Cry, Baby

by Jill Atkins

Published 26 November 2004
Charlie is fifteen (and a half). She's in her last year at school. She just knows it's going to be a fantastic year. OK, her dad says she's growing up too fast, but what do dads know? Charlie can look after herself. She can. Until she gets pregnant after a party. That changes things. Her life is ruined - and her parents will be furious. Should she keep the baby?

Republished as a new edition, this book is one of the Shades 2.0 series. This book is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising story that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.

The Real Test (Sharp Shades)

by Jill Atkins

Published 30 November 2015
Jaz has split up with Kris and he is upset. But tonight Jack is playing at the Rock Show. It is the biggest gig in town. The Rock Show is a low level phonics reading book. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this fiction story features a fully decodable text, suitable for struggling teen and adult readers.

The Rock Show uses a carefully limited set of letters and sounds to make up all the words. (For UK schools this relates to Phase 5 of Letters and Sounds, the UK Government's synthetic phonics reading programme.)

The Rock Show is part of Ransom's Neutron Stars, a structured reading programme for teens and adults learning the basics of reading. The series offers progression through ten levels of reading, four phonics and six coloured book bands.

More information on the structure of the scheme can be found here.

Aftershock (Sharp Shades)

by Jill Atkins

Published 30 November 2015
Maddy survives a dealdy tsunami, but she can't find her family. Are they alive? And will she ever get the chance to say sorry?

Aftershock is part of the Sharp Shades 2.0 series. This is a shorter version of the original book published as a Shade 2.0. The Sharp Shades stories are illustrated and have simpler language and a larger font thatn the original book. They are perfect for older readers who may find longer books too daunting, but who still want the excitement of a great story told with pace and style. Sharp Shades 2.0 is ideal for reluctant readers aged 12+ with a reading age of 9 - 10.

The Real Test

by Jill Atkins

Published 28 August 2014
Ryan has passed his driving test and now he wants to borrow his mum's car. After all, he needs to show his friends how well he can drive - especially beautiful Mollie, who's keen to go out in the car with him. But Ryan's mum's not keen to let Ryan use her car. Ryan decides to take matters into his own hands - and only then does he face the real test.

Part of the new Fresh Shades series, this book is exciting and fast-paced, keeping within the style of the Shades 2.0 series. It is perfect for reluctant teens who still want an exciting, unpatronising read that is relevant to their interests and concerns, but who don't want to read a longer novel. With a length of only 6,000 words, and filled with drama, this story will appeal to all reluctant teen readers.