Winner of the Stockport Children's Book Award 2013

Penelope Tredwell is the feisty thirteen-year-old orphan heiress of the bestselling magazine, The Penny Dreadful. Her masterly tales of the macabre are gripping Victorian Britain, even if no one knows she's the author. One day, a letter she receives from the governor of the notorious Bedlam madhouse plunges her into an adventure more terrifying than anything she has ever imagined.

September 1939.

When Jimmy is evacuated to a small village in Wales, it couldn't be more different from London. Green, quiet and full of strangers, he instantly feels out of place.

But then he finds a skull hidden in a tree, and suddenly the valley is more frightening than the war. Who can Jimmy trust? His brother is too little; his best friend has changed.

Finding an ally in someone he never expects, they set out together to uncover the secrets that lie with the skull. What they discover will change Jimmy – and the village – forever.

A mesmerising mystery about bravery and brotherhood from an outstanding new voice.

From the author of Nowhere Boy - called “a resistance novel for our times” by The New York Times - comes a brilliant middle-grade survival story that traces a harrowing family secret back to the Holodomor, a terrible famine that devastated Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s.

Thirteen-year-old Matthew is miserable. His journalist dad is stuck overseas indefinitely, and his mom has moved in his one-hundred-year-old great-grandmother to ride out the pandemic, adding to his stress and isolation.

But when Matthew finds a tattered black-and-white photo in his great-grandmother’s belongings, he discovers a clue to a hidden chapter of her past, one that will lead to a life-shattering family secret. Set in alternating timelines that connect the present-day to the 1930s and the US to the USSR, Katherine Marsh’s latest novel sheds fresh light on the Holodomor – the horrific famine that killed millions of Ukrainians, and which the Soviet government covered up for decades.

An incredibly timely, page-turning story of family, survival, and sacrifice, inspired by Marsh’s own family history, The Lost Year is perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys' Between Shades of Gray and Alan Gratz's Refugee.

Six best-loved novels by award-winning author of ‘War Horse’, brought together in a beautiful box. Tales of animals, wartime, and the spirit it takes to survive will enchant readers young and old. A perfect introduction to Michael Morpurgo’s enthralling storytelling for new readers and a classic collection for fans. WAR HORSE In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story. THE BUTTERFLY LION When Bertie is a little boy, he rescues an orphaned white lion cub from the African veld. They are inseparable until Bertie is sent to boarding school far away in England and the lion is sold to a circus. Bertie swears that one day they will see one another again, but it is the butterfly lion which ensures that their friendship will never be forgotten. KENSUKE’S KINGDOM Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food and no water, he curls up and closes his eyes ready for the end. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone … PRIVATE PEACEFUL Young Thomas Peaceful looks back over his childhood memories from the battlefields of the First World War. But the clock is ticking, and every moment Tommo spends remembering means another moment closer to something that will change his life forever. SHADOW Never has Aman needed a friend more than when a springer spaniel appears before him one day. The dog becomes a constant companion, a shadow, and that's what Aman decides to call her. But life in Afghanistan is becoming more dangerous by the moment, and eventually Aman and Shadow must find the courage to leave. But how far can Shadow lead them? And in this terrifying new world, is anywhere really safe? AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN It’s 1945, and the bombing of Dresden is imminent. Before the bombs start to fall, Lizzie’s zookeeper mother brings home the one animal she can’t bear to lose: Marlene, the elephant. When Lizzie and her family join the thousands of other refugees fleeing the city, they end up with more than one unusual companion …

What is Acha's Choice? Princess Acha, daughter of Saxon King Aelle, and sister of newborn Prince Edwin, must decide what to do to protect herself and Edwin when an enemy king kills their father and seeks to remove any heirs to the throne. With the help of friends, Acha takes Edwin and other refugees to the western lands of the Britons. These kind people take the band in and shelter them, in spite of the fact that they are Saxons, and therefore, enemies of the native Britons. Here, in the deep, mysterious woods, Acha finds someone to love. But, her relationship threatens the safety of her party, and Acha must decide if she can surrender her brother and others she loves to return into danger, alone. Only then can she find a way to guarantee young Edwin's safety, by a choice at once breathtaking and final. What will Acha decide?

A stunning, exciting story from acclaimed author Dan Smith - author of the Carnegie Medal-nominated Nisha's War. Berlin, 1961. Anja and Monika are best friends - they even share a cat called Otto. When a huge barbed wire fence is built between their apartment blocks, everything changes; their city and family are divided by the Berlin Wall. In the West, Anja is sure it will be taken down, but Monika is afraid. Her world is changing: neighbours keep disappearing, others become spies and shadowy threats lurk around every corner. Then, Anja discovers that Otto has found a way across. And if he can reach Monika, so can she ... An emotional, atmospheric story from Carnegie Medal-nominated author Dan Smith From the author of Nisha's War, My Friend the Enemy and She Wolf A high-stakes adventure, set during the Cold War, centred on two cousins separated when the Berlin Wall is built Perfect for readers aged 9 and up who may be studying the Cold War at school PRAISE FOR DAN SMITH: 'Action, adventure, wolves, snow ... this story has EVERYTHING. I devoured it so quickly I need to read it again.' EMMA CARROLL on She Wolf 'This book grabbed me from page one - highly recommended' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY on My Friend the Enemy

Meet John - England's worst King. Notorious for his mean character, disgusting personal habits and fiery temper, he was loathed by everyone - including his own mother. There was nothing this right royal reprobate wouldn't stoop to in order to elbow his way to the English crown. Find out how it all started with this diary account of John's early life. This text is rich in vocabulary and will provide a page turning insight into the English King who put the 'evil' into medieval.

Late one day, in the summer of 782 A.D., young Adalinda is startled to come upon a Saxon family in the forest where she lives with her father. Their tribe had been captured by Charlemagne's soldiers and brought to France after they refused to convert to Christianity, but when Godrith's wife and children grew too weak to continue marching, the family had been abandoned. Godrith is suspicious of Adalinda's kindness, remembering how the "Christian" soldiers had burned his village and killed or captured so many of his people, but as she and her father offer shelter to these Saxon strangers, Godrith begins to see a new picture of Christianity, and her small acts of service have a greater impact that Adalinda could have ever imagined.

In the autumn of 1525, a peddler visits the Castle of Thorn in Germany, and inspires young Fritz with tales of Martin Luther who fights against sin and ignorance with the truth of God's Word. Fritz wants to follow in Dr. Luther's footsteps and be a soldier for the Lord, so he chooses the Bible from the peddler's pack as his birthday gift. Shortly after his father, the Count, goes off to war, however, he and his mother and little sister are forced to flee to the forest to escape being thrown in prison for their new faith. Disguising themselves as commoners, they must trust the Lord as they wait and hope for the Count to rescue them. Through his many trials and struggles, Fritz learns what it means to be a true soldier for the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the Costa Award-winning author Hilary McKay, comes a moving World War II story of family and friendship on opposite sides of a devastating conflict. The Swallows' Flight is the stunning companion novel to The Skylarks' War. 'It's not necessary to have read The Skylarks' War (though many beloved characters make reappearances) to be instantly and joyfully lost in this evocative, moving novel, showing McKay at the very top of her game.' - Imogen Russell-Williams, The Guardian 'Funny, poignant, wise and emotional. Full of achingly real characters (and also an excellent dog) . . . I eked out the final pages, not wanting it to end.' - Fiona Noble, The Bookseller Erik and Hans are German boys. Ruby and Kate are English girls. They grow up in worlds that would never meet, until war tumbles their lives together. Then one September afternoon there are choices to be made. How is courage lost, and found? Who is really the enemy? And what does friendship truly mean, in the middle of a war? Meanwhile Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace - and a brighter future for them all . . . '. . . a resounding success. . . McKay refuses to dumb down the history, writing with such clarity and understanding that you can't fail to be caught up in the cares of her loveable cast.' - Alex O'Connell, The Times Book of the Week 'McKay is a glutinously atmospheric writer, and this dense, action-packed saga - written during lockdown - is every bit as satisfying as its predecessor.' Emily Bearn, The Telegraph 'Separately and together, The Skylarks' War and The Swallows' Flight are pinnacles of children's literature.' -Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Book of the Week 'Meticulously researched, intelligent, warm and witty - this is McKay at her peerless peak.' Sally Morris, The Daily Mail