Books with author Susan Taylor

The story of Jason, a boy at Heronford School for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The journal tells of the comic and sometimes uncomfortable day to day events at the school, with Jason, his teachers and classmates. And it explores his family life with his mother, who has recently given up taking heroin, and her violent, drug-taking ex-boyfriend, who returns unexpectedly. And then there is the storyteller who works at the school. He tells the boys the Russian folktale of a young man with a faithful horse, who overcomes a manipulative king. Jason is searingly, touchingly honest about his life and relationships, and through his journal he begins to reach an understanding of himself. This is a brilliant debut teenage novel, to be compared with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

Meet Purple Class. Yasmin thinks she sees the ghost of the Green Lady who haunts the school looking for first years to kill with scissors. Surely the old and mean-looking lady in the green dress is the spectre herself - or maybe she's just Orange class's substitute teacher. Has Mr Wellington died? Purple class is sure he must have done when they find a skeleton sitting in his chair. Is this Mr Wellington's skelington? What will they say to the school inspector? This collection of stories is a perfect blend of cultural cross-fertilisations, imaginative flights of fancy, drama and humour.

When a hippopotamus comes round to your housedon’ t be worried or scared by his size,just hug him and open the door really widebecause… that’ s what makes a hippopotamus come inside!What do you do when a hippopotamus comes to visit Play splashy-sploshy games, of course, to make him happy. Share silly toys in a big warm bath, to make him laugh. Give him a great big crunchy salad-treat, as that’ s what a hippo likes to eat. And when he’ s ready to go home, do a little dance and say goodbye in style – because that’ s what makes a hippopotamus smile! And now that you’ re his new best friend he’ ll be sure to want to come round again – maybe not on his own next time!