Book picks similar to
Torley Grange by Gwendoline Courtney
family-read-alouds
family-stories
orphans
children-s-books
The Borrowers
Mary Norton - 1952
In their tiny home, matchboxes double as roomy dressers and postage stamps hang on the walls like paintings. Whatever the Clocks need they simply "borrow" from the "human beans" who live above them. It's a comfortable life, but boring if you're a kid. Only Pod is allowed to venture into the house above, because the danger of being seen by a human is too great. Borrowers who are seen by humans are never seen again. Yet Arrietty won't listen. There is a human boy up there, and Arrietty is desperate for a friend.
The Submarine Full of Bees
Neil McFarlane - 2015
Usually stories are about other people but this story is about you. And usually stories are made up but this story is all true. It’s about the amazing adventure you had today with those bees. I know what you’re thinking: you’re thinking: I didn’t have an adventure with any bees today! Oh yes you did! But you can’t remember because that magic flower made you forget. Let me explain ... This story is one of the thirty-one stories that make up the critically acclaimed collection A Month of Bedtime Stories Available exclusively on Amazon for $2.99 (That's 9 cents per story!) Reviews of A Month of Bedtime Stories "A wonderful book well worth adding to any collection" - Book Reviews and Giveaways "I loved each one and never once was ready to put the book down" - Chodi Kid Books "These well-written and fast-paced stories are told with a touch of humor that both the child and the storyteller can enjoy" - Online Book Club Grab a copy today
A Crack in the Sea
H.M. Bouwman - 2017
The doorway between worlds opens only when least expected. The Raft King is desperate to change that by finding the doorway that will finally take him and the people of Raftworld back home. To do it, he needs Pip, a young boy with an incredible gift—he can speak to fish; and the Raft King is not above kidnapping to get what he wants. Pip’s sister Kinchen, though, is determined to rescue her brother and foil the Raft King’s plans.This is but the first of three stories that collide on the high seas of the Second World. The second story takes us back to the beginning: Venus and Swimmer are twins captured aboard a slave ship bound for Jamaica in 1781. They save themselves and others from a life of enslavement with a risky, magical plan—one that leads them from the shark-infested waters of the first world to the second. Pip and Kinchen will hear all about them before their own story is said and done. So will Thanh and his sister Sang, who we meet in 1976 on a small boat as they try to escape post-war Vietnam. But after a storm and a pirate attack, they’re not sure they’ll ever see shore again. What brings these three sets of siblings together on an adventure of a lifetime is a little magic, helpful sea monsters and that very special portal, A Crack in the Sea.
Mary Ann and Miss Mozart
Ann Turnbull - 2007
But when her father loses his fortune, she fears her singing dreams may be shattered.
The Moffats
Eleanor Estes - 1941
During kindergarten recess, one accidentally hitches a ride out of town on a boxcar. One winds up trapped in the breadbox outside the deli. One offers to escort a Salvation Army man to his destination - and accidentally bumps him from his horse-drawn wagon.
I Saw Three Ships
Elizabeth Goudge - 1969
Christmas is coming and she is bursting with excitement. She is absolutely sure that something special is going to happen this year. What will she find in her stocking? Will the Three Wise Men visit as she has always hoped? Who knows what may happen at this special time of year? She leaves her bedroom window open on Christmas Eve, just in case the Wise Men decide to come visit. When she wakes up on Christmas morning, more than one miracle seems to have taken place. In the event, this Christmas isn't like any she has ever known, especially when three ships sail into the harbour.
Wild Boy
Rob Lloyd Jones - 2013
Snatched up by an unscrupulous and abusive showman, Wild Boy, covered in hair from head to toe, becomes a sideshow freak. Isolated from other children and wickedly abused by the cruel master who bought him, Wild Boy becomes an avid observer, developing Sherlock Holmes–like deductive skills. Although he is tormented and insulted, kicked and spat at, his quick mind takes in everything he sees. When a murder occurs at the fair, Wild Boy is hastily accused. Can he use his powers of deduction to save himself? And will the talented and spunky young acrobat Clarissa be with him — or against him? Readers will be swept along by the cinematic pace, immersed in the vivid historical setting, and gripped by suspense as they wait to find out if a better fate could possibly await someone so very different.
The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel
Natasha Lowe - 2016
She had always wanted a child, but after her husband passed away, Nora never thought she would have one, but her flowerpot child was a miracle and she decided to name her Mabel. As Mabel grew up, she showed a distinct talent for magic. When Mabel is accepted to the prestigious witch school, Ruthersfield Academy, she excels at the magic curriculum but is constantly in trouble for experimenting and inventing her own potions. One day she is asked to write a paper on her magical roots and discovers the truth about her birth after a mean classmate blurts out what everyone seems to know except Mabel. Mabel is shocked but the revelation does explain a lot. In rebellion, Mabel changes her name to Magnolia and tries to understand why she was left in the flowerpot and who her birth family might be. Will Mabel find the answers she’s looking for—or will she discover that families are people who love each other and look after each other and that’s most important of all.
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond - 1958
and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington, a most endearing bear from Darkest Peru on a railway platform in London. A sign hanging around his neck said, "Please look after this bear. Thank you" So that is just what they did.From the very first night when he attempted his first bath and ended up nearly flooding the house, Paddington was seldom far from imminent disaster. Jonathan and Judy were delighted with this havoc and even Mr. and Mrs. Brown had to admit that life seemed to be more filled with adventure when there was a bear in the house.
The Boxcar Children Collection, Vol. 3 (The Boxcar Children #33, #82 #88-89)
Gertrude Chandler Warner - 2007
Includes the following four titles: The Mystery of the Mummy's Curse, The Mystery of the Star Ruby, The Pizza Mystery, The Radio Mystery, The Summer Camp Mystery.
Flanimals of the Deep
Ricky Gervais - 2006
This is 'Flanimals of the Deep'. Here, the unique, complex and completely mental life form discovered in books one and two just gets even weirder. And more fantastic.
Scavenger Scout: Rock Hound: Seek-and-Find Book for Kids Who Love Rocks
Shelby Wilde - 2018
She's a rock hound! Hunting for rocks is her passion and she loves to show and tell. The stories she tells are more fantasy than reality, but the rocks she hunts are real. Follow along as she haggles with a host of characters to add rocks to her collection. Follow Scout as she hunts for azurite, alexandrite and fluorite and find the rock on every page! STEM-inspired story that encourages creative problem solving Scavenger Scout uses science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) concepts to overcome the challenges she faces. Kids will delight in the real-life rock hounding tools Scout uses such as a crack hammer, chisel or a rock hammer. Kids can use their powers of observation to search for the rock on each page and come up with hypotheses for how they would get each of the rocks home. Seek-and-Find Element The story of Scavenger Scout will appeal to kids who love to hunt and who love adventure, so why not give them the opportunity to help Scout find the rock on every page? In each vignette, Scout hunts for a different rock and kids get to hunt with her! The difficulty level varies with each page so even kids as young as 2 or 3 will be able to find the rocks. “Scavenger Scout: Rock Hound” is the perfect holiday gift or birthday gift, but would also be a great gift for when your favorite Scout moves up from Daisies to Brownies or Bobcat to Tiger Cub or Scout to Tenderfoot. This book is the first book in a series and is crafted for ages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, preschool and kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade.
Leave Your sleeve, Steve!
Yonit Werber - 2013
Steve was a sweet and smiley boy.His mom loved him very much, But she had a problem -Every evening, at dinner,When Steve ate cheese, egg, or sandwich with peanut butter and jelly,And some food was left at the corner of his mouth,Steve would clean his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt.Steve's mom asked him over and over again "Leave your sleve, Steve!"but nothing helped.Until one day she had a brilliant idea...
Minecraft: Diary of a Minecraft Agent Book 1: The Cosmic Cube Saga - The Mystery Land (An Unofficial Minecraft Book) (Agent Jack)
Alex Anderson - 2015
Jack is chosen by Notch for an extremely secret mission called 'Project Z'. This mission is very dangerous and there is no promise of success but this mission is essential for the future of the Minecraft world. Rare, dark and guarded secrets of Minecraft will be revealed in this action packed saga. So what are you waiting for? Grab this book now for FREE with kindle unlimited.
Diary of a Zombie Villager: Book 1
M.C. Steve - 2016
He's about to start his first day at middle school. Little does he know that he's about to get an education at the school of hard knocks, too. Pensive, reserved Lewis is not enthused when his human classmates treat him like an outcast for being half zombie. Good thing he has his loyal friend Sebastian in tow.Sebastian does his best to stick up for his buddy, but to the two friends' dismay, the human children just won't warm up to Lewis. That is, until the day the children are ushered out of the school and informed by the principal that a legion of zombies is living in the basement! After careful consideration, the school turns to Lewis to negotiate with the zombies, hoping he can persuade them to leave. Suddenly, everything is in young Lewis' hands. How will the zombies react to a half human zombie? What do they want with the school? You'll have to read Basement Blast to find out!Hilariously uplifting, and subtly sweet, this book will have your child smiling ear to ear as he cheers on the hero. The underlying lesson about the Golden Rule comes right in time for the holidays, when we all try to be better people.Disclaimer: This book is a work of fanfiction; it is not an official Minecraft book. It is not endorsed, authorized, licensed, sponsored, or supported by Mojang AB, Microsoft Corp. or any other entity owning or controlling rights to the Minecraft name, trademarks or copyrights.