Shortlist 2011

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Author: Sophie McKenzie

Title: Time Train to the Blitz

Publisher: Usborne | ISBN: 9780746097533

You Said: I love time travel stories and this was one of the best ones I have read!

What's it about? It all starts when a mysterious train appears in the park. Before they know what's happening, Joe and Scarlett are whisked away on a journey back in time. Magically transported to World War II they're given a mission: to save a young boy's life. But with bombs falling on London they find they are counting down to disaster...

Author: Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Title: Help! I'm trapped in my best friend's nose

Publisher: Macmillan | ISBN: 9780330504102

You Said: I thought this was a really silly book. I totally loved it.

What's it about? Is this the right book for you? Take this test to find out!
Do you ask, 'Are we there yet?' over and over on long car trips?
Do you like to drive people mad by copying everything they say and do?
Do you bounce so high on your bed that you hit your head on the ceiling?
Do you ever look in the mirror and see a maniac staring back at you?
Score one point for each 'yes' answer.
3-5 You are obviously a very crazy person. You will love this book.
1-2 You are a fairly crazy person. You will love this book.
0 You don't realise how much fun being crazy can be. You will love this book.

Author: Joe Layburn

Title: Street Heroes

Publisher: Frances Lincoln | ISBN: 9781847800770

You Said: This is an amazing book that uses special powers to make you question the way people think.

What's it about? Georgie's dad, George Smith, is a highly controversial politician whose message is to get rid of non-white people from London's East End. Everyone assumes Georgie shares his father's views, even his father. But while he loves his dad, he's really not sure what he thinks. And then he begins to hear a voice in his head, the voice of a Muslim girl called Fatima ... Meanwhile Fatima is also contacting other children in difficult situations. When an attempt is made to kill George Smith he responds by planning a repeat of the historical Battle of Cable Street when Fascists demonstrating against Jewish immigrants confronted local people. How can the mysterious Fatima and her gang stop Smith, and which side will Georgie be on?

Author: Morris Gleitzman

Title: Now

Publisher: Puffin | ISBN: 9780141329987

You Said: I really enjoyed this book.

What's it about? Morris Gleitzman's acclaimed story of friends Felix and Zelda in Nazi-occupied Poland has captured the hearts and minds of readers worldwide. In Now he delivers the final chapter, bringing this most moving of stories into the present day.

Author: Elen Caldecott

Title: How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini

Publisher: Bloomsbury | ISBN: 9781408805749

You Said: After the first few pages I thought I knew what was going to happen. But I was wrong - the book is totally unpredictable. It's great!

What's it about? Ali Ferguson has just moved into Lever Tower with his mum. It's not long before he meets Caitlin and the Alsatian dog she looks after, Falcon, who doesn't take too kindly to being walked on a lead. Caitlin introduces Ali to her best friend, Gez, and together the three set out to discover, firstly, why the foxes have disappeared from the area, secondly, why the owls have appeared and, thirdly, why Miss Osborne has, it seems, vanished... And how exactly her disappearance is related to the previous two. With the help of his friends and, significantly, Caitlin's dad, Ali and his mum begin to feel comfortable and happy in their new life without Ali's dad.

Author: Lincoln Peirce

Title: Big Nate: The boy with the biggest head in the world

Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN: 9780007355167

You Said: This was even funnier than the Wimpy Kid books!

What's it about? Meet classic comic-strip character Big Nate -- The Boy with the Biggest Head in the World -- as he stars in his own super-funny series. Big Nate is created by Lincoln Peirce, who inspired Jeff Kinney, author of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. Big-head Nate Wright truly believes he is destined for greatness! He's a table tennis champ, a genius comic book artist and the self-proclaimed king of his class. One school morning, Nate barely survives his Dad's toxic porridge before rushing off to school, forgetting his lunch. He thinks he has a test and he hasn't studied for it! Nate's class notes are full of doodles but sadly lacking any useful information! On the way to school he accidentally body slams his head teacher, then, during his first lesson of the day, he manages to insult his least favourite teacher, Mrs. Godfrey (aka Godzilla). But a little thing like having-the-worst-day-ever won't hold back The Boy with the Biggest Head in the World!