Terry Pratchett, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
(Doubleday, 2001, 270 pages, 0 385 60123 9)

The Amazing Maurice is all about an unlikely relationship between an entrepreneurial cat, with dollar signs for eyes, and a bunch of rodents who follow his orders to earn everybody a comfortable fortune, not forgetting the 'stupid looking kid' who helps hustle things along. See review

Louise Rennison, Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging - Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
(Piccadilly, 1999, 201 pages, 043999396 2)

A fun story of a girl just trying to get through everything teenage life throws at her. See review

Michael Gerber, Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody
(Golancz, 2002, 274 pages, 0 575 07454)

Will Barry's movie ruin Hogwash school of wizards for ever and destroy its precious reputation? This wacky HP spoof is full of laughs, and great fun to read. Contains some rude language, and is really for older readers. See review

Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell, Beyond the Deepwoods
(Corgi, 1998, 284 pages, 0 552 54592 9)

The first of the Edge Chronicles trilogy is probably the best. Twig has been bought up in a family of woodtrolls, but he quickly learns that he is not one of them and must travel into the deepwoods and beyond to discover where his fate lies and what kind of creature he is. See review

Morris Gleitzman, Boy Overboard
(Puffin, 2003 (first published in 2002), 181 pages, 0 141 31625 X)

Set in Afghanistan, with a family fleeing to Australia after defying the harsh government regime. Loads of action and fun stuff based around a serious theme make it a vibrant and colourful read, if slightly geared to younger readers. See review

Pete Johnson, The Cool Boffin
(Puffin, 2003, 257 pages, 0 41 31545 8)

Richard is desperate to change his image from boffin to cool boy. Is it possible or will he remain a reject forever? See review

Louise Rennison, Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants
(Piccadilly Press, 2002, 181pp., 1 85340 736 4)
A story about a girl wrapped up in the problems of teenage life. Especially where boys are concerned. Girls just seem to love these books. See review

Daniel Pennac, Dog
(Walker, 2002 (first published 1982), 201 pages, 0 7445 9009 4)

All about a dog trying to survive on the streets of the city, and training his new owners to the standard of perfection he wants. This doesn't go quite to plan though, and he looks set to end up in a bad way, unless he can change things round. See review

Carol Gorman, Dork on the Run
(Walker, 2003, 223 pages, 0 7445 8352)

The story of Jerry, who must confront accusations of his dorkiness in an attempt to become president of the sixth grade, struggling to do so against the ever popular Gabe Marshall. See review

E.D Baker, Dragon's Breath
(Bloomsbury, 2003, 292 pages, 0 7475 6320 3)
The story of Emma and Eadric, who must save Emma's Aunt's beloved from remaining an otter forever by finding the ingredients for a special spell - a very light hearted fairy story. See review

Pete Johnson, Faking It
(Puffin, 2003, 179 pages, 0 141315423)

Will creates an imaginary girlfriend but gets into trouble when pestered for proof that he can't produce, until a last attempt pays off. See review

Steve Barlow & Steve Skidmore, Goodknyght! (Tales of the Dark Forest)
(Collins Voyager, 2001, 281 pages, 0 00 710863 x)

Goodknyght is a great story all about the exploits of Will the swineherd. Along with his friends, Will sets out on a quest to recover a precious stone. Unfortunately he finds himself  in a lot of sticky situations and more than once narrowly escapes a messy end. See review of Trollogy, book 3 in the series

Paul Magrs, Hands Up!
(Simon and Schuster, 2003, 226 pages, 0 689 83706 2)

A wacky adventure/comedy in which 13 yr old Jason Lurcher is plunged into the strange world of puppeteering, where his father made his debut. See review

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
(Pan, 2003, 180 pages, 0330258648)

Packed with humour and crazy characters, the Guide to the Galaxy is a must for most bookshelves, but it's definetely not for those without a lively imagination. See review

Diane Redmond, Joshua Cross
(Wizard Books, 2003 (first published in 2002), 201 pages, 1 84046 466 6)

Set in Ancient Greece, where Joshua travels back in time to Greece, aided by Gods, and his father, who posseses unknown powers, but sought for by the evil demon who lusts after his death. Quite a lighthearted read overall, though. See review

Echo Freer, Magenta Orange
(Hodder Headline Limited, 2001, 202 pages, 0 340 84148 6)

Magenta Orange is a clumsy teenager who has set her sight on Adam, the coolest boy in the school, but knowing Magenta, nothing's going to run smoothly! See review

Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals
(Penguin Books, 1959 (first published 1956), 301 pages, 0 14 001399 7)

My Family and Other Animals is arguably the best Durell book - with hilarious sequences that should appeal to readers of all ages. See review

Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris, Odysseus in the Serpent Maze
(Collins, 2001, 255 pages, 0 00 713414 2)

A story set in Ancient Greece where a fearless small boy embarks on adventures to try and prove himself a hero over all others, with rather funny results. See review

Debi Gliori, Pure Dead Wicked
(Transworld, 2002, 253 pages, 0 385 60159 x)

The sequel to Pure Dead Magic, Pure Dead Wicked has all the same wacky characters and more. This time the Strega-Borgia family are in trouble, their castle home is falling to pieces and their whole medley of magical creatures may have to move elsewher unless disaster can be averted. See review

Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries: Give Me Five
(Macmillan, 2003, 238 pages, 0330420461)

In this fifth instalment of the hilarious diaries, Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldo (AKA Mia) is back as the world's weirdest princess. As usual Mia seems to get out of one mess...and into another. This time, one of her main problem is that her boyfriend Michael  seems to have forgotten to ask her to the prom. See review

Sue Townsend, The Queen and I
(Arrow, 1999  (first published in 1992), 313 pages, 0 7493 1352 8)

The Republicans take over and the Royal family has to move into a housing estate outside London, where they and their Corgi's have to learn to live life the normal way, and perform normal taks, like opening cans without slicing off their fingers. Written for adults, but should still appeal to younger readers. See review

Hilary McKay, Saffy's Angel
(Hodder, 2001, 215 pages, 0 340 85080 9)

A fun book about an eccentric family. Saffy decides she has to go on a mission to Italy and concocts a hairbrained scheme to get there. Really popular with girl readers. See review

T.H White, The Sword in the Stone
(Fontana Books, 1964, 286 pages, None.)

Set in Arthurian times and based around popular legend, The Sword in the Stone is a fantastic read, packed to the brim with magic and mayhem. It follows the adventures of the Wart, a young boy beginning his wizarding education. See review

Paul Stewart, The Weather Witch
(Transworld, 2002 (first published in 1989), 285 pages, 0 440 86504 2)

Joe and Kerry are dreading the visit to their ancient Great Aunt, but they soon begin to find out it's not as bad as they'd anticipated. When they are transported back in time to an medieval village they are sure it can't get get much more excting, but will they be able to get out? See review

Steve Barlow & Steve Skidmore, Whizzard (Tales of the Dark Forest)
(Collins, 2002, 253 pages, 0 00 710864 8)

This book from the authors of GoodKnyght, is just as action packed and fun to read. It follows Tym as he goes on the quest of his life to look for the legendary Cumhera, aided by a mystical wizard potion. See review of Trollogy, book three in the series