Stories that raise issues

When cub reporter Lesley is sent to Venice to interview a world-renowned violinist, she is told she can ask Paolo Levi anything about his life and career as a musician, but on no account must she ask him the Mozart question. But it is Paulo himself who decides that it is time for the truth to be told. Illustrated by Michael Foreman.

Get a copy of 'The Mozart question'

A boy's world is ruin and rubble, with a wire fence and soldiers separating him from the cool hills where his father used to take him as a small child. Can a tiny, green plant shoot give him hope in a bleak landscape?

Get a copy of 'A child's garden'

Sam doesn't want to be friends with Davey – in fact, he thinks he's a moron. Then one day Davey saves Sam's life and a bond is formed between them that develops into an extraordinary friendship. This story is told in verse, in the first person, and is illustrated by Helen van Vliet.

Get a copy of 'Cloud busting'

Fred is an adored family cat who slept all the time apart from taking the occasional break to eat. Only after his death do Sophie and Nick discover that by night he was the Elvis of the cat-world, Famous Fred, the most famous cat in the world, with hordes of devoted fans.

Get a copy of 'Fred'

A young boy hears the story of his great-great-great-grandfather and his brother who came to the United States to make a better life for themselves helping to build the transcontinental railroad. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet.

Get a copy of 'Coolies'

Shane, a young street kid, calms and befriends a fierce alley cat. With the little cat tucked inside his jacket, Shane makes his way home through the bleak and threatening streets of a big city at night. Illustrated in charcoal and pastel by Gregory Rogers.

Get a copy of 'Way home'

Thembi and her great-grandmother, Gogo, are inseparable. So when Gogo hears that black South Africans will be allowed to vote in a government election, they go together to cast her vote. This is a child's-eye view of a milestone in South African history. Illustrated by Sharon Wilson.

Get a copy of 'The day Gogo went to vote'

Joe and John Henry are best of friends. But being black in the South in 1964, John Henry isn't allowed to do everything his friend can like using the swimming pool together – until the Civil Rights Act is passed and Joe and his friend challenge the prejudices of the town.

Get a copy of 'Freedom summer'

Mr Bear is old, grumpy and unpopular. But he shows he has a caring nature when he rescues a cruelly-treated dancing bear from a fair.

Get a copy of 'Mr Bear and the bear'