This story is a dark, more grown-up version of a traditional fairytale written by Gina Blaxhill. It features a wolf and a character called Red so you can no doubt guess which one has been twisted for this tale! Published by Scholastic we recommend it [...]
January 19, 2022
From Mitch Johnson, the author of the the acclaimed book Kick is an exciting and thought-provoking story for children aged 10-13 years. This story is set in an apocalyptic world where the characters Ash and Bronwyn are fighting to survive. Our young reviewer’s favourite character [...]
January 18, 2022
This is a new spy series for readers who love fast-paced plots, cutting-edge tech and exciting action adventures. Two teen spies called Swift and Hawk are experts in AI and robotics, are recruited by the top-secret Moebius Programme when their families mysteriously disappear. Plunged into a life-and-death [...]
Addy is haunted by the tragic fire that killed her parents, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Now, years later, Addy’s grandmother has enrolled her in a summer wilderness programme. There, Addy joins five other Black city kids – each with their [...]
January 14, 2022
Edited by Melissa Meyer this book is an anthology of ten short stories about love in all its guises from ten award-winning writers of YA fiction. Taking the theme of love the collection includes stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises and love [...]
January 10, 2022
For readers who enjoy thrilling stories here is spine-chilling page-turning new YA novel from Cynthia Murphy. Another year has begun at a girls’ school called Morton Academy. Liz is back from a summer full of hospital visits after a tragic last few days of school [...]
January 4, 2022
This graphic novel by Aoife Dooley is based on her real life experience of autism. It is published in the UK by Scholastic and contains clear bold illustrations in hues of orange and blue as well as black and white. Our young reviewer is [...]
December 30, 2021
This is a powerful and foreboding story about climate change by Timothée de Fombelle, who is one of France’s greatest contemporary writers for children. This edition, published by Walker Books, is an English translation by Sarah Ardizzone. In this futuristic, dystopian setting the world is [...]
December 20, 2021
From award-winning writer Marcus Sedgwick is a shortish story published by Oxford University Press with all the suspense, compelling characterisation and detail that readers have come to expect from this author. Marcus Sedgwick has fused mythology and mystery to create an eerie tale that [...]
Bitter is a YA novel that explores the theme of the power of youth, protest and art. Written by Akwaeke Emezi it will be published in the UK on February 15th by Faber & Faber. Bitter is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, [...]
December 12, 2021
Now a movie on Netflix this a book about spine-tingling tales by J. A. White suitable for readers aged 8- 12 years old. Interwoven in the spooky plot are tips for budding writers about how storytelling. You can see some excepts if you scroll [...]
November 14, 2021
This is a special illustrated edition of the moving book by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely that explores racism and racial violence. It includes evocative black and white illustrations from Akhran Girmay. (We have included a couple of examples below and also shown how the [...]
November 9, 2021
Described as a ‘coming of age story set in a gripping new fantasy world’ this is the latest novel by Lisa Lueddecke. As with her other writing it contains strong female characters to root for and was inspired by the folktales of her Hungarian heritage. In [...]
This fascinating, exciting, shocking and moving story is a young reader’s edition of The Volunteer – Jack Fairweather’s Costa Book of the Year. An extraordinary, eye-opening account of the Holocaust based on the true story of a Polish officer who reported on the crimes [...]
This story is primarily about families and friendships and nature. There is an underlying mystery for the characters to solve that will keep a young reader turning the pages whilst the context of the twins’ visit to Scotland, whilst their mother is unwell, is [...]
October 31, 2021
From William Sutcliffe this story is a fresh, funny look the battle to combat climate change. Entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time the “Greta’ effect will be enjoyed by young readers aged 11-14 years, in whose hands the future of our precious planet [...]
October 23, 2021
This inclusive contemporary rom-com by Jenni Jennings, published by Scholastic, will get everyone in the mood for the festival season. Milly, Robert and Sam usually love Christmas. But this year, they’re all out of joy. Milly is worried about her dad. Sam is desperately trying to [...]
Kaleidoscope by acclaimed author Brian Selznick is a unique book with intricate and imaginative black and white illustrations as you would expect if you are familiar with his Hugo Cabret. You can see some examples if you scroll down. Here is a message from the [...]
September 22, 2021
A fantasy story by Lauren James about three teenagers who join forces and use their superpowers to help to save the planet. Gabrielle is a climate-change activist who shoots to fame when she becomes the first teenager to display a supernatural ability to grow plants [...]
This is the concluding book in the Contender series by bestselling historical fantasy writer Taran Matharu. The trilogy, published by Hachette, features the hero Cade, who so far has just about managed to survive the duel with the Hydra Alpha – But the Games [...]
September 17, 2021
