294. Ratburger by David Walliams

Ratburger by David Walliams
Published October 2012 Harper Collins

From the publisher:

Hot on the heels of bestselling Gangsta Granny comes another hilarious, action-packed and touching novel - the story of a little girl called Zoe. Things are not looking good for Zoe. Her stepmother Sheila is so lazy she gets Zoe to pick her nose for her. The school bully Tina Trotts makes her life a misery - mainly by flobbing on her head. And now the evil Burt from Burt′s Burgers is after her pet rat! And guess what he wants to do with it? The clue is in the title...

It is no surprise that David Walliams has been described as the new Roald Dahl.  That may seem like a huge statement, and it may seem like Dahl's shoes would be impossible to fill, but if you have read one of Walliams' books you will know that  there is truth in this statement.  

293. Eighteen Kisses by Laura Jane Cassidy

Eighteen Kisses by Laura Jane Cassidy

Published September 2012 penguin (Puffin)

From the publisher:

18 kisses. 8 suspects, 1 victim . . . Jacki King loves being back in Dublin - she's enjoying the music scene and interning at Electric magazine. She still has flashbacks to the murder case she solved the year before, though her friends, especially Nick, keep her distracted.  Until, one day, Jacki's frightening nightmares begin again. And when the police contact her about a local missing girl, she knows the two are connected. Two years before, on her eighteenth birthday, Kayla Edwards disappeared.

No body has ever been found. But now Kayla is communicating with Jacki from beyond the grave - and she won't stop until the truth is revealed . . .

This is the second book about Jacki King and her ability to communicate with the dead.  I hadn’t read the first book Angel Kiss, but this books fine as a stand alone novel.  There have been a number of crime novels released lately for teenagers, which does make a nice change from sci-fi and fantasy.  This also has the supernatural element, as Jacki has been asked by the police for her help in a missing person case, she dreams about dead people.

292. Little Elephants by Graeme Base

Little Elephants by Graeme Base
Published September 2012 Penguin

From the publisher:
The wheat is ripe, but the harvester is broken and a plague of locusts is on the way. It looks as if Jim and his mother may lose the farm. But when Jim show kindness to a stranger, their fortunes are set to change in the most surprising way imaginable!

I found this book to be quite different from Graeme Base’s other books.  His books tend to be either completely based in reality or completely fantastical.  This story has elements of both.

291. Survival Squad Book 2: Search and Rescue by Jonathan Rock

Survival Squad Book 2: Search and Rescue by Jonathan Rock

Published October 2012 Red Fox

From the publisher:

The Tiger Patrol are excited about the winter snow this year, they’re preparing for their own Winter Olympics and even training with the local Search and Rescue team. Then the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a young girl goes missing in a snow blizzard. The Tiger Patrol must work together to save the day. It's another adventure for the Tigers, are they prepared?

The Tiger Patrol are actually a Scout group.  I have very little knowledge of the Scouts, but a bit of ‘googling’ told me that as of 2008 there were 31 million registered Scouts and 10 million registered Guides world wide.  I think it’s fair to say that Scouting is BIG, and having Bear Grylls in your corner, promoting it probably doesn’t hurt either!

290. What’s Left Of Me by Kat Zhang

What’s Left Of Me by Kat Zhang

Published October 2012 Harper Collins

From the publisher:
Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else-two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren′t they settling? Why isn′t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn′t ....

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she′s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet, for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Here's another book that questions what makes us, 'us'.  In this book, all people are born with two souls.  For the first few years of life, these souls live 'literally' side by side within the same body.  each will have it's own unique characteristics, families will interact with each soul as if they were a different person.  Over the years, one soul becomes the dominant one, and the less dominant soul disappears, this is called 'settling'.  

289. A Medal For Leroy by Michael Morpurgo

A Medal for Leroy by Michael Morpurgo

Published October 2012 Harper Collins

From the publisher:

Michael doesn′t remember his father, who died in a Spitfire over the English Channel. And his mother, heartbroken and passionate, doesn′t like to talk about him. But then Michael′s aunt gives him a medal and a photograph, which begin to reveal a hidden story. A story of love, loss and secrets. A story that will change everything - and reveal to Michael who he really is...

I wasn't going to admit this, but when I first read the description of this book I thought it was actually about Michael Morpurgo, needless to say it isn't.  It was however inspired by a true story (details at the end of this post).  As with a number of Morpurgo's books, the story starts in the present day.  We then go back in time and find out how our characters got to this point.  

288. There's An Alien In My Belly Button by Jimmy Mars

There's An Alien In My Belly Button by Jimmy Mars

Published September 2012 Jelly Pie EUK Fiction

From the publisher:

A giggle-tastic tale of cheese, chums and chimples! If you like Captain Underpants, you'll LOVE this . Binko the alien is in for a shock when he crash lands in Pete Perkins' belly button. Pete's a bit surprised too. Life's great when you have a good friend. Even better when your buddy is an alien who lives in your bellybutton...

This book is a super fast read, perfect for boys who haven’t quite jumped on the reading bandwagon.  Within the first 20 pages there’s mention of snot, wee, toe cheese and bottom burps.