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500 Words Competition Launched Today

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The 500 Words competition (now in its 10th year) launched today, Thursday 16 January, on BBC Radio 2. It is one of the most successful children’s story-writing competitions in the world, and helps to get them excited about reading and writing.

Created by Chris Evans, the competition is now hosted by Zoe Ball on her breakfast show.

This year, the live final event will be held on 12 June at Buckingham Palace. Every child who takes part, and every teacher and librarian who helps with the judging, will be entered into a draw to attend the event.

All entries must be received by Thursday 27th February at 8pm. 
Enter via the website (linked above).

Sofa Surfer by Malcolm Duffy

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Malcolm Duffy’s debut novel Me Mam. Me Dad. Me., about domestic violence, won the YA category of the Sheffield Children’s Book Award 2019, the Redbridge Children’s Book Award 2019, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Prize 2019 and selected for World Book Night.

Written with humour and heart, Sofa Surfer looks at what it means to be homeless. And has another terric cover designed by Jon Gray.

15-year-old Tyler’s teenage angst turns to outright rebellion when his family leave London for a new life in Yorkshire. He’s angry with his parents about the upheaval and furious at losing his home. With only the dog to confide in, Tyler has no idea that a chance meeting with a skinny girl called Spider will lead him into a world he never even knew existed. Spider is sofa surfing and Tyler finds himself spinning a tangled web of lies in his efforts to help her escape her world of fear and insecurity.

Waterstones

Filed Under: YA

Nop by Caroline Magerl

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Fri 17 Jan 2020

A heartwarming picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Caroline Magerl about two unlikely loners who forge a lasting friendship.

Nop is a scruffy kind of bear. He sits on a dusty armchair in Oddmint’s Dumporeum surrounded by the beaders, knitters, patchers and stitchers who are much too busy to talk to him. So he watches the litter tumble until, armed with a new bow tie, he has an idea that will change his life forever.

Waterstones

 

Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 16 Jan 2020

The transport ship Orion is four months out of Earth when catastrophe strikes – leaving the ship and everyone on board stranded in deep space. Suddenly it’s up to thirteen-year-old Beth and her friends to navigate through treacherous and uncharted territory to reach safety. But a heavily-damaged ship, space pirates, a mysterious alien species, and an artificial intelligence that Beth doesn’t know if she can trust means that getting home has never been so difficult…

Hugely gripping, with incredible twists and a fast-paced, action-packed story, this is an unputdownable science fiction adventure – perfect for fans of Mortal Engines and Star Wars.

Waterstones 

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To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the New York Public Library’s opening in 1895, a team of library experts decided it was only fitting to highlight the perennially popular books that have contributed to its success.

They pulled the circulation stats on all print and digital formats of books, analyzed factors like length of time in print and presence in the library catalog, and came up with a list of the library’s 10 most checked-out books of all time.

 

  1. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats // 485,583
  1. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss // 469,650
  1. 1984 by George Orwell // 441,770
  1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak // 436,016
  1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee // 422,912
  1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White // 337,948
  1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury // 316,404
  1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie // 284,524
  1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling // 231,022

 

from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/612218/new-york-public-library-most-borrowed-books

https://www.achuka.co.uk/blog/17632-2/

Eric And The Green-Eyed God

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Eric’s mum is getting married – to his teacher! If that wasn’t bad enough, Auntie Rose has sent a wedding present from her travels, and its magical properties might make Mum have a new baby. Eric definitely doesn’t want that, so he and his best friend Wez decide to open all the presents to find it before Mum does. But the magic gift soon proves more troublesome than Eric could have possibly thought . . .
 

Deep Secret by Belrie Doherty

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Welcome new edition of Doherty’s 2004 novel…

Grace put out her hand, almost touching the mirror. Her image did the same. ‘There’s another world in there.’ ‘We could float in and out of it.’

Deep in a Derbyshire valley live two girls, twins, so alike that even their family can’t tell them apart. But tragedy is waiting. When the valley is sold to be flooded for a huge dam, the villagers are forced to leave their homes. Deep secrets are uncovered. New characters enter their lives and desires, love and grief come to the surface.

Waterstones 

The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad & S. K. Ali, ill. Hatem Aly

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An uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond shared by siblings and of being proud of who you are, from Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Asiya’s hijab is like the ocean and the sky, no line between them, saying hello with a loud wave. It’s Faizah’s first day of school, and her older sister Asiya’s first day of hijab – made of a beautiful blue fabric. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful. In the face of hurtful, confusing words, will Faizah find new ways to be strong? 

Waterstones

Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyuz

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Everyone’s favourite purple bear is back and bolder than ever in this laugh-out-loud page turner from Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyuz.
With funny word play and bold imagery, actor Ben Bailey Smith and artist Sav Akyuz have created a Bear to remember. If there’s one thing Bear knows, it’s how to move. And when the music starts up, Bear just can’t help grooving to the beat – spinning round, belly dancing and even doing the foxtrot.

An infectiously rhythmic and hilarious sequel to I Am Bear.

Waterstones

A Heart So Fierce And Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

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New book from the author of A Curse So Dark And Lonely.

Find the heir, win the crown. Win the crown, save the kingdom. Harper has freed Prince Rhen from the curse that almost destroyed his kingdom. But all is not well; rumours are rife that there is a rival heir with a stronger claim to the throne and that ‘Princess’ Harper of Disi is nothing but a fraud. Grey has fled the castle carrying a terrible secret. When he is discovered by soldiers and returned to Ironrose by force, Grey’s allegiances begin to shift. And as he grows closer to an enemy princess, he is forced to decide whether he will stand against Rhen for the crown he never wanted …

Waterstones