Level 1 - Keith Gray

This is the space for submitting reviews of Keith Gray’s books (just click on ‘Comments’).

Keith Gray was born in 1972 the north of England. Although he began writing stories while at school he left without any qualifications. He worked as a truck driver for a while but continued to write. His first published novel, Creepers, came out in 1996 when he was only 24. Since then he has written lots of gritty books about young people.

The Library has most of his books including Malarky, Warehouse, The Fearful, and The Runner.

Level 1 - Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell

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Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell are a writer and illustrator team who have worked on many books together (Paul writes, Chris illustrates). Their books are usually funny fantasy stories, the most famous of which are The Edge Chronicles.

The Library has lots of their books, including some in the Edge Chronicles and the Far-Flung Adventures series.

Level 1 - Garth Nix

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Garth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, Australia. He worked in publishing and marketing before becoming a full-time writer in 1998. He writes fantasy books, the most famous being the Keys to the Kingdom series. Find out more at his website – www.garthnix.co.uk.

The Library has most of his books, including The Keys to the Kingdom series, The Old Kingdom series, and The Seventh Tower series.

Level 1 - Judy Allen

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Judy Allen was born near Stonehenge, and was brought up in Southsea.

She has written over 50 books, for young children and for teenagers.Some of her books that we have in the Library include: The Blue Death, Storm Voice, and The Burning.

Level 1 - Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl was born in Wales 1916 to Norwegian parents. As a young man he served in the RAF, until 1942 when as an invalid in the USA, he discovered he could make money from writing. At first he wrote for adults, then in 1961 James and the Giant Peach was published. It was inspired by bedtime stories he told his children. He became the most successful children's author in the world. Find out more at the great new website http://www.roalddahl.com/.

The Library has most of his children's books as well as his collected stories for adults, and his autobiography Going Solo.

Level 1 - Rosie Rushton

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Rosie Rushton is a very popular English author who writes for teenagers. Her most popular books are the 'What a Week' series, featuring Holly, Tansy, Cleo and Jade.

The Library has most of these and her new book called Secret Schemes, Daring Dreams.

Level 1 - Theresa Breslin

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Theresa Breslin is an award-winning Scottish author. Before she became a writer she was a librarian, working in a mobile library. Some of her most famous books include Remembrance, Death or Glory Boys, Saskia's Journey, Medici Seal, Divided City and Whispers in the Graveyard (all of which are in the Library).

Level 1 - J. K. Rowling

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J. K. Rowling was born in 1965 and is probably the most famous author alive. She is the author of the Harry Potter books, first published in 1997. The final Harry Potter book, the Deathly Hallows, was published in 2007. J. K. is now in the process of writing a new book for children.

The Library has all of her books and some on audio too.

Level 1 - Jan Mark

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Jan Mark was born in 1943 and died in 2006. Before becoming a full-time writer she was a teacher. She wrote over 50 books, winning the Carnegie Medal twice.

Books in the Library include: Turbulence, Riding Tycho, Useful Idiots, and Thunder and Lightnings.

Level 1 - Lemony Snicket

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Lemony Snicket is the pseudonym for author Daniel Handler. Lemony Snicket is the narrator of the Series of Unfortunate Events, of which there are 13 books. A film was made of the series, starring Jim Carrey as Count Olaf.

The Library has all of the books in the series, apart from the ones that are missing!

Level 1 - Pauline Francis

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Pauline Francis has had a career as a teacher, translator and librarian - now she writes books for young people. As well as her own stories she re-writes classics (Fast-Track Classics) for kids.

Some of the Fast-Track Classics we have in the Library are: Frankenstein, Dracula, Jane Eyre, The War of the Worlds, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and The Wizard of Oz.

Level 1 - Philip Pullman

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Philip Pullman was born in 1946 in Norwich. After studying English at university he began a career in teaching. His first book was published in 1982, then he went on to write the series of Victorian detective novels featuring Sally Lockhart.

His most famous books are His Dark Materials trilogy, which has won many awards.

The Library has most of his books!

Level 1 - Anthony Horowitz

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Anthony Horowitz was born in 1956 in Middlesex, to wealthy parents. He had a bizarre and unhappy childhood however, and escaped by watching James Bond films. His most famous books are the Alex Rider series, but he has also written lots of scripts for television.

As well as the Alex Rider books, the Library has the Power of Five series, Diamond Brothers series, Groosham Grange and Horowitz Horror.There is lots of info on his website: http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/

Level 1 - Gillian Cross

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Gillian Cross was born in London in 1945.

She has won some prestigious awards (Carnegie, Whitbread, Smarties) and has written many books. Her most famous books are the Demon Headmaster series.

Other books held in the Library include: Calling a Dead Man, The Dark Ground, Nightmare Game, Pictures in the Dark, and Tightrope.There's lots of other info about her at http://www.gillian-cross.co.uk/

Level 1 - Alan Durant

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Alan Durant was born in Surrey, and as a kid his passions were football (Man Utd) and reading. He has written books for a wide range of readers, from young children to adults. His most famous (at least at JHA) are the books in the Bad Boyz series.

Some of his other books that you can find in the Library are: Doing the Double, Blood, Flesh and Bones, Ring of Truth, and

Level 1 - Jenny Oldfield

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Jenny Oldfield was born in Yorkshire. She still lives there and loves the countryside, which features heavily in her books. She has written many books for children and adults, and her most popular are her books about horses and riding.

The Library has lots of her books, including some from the Half-Moon Ranch series, as well as Offside, Extra Time, Wilde Day Out, Snap and many more.

Level 1 - Jaqueline Wilson

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Jacqueline Wilson was born in 1945 in Bath. She started her career as a journalist in Scotland and has gone on to sell more than 20 million books in the UK alone! She was made a Dame in the 2008 Honours List.

The Library has lots of her books, but they are usually out on loan …

Level 1 - Michael Morpurgo

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Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in England. Before he became a writer he was a primary teacher. Now he has written over 50 books and has won loads of awards.

Some of his books held in the Library are: Private Peaceful, Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea, War Horse, Kensuke's Kingdom, and The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips.

Level 1 - C. S. Lewis

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C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963) was an Irish writer and scholar. He was a friend of J. R. R. Tolkein (author of Lord of the Rings) and like Tolkien he served as a soldier in WW1. His most famous books are The Chronicles of Narnia.

The Library has all 7 books in the Chronicles of Narnia series.

Find out more about Lewis and Narnia at www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens/kids/gamesandcontests/features/princecaspian/

Level 1 - Non-Fiction Book Of Your Choice

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Remember to include the title and author of the book at the beginning of your review, and sign off with your name.

Level 1 - Fiction Book Of Your Choice

Use this space to post reviews of fiction books of your choice. Just click on Comments!

Remember to include the title and author of the book at the beginning of your review, and sign off with your name.

Level 2 - Annie Dalton

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Annie Dalton was born in the 1950s in Suffolk. She studied at Warwick University and as soon as she began to write she was successful, with her early books being nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her most popular books have been the recent Agent Angel books, featuring the time-travelling heroine Mel Beeby.

The Library has lots of her books, including most of the Agent Angel books.

Level 2 - Darren Shan

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Darren Shan was born in 1972 in London (his real name is Darren O’Shaughnessy). He moved to Ireland when he was 6 and has lived there ever since. He started writing adult horror books but then had great success with his first book Cirque du Freak – the beginning of the Saga of Darren Shan. These vampire stories have gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide. His next series, The Demonata, has been equally successful. He has a suitably scary website – www.darrenshan.com.

The Library has all of the books in both series.

Level 2 - Terry Pratchett

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Terry Pratchett was born in 1948 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. He trained as a journalist and began writing science fiction in the 1970s. In the 1980s he began his Discworld series, which went on to sell millions of copies worldwide. As well as his adult fiction he has written many books for children, and won the Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents.

The Library has many of his books, including Johnny and the Dead, The Amazing Maurice, The Wee Free Men, Wintersmith, and Hat Full of Sky.

Level 2 - Eoin Colfer

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Eoin (pronounced Owen) Colfer was born in 1965 in Wexford in the south of Ireland. He was a primary school teacher before writing full-time. His most famous books feature the high-tec adventures of Artemis Fowl – there are 5 books now in the series.

The Library has all of the Artemis Fowl books and also some of his other books, for example Half Moon Investigations, The Supernaturalist, and Benny and Omar.

Level 2 - Sarah Dessen

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Sarah Dessen was born in 1970 in Illinios, USA. She studied creative writing at college and when she graduated she wrote while working as a waitress at a Mexican restaurant. Now she has published 7 novels for young adults, which are popular in the UK as well as in the USA. She has a good website, with lots more info – www.sarahdessen.com.

The Library has most of her books, including Just Listen, The Truth About Forever, and This Lullaby.

Level 2 - Cathy Cassidy

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Cathy Cassidy was born in Coventry in 1962. She trained to be an art teacher and then became fiction editor at Jackie magazine. She has now written 7 books, all of which are extremely popular. She lives in Galloway in the south of Scotland. Find out more at her website www.cathycassidy.com.

The Library has most of her books, including Dizzy, Indigo Blue, Scarlett and Sundae Girl.

Level 2 - Michelle Magorian

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Michelle Magorian was born in Portsmouth in 1947. Her first ambition was to be an actress and she trained and worked as an actress in France. Her first book was Goodnight Mister Tom, which is an extremely popular story set in World War Two.
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The Library has this book and her other books, including Back Home, A Little Love Song, and Be Yourself.

Level 2 - Michael Morpurgo

This is the space for submitting reviews of Michael Morpurgo's books (just click on 'Comments').

Michael Morpurgo was born in 1943 in England. Before he became a writer he was a primary school teacher. Now he has written over 100 books and won loads of awards.

Some of Michael's books that are held in the Library are:
Private Peaceful
Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea
Kensuke's Kingdom
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
War Horse

To find out more about Michael and his books have a look at his website - http://www.michaelmorpurgo.org/index.htm

Level 2 - Malorie Blackman

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Malorie Blackman was born in London in 1962. After leaving school she had various jobs then settled in a career in computing. In 1990 she published her first novel and has written 50 books since then. Her most famous book, Noughts and Crosses, is now seen as a modern classic. It is a science fiction story that deals with issues of racism and terrorism.

The Library has the books in the Nought & Crosses series and others including ANTODITE, Dangerous Reality, Words Last Forever.

Level 2 - Anne Fine

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Anne Fine is one of the most successful authors in the country. She was Children’s Laureate 2001-2003 and has won numerous major awards, including the Carnegie Medal. She started writing her first book when she couldn’t get to the library for a book for her daughter! Find out more at her website – www.annefine.co.uk.

The Library has lots of her books, including Flour Babies, Madame Doubtfire, Tulip Touch, The More the Merrier, and The Road of Bones.

Level 2 - Non-Fiction Book Of Your Choice

Use this space to post reviews of non-fiction books. Just click on Comments!

Remember to include the book title and author at the beginning of your review, and sign off with your name.

Level 2 - Fiction Book Of Your Choice

Use this space to post reviews of fiction books. Just click on Comments!

Remember to include the book title and author at the beginning of your review, and sign off with your name.

Level 3 - Michael Coleman

This is the space for submitting reviews of Michael Coleman’s books (just click on ‘Comments’).

Michael Coleman was born in 1946 in London. As a boy he was football daft. He was lucky enough to be at Wembley when England won the World Cup in 1966. Before becoming a writer he worked as a computer programmer. He has written books in lots of different styles, including fantasy and realistic teenage fiction.

The Library has lots of his books including Going Straight, Weirdo’s War, Tag, and The Howling Tower.

Level 3 - Catherine Forde

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Catherine Forde lives in Glasgow with her husband and two sons. She started writing seriously about 8 years ago and his since published 10 books. Her most famous book is Fat Boy Swim. Her books are praised for their realistic portrayals of teenage life.

The Library has most of her books including Skarrs, Tug of War, Sugarcoated and Firestarter.

Level 3 - David Almond

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David Almond was born in 1951 in Newcastle. After university he became a primary school teacher but resigned so that he could concentrate on his writing. He wrote lots of stories for magazines before his major breakthrough came with Skellig in 1998. He has since won many awards for his books.

The Library has most of his books including Skellig, Fire Eaters, Clay, and Heaven Eyes.

Level 3 - J. R. R. Tolkien

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J. R. R. Tolkien was born in 1892 in South Africa. He moved to England when he was a child. He served as a soldier in World War One, but returned home an invalid after suffering from trench fever. While recovering from illness he began to write his earliest stories. He became a professor at Oxford University and while there he wrote The Hobbit then Lord of the Rings, finishing it in 1948. His books did not become popular until the 1960s and 70s, when they became very popular with hippies!

There are lots of websites dedicated to Tolkien but the official one is www.tolkienestate.com.

The Library has all of the Lord of the Rings books, as well as The Hobbit and The Silmarillion.

Level 3 - Dick King-Smith

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Dick King-Smith was born in 1922 in Gloucestershire. Before becoming a writer he was a farmer for 20 years. Most of his books are about animals and rural life. He has written more than 100 books, but by far his most famous is The Sheep Pig, which was made into the film Babe.

The Library has lots of his books, including Just Binnie, Pretty Polly, Magnus Powermouse, and Find the White Horse.

Level 3 - Philip Reeve

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Philip Reeve was born in 1966 in Brighton. Before becoming a writer he worked in a bookshop, then began to illustrate books, which he still does. His most successful books have been the Mortal Engines Quartet. He recently won the Carnegie Medal for Here Lies Arthur.

The Library has most of his books, including Here Lies Arthur, Mortal Engines, A Darkling Plain, and Infernal Devices.

Level 3 - Nicola Morgan

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Nicola Morgan was born in 1961. Before becoming a writer she was a teacher, and worked in schools teaching kids with reading and writing difficulties. As well as fiction books, she also writes books about the brain and the how the mind works. Her most famous novel is Fleshmarket, set in Edinburgh.

The Library has most of her books, including Mondays are Red, Sleepwalking, The Highwayman’s Curse, and The Passion Flower Massacre.

Level 3 - Catherine MacPhail

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Catherine MacPhail was born in Greenock, where she still lives. She always liked writing stories when she was young but didn’t publish her first book (Run Zan Run) until 2001. Since then she has written lots of books for teenagers, as well as scripts for radio and tv.

Catherine visited JHA in 2008 as part of the Spring Read Book Festival.

The Library has most of her books, including the Nemesis series, Missing, Fighting Back, Worse Than Boys, and Dark Waters.

Level 3 - Eva Ibbotson

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Eva Ibbotson was born in 1925 in Vienna, Austria. Her family moved to England when Hitler came to power. She became a teacher then began to write books for children in the 1970s with her book The Great Ghost Rescue. Many of her books are set in Vienna.

The Library has most of her books including Journey to the River Sea, The Star of Kazan, The Secret Countess, and Not Just a Witch.

Level 3 - Elizabeth Laird

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Elizabeth Laird was born in 1943 in New Zealand. Her family moved to London in 1945. She has travelled and worked in many countries, including Malaysia, Ethiopia, Lebanon and India. Her books are often set in the countries she has visited.

The Library has lots of her books, including The Garbage King, Kiss the Dust, Jake’s Tower, A Little Piece of Ground, and Crusade.

Level 3 - Robert Swindells

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Robert Swindells was born in 1939 in Bradford. He served in the RAF before becoming a teacher, until 1980 when he decided to write full-time. He has written very successful books for young adults that often deal with difficult issues, for example homelessness, nuclear weapons, and war. He won the Carnegie medal in 1993.

The Library has many of his books, including Brother in the Land, Room 13, Stone Cold, Invisible, and No Angels.

Level 3 - Kevin Brooks

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Kevin Brooks was born in 1959 in Devon. He had loads of different jobs before his first book, Martyn Pig, was published in 2002. Since then he has published a further 8 novels, winning lots of awards for his gritty and realistic teenage fiction.

The Library has most of his books, including Lucas, Kissing the Rain, The Road of the Dead, and Being.

Level 3 - Sarah Dessen

This is the space for submitting reviews of Sarah Dessen’s books (just click on ‘Comments’).

Sarah Dessen was born in 1970 in Illinios, USA. She studied creative writing at college and when she graduated she wrote while working as a waitress at a Mexican restaurant. Now she has published 7 novels for young adults, which are popular in the UK as well as in the USA. She has a good website, with lots more info – www.sarahdessen.com.

The Library has most of her books, including Just Listen, The Truth About Forever, and This Lullaby.

Level 3 - Philip Pullman

This is the space for submitting reviews of Philip Pullman's books (just click on 'Comments').

Philip Pullman was born in 1946 in Norwich. After studying English at university he began a career in teaching. His first book was published in 1982, then he went on to write the series of Victorian detective novels featuring Sally Lockhart. His most famous books are His Dark Materials trilogy, which has won many awards.

The Library has most of his books!

Level 3 - Celia Rees

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Celia Rees was born in Solihul, West Midlands. She was a teacher for ten years before she began to write. Her first novel was published in 1993, then in 1997 she began to write as a full-time job.

The Library has many of her books, including Colour Her Dead, Soul Taker, Pirates, Truth or Dare, and Sorceress.

Level 3 - Jan Mark

This is the space for submitting reviews of Jan Mark's books (just click on 'Comments').

Jan Mark was born in 1943 and died in 2006. Before becoming a full-time writer she was a teacher. She wrote over 50 books, winning the Carnegie Medal twice.

Books in the Library include: Turbulence, Riding Tycho, Useful Idiots, and Thunder and Lightnings.

Level 3 - Theresa Breslin

This is the space for submitting reviews of Theresa Breslin's books (just click on 'Comments').

Theresa Breslin is an award-winning Scottish author. Before she became a writer she was a librarian, working in a mobile library. Some of her most famous books include Remembrance, Death or Glory Boys, Saskia's Journey, Medici Seal, Divided City and Whispers in the Graveyard (all of which are in the Library).