Katie and the Ducklings

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
When Jess’ mum loses her job, she also loses her fun-loving spark, staying in bed all day and leaving ten-year-old Jess to fend for herself. Even when Jess gets suspended for truancy and ends up on a placement at the Harvest Hope project, it isn’t enough to get her mum’s attention. Once at the farm, however, Jess is soon distracted from her worries at home when a fox attack leaves a family of ducklings orphaned and in need of a mum. Then one evening, when Jess’ mum is late picking her up, things come to a head. When Rory and Kerry find out what has been happening they decide to come up with a plan – not just to help Jess but her mum too.

Sammi and Dusty

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
Eleven-year-old Sammi, a refugee from Afghanistan, is finding it hard to settle into his new and unfamiliar community in England. But when he is given a place on the Harvest Hope project he finds an instant friend in Fred, the farm’s grumpy donkey. And when the farm faces the threat of closure and Rory and Kerry organise a fund-raising fete, Sammi finally feels a valued part of his new community.

Darren and Basher

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
The Borough Show is approaching and City Farm is buzzing with excitement. Jack, Asha and the others have a lot to do – making all the animals look their best – and keeping Basher the hyperactive pygmy goat in his pen! But then Darren arrives at the farm and all hell breaks loose. Darren has been excluded from school for his disruptive behaviour and his teachers fear he is one step away from joining the notorious Black Cross Gang that his older brother belongs to. And when vandals break into the farm and trash the barn right before the Borough Show, Jack, Asha and the others can’t help wondering if Darren knows more than he is letting on…

Laura and Silky

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
Ten-year-old Laura’s life has changed completely since she lost her sight after contracting meningitis. She is sent to the Harvest Hope project to help her try to regain her confidence. As Laura bonds with the children and animals at the farm she starts to get used to her blindness. Especially when she finds a special friend in the new farm cat, Silky – whose fur is a sensory experience for her. She doesn’t need to see Silky purr, she can hear her, and feel the vibrations as she strokes her.  But when Silky suddenly gets sick, the vet’s stumped. Can Laura use their special friendship to work out what’s wrong with her?

City Farm Pack A of 6

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
Hidden in the middle of the city, there's a real-life working farm filled with all kinds of adorable animals. This is the home of the Harvest Hope project. Whether kids are having problems at school or at home, the farm is a safe place for them to work things out. And with lots of interesting and lovable animals to look after, it's a fun place too!

Emily and Patch

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
Ever since Emily’s mum died and she was sent to live with her dad, things have gone horribly wrong. She can’t seem to fit in at her new school and her dad and step-mum are always too busy with their new baby Leon to have any time for her. Then things come to a disastrous head at the Easter assembly and Emily is referred to the Harvest Hope project. Spending the Easter holiday working on a farm with a bunch of smelly animals is the last thing she wants to do. But when Emily arrives at the farm and meets Curly and her lamb, and lost dog Molly, she realises that families can come in all shapes and sizes.

Zoe and Swift

by Jessie Williams

Published 15 February 2013
Eleven-year-old Zoe Clarke had always been the fastest runner in her school and she dreams of one day representing Britain in the Olympic Games. So, when a car crash leads to her breaking her leg so badly she can never run again, her whole world seems to fall apart. When Zoe gets sent to City Farm and meets Swift, a beautiful grey retired race-horse, she learns that there is a lot more to life than running, and sometimes it’s not a case of abandoning your dreams, simply adapting them.