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Children's Laureate 2013-2015
Malorie Blackman had a variety of jobs before she became a full time writer and spent many years working as a Database Manager for Reuters travelling extensively within Europe and the United States.
After 82 rejection letters, her first novel, Not So Stupid!, was a selected title for the 1991 Feminist Book Fortnight, and Malorie participated in the first BBC TV Black Women’s Screenwriting Workshop in 1991. She has written a number of books for young readers including the Whizziwig series, which have been dramatised successfully for children’s television.
Her dystopian novel series Noughts and Crosses has won the Children’s Book Award, and she has twice won the Young Telegraph/Gimme 5 Award (for Hacker and Thief!) – the only author to have done so. Malorie writes across a range of subjects for children and teens, addressing diverse and sensitive issues.
In her spare time, Malorie likes going to the cinema, the theatre and watching TV, enjoys playing computer and board games, and reads absolutely everything...except Westerns.
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008 Malorie received an OBE for her contribution to children’s literature and was awarded the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon award in 2005.
Malorie was selected as the Waterstones Children's Laureate in June 2013 taking over from Julia Donaldson. She will remain in the post for the next 2 years. The title of Children’s Laureate is awarded to an acclaimed author or illustrator in acknowledgment of their outstanding contribution to their field, and Malorie is the eighth recipient of this honour.
She lives in South London.
At last the book to tie up the loose ends of the Noughts and Crosses sequence and it certainly doesn’t disappoint in anyway. The originality of the plot is breathtaking and the characters superbly drawn. You’ll be gripped to the last.
This thrilling new title in award-winning Malorie Blackman’s cleverly observed series, which began with Noughts and Crosses, captures the drama and potential violence of growing up – especially in a world where the Noughts are willing to use violence against the darker skinned Crosses. Violence erupts after a bomb goes off in a hotel killing Callie Rose’s grandmother. While everyone blames a Nought terrorist, Callie Rose knows the truth and it involves her boyfriend Tobey. Malorie Blackman has a great gift for showing all sides of an issue and how individuals make their choices. ~ Julia Eccleshare Lovereading comment: Explosively page-turning, dramatic and full of relevance for our world today, Double Cross is Malorie Blackman's fourth novel in the award-winning Noughts and Crosses sequence. Following in her parent’s footsteps, Callie Rose is determined to fight for equality between races and the kind of society she believes in. But violence from the past threatens to rob her of the future she craves, while her friend Tobey is thrown off the course of his life by the escalating violence of the gang culture that surrounds him. A fast paced thriller, Double Cross also takes a thoughtful look at the escalating violence of contemporary society.
The terrific sequel to Noughts and Crosses and continues the story of Sephy and Callum and their families. Full of mystery, suspense, romance and even murder, you’ll go through numerous different emotions when you read it but in the end you will be throughly satisfied though desperate to read the last in the trilogy Checkmate.
Selected by a distinguished independent panel of experts including our editorial expert, Julia Eccleshare, for Diverse Voices - 50 of the best Children's Books celebrating cultural diversity in the UK. Michael Rosen on a compelling favourite: "A book that dared to go where no one thought you could with young audiences because it raises tough stuff to do with race." It takes a brave author such as Malorie Blackman to consider a sequence of the like of Noughts and Crosses and to pull it off with utmost aplomb. Award-winning author Blackman has tackled the issues of racism and prejudice in a world set in an alternate historical reality. Although 11 year olds will take great joy and learn much from reading this first one in the sequence, adults will devour it with equal enthusiasm. The contrast of the two main protagonists makes the novel totally compelling and the writing style is both original and superbly paced. The plot unravels at the pace of a thriller and as a consequence it’s a book that is almost impossible to put down. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
April 2017 NewGen Book of the Month. Shortlisted for YA Book Prize 2017 | An innovative, ambitious page-turner in which the inimitable Malorie Blackman has entwined two of her great passions - Shakespeare's Othello and science fiction - to create a thrilling outer-space-set epic that tingles with romance, danger, distrust and jealousy. Olivia (Vee) and her brother Aidan are alone in space and heading home to earth, the only survivors of a virus that annihilated the rest of the crew, including their family. Then brave, headstrong Vee risks her life to rescue the survivors of a Mazon attack, among them Nathan, with whom she falls in love, deeply, madly and with tempestuous consequences. This energetic riff on one of the bard's best works will also be relished by readers who don’t think they’re into Shakespeare, and Blackman also has a gift for making science fiction appeal to those who “don’t do” the genre. It takes an exceptional writer to pull off these kinds of feats, and Blackman has done so with wit, style and a slick sense of drama. ~ Joanne Owen Please note due to the content of this book we are recommending it for YA readers only. Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Judge Kate Saunders said: “The story drags you along like a mighty engine and had to force myself not to turn the pages too fast. The suspense is brilliant”.
May 2016 NewGen Book of the Month. An innovative, ambitious page-turner in which the inimitable Malorie Blackman has entwined two of her great passions - Shakespeare's Othello and science fiction - to create a thrilling outer-space-set epic that tingles with romance, danger, distrust and jealousy. Olivia (Vee) and her brother Aidan are alone in space and heading home to earth, the only survivors of a virus that annihilated the rest of the crew, including their family. Then brave, headstrong Vee risks her life to rescue the survivors of a Mazon attack, among them Nathan, with whom she falls in love, deeply, madly and with tempestuous consequences. This energetic riff on one of the bard's best works will also be relished by readers who don’t think they’re into Shakespeare, and Blackman also has a gift for making science fiction appeal to those who “don’t do” the genre. It takes an exceptional writer to pull off these kinds of feats, and Blackman has done so with wit, style and a slick sense of drama. ~ Joanne Owen
Malorie Blackman has compiled a collection of short stories from some of the best young adult authors writing today. For anyone who has ever loved and lost - and loved again - it will amuse, entertain, surprise and maybe provoke thought and discussion... Every one of the extracts and short stories contained in this collection are favourites of Malorie's; both old and new. This anthology also provides a brilliant opportunity for every reader to whet their appetite and encourage them to seek out more books by these talented authors. A Piece of Passion from the Editor: "Malorie Blackman brings together the best teen writers of today in a stunningly romantic collection about love against the odds. Featuring short stories and extracts about modern star-crossed lovers from stars such as Gayle Forman, Markus Zusak and Patrick Ness, and with a brand-new story from Malorie Blackman herself, Love Hurts looks at every kind of relationship, from first kiss to final heartbreak." and from Malorie Blackman: "The stories in this anthology aren't all hearts and flowers. God forbid! I like my love stories to have a bit of spice and bite. These stories contain love lost, love found, the start of love, the end of love, love bitter and love sweet. I truly believe there is something in this anthology for everyone."
Shortlisted for the prestigious Sheffield Children's Book Award 2011 Best-selling author Malorie Blackman has an exceptional ability to see the world from a teenager’s angle. With his stellar A-level results in his hand, Dante has a great future mapped out for himself. But then his ex-girl friend turns up and Dante finds that he is… a dad! Blackman uses her trade mark of twin voices as Dante and his brother Adam unravel the stories from their pasts, their intense feelings for each other and their growing love for the baby. A deeply moving and convincing story which never descends into sentimentality.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 31 March 2011. Best selling Malorie Blackman delighted hundreds of thousands of readers with Noughts and Crosses, her thoughtful and touching story about love in a society riven by racial segregation. Here, movingly and sympathetically as ever, she writes a powerful, insightful and equally thought provoking story about a teenage boy coming to terms with his responsibilites as a young father. Her hero Dante is some of the things that the media would make out such a boy would be but he is much, much more besides and Malorie Blackman's tough and tender story will grip the hearts of all readers and make them think.
Fast-paced and terrifying The Stuff of Nightmares is about the demons lurking in ones past that come back to haunt. The reader is taken on a chilling journey as we follow schoolboy Kyle, whose terrible nightmares suddenly turn real and he is forced to face his fears. Malorie Blackman’s inspiration for the book was apparently from real nightmares that she has had in her lifetime. The book is very compelling in the creepy sense and even more so when read at nighttimes.
A powerful anthology of poetry and prose that allows the unheard voices of those subjected to slavery to reach out from the past to the present. Benjamin Zephaniah, John Agard, James Berry, Catherine Johnson and Grace Nichols are among the contributors and there are also contemporary stories taken from the long and shocking history of slavery.
At last the book to tie up the loose ends of the Noughts and Crosses trilogy and it certainly doesn’t disappoint in anyway. The originality of the plot is breathtaking and the characters superbly drawn. You’ll be gripped to the last.
A 2013 World Book Night selection. Michael Rosen on a compelling favourite: "A book that dared to go where no one thought you could with young audiences because it raises tough stuff to do with race." It takes a brave author such as Malorie Blackman to consider a sequence of the like of Noughts and Crosses and to pull it off with utmost aplomb. Award-winning author Blackman has tackled the issues of racism and prejudice in a world set in an alternate historical reality. Although 11 year olds will take great joy and learn much from reading this first one in the sequence, adults will devour it with equal enthusiasm. The contrast of the two main protagonists makes the novel totally compelling and the writing style is both original and superbly paced. The plot unravels at the pace of a thriller and as a consequence it’s a book that is almost impossible to put down. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
** SOON TO BE A MAJOR NEW BBC TV SERIES ** 'Unforgettable' Guardian 'Stop it! You're all behaving like animals! Worse than animals - like blankers!' Sephy is a Cross: dark-skinned and beautiful, she lives a life of privilege and power. But she's lonely, and burns with injustice at the world she sees around her. Callum is a nought: pale-skinned and poor, he's considered to be less than nothing - a blanker, there to serve Crosses - but he dreams of a better life. They've been friends since they were children, and they both know that's as far as it can ever go. Noughts and Crosses are fated to be bitter enemies - love is out of the question. Then - in spite of a world that is fiercely against them - these star-crossed lovers choose each other. But this is love story that will lead both of them into terrible danger . . . and which will have shocking repercussions for generations to come. Voted as one of the UK's best-loved books, Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses is a seminal piece of YA fiction; a true modern classic. 'The most original book I've ever read' Benjamin Zephaniah
At her new school, Mira discovers she has a very unusual teacher - a teacher who turns into a real-life dragon when she eats crisps! This comes in very handy when the class run into trouble on a school trip to the seaside...
Ellie is the rudest, most spoilt child her grandma has ever met and it's time that she learnt a lesson! So with a little bit of magic and some help from Jolly the cat, Grandma's going to make sure that Ellie changes her ways. Can Ellie work hard to prove that she can be good? Or is she destined to spend the rest of her days trapped in the body of a mean old cat? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+.
Birthday-present burglars, a Tooth Fairy mystery, and an abandoned puppy - no adventure is too great for Maxine, also known as Girl Wonder! This collection of seven funny short stories is perfect for building confidence in new readers, whether reading aloud or reading alone.
Kyle has always been afraid of things, especially dying. But when he gets on the train that is taking him and his class on a school trip, he has no idea how close to Death he is going to come. Death enters the train and Kyle moves with him, past his friends, who are frozen in time, in life-or-death situations. Kyle finds that he can pick up on their deepest, darkest fears - real things that have happened to them, or may happen in the future, and sometimes their surreal nightmares too. Kyle realises that he isn't the only one who has buried fears and, more importantly, he now burns with the desire to live, and to live without fear. But will Death release him?
Although Sam has a long-term illness, all he wants is the chance to lead a normal life. So he is thrilled when he finally gets his mum and dad to let him go on the school trip to the Scottish Highlands. Sam's desperate for an adventure and wants to prove to everyone that he's just as strong as his friends. But when some of the boys from his class take a reckless risk in order to win a challenge, the trip turns out to be more dangerous than Sam could have imagined. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+.
Grandma Gertie is rather strange. With her big square glasses and a parrot on her hat, Anna and Kasper don't know what to make of her. But Grandma's got a secret... Grandpa Bert is a ghost and he's travelled all the way from Barbados squished inside her handbag! Even worse, they're being followed and Grandpa Bert could be in very grave danger... Can Anna and Kasper help their grandparents before it's too late? A hilarious family adventure filled with ghosts and laughs.
Betsey puts on a magic show but everyone is less than impressed with her tricks. No matter, in these four sweet and funny short stories, Betsey learns the importance of believing in yourself, that practise makes perfect, and that some magic is real . . . This book is one of five short story collections featuring Betsey Biggalow, from Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman. Beautifully illustrated by Jamie Smith, these warm and funny stories are ideal for building confidence in young readers, whether reading aloud or alone.
The terrific sequel to Noughts and Crosses and continues the story of Sephy and Callum and their families. Full of mystery, suspense, romance and even murder, you’ll go through numerous different emotions when you read it but in the end you will be throughly satisfied though desperate to read the last in the trilogy Checkmate.
April 2017 NewGen Book of the Month. Shortlisted for YA Book Prize 2017 | An innovative, ambitious page-turner in which the inimitable Malorie Blackman has entwined two of her great passions - Shakespeare's Othello and science fiction - to create a thrilling outer-space-set epic that tingles with romance, danger, distrust and jealousy. Olivia (Vee) and her brother Aidan are alone in space and heading home to earth, the only survivors of a virus that annihilated the rest of the crew, including their family. Then brave, headstrong Vee risks her life to rescue the survivors of a Mazon attack, among them Nathan, with whom she falls in love, deeply, madly and with tempestuous consequences. This energetic riff on one of the bard's best works will also be relished by readers who don’t think they’re into Shakespeare, and Blackman also has a gift for making science fiction appeal to those who “don’t do” the genre. It takes an exceptional writer to pull off these kinds of feats, and Blackman has done so with wit, style and a slick sense of drama. ~ Joanne Owen Please note due to the content of this book we are recommending it for YA readers only. Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Judge Kate Saunders said: “The story drags you along like a mighty engine and had to force myself not to turn the pages too fast. The suspense is brilliant”.
At last the book to tie up the loose ends of the Noughts and Crosses sequence and it certainly doesn’t disappoint in anyway. The originality of the plot is breathtaking and the characters superbly drawn. You’ll be gripped to the last.
This thrilling new title in award-winning Malorie Blackman’s cleverly observed series, which began with Noughts and Crosses, captures the drama and potential violence of growing up – especially in a world where the Noughts are willing to use violence against the darker skinned Crosses. Violence erupts after a bomb goes off in a hotel killing Callie Rose’s grandmother. While everyone blames a Nought terrorist, Callie Rose knows the truth and it involves her boyfriend Tobey. Malorie Blackman has a great gift for showing all sides of an issue and how individuals make their choices. ~ Julia Eccleshare Lovereading comment: Explosively page-turning, dramatic and full of relevance for our world today, Double Cross is Malorie Blackman's fourth novel in the award-winning Noughts and Crosses sequence. Following in her parent’s footsteps, Callie Rose is determined to fight for equality between races and the kind of society she believes in. But violence from the past threatens to rob her of the future she craves, while her friend Tobey is thrown off the course of his life by the escalating violence of the gang culture that surrounds him. A fast paced thriller, Double Cross also takes a thoughtful look at the escalating violence of contemporary society.
A 2013 World Book Night selection. Michael Rosen on a compelling favourite: "A book that dared to go where no one thought you could with young audiences because it raises tough stuff to do with race." It takes a brave author such as Malorie Blackman to consider a sequence of the like of Noughts and Crosses and to pull it off with utmost aplomb. Award-winning author Blackman has tackled the issues of racism and prejudice in a world set in an alternate historical reality. Although 11 year olds will take great joy and learn much from reading this first one in the sequence, adults will devour it with equal enthusiasm. The contrast of the two main protagonists makes the novel totally compelling and the writing style is both original and superbly paced. The plot unravels at the pace of a thriller and as a consequence it’s a book that is almost impossible to put down. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
May 2016 NewGen Book of the Month. An innovative, ambitious page-turner in which the inimitable Malorie Blackman has entwined two of her great passions - Shakespeare's Othello and science fiction - to create a thrilling outer-space-set epic that tingles with romance, danger, distrust and jealousy. Olivia (Vee) and her brother Aidan are alone in space and heading home to earth, the only survivors of a virus that annihilated the rest of the crew, including their family. Then brave, headstrong Vee risks her life to rescue the survivors of a Mazon attack, among them Nathan, with whom she falls in love, deeply, madly and with tempestuous consequences. This energetic riff on one of the bard's best works will also be relished by readers who don’t think they’re into Shakespeare, and Blackman also has a gift for making science fiction appeal to those who “don’t do” the genre. It takes an exceptional writer to pull off these kinds of feats, and Blackman has done so with wit, style and a slick sense of drama. ~ Joanne Owen
Michela knows the law - everyone must wear a Peace Maker device at all times, and it must never be tampered with. Non-aggression is her society's founding principle, and the Peace Maker the means by which is it enforced. But Michela is desperate to experience the full range of human emotions in her own fantasy world of books and games, and the Peace Maker is the only thing stopping her. And when her mother captains their ship into enemy airspace and they come under attack, it seems that Michela's freedom from the Peace Maker may be the only thing that can save them. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
The exciting tale of a stuffed superhero's good deeds, perfect for children learning to read. From award-winning author Malorie Blackman. Sinclair is no ordinary teddy bear. At night, when his owner Emily is fast asleep, he becomes a Wonder Bear, flying all over the world, and magically changing himself into new materials to save people in danger. One night, in India, France and Australia, he's a very busy bear indeed! The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It's the first step towards a lasting love of reading. Level 2 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for readers who are growing in confidence and are beginning to enjoy longer stories. Clear type Up to 8 lines per page Bright, appealing pictures for added interest A variety of sentence structures A wider range of vocabulary Strong themes and characters to discuss All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children's reading. Book band: Turquoise
Callum is a nought - an inferior white citizen in a society controlled by the black Crosses. Sephy is a Cross - and the daughter of one of the most powerful, ruthless men in the country. In their hostile, violent world, noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. But when Sephy and Callum's childhood friendship grows into love, they're determined to find a way to be together. And then the bomb explodes . . . The long-awaited graphic novel adaptation of one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and original novels of all time, from multi-award-winning Malorie Blackman.
An exciting futuristic drama about acceptance, trust and teamwork from an award-winning author. In a post-apocalyptic world where everyone wears Non-Contact suits to survive and where you can never touch another person directly, Cal and Jenna have formed a football team. Not virtual - real football, with real contact. But Jenna's horrible twin Jacob is suspicious and it looks like they're headed for disaster...Can the team reach out to Jacob and convince him that making contact is also what makes us feel alive? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Poor Fangs, the tarantula, is terribly lonely and bored with her life in the pet-shop. So when Nathan takes her home, she's more than excited about her new life. But before Nathan can introduce his new pet to his family, he's going to need her help to convince them that spiders aren't just creepy and crawly . . . They're beautiful and brave too! This funny story from the Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, is perfect for building confidence in young readers - whether reading aloud or reading alone.
Malorie Blackman has compiled a collection of short stories from some of the best young adult authors writing today. For anyone who has ever loved and lost - and loved again - it will amuse, entertain, surprise and maybe provoke thought and discussion... Every one of the extracts and short stories contained in this collection are favourites of Malorie's; both old and new. This anthology also provides a brilliant opportunity for every reader to whet their appetite and encourage them to seek out more books by these talented authors. A Piece of Passion from the Editor: "Malorie Blackman brings together the best teen writers of today in a stunningly romantic collection about love against the odds. Featuring short stories and extracts about modern star-crossed lovers from stars such as Gayle Forman, Markus Zusak and Patrick Ness, and with a brand-new story from Malorie Blackman herself, Love Hurts looks at every kind of relationship, from first kiss to final heartbreak." and from Malorie Blackman: "The stories in this anthology aren't all hearts and flowers. God forbid! I like my love stories to have a bit of spice and bite. These stories contain love lost, love found, the start of love, the end of love, love bitter and love sweet. I truly believe there is something in this anthology for everyone."
A futuristic drama full of suspense from the UK Children's Laureate 2013-2015. Claire is keen to find out what her dad has been working on in his lab. He's been really excited about it and Claire knows it must be something that will make him even more famous. But the big reveal isn't at all what she expected and now Claire has a dilemma on her hands - what do you do when your dad has created a monster...? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Twelve bestselling authors, twelve Doctors, twelve brilliant adventures in time and space for ALL Doctor Who fans! This print anthology features the original eleven eShorts plus a brand-new Twelfth Doctor story by Holly Black.
A hurricane is on it's way . . . And Betsey can't wait! Join her as she helps prepare for the storm, is entered into a very strange contest, and even attempts to eat a MONSTER hamburger in four fabulously funny adventures. This book is one of five collections featuring Betsey Biggalow from Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman. Beautifully illustrated by Jamie Smith, these stories are ideal for building confidence in young readers, whether reading aloud or alone.
Join Betsey, the little girl with big ideas, as she surprises everyone on her birthday, learns to be a guard dog, moves house and even becomes a TV star in these four warm and funny adventures. This book is one of five short story collections featuring Betsey from Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, beautifully illustrated by Jamie Smith, and ideal for building confidence in young readers.
Betsey Biggalow is here! She may be small but she's full of bright and shiny ideas about new trainers, winning at marbles and even helping the world! Join Betsey on four short, sun-filled adventures as she learns you don't have to be big to make a big difference. This book is one of five short story collections featuring the lively and likeable Betsey Biggalow from Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman. Beautifully illustrated by Jamie Smith, these stories are ideal for building confidence in readers aged 7 and over, whether reading aloud or reading alone.
Betsey's teddy bear has disappeared without a trace! Join Betsey the Detective as she enlists the help of Prince, the detective dog, to solve the mystery! This book is one of five short story collections featuring Betsey Biggalow from Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman. Beautifully illustrated by Jamie Smith, these warm and funny stories are ideal for building confidence in readers aged 7 and over, whether reading aloud or reading alone.
Years after a violent war destroyed much of the world, Kaspar has grown up in a society based on peace and harmony. But beyond the city walls, a vicious band of rebels is plotting to tear this peace apart. It is up to the Guardians - an elite peacekeeping force - to protect the city, without ever resorting to the brutal methods of their enemy. When Kaspar joins the Guardians, he has a chance encounter with a rebel named Rhea. Haunted from that moment on by strange visions and memories, he realizes he hasn't been told the truth about what he's really fighting for.
When Maxine has a plan, you can be sure it involves her twin brothers Anthony and Edward. You can also be sure it involves BIG TROUBLE! This title features nine fantastically funny short stories, perfect for building confidence in new readers, whether reading aloud or reading alone.
From scaring Mum at Halloween to building the biggest snowball the world's ever seen - Maxine always has a super plan and needs the help of her twin brothers, Anthony and Edward. Together the super siblings make all sorts of mischief . . . Can they fix it before Mum finds out? These seven funny short stories are perfect for building confidence in new readers, whether reading alone or reading aloud.
IT'S GOING TO BE WOOF-ONDERFUL! There is nothing Nicky wants more in the world than a dog to play with. But Mum and Dad don't want a dog. Then Granddad has an idea - he and Nicky can make a dog: a snow-dome dog. Even better, he has some special clay, found at the end of a rainbow, so that the dog will be extra-special. Maybe even magic . . . Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.
It is Callie Rose's sixteenth birthday and she has a bomb in her bag. Callie Rose is mixed race in a country where people are judged by their colour. Her father is dead and she hates her mother. Her Uncle Jude seems to offer her friendship and comfort - but Jude wants to punish Callie Rose's mother and use his niece in his war against society ...
It is Callie Rose's sixteenth birthday and she has a bomb in her bag. Callie Rose is mixed race in a country where people are judged by their colour. Her father is dead and she hates her mother. Her Uncle Jude seems to offer her friendship and comfort - but Jude wants to punish Callie Rose's mother and use his niece in his war against society ...
Little Rabbit needs a cuddle - QUICK! - so she sets off through the forest to find the perfect hug. But some cuddles are too prickly and some are too tickly, so just who will give her the hug she needs? A warm story in which Little Rabbit discovers that everyone needs a cuddle at times - even little foxes! This delightful story is written by Malorie Blackman, Children's Laureate, and illustrated with delightful style by Joanne Partis.
Years after a violent war destroyed much of the world, Kaspar has grown up in a society based on peace and harmony. But beyond the city walls, a vicious band of rebels are plotting to tear this peace apart. It is up to the Guardians - an elite peacekeeping force - to protect the city, without ever resorting to the brutal methods of their enemy. When Kaspar joins the Guardians, he has a chance encounter with a rebel - a beautiful girl named Rhea. Haunted from that moment on by strange visions and memories - memories that could only belong to Rhea - he realises he hasn't been told the truth about what the rebels really want, and what he's really fighting for.
When the TARDIS lands on Skaro, the Seventh Doctor and Ace are shocked to discover the planet has become the universal centre of learning, populated by a race of peace-loving Daleks. Ever suspicious of his archenemies motives, the Doctor learns of a threat that could literally tear the universe apart... Childrens Laureate Malorie Blackman puts her own unique spin on the Doctors incredible adventures through time and space.
Mike had no idea that his best friend Alex was a Gris-Kwok - he can turn into any living creature he chooses. But so can Alex's naughty little sister Polly, and it's not long before Mike and Alex are dealing with a whole heap of trouble! A hilarious and thrilling read. Particularly suitable for 6-10s with reading age of 6+
Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord.When the TARDIS lands on Skaro, the Seventh Doctor and Ace are shocked to discover the planet has become the universal centre of learning, populated by a race of peace-loving Daleks. Ever suspicious of his archenemies' motives, the Doctor learns of a threat that could literally tear the universe apart... Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman puts her own unique spin on the Doctor's incredible adventures through time and space.
Jon keeps waking up from a recurring bad dream to find that he is missing his arms and parts of his legs. Kept constantly sedated, as Jon's body disappears his nightmare gets worse. The nurses seem to hate him and the doctor won't answer his questions. Who is Joe? Why do they keep calling him by that name? Tense and horrifying, this story compels the reader to its chilling climax. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 14+
Snatched off the street, Angela is alone and terrified. She knows she's been kidnapped but will her dad pay the ransom? Or can she be brave enough to escape? A new edition of a thrilling top selling tale from a top author. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+
Penguin Readers are simplified texts which provide a step-by-step approach to the joys of reading for pleasure.
Penguin Readers are simplified texts which provide a step-by-step approach to the joys of reading for pleasure. Sephy is a dark-skinned Cross in a society where people are judged by their colour and Crosses have the power. But after terrible disagreements with her family , Sephy is alone with her mixed-race baby. The baby's nought father is dead - and his brother wants to kill her. Can she protect herself and her child?
Seventeen-year-old Jayna wishes she could spend every second of the day with Andrew. He's her first love, and he understands her like nobody else can. Jayna just wishes Andrew's prejudiced family could accept her - but when they're alone together, it hardly seems to matter. But something strange has happened to Andrew. He looks . . . different. Pale and drawn, as if he hasn't been outside for days, with mysteriously cold green eyes. He won't go out in the sunlight, and he's unnaturally fast and strong. And now he wants Jayna to join him. Now she has to make the choice: to lose Andrew forever, or to be with him always - no matter the cost.
At her new school, Mira discovers she has a very unusual teacher - a teacher who turns into a real-life dragon when she eats crisps! This comes in very handy when the class run into trouble on a school trip to the seaside...
A powerful short story featuring Sephy and Callum, stars of the original dystopian bestseller, Noughts and Crosses. First released exclusively for World Book Day 2012.
Brand new package for this gripping adventure story by top author Malorie Blackman. Blindfolded. Alone. Afraid. No idea where she is or what will happen next. The only thing Angela knows is that she's been kidnapped. Does she have the courage to escape? Will she ever see her father again? Thrilling adventure from a highly acclaimed author. Particularly suitable for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
A singing ant, a silly wolf and a mighty mouse are just some of the characters in this mini collection of everyone's favourite fables. After all, it's never too late to learn a new moral or two!This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.
Shortlisted for the prestigious Sheffield Children's Book Award 2011 Best-selling author Malorie Blackman has an exceptional ability to see the world from a teenager’s angle. With his stellar A-level results in his hand, Dante has a great future mapped out for himself. But then his ex-girl friend turns up and Dante finds that he is… a dad! Blackman uses her trade mark of twin voices as Dante and his brother Adam unravel the stories from their pasts, their intense feelings for each other and their growing love for the baby. A deeply moving and convincing story which never descends into sentimentality.
'Penguin Readers' are edited into simplified text together with audio CD recordings containing the full simplified text. They are ideal for all English language students.
Noughts and Crosses is about a black girl called Sephy and a white boy called Callum and their friendship in a world that's divided by the colour of your skin - and how their feelings for each other grow as they grow older and grow up. As Malorie Blackman herself says: 'I wanted to turn society as we know it on its head, with new names for the major divisions, ie Noughts (the underclass) and Crosses (the majority, ruling society). I wanted to see this new world through the eyes of the main two characters, Callum (a nought) and Sephy (a Cross).'
Jackson Winstanley Sweettooth (or Jack for short) is a mouse who lives with Matthew and the rest of the Bailey family. He gets the blame for a lot of things - Mrs Bailey thinks he's swallowed her ruby and nibbled at Shani's birthday cake. And Jack's biggest enemy is Beauregard Battersby-Bunge, the pesky ginger cat from next door. But everything gets better when another mouse, Blossom, comes to stay with the Baileys - soon Blossom and Jack are the best of friends!
A powerful anthology of poetry and prose that allows the unheard voices of those subjected to slavery to reach out from the past to the present. Benjamin Zephaniah, John Agard, James Berry, Catherine Johnson and Grace Nichols are among the contributors and there are also contemporary stories taken from the long and shocking history of slavery.
Gemma longs for her lost mother, taking comfort from the cuttings in her scrapbook; pictures of mothers who loved their children come what may. Mike is new to the area; a boy with a terrible secret to hide. A secret about his missing mother. Gemma and Mike - two kids hurt by their past and now inextricably linked. Their effect on each other's lives will be explosive.
In Deadly Dare, there's a new craze at Theo and Ricky's school. The rules are simple: write a dare, put it in the bag and take turns to pick one out. But on the night Ricky does his dare and enters the deserted warehouse, he disappears. What really happened to Ricky - and how much does new girl Angela know? Theo needs to find the answers before it's too late . . . There's nothing unusual about getting emails from your dad . . . unless he died a few months ago. In Computer Ghost Jade asks Theo, Ricky and Angela to help her find out what's going on. Could the mysterious, desperate messages really be from a ghost? One thing's for sure. Whoever is behind them wants something badly - and they'll stop at nothing to get it . . . Theo, Ricky and Angela have to become Lie Detectives to uncover the truth about top inventor, Darius Marriott, after he comes to give a talk at school and collapses. Who is out to get him, and why does their friend Bullet seem so involved? They're determined to get to the bottom of it all - but that could prove to be much more dangerous than they think . . . Three gripping mysteries by bestselling Malorie Blackman.
Despite his Mum's insistence, Sam doesn't want to be friends with Davey, he thinks Davey's a first class, grade A, top of the dung heap moron. But one day Davey saves Sam's life and a bond is formed between them. Sam is still embarrassed to be seen with Davey, but little by little he has to admit, when it's just the two of them, Davey is a lot of fun. But then something terrible happens to Davey. . . Told in verse, in first person, this is the touching story of an extraordinary friendship, that changes two boys lives for ever. An uplifting tale that truly sings out.
Whizziwig is a small, furry alien who has crash-landed on Earth and ended up on top of Ben's wardrobe. Once Ben has recovered from the shock of this unexpected arrival he's delighted to learn that Whizziwig is a 'wish-giver' able to turn wishes into reality. But it's not as straightforward as it sounds. The wishes have to be made for someone else, and by accident, so it isn't long before some very strange, and very funny, things start happening.
You're thirteen. All you want is a normal life. But most normal kids don't need heart transplants. So there's this doctor. He says there's a chance for you. But he also says it's experimental, controversial and risky. And it's never been done before. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, this is a powerful, thought-provoking story from the award-winning Malorie Blackman.
You're the new girl in school. You're just trying to fit in - and it's not working. Then someone accuses you of theft, and you think things can't get any worse. Until you get caught in a freak storm . . . The next thing you know, you're in the future. Being shot at for being out after curfew. You don't even recognise your hometown. And you're heading for a confrontation from your worst nightmare. What if you could change the past to save the future?
MESSAGE: This is the system operator. Who is using this account? Please identify yourself . . . When Vicky's father is arrested, accused of stealing over a million pounds from the bank where he works, she is determined to prove his innocence. But how? There's only one way - to attempt to break into the bank's computer files. Even if Vicky is the best hacker in the world, will she find the real thief before they find her?
So your mum's this brilliant scientist. She's just invented the most awesome Artificial Intelligence system. Its virtual world is the perfect place to forget about real life. Which is exactly what you want. But then a bug corrupts the system. It's violent and unpredictable. This is no ordinary glitch - someone's trying to sabotage it. You need to figure out who, and why. And fast! What if your life was about to be game over? Dangerous Reality is a nail-biting thriller from the author of the bestselling Noughts and Crosses sequence.
It's just your average Friday night. Then the police show up. Your mum's been caught on CCTV, breaking into a giant chemical company. They say she's working undercover for A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E, a group against animal testing - but how is that possible? She's not a spy - is she? Now she's on the run - and only you can uncover the truth. And you've got to crack a code to do it. A gripping story from the bestselling author of Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman.
When the mysterious stranger shows up at Nova's parents' hotel, she thinks her luck has changed - until she realizes she's the only one who can see him. Liam explains he's been here a long time. And he can never leave, no matter how hard he tries. Soon, Nova begins to piece his tragic story together. But she's hiding a secret of her own - one she's desperate to keep from her family. And now Liam's found her out . . .
When Heather goes on holiday with Andrew she gets more than she bargained for. Not only does he dump her, but when she meets up with him his excuse is that he was coming to terms with being a vampire! Heather does love him, and now he wants them to be together forever. Only he really means forever.
'It's going to be woof-onderful'! There is nothing Nicky wants more in the world than a dog to play with. But Mum and Dad don't want a dog. Then Grandad has an idea - he and Nicky can make a dog: a snow-dome dog. Even better, he has some special clay, found at the end of a rainbow, so that the dog will be extra-special. Maybe even magic...
Five...four...three...two...one. Lift-off! What can Lizzie do when big-headed Jake challenges her to a race in space? She's GOT to beat him. But Jake has a super-duper, deluxe new spaceship that runs on special fuel...Zoom to Pluto and back with this super space story from award-winning author, Malorie Blackman.
Beans calls her dad 'Gadgetman' because of the weird and wonderful gadgets he comes up with - everything from exploding biscuits to Spy Kits. But when Gadgetman accidentally invents a device that could be used to steal millions of pounds, the wrong people find out and Gadgetman is kidnapped!With the help of her friends - and her special Gadgetman Spy Kit - Beans is determined to track down the kidnappers and rescue her dad. But can she find Gadgetman before he is forced to hand over the details of his invention...?
