Steve Cole
Steve Cole was chosen by Ian Fleming Publications to succeed Charlie Higson as the writer for Young Bond – his stint being a series of four novels that follow the explosive adventures of the teenage James Bond. His other bestselling titles include Z. Rex, Thieves Like Us, Doctor Who and Astrosaurs.
Books
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Author: Steve Cole
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+
Captain Teggs and his faithful crew are no ordinary dinosaurs – they are astrosaurs!
Astrosaurs: The Planet of Peril
Author: Steve Cole Illustrator: Woody Fox
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 8+
Captain Teggs is an astrosaur! With the help of his crew he goes on dangerous space missions in his spaceship, the DSS Sauropod.
Go to Sleep or I Let Loose the Leopard
Author: Steve Cole
Illustrator: Bruce Ingman
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
It's bedtime for Joe and Ellie, or at least it should be, but they’d much rather be playing at Mattress Monsters, Pirate Chief Pyjamas and Wresting Wild Wardrobes than going to sleep.
Invisible Inc.
Author: Steve Cole Illustrator: Jim Field
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 10+
This madcap science-fiction thriller is packed with humorous illustrations and features whacky inventions, gigantic homicidal chickens, corny jokes and some very old ghosts.
Magic Ink
Author: Steve Cole
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+
Comic strips come magically to life in this engaging illustrated novel about 12-year-old comic fan Stew.
Mind Writer
Author: Steve Cole Illustrator: Nelson Evergreen
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+
Luke has a secret, a hidden skill: he can read minds. But when Luke meets Samira, he can't read her mind at all. A gripping thriller where fantasy meets horror - perfect for fearless older children or reluctant and dyslexic readers.
Secret Agent Mummy
Author: Steve Cole
Illustrator: Donough O'Malley
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+
With lively black and white illustrations and historical facts about ancient Egypt, this is a humorous and action-packed new series.
Shoot to Kill
Author: Steve Cole
Publisher: Doubleday
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+
Young Bond: Shoot to Kill is a real page turner with heroes and villains, adventure, action and humour. The book works well as a stand-alone novel, but once you've read it you'll be glad there is a whole catalogue of Young Bond novels to dive into next.
Stop Those Monsters!
Author: Steve Cole
Illustrator: Jim Field
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9
A hugely entertaining, fast-paced romp through Monsterland, with hilarious, lively illustrations which bring the monsters to life.
Z Apocalypse
Author: Steve Cole
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 9+
In the final installment of the Z-Rex trilogy, Adam must save the world from impending doom at the hands of evil scientists and their genetically-engineered dinosaurs.