{"title":"Karen McCombie","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaren McCombie\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts engaging stories that perfectly capture the joys and trials of childhood and adolescence. Her books blend humour, adventure, and heartfelt moments, inviting readers into richly imagined worlds filled with memorable characters and relatable experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom whimsical tales like \u003cem\u003eHow To Hide An Alien\u003c\/em\u003e to poignant stories such as \u003cem\u003eThe Girl with her Head in the Clouds\u003c\/em\u003e, her work spans both children’s and young adult fiction. Expect warmth, wit, and a touch of magic in every page, making her collection a delightful choice for growing readers.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fagins-girl-by-karen-mccombie-9781800900554","title":"Fagin's Girl","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFagin’s infamous gang comes to life once again in this exciting Oliver Twist-inspired adventure from bestselling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOrphan Ettie Shaw is penniless and homeless on the streets of London when she is spotted by her older brother, Joe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJoe has fallen in with a notorious pickpocket gang run by a man called Fagin, and Ettie has to disguise herself as a boy so she can come back with him to Fagin’s lair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt first, Ettie is able to help out with mending and other domestic jobs, but when one of the other boys falls ill, Fagin demands that Ettie go out pickpocketing with Joe and everything goes horribly wrong …\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46683792834796,"sku":"9781800900554","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5105633482829.jpg?v=1753242415"},{"product_id":"grannys-little-monsters-by-karen-mccombie-9781781129586","title":"Granny's Little Monsters","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGranny’s hunt for the perfect pet brings some unexpected results in this goofy adventure of family, mudlarking, and mayhem.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eZac and Essie have been helping their Granny Mo in her search for the perfect pet. She’s tried everything from cats to axolotls and just can’t find the right one. But when the trio go mudlarking in the riverbank, they find a creature unlike anything else…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGranny Mo might have set out looking for a pet, but now she’s got a monster on her hands, and it’s about to get up to some mischief!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46687144542444,"sku":"9781781129586","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3996483482822.jpg?v=1753308852"},{"product_id":"the-boy-who-stole-the-pharaohs-lunch-by-karen-mccombie-9781800902015","title":"The Boy Who Stole the Pharaoh's Lunch","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeth learns some important life lessons when he's transported back to Ancient Egypt in this absorbing time-slip adventure.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile awaiting punishment in his headmaster’s office for his latest piece of mischief, prankster Seth picks up an Egyptian amulet from the desk and is whisked back in time to Ancient Egypt. In a village by the Nile, Seth finds a place for himself, working for the local tradesmen and playing with the local children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of his new friends, Mery, has a pet hyena that Seth grows to love. When he hears that the hyena is going to be roasted as part of a feast for the visiting pharaoh, Seth decides to save him. But what consequences will Seth have to face for stealing the pharaoh’s lunch?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn absorbing time-travel adventure from bestselling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46696930246892,"sku":"9781800902015","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5120243482829.jpg?v=1753694733"},{"product_id":"the-broken-dragon-by-karen-mccombie-9781800901865","title":"The Broken Dragon","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA smashed china dragon helps Tyra to bond with her new classmates in this touching tale from bestselling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTyra gets off to a tough start at her new school. She’s loud and different, and nobody seems to be particularly friendly. So when her nan gives her a beautiful china snow dragon, Tyra decides to take it to school, hoping that people will think it’s interesting and talk to her. But disaster strikes, and the beautiful dragon is smashed. Can Tyra find a way to repair her treasure while also making some new friends along the way?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Broken Dragon\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46696934211820,"sku":"9781800901865","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5118743482829.jpg?v=1753695476"},{"product_id":"the-girl-with-her-head-in-the-clouds-by-karen-mccombie-9781781129456","title":"The Girl with her Head in the Clouds","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePioneering aviatrix Dolly Shepherd comes alive in this thrilling reimagining of her death-defying exploits from bestselling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen sixteen-year-old Dolly Shepherd is offered the chance to take to the sky in a hot-air balloon, there’s no way she’s going to turn it down. Even though the pilot actually plans for her to jump out of the balloon and plummet back to earth using just a flimsy parachute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor Dolly, it’s the start of a sensational career. But the life of an aeronaut is as dangerous as it is daring, and there will be many narrow escapes along the way …\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Girl with her Head in the Clouds\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46697847849196,"sku":"9781781129456","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3995183482822.jpg?v=1753727361"},{"product_id":"my-perfect-cousin-by-karen-mccombie-9780008736736","title":"My Perfect Cousin","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCousins Yasmin and Ruby have always been rivals, but both sides of the story are exposed in this cleverly composed clean-teen novella from Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMy Perfect Cousin\u003c\/em\u003e follows Ruby, who can’t stand her \"perfect\" cousin Yasmin. Yasmin is pretty, popular, and has a gorgeous boyfriend, Max. She's set to get excellent grades in her GCSEs, and her parents won’t stop going on about how brilliant she is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRuby always feels small and hopeless around Yasmin, and whenever she gets any attention, Yasmin tries to make sure the spotlight turns back to her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOr that’s how Ruby feels anyway. But is there another side to the story?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46745264423148,"sku":"9780008736736","price":19.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2201473482191.jpg?v=1755758619"},{"product_id":"the-girl-with-the-sunshine-smile-by-karen-mccombie-9781781129234","title":"The Girl with the Sunshine Smile","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Meg find her sunshine smile again? A wonderfully warm and wise story about new families and new relationships from bestelling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeg is the girl with the sunshine smile. That's what they call her at the wedding fairs where she models her mum's dresses. But then Mum meets Danny. Danny, with the grotty houseboat, four sons and a three-legged cat. All of a sudden, Meg's life clouds over. Will Meg ever find her sunshine smile again? A brand-new low reading age edition of a wonderfully warm and wise story about new families and new relationships from bestselling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46996342210796,"sku":"9781781129234","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781781129234.jpg?v=1763126112"},{"product_id":"the-mystery-of-me-by-karen-mccombie-9781800901643","title":"The Mystery of Me","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaren McCombie explores identity, friendship and fresh starts in this touching tale perfectly pitched for struggling teen readers.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eKetty doesn’t remember anything about the accident, or much from before. The doctors say her memories will come back, but in the meantime school is a frightening and confusing place. Otis seems to be her only friend – he’s kind and caring, funny too. And he may hold the key to remembering the old Ketty … But will Ketty recognise or even like the girl she used to be?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46996420002028,"sku":"9781800901643","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781800901643.jpg?v=1763127249"},{"product_id":"my-family-the-enemy-by-karen-mccombie-9781801995931","title":"My Family the Enemy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLondon, 1914. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eFred \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eMüller\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e’s life is turned upside down when his dad is taken away by the police - suddenly his family are the enemy because of where they come from. A thrilling coming of age tale about World War One, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Hilary McKay. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFred Müller is very popular at school – his mum and dad have a baker’s shop, so he always has lots of great cakes and sweet treats to share amongst his friends! But it’s 1914 and war with Germany is looming. The newspapers are crammed full of stories about German citizens being spies. Out of the blue, the baker’s shop window is smashed and suddenly Fred's family are being treated as the enemy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThings soon move from bad to worse, when Fred's father is taken and interned in the nearby Alexandra Palace. Money is running out, and people of German heritage are told they should be “sent home”. But Britain \u003ci\u003eis \u003c\/i\u003ehome to Fred and his family. Is everyone against them, or can Fred and his mother find glimmers of kindness and hope in these terrible times?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBased on historical events, this beautiful tale is perfect to explore themes of refuge, kindness and empathy with children aged 9+, from one of the UK's most beloved children's authors, Karen McCombie.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288649646316,"sku":"9781801995931","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/6f2278c609be36372d782d08d1001038.jpg?v=1770606140"},{"product_id":"the-accidental-vikings-by-karen-mccombie-9780008748500","title":"The Accidental Vikings","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlfie and Kat’s school trip takes an unexpected turn when they’re whisked back to a Viking village in this exciting time-slip adventure from bestselling author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eThings take a weird turn for Alfie and Kat when they get separated from the rest of their group on a school trip to the Viking Museum. The models around them start to come to life, and at first Kat is sure they’re being pranked for a TV game show.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe urges Alfie to play along, and they take part in Viking village life – cooking, weaving and even digging a toilet pit. But will they ever be able to find their way back home?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 7+ with a reading age of 7.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288835932396,"sku":"9780008748500","price":39.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/52806ee58b41f22c1ec052ccfd53fb25.jpg?v=1770604032"},{"product_id":"how-to-be-a-human-by-karen-mccombie-9781788951098","title":"How To Be A Human","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho said friends have to match to matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Star Boy's space-pod crashes in the grounds of Fairfield Academy, he knows he must seek shelter. Taking refuge in the school's boiler room to await rescue, he discovers that the room's small window is the perfect place to watch humans go by.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Star Boy knows about humans from his Earth lessons, but no one from his planet has ever studied them up close. Now he has the perfect opportunity. There are two humans, in particular, that catch his attention – a boy called Wes and a girl named Kiki. But as his curiosity grows, so does his courage, and, making a momentous decision, the Star Boy follows Wes and Kiki into class … and into their lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow To Be A Human\u003c\/em\u003e is a warm and otherworldly story about finding friendship in the most unlikely of places, for fans of Tamsin Winter, Cath Howe, and Ross Welford.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47334766903532,"sku":"9781788951098","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/26040023482824.jpg?v=1772047408"},{"product_id":"how-to-hide-an-alien-by-karen-mccombie-9781788951104","title":"How To Hide An Alien","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife isn’t easy, especially if you’re from another planet…\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith his space-pod destroyed, the Star Boy is adapting to life on Earth with help from his friends Kiki and Wes. However, Kiki's long list of don'ts is a constant reminder of how hard it is to pass for a convincing human. More troubling for the Star Boy are the strange pings and pangs he’s experiencing, and the difficult-to-hide electrical surges that are worrying his human rescuers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Star Boy accidentally channels his true form onto the whiteboard of every class at Riverside Academy, things reach a whole new level of panic. With frenzied reports of an alien sighting trending on social media, how can Kiki and Wes keep their friend safe?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA heart-warming and otherworldly sequel to \u003cem\u003eHow To Be A Human\u003c\/em\u003e, for fans of Tamsin Winter, Cath Howe and Ross Welford.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47334772769004,"sku":"9781788951104","price":21.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/26040083482824.jpg?v=1772047426"},{"product_id":"the-lost-diary-of-sami-star-by-karen-mccombie-9781781128169","title":"The Lost Diary of Sami Star","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA wonderfully warm and touching story of friendship, identity and kindness from top-notch teen author Karen McCombie.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeing at home is hard for Hannah. With Mum, Dad and Vix always fighting they've got no time for her or her worries, she might as well be invisible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut when she finds an abandoned diary in the park containing snippets and photographs of the colourful life of the mysterious Sami Star, Hannah hopes she's found the real friend she always needed. Little does Hannah know Sami needs her too…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParticularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417827655916,"sku":"9781781128169","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/61LLQIVy-qL._SL1500.jpg?v=1774311415"},{"product_id":"the-pearl-in-the-attic-by-karen-mccombie-9781407164106","title":"The Pearl in the Attic","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA story of family, friendship and mystery from one of the UK's best-loved writers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Scarlet's grandma goes into a retirement home, she must sort through her belongings in the cramped flat above a shop in Crouch End, north London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere Scarlet comes across a real treasure: a novel that Gran wrote, imagining the life of a girl just like Scarlet, who once upon a time lived in the flat and worked in a cake shop downstairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut as Scarlet reads about Ruby's life in Victorian London, she begins to realise this is no piece of fiction - Ruby was real!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA real life, facing real danger - and a mystery that unravels to the present day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Katherine Woodfine and Emma Carroll, \u003cem\u003eThe Pearl in the Attic\u003c\/em\u003e offers a thrilling adventure that spans generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47487630049516,"sku":"9781407164106","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2dd3580cfd78d25d0a3a96061105ab44.jpg?v=1775771841"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/karen-mccombie.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}