Usborne Publishing – serie

This is a simple and colourful guide to playing the descant recorder, for absolute beginners of any age. Friendly cartoon characters explain how to play each note, and provide an entertaining introduction to reading and understanding music. Carefully graded tunes - including well-known tunes, folk songs and Christmas carols - help players to develop their musical and technical skills at a steady pace. There are games and puzzles throughout the book, as well as fascinating facts about the recorder.

Which Roman emperor built a huge wall in 122AD? How many birthdays does the Queen have? And what is bubble and squeak? Packed with legends, landmarks, monarchs and more, this book has over 250 questions for the whole family to enjoy. Includes multiple choice and true or false questions with all the answers at the back of the book.

Is London the rainiest city in Europe? Where are the Crown Jewels kept? And where is TV soap opera EastEnders set? From royal homes to Sherlock Holmes, this book is packed with over 250 quick-fire questions for the whole family to enjoy. Includes multiple choice, true or false and odd-one-out questions, and all the answers at the back of the book.

I'm Dan Hope and deep inside my head I keep a list of things I want to come true.For example, I want my sister, Ninja Grace, to go to university at the North Pole and only come back once a year.I want to help Sherlock Holmes solve his most daring mystery yet. And if it could be a zombie mystery, all the more exciting.I want my dog to stop eating the planets and throwing them up on the carpet.And finally, the biggest dream of all, I want my dad to love me.'This book totally blew me away' Cathy Cassidy

'Important and brave. Read this wonderful book. Just read it' Jennifer Niven 'So powerful and poignant... I honestly just think this book will change a lot of people's lives' Zoe SuggAmanda Hardy is the new girl at school.Like everyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is holding back. Even from Grant, the guy she's falling in love with.Amanda has a secret.At her old school, she used to be called Andrew. And secrets always have a way of getting out...A book about loving yourself and being loved for who you really are.

An award-winning debut about the power of speaking out, packed with humour, heart and honesty."A wonderful book about finding one's own voice." Ann M. Martin, author of The Baby-Sitters Club"Will appeal to fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy." Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in SyriaRosalind hates her new secondary school. She's the weird girl who doesn't talk. The Mute-ant. And it's easy to pick on someone who can't fight back. So Rosalind starts a blog - Miss Nobody; a place to speak up, a place where she has a voice. But there's a problem...Is Miss Nobody becoming a bully herself?

A trailblazing and painfully honest novel about mental health, friendship and making this crazy world a kinder place, from the author of the bestselling Am I Normal Yet?Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference. A place offering a shot at "normality" for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for her new friends, who are all dealing with their own battles. But as Olive settles in, she starts to wonder - maybe it's this messed up world that needs fixing, and not them. And so she comes up with a plan. Because together, snowflakes can form avalanches... "Holly Bourne applies her inimitable surreal humour to the dark reaches of the disordered mind..." The Guardian

A gorgeous YA romance following one girl diagnosed with bipolar II as she finds herself falling in love - told with heart, humour and authenticity, this is a YA Silver Linings Playbook. Flora "doesn't do people", not since the Incident that led to her leaving school midway through her GCSEs. The Incident that led to her being diagnosed with bipolar II. The Incident that left her in pieces.Until Hal arrives. He's researching a story about a missing World War I soldier, and he wants Flora's help. Flora used to love history before the Incident, but spending so much time with Hal is her worst nightmare. Yet as they begin to piece together the life of the missing soldier, a life of lost love, secrets and lies, Flora finds a piece of herself falling for Hal.

Winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal.Every summer Quill and his friends are put ashore on a remote sea stac to hunt birds. But this summer, no one arrives to take them home.Surely nothing but the end of the world can explain why they've been abandoned - cold, starving and clinging to life, in the grip of a murderous ocean. How will they survive?'Brilliant, beautiful...as unpredictable as the sea itself' Philip Reeve, author of The Mortal Engines'This is the best book I've read this year. Extraordinary' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars

A beautiful, epic story of destiny, magic and love... Reborn for a new generation of readers. Rose is an unusual child, a North Child. Rose was born facing north, and the old stories say she will venture far from home and embark on a dangerous journey. Making a pact with an enormous white bear, Rose travels on his back to a mysterious castle that holds a dark enchantment, a darker temptation, and the key to her true destiny...A spellbinding adventure to curl up with on long winter nights.'An absolute stunner... Perfection' Alex Bell, author of The Polar Bear Explorers' Club'This is epic stuff' Guardian

Secrets, mystery and bravery meet in this bestselling, gripping historical adventure, from critically-acclaimed Ann-Marie Howell.OCTOBER, 1916.Clara has been sent to stay with her aunt and uncle while England is at war. But when she reaches their cottage on an enormous country estate, Clara is plunged into a tangle of secrets... A dark, locked room, a scheming thief, and a mysterious boy who only appears at night.Clara has a secret of her own too - a terrible one about her brother, fighting in the war. And as the secrets turn to danger, Clara must find the courage to save herself, and those around her...'Fans of Emma Carroll will adore this historical tale of derring-do and righted wrongs' The Times, Children's Book of the Week

From the bestselling author of The Garden of Lost Secrets comes a thrilling new mystery filled with ticking secrets and gripping adventure, set against an Edwardian backdrop of invention and change. JUNE, 1905.Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are swept off to Cambridge when her father is appointed clock-winder to one of the wealthiest men in England. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop.Soon Helena discovers the house of one hundred clocks holds many mysteries; a ghostly figure, strange notes and stolen winding keys... Can she work out the house's secrets before time runs out?"Howell is a hypnotically readable writer, who keeps the pulse racing, while allowing every character slowly to unravel." The Telegraph"Fans of Emma Carroll will adore this historical tale of derring-do and righted wrongs." The Times on The Garden of Lost Secrets

"Stunning...a gorgeous, twisty gem of a book" - Simon James Green How well do you really know the people you love?Dylan falls for Ellis the moment he meets him - he's funny and fearless and makes living in a small town like Ferrivale more bearable. Dylan is head over heels in love, although deep down he sometimes wonders if Ellis is keeping secrets from him. When a tragic accident rips them apart, Dylan begins to discover just how little he knows about the boy he loves, and that Ellis isn't the only person in Ferrivale who's been keeping secrets...Powerful, page-turning and perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Karen McManus

An accessible child-centred story about self-acceptance and the importance of opening up to those closest to you.Becky and Josh are almost-twins, with two mums and the same anonymous donor dad. Josh can't wait until he's eighteen, the legal age when he can finally contact his donor, and he'll do anything to find out more ­­­- even if it involves lying.Becky can't stop thinking about her new friend, Carli. Could her feelings for Carli be a sign of something more? Becky and Josh both want their parents to be proud of them...but right now, they're struggling to even accept themselves. Praise for Sarah Hagger-Holt's debut, Nothing Ever Happens Here "A barrier-breaking, empathy-inducing story for all." LoveReading4Kids"I can't wait for kids to read it - it's a book a lot of people need right now." Jay Hulme, award-winning poet"Compassionate and sweet and full of people trying their best. Highly recommended." Robin Stevens "Pitch perfect as far as I'm concerned. I wish there'd been books like this in my day." Christine Burns MBE, British Political Activist

Finding your voice. Speaking the truth. Falling in love. All the biggest drama happens in high school... Mean Girls meets To All The Boys I've Loved Before in this hugely relatable high-school takedown from the queen of UKYA. Paige is used to staying quiet in the face of lies. Like how popular girl Grace is a such an amazing person (lie). How Laura steals people's boyfriends (lie). How her own family are so perfect (lie). Now Grace and friends have picked their "best" high-school moments for Paige to put in the all-important Yearbook. And they're not just lies. They're poison. But Paige has finally had enough. And as she starts to find love through the pages of a book, she finds her voice too. Now she is going to rewrite her story - and the Yearbook is the perfect place to do it.Paige Vickers: Most likely to...bring down the mean girls

WINNER OF THE EDWARD STANFORD CHILDREN'S TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022A SUNDAY TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK Dive beneath the waves with this spell-binding adventure of friendship, forgiveness and bravery, set on the shores of Papua New Guinea, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Eva Ibbotson."I want to be able to call the sharks. Teach me the magic and show me the ways."Blue Wing is desperate to become a shark caller, but instead she must befriend infuriating newcomer Maple, who arrives unexpectedly on Blue Wing's island. At first, the girls are too angry to share their secrets and become friends. But when the tide breathes the promise of treasure, they must journey together to the bottom of the ocean to brave the deadliest shark of them all... "The most incredible story...tender and wise, with themes of friendship, love, grief, revenge and acceptance." Michelle Harrison"Magnificent and beautiful." Sophie Anderson

SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOUNG QUILLS AWARD 2024The Song Walker is an extraordinary new story of friendship, discovery and courage from Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller which won the Wales Book of the Year and the Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year 2022."There are three questions that I need to find the answers to:Where am I? What am I doing here? And... Who am I?"When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She's wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she's carrying a strange, heavy case.She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets..."A tense and twisty story about friendship and music, and how we might all find out who we really are." Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week"A gripping and beautifully written adventure story with a terrific twist. " Irish Independent"A fabulous adventure." Holly Webb

Meet Eric and Morgan. Born on the same day, at the same time, in the same place.They've always shared this one day together, but as they grow up they begin to grow apart. Everyone expects Eric to get a football scholarship, but no one knows he's having second thoughts. Former quarterback Morgan feels utterly alone, as she wrestles with the difficult choice to live as her true self. Both of them are struggling to be the person they know they are. Who better to help than your best friend?Told on one day every year, over six years, this is a story about how change pulls people apart... and how love brings them back together.

A spooky, quirky adventure of curses and magic, perfect for fans of Malamander and A Place Called Perfect.Welcome to Barrow. A spooky old town filled with strange birds, terrible floods and cursed by the infamous Barrow Bogwitch...When Lewis and his family move to Barrow, he doesn't think much of the stories at first. Until weird things start happening at midnight. Realizing they are in grave danger, Lewis and his new friend Moira must unearth old secrets and follow clues to break the curse. But the Bogwitch is stirring again...and she has eyes everywhere."Halpin knows how to weave a thrilling story"Lancaster Guardian

WINNER OF THE 2022 BEST LAUGH OUT LOUD BOOK FOR 9-13-YEAR-OLDSThe super funny, heart-warming adventure of three boys, one summer holiday, and a few miracles along the way, from breakout talent, Jenny Pearson, illustrated by award-winning Rob Biddulph.SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD A SUNDAY TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEKFreddie Yates likes facts. Just not the one staring him in the face - that his secret plan is not, in fact, secret. Because Freddie's journey wasn't meant to involve Big Trev and the onion-eating competition or the loo-exploding pear-and-potato turnovers. And Freddie definitely didn't expect to end up, with his two best friends, on national television in a supergirl costume. But journeys never take you where you think they will. And for Freddie, that fact might just have to be enough..."Miracles may or may not happen, although coincidences do, but the laugh-out-loud story is, in the end, heartwarming about all kinds of families." The Sunday Times"A big-hearted comic journey about friendship, family, and a miraculously well-timed seagull." David Solomons, author of My Brother is a Superhero"This sleuthing-trip-cum-crime-solving spree has all the fizz of Jeremy Strong." The Observer"One of the funniest books you'll read this year, with bundles of heart to boot." Fiona Noble, The Bookseller

A record-smashing, feel-good adventure packed with heart, humour and Guinness World Records from Costa Award-shortlisted JENNY PEARSON, and Kid Normal illustrator Erica Salcedo Lucy is a fixer of broken things. But there's one thing she can't fix and that's her unhappy mum. Until she comes up with an INCREDIBLE plan. Along with her best friend, Sandesh, Lucy is going to SMASH a world record. Because she's convinced that starry Paul Castellini - Record Smashers TV host and singing legend - is the answer to her mum's problems. But breaking a world RECORD when watermelons, kumquats, two baddies and a 30 cm shatter-resistant school ruler are involved isn't quite as easy as Lucy thought. Can she learn that sometimes happiness doesn't come with a plan?"Breaks records for funny and touching storytelling." David Baddiel"One of the juiciest ideas for a story you've ever seen and super-miraculously Jenny Pearson makes it every bit as funny and tender as it could ever be." Frank Cottrell-Boyce

What's it like to grow up online and have every tantrum, every spot - even your first period - broadcast to hundreds of thousands of followers? A funny and heartfelt novel for fans of Geek Girl, from the award-winning Tamsin Winter: "Fast becoming a favourite for younger teenagers." The ObserverMost parents try to limit their kids' online exposure. But not Eva's. Her parents run a hugely successful YouTube channel, and Eva is the star of the show. But Eva is getting sick of being made to pose in stupid mum-and-daughter matching outfits for sponsored posts. The freebies aren't worth the teasing at school. And when an intensely humiliating "period party" post goes viral, Eva is outraged. She's going to find a way to stop the channel, even if she has to sabotage it herself.

The magical bestselling adventure book by acclaimed author Sophie Anderson. Magic awaits, all you have to do is believe...When thirteen-year-old Olia, steps through a magical doorway, she discovers another land. A land tangled by magic, where hope is lost, and a scheming wizard holds all the power.Soon Olia learns that she is destined to save this land, but with time running out and her new friends and family in danger, she must search for the magic within herself - to save everything and everyone she loves.The new fairy tale from Sophie Anderson, illustrated by Saara Söderlund.An enchanting fairy-tale adventure about the power of love and courage, from the bestselling author of The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl who Speaks Bear

"A timely quest infused with magic." The Times, Children's Book of the WeekThe hugely-anticipated, brand-new fairytale adventure from Sophie Anderson, the bestselling author of The House with Chicken Legs.The Island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. The humans live on one side of the island, and the alkonosts - the bird-people - live on the other. But it wasn't always this way...Linnet wishes she could sing magic. But magic is forbidden and she has been banished with her father to the Mournful Swamp. She misses her old life, and dreams of reuniting with her friends.When her father is captured for taking a precious jewel, Linnet must set out on a treacherous journey. Travelling through alligator pools and sinking sands with new friends, she learns how to be brave, and discovers something even more powerful than singing magic. Something that could save her father, and heal the broken heart of her island once more...With themes of grief, trust, love, and that we have more in common than that which divides us, this is a heartfelt book filled with adventure and stunning storytelling from bestselling Sophie Anderson.

"So uplifting and powerful - so, so good." Cathy Cassidy"Brave, honest, and heart-breakingly funny." Ben Miller"A beautiful, relevant story of courage, strength, and not letting other people decide who you are." Kate WestonAmelia Bright wants to be the best at everything. But when it comes to popularity, she is dead last. No matter what she tries, she can't shake her reputation as a maggoty nobody.When she meets cute new boy Evan, Amelia wonders if he can help her lose her loser status. And in a moment of hope, she agrees to something she quickly regrets - something that goes viral at school. Now she's not just called "maggot", she's a "bad influence" - and worse. But Amelia's determined not to let one mistake define her...she's so much more than the image everyone sees online.A powerfully real and funny new story from the rising queen of teen, about first kisses, learning to be true to yourself and how one click can last for ever...

"All I want for Christmas is for everyone to read this book." A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief"A gorgeous, heartwarming story full of hope, humour and love. The perfect gift for Christmas." Hannah Gold, author of The Last BearWhen Oscar and Molly rush outside to investigate a crash in the night, they're not expecting to find a dazed Angel Gabriel wandering around their grandparents' back garden. And they're certainly not expecting to find themselves in a race to save Christmas.But if they don't track down a missing shepherd, wise man, donkey and the actual Mary and Joseph, who've all crash-landed in Chipping Bottom, not only will Christmas cease to exist, but they will too.Operation Nativity is on.Featuring fun festive activities to try with your family! Praise for Jenny Pearson:WINNER OF THE LAUGH OUT LOUD BOOK AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BOOK AWARD, WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE and the BRANFORD BOASE AWARD."Breaks records for funny and touching storytelling." David Baddiel"As funny and tender as it could ever be." Frank Cottrell-Boyce"Heart-warming and genuinely funny." The Times

"Frozen meets Narnia in an enchanting children's novel." The Telegraph"Destined to be a seasonal classic." M.G. LeonardFrom bestselling Sophie Anderson, comes a fairy-tale adventure of friendship, belonging and bravery in a winter wonderland. When Tasha builds a snow girl, all she wants is for her to come to life. If only wishes on snow could come true...Then Tasha meets Alyana, whose face glitters with starlight and whose eyes shine ice-blue. Soon, Tasha has a friend and together they spend nights in a winter wonderland filled with adventure and sleigh rides.But Tasha knows that the snow has stayed too long in her village. Only, how can you welcome Spring, when your best friend is made of Winter?A gorgeous wintry story to curl up with, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations from Melissa Castrillon throughout."The Snow Girl is spectacular. A truly special book of snow and winter magic with the warmest and most cheering beating heart. I can't stop thinking about it." Sibéal Pounder