focus on fiction younger readers

Alice-Miranda in China by Jacqueline Harvey

Alice-Miranda and her friends are on a school exchange in China! There’s so much to see and do, and plenty of new people to meet. Among the whirlwind of sights is a breathtaking circus show, a hair-raising feat and an encounter with a family of acrobats.

While some are having a great time, others haven’t quite landed on their feet. Throw in clashing personalities and the theft of a priceless antiquity, and sparks are set to fly. There may be more than just fireworks in store for Alice-Miranda and her friends . . .

Jacqueline Harvey’s website – Alice-Miranda series teaching notes – Jacqueline Harvey interview – PRC 3-4 Booklist #3324

Billie B Brown: The Bad Butterfly by Sally Rippin and illustrated by Aki Fukuoka

Billie has started ballet classes. She is sure she'll be a great dancer! But is Billie really cut out to be a ballerina?

Billie B Brown website – Sally Rippin interview - PRC 3-4 Booklist #33005

EJ Spy School: Puppy Alert! By Susannah McFarlane and illustrated by Dyani Stagg

Emma Jacks is Agent EJ10. She goes to Spy School. EJ10 is learning how to rescue animals, but a puppy goes missing ... Can EJ10 find her?

EJ Spy School website – Puppy Alert! Preview – Susannah McFarlane interview - PRC 3-4 Booklist #4649

Ella and Olivia: The Christmas Surprise by Yvette Poshoglian and illustrated by Danielle McDonald

Ella and Olivia are sisters. Ella is seven years old. Olivia is five-and-a-half years old. They live with their mum and dad and little brother Max.

Ella and Olivia can’t wait until Christmas! But will their secret plan to open their presents early ruin the Christmas surprise?

Ella and Olivia website – Yvette Poshoglian website -

Ella Diaries: Friendship S.O.S. by Meredith Costain and illustrated by Danielle McDonald

Ella is on holiday on a luxury cruise ship. It’s going to be AMAZING! Swimming pools, shopping mall, ice-skating ... and NO school for a week! Best of all, Zoe is coming too! But when a friendship catastrophe strikes, Ella’s perfect holiday looks doomed! Can she find a new Cruise BFF? Or will this voyage be fun overboard?

Meredith Costain website - Creating the book art -  PRC 3-4 Booklist #3870

Hotdog! By Anh Do and illustrated by Dan McGuiness

Meet Hotdog, the sausage dog, and his friends!

There’s Kev, the goofy cat, who’s always dressed up in some silly costume, and Lizzie, the gutsy lizard, who eats bug burgers for breakfast!

Together they’re going on a mad adventure to help a baby bird find its missing mum!

Hotdog and his friends will go to any lengths, and dizzying heights, to find her!

But can they handle dirty nappies and karate-chopping roosters along the way?

Anh Do website – ReadingTime review – Dan McGuiness website

The Bad Guys Episode 2: Mission Unpluckable by Aaron Blabey

The Bad Guys are back with a daring plan to rescue 10,000 chickens from a high-security cage farm! But how do you rescue chickens when one of you is known as The Chicken Swallower? And watch out for the super villain who might just be the end of them!

Aaron Blabey’s website – Meet Aaron Blabey StoryBox Library – PRC 3-4 Booklist #3220 – The Bad Guys Illustration

The Gateway: Midnight Mercenary by Cereberus Jones and illustrated by Craig Phillips

It's a dark and stormy night at the Gateway Hotel, and the latest intergalactic visitor is the most terrifying yet. Why has he come? Who is he after? With their families and the hotel in grave danger, it's up to Amelia and Charlie to save the day…

Chris Morphew aka Cereberus Jones website – Chris Morphew reads Midnight Mercenary teaser – Chris Morphew, David Harding and Rowan McAuley interview

WeirDo: Mega Weird! By Anh Do and illustrated by Jules Faber

Life for WeirDo is mega busy! He's planning on making mega bucks from the Street Garage Sale, plus he's helping Bella write a winning song! And is that a dusty dino bone in the corner? It won't be easy ... but it will be funny!

Anh Do talks WeirDo – Anh Do website – PRC 3-4 Booklist #6021

You Choose: Alien Invaders From Beyond The Stars by George Ivanoff

You see strange lights in the sky. It’s a flying saucer, just like in the movies. Inside are lizard aliens – disguised as humans. They have come to invade planet Earth! You want to resist, but your actions may lead to the destruction of humankind . . .

Do you have what it takes to save the world? Or will the aliens unleash their ultimate weapon?

A thank you from George - Studio 3 interview – Studio 3 interview 2 - The Bottom Shelf Blog