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Robert Mullan/

Alamy

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House of Spies

It’s wartime Britain and Pip has been evacuated to the country where she meets a new friend. In a remote farmhouse there is a family stigmatised by the locals as enemy aliens and possible spies. When bombs start to fall an angry mob descends on them.

A thought-provoking, compelling read with a highly topical theme of prejudice in wartime from this popular writer.  

MORE REVIEWS:

“I enjoyed this book mainly because it was related to the Second World War, which is one of my personal interests but I would also definitely round it up as a well-written book with an interesting storyline.  It is about a teenage girl living in Britain during the Blitz who has just moved out of her house due to a bomb that exploded nearby.  She is then moved in with some friendly strangers and when she stays there, she gets involved with some fascinating events in the village.  What I found interesting about this story is that the girl gives extracts from her diary to give her own opinion on the situations that she faces.  I would recommend this to any girl or boy aged around eleven upwards."       James (14)

EDUCATION OTHERWISE August 2006

Publication

Anderson Press 2005

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click House of Spies 

 October 2005

REVIEW: 

“Griselda Gifford has packed so much into this exciting read that it could have been twice the length."  Mary Hoffman

Armadillo

"The dropping of an incendiary bomb brings issues to a head in this lively and thought-provoking novel about the domestic front."  Marianne Adey

CAROUSEL

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xxx xxx

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The Silent Pool

Identical twins, Charlie and Cass, have taken sides and quarreled when their parents split up and are staying with Gran for the summer holidays. Charlie explores the area, and in trespassing in the grounds of the local stately home, Cleremont Park, she starts to see ghosts. The ghosts always do the same thing  and, as she learns more about the history of the place, it becomes clear that they are re-enacting events leading to an unsolved murder.
She finds that she must work with her twin and seek to solve the disappearance of the present owner of the Park.

Publication

Anderson Press 2005

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click Silent Pool 

March 2005
A new chilling murder mystery and ghost story from this compelling writer.

REVIEW:

"The book would be enjoyed by readers of eleven years and upwards as there is plenty of a contemporary nature which may touch on their own experience, yet also happenings which are of a more sinister and chilling nature that will keep them interested and reading." Write Away

“Responsible and perceptive psychological narrative.” 

CAROUSEL

"This is engaging mystery that runs alongside a story of coming to terms with family break-up and trying not to take sides between mum and dad." 

TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPP.

"Griselda Gifford writes well and convincingly."  

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

ISBN 0582796350 

(Independent Plus Stage)

Jacket illustration by

Angela Thompson

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Francis the Hero

Francis has always dreamed of being a hero. When his family falls on hard times, he seizes the opportunity to help but gets tangled up in a web of deceit. 

When disaster strikes and he is surrounded by danger, it’s time to prove whether he really has what it takes to be a true hero.

Publication

Pearson Longman

Streetwise 2004

A Historical Novel

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click

Francis the Hero

 ISBN 0582 796172

(Independent Stage)

Jacket illustration by

Stewart Lees

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The Secret of Monk's Island

“I had one of my weird feelings that sent icy fingers down my spine. I could see danger ahead.”

Sam and her family are on holiday at the Monkswell Guest House, and some very mysterious things have started to happen. Down in the cellar lies a monk’s carved box — undisturbed for centuries until now.

Once it is opened, Sam is racing against time to discover the secret of Monks Island.

Publication

Pearson Longman

Streetwise 2003

An Adventure Novel

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click

The Secret of Monks Island

REVIEWS:  

“Mysterious, interesting, fascinating, enjoyable and … funny. I haven't felt like this after I've read a story” 

Hazera Begum, 
Gayhurst School. 

Akhil Nair, 
Eversley School

ISBN 1842 702173 

Jacket illustration by

James Fraser

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Publication

Anderson Press 2003

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click Second Sight 

REVIEW: 

“Jo is an appealing narrative voice and the novel will appeal to girls of 10-13 who enjoy fiction based on relationships.”

 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

ISBN 0862410940 

Jacket illustration by

James Fraser

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River of Secrets

Fran is very upset because her mother has remarried and she has to live with her stepfather and his son at her gran’s old home. She was very fond of her gran, who has recently been found dead in the nearby river.

Was her death an accident? Fran is sure someone is to blame and she’s determined to solve the mystery.

Is the weird girl, Fay, who lives next door, hiding something?

And why does another new friend, Denny, warn her against Fay’s strange magic?

Fran faces danger when the river almost claims a new victim, before she finally unlocks its secrets in a surprising and exciting climax to the story.

Publication

Anderson Press 2002

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click River of Secrets 

REVIEWS:

 'River of Secrets ... avoids the clichés of the genre, partly a.detective story, partly a moving tale with supernatural undertones.’

INDEPENDENT

“There is plenty of action in this novel which is highly readable. We are part of Fran’s fears and concerns about how her grandmother died, yet the story seems comfortingly rooted in ordinary family life. There are resolutions of the conflicts between the main characters but all ends happily with a surprising climax. A good read for KS2 and 3 readers.” 

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

ISBN 0862 264975

Jacket illustration by

Hogan Brown

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Danger at the Doghouse

Forbidden a pet, Jo hides an abandoned puppy, Pan, in the allotment shed. When her parents find out, he has to go, but her friend Mitch takes him to the family boarding-kennels, the Doghouse.

 Meanwhile, Jo’s elder sister, Lyn, slips off with Andy and his friends, who spell trouble. Are they the vandals responsible for various local crimes? And who is leaving mysterious coded messages?

Is the Doghouse in danger?

Publication

Anderson Press 2000

To purchase this book on-line at Amazon click

Danger at the Doghouse 

ISBN 0521 456428

Jacket illustration by

Tracy Fennell

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The Skeleton Upstairs

When Bernie and her mum inherit Aunt Addie’s home, it seems too good to be true. But strange noises in a locked attic, followed by a visit from a mad old woman making accusations, don’t make for a promising start. Then a ghostly train crash begins to haunt Bernie. Could Aunt Addie’s dark secret be the cause?

Publication

Cambridge U Press Moonstones 1993

ISBN 0862 413346

(age 10+)

Jacket illustration by

Mary Raynor

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Revenge of the Wildcat

When Tim’s family is on holiday at the Macpherson house in the Highlands, he is surprised and angry to find Alan Macpherson so resentful towards him. But when Tim discovers the nature of Alan’s secret they join forces and become involved in a mystery that is stranger than either could have imagined. Tim keeps seeing a strange woman who is running in terror from someone or something. But who or what is it— and why can no one else see her?

But the dramatic events are not confined to the children alone. Tara the wolfhound adopts Tim’s little terrier, Lucy, whilst Lucy adopts a wildcat kitten and saves its life.

Publication

Cannongate Press Kelpies1991

ISBN 0333 418921

New Way(Violet Level)

Jacket illustration by

Frances Thatcher

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Clarence the Crocodile

Clarence is lonely because he is the only white crocodile in a family of green ones.  He searches the jungle until he finds a family of white crocodiles and makes friends with Emily, who is sad to be the only green crocodile in her family.  They marry and have one green baby, one white and one striped. "If all crocodiles were striped, none of them would be lonely," said Clarence.

Publication

 Macmillan Education 1987

ISBN 0333 418905

New Way (Violet Level)

Cover & Illustrations by Linda Birch

ALSO

Illustrations by

Shirley Bellwood

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Helpful Harry

and 

The Magic Hole in the Wall

(cover title "Helpful Harry and other stories")

Publication

Macmillan Education 1987

Republished

Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd 

 1992

ISBN 0174 225288

New Way (Yellow)

Illustrated by 

Pat Nessling

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Selina was tired of being the youngest in her family. The friendly old lady next door explained that being the eldest could be even worse.

Later, when the old lady became ill, Selina showed she was not too young to saved her life. 

Publication

 Macmillan Education 1987

Republished

Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd 

 1992

ISBN 0333 418956

New Way (Orange)

Cover by 

Design works, Reading

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Trapped

.   

Publication

 Macmillan Education 1987

ISBN 0333 418697

New Way (Blue)

"The Little Dancer and other stories"

Cover by 

Design works, Reading

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The Magic Pet
(cover title "The Little Dancer and other stories")

Mum said Jane could not have a puppy and Jane was sad. Later Jane found a white rabbit in their garden but mum said they must put a 'found' notice in the shop. What happened next? Did Jane manage to keep the rabbit? Well, ... sort of.

Publication

 Macmillan Education 1987

ISBN 0340 395044

Jacket illustration by

Alicia Garcia de Lynam

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Too Many Grans

Luke’s two Grans were as different from one another as chalk from cheese, and he liked both of them. But when they came to look after him at the same time then the problems really started! Who did he like best?

Chocolate Gran or Jelly Gran?

Publication

Hodder & Stoughton 1986 

ISBN 0862 410940 (age 9+)

Jacket illustration by

Jill Downie

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The Story of Ranald

After the battle of Culloden, Ranald Macdonald and his family are forced to flee their homes to escape the barbarities of the cruel English soldiers under the command of ‘Butcher Cumberland’.

With his father held prisoner in Carlisle, Ranald finds his former life, as a carefree young boy, must change if he is to protect and assist his womenfolk in their perilous quest for freedom.

This is a true story based on Ranald’s own account written in 1749, two years after his escape. It gives a rare insight into how it must have been to leave a beloved home and country as a fugitive never to return.

Publication

Cannongate Press Kelpies1985

REVIEW:

“Griselda Gifford’s [story is a] reconstruction of the escape of the family of Macdonald ... after the defeat of the Stuart forces at the Battle of Culloden. Based on young Ranald Macdonald’s own account of the journey, this human document is warm in every detail because it is written from the inside.  
... their father is tried and executed as a traitor ... and their stepmother takes the agonizing decision to send sensitive, unsoldierly Ranald and his little sister Kattie into “exile” in Cumberland. This is living history, poignantly related by an author who has respect for source material and can keep it alive when translating it into fiction."

Times Literary Supplement 

ISBN 0333 377206
Level 3

Jacket illustration by

Stephanie Harris

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Two of a Kind

Publication

Macmillan Education 1985

 ISBN 0333 336364

Jacket illustration by

Peter Rush

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Pete and the Doodlebug

What would you do if your leg was in plaster and you couldn’t climb down the rock face to help your two friends who were stuck — and there was an air raid warning? Or you found a cow on the line and there was a train coming? Or you longed to be a brave heroine, but people laughed at you because you were a clumsy, dreamy girl?

Griselda Gifford tells what Pete and Dan and Elizabeth and some others did in just such situations. Here are seven stories about children having adventures and facing up to hard and difficult things which might be problems to many people. Two of the stories are set during the last war, and the rest take place in the present.

This is a splendid collection which will be particularly enjoyed by those readers who like characters they can say are ‘just like me’.

Publication

Macmillan

Children's Books 1983

ISBN 0241 108020

Jacket illustration by

Sally Holmes

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The Magic Mitre

The mitre that Em’s father buys when he is made a bishop reveals a magic quality. It will grant wishes made by its wearer. Unfortunately, Em and her father soon discover that wishes can easily get out of hand.

Publication

Hamish Hamilton 
Children's Books 1982

REVIEW:

“

ISBN 0575 023104

(age 8 to 10)

Jacket illustration by

Mary Raynor

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Because of Blunder

Ten-year-old Vicky has moved to a new noisy town. She’s lonely until she meets Sandy, the boy from the Home. Together they form an animal rescue club to save Blunder, the dog next door, who seems to be ill-treated. Blunder is large and bouncy and it’s very difficult to keep him secret. Then the owner reports him missing and Vicky and Sandy are in danger of being accused of theft. Vicky decides they should run away with Blunder. It would be a great adventure, and anyway Sandy wants to try and find Uncle Alfred, his only living relative, whom he hasn’t seen since he was little.

They set out full of confidence but soon find that running away has plenty of drawbacks. However, it’s too late to turn back—the police might be waiting to arrest them and send them to prison, and then what would become of Blunder?

Griselda Gifford combines humour and sympathy in this entertaining adventure story.

Publication

Victor Gollancz 1982

REVIEW:

The author touches on homelessness, unemployment, poverty, colour and rivalry between children without in any way detracting from a simply told and enjoyable story. Nothing is overstated; the book forms a harmonious whole. A story of almost universal appeal to the reader of eight and over”

 School Librarian

ISBN  0582 184177

Whizz Bang Series

Jacket illustration by

Robin Jacques

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The Rescue

Josh, Biddy and Sam cannot understand why the new lady in the top flat is so unfriendly.

She goes out to work in the morning and comes back at lunchtime. She doesn’t speak to anyone.

A little girl is left locked in the flat. She never comes out to play. Josh, Biddy and Sam are convinced that she has been kidnapped. But how can they rescue her?

Publication

Longman Group 1980

ISBN 0575 028610

Jacket illustration by

Mary Raynor

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Silver's Day

At the beginning of the school term, Cass befriends new girl Flora whom the other pupils laugh at because of her odd appearance. Despite her mother’s reluctance to let her ride, Flora reveals an unexpected talent with horses, and soon she is helping Cass to train her old pony, Silver, for a forthcoming horse show.

Cass solves the mystery of Flora’s occasionally strange behaviour though several questions remain to be answered. Why won’t Flora talk about her father? Will Silver win an event at the show? And who is the strange man Flora meets there? When Cass’s baby brother falls seriously ill, Cass, Flora and Silver take desperate action and several mysteries are solved.

Readers of Griselda Gifford’s previous novel, Cass the Brave, will already be familiar with the impetuous Cass, her more sensible twin Carrie and the rest of the Vicarage family. And new readers too will be delighted to make their acquaintance in this lively and entertaining novel for the younger age group.

Publication

Victor Gollancz 1980

REVIEW:

“A straightforward tale. . . entertainingly written and the simple realism of its setting is backed by considerable insight”

The Times Literary Supplement

ISBN 0575 020199

(age 8 to 10)

Jacket illustration by Carol Lawson

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Jenny and the Sheep Thieves

Jenny is convalescing on her grandparents' farm. Grandpa is very worried by the disappearance of sheep from the neighbouring fields and blames it on the people from the ‘New City’ who he feels are invading his peaceful countryside. Jenny makes friends first with Ann and Piggy and then with Laurie and Davie, who have tried to kidnap her doll. She tells them about the sheep stealing and they decide to form a gang to watch out for the thieves. To Jenny’s annoyance, Laurie immediately takes charge, but then comes the chance that Jenny has been waiting for...

Publication

Victor Gollancz 1980

REVIEW:

“The book, well adapted to a junior readership, nevertheless has that little bit extra, of feeling and psychological implication, that inner balance, that marks it cut from the general run of stories for the middle years”

  Margery Fisher 
(Growing Point)

ISBN 0575 025514

(age 8  to 10)

Jacket illustration by

Mary Rayner

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Cass the Brave