Red House Children's Book Award

• Jumping Jack
• A. H. Benjamin
• Kingfisher Books

Our testers were gripped by the tale of Jack who is given special jumping beans by his uncle and told not to eat them. But Jack can't help himself and soon he's bouncing all over town getting into all sorts of trouble. This is ideal for newly independent readers.

• Car-Mad Jack: The Versatile Van
• Jenny Alexander
• Hodder Children's Books

Jack would love to own the white van that's just been put on sale in his dad's Car Supermarket because he could carry all sorts of things in it - like plumber's tools and baths... or even a grumpy sister! Our vehicle-crazy testers loved reading this witty adventure story about car-mad Jack Davy.

• The Pet Sitter: Beware the Werepup
• Julie Sykes
• Macmillan Children's Books

When Max has to pet sit a werepup owned by a wizard he has everything under control until one night, on a secret walk, the clouds part and a full moon pops out... A fun and magical adventure!

• Who Shouted Boo
• Sally Grindley
• Orchard Books

Someone keeps scaring the villagers by shouting Boo! But who could it be? Our testers enjoyed solving this exciting mystery story with help from the Bear Detectives.

• Iggy & Me
• Jenny Valentine
• Harpercollins Children's Books

This charming set of family stories explores the mishaps and shenanigans of the irrepressible five-year-old Iggy as seen through the eyes of her big sister Flo. These tales are wonderfully funny!

• Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky
• Philip Ardagh
• Faber & Faber

Our readers were in fits of laughter reading this hilarious novel about a town which is jam-packed with oddballs - from a family of duck-haters to a mayor who's knitting a new house. There's one repulsive resident who they all want to leave town, until the discovery of a humungous diamond changes everything.

• Disaster Bunnies Save The Day! (Kind of)
• Dinah Capparucci
• Scholastic Children's Books

Jordan, Boy Dave and Ryan are on a mission to prove to game-obsessed TC that there's more to life than computers. But their plan is slightly barmy and when these boys are around, trouble is guaranteed! A great fast-paced tale.

• Dear Hound
• Jill Murphy
• Puffin Books

When Charlie's dog Alfie goes missing he doesn't know what to do or where to look. Alfie is lost and scared. Will he ever find his way back to Charlie? Our testers were hooked by this adorable story.

• Judy Moody Goes to College
• Megan McDonald
• Walker Books

Judy Moody is in a very bad mood. Her substitute teacher thinks she needs help with her maths, but she doesn't want a private tutor. That is until a cool college student arrives on the scene and changes her mind. This story definitely put our young readers into a very good mood!

• Ms Wiz Rocks!
• Terence Blacker
• Andersen Press

Ms Wiz proved to be a very popular character amongst our testers who were captivated by the teacher who also just so happens to be a paranormal operative! The two magical stories in this spellbinding book see Ms Wiz turning into a cat to trick fur-nappers and starring in a TV talent competition.

• How to Break a Dragon's Heart
• Cressida Cowell
• Hodder Children's Books

Hiccup is finding it very hard to be a hero. He must battle Beserks, dodge Scarers and complete the Impossible Task while being hunted down by an old enemy! What's a hero to do? A laugh-out-loud adventure story with an unlikely hero!

• Treasure Fever!
• Andy Griffiths
• Scholastic Children's Books

The panel were tickled pink by this hilarious story about the craziest school ever. There's a new teacher at Henry's school and his lessons are so cool that the pupils can't wait for breaktime to end! They learn about how to hang out of a window and even how to skid on a banana skin. At the same time Henry discovers a map that could lead the class to buried treasure and a race for the booty begins!

• Running Wild
• Michael Morpurgo
• Harpercollins Children's Books

After the death of his father, Will's mother takes him to Indonesia, hoping for a new start. But as Will is riding across the beach on Oona the elephant, a tsunami hits leaving Will and Oona fighting for survival in the jungle. This fast-paced novel by bestselling author Michael Morpurgo definitely got hearts pounding!

• George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt
• Lucy & Stephen Hawking
• Doubleday Children's Books

In this thrilling journey around the universe, George and Annie discover a mysterious riddle that sends them off on an action-packed, roller coaster trail, involving Martian sunsets and an accessible and imaginative lesson in the science of space and time!