Best Selling Books by Mal Peet

An enthralling story of a poor and gawky kid who mysteriously becomes the world''s greatest goalkeeper — a seamless blend of magic realism and exhilarating soccer action. "And you found it, this thing you were looking for?" It was darker now, and the city below Faustino''s office was a jazzy dance of neon signs and traffic. The big man went to the window and looked down at it all, spreading his large hands on the glass. "No," he said. "It found me." When Paul Faustino of LA NACION flips on his tape recorder for an exclusive interview with El Gato — the phenomenal goalkeeper who single-handedly brought his team the World Cup — the seasoned reporter quickly learns that this will be no ordinary story. Instead, the legendary El Gato ("The Cat") quietly narrates a spellbinding tale that begins in a mythic corner of the South American rain forest, where a ghostly but very real mentor, the Keeper, emerges to teach the gangly boy the most thrilling secrets of the game. Combining vivid imagery and heart-stopping action, this evocative, strikingly ethereal novel about loyalty, passion, and magic will haunt readers, regardless of their love for soccer, long after the story is ended.

From the award-winning author of TAMAR, a time-shifting thriller about a vanishing soccer star, occult secrets, and the dark history of slavery. As the city of San Juan pulses to summer’s sluggish beat, its teenage soccer prodigy, El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without a trace -- right after he misses a penalty kick and loses a big game for his team. Paul Faustino, South America’s top sports reporter, is reluctantly drawn into the mystery of the athlete’s disappearance. As a story of corruption and murder unfolds, Faustino is forced to confront the bitter history of slavery and the power of the occult. A deftly woven mystery flush with soccer and suspense, this gripping novel is a thrilling read not to be missed.

Carnegie Medalist Mal Peet takes a searing look at the world of soccer and pop-celebrity culture -- and the lives of three street kids caught in its glare. (Age 14 and up) When a black South American soccer star signs on to a team in the country’s racist south, headlines blare. And when he falls for the sensual Desmerelda, a stunning white pop singer and daughter of a wealthy politician, their sudden and controversial marriage propels the pair to center stage, where they burn in the media spotlight. But celebrity attracts enemies; some very close to home. And its dazzle reaches into the city’s hidden corners, exposing a life of grit and desperation the glitterati could never imagine. When a girl is found murdered, reporter Paul Faustino is caught between worlds as he witnesses the power of the media in making -- and breaking -- lives. Inspired by Shakespeare’s OTHELLO, this modern tragedy of desire and betrayal, incisively and compassionately told, is a truly enthralling work of crossover fiction.

From acclaimed British sensation Mal Peet comes a masterful story of adventure, love, secrets, and betrayal in time of war, both past and present. When her grandfather dies, Tamar inherits a box containing a series of clues and coded messages. Out of the past, another Tamar emerges, a man involved in the terrifying world of resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Holland half a century before. His story is one of passionate love, jealousy, and tragedy set against the daily fear and casual horror of the Second World War -- and unraveling it is about to transform Tamar’s life forever.

From Carnegie Medal–winning author Mal Peet comes a sweeping coming-of-age adventure, both harrowing and life-affirming. Born of a brief encounter between a Liverpool prostitute and an African soldier in 1907, Beck finds himself orphaned as a young boy and sent overseas to the Catholic Brothers in Canada. At age fifteen he is sent to work on a farm, from which he eventually escapes. Finally in charge of his own destiny, Beck starts westward, crossing the border into America and back, all while the Great Depression rages on. What will it take for Beck to understand the agonies of his childhood and realize that love is possible?

How hard can it be to write a fantasy trilogy? From Carnegie Medalist Mal Peet comes an outrageously funny black comedy about an impoverished literary writer who makes a pact with the devil. Award-winning YA author Philip Murdstone is in trouble. His star has waned. The world is leaving him behind. His agent, the ruthless Minerva Cinch, convinces him that his only hope is to write a sword-and-sorcery blockbuster. Unfortunately, Philip—allergic to the faintest trace of Tolkien—is utterly unsuited to the task. In a dark hour, a dwarfish stranger comes to his rescue. But the deal he makes with Pocket Wellfair turns out to have Faustian consequences. The Murdstone Trilogy is a richly dark comedy described by one U.K. reviewer as “totally insane in the best way possible.”

Carnegie Medalist Mal Peet ignites an epic tale of young love against the dramatic backdrop of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Can love survive a lifetime? When working-class Clem Ackroyd falls for Frankie Mortimer, the gorgeous daughter of a wealthy local landowner, he has no hope that it can. After all, the world teeters on the brink of war, and bombs could rain down any minute over the bleak English countryside – just as they did seventeen years ago as his mother, pregnant with him, tended her garden. This time, Clem may not survive. Told in cinematic style by acclaimed writer Mal Peet, this brilliant coming-of-age novel is a gripping family portrait that interweaves the stories of three generations and the terrifying crises that define them. With its urgent sense of history, sweeping emotion, and winning young narrator, Mal Peet''s latest is an unforgettable, timely exploration of life during wartime.

This collection of seven well-known nursery rhymes are carefully illustrated and chosen because they are likely to be familiar to children. The verse have strong rhythmic and rhyming qualities and the child will be able to use his/her knowledge of these to help them read the printed version.

It''s 1945 and Martin Heath, like many men at that time, is struggling to settle, to find his place again after the horrors of war. Then an old comrade sends him a letter and tells him of a position that''s just come up in the remote wilds of Dartmoor - working for an elderly fellow called Mr Godley. "Are you a good driver, Mr Heath?" It''s a simple question and a simple task and the doorway to a dark mystery that may just turn out to be the escape he was hoping for - but at what cost?

A boy and his dog set sail in search of treasure, braving stormy seas, snowy mountains, and other challenging obstacles, before finally reaching the end of their quest: the treasure of Pirate Frank.

Monkeys come to the rescue of a struggling family in this traditional tale from a Carnegie Medal winner.Tashi lives in a tiny village below the tea plantations where her mother earns a living. One day her mother falls ill, and Tashi must pick tea to earn the money for a doctor. But she is too small to reach the tender shoots and the cruel Overseer sends her away empty-handed. Tashi needs a miracle. Then, on the mountains high above the plantation where only monkeys live, something extraordinary happens that will change her life for ever...

Let the creators of Cloud Tea Monkeys take you back to medieval Mongolia in this captivating story gem about family, danger, banditry and kite-flying.From Owl Babies illustrator, Patrick Benson, and from the creators of the Kate Greenaway shortlisted Cloud Tea Monkeys, comes a captivating story set in medieval Mongolia - a story of family, danger, banditry and kite-flying. Set at a caravanserai along the Silk Road, Night Sky Dragons is the tale of Yazul, a young boy who spends most of his time with his grandfather in his workshop, making kites. More than anything, Yazul wants the approval of his father, the lord of the han, but his love of kite-making only ever seems to cause disappointment: "Travel and trade are what matters," his father says. One day, the han becomes surrounded by a group of bandits. Everyone becomes trapped within the walls of the han and with the bandits waiting them out, food becomes scarce and spirits rapidly fall. However, Yazul has an idea... With the help of his grandfather he might just be able to scare the bandits away and save the han!

This collection of seven well-known nursery rhymes are carefully illustrated and chosen because they are likely to be familiar to children. The verse have strong rhythmic and rhyming qualities and the child will be able to use his/her knowledge of these to help them read the printed version.

An utterly stunning, powerful and unforgettable novella by the highly acclaimed and much missed Mal Peet. Featuring sensitive full colour illustrations by talented rising star, Emma Shoard. When a man returns to his childhood home and visits the derelict tree house in which his father once chose to live, he recalls the past unravelling of his family, the unspoken strangeness of their lives, and the impact on his own adult life. Beautiful, sparse and insightful storytelling. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 14+

Alf loves soccer, but is he good enough? F&P: E, RR/DLL: 8, DRA2: 6, Stage: Early, Type: Nonfiction

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum inNorthern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Non-Fiction" strand is a series of colourful, lively information books. They can be used to teach valuable information retrieval and research skills, and they enable children to learn to read and write a range of different text types. The books can be used with children at different levels ofreading ability for shared reading with the teacher, guided reading, or independent reading. The First Non-Fiction books are designed to be used with children at Reception or Year 1. They present a range of text types on a variety of infant topics at a very low reading level (there is normally nomore than one or two lines of text per page). The books are available in both standard and ''big book'' format.Make a Milk-shake contains instructions to a child for making a simple chocolate milk-shake.

Prince Hal wanted the moon. Did his servants, Grim and Crumb, catch it for him?

Matt Haig, Derek Landy, Philip Reeve, Joseph Delaney, Susan Cooper, Mal Peet, Berlie Doherty, Robin Jarvis, Eleanor Updale, Jamila Gavin and Sam Llewellyn have come together to bring you eleven spine-tingling stories. Watch your step as you take a ghost walk around the ancient city of York and a long-ago woodland which is reawakening. Be warned of the drowned boy who will stop at nothing to find someone to play with for all time. Look into the mirror, where a lost child lurks, ready to pull you in, and try not to cry out at the monstrous creatures prowling for their next victim. Some stories will make you scream, some will make you shiver - but all will haunt you long after you''ve put the book down.

A story about camels, lost princesses and the strength of wisdom and knowledge. It begins with a disgruntled camel, desperately trying to protect a little baby from a violent desert storm whipping up all around him.

"Zog and zebra went to play but something was hidden in the grass."--Back cover

A wide-ranging guide to designing, making and maintaining all sorts of gardens from pots and flower boxes to large-scale school gardens.

"''In the end'' is a graphic text that focuses on Billy. When Billy was a young man in 1912, he saw his town torn apart by strikers and strike breakers as workers fought for their rights in the goldmining town of Waihi. Years later, Billy is fighting in the trenches in Europe and has become friends with another Waihi man, Don. But Don''s memories of the strike are very different from Billy''s. In this graphic novel format that is set during both wars, dramatic events lead to a revelation that changes the way Billy and Don think about sides"--Publisher''s information. Includes background information on the 1912 Waihi Goldminers'' Strike. In graphic novel format.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences are brought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. In the Stage 1Duck Green Stories, the reception class children find out more about life at Duck Green School, rescue an injured baby bird, and attend a Bonfire Night fireworks party. The books are available in both standard and `big book'' format.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum inNorthern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences arebrought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. Stage 4 of Duck Green Stories reinforces earlier sight vocabulary and introduces 20 new key words. We also meet the children in Miss Ross''s class, including Poppy''s brothers, Mike and Spike, and Leela Lalloo, whose grandparents own The Treasure Chest. The books are available in both standard and`big book'' format.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum inNorthern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences arebrought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. The Starter Stage is a mixture of wordless books and books with minimal text, introducing the reception class at Duck Green School and their teacher, Mrs Best. The books are available both in standard and `big book'' format.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences are brought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. In the Stage 2Duck Green Stories, we learn more about what Mrs Best''s reception class like doing and find out more about Cheep, the baby bird. We also meet Buzz and Josh, the Year 1 children. The books are available in both standard and `big book'' format.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Letters, Sounds, and Rhymes" strand is a unique programme, developing phonological awareness and phonics knowledge throughout the infant years. The Rhyming Stories are six little books featuring one CVC (consonent/vowel/consonent) rhyme family per book. The books focus on developing children''s ability to hear the sounds in words, particularly initial sounds and rhymes. The books are produced in big book format for use with classes or groups, andlittle book format for individual or group/guided reading.

A boy''s hand-built wooden boat becomes an ark of survival in this fascinating, literate tale from Mal Peet and Tudor Humphries. As the rains batter a child''s home he begins a curious, personal relationship with the insects and bugs that struggle against the rising waters. Beautifully told, wondrously illustrated, A Floating World is a singular tale of a boy''s world both real and imaginary.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences are brought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. The Starter Stage is a mixture of wordless books and books with minimal text, introducing the reception class at Duck Green School and their teacher, Mrs Best. The books are available both in standard and `big book'' format.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences are brought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. In the Stage 2Duck Green Stories, we learn more about what Mrs Best''s reception class like doing and find out more about Cheep, the baby bird. We also meet Buzz and Josh, the Year 1 children. The books are available in both standard and `big book'' format.

Introducing the final stage of Duck Green School stories to complete the KS1 guided reading series. The Great Stew Disaster: Everyone is starving in the fishing village. There is nothing to eat. Then a boy finds an old frying pan with magical powers. This could be the answer to their prayers.

Introducing the final stage of Duck Green School stories to complete the KS1 guided reading series. The Magic Number: All the children have gone counting crazy. Spike''s head is spinning with numbers. He MUST solve the clues to win the game.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum inNorthern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Letters, Sounds, and Rhymes" strand is a unique programme, developing phonological awareness and phonics knowledge throughout the infant years. The Rhyming Stories are six little books featuring one CVC (consonent/vowel/consonent) rhyme family per book. The books focus on developing children''s ability to hear the sounds in words, particularly initial sounds and rhymes. The books are produced in big book format for use with classes orgroups, and little book format for individual or group/guided reading.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences are brought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. In Stage 6it''s Sports Day and Josh is determined to win a race, some ducks have a treat when they come to school, and Cheep gets into a sticky situation. In the fantasy tales Cinderella is reinterpreted in Leela and the Lost Shoe, Gulliver''s Travels is reinterpreted in The Rescue, and The Emperor''s Nightingale is reinterpreted in The Songbird. Duck Green School stories introduce key word vocabulary in the context of a familiar setting and familiar characters.

The Oxford Literacy Web is an exciting new literacy programme designed to guide schools successfully through the primary years. Fitting the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy, National Curriculum in England and Wales, English Language 5-14 in Scotland, and Common Curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Oxford Literacy Web guides pupils through the core skills associated with learning to read and write with a diverse range of literary styles within the genres of fiction, non-fiction, rhymes, language, and poetry. The "Fiction" strand: there can be no better way to learn to read than through the Duck Green School and Variety story strands. Exciting stories, hilarious events, and dynamic illustrations combine to ensure diversity and enjoyment. In the Duck Green School stories, early school experiences are brought to life through a cast of lovable characters. Children can enjoy their own `soap opera'' while learning specific vocabulary in context. In Stage 5 Duck Green Stories a fantasy element is introduced through the storytelling of Leela''s grandparents, Mr and Mrs Lalloo. We learn about the sneezing dragon and Wiz, the Weather Wizard, Leela plans a surprise for Poppy, and Jo gets hiccups! The final 36 key words are introduced at this stage. The books are available in both standard and `big book'' format.