The Messenger

by John Townsend

Published 26 November 2004
When a glass Christmas angel smashes in front of Chris's motorbike, a stranger warns him this must be an omen. It is only when he and his girlfriend get trapped on the moors on Christmas Eve, that Chris wonders if he should have taken the warning more seriously. For soon, very strange things start to happen. Who is the mysterious driver of an old car? What are the secrets in the snow? And just who is the third angel?

Recently 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 Messenger (Sharp Shades)

by John Townsend

Published 1 October 2013
When Chris sees an ornamental glass angel smash at his feet he doesn't think anything of it. But when a trip to the moors with his girlfriend brings strange events, he begins to think it may have been a bad omen. Then, out of the blue a stranger warns him to beware. Will Chris ever find out what connects these events, and if he fails what will be the consequences?

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.

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.

Flashback (Sharp Shades)

by John Townsend

Published 1 January 2019
A long time ago, when Bernard was thirteen, he killed a man. Everyone called him a hero. But ever since that time the past has haunted his dreams. Can Bernard ever come to terms with what he did?

Part of the 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.

Hunter's Moon

by John Townsend

Published December 2004
Something very odd is happening in the woods. Neil loves his job as a gamekeeper, but there are rumours of dark creatures in the woods. Then Neil finds strange scratch marks on the trees. When his boss has a mysterious accident and Neil receives a strange warning, he decides that he must act. But why should he beware the Hunter's Moon?

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.

Hunter's Moon (Sharp Shades)

by John Townsend

Published 1 October 2013
When his boss is mysteriously hurt, young gamekeeper Neil is left to look after the woods and pheasants on his own. There have been rumours of a panther on the loose, and now Neil notices some odd scratch marks on the trees. Is this message a warning? And will Neil take heed before it's too late?

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.

Plague

by David Orme

Published 8 October 2004
The year is 1665 and plague has come to the city of London. Henry Harper is alone. His father is dead, a victim of the plague, and his family have fled the city. Henry needs to escape to the country before he, too, is struck down. Henry needs to make a deadly plan .

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.

Sharp Shades are a range of illustrated quick reads. The pack includes 22 books. Many of these books are published as longer versions in the Shades Series. These versions offer the same type of fast-paced short stories (just 64pp each) found in the Shades series. However, the SharpShades stories are illustrated and include simpler language, and a larger font than the original books.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 are ideal for reluctant readers aged 12+ with a reading ages of 8 - 9.

Blitz (Sharp Shades)

by David Orme

Published 1 October 2013
Blitz is set in World War Two, when Martin is evacuated to Winchester. However, he hates it there, and manages to find his way back home to London. But home isn't where it used to be - a bomb has exploded in his street, leaving him homeless. He decides to return to the country, but truly unexpected events start to unfold before he manages to reach his destination.

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.

Blitz

by David Orme

Published December 2004
It's during World War II, and Martin has been evacuated to the country. But he hates it there, so he goes back home to London. But London is in flames - and Martin's home has been destroyed by a bomb. He has nowhere to go. So Martin decides to head back to the country. Well that was the plan, anyway .

Recently 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.

Wrong Exit

by Mary Chapman

Published 26 September 2008