Children and teenagers all over the UK are scrambling together their vouchers and heading to the bookstores for £1 books: yes, the annual World Book Day is once again upon us on March 6.
To help you pick up the best book for you, we have compiled a list of reviews of the 2014 £1 books written by our wonderful website members. There is a excellent and varied selection of books this year, so have a read of the reviews below and consider your options. But don't spend too much time thinking your choices over: remember to spend your voucher before March 30 2014!
For more information on World Book Day, visit www.worldbookday.com
If you have read one of the World Book Day 2014 books and want to tell us what you thought, send your review to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk and we will add it to our list!
Hello, Hugless Douglas! by David Melling (Hodder)
Another charming adventure with Melling's beloved bear, with a handy list of different hugs for the family to try out when you've finished the book. An excellent World Book Day purchase for children who are reading picture books.
Read a review of Hello, Hugless Douglas! by Reba and Amatullah (2).
Read a review of Hello, Hugless Douglas! by Gina, Evie (4) and Bella (2).
Read about David Melling's ten favourite hugs in picture books.
Little Book Day Parade by Emily Gravett (Macmillan)
The author and illustrator of 'The Rabbit Problem' is back with some of her animal friends (keen eyes will spot some familiar faces). Emily Gravett's World Book Day book includes areas to colour in and draw over, so children can help the animals get ready for World Book Day.
Read the review of Little Book Day Parade by Jennifer, Minnie, aged 3, and Bebe, aged 2.
Explore a gallery of Emily Gravett's book illustrations.
Read Emily Gravett's top ten favourite animal picture books.
Barry Loser: I am Not Nit a Loser by Jim Smith (Egmont)
Gross-out humour and silly jokes abound in the latest addition to the Barry Loser franchise. A guaranteed hit with Big Nate and Wimpy Kid fans, Barry Loser is full of cartoons, laughs and lots of poo jokes. A lot of them.
Read a review of I am Not Nit a Loser by TwilightVi.
Read a review of I am Not Nit a Loser by Booktictac.
Go through Jim Smith's ten favourite funny books for children.
Read a review of the previous Barry Loser book, I Am Still Not a Loser, by Booktictac.
Fun With the Worst Witch by Jill Murphy (Puffin Books)
The Worst Witch series has been going since the 1970s, but the trouble-making witch Mildred Hubble is still more popular than ever with readers over 5 years-old. Fun With the Worst Witch follows Mildred as she trips over cauldrons and breaks her broomstick. An excellent book to spend a World Book Day voucher on for mischievous girls and boys.
We haven't got a review for this book yet! If you've read it and want to share what your thoughts, please send your review to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk
Review of first Worst Witch book by KittyBear.
In 2009, Lucy Mangan named the Worst Witch books one of the essential series to have on a child's bookshelf.
A Laura Marlin Mystery: The Midnight Picnic by Lauren St John (Orion)
When Laura wins an essay competition and is invited to the mysterious Bodmin Moor, she is thrilled and excited to go. But as fog descends over the moor and mysteries begin to appear, Laura must use all her powers of deduction to get herself out of trouble. The Laura Marlin Mysteries are popular with readers from the age 7 and up and is a good choice for Famous Five or Sherlock Holmes fans.
We haven't got a review for this book yet! If you've read it and want to share what your thoughts, please send your review to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk
Read Lauren St John's writing tips.
Read a review of Laura Marlin: Kentucky Thriller, by Poppy68.
Go through Lauren St John's top ten favourite animal books for kids.
Horrible Histories: Terrible Trenches by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown (Scholastic)
With cartoons on every page and lots of funny jokes, the Horrible Histories books are history lessons but with the fun bits left in (and when we say fun, we mean mostly gorey, gross, ridiculous bits). Terrible Trenches has been released for World Book Day this year to mark the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the First World War. A good choice for both history buffs and readers who usually find history boring.
We haven't got a review for this book yet! If you've read it and want to share what your thoughts, please send your review to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk
Read an article by Terry Deary where he says to burn your textbooks- hurray! (Do not do without parental permission).
Read an interview with Terry Deary.
Go through Terry Deary's favourite ten history books for adult readers.
Middle School: How I Got Lost in London, James Patterson (Young Arrow)
James Patterson is loved by children, teenagers and adults alike and was the most borrowed author in UK libraries last year. This book follows the bumbling Rafe Khatchadorian as he tries not to get lost in London on a school trip. An enjoyable read for young, independent readers who like to laugh.
Read a review of Middle School: How I Got Lost in London by ABitCrazy.
Read a review of Middle School: How I Got Lost in London by RugbyDog.
Read a review of Nevermore, the final book in the Maximum Ride series, by DavidTennantFan23.
Jack Pepper by Sarah Lean (HarperCollins)
A excellent author for animal lovers and fans of Dick King-Smith, Sarah Lean writes about the friendships between children and animals. Her books are popular with readers between the ages of 7-12.
Read a review of Jack Pepper by Lottie Longshanks.
Read a review of Jack Pepper by Lady Sparkle.
Read a review of Jack Pepper by Bookworm Reader.
Go through Sarah Lean's top ten favourite animal books for children.
Rock War: The Audition by Robert Muchamore (Hodder)
Robert Muchamore is most well-known for his action-packed spy series CHERUB. In this World Book Day novella, Robert puts his spy gadgets and rocket boots away to focus on the music industry. Rock War: The Audition is a companion to Rock War, Robert Muchamore's most recent book, published in February 2014. His World Book Day book is for a pre-teen or teenage reader (or a Muchamore fan).
Read a review of Rock War: The Audition by Patrick.
Read a review of Rock War by Joel.
Read an interview with Robert Muchamore with questions from members of the Guardian Children's Books website.
Inspired by Rock War: The Audition and want to pen your own book? Read Robert Muchamore's writing tips here.
The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson (Hot Key Books)
Maureen Johnson is a favourite with teenager readers and social media users, being named one of the top 140 people to follow on Twitter by Time Magazine (you can follow her at @maureenjohnson). The Boy in the Smoke is the prequel to the fantasy and mystery series Shades of London and can be read by teenagers who have not read the other books.
We haven't got a review for this book yet! If you've read it and want to share what your thoughts, please send your review to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk
Read an article Maureen wrote about why teenage fiction shouldn't always be light and fluffy.
Read an interview with Maureen Johnson.
Read a review of The Name of Star by StarryNight22.
