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Summer reading from Usborne
Here's a selection of great books that we know young readers will enjoy - and you can win five of these titles in our Summer Competition!
Terror on the training ground
It’s crunch time for Dino FC. Their results have been rubbish this season, and relegation is staring them in the face like a big hungry tynrannosaurus. Football fans will love this wild and witty series, illustrated with wacky cartoon-style drawings.
£4.99
The great sheep race
Amy’s thought of a fab fundraiser for her school fair – a Great Sheep Race! But the sheep on the Island have rather woolly ideas when it comes to running. Animal lovers will be enchanted by Amy Wild - a Dr. Dolittle for a new generation.
£4.99
Seahorse SOS
There’s trouble in the Undersea Kingdom. All the seahorses have vanished and the Animal-Keeper mermaids are desperate to find them. There are six delightful new Secret Mermaid titles for young readers to enjoy, as well as a mini site and downloadable colouring sheets (see Things to do, above).
£4.99
Raven Queen
The life of Lady Jane Grey is all too often remembered as just a line in a history book, but this mesmerising tale of love and tragedy reveals the treachery, power struggles, and religious turmoil of the Tudor Court. A stunning and lyrical tale for readers 11+
Flying south
It's the sticky-hot summer of 1968, and in the American Deep South it's a time of home-made lemonade and The Beatles. Yet, against a backdrop of civil rights rioting and Vietnam war protests, storm clouds are gathering for Alice. A captivating coming-of-age novel set against the tumultous backdrop of America's Deep South in the 1960s.
£5.99
Solitaire
A boy. Lost. Alone. Shipwrecked on an island called Solitaire. He doesn't know who he is, how he got there or where he's from. All that matters is survival. Haunting memories and hidden truths expose a silent betrayal in this thrilling story of loyalty and deception, war and peace, from master storyteller, Bernard Ashley.
£5.99
Spies
Ten thrilling true stories of spies and espionage, including tales of stealth and deception, each every bit as daring and glamorous as the fictional escapades of James Bond, but far more deadly as the real life spies risk capture, torture and execution for their trade.
£4.99
Treasure Island
An exciting retelling of the classic adventure story of pirates and buried treasure, retold in a modern, approachable style to introduce young readers to much-loved classic stories.
£4.99
Huckleberry Finn
To get away from his violent, drunken father, Huckleberry Finn fakes his own death and lives wild in the woods. He soon meets Jim, a runaway slave, and the two outcasts set off on a dangerous journey down the mighty Mississippi river, in search of freedom. Mark Twain's classic tale of escape and adventure rivetingly retold for today's readers.
£4.99
The Secret Garden
An evocative picture book re-telling of the beloved Frances Hodgson Burnett story of the spoiled Mary Lennox and the magical effects of a hidden garden.
£6.99
The Wind in the Willows
A delightful retelling of the tale of Mole, Ratty and Mr Toad who love nothing more than messing around on the river. But when Mr Toad develops an obsession with motor vehicles, will his friends be able to help?
£4.99
The Usborne Young Writers' Award 2010
Five Usborne authors have written exciting story starters - and now they want help finishing them! For details of how to enter, go to the Usborne Young Writers' Award website. There you can read the authors' story starters, watch video clips and find lots of helpful writing tips from each author.
Oliver Moon's summer howliday
Oliver goes ghostbusting with his new friend, Wilf - but is his hairy pal all that he seems? Young readers will love the comic exploits of Oliver Moon, the hardest working wizard at Magic School. And he has his own website too! (See Things to do, above.)
£3.99
Summer spectacular
The twins and their friends from Rockley Park are rehearsing for their parents' celeb-filled summer party. But when things go wrong, can the super-talented friends still make this a party to remember? Wannabe 7+ pop-stars will love the Fame School series.
£5.99
Princess Ellie's summer holiday
The royal family are off on holiday to a beautiful island with its own stables. There, Ellie and Kate meet snooty Princess Clara, and come to her aid with the help of a very special pony called Mango. Princess Ellie's fun-filled adventures are full of authentic pony facts and sparkly princessy detail.
£4.99
Summer stars
Fab news! Me, Jules and Tilda are going on holiday together. Even fabber, my fave magazine is holding a Beach Party. Yippee! I've got a really cool idea for our costumes. Very-nearly-teenagers will love the hilarious revelations of Lucy, wannabe fashion designer and stand-up babe!
£5.99
A horse for the summer
Tom is looking after a prize-winning horse, but Chancey is wild and unpredictable and Tom starts training him in secret. The summer days are numbered and soon Tom will have to give him back… Sandy Lane Stables is a collectible series of nine titles of friendship, excitement and horsy detail.
£4.99
Three's a crowd
Tori’s new to Camp Lakeview and she’s already out to steal Natalie’s crown as biggest princess. Meanwhile, Nat is finding it hard to split her time between boyfriend Simon and best friend Alyssa. Fun, friendships, secrets, boys - Summer Camp has it all, including it's own mini site (see Things to do, above).
£4.99
Illustrated stories for the holidays
A wonderful collection of new and classic stories, just perfect for reading on holidays and beautifully illustrated by artists from the Usborne Young Reading Programme.
£12.99
Illustrated stories from around the world
A collection of ten folktales to enchant young readers, including The Baobab Tree, Baba Yaga the Flying Witch, The Stonecutter, Dick Whittington, The Three Wishes, The Fish that Talked, King Midas and the Golden Touch, Brer Rabbit Down the Well, The Magic Pear Tree and Genie in the Bottle.
£12.99
The Railway Children
When their father is accused of spying, Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis' life is changed overnight by their move from London to the countryside. But will their father ever come back? A re-telling of the classic E. Nesbit story for children growing in reading confidence.
£4.99
The Story of Heidi
Johanna Spyri’s Heidi is beautifully retold, following the exploits of the orphaned girl sent to live in the Alps with her grumpy grandfather.
£4.99
The Amazing Adventures of Hercules
The classic Greek myth re-told for children growing in reading confidence and ability and humourously illustrated by Stephen Cartwright.
£4.99
This month's top new titles from Usborne Children's Books.
Fiction titles from Usborne.
Start a home business with Usborne Books at Home.
Inspired books for children just starting to learn to read.
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