Teen Reads

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  1. Teen Read's first book review!

    Posted on: Feb 26, 2014
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    We are thrilled with this positive review from Jenny Davies, a 26 year old bookseller at WHSmith who also blogs about books at www.wondrousreads.com. Her favourite genre is YA and children's, though she also likes sci-fi, horror and fantasy. Jenny is a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and also loves many other TV shows, films and music.

    "Home is published by Badger Learning as part of a series of books designed to make reluctant readers read. If this book doesn't do the trick, I'll eat my hat! I've read it twice already - it's a lot different to what Tommy Donbavand usually writes (there's less humour and it's darker) but it's just as good.

    At just fifty-four pages, Home is a quick read, more like a short story you'd find in an anthology of zombie stories. I'm amazed at how much is packed into that short page count; I became attached to Danny and his family even though their page time is limited.

    The gist of the story is simple but effective: there's a car crash

  2. TEEN READS, TEEN READS, READ ALL ABOUT THEM!

    Posted on: Jan 15, 2014
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    The wait is officially over!

    Hundreds of copies of our Teen Reads series are now sitting patiently in our warehouse and are ready to be despatched! Encourage your reluctant readers with tales of kidnap, time-travel, zombies, ghostly goings-on and more thrilling stories to boot!

    If you haven't already pre-ordered your copies, you can purchase them using the links above and all 8 gripping titles will be in your library very soon!

  3. PRE-ORDER Teen Reads today!

    Posted on: Jan 08, 2014
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    Perfect for pupils with a low reading age, but a high interest age, our new teen series will have readers on the edge of their seats. With substantial stories for your class to sink their teeth into, this varied collection of thrillers cleverly explores topics such as poverty, the future, kidnapping, disability, time-travel and even zombies!

    Just the right level of challenging vocabulary and plot-lines make these books highly accessible, exciting and most of all, aim to help individuals leap from one world to the next while developing their reading skills at the same time.

    8 gripping fiction titles

    Reading age 8-9

    Interest age 12-15

    Word count 4,500-6,000

    Just click on any of the links at the top of this page to PRE-ORDER your copies today!

  4. It's not a Fair Game...

    It's not a Fair Game...

    Posted on: Dec 20, 2013
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    In the year 2074 Billy was sent to prison for a computer crime. Although life on the Penal Colony was tough, it had one unexpected bonus: Billy was introduced to the pleasures of playing football. Real sport has died out on Earth and now sports are played virtually through simulators. No-one actually kicks a ball and hasn't for many years. The state sanctions this, approving of the lack of physical contact with its accompanying risks of injury and violence.

    Alan Durant has definitely scored a hit with Fair Game! Far from being just another book about the beautiful game, Alan tackles sensitive subjects such as poverty and addiction in a current, up-to-date way that readers will be able to interpret and relate to. Alan's use of short chapters with a powerful story line can inspire confidence in reluctant readers as they are able to easily flick ahead and see an end point. Short chapters also promote a regular sense of accomplishment and can actually make you want to read on.

  5. Zucker Up!

    Zucker Up!

    Posted on: Dec 13, 2013
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    It is 2053 – a future where the gap between the rich and poor is huge. The only people who are able to talk are the 'Overs' – rich men and women who own large parcels of land. The 'Unders' have one job in life: to farm the land and ensure that the Overs continue to live in luxury.

    The Unders have been forbidden to talk for many years so are unable to communicate, exactly as the Overs planned. However, Unders Tyler and Indigo have a secret weapon; taped voice recordings made by their Grandfather. Dare they risk the death penalty and use the tapes to teach other Unders how to talk? How else will they ever have a chance to escape this dystopian regime?

    World Without Words is a futuristic thriller from award-winning author Jonny Zucker. Jonny has written over 40 books for Badger Learning and always manages to balance the interest age versus reading age just right. Maybe working as a primary school teacher for 8 years has given Jonny an insight in to what best engages and excites

  6. Easy Money!

    Easy Money!

    Posted on: Dec 09, 2013
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    Desperate times call for desperate measures in Tommy Donbavand's mysterious thriller, Kidnap.

    A financially stricken single mother and her son, Jon, are at rock bottom when they receive an offer from a stranger and the chance to change their fortunes. Reluctantly, the pair agree to an absurd and potentially dangerous task and the plot thickens when things don't go exactly to plan...

    We can't wait to find out how in January!

  7. Race against time...

    Race against time...

    Posted on: Dec 04, 2013
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    He might only be 14 and in a wheelchair, but Lee's sure of one thing – he must never become a sitting target. Not now they are after him...

    Suddenly caught up in a world of strangers and spies, it's a race against the clock as Lee sees no other option but to complete a daunting task.

    Sitting Target by John Townsend will engage and excite your reluctant readers in the secret and disturbing world of international espionage.

  8. The Hunted by Cavan Scott

    The Hunted by Cavan Scott

    Posted on: Dec 02, 2013
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    Walking home from youth club, Sally is grabbed by Tyler, a new boy she's only seen a couple of times before. He is with Billy, a slightly younger kid – and they're in trouble. A group of men are hunting them down. Can she hide them?

    We love Cavan Scott's fast-paced thriller where everything is not as it seems. By trying to help her peers, Sally becomes entangled in a war between the hunters and the hunted without really knowing which side is which.

    Cavan's tense but age-appropriate content will appeal to teen students and with a word count between 4,500 and 6,000, The Hunted is perfect for those reluctant readers who are usually put off reading due to lengthy books.

    To discover Cavan's inspiration behind the themes of his stories, take a visit to his author page here.

  9. Student reviews of Home by Tommy Donbavand

    Posted on: Nov 28, 2013
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    Home was excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and really loved the relationship between the 2 boys. The first chapter 'Farting' was really funny until the last sentence which made the story serious within a split second, making you feel awful for laughing. I loved the bit with the rug when the policemen call to tell the family about Max's grave and when they call to check Max's things and Danny is lying in his icy bed in front of the fans. Danny's Mum punching his Dad and breaking his nose was another great but sad bit of the story because you understand why his Mum does it but you feel real empathy for Dad as he overwhelmed with the guilt of losing his son and believing he was responsible.
    For a short story it is a very satisfying read, different to the Scream Street novels but still with the same style of writing which I love!
    Thanks a lot for letting us read it – cool book- 5 stars!
    Beth Khalil - LRC Manager

    I thought it was a great short story. Even though

  10. Home by Tommy Donbavand

    Home by Tommy Donbavand

    Posted on: Nov 26, 2013
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    Max and Danny are close, even for twins. They spend most of their time together and rarely have a cross word.

    So when the brothers suddenly find themselves separated, a traumatic and moving plot unfolds.

    Tommy Donbavand is on to a winner in this touching tale of loss that will appeal to both boys and girls. With emotional cliff hangers and a zombie on the loose it has something for everyone's tastes. You will be laughing one minute and crying the next as you ride this rollercoaster of a story with all its twists and turns.

    This is so much more than just a zombie horror book!

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