Takeshita Demons

Miku Takeshita and her family have moved from Japan to live in the UK, but unfortunately the family's enemy demons have followed them… Miku knows she's in trouble when her new supply teacher turns out to be a Nukekubi - a bloodthirsty demon who can turn into a flying head and whose favourite snack is children. That night, in a raging snowstorm, Miku's little brother Kazu is kidnapped by the demons, and then it's up to Miku and her friend Cait to get him back. The girls break into their snow-locked school, confronting the dragon-like Woman of the Wet, and outwitting the faceless Nopera-bo. At last they come face to face with the Nukekubi itself - but will they be in time to save Kazu? The winner of the first Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Award, this is the first of a new trilogy, Takeshita Demons, with the second, Takeshita Demons: The Filth-Licker due to be published in 2011 and Takeshita Demons: Monster Matsuri in 2012. To read more about the Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Award, click here This title is also available as an ebook, in either Kindle, ePub or Adobe ebook editions

Trouble is brewing again for Miku and her friends, Cait and Alex. There's a violent quilt in Alex's bedroom and a mystery visitor has been in the Takeshitas' house, drinking tea out of their best cups. And then Kazu is stolen for the second time. Miku, Cait, Alex and the little Filth Licker must solve the trail of clues leading them to an invisible house full of demons, the home of Nurarihyon, the Master of the Demons. But is he really the evil one they have come to fight, or is someone or something else controlling him. With only a bag of fish-heads to protect them, the children and the Filth Licker meet their final challenge in the frozen palace of the Yuki-Onna, the Snow Woman, where they find Kazu imprisoned in a cage of ice, and where the Snow Woman is determined to destroy them…

When Hedy and Spencer start receiving messages on dusty picture frames, vacation at their grandfather's spooky house turns into a mission to solve the mystery of their grandmother's disappearance. Magical, gutsy, and spooky, this a story about a family mystery with a pair of brave siblings at its heart. When siblings Hedy and Spencer are forced to spend time with their reclusive and eccentric grandfather, they find themselves on a quest to solve the mysterious disappearance of their grandmother decades earlier.Searching for clues, they'll uncover dangerous secrets from their grandfather's past as a magician, because in the house of a magician you never know what - or who - you will find. Soon they will discover that, like Grandpa himself, the house possesses not only secrets, but also real magic.Hidden in the labyrinth of his belongings are the clues to solving their family's biggest mystery: the disappearance of their Grandma Rose. Searching for clues in Grandpa's house unveils long-forgotten enchantments, surprising foes and a few unexpected friends. Using their ingenuity, bravery, and new-found belief in magic, Hedy and Spencer must search for the truth behind Rose's disappearance and attempt to heal the family rift that may finally set their grandmother free.

This heart-pounding mystery-adventure follows three kids who get lost in the woods at night and experience something they cannot quite explain. Secrets, spies, or maybe even a monster . . . what lies in the heart of the woods? Charlie Noon and Dizzy Heron are determined to find out. When their nemesis, Johnny Baines, plays a prank on them and night falls without warning, all three end up lost in the woods, trapped in a nightmare. Unforeseen dangers and impossible puzzles lurk in the shadows. Like it or not, Charlie and Dizzy must work with Johnny if they are to find a way out. But time can be tricky. . . . What if the night never ends?

It's a dark and lonely Christmas Eve in the dining room of ancient Soul's College. The kitchen boy, 11-year-old Lewis, has helped prepare a highly unusual meal, made with unrecognisable ingredients, cooked by a mysterious chef. And then the guests arrive ... and carnage ensues. They are ex-students of Soul's College, and they are all completely demented. They demand bottle after bottle of wine, flinging their cutlery and howling like banshees until ... silence. The Dean of Soul's College has arrived, and the evening's ceremonies must begin. For this is the annual meeting of a secret club for those who despise children, warmth, happiness, and above all Christmas. Each member must try to outdo the others by telling the most terrible, disgusting story they know. A spooky, shocking, bloodthirsty alternative to festive cheer that will appeal to, fascinate and delight young readers.

Thor is in for the battle of his life. His bone-smashing hammer versus the superhuman strength of the Giants. With Loki the trickster along for the ride, they must enter the Giant King's fortress and face him in the ultimate showdown.

A junior novel about family, adventure and trust from award-winning author Cristy Burne. Isaac arrives on Rottnest Island hoping for an awesome holiday adventure, but his mum would rather he stayed inside, where it's safe. Then Isaac meets Emmy. She's allowed to do whatever she wants – and she wants to have fun! With Emmy daring him on, Isaac's life gets more and more exciting. First they jump off the jetty into the freezing ocean, then they ride their bicycles to the island's distant lighthouse. When Emmy suggests a midnight stalk to the salt lakes, Isaac knows his worrywart mum won't say yes – so he sneaks out. But when quokkas jump onto the path, Isaac and Emmy crash their bicycles, leaving them injured and scared. This time it's Isaac who dares Emmy – to get home safely and tell their parents the truth. Isaac brings his mum to the island bakery, and Emmy brings her dad and her baby brothers. They eat, talk and forgive as the kids and the parents agree trust, honesty and good communication are the best way.

Ramzi's dad is acting very strangely. He climbs trees in the middle of the night, and even goes into Ramzi's wardrobe looking for a hen. The trouble is, he's sleepwalking because he's homesick for his native Algeria. So Ramzi, Dad and Mum go back to Dad's Berber village in the desert region of North Africa, and Ramzi meets his Berber grandmother and cousins, and even braves the scary Sheherazad. But can Ramzi help his dad and what will happen when they get back home again. This is a funny, heart-warming family story by an exciting new author, set in Britain and Algeria, with fascinating glimpses of traditional Berber culture and lots of colourful characters.