Mrs Keane Recommends

Picture Books:

The Bad Seed by Jory John; illustrated by Pete Oswald

Mrs Blackhat by Chloe & Mick Inkpen

Vernon the Penguin by Natashia Curtin

Another Book About Bears by Laura & Philip Bunting

Mrs Keane Recommends

Senior Fiction

The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli

(Family & Relationships)

Cammie lives in prison, no not as a prisoner, she's the wardens daughter. Cammie has plenty of friends, and some are even her own age and not prisoners. But what Cassis wants most of all is a Mum.

The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

(Fantasy/Detective & Mystery)

Pearl and Vally have a lot to figure out, and a lot to do, if they are to save their father and his wonderful bookshop. If  they can't solve the clues in time everything they know and love will be gone and no one will remember they ever existed.

Winter of Fire by Sheryl Jordan

(Fantasy)

In a bleak future world Elsha, chosen as handmaid to the Firelord, shakes up the accepted norms of society. Being from the slave class, known as Quelled, is against all tradition, and, she has a dream to change life for the Quelled, and indeed all of society.

The Skylark's War by Hilary Mckay

(Family & Relationships/Historical)

Clarrie and her brother, Peter, grow up spending the summer holiday's in the countryside at their grandparent's with their free spirited cousin, Rupert. Now it's 1914 and people start to talk of war, soon Rupert enlists in the army, and Carrie wonders, will life ever be the same?

TimeRiders  by Alex Scarrow

(Science Fiction)

Liam, Maddy and Sal have been plucked from certain death by a mysterious man known as Foster. But, their lives, if you can call them that, will never be the same. Now they will be trained as TimeRiders, the police of time, to stop those who travel back in time from destroying the world.

Mrs Keane Recommends

Senior Fiction

The Poison Boy by Fletcher Moss

(Thriller/Suspense )

Dalton Fly and his friend are hired food tasters for the rich and powerful. Dalton has a lucky escape when the wine he tastes is laced with poison - his friend is not so lucky. Dalton needs to escape the scene of the crime and find out who is responsible for killing his mate and almost killing him. A fast paced tale of murder, mystery and intrigue.

The List by Patricia Forde

(Science Fiction)

"The List" contains all the the words which are allowed to be used in the city of Ark, all 500 words. Anyone using other words may be punished or banished. Letta and her master are wordsmiths, they collect all the words they can and record them so they are not lost forever. When her master goes missing Letta realises that life in Ark is not all that it seems.

The Fall by Tristan Bancks 

(Mystery & Detective/Suspense)

Woken in the night by angry voices, Sam moves to the apartment window just as there's a struggle and a body falls past the window. The body lies motionless on the ground 5 floors down. Running footsteps on the stairs are quickly followed by a figure leaving the building and moving towards the body, the figure looks up, strait at Sam! 

The 1000 Year Old Boy by Ross Welford

(Action & Adventure/Fantasy)

Imagine never growing up, never having to get a job, always being able to get child rates at the movies and on the bus or train. It's not all the fun you might think. Your friends grow up and leave you behind, you have to move a lot so people don't get suspicious, you know stuff that kids your age don't - because you've lived it over the last 1000 years!

The Inventory: Iron Fist by Andy Briggs

(Thriller/Suspense/Action & Adventure)

Whats more secret than Top Secret? Answer, The Inventory. Dev lives with his uncle, the custodian of The Inventory, an ultra secret facility for the storage of thousands of machines, gadgets and devices deemed too dangerous or unsuitable for public knowledge. Somehow Dev has helped Shadow Helix gain access to The Inventory and now he has to stop them from taking Iron Fist.

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Senior Fiction:

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdoch

(Fairytale/Fantasy):

Benevolence is not your typical princess! Oh she's used to the luxury, but she's far more interested in lazing about eating sweets than wearing beautiful gowns and attending lavish balls. When tragedy strikes Ben becomes heir to the throne and her strict aunt takes on the task of preparing her for the role. Ben can't help but test her new boundaries and her aunt is forced to confine her to a tower cell. It's here Ben discovers the entrance to a secret room and learns what it takes to become someone worthy to wear the crown.

Feed by M.J. Howes

(Science Fiction/Horror/Thriller):
Lola and Patrick don't go to school much any more, not many kids do these days, there are not that many left. Earth has been invaded and nights are spent hiding from the terrifying Sweeper raids, those taken don't come back and now the government has stopped fighting them. When Lola's dad, a scientist working on a way to fight the invaders, is taken in an unprecidented daylight raid Lola decides she must be taken too to try and rescue him and to continue his fight against these monsters.

Six Days by Phillip Webb

(Science Fiction/Adventure):
Cass and Wilbur are scavengers in the ruins of a future London. Every day they travel with their Vlad masters, from their dismal homes on one side of the River Thames to search the ruined buildings on the other side. Searching for "treasures" from the past, whispers say the Vlad's are looking for one treasure in particular, one that has tremendous power, one that no one has ever seen - some think it doesn't even exist.

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies)

(Science Fiction/Love stories):
Nine aliens left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. The Nine had to separate and went into hiding on Earth. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next. (review adapted from goodreads.com)

Freaks by Kieran Larwood

(Historical/Mystery):
Born with weird abnormalities that make them misfits, these Freaks spend their nights on public display, trapped in a traveling Victorian sideshow. But during the day, they put their strange talents to use: They solve the most sinister crimes. And in a dank, desperate world of crooks and child-snatchers, they're determined to defend London's most innocent victims: the street urchins disappearing from the city's streets. (review from scholastic.com)

Mrs Keane recommends ...

 Fiction

The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson

(Historical/School/Adventure) Tally is furious to hear she’s being sent from London to a stuffy boarding school in the country - all because of the stupid war. But Delderton Hall is a far more "unusual" and "interesting" place than Tally ever imagined. She has even organized an exciting school trip to the kingdom of Bergania ... though Tally never expected to meet royalty or to be in danger. (Review adapted from goodreads.com)

Wild Stories by Colin Thompson

(Humorous/Short Stories) Sid the mosquito isn't the only one exploring the delights of house Number Fourteen and its overgrown garden. Derek the rat is sniffing out old socks for supper. Ethel the chicken is busy trying to persuade the world she is not an orange, while Arnold the mouse is spending more time in the trap than out of it. Frank the ant has a terrible headache and just wants to be left alone, and Joey the budgie is having a bath in the dog's bowl... (Review from amazon.com)

The Princess and the Foal by Stacey Gregg

(Horse Stories) Princess Haya, daughter of the King of Jordan, loves her family more than anything. So when tragedy strikes at its heart, she is devastated. The Princess becomes ever more withdrawn until, on her birthday, the King gives her a life-changing present. An incredible new friendship grows and the heartbroken princess begins to dream of an extraordinary future. (Review from goodreads.com)

Stone Rabbit: BC Mambo and series by Eric Craddock

(Humorous/Graphic Novel) Stone Rabbit is a bored little bunny who lives a humdrum existence in the sleepy town of Happy Glades. But all that changes when he discovers a time portal of doom—right under his bathroom rug! Suddenly, Stone Rabbit finds himself on a Jurassic journey in a prehistoric world, facing off against vicious velociraptors, terrifying       T. Rexes and more... (Review from goodreads.com)

The Worst Witch and series by Jill Murphy

(Fantasy/Humorous) Mildred is the worst witch in the history of her special boarding academy for witches. No matter what she does, it always turns out wrong. Still, things are okay until she turns goody-goody Ethel into a pig. Making an enemy of the best witch in your class is not a good idea -- especially when you happen to be the worst one! (Review from kissthebook)

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Picture Books:

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel

Henry's Map
by David Elliot

Seesaw Po
by Kyle Mewburn &
illustrated by Katz Cowley

Library Lion
by Michelle Knudsen & illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Senior Fiction:

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments series) by Cassandra Clare 

(Horror/Fantasy/Supernatural):

Clary witnesses a murder at the all-ages nightclub Pandemonium. The perpetrators seem invisible to everyone else and the body vanishes into thin air. She has witnessed a clash between ancient enemies, between a demon and Shadowhunters, and now her life will never be the same.

Tomorrow When the War Began (Tomorrow series) by John Marsden 

(War/Survival):

Ellie and her friends head off for a week camping in the Australian bush, none of them suspecting that when they return their homes will be empty and their families imprisoned by hostile invaders. They have three choices: surrender, run back into the wilderness and hide or fight to save their families and their way of life.

Claws by Mike & Rachel Grinti (Fantasy):

Emma's sister is lost to the fairies, her parents have spent all their money following any lead to find her. Now forced to live in the least desirable part of town, her parents still desperate to find her sister, Emma meets Jack, a down on his luck cat who says he knows exactly how Emma can find her sister and reunite her family.

Freedom Merchants by Sherryl Jordan (Historical/Adventure):

Liam lives in a small Irish village. It's 1615 and like many coastal villages of the time they live in fear of slave raids by Barbary Coast pirates. When his brother is taken in a raid Liam hopes that with the help of local monks they can bargain for the return of the villagers. But first they must cross the treacherous, pirate infested waters before they can begin their search.

Maleficent Seven (Skulduggery Pleasant spin-off) by Derek Landy 

(Fantasy/Action/Horror):

Not for the faint hearted this is Tanith Low at her best, and worst! Tanith is desperate for Darquesse to win the coming battle and bring an end to the world. With a hand picked team she sets out to collect the four God-killer weapons together and aid her cause, but she doesn't have it all her own way as another team, the good guys, are out to find them first.

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Picture Books:

It's a Book by Lane Smith

Zou and the Box of Kisses by Michel Gay

My Name is Elizabeth!
by Annika Dunklee & illustrated by
Matthew Forsythe

Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich

The Children Who Loved Books by Peter Carnavas

Mrs Keane recommends ...

 Fiction

Northwood by Brian Falkner
(Adventure/Fantasy) Cecelia Undergarment is a courageous girl. When she discovers a neighbour's dog needs her help she hatches a plan. Unfortunately her plan didn't involve the place she finds herself, Northwood Forest, a dark and mysterious place from which no one has ever returned. 
(Book trailer HERE)

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

(Historical-WWII) Lizzie's father is fighting in the war, her mother works at Dresden Zoo. To save a zoo elephant Lizzie's mum brings it home to live in their backyard. But when the bombing starts it's not safe there either and the family and elephant must leave to find somewhere safe to stay.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda series by Tom Angleberger
(Humorous stories) Tommy's friend Dwight does some weird things, but he does one cool thing - origami. One day he makes a Yoda finger puppet, and Yoda gives great advice that really works. Tommy wants to know how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight really isn't smart. Is Yoda using The Force?
(Book trailer HERE)

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

(Historical/Children's Classic) Orphaned Mary is sure she won't like living at her uncle's estate until she finds a secret garden, locked and forgotten since the death of her aunt. Mary starts working on the garden to restore it to its former glory. When she finds she has a young invalid cousin living in the house she hopes the secret garden will work its magic on him too.

Grimsdon by Deborah Abela
(Science fiction/Adventure) When the sea surged into Grimsdon three years ago many were rescued, some were lost. Those left behind inhabit the floors of buildings which still rise above the water. Isabella, Griffen and friends survive by scavenging, hiding from bounty hunters & making deals. But these aren't their only worries, they also fear the monster of the deep!
(Book trailer HERE)

Mrs Keane recommends ...

 Fiction

Thornspell by Helen LOWE

(Fairy Tale Adaption/Fantasy/Adventure) Prince Sigismund has grown up listening to stories of magical enchantments, knights and dragons, he'd love to be part of such a fantastical adventure but they're all just stories aren't they?

The Familiars series by Adam James EPSTEIN & Andrew JACOBSON

(Fantasy/Animal stories) Find out how Alwyn, a young alley cat without a speck of magic, can become the familiar of a trainee wizard. When the wizard and his fellow trainees are kidnapped Alwyn teams up with the other familiars to save them.

Alice-Miranda series by Jacqueline HARVEY

(Girls stories) Alice-Miranda is a perpetually positive seven year old girl who takes herself off to boarding school, just because it appeals to her sense of adventure and regardless of the protests from her tearful parents.

Three Doors Trilogy by Emily RODDA

(Fantasy/Adventure) The Warden of Weld asks for volunteers to venture out and find and destroy the enemy. Many young heroes volunteer and none has ever returned. Rye is too young to follow his brothers on this quest, but things change and he feels he must go now if he's to find and help them.

The One And Only Ivan by Katherine APPLEGATE

(Animal stories) Ivan the gorilla has spent most of his life with humans and the other animals in the Big Top Mall.  He has only vague memories of the time before his cage until the arrival of a young elephant who reminds him of the importance of family and belonging.

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Picture Books:

The Interrupting Chicken
by David Ezra Stein

The Cat's Pyjamas
by Catherine Foreman

Goldilocks and the Three Bears          by Lauren Child &
illustrated by Polly Borland
& Emily Jenkins

Queen Victoria's Underpants
by Jackie French &
illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Slinky Malinki Early Bird
by Lynley Dodd

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Senior Fiction:

Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld (Science Fiction/Steampunk):

In an alternate 1914 Europe, Prince Alek is on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the world using machinery, he forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn who, disguised as a boy, is learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (Time travel):

Miranda and Sal are best friends but when Sal gets punched by a new kid for no apparent reason, he shuts Miranda out of his life. Then she finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper: I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I ask two favours...

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Science Fiction):

A story of a catastrophic natural disaster which catapults one into a terrifyingly real world - where life as we know it has gone for ever... Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family’s struggle to survive.

Spooks Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney (Horror):

Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local spook. The job is hard, the spook is distant and many apprentices have failed before him. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts.

H.I.V.E. series by Mark Walden (Thriller/Science Fiction):
Swept away to a hidden academy for training budding evil geniuses, Otto, a brilliant orphan, Wing, a sensitive warrior, Laura, a shy computer specialist, and Shelby, an infamous jewel thief, plot to beat the odds and escape the prison known as H.I.V.E.

Princess Plot by Kirsten Boie (Suspense):
When auditions take place for a movie about a princess, Jenna is amazed to be chosen over her more talented friends. Strangely, even Jenna’s strict mother gives permission for her to fly off to begin filming in the small, romantic kingdom of Scandia. But soon Jenna discovers things aren’t what they seem. She’s the spitting image of the real Princess of Scandia - who’s mysteriously gone missing... An extraordinary coincidence - or is Jenna caught up in some sort of dangerous plot?"

Tunnels series by Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams (Fantasy/Adventure):

Will Burrows has little in common with his family except for a passion for digging which he shares with his father. When his father suddenly disappears down an unknown tunnel, Will decides to investigate with his friend Chester. Soon they find themselves deep underground, where they unearth a dark and terrifying secret.

Beauty by Robin McKinley (Fairytale adaption):

A retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast. Contrary to her name, Beauty is not the prettiest girl in her family. But she is the cleverest, bravest, and most honorable. When her father makes a promise with a beast who lives in an enchanted castle, Beauty fulfills her father’s pledge.

Mortal Engines series by Philip Reeve (Science Fiction/Steampunk):

Set in the distant future, when cities move about and consume smaller towns. Tom lives in London and has a boring job at the Museum.  He unexpectedly gets a chance to fulfill his day-dream of being a hero, as he attempts to save a famous adventurer from a would-be assassin. But Tom is not at all prepared for what happens next...

Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson (Historical-Germany/Suspense):

After twelve-year-old Annika, a foundling living in late nineteenth-century Vienna, inherits a trunk of costume jewelry, a woman claiming to be her aristocratic mother arrives and takes her to live in a strangely decrepit mansion in Germany.

Mrs Keane recommends....

Fiction books:

Measle and the Wrathmonk by Ian Ogilvy

(Fantasy) Measle touches his uncle's precious miniature train set, his uncle's so angry he shrinks him into the train set. There he meets all sorts of people sent there before him, and they all want to find a way out.

Lionboy by Zizou Corder

(Adventure) What do you do when you discover that your parents have been kidnapped? Well if you're brave you go looking for them of course, and if you can speak cat you have help from all your feline friends too.

Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage

(Fantasy) Septimus Heap is stolen at birth and the very same night his father rescues a baby girl from a path in the woods. The Heaps decide to bring her up as their own. But who is she, and where is Septimus?

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A Spratt

(Humorous) Nanny Piggins, the world’s most glamorous flying pig, runs away from the circus and goes to live with the Greens as their nanny.

The Key to Rondo  series by Emily Rodda

(Fantasy/Adventure) The old music box, with its strict rules, has been carefully handed down through Leo’s family for hundreds of years, but it's black lid hides an amazing secret as Leo is about to find out.

How to Train your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell

(Humorous/Fantasy) Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III wasn't always a truly extraordinary Viking Hero. In the beginning, he was the least Viking-like Viking you've ever seen. This is the story of his rise to fame.

The Mysterious Howling by Mary Rose Wood

(Historical) Fifteen-year-old Miss Penelope is hired as governess to three young children who have been raised by wolves. She must teach them to behave in a civilized manner, and quickly, before the Christmas ball.

Ice Lolly by Jean Ure

(Real Life)When her mum dies Laurel is sent to stay with relatives, they don't seem to care about anything she loves, so she decides she won't feel anything and becomes Ice Lolly, the girl with the frozen heart.

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell

(Adventure/Mystery) A string of daring burglaries have taken place all over town. Something must be done. Can Miss Ottoline Brown and her friend Mr Munroe come up with a clever plan?

Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi

(Fantasy/Graphic Novel format)  Emily and Navin move to a new home, but the strange house is dangerous. Soon a creature lures their mum through a door in the basement, they follow her into an under-ground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.

Mrs Keane recommends ...

Senior Fiction:

  
Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy (Fantasy/Horror/Humour)
In the Shadow of the Palace by Judith Simpson (Historical-India)
The 13 Treasures and sequels by Michelle Harrison (Fantasy)
The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan (Adventure/Fantasy)
Malice and Havoc by Chris Wooding (Horror)
The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer (Fantasy/Adventure)
The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth (Historical-England/Adventure)
At the Sign of the Sugared Plum & Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper (Historical-England)

The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R.Tolkien (Fantasy/Classic)
Send Simon Savage by Stephen Measday (Time-travel/Adventure)
The Merlin Conspiracy by Dianna Wynne Jones (Fantasy)
The Phoenix Files series by Chris Morphew (Mystery/Thriller)
Oracle by Jackie French (Historical-Ancient Greece)
The Crowfield Curse and sequel by Pat Walsh (Fantasy/Horror)
Knife and sequels by R.J.Anderson (Fantasy)
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud (Fantasy)

You can follow the links on the book or series titles above to a review or homepage for that book or series.

Have you read any of these books? 
What books would you recommend?