Arf and the Greedy Grabber
Philip Wooderson, ill Bridget MacKeith
(A&C Black)
Price £3.99
Age 7+

As one of the Comix series, this is well worth recommending to parents as a means of maintaining a child's i nterest in reading over the summer holiday. It is a satisfyingly complex, pacy little drama. Arf is a serial practical joker but it all goes horribly wrong when his latest ploy falls into the wrong hands. Family dynamics are wonderfully drawn, in both the illustrations and the dialogue, and the brush with the law isn't just one big joke. The result is a memorable story which will give children just becoming fluent independent readers a real sense of achievement.

Young Person's Guide
Kate Hawthorne
(Hawthorne and Davis)
Price £15
Age 10+ yrs

Subtitled "a serious guide to the internet for young people", this substantial, ring-bound publication offers a directory of 950 sites covering 230 subjects under 40 categories. Each site includes the web address and a contents synopsis. This book is clearly a labour of love. The categorisation can be quirky and confusing, but those helping young people to source information for their homework will find it especially useful. Parents, teachers and older secondary pupils will find it a valuable investment and are invited to support subsequent editions with their recommendations.