Lily balled her fists. Why don’t you leave her alone? she said, stepping forward to shield Molly from the two girls. Murder, mayhem and mystery meet in this gripping Victorian adventure, nominated for numerous awards; including the Carnegie Medal, the Waterstones Book Prize and the Branford Boase.

Cogheart - Resources for Teachers Upper KS2 Resource Cogheart - Resources for Teachers

As John watched it through the open hatch, shrinking away in the sky, an image of his daughter, Lily, flashed into his mind. If only he could see her one last time. Tell her the truth about the past. He should’ve done it long ago, but he’d not been brave enough. Now Malkin would have to take care of things. Everything was in the letter. Molly raised her head and snuffled away an oily tear. Sorry, Miss. I didn’t hear you come in. I should probably go. There’s no point living in fear of what might be when it prevents you enjoying the freedom of what is.”Lily’s father had chosen to send her to the school after she’d frustrated a number of governesses. His main criterion: it was out of the way and no one there would ask questions about her. He’d even given her a false surname: Grantham – a combination of G for Grace (from her mother), and Hartman – their real surname. He never explained why, or what he was trying to hide her from, but since the time of Mama’s death he’d become preoccupied with keeping Lily’s whereabouts a secret, even moving them from London to deep in the countryside. Lily suspected he was just a natural born worrier, though he still insisted she have the life of a normal well-bred Victorian young lady. The year is 1826, and the four Belle siblings arrive at their new home in Tambling Village. Acton, the youngest member of the Belle family, immediately befriends a bright, red robin, leading him to discover a hidden key. Lily sighed. It was exhausting dealing with such idiots. Don’t be ridiculous, she told them. Of course they have feelings. They’re no different to you or me.

Cogheart | BookTrust

The trouble was, Lily reflected, as she sneaked up the last set of stairs to the girls’ dormitory, she didn’t want the life of a well-bred Victorian young lady, she wanted the life of an air-pirate. Swept into the bright hustle and bustle of New York, Lily, Robert and Malkin discover shadowy secrets lie beneath its surface. For there are chilling goings-on in their hotel… A strange boy held captive, haunted by an undersea mystery; and a revengeful villain with a treacherous plan. I said I was sorry, Lily protested as the Kraken dragged her down the corridor, pulling her along by the scruff of her blouse. Besides, she hit me first. Peter Bunzl is a British author, animator and filmmaker who lives in North London. After studying at art college and film school, Peter worked as an animator on commercials, pop videos and 2 BAFTA winning children’s TV shows. He also wrote and directed several successful short films before he became a children’s writer.John smiled. Secrets. Tell her to keep them safe. She mustn’t tell anyone about them, not ever. Can you remember that? And no thinking either. The Kraken folded her arms across her chest. She’d turned a most putrid shade of puce; it perfectly matched her purple dress. Perhaps it was her tight corsets that made her face flush so? But there’s something sinister about the hybrid children who appear as part of the act. And before Lily and Robert can do anything, they’re captured by shadowy figures and whisked off in the mysterious flying circus to somewhere far, far away… Feelings and intuition, love and compassion, those are the things make a soul, not blood and bones or machine parts.” And what young lady needs to know that? The Kraken took a deep breath. No. I’m afraid, Miss Grantham, I have to confiscate it. And if you’ve any similar stories, you’d better hand them over right away.

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl - THE LITERACY SHED Cogheart by Peter Bunzl - THE LITERACY SHED

How dare you! Lucretia grabbed the last of the sheets from Molly, and threw them on the floor. Look what you’ve done, you stupid mech, you’ve dyed them pink!Go then, mech, Lucretia spat. Run along, before you’re thrown on the scrap heap. She smiled triumphantly at Alice. Working together, it didn’t take them long to change the majority of the beds, and once the blankets were on you could hardly tell the bottom sheets had been dyed the wrong colour. They’d nearly finished, and were making up the last mattress at the top of the dormitory, when a noise made them both whirl round. With a fishing boat in peril on the sea, Deryn has to seek help from an unusual source. Will she be able to keep the lantern lit through the dark, dangerous night? The first in an enchanting new historical-fantasy adventure series from the bestselling author of The Cogheart Adventures.

Blog 3 — Peter Bunzl

Why don’t you pay attention, you galumphing lump? the Kraken shouted. What’ve you got to say for yourself? The bell rang and the other girls scrabbled across the floor, grabbing their books and slamming them shut. They piled the volumes on the Kraken’s desk and lined up against the wall, waiting for the signal to leave.Tumble down the rabbit hole again to find out what happens in Wonderland without Alice there. Is the Queen of Hearts still ruling with an iron fist? Does the Mad Hatter still have to go to tea? And will Tweedledum and Tweedledee ever resolve their argument? Emily Lonsdale, age 10 - 'Though I found the plot a little slow, I would recommend it if you were looking for something different.'