The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse

This book is based on the famous French film called   Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) which was made in 1956. It is about an only child who finds a helium-filled balloon. He can't ride the bus because of it so he walks to school. There the care taker looks after it whilst he does his day's lessons.  He is late home on account of the balloon and not being able to catch the bus, so his angry mother releases the balloon. The story continues on as Pascal attempts to recapture his bright, red treasure. Trouble strikes first at school and then again when he runs into a gang of boys. The book is filled with photos taken from the film. The setting is the Menilmontant neighbourhood in Paris. Below is the first part of the film.                   

Size Twelve by Robert Westall

I am a big fan of Robert Westall and have read the majority of his books and it's sad he is not here to write any more books. This novel is a much easier read than his novels like The Machine Gunners and BiltzCat. Valley Road Primary School is very run down, the students are disinterested and unruly...and the teachers have given up. Then along comes one black cat with incredibly large paws who makes friends with one of the most feared boys in the school, Taffy Thomas. Taffy names him Size Twelve and school becomes a much nicer place to be. Students and parents start to see the school in new light and revamp the tired old school. However, Edward Druel, the psychologically-damaged school bully is not won over and Size Twelve is suddenly in grave danger. Westall had a facination for cats and they feature in many of his novels. There are ink drawings by Mark Robertson throughout the book which help bring the characters to life.

A Little Drop of Wayne by David McRobbie

This is the fourth book in the Wayne series for adolescent readers. This story relates the youthful adventures of Wayne who tries to form a gang that doesn't really come together. He confronts bullies and learns that life can be hard and hazardous. The book is made up of ten stories and these are overflowing with embarrassing moments when Wayne wishes that the ground would just open up and swallow him. It is part of a television series. I have never heard iof this series so would appreciate hearing from someone who has.