Karen Donnelly – illustratör

Rags to riches story of a young orphan who becomes a famous actress. A Roaring Good Read launch title.Daisy is brought up in a foundling's hospital in Victorian times. At ten she is sent into service as a skivvy at the Dobell Academy.There she watches all the pupils learning how to be young ladies, wearing fine clothes and learning how to read, write and… dance. Daisy dreams of being like them one day and painstakingly teaches herself to read with the help of one kind teacher. She is caught dancing in one of the piano rooms and is and reproved for having 'ideas above her station', but undaunted she perseveres with her dream to be a 'beautiful lady on the stage.' Daisy even makes up a stage name – Marguerite Dobell. One night, in her attic bedroom, she sees a ghost – an old lady sitting in a rocking chair looking through a scrapbook of photos and theatre programmes. The woman is strangely familiar.When the young ladies of Dobell Academy put on their end of term dancing display, Daisy risks being caught again and does her own dance in the corridor -spotted by two late-comers who realise that Daisy is the perfect little dancer to play the part of Dolly in their production Little Dolly Daydream.That night, in her attic bedroom, Daisy is revisited by her ghost looking in old theatre programmes – she spots the name of the production, it is Little Dolly Daydream and there in the cast list is the name Marguerite Dobell. Daisy has seen into the future, the ghost is none other than herself as an elderly and once famous actress. Her dream will come true.A wonderful unashamedly sentimental rags- to-riches story which young readers from 7 and upwards will adore, and one which will be timeless and backlist well. My Fair Lady meets The Little Match Girl from a prize-winning author.

Danny loves dancing, but not the funky, popular variety that would have his friends green with envy; no, Danny loves Ballet. A ‘Billy Elliot’ for younger readers by this renowned ballet-loving author.Danny loves ballet, but he daren’t admit it to his mates. But one of his teacher’s knows, and she casts Danny in the starring ballet role in the end of term show at school. But Danny is also in the school football team and the rehearsals for the show clash with team nights. How can be maintain his cool with his peers and still star in the performance. Mixups and mayhen ensue as several fibs are told to parents, friends and siblings. But at the end of the day, is Danny sick as a parrot or over the moon? On performance night, Danny is simply DAZZLING!

A humorous, poignant and heartwarming story of four girls and their exasperating parents. Reissued in the Jean Ure branding.“People always fall out after they’re married. I’m going to stay single.”Jasmine, Laurel, Rose and Daisy. Four very different sisters, four very different attitudes! As if living with each other wasn’t bad enough, living with their parents is worse – particularly parents who are both actors. Please!But after the Great Row, the girls find themselves living with Mum, while Dad has gone to America to find work. How are the sisters going to achieve their own personal ambitions: become an actress, model, writer, vet… when they can’t even achieve their joint ambition – to reunite parents who are on different continents?

A humorous, poignant and heartwarming story of four girls and their exasperating parents, from the Queen of Tween, Jean Ure.“People always fall out after they’re married. I’m going to stay single.”Jasmine, Laurel, Rose and Daisy. Four very different sisters, four very different attitudes! As if living with each other wasn’t bad enough, living with their parents is worse – particularly parents who are both actors. Please!But after the Great Row, the girls find themselves living with Mum, while Dad has gone to America to find work. How are the sisters going to achieve their own personal ambitions: become an actress, model, writer, vet… when they can’t even achieve their joint ambition – to reunite parents who are on different continents?

Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right levelScrooge was not a kind man. One Christmas Eve he was visited by three ghosts, who took him on a journey from the past, through the present and in to the future. Was it too late for him to change his ways? This retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic story is written by Penny Dolan. White/Band 10 books have more complex sentences and figurative language.Text type: A retelling of a story by a significant authorCurriculum links: Literacy: Extended stories/Significant authors.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

Danny loves dancing, but not the funky, popular variety that would have his friends green with envy; no, Danny loves Ballet. A `Billy Elliot’ for younger readers by this renowned ballet-loving author.Danny loves ballet, but he daren’t admit it to his mates. But one of his teacher’s knows, and she casts Danny in the starring ballet role in the end of term show at school. But Danny is also in the school football team and the rehearsals for the show clash with team nights. How can be maintain his cool with his peers and still star in the performance. Mixups and mayhen ensue as several fibs are told to parents, friends and siblings. But at the end of the day, is Danny sick as a parrot or over the moon? On performance night, Danny is simply DAZZLING!

The remarkable story of Florence Nightingale, from her privileged childhood to the horrors of her work in the Crimea and as a hospital reformer. Retold in a lively, vivid style with evocative, full colour pictures and links to recommended websites to find out more. Part of Young Reading Series 3 for fully confident readers.Chapters in this book include:- A defiant daughter- The voice of God?- Fighting Fanny- Florence takes charge- Hell on earth- Fame- Working flat out- Nurse Nightingale - My Life

Eleven-year-old Nhia “Silver” Lee’s brother convinces her to join the talent show and showcase her storytelling know-how. There's just one problem: she’s got a serious case of stage fright! Can Nhia overcome her fears and take home the top talent trophy? Or will her anxieties upstage her act? Written by Sheelue Yang, this graphic novel is a darkly humorous, normalizing exploration of coming-of-age anxiety through the lens of an authentic pre-teen girl.

Eleven-year-old Nhia “Silver” Lee is heading on a summer holiday camping trip. Unfortunately, she’s packing her nerves along for the trip. Can she build a fire? Will she be able to fall asleep in a tent? And what if the other campers don’t like her? Nhia will need to overcome her own self-doubt if she is to make the camping experience less of a total downer. Written by Sheelue Yang, this graphic novel is a darkly humorous, normalizing exploration of coming-of-age anxiety through the lens of an authentic pre-teen girl.

Eleven-year-old Nhia “Silver” Lee is visiting her Hmong grandparents, but she doesn’t speak their language, at least not very well. Enter: Anxiety. Nhia fears she won’t be able to connect with her grandparents due to this language barrier. Fortunately, while helping her grandpa on the farm and cooking with her grandmother, Nhia discovers that words aren’t the only way to show love. Written by Sheelue Yang, this graphic novel is a darkly humorous, normalizing exploration of coming-of-age anxiety through the lens of an authentic pre-teen girl.

Eleven-year-old Nhia “Silver” Lee is starting at a new school. Unfortunately, the same-old anxieties have followed her there. Will she meet new friends? Will she succeed on this school’s football team? Can she pass her first test? With the help of her family, she’ll overcome some seriously negative thoughts to find out. Written by Sheelue Yang, this graphic novel is a darkly humorous, normalizing exploration of coming-of-age anxiety through the lens of an authentic pre-teen girl.

One night Cassie is gazing at the twinkling sky, when suddenly a shooting star zooms into her bedroom and transforms, into Stella Starkeeper. Stella and Cassie fly to the secret world of the stars, and Cassie discovers she is destined to be a Lucky Star – someone who can grant real wishes. But first Cassie must collect six magical charms and use their powers wisely – helping other people's wishes to come true. Only then will she become a fully fledged Lucky Star!In book one, THE BEST FRIEND WISH, Cassie meets Stella Starkeeper and is given a special charm bracelet. She must learn how to use the magical charms wisely and find someone who needs her help. Could Alex, the boy staying at her mum and dad's B & B, have a secret wish?

One night Cassie is gazing at the twinkling sky, when suddenly a shooting star zooms into her bedroom and transforms, into Stella Starkeeper. Stella and Cassie fly to the secret world of the stars, and Cassie discovers she is destined to be a Lucky Star – someone who can grant real wishes. But first Cassie must collect six magical charms and use their powers wisely – helping other people's wishes to come true. Only then will she become a fully fledged Lucky Star!In book two, THE PERFECT PONY WISH, Cassie must find a runaway pony! Will she bring Sunbeam home in time for the showjumping championships? If only Cassie could work out what power her crescent-moon charm holds . . .

One night Cassie is gazing at the twinkling sky, when suddenly a shooting star zooms into her bedroom and transforms, into Stella Starkeeper. Stella and Cassie fly to the secret world of the stars, and Cassie discovers she is destined to be a Lucky Star – someone who can grant real wishes. But first Cassie must collect six magical charms and use their powers wisely – helping other people's wishes to come true. Only then will she become a fully fledged Lucky Star!In book six, THE BALLERINA WISH, Cassie meets Izzy, who is dancing the lead role in Cinderella. But she keeps forgetting her dance steps! Can Cassie’s heart charm help her to remember them?

One night Cassie is gazing at the twinkling sky, when suddenly a shooting star zooms into her bedroom and transforms, into Stella Starkeeper. Stella and Cassie fly to the secret world of the stars, and Cassie discovers she is destined to be a Lucky Star – someone who can grant real wishes. But first Cassie must collect six magical charms and use their powers wisely – helping other people's wishes to come true. Only then will she become a fully fledged Lucky Star!In book three, THE POP SINGER WISH, Jacey Day comes to stay at Starwatcher Towers B & B. Jacey is performing at a concert, but her backing singers won't make it in time! Cassie has to find a way to help . . . maybe her flower charm holds the answer?

One night Cassie is gazing at the twinkling sky, when suddenly a shooting star zooms into her bedroom and transforms, into Stella Starkeeper. Stella and Cassie fly to the secret world of the stars, and Cassie discovers she is destined to be a Lucky Star – someone who can grant real wishes. But first Cassie must collect six magical charms and use their powers wisely – helping other people's wishes to come true. Only then will she become a fully fledged Lucky Star!In book four, THE BIRTHDAY WISH, a little girl's birthday needs rescuing after a cake disaster! A magician will add some sparkle, but what this party really needs is a sprinkling of Lucky Star magic . . . can Cassie make a birthday wish come true?

One night Cassie is gazing at the twinkling sky, when suddenly a shooting star zooms into her bedroom and transforms, into Stella Starkeeper. Stella and Cassie fly to the secret world of the stars, and Cassie discovers she is destined to be a Lucky Star – someone who can grant real wishes. But first Cassie must collect six magical charms and use their powers wisely – helping other people's wishes to come true. Only then will she become a fully fledged Lucky Star!In book five, THE FILM STAR WISH, Cassie is lucky enough to meet Roxy Gold, movie star! Being famous is fun, but Roxy wishes that sometimes she could just be invisible . . . Can Cassie help her new friend?

After meeting sparkly Stella Starkeeper and completing six tasks, Cassie is now a Lucky Star, someone who can grant wishes to those who deserve them, but now the world of the stars needs her help. The Winter Star has stopped shining and Cassie must spread Christmas cheer to make it glow brightly again. She uses her magic to make it snow, and soon all the children in Astral-on-Sea are having a great time building snowmen and sledging! But then the Christmas Fair is cancelled as the roads are blocked. All Cassie's friends are upset - everyone has worked so hard to make this year's fair extra special. And then there's a puppy who's lost in the snow . . .Cassie must save the puppy and rescue the Christmas Fair! Having magical powers is fun, as long as Cassie learns to be careful what she wishes for.

On Cassie's seventh birthday she made a new friend - Stella Starkeeper. Stella lives in the sky and uses the magic of the twinkling stars to make wishes come true! After passing six tasks Cassie becomes a Lucky Star - someone who can can grant wishes, helped by her magical charm bracelet. But disaster strikes when Cassie's bracelet goes missing and Stella's powers begin to fade . . . Cassie must search for other Lucky Stars who can help her find the bracelet. But before a Lucky Star is able to share their magic, Cassie must first make a wish come true for them.In book eight, THE SLEEPOVER WISH, Cassie meets a Lucky Star called Hannah, who lives on a farm. The baby lambs are being born, so Hannah's mum and dad are too busy to plan a birthday party for her. Hannah loves being on the farm but she still wishes she could have a birthday sleepover.

On Cassie's seventh birthday she made a new friend, Stella Starkeeper. Stella lives in the sky and uses the magic of the twinkling stars to make wishes come true! After passing six tasks Cassie becomes a Lucky Star - someone who can can grant wishes, helped by her magical charm bracelet. But disaster strikes when Cassie's bracelet goes missing and Stella's powers begin to fade . . . Cassie must search for other Lucky Stars who can help her find the bracelet. But before a Lucky Star is able to share their magic, Cassie must first make a wish come true for them.In book nine, THE ICE SKATING WISH, Cassie meets another Lucky Star called Yasmin, who is a brilliant ice skater. Cassie and Yasmin have a great time skating together, but then Cassie finds out that Yasmin is scared of performing in front of an audience. Can Cassie help Yasmin get over her fear?

On Cassie's seventh birthday she made a new friend - Stella Starkeeper. Stella lives in the sky and uses the magic of the twinkling stars to make wishes come true! After passing six tasks Cassie becomes a Lucky Star - someone who can can grant wishes, helped by her magical charm bracelet. But disaster strikes when Cassie's bracelet goes missing and Stella's powers begin to fade . . . Cassie must search for other Lucky Stars who can help her find the bracelet. But before a Lucky Star is able to share their magic, Cassie must first make a wish come true for them.In book ten, THE SWIMMING GALA WISH, Cassie and her two new Lucky Star friends, Hannah and Yasmin, are determined to find Cassie's magical charm bracelet. If they don't then the special power of the stars will be lost forever and no one's wishes will come true. Will they find the bracelet in time?

In the dark, dangerous streets of Victorian London Oliver enters the world of people so poor and desperate that they will take any risk and know no mercy. Relentlessly pursued by the menacing criminal world, who should Oliver trust? Are his true friends strong enough to resist the determined plotting of desperate villains? In this gripping tale of kidnapping, shooting and murder, Charles Dickens shows the threats to a vulnerable boy’s existence and asks the eternal question: which is more powerful, good or evil?

Pride, humility, love, loyalty and shame compete for Pip’s emotions. Will his quest to become a gentleman enable him to melt the cold heart of the beautiful Estella, or will it destroy his happiness? Pip’s tale is full of mystery and surprises. What is the nature of Miss Havisham’s interest in him? Why does Estella want to break his heart? Why does the dangerous convict return? Most importantly, who has given Pip his great expectations?

Miserable old miser Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. Can somebody so selfish, so harsh and so horribly lonely ever change his ways? In one terrifying night, poor Scrooge is haunted by four ghosts. Why do they show him visions of his past? Why do they show him other people enjoying Christmas? Why do they show him the deaths of a young boy and of a miserable old miser? Weep and laugh as you read this much-loved Christmas story. Will Scrooge always think that Christmas is ‘Humbug’, or will he learn to shout ‘Merry Christmas, one and all’?

Can one lonely little boy show the strength and determination to survive the dangers that lie ahead? Travelling along the rocky road from boyhood to manhood, how can David learn who to trust and who to love? Will David’s friends bring him happiness or heartache? In this inspiring tale of trust, betrayal, courage and love, Charles Dickens presents a world of colourful characters to amuse us, astonish us, disgust us and move us to tears. Once encountered, David Copperfield’s friends and enemies will never be forgotten.

Esther, at fourteen, has never known love. Determined to live well, earn some love and overcome the shadow of her birth, she takes her first steps into an unknown world. A family curse, a manipulating lawyer, poverty and secrets threaten to destroy Esther’s world. Are the walls of Bleak House strong enough to protect her and her new friends from such powerful forces? The reader will be caught up in an unfolding mystery, full of surprises. Perhaps the biggest mystery of all is: Who is Nemo?

A disappearing father, an unhappy marriage, a handsome suitor and a bank robbery all bring challenges to Louisa’s life. Will she be able to control her powerful emotions, or will they lead her to ruin? Set amongst the noisy, dangerous factories of a northern industrial town, where the workers struggle to survive, Hard Times explores the power that people can have over others, and the suffering that is caused when human emotions are ignored.

Eight years ago, Anne Elliot was persuaded that her family’s honour was more important than her own happiness. She has suffered ever since. Now the man she turned away has returned. Can Captain Wentworth forgive Anne, or will he be charmed instead by the beautiful Louisa? Will Anne be persuaded to marry her cousin, or will she find the strength to follow her heart? The extravagance of Anne’s foolish father, the greedy plotting of false friends, and a near-fatal accident bring danger into Anne’s safe world. Their hearts assailed by resentment, regrets and rivals, can Anne and Captain Wentworth now reach across the void that separates them to love each other again?