Secondhand Chapter Book (Age 8-12) Bargain Book Box SP2229

Dive into this epic collection of modern children's literature, packed with guaranteed hits from the biggest names in storytelling. Featuring the fantastical mythology of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, the outrageous humour of David Walliams, and the timeless magic of Roald Dahl, this box offers endless hours of adventure and laughter. Whether you're looking for wartime historical fiction from Michael Morpurgo or the hilarious exploits of the Wimpy Kid, this curated selection promises to delight middle-grade readers and reluctant readers alike with its diverse range of themes and genres. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
   These six familiar fairytales have been hilariously retold and twisted with signature Dahl wit, injecting them with darkness and unexpected contemporary humor. Prepare for a very different Little Red Riding Hood who packs a pistol, and a Cinderella who prefers a simple, honest man over royalty. Dahl overturns the sweet, traditional narratives to reveal the wicked and funny truths hidden in the classic stories. This collection of satirical poetry is perfect for readers ready for a fresh, cynical take on happily ever after.

2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
   Young Charlie Bucket lives in poverty, dreaming of the day he can step inside the magical, mysterious chocolate factory run by Willy Wonka. When Wonka announces a contest hiding five Golden Tickets inside his candy bars, Charlie's luck changes and he finds himself invited to the strangest place on earth. Accompanied by four appalling children, Charlie navigates a world of fantastical inventions and learns lessons about humility and goodness. This timeless classic explores themes of greed, imagination, and the power of simple kindness.

3. The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl
   The narrator, an eight-year-old girl, possesses a powerful, uncontrollable ability: when she sees an injustice, her Magic Finger zaps the perpetrator with a life-altering spell. She is horrified when her neighbors, the Gregs, who love hunting, laugh at her protests against shooting ducks. When the girl unleashes the Magic Finger upon the family, the Gregs find themselves shrunk down to duck size, suddenly facing the dangers of their own habitat. This short, powerful novella is a sharp critique of animal cruelty and environmental disregard.

4. Grandpa's Great Escape by David Walliams
   Jack’s beloved Grandpa, a decorated WWII flying ace, suffers from Alzheimer's and is moved to a miserable care home called Twilight Towers. Grandpa continually mistakes Jack for his old co-pilot and plots his escape, dreaming of flying his Spitfire one last time. When Jack discovers the care home’s sinister matron is scheming to steal Grandpa’s valuable medals, the pair must embark on a spectacular and daring escape plan. This funny, heartfelt adventure is a poignant exploration of memory, family bonds, and the fight against injustice.

5. Waiting for Anya by Michael Morpurgo
   Set in a small mountain village in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, this story follows young Jo, a shepherd boy caught in a dangerous secret. Jo discovers a widow hiding Jewish children smuggled out of Germany and across the border into Spain. He becomes instrumental in their covert operation, risking his life to bring food and aid to the hidden refugees. As the war intensifies and soldiers occupy the town, Jo must use his wits to protect the children as they desperately await their crossing.

6. The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo
   In the quiet English countryside of Devon during 1944, Lily is heartbroken when her village is forcibly evacuated by the American military to prepare for the D-Day landings. Lily is forced to leave behind everything, including her beloved pet cat, Tips, who remains stuck in the desolate ghost village. Lily and her family become caught up in the great military preparations, but her only focus is rescuing her feline friend from the danger zone. This narrative combines the urgency of wartime preparations with the enduring power of love for a pet.

7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney
   Greg Heffley finds himself struggling with the pressures of the modern world, including technology addiction and constantly disappointing his parents. His mother champions a community initiative designed to encourage people to disconnect from modern life, leading to some hilarious, archaic rules imposed upon Greg. Greg’s attempt to survive a school field trip to an outdated farm proves to be a true test of his survival skills. This volume explores the conflict between old-fashioned methods and contemporary convenience, all through Greg’s signature cynical diary entries.

8. Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
   In the third installment of the thrilling saga, Percy Jackson and his demigod friends race to rescue the goddess Artemis, who has been captured while tracking a formidable ancient monster. The search takes them across America and into the clutches of the powerful Titan Lord, Kronos, whose dark power is growing. Percy must accept a terrifying prophecy that indicates one of his friends will not survive the treacherous quest. This adventure challenges the loyalty and strength of the young heroes as they face the impossible weight of the ancient world.

9. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
   The final battle for Olympus is upon them as the powerful Titan lord Kronos prepares to launch his ultimate assault on the world from New York City. The demigods must rally their forces to defend Manhattan, which has been eerily cloaked by a magical sleeping spell. Percy faces a devastating prophecy and must choose whether to sacrifice himself to save the gods and the mortal world. This epic conclusion brings together all the threads of the series for a monumental, high-stakes showdown.

10. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
    Camp Half-Blood is under attack after its protective magical barrier, created by Thalia’s pine tree, is mysteriously poisoned and begins to fail. To save their home and fellow demigods, Percy and his friends must embark on a dangerous voyage into the Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Sea of Monsters. They are searching for the mythical Golden Fleece, the only object powerful enough to cure the dying tree. This second volume introduces new dangers and challenges as Percy confronts his complicated destiny.

11. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
    Meet Percy Jackson, a seemingly ordinary boy who discovers he is actually a demigod, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. Accused of stealing Zeus's master lightning bolt, Percy must embark on a perilous cross-country quest to find the real thief. Along with his friends Grover and Annabeth, he confronts ancient mythological monsters hiding in the modern world. This is the thrilling beginning of the legendary series that blends high adventure with classic mythology.

12. Gangsta Granny by David Walliams
    Ben hates spending Friday nights with his dull Grandma, whose life seems to consist only of cabbage soup and scrabble, and is desperately boring. However, Ben soon discovers his Granny is not who she seems when he stumbles across a magnificent diamond necklace hidden in a biscuit tin. Granny finally admits her secret identity: she is a notorious, international jewel thief known as the Black Cat. Together, the duo plots to pull off the most audacious heist of all time: stealing the Crown Jewels.

13. The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney
    This behind-the-scenes companion book provides an in-depth look at the making of the major motion picture based on the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Kinney chronicles the transformation of his popular character Greg Heffley from the pages of a cartoon journal to the big screen. Filled with photographs, storyboards, and exclusive interviews with the cast and crew, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of filmmaking. Fans can explore how the world of the book was accurately and hilariously recreated for the cinema.

14. Born to Run by Michael Morpurgo
    A young boy named Patrick discovers a tiny, abandoned greyhound puppy in a rubbish bin and secretly takes him home, naming him Best Mate. Patrick raises the dog, dreaming of the life he could have as a champion racer, but poverty forces him to hand Best Mate over to a professional owner. Years later, Patrick, now a teenager, is devastated when he sees Best Mate being abused by his new owner, and realizes he must steal the dog back. This moving story explores unconditional love and the lengths we go to for our best friend.

15. Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney
    This hilarious companion novel offers a fresh perspective on the familiar world of Greg Heffley, told entirely from the point of view of his best friend, the cheerful and eternally optimistic Rowley Jefferson. Rowley decides to start his own journal to chronicle his life and create an honest biography of Greg, his self-proclaimed hero. Readers gain new insight into the chaotic and often self-absorbed life of the Wimpy Kid through Rowley's unique, endearing, and often misunderstanding narration.

16. Awful Auntie by David Walliams
    Stella Saxby is the sole heir to the enormous Saxby Hall estate, but she finds herself trapped in her ancestral home with her dreadful, controlling Aunt Alberta. Aunt Alberta is intent on taking the entire fortune for herself, aided by her menacing pet owl, Wagner. With the help of the house’s friendly ghost, Soot, Stella must outwit her murderous relative and save her inheritance and her life. This gothic comedy is a tale of bravery, betrayal, and battling the absolute worst family member imaginable.

17. The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
    Dennis is a seemingly ordinary 12-year-old boy whose biggest passion is football, but he misses his departed mother greatly. When he stumbles upon a glamorous fashion magazine, Dennis discovers a secret love for beautiful clothes and dressing up. He forms an unlikely friendship with the coolest girl at school, Lisa, who helps him explore his new hobby by disguising him as a French exchange student. This funny and poignant story tackles themes of acceptance, identity, and daring to be different.

18. Mr Stink by David Walliams
    Chloe is a lonely, awkward 12-year-old girl who feels invisible both at school and within her own politically-obsessed, dysfunctional family. When she meets Mr. Stink, the local tramp, she decides to secretly hide him in the garden shed, hoping to keep him safe and gain a new friend. Hiding a tramp proves difficult, especially as Mr. Stink has a terrible smell and a dog named Duchess. This heartwarming comedy explores friendship across social barriers and the true meaning of home.

19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
    Young Charlie Bucket lives in poverty, dreaming of the day he can step inside the magical, mysterious chocolate factory run by Willy Wonka. When Wonka announces a contest hiding five Golden Tickets inside his candy bars, Charlie's luck changes and he finds himself invited to the strangest place on earth. Accompanied by four appalling children, Charlie navigates a world of fantastical inventions and learns lessons about humility and goodness. This timeless classic explores themes of greed, imagination, and the power of simple kindness.

20. Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) by Liz Pichon
    Welcome to the hilarious world of Tom Gates, a master of doodling, writing lists, and avoiding his dreadful class assignments. Tom is currently focused on an intense rivalry with his annoying classmate, Marcus Meldrew, who has an unnerving habit of showing up everywhere Tom goes. When Tom’s family prepares for a disastrous camping holiday, he knows his only solace will be drawing the ridiculous events unfolding around him. This highly visual diary-style book captures the messy, funny, and sometimes confusing life of a middle-school boy.

21. The War of Jenkins' Ear by Michael Morpurgo
    Set during World War II, this is the story of two boys whose paths intersect dramatically amidst the chaos of evacuation and conflict. Young Toby is evacuated from London to the countryside and sent to live with a demanding, strange grandmother on a remote farm. There, he discovers a second boy, also a refugee, living hidden in the woods nearby, surviving alone and refusing to engage with the outside world. Toby must earn the boy's trust and help him heal from the unseen wounds of war and loss.

22. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
    Criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl attempts to create a super-computer using stolen fairy technology, but the highly advanced device is promptly taken from him by a ruthless American industrialist. The industrialist turns the powerful tech against Artemis and his highly protective LEPRecon fairy bodyguard, Holly Short. Artemis suffers a devastating brain wipe, forcing Holly to step in and try to save the brilliant boy from his own disastrous invention. This third volume tests the fragile alliance between the human and fairy worlds like never before.

23. Alex Rider: Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz
    Teenage spy Alex Rider is attempting to live a normal life on holiday with his girlfriend when he unexpectedly runs into his nemesis, the mysterious and deadly assassin Yassen Gregorovich. Alex finds himself drawn back into the world of espionage when he discovers an international plot involving the murder of a powerful figure and a world-dominating computer game. Forced to go undercover, Alex races against time to expose the conspiracy before it leads to global destruction. This installment is packed with high-octane action and betrayal.

24. Twist of Gold by Michael Morpurgo
    Following the Great Famine in Ireland, siblings Sean and Annie O'Brien are left alone and decide they must travel to America to seek a better life and find their long-lost father. They stow away on a ship bound for the New World, only to be separated during a treacherous stop in Liverpool. Sean must navigate the brutal streets of Victorian England, determined to find his sister and complete their desperate, dangerous journey across the ocean. This is a thrilling, often difficult story of endurance, hope, and the unbreakable bond between family.