Book picks similar to
The Unluckiest Boy in the World by Andrew Norriss


childrens-literature
humorous
read-years-ago
secrets

Mr. Wolf's Class


Aron Nels Steinke - 2018
    Wolf has just started teaching at Hazelwood Elementary. He wants the first day of school to go well, but he's got his hands full with his new class. Some of his students include: Margot, who is new in town and is trying to make friends. Sampson, who brought something special to school for show-and-tell. Aziza, who just wants everyone to be quiet and do their work. And Penny, who is VERY sleepy because she has a new baby brother at home, goes missing! This delightful new series captures the everyday -- and unexpected -- ups and downs of a fourth-grade classroom.

The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43


Harriet Goodwin - 2009
    If it had come down on any other patch of ground Finn would simply have been another statistic. Death by dangerous driving. But the car hit the surface of the Earth at Exit 43. It slid through the membrane like a hot knife through butter, plunging into the darkness and catapulting Finn from its shattered windscreen as it fell. Finn Oliver knows he'll never come to terms with his father's death, but joy-riding over the moors in his mum's beat-up old car is a quick fix of freedom and forgetting. Until the accident happens - and Finn finds himself hurtling through the wafer-thin divide between the worlds of the living and the dead. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, "The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43" is a quirky debut novel laced with humour and a dollop of magic.

The Griffin Gate


Vashti Hardy - 2020
    At thirteen, Grace is too young become a warden, but she longs to go on missions herself. After all, if her brother Bren can do it, why can't she?So when Grace finds herself alone with the map when a distress call comes in, she jumps at the chance to prove she's up to the task. But the map transports Grace to a remote village where nothing is quite as it seems. Has she landed right in the middle of a treacherous scheme?

The Midnight Gang


David Walliams - 2016
    That is when their adventures are just beginning…When Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball, he finds himself at Lord Funt Hospital, and is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter. Things go from bad to worse when he meets the wicked matron in charge of the children’s ward… But Tom is about to embark on the most thrilling journey of a lifetime!The Midnight Gang tells an extraordinarily heartwarming and, of course, funny story of five children on a hospital ward – and on a quest for adventure! It is a story of friendship and magic – and of making dreams come true. Readers are set to be utterly spellbound by this heartfelt story that will bring magic to everyone.

Poppy Pym and the Pharaoh's Curse


Laura Wood - 2015
    Featuring an ancient Egyptian curse, two best friends (one who wants to be taller and one who knows everything), secretive teachers, dangerous accidents, a mystery to be solved and a menagerie of circus characters.

Bill's New Frock


Anne Fine - 1989
    A unique story that will serve as a springboard for discussions among young readers.

The Healer - The Complete Set, #1-4


C.J. Anaya - 2017
    Another god's love will heal humanity. From USA Today bestselling author, C.J. Anaya, comes an epic saga of love, betrayal, and the ultimate battle between good and evil. So I can heal people. Sounds cool in theory. Feels great when I can actually swing it. Unfortunately, my dad is all about keeping a low profile and healing folks only when it's absolutely necessary. I suppose that's best even though I'm super sick of hiding what I can do, especially from my best friend Angie. I think I might have royally screwed up, though. Someone has been following me for weeks, and there are two new guys at my school who act like they know me, asking me pointed questions about my work at the hospital and how I "help" people. Tie and Victor may say they're seniors in high school, but they don't play the part so well. I should stay away from them. It would be the safe thing to do. But if I play it safe, I'll never find the answers I'm looking for... ...and I'll never understand this connection I feel to Tie. 2016 Reader's Favorite Silver Medal Winner for YA Romance! Embark upon a journey of heart-stopping adventure in this fated mates fantasy romance filled with supernatural creatures, prophecies, an ancient love story, and immortal gods. This romantic coming of age novel is filled with love, loss, and second chances, creating a thrilling story readers are sure to enjoy. Grab The Healer Series: The Complete Set, Books 1-4 and save $3.00 on the entire series. "The Healer is an excellent example of Fabulism/Magical realism, combining myths and fables from the Japanese culture, as well as touching on a few others. C.J. Anaya has an excellent writer's voice and sets a brilliant pace...It was impossible not to get lost in the story." -K.J. Simmill, Readers' Favorite "Young adult fans who enjoy The Mortal Instruments and/or The Vampire Diaries will love this series. I cannot wait to see what happens next!" -Amazon Customer The Healer Series The Healer The Black Blossom The Grass Cutter Sword The Prophecy Paranormal Misfits: Allies Of The Fae Realm Series My Fair Assassin My Fair Traitor My Fair Impostor My Fair Invader Grab Paranormal Misfits Boxset and save $3 on the series.

The Afternet


Peter Empringham - 2011
    When the system begins to misfire under the workload, the ill-equipped representatives of God and the Devil tasked with managing the process are given an ultimatum. Fix The Afternet or go back to your previous afterlives. They begin an odyssey through the hordes of souls awaiting judgement and the oblivious living in search of a solution. Rich in comic detail and populated with characters real and imagined from throughout time, their quest is never going to be straightforward…

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark


Jill Tomlinson - 1968
    This is the story of how, with the help of some kind people, he discovers how wonderful the dark can be.

The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler


Gene Kemp - 1977
    Their friendship lands Tyke in all kinds of trouble at Cricklepit Combined School. Matters come to a head when Tyke climbs the school's bell-tower and surprises everyone.

The Boy Who Grew Dragons


Andy Shepherd - 2018
    But he takes the funny fruit from the tree back into the house - and gets the shock and delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! The tree is a dragonfruit tree, and Tomas has got his very own dragon, Flicker ...Tomas soon finds out that life with Flicker is great fun, but also very ... unpredictable. Yes, dragons are wonderful, but they also set fire to your toothbruth and leave your pants hanging from the TV aerial. Tomas has to learn how to look after Flicker - and quickly. And then something extraordinary happens - more dragonfruits appear on the tree. Tomas is officially growing dragons ...

Viking Boy


Tony Bradman - 2012
    Gunnar swears an oath to avenge his father's death and save his mother from Skuli – but first he must run to save himself. Murderous raiders, hand to hand battles to the death, mythical flying wolves and a relentless sea journey to the Land of Fire and Ice... Unknown to Gunnar, his life has been foretold, and he finds he has a destiny greater than his own story.

Star Wars: Jedi Academy


Jeffrey Brown - 2013
    The setting? A galaxy far, far away...Roan's one dream is to leave home and attend Pilot Academy like his older brother, father, and grandfather. But just as Roan is mysteriously denied entrance to Pilot School, he is invited to attend Jedi Academy--a school that he didn't apply to and only recruits children when they are just a few years old. That is, until now...This inventive novel follows Roan's first year at Jedi Academy where, under the tutelage of Master Yoda, he learns that he possesses more strength and potential than he could have ever dreamed. Oh, and he learns other important things too--like how to make a baking soda volcano, fence with a lightsaber, slow dance with a girl, and lift boulders with the Force.

Dead Jolly


Boone Brux - 2018
    Life is like that now that I’m a grim reaper. My holidays gets an extra helping of festive weirdness when the Casanova of mall Santas kicks the bucket. Instead of crossing over, he sets out to spread his own special brand of Christmas magic to a number of single ladies in town. I’ll admit, as a widow I’m hesitant to stop him from gifting his Christmas miracle, but as a reaper, it’s my job to pack his yule log and jingle bells off to the netherworld. After all, everybody knows Santa is only supposed to come once a year.

The Willoughbys


Lois Lowry - 2008
       The Willoughby children—Timothy, twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister Jane—are fond all old-fashioned things, but especially old-fashioned adventures. What they aren't fond of, however, are their parents. Truth be told, their parents aren't the fondest of them, either, and they're concocting an evil plan to get rid of their children once and for all!   Both parents and children have plenty of dastardly ideas and tricks up their sleeves. The only thing they don't have is any idea of what lies between them and a happily-ever-after.   Complete with a cheeky glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and wonderfully old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children’s literature like Mary Poppins and A Christmas Carol.