Reading - Paddington Here and Now

Paddington Here and Nowby Michael Bond

Paddington – the beloved, classic bear from Darkest Peru – is back in this fantastically funny, long-awaited, brand new illustrated novel from master storyteller Michael Bond! 'I'm not a foreigner,' exclaimed Paddington hotly. 'I'm from Darkest Peru.' Paddington Bear always manages to find himself in tricky situations, sometimes extraordinary situations. Like the time he had a difficult encounter with a policeman or when he found himself in deep water with a newspaper reporter. But since arriving from his native Peru after an earthquake Paddington has always felt at home with the Brown family who found him on Paddington station. Then one day, a surprise visitor arrives at thirty-two Windsor Gardens. Is it time for Paddington to decide where 'home' really is?

Reading - Close to Famous

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

When twelve-year-old Foster and her mother land in the tiny town of Culpepper, they don't know what to expect. But folks quickly warm to the woman with the great voice and the girl who can bake like nobody's business. Soon Foster - who dreams of having her own cooking show one day - lands herself a gig baking for the local coffee shop, and gets herself some much-needed help in overcoming her biggest challenge - learning to read . . . just as Foster and Mama start to feel at ease, their past catches up to them. Thanks to the folks in Culpepper, though Foster and her mama find the strength to put their troubles behind them for good.

Reading - The Silver Bead

The Silver Bead by Helen Dunmore

Term's ended and Zillah and Katie plan the best summer ever. Swimming, surfing, earning money by serving cream teas at the farm, lazing in the sun. But then travellers arrive at the farm campsite. Katie makes a new friend, Rose - and suddenly everything is different. At first Katie thinks Zillah's just sulking - but soon she finds out that real danger overshadows the perfect summer. Can any friendship last for ever? Katie and Zillah are about to learn that life doesn't let you make that kind of promise ....

Reading - Nicholas on Vacation

Nicholas on Vacation by Goscinny & Sempe

Another school year is over, summer is here and Nicholas is off to spend his vacation at the beach. Nicholas is the kind boy who always finds a way of amusing himself, even when it's raining outside. In this collection of his adventures, Nicholas and the new pals he meets at the beach dig a fantastic hole in the sand, learn to play miniature golf, and go on a reasure hunt in the middle of the night.

Reading - Broken Glass

Broken Glass by Sally Grindley

When Suresh and Sandeep run away from home to escape their abusive and bullying father, they do so with the hope that they are going to find something better. When two brothers find themselves homeless in the big city, things are much harder that they could ever have imagined. With the help of some other children, the brothers learn how to survive on the street. They start to work as glass collectors and soon things don't seem so very bad - until one day Suresh realises that his younger brother Sandeep isn't coping as well as he thought. Suresh has to think very hard about how to save Sandeep, and himself, from a terrible fate.

Reading - A Bear Called Paddington

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

Nearly fifty years ago, a small bear from Darkest Peru set out on an adventure of a lifetime. With nothing but a suitcase, several jars of marmalade, and a label around his neck that read, "Please Look After This Bear," he stowed away on a ship headed for faraway England. When the little bear arrived at London's busy Paddington Station, he was discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Brown. As luck would have it, the Browns were just the sort of people to welcome a lost bear into their family. Since then their lives have never been quite the same .... for ordinary things when a bear called Paddington is involved.

Reading - The Alfie Treasury

The Alfie Treasury by Shirley Hughes

The adventures begin when Alfie locks his mum out of the house, racing to get home first! Then explore the world of new welly boots, perfect for splashing in puddles and learning about left and right. There are birthday parties and birthday surprises to be found in these pages, as well as babysitters and big boys, burst pipes, beloved pets and brilliant prizes. Alfie solves the important mysteries of pre-schoolers' lives as he takes on shyness, sisters and the brave new world of Big School. It is a wonderful collection of classic stories to be treasured.