When he learns that Lucky is not his real name, but only a nickname given to him by his grandfather, a young boy's outlook on his whole life changes.

What if you suddenly had everything you’d ever dreamed of? That’s exactly what happens to 10-year-old Joe Smith in this hilarious, brand-new comedy adventure from bestselling author, comedian and presenter Danny Wallace, with illustrations throughout from Gemma Correll. Perfect for children age 8+ and fans of David Baddiel, Stephen Mangan, David Walliams, Andy Griffiths, Jenny Pearson and Helen Rutter. Joe Smith is average in every way. He is average height. He lives in an average town, on an average street, in an average house, with a very average family. But when a survey identifies him as the most average kid in the country – well that makes him very special indeed. Suddenly, everyone wants Joe to test out their latest products. Overnight he is sent mountains of gifts ­– the best trainers, the coolest bike, the most exciting new tech, the latest flavours of ice cream – and so much more. He gets special cinema screenings and the entire water park all to himself. Joe now has everything he could possibly want in the world – and that’s far from average. But is going from zero to hero all it’s cracked up to be? This brilliantly warm-hearted, laugh-out-loud family adventure will leave you thinking about friendship, family and why everyone is special just the way they are. Other books by Danny Wallace: The Day the Screens Went Blank Hamish and the Worldstoppers Hamish and the Neverpeople Hamish and the Gravity Burp Hamish and the Baby Boom Hamish and the Terrible Terrible Christmas and Other Stories Hamish and the Monster Patrol Praise for The Day the Screens Went Blank: 'So funny' Noel Fielding 'Brilliantly funny' Shappi Khorsandi 'Hilarious' Tim Minchin 'Warm and funny' Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Why Earth’s life-friendly climate makes it exceptional—and what that means for the likelihood of finding intelligent extraterrestrial life We have long fantasized about finding life on planets other than our own. Yet even as we become aware of the vast expanses beyond our solar system, it remains clear that Earth is exceptional. The question is: why? In Lucky Planet, astrobiologist David Waltham argues that Earth’s climate stability is what makes it uniquely able to support life, and it is nothing short of luck that made such conditions possible. The four billion year-stretch of good weather that our planet has experienced is statistically so unlikely that chances are slim that we will ever encounter intelligent extraterrestrial others. Citing the factors that typically control a planet’s average temperature—including the size of its moon, as well as the rate of the Universe’s expansion—Waltham challenges the prevailing scientific consensus that Earth-like planets have natural stabilizing mechanisms that allow life to flourish. A lively exploration of the stars above and the ground beneath our feet, Lucky Planet seamlessly weaves the story of Earth and the worlds orbiting other stars to give us a new perspective of the surprising role chance plays in our place in the universe.

This fully illustrated children's book helps to start the conversation about what is really valuable in life. One rare, pure copper penny thinks that everybody wants to be like him, because he is worth a lot of money. The other rare penny is not afraid to get dirty and has had a lifetime of adventures.

The Luckiest Man On The Planet is about a man in his early thirties and his metal detector. Treasure hunting on vacation one morning, he unearths the greatest discovery ever found and proceeds to authenticate it with the help of several friends and associates. Before long, The Dream Team emerges with a dozen or so members determined to rid the world of offensive military weapons using their unique and powerful alien technologies. But not without enjoying their beloved 50s rock and roll with tons of romance, science, intrigue, and unending humor on practically every page. You will never forget the fun times in this book because much of it really happened and many of the characters were real people. You will also come to love the fictional characters as Mr. Suits did in the years it took to write this bookEnjoy.

No dream is too big or too small in this heartwarming, heart-building book about you! So, stop. Dream. Think it through. And remember, there is so much you can do. Here is an exuberant book that asks what wonderful, endless possibilities your story and your future might hold, making YOU the author of your own powerful tale.

Read Pam Allyn's posts on the Penguin Blog The books to read aloud to children at the important moments in their lives. In What to Read When, award-winning educator Pam Allyn celebrates the power of reading aloud with children. In many ways, books provide the first opportunity for children to begin to reflectively engage with and understand the world around them. Not only can parents entertain their child and convey the beauty of language through books, they can also share their values and create lasting connections. Here, Allyn offers parents and caregivers essential advice on choosing appropriate titles for their children—taking into account a child’s age, attention ability, gender, and interests— along with techniques for reading aloud effectively. But what sets this book apart is the extraordinary, annotated list of more than three hundred titles suitable for the pivotal moments in a child’s life. With category themes ranging from friendship and journeys to thankfulness, separations, silliness, and spirituality, What to Read When is a one-of-a-kind guide to how parents can best inspire children through reading together. In addition, Pam Allyn includes an indispensable “Reader’s Ladder” section, with recommendations for children at every stage from birth to age ten. With the author’s warm and engaging voice throughout, discussion questions to encourage in-depth conversations, as well as advice on helping kids make the transition to independent reading, this book will help shape thoughtful, creative, and curious children, imparting a love of reading that will last a lifetime. These Penguin Young Reader's Books are referenced in What to Read When Sylvia Jean: Drama Queen by Lisa Campbell Ernst (Penguin Young Reader’s Group: 2005) Two Is For Twins, by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, illustrations by Hiroe Nakata (Penguin Young Readers: 2006) Remember Grandma? by Laura Langston (Penguin Group (USA): May 2004) Soul Looks Back in Wonder compiled by Tom Feelings (Puffin Books) Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey (Penguin Books USA, Incorporated: December 1957) When I was Young in the Mountainsby Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Diane Goode (Penguin Young Readers Group: January 1993) Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie DePaola (Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Books, Inc.:1973) Good Night, Good Knight by Shelly Moore Thomas, illustrations by Jennifer Plecas (Penguin Young Readers Group: 2002)