Published by Corgi

The Silver Claw by Garry Kilworth

The otter Udolphus Beck is an unraveller of mysteries - ‘he loves to think about things, turn them over in his mind and pick away at them with his sharp intellect until he solves a crime’. His fame as an unraveller has spread far and wide and his latest case takes him to the glorious city of Vequince during the dazzle and pageantry of the carnival. Invited by the mysterious Silver Claw, Udolphus, along with his new apprentice the water Vole Lucci, embark on a dangerous quest to unravel a conspiracy to overthrow the governing council and to destroy the beautiful floating city of Vequince. A fast paced adventure story filled with lots of fascinating mammals.

Published by Orion

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

In ancient times, at the end of the Ice Age and when forest still covers most of Northern Europe, clanspeople know and use the secrets of the Forest to help them survive. Torak and his father are, however, wary of other people, and choose to live deep in the Forest by themselves. That is, until Torak’s father is killed by a wild demon bear.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Torak has a destiny – to keep the oath sworn to his dying father, and in so-doing fulfill an ancient prophesy. He must find the ‘Mountain of the World Spirit’, or the Forest and its inhabitants will face destruction. To help him, a wolf cub becomes his pack-brother and guide.

But will Torak be able to overcome his fear? Can he trust another person, when it means risking his own life? Will he have the courage to follow his wolf-brother guide, when all the odds are against him?

Sequels: Spirit Walker; Soul Eater; Outcast
 

Published by Puffin

Doctor Illuminatus by Martin Booth

This is a brilliant story about sorcery and alchemy set in today’s world but including Sebastian, a boy who is nearly six hundred years old. Sebastian is an alchemist’s son and he has been battling evil through the centuries by trying to destroy his father’s killer and enemy. Pip and Tim at first don’t believe Sebastian’s story until strange things start to happen in their new home but they quickly join forces with him and are both caught up in this strange tale of magic, betrayal, and one of the biggest fights against evil. Any fans of fantasy and magic will love this book!
 

Dusk by Susan Gates

This is a great book about a girl who has been created using hawk genes by the military to try and create the perfect fighting soldier. She manages to escape the lab after a fire breaks out and ends up surviving on her hawk instincts in a deserted town called Prospect. But she’s not alone there – the wolves control the daytime, General Rat and his army of rats control the night and Dusk enjoys the freedom of twilight to hunt and feed. This delicate balance of power is destroyed when a boy stumbles into Prospect and Dusk has to overcome her hawk instincts to hell him. But is she human enough to do this?
 

Dragon Tamers: Reality Goes Virtual by Emma Maree Urquhart

A computer addict, Carol O’Nearn’s life turned upside-down when on her parents’ yacht she fell into the water and somehow ended up in the world of her computer game, Dragon Tamers, where she played as a girl called Maree. Maree, Ceirin, and newbie Ellen set out to try the impossible – to beat the game and complete its final level, against the Creator. But getting there is next to impossible – and what’s more, the Creator seems controlled by an evil spirit. And on top of that, they only have one chance to finish the game because if they die – they die in the real world too.

Sequel : Dragon Tamers 2: Digital Tempest
 

Green Boy by Susan Cooper

Trey and Lou love to take the boat round to Long Pond Cay, a beautiful, uninhabited island, steering through the ever-changing channels as their grandfather has taught them. One day, as they stand on the shore at low tide, the air shimmers and they find themselves in another world - heavily polluted, overcrowded and dangerous. Here Lou, a seven year old who has never spoken, is recognised as Lugh, a hero who will bring change and renewal. Can Trey continue to protect him as he moves towards this destiny?
 

The Alchemist’s Apprentice by Kate Thompson

Jack discovers a strange object floating in the Thames.  This leads him to Barnstable, an alchemist who teaches Jack the old skills of alchemy and on an adventure beyond his imagination and dreams. But, will he really discover the secret of making gold?  This is a brilliant adventure and thriller of a boy who is trying to make sense of his world and of what is really important to him. If you enjoy stories of magic and alchemy, you’ll love this one!

The Amazing Maurice & the Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett

In the town of Bad Blintz we meet Maurice (a talking cat), his rats ( a group of thinking, talking rats) and Keith ( a boy with a flute). They have a scam: the rats, organised by Maurice, arrive in a new town and act like a plague of rats; Keith and his flute happen along and - for a price - Keith offers to pipe the rats out of town like the Pied Piper of Hamelin. It has worked time and again but this time it’s different and their plan starts to go badly wrong. A funny, fantastical tale.

Panther in Argyll by Lisa Tuttle  

Dannielle is spending the summer with her godmother in Argyll, where there are reports of a black panther in the area. Dannie is sceptical until she meets Fin, who claims that he and his guardian have the 'animal spirit' and can change into panthers at will. Has Dannie the same power?
 

Follow me Down by Julie Hearn

Tom is visiting his Gran in London, with his mother who is recovering from cancer. He is drawn to the cellar where he is invited to cross the gap into the early 18th century. He meets Astra, a very small person, who, along with her friends the Gorilla Woman and the Bendy Man is exhibited as a freak at the Bartholomew Fair. At this time doctors would go to almost any length to get hold of unusual bodies to dissect, and Astra and her friends all fear that their bodies will be taken when they die. They enlist Tom’s help to save the Giant – a task both difficult and dangerous.