Intermediate (ages 9-14)

Material appropriate for intermediate age groups

The Plant Hunters

Driven by an all-consuming passion, the plant hunters traveled around the world, facing challenges at every turn: tropical illnesses, extreme terrain, and dangerous animals.  They battled piranhas, tigers, and vampire bats.  Even the plants themselves could be lethal!  But these intrepid eighteenth and nineteenth century explorers were determined to find and collect new and unusual specimens, no matter what the cost.  Then they tried to transport the plants- and themselves- home alive.  Creating an important legacy in science, medicine, and agriculture, the plant hunters still inspire the scientific and environmental work of contemporary plant enthusiasts.

Working from primary sources–journals, letters and notes from the field– Anita Silvey introduces us to these daring adventures and scientists.  She takes readers into the heart of their expeditions to then-uncharted places such as the Amazon basin, China and India.  As she brings a colorful cast of characters to life, she shows what motivated these Indiana Jones-type heroes.  In The Plant Hunters, science, history, and adventure have been interwoven to tell a largely forgotten- yet fascinating- story.

The Hero Of Little Street

When a boy being chased through present-day London seeks refuge in the National Gallery, a dog escapes from the painting of one Dutch master and together they leap into the painting of another, where their adventures in seventeenth-century Delft are a prelude to returning to London and continuing the chase.

The Crossing

This young, lyrical picture book reveals the adventure and natural wonders that Lewis and Clark encountered on their Western expedition in the early 1800s. Told from the point of view of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the baby on Sacagawea’s back, this story offers a fresh perspective of a young country and gives voice to a character readers will already be familiar with–at least visually (the baby is shown on the golden Sacagawea dollar).

Soldier’s Game

Ross is fed up with being on the losing side, as Bruntsfield Primary football team suffer another humiliating defeat. But after football practice each week he goes to visit his grandmother, and this week she has a special present for him. Pat digs out a pair of old football boots and strip which belonged to her father, who once played for Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Ross is amazed that his great-grandfather, Jack, had played for the famous Hearts. As he finds out more about Jack, an incredible story unfolds — a tale of Edinburgh’s young heroes and a battalion of footballers and fans who fought in the First World War at the Battle of the Somme. Based on the true story of the 16th Royal Scots, otherwise known as the ‘Heart of Midlothian Battalion’, this moving book brings a fascinating moment of Scottish history to life. Jim Killgore interweaves the present day life of an ordinary football-mad boy with a story of young men who were sent to war. He focuses on the friendships that develop as the lads play football and learn to become soldiers together, making this remarkable story enjoyable and accessible for young people.

Legends Of King Arthur

These ancient tales have been told since the fifth century, when Welsh bards traveled the countryside, entertaining lords and ladies with stories and songs. Retold in verse by Chretien de Troyes in his twelfth-century Le morte d’Arthur and in prose by Sir Thomas Malory during the fifteenth century. Includes a selection of these legends, skillfully retold by renowned storyteller Isabel Wyatt.

Dragon Seeker

In his boundless quest for power, Lord Jezail has unearthed the terrible sword, Dragonslayer, from the depths of Edinburgh Castle, where it has lain buried for centuries. But the sword has its own agenda and, ensnared by its magic, Jezail becomes obsessed with the idea of killing Arthur, the MacArthurs’ wonderful dragon, and attacking the fabled Valley of the Dragons.

His actions so enrage the Lords of the North that they set off after him, as the World of Magic finds itself on the brink of war. Can friends and foes unite to save the world they know and love? What is Count Vassili’s secret? How did Arthur end up with the MacArthurs in the first place?

Witches, wolf people, MacArthurs and magicians join forces with Neil and Clara MacLean in this final dragon-filled adventure.

Magnus Fin and the Moonlight Mission

On his eleventh birthday, Magnus Fin found out that he was half selkie―part human and part seal. Although he looks like a boy and lives on land, he can breathe underwater.

When Magnus Fin discovers his initials scratched into the rocks by the shore and finds dead seals washed up on the beach, he knows his selkie family needs his help, and he dives down beneath the waves to find out more.

This is the sequel to Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest.

Storm Singing and Other Tangled Tasks

Helen and her fabled-beast friends help Rona the selkie in a Storm Singer competition. Rona wins by singing up an incredible storm, but part of the prize is to represent the selkies in a much bigger contest. Rona must compete in three gruelling challenges against a mermaid and a blue loon, and carry an important message between the deep sea powers, which will stop them going to war. She desperately needs the help of Helen and her friends. But a giant jellyfish and a terrifying conger eel are among those who will do anything to stop the message of peace getting through. Fans of Helen’s first two adventures will be eagerly awaiting this third thrilling instalment. Set in the north of Scotland, this story introduces yet more fabled beasts inspired by Scottish sea creatures and folklore.

The Wishcatchers

Antonia is sick of being bullied by Rosie, a mean girl at school. So when new girl Clarissa joins the school, Ant wishes Rosie would pick on her instead. in Ant’s seaside village, however, they have a special way of making wishes…children write down their wish, put it in a lobster creel, and row it out to Wishcatchers Point. Any wishes that disappear really do come true. Is it just coincidence? Or do the Wishcatchers really exist?
When Rosie starts to bully Clarissa, Ant realizes her mistake and tries to help. If they can discover why Rosie is such a bully and then make her wishes come true, maybe they can all become friends. Will the strange shell necklace that Ant has found help them finally to uncover the mystery of the Wishcatchers?

Alice-Miranda on Vacation

When Alice-Miranda goes home to her family’s lavish estate for the school holidays, along with her best friend Jacinta, their break is not exactly what they expected because of a cranky boy causing mischief, a visiting movie star, a snooping stranger, and a grandmother with a family secret.