Age 8-12

This debut novel, by a primary school headmaster, proves that it helps to know your audience. Voake’s inventive adventure has a neatly constructed plot and brave, funny child protagonists called Sam and Skipper. It has what it takes to stop kids yawning and mucking about at the back. He also sets readers an example of how to write skilfully and thoughtfully. This elegant, intelligent book has a good sprinkling of wisdom — about what you miss, for instance, if you don’t look carefully at your environment. Sam is more observant than most and, to his surprise, becomes interested in creepy-crawlies. One day, after an accident, he is transported to a world operating on a different scale to ours but connected by the way it controls our insects. He finds himself torn from his family and caught in a conflict between a sinister totalitarian society, which wants to destroy mankind, and a rival benevolent one. Trained by an exceptional girl, the heroic and delightful Skipper, Sam learns how to pilot wasps and horseflies, and dares all. It is Sam’s friendship with Skipper that makes this not just an ordinary action adventure but a tale to remember.

(Faber £12.99)

Explore Books

• Book Extracts

• Book Reviews

• Books Group

• Audio Books

Times Recommends

• If you only buy one book this Christmas make sure it's...
• The Times Christmas Books 2008: Gifts
• 10 Books Not To Read Before You Die