Four funny stories to raise a laugh and a smile ... Jez Fisher, boy detective, on the tail of a problem cat ... Revenge is sweet for a victim of the Queen of Mean ... The seventh child of the last magic carpet-maker needs some luck ... Cool kid Tyler tries to understand 'mood-swing crazy' and how girls work ... Funny Stories features four themed short stories each by different Shades authors. These books are perfect for readers with less stamina or those simply looking for a quick read.

When the crops fail, Danny and his dad have no choice: it's starve or go hunting in the forbidden game park. But it will be OK, if they don't get caught. Then Danny makes a mistake that lands them in the clutches of corrupt game ranger, Davis Sata. Now they have to do something far worse than steal a little meat. Republished as a new edition, this book is one of the Shades 2.0 series. This book is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising story that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.

No wonder Rico hates his Mayan culture. His dad died fighting to keep the old ways. Now Rico and his sister Delfina must scratch a living selling clothes in San Pedro market. But it's hard when swindlers like Enzo try to cheat them. Rico means to kill Enzo, but then he makes a strange discovery - something from the Mayan past that could change everything. Republished as a new edition, this book is one of the Shades 2.0 series. This book is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising story that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.

It's 1955 in Kenya, and Thuo is fifteen. His country is at war with the British. Thuo hates his brother, Kungu, because Kungu supports the freedom-fighting Mau Mau, who have brought so much suffering on his family. But will Thuo help Kungu, his Mau Mau brother, in the time of Kungu's greatest need? Part of the Fresh Shades series, this is a shorter version of the original book. The Sharp Shades stories are illustrated and have simpler language and a larger font than the original book. They are perfect for older readers who may find longer books too daunting, but who still want the excitement of a great story told with pace and style.