MATTHEW’S GOALS by Michael Hardcastle (A&C Black; €5.92). Soccer-mad Matthew forgets to close the door of his mum’s freezer, leading to the worst punishment possible — being banned from playing soccer just as an important fixture is looming.

TALL STORY by Candy Gourlay (David Fickling Books; €13.19). When Andi finally meets her brother Bernardo, whom she has not seen for eight years, she is shocked to discover he is literally a giant – eight feet tall.