Monthly Archives: December 2015

"These violent delights have violent ends."
Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 Scene 6

Romeo and Juliet believe nothing can part them. But Romeo is bitten by a zombie and knows he'll soon turn into one.

Can their love survive in a world that believes humans and zombies should never be together?

What could capture a reluctant teenage reader's interest more than Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with a zombie twist?!

Tim Collins has excelled himself in creating this truly imaginative version, making an all-time favourite into a tense and eerie story. Featuring fantastic two-tone illustrations by Aleksandar Sotirovski, West Side Zombie is guaranteed to appeal to both girls and boys.

With short sentences and simple language, Tim has made this title an accessible and modern 'way in' to Shakespeare for teenagers with a reading age of just 6-7. Featuring dyslexia-friendly font and line spacing, this short read consisting of 500-600 words provides a gripping, mature

"Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster..."
Othello, Act 3 Scene 3

Gang leader Otis is dating super-smart Desire. Her love is the only thing keeping him in school.
But Iggy, Otis's gang rival, wants him gone. And he knows just what to do.

As Iggy weaves a web of lies and betrayal, it's soon clear that this story can only end in heartbreak.

The tragic story of Otis is based on Shakespeare's Othello, with main characters named Otis (Othello), Desire (Desdemona) and Iggy (Iago). The story is set in a school, where sinister behaviour from one of the pupils leads to an escalation in circumstances with devastating effects.

Much like its inspiration, Otis highlights the sad futility of crimes of passion – and also teen violence. This is captured brilliantly in both Tony Lee's text and Kevin Hopgood's illustrations.

Ed needs to make some money quickly!

He has run out of t-shirt design ideas and needs to think up some new ones.

Where on Earth is he going to come up with these new ideas?

Ed has hit a brick wall with his t-shirt business. Luckily, he gets some help from some mysterious night time visitors. But who are they? And how can he repay them?

Based on the fairy tale The Elves and the Shoemaker, this magical tale from Andy Seed contains all the elements needed to engage otherwise reluctant readers. The interest level is pitched at age 10-13, with an inclusive and encouraging reading age of 6-7.

Other features to aid comprehension include story facts and questions, short sentences, line breaks and a vocabulary page. Also, perhaps most importantly, enhancing Andy's words are brilliant illustrations by Rachael Smith. Buy the book to see them all!

Josh loves to play practical jokes on people, but what happens when he takes his alien pranks too far?

What could possibly go wrong?

Author Danny Pearson took inspiration for this story from The Boy Who Cried Wolf, only he has replaced the wolf with aliens!

This weird and wacky story is sure to entertain reluctant readers aged roughly 10-13, whilst aiding their comprehension and engagement in the reading process. The enjoyment will only be enhanced by Abby Ryder's fantastic illustrations, which are humorous, colourful and downright endearing.

Features of the book include a vocabulary and character introduction page, interesting story facts and questions to ensure concentration and full understanding.

The Boy Who Cried Aliens is a brilliant addition to this diverse series which would make a welcome addition to any school library.

"When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools."
King Lear, Act 4 Scene 6

It's 3035. There is no fuel left. Human brain-power is used instead.

TV talent shows like The Stage exist to keep people's brains buzzing.

But who are the performers, and what do they lose for a place in the spotlight? Do they even want to be there?

Do we care?

A fitting addition to our moody Dark Reads II collection, Bright Lights is based on one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies – King Lear. The story is set in a futuristic world, drawing further inspiration from dystopias such as The Hunger Games as well as the popular TV talent show format.

We are confident in this story's appeal to a teenage audience, and the low reading age of 6-7 specifically includes and encourages those teenagers who are otherwise reluctant or struggling readers. At no more than 600 words long, this story presents a realistic goal and therefore a real prospect

"The serpent that did sting thy father's life
Now wears his crown."
Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5

Sam keeps getting messages that seem to be coming from his dead father.

He thinks someone is playing a sick joke on him, and he wants to track them down.

But he soon uncovers a deadly secret that sets him on course for violent revenge.

Tim Collins has created a gripping new tale for reluctant and struggling readers, offering a tense but relatable retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Something Rotten is just one of the eight novels in our Dark Reads II series that have been specifically written to appeal to teenagers with a very low reading age of 6-7.

Featuring memorable two-tone, graphic novel style illustrations by Mark Penman, the reader is encouraged by both the striking pictures and the stimulating story. With a word count of no more than 600, these bite-sized books are perfect for those that are daunted at the thought of reading.

A fantastic twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Goldie Locked! successfully morphs into a clever and cunning detective plot. The Three Bears have been robbed, during the day too, which the DCI thinks is very unusual! The Bears have managed to give a good description to the police, who are on the case, but the very next day they are robbed again. Porridge is spilt on the table, chairs are broken and the bedrooms have been trashed. The Bears have had enough, they are going to take matters into their own paws!...

This amusing instalment of Once Upon Another Time, has been specifically written to enthral reluctant and struggling readers with an interest age of 10-13. With a word count of 500-750, Ian MacDonald's Goldie Locked! will captivate its reader and encourage those with a low reading age of 6-7 years. The imaginative illustrations on alternate pages by Marc Ellerby will reward the reader, helping to give them a sense of achievement as they turn the page.

With a humorous,