Alan Durant

Meet Callum Cooper. He and four other academy players have been given the chance to join the First Team for a major pre-season tournament. It's a big step up. Will they be up to the challenge?

“A gem.” – Telegraph“Filled with warmth and humour, this short novel would suit children aged nine and over.” – Guardian“Sweet, funny and heartwarming ... absolutely worth a read.” – Glasgow HeraldClownfish is a moving and stunningly original story of friendship and life after loss, from the award-winning author Alan Durant. Dak's dad has been dead for seven days when suddenly he reappears. He's the same in almost every way, with one startling exception: Dad has turned into a clownfish, and now lives in a tank at their local aquarium. Dak is delighted by the news – he has Dad back, even if he isn't quite as he was before. Deciding to keep Dad's transformation a secret, Dak visits him at the aquarium as often as he can, and ends up spending so much time there that they offer him a job. This is how he comes to meet Violet, the owner's prickly but kindhearted niece; when the aquarium is threatened with closure, the pair must work together to save it. For Dak, the stakes couldn't be higher … after all, if the aquarium shuts down, what will happen to the fish? In parts wry, moving and undoubtedly strange, this beautifully crafted story will stay with you long after the final page.As featured in the Reading Well Books on Prescription programme, supported by professional health bodies including NHS England and the Royal College of GPs.

A flamingo forgets something she was trying to remember--can any of the animals help?A flamingo stood in the middle of the lake, on one leg so she wouldn't forget. But, oh dear, she's forgotten what she shouldn't forget. A succession of animals comes past with some suggestions, apart from the hyena, who just laughs at her. Is it bath day that she's forgotten? No. Is it the Jungle Dance Contest she's forgotten? Nest-building Day? The Swimming Gala? No, no, and no. Finally another flamingo comes past--can he tell her what it is she has forgotten?

Sex killar och en tjej från olika sociala och kulturella bakgrunder dras alltid in i problem och en lärare föreslår att de ska starta ett fotbollslag och spela i den lokala serien. Men kan de hålla sig borta från bråk och strul tillräckligt länge för att ta sig vidare?I boken Kicking Off som ingår i serien Bad Boyz följer vi sju fotbollstokiga killar och tjejer som drömmer om att vinna Little League Cupen och åka på turné i Frankrike. Serien vänder sig till läsare från ca 12 år.

This exciting mystery story will keep readers gripped, as brothers Joe and Carl quickly realise it’s not always best to keep what you find. Written by Alan Durant. Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.Text type: A mystery storyCurriculum links: P.E.

In a snowy meadow outside her house, Little Bo-Peep is looking for her missing sheep. Where have they gone? Did they escape or were they kidnapped? This looks like another Nursery Crime!

Build your child’s reading confidence at home with books at the right level Everyone at Parkfield School thinks that Spider McDrew is a hopeless case. He is always muddling things up and saying or doing the wrong thing. In this story, his class visit the local museum to learn about life in Roman times. As usual, Spider's mind wanders and he finds himself in the wrong part of the museum looking at other things instead! Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.Text type – A humorous story.Pages 30 and 31 show the artefacts that caught Spider’s eye, providing an opportunity to recap the story.Curriculum links – History: Romans, Ancient Egypt; Art and Design: Investigating patterns.Another great story about the lovable Spider McDrew. by Alan Durant.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

When Buzz and Bingo went down to the woods one day, they got a big surprise! They met a charming prince, a big bad wolf, seven little men and an old woman. But where was the beautiful girl that every one was looking for? Children will enjoy spotting the familiar characters and plot changes as the traditional stories are skillfully woven together. Gold/Band 9 fiction books offer developing readers literary language and stories with distinctive characters.Text type – A humorous story.A map on pages 22 and 23 tracks the trail that Buzz and Bingo follow through the forest so children can retell the story in their own words.Curriculum links – Citizenship: People who help us.This is the second title in the Buzz and Bingo seriesThis book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

In these twelve stories, enter teenage purgatory at its most honest, and meet a whole host of characters you'll quickly recognise: a secret admirer, burning up with jealousy and desire;

`This is a textbook for the times, which addresses itself brilliantly to the twin phenomena of expanding horizons and diminishing resources of English studies.' - David Lodge

The queen has given birth to her baby and all animals are going to visit them with their gift. But the kind rabbit can't find a gift that suits the queen's baby. It's getting late for the party, so rabbit lights up a lamp and goes to the party without a gift. She's not aware that she's taking the perfect gift for the queen and the baby.

On a hot summer day, the elephant family decides to do something fun and visit the Human Town Junior and Lulu, the elephants become dissapointed to see humans are not taking good care of their environment. Does this mean humans will soon be extinct? asks Junior. This story is a playful look from outside to what humans are doing to the planet and to themselves.

The big day has arrived. Callum is playing for Stanford FC in the final of a major pre-season tournament, the Cathay Cup. If Callum does well, he could win a professional football contract. Will this be the kick-off or the final whistle of his football career?

Academy footballer Jackson Mbemba has a lot going on. When he stands up to a gang leader on the estate where his family lives, it seems his day just couldn't get harder. But his football team, Stanford FC, still need to qualify for the final of the Cathay Cup. Will Jackson's split focus mean there's a penalty to pay?

The Cathay Cup final is fast approaching. There's a lot riding on this game for Academy hopeful Jackson. This is his chance to show his talent. But Jackson can't stop thinking about the racist abuse he's had from a teammate. He would rather ignore it and pretend it never happened, but deep down, he knows what he has to do.