Book 1

Kidnapped at Birth?

by Louis Sachar

Published 1 July 1992
Marvin lives in a grey house with a white fence - a white fence with all but one red post. He has red hair and blue eyes. He is also left-handed. "We're lucky to be left-handed," said Mrs. North. "It means we have royal blood." One day, at school, while writing a report, Marvin realises that nothing adds up. His parents have brown hair and they have brown eyes. Can he really be Marvin Redpost? Or is he, in fact, the lost son of the King of Shampoon - Prince Robert? Was he whisked away from the hospital at birth and are the Redposts really his kidnappers? Marvin sets out to get things straight. There are a lot of perks to being a prince and it's all very tempting but Marvin soon realises that sometimes the truth isn't all it's cracked up to be. Louis Sachar writes with pace and humour and heart. In this, the first in a series of eight books, he introduces strong and memorable characters in his unique and inimitable style.

Book 2

Why Pick on Me?

by Louis Sachar

Published 16 February 1993
A small incident during recess threatens to turn nine-year-old Marvin into the outcast of his third-grade class.

Book 3

Is He a Girl?

by Louis Sachar

Published 1 August 1993
Marvin Redpost is yet again caught in a dilemma. It all begins one sleepless night when he twists and he turns in his bed, his arms and legs get all caught up and then - smack! He lands a kiss right on his elbow. Now he really can't sleep. He's on the turn. His voice starts to change, he longs to have pigtails and he even dots his 'i's with a heart in class! What on earth has happened to Marvin and will he ever be the same again? This is a charming story, which will give you lots of laughs. Louis Sachar has the ability to bring together the absurd and the real with the perfect ingredients to entertain all children aged 6-8 years.

Book 4

While Mrs North, Marvin's teacher, is on holiday she has asked him to look after Waldo - her dog. Suddenly Marvin has become the luckiest boy in school. He'll get to sniff about Mrs North's house, look in her wardrobe, check out her bathroom and rummage in her fridge well that's what Stuart and Nick, his best friends, would like to do. But Marvin takes things a little more seriously. Afterall, he gets paid $3 a day while Mrs North's away and he gets a bonus on top of that if everything goes smoothly. What could possibly go wrong? Just how long can Marvin hold on to his luck. Louis Sachar tells this tale with a refreshing and bold frankness and again the characters are vividly portrayed in this the fourth of the series.

Book 5

Today is Thursday. Today is 'hole' day. So, naturally, everyone is wearing their 'holiest' clothes. Even the class teacher, Mrs North...But she is soon to find out from Principal McCabe that a surprise visitor is coming to the school. In fact, the President of the United States is on his way. And there's no time to change! What questions will Marvin get to ask the President? And, with all the television cameras pointed, will he solve his biggest maths problem to date? This book is full of surprises but, yet again, Louis Sachar delivers a thoughtful and vibrantly funny story in this, the fifth of the series.

Book 6

A Flying Birthday Cake?

by Louis Sachar

Published 1 September 1999
Marvin cannot get to sleep. It's late, the ground is hard in Nick Tuffle's garden, he is far too full on cake and he has drunk too much punch. Then he hears a low humming noise. He feels the earth shudder beneath him and there is a bright flash - sort of the same colour as the green icing on Nick's birthday cake. Is he dreaming or was that a flying birthday cake, candles aglow? Perhaps something much stranger is on the horizon...

Book 7

Suicide Hill is the ultimate test of bravery. Few have conquered the treacherously steep slope without completely wiping out - or so the legend goes. And rumour has it that Marvin will be taking it on. Only Marvin isn't so sure. His new mountain bike is enormous - he can barely climb up on to it. And changing gears is out of the question! But will he have to ride down Suicide Hill in order to prove himself to his classmates? If he succeeds he will be a hero. If he doesn't, then everyone is about to witness the biggest wipeout ever.

Book 8

A Magic Crystal?

by Louis Sachar

Published 23 May 2000
Marvin is amazed when he goes home with Casey Happleton one day after school and discovers that she lives in an old fire station. But that's not all that surprises him. Casey has a secret she wants to share - a crystal with super magical powers. A crystal that makes all your wishes come true. Can it be real or could she be casting her own spell on him?