The Scream

by Penny Bates

Published 18 February 2013
An attack by two dogs has scarred Sally Johnson for life. The physical scars have almost disappeared, but deeper scars remain. Her family moves to Cornwall to start a new life. But it's hard to begin again when the hounds on the moors remind her of the dreadful attack. Can Sally ever find a way to put the past behind her?

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 Calling (Sharp Shades)

by Penny Bates

Published 30 November 2015
Anna and her mum Kate have moved into Dragon House - a large, decrepit old ruin. Kate is planning some major renovations to the house - then she'll sell it on. But some locals seem to have other ideas. Can the house be calling them back?

Part of the new Fresh Shades series, this is a shorter version of the original book. The Sharp Shades stories are illustrated and have simpler language and a larger font than 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.

A Murder of Crows

by Penny Bates

Published 18 February 2013
Ben has moved to the country - and his best friend is a crow that lives in his garden. At school Ben is bullied - especially by next-door neighbour Luke, who calls Ben Crow Boy. Then the bullies force Ben to hurt the thing he loves the most. But none of them believed there was such a thing as Crow Law ...

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.

Only child Ben moves to the country with his mum and befriends a crow for company. However, when a local boy sees this and jeers at him mercilessly, Ben very soon becomes a laughing stock. The bullies want him to hurt the thing he loves the most. But none of them have reckoned on the power of Crow Law!

In the same style as the Shades 2.0 series, this book tells a fast-paced story but is much shorter than the Shades, allowing for less-able readers to still experience the gripping story but with much simpler language and a larger font. The excitement of the Shades series is still there in these shortened versions of the dramatic, enticing stories.