At a royal wedding celebration, a group of fireworks discuss life, philosophy and politics. One supercilious rocket considers himself to be particularly "remarkable". A witty fable on the subject of vanity, The Remarkable Rocket was first published in The Happy Prince and Other Tales in 1888.

The stunning new 10+ story from the bestselling and award-winning author of TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER, for anyone who loved the humour of WALL-E, the action of STAR WARS and the deeply touching emotion of ET.A small village in the wilds of Northumberland is rocked by the disappearance of twelve-year-old Tammy. Only her twin brother, Ethan, knows she is safe – and the extraordinary truth of where she is. It is a secret he must keep, or risk never seeing her aga...

Phantasmagoria, Lewis Carroll's longest poem, was first published by Macmillan and Co., London, in 1869. Written in seven cantos, it tells the tale, in quintains, of a gentleman called Tibbets and his experience conversing with a phantom. This amusing "epic" takes us through their initial fear of each other, a fierce debate over the goings-on of the supernatural world, and finally, to a touching mutual admiration.

The astonishing, beautiful new story for all readers of 10 and over from the bestselling and Costa-shortlisted author of TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER.There are stories about people who want to live forever.This is not one of those stories.This is a story about someone who wants to stop…Alfie Monk is like any other nearly teenage boy – except he’s 1,000 years old and can remember the last Viking invasion of England.Obviously no one believes him....

A classic short story from one of the most celebrated writers of the 19th century. A Child's Dream of a Star is Charles Dickens' beautiful tale of a brother's love for his deceased sister. First published in 1850.

“Collins’s piercing exploration of faith, sacrifice, and redemption gives this epic love story an intricate depth often missing in similar titles.” BOOK LIFE by PUBLISHERS WEEKLY“A complex and ambitious adventure for lovers of ancient historical romance.”- KIRKUS REVIEWS“A vivid interpretation and exploration of the legend deserving of widespread acclaim!” – MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW“An incredible story of Valentine’s life!" - HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANYRome, 268 A...

One of Dickens' best loved short stories, The Signalman is the mysterious tale of a railway worker haunted by premonitions of disaster. The titular signalman works on a remote and forbidding part of the line, and finds himself with an unexpected visitor in the form of a tourist (the story's narrator), but the travelling man is not the only stranger the signalman encounters at his post. Part supernatural horror and part phycological thriller, this entertaining short is a paragon of the Vict...

Eleven years after its original publication, this is the third edition of D’Lacey’s cult hit, containing an introduction by Michael Wilson and a brand-new foreword by the author.In Abyrne, a strange town surrounded by a wasteland, the eating of meat is a sacred obligation. The town’s strict laws are brutally enforced by a ruthless Baron and a merciless Bishop. Adored by the townsfolk is Richard Shanti, Abyrne’s famous bolt-gunner – the most efficient slaughterhouse worker in living...

Three extraordinary adventures from the bestselling and Costa-shortlisted author Ross Welford.TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER’My dad died twice. Once when he was thirty-nine and again four years later when he was twelve.’On Al Chaudhury’s twelfth birthday his beloved Grandpa Byron gives him a letter from Al’s late father. In it Al receives a mission: travel back to 1984 in a secret time machine and save his father’s life.WHAT ...

The landmark new novel from Ross Welford, one of the fastest-growing and most critically acclaimed middle grade authors in the UK, this funny, moving and brilliant sixth book cements his position as the most exciting storyteller around for readers of 10+.When eleven-year-old Malky and his younger brother Seb become the owners of a “Dreaminator”, they are thrust into worlds beyond their wildest imagination.From tree-top flights and Spanish galleons, to thril...

A charming short story by Oscar Wilde. Hugh Erskine is a fine young man with a big heart, but without means. In order to marry his sweetheart, he must first placate his lover's father, the Colonel, and amass a great fortune. First published in 1887 and later included in the "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories" collection of 1891.

This collection of short stories by Anton Chekhov are all set at Christmastime. Rather than depicting a sentimental image of Christmas, Chekhov paints a picture of the harsh reality faced by many of the poorer members of society during a bitter Russian winter, while still injecting elements of pathos and humour. This collection includes "At Christmas Time (Parts 1 & 2)", "Vanka" and "The Shoemaker and the Devil".