Former Children's Laureate Anne Fine has selected some marvellous poems, both classic and contemporary, for inclusion in her trio of poetry anthologies.

Horrified when her mother enrols her at Charm School, Bonny is saddened to discover that although outwardly, everyone is charming and ladylike, closer inspection reveals a group of spiteful, insecure girls.

As part of a Child Development project, each boy in Class 4C is given a 'flour baby', a sack of flour which must be looked after for three weeks, ensuring it does not get lost or dirty.

When Russian Ivan arrives at Boris's school, Boris is assigned as his translator. But while Boris is a mild-mannered, peace-loving child, Ivan is quite the opposite.

Anthony, a very vain dog, is horrified when his fur starts to fall out in clumps. On a humiliating trip to the vet, his body is shaved, leaving only the fur on his head and tip of his tail so that he resembles a lion.

Since his sister Estelle became a teenager Will's home has become a war zone. He cannot get any lunch money, little sister Muffy has stopped talking, and mum and dad take it in turns to 'go over the top' and engage the enemy.

Anne Fine subtly but accessibly explores the nature of state repression, personal freedom and responsibility in this thrilling, darkly chilling adventure.

Stolly has fallen out of a top-floor window and lies, unmoving and unconscious, in a hospital bed. While he watches, Stolly's friend Ian decides to write about Stolly’s unusual life.