Books in Collins English Readers series

Accept a transplant of a pig's heart, or die? That's what Cameron has to decide ...The story: Cameron is offered the chance to have a highly experimental and controversial operation which might save his life. But replacing his heart with one from a pig brings not only medical risk, it places Cameron at the eye of a storm of controversy. Medical ethics, the role of the press and the right to privacy are all brought into vivid focus in this gripping read. Themes: medical ethics; disability; the experience of growing up; animal rights; the individual and society; the media; death. Multicultural Suitable for KS 3/4 (P7-S4)

How far would you go to find yourself? The lyrical, life-affirming new novel from the bestselling author of Private Peaceful There were dozens of us on the ship, all up on deck for the leaving of Liverpool, gulls wheeling and crying over our heads, calling good-bye...That is all I remember of England. When six-year-old orphan Arthur Hobhouse is shipped to Australia after WWII he loses his sister, his country and everything he knows. Overcoming enormous hardships with fellow orphan Marty, Arthur is finally saved by the extraordinary people he meets and by his talent for boat-design and sailing. Now he has built a special boat for his daughter Allie - a solo yacht designed to carry her to England in search of his long-lost sister. Will the threads of Arthur's life finally come together? I was there on the quayside to see Allie take her out for the first time, saw her dancing through the waves, and I knew I'd never built a finer boat.

It's a perfect world, where everything looks right. But ugly truths lie beneath… Imagine a world without poverty, war or pain. A world where everything is comfortable and familiar - a world where everything is the same. No colour, no music. In such a world, Jonas is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory and is apprenticed to the Giver, an old man who stores memories from the Community’s past. As Jonas learns about violence and sadness, as well as beauty and joy, he discover the sinister truth behind his safe existence. Simply and beautifully written, The Giver is a thought-provoking look at utopian society. It was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1994.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book -- a magical fable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, follow your dreams. Released on CD for the first time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this modern classic. This is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of travelling the world in search of a worldly treasure as fabulous as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers, and from there into the Egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him With Paulo's visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, The Alchemist is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people's lives. At last this charming tale of discovery, meaning and personal growth is available on CD. The audio enhances the fairy-tale quality of the story and is suitable for listeners of all ages. It is as much a motivational/personal development book as it is a great story.