==Confident readers==
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{{newreview
|author=Ruthie Knapp and Jill McElmurry
|title=Who Stole Mona Lisa?
|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Taking in a history of its production, as well as its theft, ''Who Stole Mona Lisa?'' is an intriguing look at La Gioconda. The story is told from the point of view of Leonardo da Vinci's painting herself, and will strike a chord with any intelligent and curious youngsters.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408811588</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Chris Mould
|summary=Miranda has quite a bit going on in her life. Since her best friend Sal was punched on the street for no reason, he's been distant, shutting Miranda out of his life. This loss leaves Miranda somewhat adrift, as she and Sal have been inseparable since they were at day care together. So she strikes up a friendship with Annemarie, but that involves coming between Annemarie and the stuck-up Julia. And then Colin joins the group, which adds yet more complications - Miranda likes Colin, but she's worried he might like Annemarie.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849392129</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Ulf Stark
|title=Fruitloops and Dipsticks
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Simone is not happy. Her mother, a flaky artist with a peculiar sartorial bent, has forgotten her daughter's twelfth birthday and Simone has had to make her own cake. And that's only the beginning. They've also had to move away from school and friends to a house outside town. Hmph. The house belongs to Ingvar, Simone's mother's nerdy and hypochondriac new boyfriend. He's a pain. In the confusion of the move, Kilroy, Simone's beloved dog, has been left behind. Nobody can find him. And as if all this weren't enough, Grandpa has run away from the care home and turned up at the door, wearing high-heeled boots and not a lot else.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1877467588</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Jeff Kinney
|title=Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=It's all change for the wimpy kid. He's still as flummoxed by school life, and the social kudos gained by certain second hand textbooks. He's still not sure why he's not getting the attention at home that's now being delivered on his younger brother. He's not certain what to do now his mother's gone back to work and the menfolk have to do the catering and cleaning - but there's nothing odd about that, for none of the males have a clue. So what is changing? Well lots of things - inside and out. Just as he and his friends are gaining muscles, deeper voices and zits, and interest in mixed-sex partying, so the school are segregating the genders, and showing educational videos you need parental permission to watch. Who is going to guide him through this time in life - especially as he's dumped his best buddy?
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141331984</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Robin Price
|title=Cleocatra's Kushion (Spartapuss Tales)
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Spartapuss is now a wealthy, elderly, rather overweight cat. He is on his way back to Rome from the land of the Kitons. His son - known as SOS (Son of Spartapuss) keeps sending him messages requesting more money. SOS falls in love with the beautiful Haireena, only to have her taken from him as a gift for the emperor's retired gladiator. SOS is sent to Hades Row, and all that can save him is a ransom payment from his father...
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906132070</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Liz Kessler
|title=A Year Without Autumn
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=It just takes one action, one small, apparently insignificant word or deed to change your world forever. You miss a plane and it crashes. You change your usual numbers and win the lottery. You miss a party because you have a spot, and never get to meet your soul-mate. For Jenni, things are even worse because somehow she ends up a year in the future, when the damage is done and the fallout is already destroying the safe, happy life she knew.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1842555863</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Sonya Hartnett
|title=The Midnight Zoo
|rating=5
|genre=Teens
|summary=It's Eastern Europe during World War II and orphaned Roma brothers Andrej and Tomas are journeying through war-ravaged countryside carrying a precious and secret bundle. It's an odd kind of journey because they really don't have anywhere to go. They have a great deal to avoid, however, such as soldiers with rifles, bombs, and villagers who would decry them on sight. As Andrej trudges on, worrying about Tomas, he is thinking it's just another night, just another village in ruins. But he's wrong. The boys stumble across a zoo. The cages are still standing, intact and locked. And the animals have no food and water. But they are alive. And they can talk.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>140633149X</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Ted Hughes
|title=The Iron Man
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=I first read this book many years ago at Primary school, and it hasn't lost any of its charm over the years. At times it feels like science fiction; this strange, enormous metal man who falls off a cliff, breaking into pieces and then slowly puts himself back together, his hand crawling around looking for his eye, then searching for the rest of his body piece by piece. At other times it feels like some sort of folklore fairytale, with the space-bat-angel-dragon threatening the world, and the people of the world relying on the Iron Man's bravery and intelligence in thwarting him. I love how poetic the language feels, for example as Hughes describes the Iron Man falling apart 'His great iron ears fell off and his eyes fell out. His great iron head fell off. All the separate pieces tumbled, scattered, crashing, bumping, clanging, down on to the rocky beach far below. A few rocks tumbled with him. Then silence.' The language makes it a joy to read aloud, but it also works perfectly as a story to be read alone by a confident reader.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406324671</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Andy Stanton
|title=Mr Gum and the Secret Hideout
|rating=5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Mr Gum is out for revenge. So often has he tried to get the best of Lamonic Bibber, the town our heroes live in, and so often he has failed. This time, however, he is well prepared. He has a secret hideout (the clue was in the title), he has Billy William the Third with him - his accomplice who's stupid and evil enough to laugh at a person getting their eyebrows burnt off, before realising said person is himself, and he has a ready-made supply of stinky, rotting meat and animal parts to help in his vengeance. Just what all this adds up to is well worth the wait in the eighth entry in this expanding series of books.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405253274</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Robin Price
|title=I Am Spartapuss
|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=This is a slightly strange book. It's history, disguised as the diary of a slave-cat in Ancient Rome, and full of groanworthy puns. As I read it, I found myself unsure, at times, whether it was really very clever, or just irritatingly silly. It somehow managed to be both. The blurb on the back describes it as a 'witty Roman romp', which is exactly what it is. It's Ancient Rome - approximately - in a universe where cats rather than humans are in charge. Indeed, humans don't seem to exist at all, although other animals and some birds feature in the book. There's plenty of romping, and it's certainly witty.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0954657608</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Colin Bateman
|title=SOS Adventure: Fire Storm
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=This book opens with a breath-taking chase as a young local boy, Joe, flees the bandits who have just murdered his father; they intend to kill him too so they can take over the land owned by his village. The plight of the Joe and the villagers, who have to choose between keeping their land and risking death, or selling it for a few dollars, continues as a theme right through the book and provides a nice counterpoint to the exploits of Michael and Katya.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340998873</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Ann Turnbull and Sarah Young
|title=Greek Myths
|rating=5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=One word keeps coming to mind when looking at this book: lavish. Sixteen well-known stories are presented here, in a book positively overflowing with brightly coloured illustrations. Generous use of gold makes the book feel even more special, and the only danger, if you buy it for a child, is that you may not be able to bring yourself to give it away.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406300837</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Bob Hartman and Jago
|title=Mr Aesop's Story Shop
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Aesop's fables have been known for centuries all around the world, and here is a new edition where a selection of the fables have been given some new embellishments. Aesop features in the stories himself, as a teller of tales himself with a stall in the market where people, especially children, gather to listen and hear him. His stories are often set within the context of an understandable situation, making it easier for children to see parallels between the animals in the tales and the real life action.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0745969151</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Shirley Hughes
|title=The Christmas Eve Ghost
|rating=5
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Bronwen and Dylan live in the poor part of 1930s Liverpool. Their mam takes in washing to make ends meet, and often has to leave them alone whilst she's pushing the big old pram full of washing to the part of the city where the well-off people live. They're under strict instructions to have nothing to do with their neighbours, the O'Rileys. Then, on Christmas Eve, when they're alone, Bronwen and Dylan hear a plonk, plonk, plonk and are sure it's a ghost...
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406320633</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Ruth Wickings and Frances Castle
|title=Pop-Up: A Paper Engineering Masterclass
|rating=4.5
|genre=Children's Non-Fiction
|summary=With its subtitle of ''A Paper Engineering Masterclass'', you know exactly what you're getting from ''Pop-Up''. You'll see how pop-up books are made, learn the tips of the trade, and make four elaborate 3D models yourself. If you're not rushing out to buy it immediately, there's something wrong with you!
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>140633085X</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Faye Durston
|title=The Wychwood Fairies
|rating=5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=There are some books that manage to be something more than a story and become, instead, an experience. Sometimes they're pop-up stories, sometimes they're simple lift the flap books like [[Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell|Dear Zoo]] (which I have read to my daughter again and again and again!) Then there are extra special books like The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg which, if you haven't read yet then you really ought to, but I have now discovered the delightful Wychwood Fairies which is another utterly delightful reading experience.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>023071496X</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Angela McAllister
|title=The Double Life of Cora Parry
|rating=4.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=When the mean, controlling woman who Cora has been living with dies, Cora thinks she is finally free to live as she chooses. However, fate is against her and she ends up abandoned, alone, on the streets of Victorian London. Desperate not to go back to the workhouse where her mother died she finds herself drawn into the world of Fletch, a street kid who teaches Cora how to survive by thieving and confidence tricks. Although this goes against Cora's conscience she has to find a way to survive, and as a coping strategy she imagines another persona for herself, Carrie, who carries out all the illegal activities leaving Cora free from guilt.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1842556037</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Philip Caveney
|title=Sebastian Darke: A Buffalope's Tale
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Don't be too worried by what is said on the front cover: this book may purport to be buffalope Max's life story in his own miserable words, but it is, in fact, a warm and funny tale. Max is a larger-than-life character in every sense of the word: a brilliant thinker and a gifted linguist, he is quickly able to pick up the human tongue. And he is always ready to give his opinion or a piece of advice — whether it's wanted or not.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184624563X</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Georgie Adams
|title=The Railway Rabbits: Wisher and the Runaway Piglet
|rating=4.5
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Wisher and the Runaway Piglet is the first book in a charming series about the Railway Rabbits. The little family of rabbits are delightful creatures who enjoy life and exploring the big wide world. Lots of dangers lurk, but they always seem to come through unscathed. However, when they hear rumours of a fierce dog chasing a runaway pig, even they are a little daunted. All except Wisher that is, who feels the need to go and warn her friend Violet Vole. Along the way she is almost trapped by the buzzard and trampled over by the Red Dragon. Somehow though, she escapes major disaster and even manages to save the day. Maybe such narrow escapes and her parents' obvious relief on her return may lead her to be more cautious in the future but that remains to be seen. Somehow, I doubt it!
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444001566</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=L J Smith
|title=The Night of the Solstice: Heart of Valour
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary='Heart of Valour' is the sequel to [[The Night of the Solstice by L J Smith|The Night of the Solstice]], where Alys, Janie, Charles and Claudia discover a strange, enchanting and terrifying world. The Guardian of the mirror-gate between the worlds, Morgana Shee, had been imprisoned by the evil Cadel Forge, and the siblings were called to rescue her. 'Heart of Valour' picks up the story a year later. Morgana has to leave the children to cope alone as she travels north to battle her arch-rival Thia Pendriel, but dangers nearer home send them off on a quest to find her.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857070525</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Catherine Cooper
|title=The Golden Acorn - The Adventures of Jack Brenin
|rating=3.5
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Determined as 'The One' when he insouciantly picks up a golden acorn, Jack Brenin is thrust into a world of adventure and magic as he is given the heavy responsibility of saving the diminishing magical population of the village of Glasruhen, along with Camelin, the talking raven who provides welcome flair through his humorous dialogue.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906821658</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=Philippe Lechermeier and Rebecca Dautremer
|title=The Secret Lives of Princesses
|rating=4
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Ah, the French! They're so good at being funny in eccentric ways. This book is a perfect example. Although princesses such as Cinderella are mentioned in passing, here we are being introduced to less commonly known princesses like Princess Alli Fabette who is 'verry pritty butt she has a huje problim: she dusn't spell verry welll' or Princess Anne Phibian who is obsessed with frogs, is convinced her Prince Charming is disguised as one, and 'spends most of her time standing in ponds kissing every green creature she encounters.'
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444902032</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|author=John Foster
|title=See You Later, Escalator
|rating=4.5
|genre=Children's Rhymes and Verse
|summary=Always a sucker for a good poetry anthology here at Bookbag, we've enjoyed two previous collections from John Foster. ''See You Later, Escalator'' continues in the same vein, with poems from the likes of Tony Mitton, Michael Rosen, Michelle Magorian and Brian Patten.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0192731831</amazonuk>
}}
