With this book, 8-12 year-olds should never again cry, 'What will I read next? This is an up-to-date guide to the best children's books around - from classics to titles published at the end of 2003.

Adapted from another of her children's novels, Anne Fine's sensitive and poignant play for young people is accompanied by background materials and activities designed to answer English Framework objectives. This is her fifth title in the series.

How would you feel if your mother had royal-blue hair and wore lavender fishnet tights? But Minna's whole family is a bit unusual. Being the only sensible one is not easy for Minna.

One stormy night, five stranded schoolchildren uncover the story of Richard Clayton Harwick a boy who many years ago learned what it was like to have a truly wicked stepfather. But the children have stories of their own step-parents to tell stories that have warmth and humour, as well as sadness, and a fair share of happy endings. For children who have some similar experience, this novel will be therapeutic; for those who haven t it s an absorbing read, to make them laugh and cry Sunday Telegraph."

Everyone loves the wickedly dry sense of humour of The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine. Okay, Okay. So hang me. I killed the bird. For pity's sake, I'm a cat. Poor Ellie is horrified when Tuffy drags a dead bird into the house. Then a mouse. But Tuffy can't understand what all the fuss is about. Who on earth will be the next victim to arrive through the cat-flap? Can soft-hearted Ellie manage to get her beloved pet to change his wild, wild ways before he ends up in even deeper trouble? The hilarious antics of Tuffy and his family as told by the killer cat himself. 'Anne Fine knows how to...

Jennifer has a diary and Iolanthe doesn't. But Iolanthe does have a vivid imagination and a gift for writing stories. When she sees empty pages in Jennifer's diary, she can't help herself - they're clearly waiting for tales much more exciting than her friend's records of shop visits and weather. Iolanthe is so taken with the diary that soon sharing it is not enough and, eventually, she finds something to swop with Jennifer for it - extra stories to be available to order whenever Jennifer needs them.

When Rupert's parents go to Great Uncle Perry's funeral, Rupert spends the day with his Great Aunt Ada, along with his unruly puppy, Roly. Great Aunt Ada is determined to teach Rupert some manners. Rupert thinks the day is going to be awful until hemeets Gordon, a very rude parrot. Gorden is even worse than Great Aunt Ada, and he bosses Rupert and Roly so much that they tidy the whole house. They are relieved to get back home, but they do remember their manners

It's a dog's life for Anthony. Not only is he lacking the respect he deserves from the neighbourhood dogs and cats, but suddenly all he can do is scratch, scratch, scratch. And now bits of him are dropping off - yeuch Just when Anthony thinks things can't get any worse, he finds himself on the vet's table. What she has in mind is about to destroy the tiny shred of street cred he has left...

'Okay, okay. So slap my teensy little paws. I messed up - big time.' Tuffy can't wait for Ellie and the family to go away on holiday. He and the gang plan to ignore the grumpy new cat-sitter, and run wild all night. But could that furry bundle, suddenly flying through the air, put a stop to all the fun?

Tuffy knows what he likes. And he doesn't like the 'art' that Ellie's mum brings home from her new classes. So what's a cat to do? A few scratches here just happen to shred a painting. A nudge there somehow slips a vase off a shelf. Dad hope a horribly lumpy clay pot will be next, but Tuffy's having none of it.