When Shadows Fall Sita Brahmachari Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes, a small green space in a sprawling grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future – until Kai’s family suffers a huge loss. Trying to cope […] Environment/Climate Change, Fiction, Friendship, Migration/ Refugees, Personal/social issues AGES: 12-14 AGES: 14+ The Wolf Road Richard Lambert A tale of loss that is also a gripping thriller, a realistic study of grief that skirts the margins of fantasy, it walks wolf-like between worlds and genres. Richard Lambert writes with a poet’s eye; he has created something magical here. The storytelling is as bold, sinewy and uncompromising as the beast that shadows Lucas […] Adventure, Bullying, Emotion/ Feelings, Family, Fear, Fiction, Grief/Loss, Mental Health and Wellbeing AGES: 12-14 AGES: 14+ Jimmy Coates: Killer Joe Craig An eleven-year-old boy discovers he has strange powers, and a future that holds mystery, adventure – and death! Bending his knees, Jimmy let go of the windowsill and slowly tipped backwards. Surely this is impossible, he thought, even as he could feel himself doing it. He pushed out with his legs and the thrust sent […] Adventure, Crime/ Thriller, Fiction, Mystery/murder AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 World of Robots: Wild Robots Joe Craig Jango and Izza are trapped on a broken-down transporter ship during a storm. Just when they think things can’t get any worse, a deadly beast escapes from a crate – and it has their scent! A dangerous game of hide and seek between animal and humans begins … Can Jango and Izza make it off […] Fiction, School/ Learning AGES: 7-10 World of Robots: Jango Joe Craig Jango and his grandpa are on their own, living on a planet that is largely covered by water. Robot ships patrol the ocean to bring in anything they find, ready for Jango and his grandpa to sort. But one night, they bring in something new. Something from the space station high above them. Something that […] Fiction, School/ Learning AGES: 7-10 Pug Hug Zehra Hicks A very cute pug really wants a hug, but no-one wants to hug him! Cat doesn’t like hugs, Hamster just wants to run in her wheel and Rabbit’s chomping carrots, unconvinced by Pug’s nice red bunny ear costume. What is a pug in need of a hug to do? Fortunately, Pug’s very huggable little girl […] Animals, Emotion/ Feelings, Family, Fiction, Funny, Picture Books AGES: 3-7 Cheeky Monkey Zehra Hicks Monkey wants to play! But Monkey’s games are a little too energetic for the other animals. A funny, playful story about learning how to make friends, from the author of the hilarious Pug Hug! Cheeky Monkey is ready to play! But Zebra is happy painting quietly, Giraffe is about to tuck in to lunch, and […] Animals, Fiction, Love, Picture Books, Romantic AGES: 3-7 Dinosaur in Danger Paul Geraghty ‘The volcano burst into the sky and soon the mountain was leaping with flames…’ Talon, a young raptor, finds herself alone in a hostile world of giant carnivores and dangerous gangs. She must find food or soon she will starve, but to do so she must win over the enemy pack… Meticulously researched, this realistic […] Adventure, Animals, Fiction, Picture Books AGES: 3-7 Rotten & Rascal Paul Geraghty Rotten and Rascal are quarrelling twin baby pterosaurs, who yell, shout, screech, howl, scream and snarl at each other all day long. One day a terrible argument begins and one by one the other dinosaurs try to resolve their noisy dispute. But the two terrible pterosaur twins prove impossible to shut up. Until, that is, […] Family, Fiction, Funny, Picture Books AGES: 3-7 Dougal Daley – It’s Not My Fault! Jackie Marchant & Loretta Schauer In this first book, football-loving Dougal Daley finds himself at risk from the mysterious creature living in the garden shed. Nobody believes him but as a precaution, he sets upon writing his will – rewarding those who help him and disinheriting those who get on his bad side. Fiction AGES: 7-10 On the Ghost Trail Chris Powling & Loretta Schauer A spooky comedy from Chris Powling with hilarious illustrations by Loretta Schauer. Perfect for fans of Amelia Fang and Knitbone Pepper. A ghost has been haunting Ben’s grandpa’s house with cobweb trails and the TAP-TAP-TAP of its heartbeat. So when the clock strikes twelve, Ben’s brother dares him to go on a hunt for the […] Family, Fiction, Learning, School/ Learning AGES: 7-10 Llama Glamarama Garry Parsons & Simon James Green Larry loves to groove and mooooove … but will the others disapprove? Larry the llama’s big secret is that late at night, when no one is watching, he loves to DANCE. Then, one day, he stumbles upon the Llama Glamarama! Will this raucous celebration give Larry the pride he needs to bring his dance back […] Animals, Fiction, Picture Books AGES: 3-7 Act Normal And Don’t Tell Anyone About the Present Machine Christian Darkin It started off as a way for computer coding fan Jenny to pick birthday presents for her friends. But Jenny and her brother Adam are soon being chased across the world by sinister magic fairy dolls, robot forklifts, and a mad party planner… In Act Normal And Don’t Tell Anyone About The Present Machine there […] Fiction, Funny AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 Act Normal And Don’t Tell Anyone About The Dinosaur In the Garden Christian Darkin ✓A girl who loves science. ✓A boy who loves chaos. What could possibly go wrong in this hilarious series of chapter book mystery adventures? Learning to read independently has never been so much fun! Every adventurous child deserves to be introduced to Jenny and Adam – two clever kids who have the weirdest adventures. Jenny’s […] Adventure, Animals, Dinosaurs, Fiction AGES: 10-12 AGES: 6-9 AGES: 7-10 My Daddies! Gareth Peters & Garry Parsons A funny, heartfelt picture-book celebrating same-sex parents and shared story time, perfect for introducing children to the different kinds of family in the world today. Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an adorable family as the stories they read burst into colourful life. Battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon […] Family, Fiction, Picture Books AGES: 3-7 Rabunzel Gareth P Jones & Loretta Schauer A uniquely silly and rebellious twist on a favourite fairy tale – with a fabulously foiled cover! “Rabunzel, Rabunzel, let down your ears!…” Rabunzel has a teeny tufty tail, a twitchy nose and two wide brown eyes. She also has VERY long ears – so long that her mother worries they will make her easy […] Fairy tales and folk tales, Fiction, Friendship, Funny, Picture Books AGES: 3-7 The Gruffalo Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake …and a hungry Gruffalo! Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic and has become a best-selling phenomenon across the world with over 13.5 million copies sold. This […] Adventure, Animals, Fiction, Monsters AGES: 3-7 The Castle of Tangled Magic Sophie Anderson The magical bestselling adventure book by acclaimed author Sophie Anderson. Magic awaits, all you have to do is believe… When thirteen-year-old Olia, steps through a magical doorway, she discovers another land. A land tangled by magic, where hope is lost, and a scheming wizard holds all the power. Soon Olia learns that she is destined […] Adventure, Fairy tales and folk tales, Family, Fiction AGES: 10-12 AGES: 12-14 The House with Chicken Legs Sophie Anderson A spellbinding adventure, bound-up with traditional folk and fairy tales, The House with Chicken Legs transports readers to a world of spells and spirits bound by ancient rules and one girl who longs to break free. Marinka dreams of a normal life, she dreams of standing still, but her house has chicken legs and a will […] Fairy tales and folk tales, Fiction, Identity AGES: 10-12 AGES: 12-14 The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale Ben Miller Lana loves stories. Especially the ones she and her brother, Harrison, share in their make-believe games. But when Harrison decides he’s too grown-up to play with Lana she finds herself feeling lonely. Until something magical happens … Hidden in the strange new supermarket in town, Lana discovers a portal to a fairytale world! But […] Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction AGES: 7-10 Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World Konnie Huq In her second brilliantly funny story, science-mad Cookie is ready to save the planet! When Cookie finds herself with two tickets to see popstar Aliana Tiny, Suzie Ashby suddenly wants to be her best friend. One small problem – Suzie is the most annoying girl in the world. UGH! So how is that Cookie manages […] Adventure, Fiction, Friendship, Funny AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 Lilliput Sam Gayton Inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, Lilliput is an exhilarating adventure filled with cunning escape plans, evil clockmakers and very talkative parrots. Join Lily as she travels over rooftops, down chimneys and into chocolate shops on a journey to find the one place in the world where she belongs . . . Home. Adventure, Fantasy/ Supernatural, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Magic AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 Marius and the Band of Blood: Book 4 – Tales from Schwartzgarten Christopher William Hill A gruesomely funny series for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket. Meet Marius Myerdorf, the newest recruit of Schwartzgarten’s most secret of societies. His is a tale of adventure and abduction, friendship and fearlessness, as The Band of Blood race against time to unmask two of the foulest fiends in the history of the […] Adventure, Fiction, Mystery/murder AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 Embassy of the Dead: Book 1 – Embassy of the Dead Chris Mould & Will Mabbitt Welcome to the Embassy of the Dead. Leave your life at the door. (Thanks.) When Jake opens a strange box containing a severed finger, he accidentally summons a grim reaper to drag him to the Eternal Void (yep, it’s as fatal as it sounds) and now he’s running for his life! But luckily Jake […] Adventure, Fiction, Monsters, Mystery/murder AGES: 7-10 Sail Dorien Brouwers Out at sea anything can happen: whether trials or triumphs, there are infinite possibilities to explore once we leave the shore. And what lies under the water’s surface, in the darkest depths, can often lead to the most beautiful discoveries. With her gentle wisdom and dynamic art that will sweep you away, remarkable debut talent […] Environment/Climate Change, Fiction, Growing Up & the Facts of Life, Nature/ Outdoors, Personal/social issues, Water AGES: 3-7 Together We Win Daniel Ido & Marcus Sedgwick A mysterious narrator witnesses three change-making moments of rebellion and revolution – and one of them is now. Writer Marcus Sedgwick’s short story uses the past to illustrate how humanity is once again at a pivotal moment in time. Is now the time for a revolution? And what part will youplay in making change? Features […] Adventure, Fiction, Historical, Politics/human rights, Power AGES: 10-12 That Thing Alexis Deacon & Avital Balwit A close encounter with an intelligent octopus provides a lesson in the value of curiosity and kindness to animals. Debut writer Avital Balwit’s That Thing suggests that our indifference to other animals also reflects how we sometimes treat each other. Illustrator Alexis Deacon’s watercolour washes and exquisite octopi animate this brilliant short story. That Thing […] Animals, Emotion/ Feelings, Fiction, School/ Learning AGES: 10-12 Mistaken for a Bear Jamie Beard & Philip Ardagh In the melting pot of London in 1839, two young dock workers chase a tiger on the loose – a dangerous splash of colour in a world of soot and grime! Written by Philip Ardagh, Mistaken for a Bear is a true story about mistaken identities, brought vividly to life by debut illustrator Jamie […] Adventure, Animals, Fiction, Historical, Identity, Multicultural/international AGES: 10-12 Indigo Takes Flight Chris Riddell & Krista M. Lambert Indigo has a secret – and it’s growing too big to hide! An enchantingly illustrated tale about coming to terms with who you are, and finding acceptance from those you love. Indigo Takes Flight is a deeply moving parable about the inner conflict involved in coming out as LGBTQ+ to family and friends. […] Adventure, Family, Fiction, Identity, LGBT/ Gender, Personal/social issues AGES: 7-10 In Her Element Jacinta Read & Jamila Gavin Faced with a whole new life far away from home, Sophie finds it hard to make friends – until a shared passion for water helps someone else come to terms with their disability. In Her Element’s deep-dive into Sophie’s world offers a rare opportunity for young readers to see through the eyes of a […] Disability, Emotion/ Feelings, Fiction, Friendship, Personal/social issues, Water AGES: 10-12 Swallow’s Kiss Jane Ray & Sita Brahmachari When Blessing finds a lost bag of paper birds she follows a trail of hopes and wishes to the community who made them, in this lyrical, free-verse tale about kindness and friendship. Filled with light, love and birdsong, Swallow’s Kiss is a wonderfully uplifting story that explores the common threads that connect our communities, […] Faith/ Culture, Family, Fiction, Friendship, Identity, Migration/ Refugees, Multicultural/international AGES: 7-10 Here Be Monsters Jay Hulme & Sahar Haghgoo A sea-born creature, who never quite belongs, discovers who she really is, in this powerful illustrated song about metamorphosis and finding your true home. Here Be Monsters was edited by Alice Curry at Lantana and art directed by Andrew Biscomb at Scholastic. Here Be Monsters is part of the 10 Stories to Make […] Animals, Fiction, Identity, LGBT/ Gender, Poetry AGES: 7-10 Forbidden Anjali Tiwari & Danica Da Silva Pereira Two girls with very different lives are drawn into a passionate friendship — and bound by a desire to break the taboos that divide them. Forbidden is a heartbreaking short story set in India. Forbidden was edited by Clare Whitston and art directed by Holly Fulbrook at Oxford University Press. Forbidden is part of the […] Emotion/ Feelings, Family, Fiction, Friendship, Personal/social issues AGES: 10-12 Good News! Why the World Isn’t As Bad As You Think Adam Hayes & Rashmi Sirdeshpande Pandemics, war, terror, natural disasters – the world seems to be full of bad news and it can all feel, well, a little bit scary. But this is just part of the story. There are in fact tons of great things happening, from robots improving health care and trees healing the planet, to everyday people […] Fiction, Personal/social issues, Self-discovery AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 A Match for a Mermaid David Roberts & Eleanor Cullen A picky princess rejects a string of eligible suitors in this hilariously illustrated underwater tale about choosing to love who you want. A Match for a Mermaid is a genre-busting fable about same-sex union and defying convention. Edited by Libby Hamilton at Andersen Press and art directed by Jane Buckley at Simon & Schuster. The original illustrated story […] Fiction, Growing Up & the Facts of Life, Identity, Inspirational, LGBT/ Gender, Love AGES: 7-10 When Secrets Set Sail Sita Brahmachari Usha is devastated when her grandmother Kali Ma passes away. Then straight-talking Imtiaz arrives – her new adoptive sister – and the two girls clash instantly. They both feel lost. That is until Kali Ma’s ghost appears…with a task for them. Immy’s and Usha’s home is full of history and secrets. Many years ago it […] Adventure, Family, Fiction, Government, law and crime AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 Vi Spy Maz Evans A hilarious new adventure from the author of the bestselling Who Let the Gods Out? series! Divorce is tough for any kid. But when – like Vi’s parents – your mum is ex-secret service and your dad is a retired bad guy, ’till death do us part’ takes on a whole new meaning. And […] Adventure, Fiction, Funny, Government, law and crime, Mystery/murder AGES: 7-10 The Night Bus Hero Onjali Q. Rauf From Onjali Q. Rauf, the award-winning and best-selling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class , comes another incredible story, told with humour and heart. ‘The boy’s an absolute menace.’ ‘He’s a bully. A lost cause!’ ‘Why can’t he be more like his sister?’ I’ve been getting into trouble for as long […] Bullying, Emotion/ Feelings, Fiction, Friendship, Personal/social issues, School/ Learning AGES: 7-10 The Garden of Inside-Outside Chiara Mezzalama & Regis Lejonc & Sarah Ardizzone Inspired by the childhood of the author, whose father was appointed Italian ambassador to Tehran in 1980, this picture book is a beautiful evocation of a country struck by war, where friendship arises despite the rising walls. In the summer of 1981, Chiara and her family join their father in Iran. At their beautiful palace, […] Adventure, Family, Fiction, War AGES: 10-12 AGES: 12-14 AGES: 7-10 River of Ink: Genesis: Book 1 – River of Ink H.L. Dennis What if a teenage boy washed up on the banks of the River Thames, soaked to the skin and unable to explain who he is? What if the only clue to the boy’s identity is a sketch he made of a strange symbol? Who would help him? Who would hunt him? Who is River Boy? […] Adventure, Family, Fiction, Government, law and crime, Magic, Mystery/murder, Social Care Homes AGES: 10-12 Noor Inayat Khan – My Story Sufiya Ahmed My Story: Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan is the thrilling story of British-Indian World War Two heroine, Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan. It’s 1940 and hundreds of families are being forced to flee Nazi-occupied France. Noor refuses to stand by while Nazi forces invade her home and terrorise her people, so she travels to England and signs up to […] Adventure, Fiction, Historical, Mystery/murder, Politics/human rights, War AGES: 10-12 My Big Mouth Chanté Timonthy & Steven Camden ‘They think I’m cool.’ Dom’s face wrinkled up, ‘Who does? Who cares?’ But I did. I cared. When Dad leaves, ten-year-old Jay has questions. Where has he gone? Why did he go? When no one can give Jay the answers he needs, he makes up his own stories, setting off a chain reaction that sees […] Family, Fiction, Funny, Personal/social issues, School/ Learning AGES: 10-12 AGES: 7-10 Mohinder’s War A thrilling World War II adventure set in occupied France, featuring an Indian RAF pilot. Great for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne, and those who want diverse historical fiction. Thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it’s up to her and her […] Adventure, Family, Fiction, Historical Fiction, World Wars 1&2 AGES: 10-12 AGES: 12-14 Just Like Tomorrow Faiza Guene & Sarah Ardizzone Fifteen-year-old Doria isn’t in a good place. Or to be precise: she’s in the sadly misnamed Paradise Estate on the outskirts of Paris. Her father has gone off back Morocco to find a wife who can give him a boy, and her illiterate, non French-speaking mother is having to fend for herself with a cleaning […] Adventure, Communication, Emotion/ Feelings, Family, Fiction, Funny, Government, law and crime AGES: 14+ How I Saved The World in a Week Polly Ho-Yen A brilliantly imagined new 8+ adventure about resilience, family and hope. From the bestselling and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlisted author of BOY IN THE TOWER. Perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Lisa Thompson and Onjali Rauf. Even when you can’t believe what you’re seeing, you’d better get ready to run for your life, because […] Adventure, Emotion/ Feelings, Family, Fiction, Government, law and crime, Illness / Hospitals AGES: 10-12 AGES: 12-14
