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A Christmas Carol
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-02-9
Lexile® Rating: 770L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 4.8 what is this?
F&P Level: T what is this?
£7.99
‘Bah, humbug! Fools wishing me a Merry Christmas should be forced to sit on cushions stuffed with holly leaves or boiled with their own Christmas puddings.’
Miserable old miser Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. Can somebody so selfish, so harsh and so horribly lonely ever change his ways?
In one terrifying night, poor Scrooge is haunted by four ghosts. Why do they show him visions of his past? Why do they show him other people enjoying Christmas? Why do they show him the deaths of a young boy and of a miserable old miser?
Weep and laugh as you read this much-loved Christmas story. Will Scrooge always think that Christmas is ‘Humbug’, or will he learn to shout ‘Merry Christmas, one and all’?
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-44-9
Lexile® Rating: 660L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 4.5 what is this?
F&P Level: Z what is this?
£7.99
Mischief is in the air when the King and Queen of the Fairies quarrel and Puck is left in charge of the love potion.
Four young people are lost in the woods on midsummer’s night. Will they find each other and true love, or will Puck’s meddling leave them broken-hearted and alone?
A band of players prepares to entertain the Duke of Athens. But now that the fairies have made a donkey out of their leading man, will Quince and the others ever get to play their parts?
Is there time to put everything right before this magical night is over?
Click here for the Shakespeare original language comparison
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A Study in Scarlet
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-57-9
Lexile® Rating: 830L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.2 what is this?
F&P Level: X what is this?
£7.99
‘On his rigid face was an expression of horror and hatred such as I had never seen before upon human features.’
When Dr Watson agrees to share lodgings with Sherlock Holmes, he soon finds himself involved in a shocking and mysterious murder case.
What will Holmes discover when he examines the body? There are no marks on the dead man, so why is there so much blood at the scene of the crime?
Inspector Lestrade and Inspector Gregson have asked Holmes to help them. But will they listen to his advice?
Can the famous detective and his new friend discover the truth before the murderer strikes again?
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A Tale of Two Cities
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-64-7
Lexile® Rating: 800L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.4 what is this?
F&P Level: Y what is this?
£7.99
‘It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done.’
Sydney Carton is a lawyer who has wasted his abilities and his life. Now he has to make a difficult choice about what is really important to him, which could be a matter of life or death.
The French Revolution is running its violent course; lives are ruined as a new France is created. How did the gentle Doctor Manette and his daughter Lucie become caught up in France’s struggles? What is the real identity of the handsome Charles Darnay, who wins Lucie’s hand in marriage? And why does the shadow of La Bastille Prison hang over them all?
The best of times and the worst of times. London and Paris. Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay. A story of contrasts and chaos. Can peace ever be restored in France? Can it ever be restored in the hearts of the people involved?
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Aladdin and his Magic Lamp
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ISBN: 978-1-911091-00-4
£7.99
As soon as Aladdin started cleaning the lamp there was a sound like a clap of thunder. A swirling cloud of smoke filled the room, changing until it formed the outline of a huge green figure.
Aladdin and his mother live a poor and humble life. Then one day Aladdin meets his long-lost uncle, and his life is changed for ever. Can his new friend be trusted?
When Aladdin persuades the Sultan to let him marry the beautiful Princess Badroulbadour, he thinks his happiness is complete. But what will the Sultan’s Vizier do now that his own son’s chances of marrying the Princess are doomed to failure?
It seems that Aladdin’s beloved Princess has been lost forever when he angers the evil sorcerer. Can Aladdin think of a way to bring his wife and his elderly mother back to safety?
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Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
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ISBN: 978-1-911091-01-1
£7.99
The horsemen stopped close to where Ali Baba was hiding. He could scarcely breathe. As they dismounted he counted them – there were forty in all, and they were carrying bags of gold, silver and precious stones.
When Ali Baba goes into the forest as usual to gather wood to sell, he can hardly imagine that it is the start of an amazing adventure that will change his life.
After he discovers the secret of the treasure cave, his good fortune soon turns into terrible danger. Can he ever live safely again with his wife and family?
Ali Baba’s brother Cassim is a rich man, but cares little for the happiness of others. Where will his selfishness lead him?
Morgiana, the servant girl, is faced with a deadly crisis. Is she clever and brave enough to save herself and Ali Baba’s family from destruction?
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All Quiet on the Western Front
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-66-1
Lexile® Rating: 840L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.3 what is this?
F&P Level: X what is this?
£7.99
‘There is a whistling sound behind us. Shells pass overhead and explode in a sheet of flame a hundred meters away.’
When Paul Bäumer and his classmates join the army, nothing has prepared them for the death and destruction that they witness. Machine guns, huge artillery shells and poison gas create a nightmare world for these young men and their older comrades.
For months and years attack is followed by counter–attack. Will any of Paul’s friends survive long enough to return to their families and loved ones? Will there be a place for them at home, when peace finally comes?
Can any of these soldiers make sense of the massive conflict in which they are involved?
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Animal Farm
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ISBN: 978-1-911091-11-0
Lexile® Rating: 940L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.7 what is this?
£7.99
All the animals were looking forward to the new, happy lives they would lead when Mr Jones’s rule over them came to an end.
When the animals get rid of Mr Jones and take over the farm, they are excited by their new freedom. But can they run the farm with tools that are designed for humans? Will they be able to harvest the food that they need for the winter?
The farmers decide to band together to win back the farm for Mr Jones. Will the animals be able to fight them off? Can life on Animal Farm be as wonderful as they had all hoped for – or will new dangers threaten their happiness?
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A young reader's review for Real Reads Animal Farm :
Animal farm is a really interesting, thought provoking story based on events that have happened in the past. The ideas in the story made me think about authority; what makes a good leader and whether it is important that the rules are the same for everyone. It was clever that animals were the main characters in the story not people. As the pigs became more like people they started to be more selfish and they did not care about the other animals and the group became less united.
I really liked the characters Boxer and Snowball. Boxer was hard working and never gave up but his hard work didn’t really help the other animals. Snowball tried to make the farm a better place but his ideas were over-ruled by Napoleon who was a stronger leader.
It was interesting to read the ‘Taking Things Further section’ about how the book was written about things that had happened in Russia. This taught me things about history that I did not know. After reading the story, it made it much easier to understand. It also made me think more carefully about some of the things that are happening at the moment. I would definitely recommend this book to other children my age. It is a brilliant story and very educational.
George, 10
Review from a Teacher :
The abridged version of Animal farm is a thoroughly enjoyable story for children. The adaption of the story would be a valuable text to study at Primary level as it provides an accessible opening to more mature themes such as authority, equality and inequality, class, power, control and corruption. Animal Farm would be a fantastic book to generate higher-level thinking, discussion and debate that could support the teaching of Literacy, RE, History, PSHE and Philosophy for Children.
Review from a Parent :
I enjoyed reading this book with my 10-year-old son. We were eager to see how the plights of the different characters would evolve. The story led to fantastic discussion about authority, equality, honesty and loyalty. My son was able to draw parallels between the story and religion, governance and current affairs. The ‘Taking Things Further’ section developed a thirst for more information which led him to conduct his own history research.
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Anna Karenina
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ISBN: 978-1-911091-04-2
£7.99
A guard had stepped back into the path of a train and been crushed beneath the wheels. He had been killed instantly.
When Anna Karenina arrives at the scene of a horrible accident, it is the beginning of a new and troubling time in her life. Will she ever find happiness with the man she loves? Anna’s sister-in-law, Darya Oblonsky, is threatening to leave her selfish husband. Is Anna able to save their marriage?
Anna’s young son, Sergey, is sure that one day his mother will return to him. Can the pair ever be reunited?
Konstantin Levin is determined to marry Kitty, but she is dazzled by the lively and handsome Count Vronsky. Levin prefers a quiet life in the countryside to dinner parties and dances. Which of them will she finally choose?
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Around the World in Eighty Days
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-70-8
Lexile® Rating: 1030L what is this?
F&P Level: T what is this?
£7.99
‘Today is Wednesday 2nd October. If I am back in this very room in the Reform Club on Saturday 21st December by eight forty-five in the evening, I win.’
Phileas Fogg bets £20,000 that he can go round the world in eighty days – a huge sum of money in 1872, worth more than a million pounds today.
When he sets off on his amazing journey with his clever servant, Passepartout, they cannot afford the slightest delay. Will the two travellers have time to help Princess Aouda, when the brave and beautiful young woman is threatened with a cruel fate?
Detective Fix believes that Mr Fogg is a bank robber, and plans to arrest him. Will that be the end of Phileas Fogg’s chance to save his fortune?
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Bleak House
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-04-3
Lexile® Rating: 870L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.3 what is this?
F&P Level: Y what is this?
£7.99
‘It would have been far better if you had never been born.’
Esther, at fourteen, has never known love. Determined to live well, earn some love and overcome the shadow of her birth, she takes her first steps into an unknown world.
A family curse, a manipulating lawyer, poverty and secrets threaten to destroy Esther’s world. Are the walls of Bleak House strong enough to protect her and her new friends from such powerful forces?
The reader will be caught up in an unfolding mystery, full of surprises. Perhaps the biggest mystery of all is: Who is Nemo?
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David Copperfield
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-03-6
Lexile® Rating: 840L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.0 what is this?
F&P Level: W what is this?
£7.99
When David’s mother marries the malevolent Mr Murdstone, David’s childhood happiness is destroyed for ever.
Can one lonely little boy show the strength and determination to survive the dangers that lie ahead? Travelling along the rocky road from boyhood to manhood, how can David learn who to trust and who to love? Will David’s friends bring him happiness or heartache?
In this inspiring tale of trust, betrayal, courage and love, Charles Dickens presents a world of colourful characters to amuse us, astonish us, disgust us and move us to tears. Once encountered, David Copperfield’s friends and enemies will never be forgotten.
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Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-15-9
Lexile® Rating: 950L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.9 what is this?
F&P Level: X what is this?
£7.99
When Dr Henry Jekyll dares to explore the delicate balance between good and evil, he little suspects the destructive powers he will unleash.
In London’s respectable society, Jekyll’s friends grow concerned. Why has Jekyll suddenly changed his will, and what is his connection with the frightening Mr Hyde?
In London’s squalour, a child is trampled and an elderly gentleman brutally murdered. Why do all fingers point towards Mr Hyde?
Is Jekyll strong enough to resist Hyde’s strange power? Are Jekyll’s friends strong enough to help?
In this exploration of two sides of Victorian London and two sides of human nature, the conflict between good and evil has been given a terrifying twist.
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Dracula
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-16-6
Lexile® Rating: 750L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.2 what is this?
F&P Level: W what is this?
£7.99
When Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to sell a house, he little expects the horrors that await.
As the guest and prisoner of the sinister Count Dracula, Jonathan is plunged into a terrifying world of ancient evil and unbearable fear.
Back in England, Jonathan’s wife Mina is concerned about her friend Lucy who is mysteriously ill and growing weaker by the day. Can Lucy’s friends save her from the worst horror of all, or are they all doomed to a similar fate?
Can love, courage and goodness defeat the evil thirst of a vampire? In this fight to the bitter end, who will live, who will die, and who will be doomed to a living death?
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Dream of the Red Chamber
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-36-4
Lexile® Rating: 970L what is this?
F&P Level: W what is this?
£7.99
Baoyu has always believed that he will marry his childhood sweetheart, Daiyu. Daiyu is beautiful and talented, very sensitive, and physically fragile. It is a huge shock to him when he learns that his parents want him to marry Baochai instead, a healthy and considerate girl.
Baoyu’s family is fast losing its fame and fortune. One by one, Baoyu’s female friends, relatives and servants are being married off or sold, and he realises just how much he values the qualities of the women in his life.
Will Baoyu surrender to life’s harsh realities and give up his true love? What can he do to protect the women he loves from violence, neglect and abuse? Full of a fiery passion for love and beauty, Dream of the Red Chamber is the story of a young man in search of what is truly important to him.
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Egil’s Saga
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-87-6
£7.99
Is it really possible to become famous throughout your country and beyond both as a fearless warrior and as a renowned poet?
Egil Skallagrimsson lived in Iceland a thousand years ago, and this is the story of his long and violent life. He could compose beautiful poetry, but he was also capable of staggering brutality.
Can Egil successfully avenge his father’s exile from Norway, defend his honour against the Norwegian King Erik Bloodaxe, and support the English King Athelstan in his battles against the Scots?
When his travels finally find him at home again in Iceland, how will Egil feel about his family - his loving wife Asgerd, the brother he lost in battle, and his dead sons? And what will he do with his two chests of silver?
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Emma
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-10-4
Lexile® Rating: 840L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.2 what is this?
F&P Level: X what is this?
£7.99
‘I must warn you that you might guess twenty things without guessing correctly.’
Following her governess’s marriage, wealthy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse seeks new company and new amusement. Ignoring the warnings of her friend Mr Knightley, she begins a series of terrible blunders.
Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret?
With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
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Far from the Madding Crowd
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-38-8
Lexile® Rating: 760L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 4.6 what is this?
F&P Level: Y what is this?
£7.99
‘I cannot allow any man to – to criticise my private conduct!’
Young, attractive and impetuous, Bathsheba has inherited a farm and is determined to be as independent as possible. Her natural beauty is a magnet for men; how will she choose between them?
Gabriel Oak is a young farmer, just set up in business with his own flock of sheep. He meets Bathsheba and falls in love with her, but she turns him down. He has to stand by and watch while the woman he loves is courted by others, first by William Boldwood, much older than Bathsheba; then by Sergeant Troy, young, handsome, and reckless. Who will she choose?
Throughout Bathsheba’s series of mistakes, Gabriel remains her loyal friend. But will he ever be more than just a friend?
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Frankenstein
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-17-3
Lexile® Rating: 790L what is this?
ATOS®/AR Level: 5.4 what is this?
F&P Level: X what is this?
£7.99
‘You must hear my tale. You must hear my terrible, terrible tale.’
Committed to the deadly pursuit of the monster he created, Victor Frankenstein tells his chilling story. It all began with a desire to help mankind, but where will it end?
Frankenstein leads us through vast mountainous landscapes and over frozen seas. Can he stop the fiend’s murderous course? Is he prepared to do what the monster demands?
The reader will be shocked and surprised. Is the monster as evil as he seems? Is Victor Frankenstein responsible for the tortures he himself endures? What can Frankenstein’s terrible tale teach us today?
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Gawain and the Green Knight
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ISBN: 978-1-906230-86-9
£7.99
A horrific apparition interrupts the Christmas festivities at King Arthur’s Camelot.
A green giant throws down a deadly challenge: one of the gathering must cut off his head, after which he will return the favour in a year’s time! King Arthur must accept this challenge or appear a coward, but it’s left to young Sir Gawain to act.
Gawain chops off the giant’s head and, horror of horrors, the giant strides over to pick up his head, which then begins to speak. He holds Sir Gawain to his promise, and rides off into the wintry night.
A year passes and Gawain sets off with terrible dread to find the Green Knight and keep to his side of the bargain. Can he avoid his certain doom?
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