separated from his parents when the Japanese invade Hong Kong during WW2, Nicholas Holford has to pretend to be a Cantonese peasant boy. Because he speaks English, he is asked to help with undercover missions into the prisoner of war camps. . .


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