Most Popular Books by Gillian Cross

A bold re-envisioning of The Odyssey, told with simplicity and style — perfect for fans of graphic retellings and mythology enthusiasts alike. Odysseus faces storm and shipwreck, a terrifying man-eating Cyclops, the alluring but deadly Sirens, and the fury of the sea-god Poseidon as he makes his ten-year journey home from the Trojan War. While Odysseus struggles to make it home, his wife, Penelope, fights a different kind of battle as her palace is invaded by forceful, greedy men who tell her that Odysseus is dead and she must choose a new husband. Will Odysseus reach her in time? Homer’s epic, age-old story is powerfully told by Carnegie Medalist Gillian Cross and stunningly illustrated by rising talent Neil Packer.

Finch is alone in a motorway cafe when she meets a scruffy bunch of lads who say they are a rock band - Finch can sing and before she knows it she has joined the band - Fame follows, but there is always the strange, brooding figure of Christie for her to try to understand.

Colin Jackus doesn''t want to be in the school play and is angry because he''s been forced into it. But gradually he starts to realize that it''s not just a play - the sinster story they are acting has its roots deep in cruel reality and despair. Strange things are happening among the cast of the play and misery is seeping through them. So when the leading actor starts to take on the evil personality of the character he''s supposed to be playing, Jackus decides to delve deeper and try and stop the disaster that threatens.

Paula is thrilled when her explorer father pulls her out of school to climb the mountains of Peru. But as they penetrate the jungle, her father''s decisions no longer seem sound, and their native guide dies as a result. Why won''t he turn back?

It''s Ella''s first day at her new school and that can only mean one thing: making new friends. But the challenge is even tougher than Ella thought. When she stumbles across the book Five Ways to Make a Friend in the library, it''s like all her prayers have been answered

When the elephant came to town, Tad and Cissie went to the show like everyone else. Little did they know it would change their lives for ever. Because of the elephant, Tad and Cissie get involved in a chase across America, by train, by flatboat, and steam boat. Close behind is HannibalJackson, who is determined to have the elephant for himself. And how do you hide a large Indian elephant?BLThis book was the winner of the Whitbread Children''s Novel Award and the Smarties Prize. Gillian Cross has also won the Carnegie Medal and is a highly-acclaimed author.

Finding a note in Joseph''s lost wallet referring to dungeons and warriors, Nick becomes involved in a fantasy game which takes a dangerous turn when gang members send him on a quest which involves betraying Joseph.

When she begins receiving bizarre threatening messages from someone who seems to know her every move, teenage Ashley, after seeking help from the neighborhood tough guy, comes to realize that she alone can end the stalker''s reign of terror.

When a princess is sent away to begin a new life, little does she know what lies in store . . . Discover how this heroine, cruelly tricked by her evil maid, struggles to prove her innocence to the handsome prince she is destined to marry. This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children. This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

William and his brother are desperate to have a tree house in the grand old tree at the bottom of the garden. Their father has to go away, but is determined that the tree house should be built. So every month he sends a parcel home to the boys - a parcel containing things they''ll need for the tree house. But will their father be home in time for Christmas - in time to join them in the tree house to eat the chestnuts that are growing there . . . Gillian Cross has won many major awards including the Carnegie Medal, the Smarties Prize, and the Whitbread Award.

It''s amazing! The Hyperbrain is a super intelligent computer that works by accessing the human brain. In the wrong hands, though, it could spell disaster. The new Controller at the Artificial Intelligence Unit seems horribly familiar but Dinah and her friends know that the Demon Headmaster has been defeated. Hasn''t he? Great fun and just a little bit frightening, Gillian Cross''s Demon Headmaster books still hold readers under their hypnotic spell. Fast-paced and full of adventure, they''re impossible to resist!

An hilarious story, told in letter form, about King Alfred – he who burnt the cakes, and his battles with the Vikings.

In 1881 fifteen-year-old Tad helps a girl in her attempt to get a mighty Indian elephant to friends in Nebraska, while pursued by two unscrupulous villians who wish to take the elephant from her"

Robert has come back from a horrible ordeal in a strange parallel world. Now he can’t stop thinking about the people he left behind to face a winter that most won’t survive. When Robert sees a chance to save his friend Lorn, he is desperate to succeed. But is he prepared for the realities of her world? Meanwhile, Lorn struggles to lead the little band of survivors, even as she feels herself drawn to a secret tunnel where an unknown menace lurks. Seamlessly blending fantasy with a hard-hitting survival tale, Gillian Cross has created a completely original psychological thriller.

Everyone is mad about Hunky Parker merchandise and Dinah and her friends become embroiled in a plot and a race against time when they try to investigate the phenomenon. 8 yrs+

Everyone at school is trying to win the computer game, Octopus dare. Dinah is the only one good enough to beat the computer but she forgets who she is when she looks into the eyes of the octopus. 8 yrs+

Cassy is forced to stay with her mother in a squatter''s settlement of artists, where she joins the group in producing an educational program about wolves and inadvertently learns that her missing father is a notorious terrorist.

Machines, mysteries and mayhem - this must be a case for OLLIE SPARK!Ollie Spark has his biggest adventure yet, when he travels to a fancy food festival on a far-flung island!There are tasty treats galore - but the festival''s guest of honour, a grand Duchess, is acting very suspiciously. What is she hiding? Ollie embarks on an undercover mission involving spying, secret recipes and lots of noodles . . .It''s up to Ollie and his lovable dog Gasket to uncover the truth, and save the island before disaster strikes!