Age 7 plus:
Milton the Mighty
Emma Read
Meet a new superhero who is on the web and ready to swing
into action… Milton, the teeniest, tiny spider with the heart of a lion!
Milton the Mighty, starring an itsy bitsy teeny weeny
arachnid fighting back against some nasty bug killers, is the first book in a
fresh, laugh-out-loud and entertaining series from former biologist Emma Read,
a debut novelist who is aiming to debunk some of the myths around creepy
crawlies.
When little Milton, a harmless, completely unscreamworthy
false widow spider, discovers he (and his utterly unterrifying species) have been
branded as deadly black widow spiders on social media, he finds himself being
targeted by pest-killers and spider exterminators BugKILL. Milton, so tiny and insignificant, fears for his life and
the future of his species, and alongside his BFFs, big hairy Ralph and spindly
daddy-long-legs Audrey, he searches for a way to clear his name. But to succeed,
Milton realises he must communicate with his house humans, a schoolgirl called
Zoe and her seriously arachnophobic dad. Is he mighty enough to achieve the
impossible?
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| A HERO SPIDER: Emma Read |
Milton, whose journey from spider worrier to spider warrior
is brought to life by the comical illustrations of Alex G. Griffiths, is the
perfect antidote to arachnophobia, proving with charm and charisma that spiders
are not just amazing little creatures but heroes of the natural world.
But this is also a tale of friendship, shared adversity and
the importance of understanding and tolerance. Add on a few timely lessons
about the harmful effects of fake news and the sometimes pernicious influence
of social media, and lots of brilliant gigglesome gags, and readers are set for
a spider adventure that will leave them screaming… with laughter!
(Chicken House, paperback, £6.99)
Age 9 plus:
Royal Rebel: Designer
Carina Axelsson
If girl power, glitz and glamour are your (designer) bag,
then step into the exciting world of Lily Waldenburg, the reluctant princess
who would rather be a fashion queen.
Royal Rebel: Designer is the second book in a sparkling
middle-grade series from former top model Carina Axelsson, who has swapped the
catwalk for a successful writing career, and is already the bestselling author
of the popular Model Under Cover books.
This fabulous fashion series was inspired by Axelsson’s
desire to create an alternative ‘princess story,’ a Queendom where girls can
fall in love with the fairy tale lifestyle whilst feeling empowered by a world
where they are the decision-makers.
Lily Waldenburg is in many ways a normal teenager. She loves
fashion, her dog Coco, her guinea pig Zoe and sleepovers with her best friend
Leonie. She dreams of being a fashion vlogger and when her videos on her style
vlog, Tiara Girl, start to take off, Lily knows this is her chance to succeed.
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| GLAMOUR GIRLS: Carina Axelsson |
But Lily is also a Crown Princess, first in line to be Queen
of Waldenburg, a matriarchal society. She has her royal responsibilities to
think about – the ‘Queen-to-be’ stuff that she must learn before she comes of
age next year.
Her Grandmaman and Mother (Her Majesty Sophia the Twelfth)
have high expectations of what a princess should be, and that certainly doesn’t
include being a fashion vlogger. But Tiara Girl’s online star is rising fast
and with her design ideas going viral and her school life colliding with her
royal responsibilities, can she keep her identity secret, or will she be
exposed as the Crown Princess and royal rebel that she really is?
Royal Rebel is the perfect blend of fashion, princess
glamour and fun-filled adventure as the gorgeous Lily treads a fine line
between the restrictions of her royal duties and her desire to be both ‘normal’
and a successful fashion vlogger.
A gorgeously glamorous and glittering series perfectly
fashioned for you own stylish little princesses!
(Usborne, paperback, £6.99)
Age 8 plus:
Rugby Academy
Tom Palmer
Young readers have been getting a ‘kick’ out of a fantastic
rugby series from Tom Palmer, the king of all-action sports stories, and now
there’s a chance to read them all in one go!
This new collected edition brings together all the books in
Palmer’s brilliant, high-energy Rugby Academy trilogy which includes Combat
Zone, Deadlocked and Surface to Air. Packed with action from cover to cover,
this is a perfect addition to Palmer’s fast-paced and thought-provoking sports
adventures. And with its super-readable layout and typeface, even more readers
can enjoy it.
The author of 48 books featuring spies, history, the RAF,
ghosts, detectives, war, football and rugby, Palmer visits over 150 schools
every year to run his Football and Rugby Reading Games, which tie in with his
long-term work in reader development.
Borderlands School’s First XV have their sights set on
becoming the best school rugby team in the world. But while the boys focus on
their matches, many of their parents are serving overseas in the armed forces,
and everyone is worried as conflict grows in the Central Asian Republic.
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| ON THE BALL: Tom Palmer |
New pupil Woody is a footballer by nature and must decide if
he wants to give rugby his all, while Rory feels like he is losing his
concentration on team matters because he is distracted by thoughts of his
parents serving overseas and in danger.
And Owen finds himself in the spotlight when conflict breaks
out within the team. With some serious challenges to face along the way and so much
to distract them, can the boys keep their focus on winning and become school
rugby champions of Britain, Europe and the world?
Written with sensitivity and insight, and illustrated by
David Shephard, this book comes packed with drama, suspense, some real-life
issues, and all the excitement – and ups and downs – of sporting action and
shared team spirit.
A brilliant book for rugby fans, adrenaline addicts and
reluctant readers…
(Conkers, paperback, £7.99)
Age 6 plus:
The Adventures of Harry Stevenson
Ali Pye
Some people might think that guinea pigs just like to sleep
lots and eat lots… but they obviously haven’t met the fur-raising Harry
Stevenson!
And Harry certainly is a guinea pig who can gobble up the
most dangerous dilemmas as he finds himself plunged into some unexpected and
high-flying dramas which take him far, far away from the cosy, hay-filled,
creature comforts of his cage. He might be small but he has some very BIG
adventures.
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| GUINEA PIG GIGGLES: Ali Pye |
Harry Stevenson doesn’t live in a castle, or a witch’s
cottage, or anywhere exciting like that. His home is in a flat with
seven-year-old Billy and his mum and dad. And at first glance, Harry doesn’t
seem any different from your average guinea pig. He has ginger fur and sparkly
black eyes, likes nothing more than snacking on a piece of broccoli, and he
can’t secretly talk or fly around the room when no one is looking.
But don’t be fooled! Harry may just want to sleep and eat
(and then eat some more) but somehow he always manages to get swept up in
adventures… whether it’s surfing the Pacific on a picnic plate or accidentally
attaching himself to a helium balloon.
Join Harry in this brilliant two-stories-in-one book which
is filled with fun, giggles, some moving moments and lots of action, all
brought to life by a very large and delicious helping of two-tone
illustrations.
A swinging start to a super new series!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £5.99)
Age 3 plus:
Umbrella
Elena Arevalo Melville
A trip to the park turns into a magical adventure full of
endless possibilities in a warm and beguiling picture book from Guatemalan-born
author and illustrator Elena Arevalo Melville.
The power of kindness and the triple joys of magic, music
and the miraculous lie at the heart of this clever, colourful story which celebrates
our rights to express ourselves and to choose our own friends, and comes with
an endorsement from Amnesty International.
It’s a beautiful morning and Clara has gone to the park, but
there’s nobody to play with. She finds what appears to be an ordinary old umbrella
on the ground and does a good deed by gently putting it on a bench. Imagine her
surprise when the umbrella says ‘thank you’ and invites Clara to make a wish. And
as she opens up the umbrella what also unfolds is a magical chain of events
where help, kindness and forgiveness go hand-in-hand.
Melville uses her distinctive, tonal illustrations and a
surreal and yet reassuring story brimming with humour, kindness, forgiveness
and generosity to explore topical themes of empathy, decision-making and
citizenship.
Young readers are invited to interact with Clara’s amazing
adventure by choosing what sort of wish they would make and to reflect on how
their choices would affect other people.
An exhilarating and entertaining lesson in the rewards of
caring, sharing and togetherness.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)
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