The Hound of the Baskervilles – Published 1902 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Introduction by Benedict Cumberbatch from Ebury Press £6.99

When I decided to read this book I approached it with high expectations. I knew from the start that it would be gripping but I had no idea what was coming. Set largely on Dartmoor, Devon, even the description of the moor sent shivers down my spine. When the owner and sole inhabitant of Baskerville Hall, Sir Charles Baskerville, is mysteriously found dead one morning, things look pretty grim for Sir Henry Baskerville who now owns the hall. Dr Watson, sent down by Mr Sherlock Holmes himself to investigate the mystery, finds that really all is not as it may seem. With a convict on the loose and a word of warning from the neighbour’s wife Miss Stapleton, trouble is brewing, but who was responsible?

Reviewed by Lucy Lipfriend, 14, from Northwood

Emil and the Detectives By Erich Kästner New edition published 2012 by Vintage Classics £5.99

Emil is a boy who lives in Neustadt in Germany with his hard working mother. Unfortunately his father is dead. The story is about when Emil goes by train on his own to visit relatives in Berlin. He takes a suitcase, flowers and £7. On the train he meets a man in a bowler hat who says his name is Mr Grundeis. Emil falls asleep and when he wakes up the money is gone and so is Mr Grundeis. Emil thinks Mr Grundeis has stolen his money and gets off the train to try and find him. Luckily Emil meets some boys including Gustav and the Professor. Together they make a plan to catch the thief. Do they succeed and catch the thief?

Reviewed By Tilly Lipfriend, 10, from Northwood

Archie Greene and the Magician’s Secret by DD Everest Published September 2014 by Faber and Faber £9.99

Our hero, 12-year-old Archie Green, is brought up by his grandmother, later moves to live with his kind but eccentric aunt, uncle, and cousins and with them works in the Oxford Museum of Magical Miscellany. Here spells come to life, bookshelves are enchanted and librarians are sorcerers. Mythological beasts dwell in the depths of the Museum. The gift of an ancient book takes Archie into dangerous adventures and quests about his extraordinary family. His escapades include travelling back to Tudor times to learn the secrets of John Dee, court magician of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Accidental Time Traveller by Janis Mackay Published by Floris Books £5.99

The Time Traveller in this book is 11-year-old Agatha Black, who is transported from the Scotland of 1812 to modern day Peebles when her father’s scientific experiment misfires. Agatha is befriended by Saul and his gang. They introduce her to life in the 21st Century, take her to school (in disguise) and eventually help her to return home to 1812. Agatha in turn teaches Saul about her life, which provides him with valuable information for his history project. This is a story about friendship and differences, presented in a humorous and understanding way. The character of Agatha is inspired by a real girl, Marjory Fleming, who lived in Fife in the early 1800s.

The Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen Published by Random House Children’s Books January 2015 £6.99

This a terrific story about a 10-year-old boy called Ade who lives in the top of a tower block of flats. His mother, he slowly realises, doesn’t leave the flat at all. Is she agoraphobic? Ade confides in his friend Gaia who suggests a doctor but Ade’s mother won’t hear of it. Plants start to appear and buildings fall down for no reason. It has a flavour of Day of the Triffids about it. It is full of suspense and danger and keeps you guessing to the end.

Sorry About Me, Darcy Burdock Book 3 by Laura Dockrill Published by Random House Children’s Books July 2014 £5.99

These books, energetically illustrated, are funny as well as quirky. Darcy is a 10-year-old would-be writer who finds comfort in writing things in her writing book. She has a pet lamb called Lamb-Beth who accompanies her on her adventures. Darcy is feisty, loyal and funny. Her character perfectly captures the logic of a child and her observations are very shrewd.