Age 8 plus
The Boy with Big Decisions
Helen Rutter
SCHOOLBOY Fred is on the cusp of moving to a new school and he’s going to face some big decisions... decisions that YOU are going to have to make not just with him, but for him! Youngsters will love teaming up with indecisive Fred in award-winning author Helen Rutter’s brilliant interactive story book which puts readers in the driving seat on a multitude of possible pathways, offering choices that aim to encourage empathy and kindness whilst also delivering big-hearted, exciting adventures shaped by YOUR decisions.
Fred can't make a decision about anything... his parents
always tell him what to do, from what to eat every day to which secondary
school to choose. That’s how Fred has found himself a pupil at the
high-pressure, strict Gains School when he’d much rather be going to Browtree
with its brilliant art department and kind teachers. As Fred waits for the bus
to his new school, he sees the bus for Browtree pull up and a wild, thrilling,
thought strikes him. Should he jump on this bus and pretend he’s a new student
at Browtree? Will he be brave enough to follow a different path for once?
Standing in Fred’s shoes and making decisions alongside him
throughout this story provides youngsters with lots of fascinating choices. Can
you help him to stand up for what he believes in, learn what he truly loves to
do, make good friends and face choices about whether to swerve or walk into
drama. Don’t miss the bus because YOU are in charge!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
The Seaside Sleepover
Jacqueline Wilson and Rachael Dean
WHEN bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson’s funny and moving book, Sleepovers, was first published in 2001, many of her (now grown-up!) readers told her that it was their favourite of the over one hundred stories Wilson has written. The much-loved tale introduced us to school friends Amy, Bella, Chloe, Daisy and Emily who were looking forward to planning sleepovers for their birthdays. Perfect for newly confident readers who are navigating primary school friendship issues, each story is full of relatable details and gentle confidence-building messages. And those all-too-familiar worries about bullying, disabilities, siblings and friendships are explored again in this heartwarming sequel – the third book in the Sleepovers series – starring the same friendship circle. The summer holidays have finally arrived and Daisy is bored. She is glad she won’t have to see her worst enemy Chloe for a while but she longs for a proper holiday at the seaside, building sandcastles, eating lots of ice-cream and maybe even spotting a mermaid in the sea.
Daisy’s non-verbal sister,
Lily, wants to come too but, she uses a wheelchair which can make trips to the
seaside tricky... especially with all that sand! Daisy’s summer improves when
she starts looking after her neighbours’ dog, Scruff. Daisy has always wanted a
dog of her own to walk and cuddle and she knows Scruff would love a trip to the
seaside just as much as her. Will Daisy, Lily and Scruff get their ice-cream-filled
dream holiday... and maybe even have a Seaside Sleepover? Rachael Dean’s beautifully emotive illustrations bring
Wilson’s sensitively written and inspirational story to life as readers enjoy
following the girls through another rollercoaster chapter of family and
friendship dramas, and the triumphs and disasters of the new summer sleepover
plans. With her gift for understanding and acknowledging the fears
that so often affect children, and the subtle messages of help and guidance
that flow from the pages, this is Wilson on her very best – and most
entertaining – storytelling form.
(Puffin, hardback, £12.99)
Becoming Grace
Hilary McKay and Keith Robinson
A YOUNG girl who overcame her own fear of drowning to help
rescue survivors of a shipwreck off the Northumberland coast in 1838 takes
centre stage in an epic tale of endurance and bravery from Costa award-winning
author Hilary McKay. Becoming Grace – gloriously illustrated by Keith Robinson –
reimagines the incredible true story of Grace Darling, daughter of the lighthouse
keeper on the rugged Farne Islands, who rowed out in a fierce storm to help
with a dangerous mission to rescue stranded survivors on board the Forfarshire,
a vessel travelling from Hull to Dundee. Grace Darling nearly drowned when she was eight but despite
her fear of boats and the sea, she loves her life as the daughter of a
lighthouse keeper and spends fun-filled childhood days with her three sisters,
four brothers, numerous goats, chickens, cats and her beloved dog Happy. The
only shadows come from the many shipwrecks caused by the poor location of their
lighthouse, a problem that seems to be fixed when a new one is built further
out on the remote Longstone Rock. But in September 1838, the steamship
Forfarshire is wrecked on the perilous Harcar Rock. Grace alerts her father to
survivors, but can she find the courage to help him row out through the
mountainous waves to rescue them? Master storyteller McKay adds her special touch of heart and
soul to this moving real-life story which has captured the imagination of both
children and adults over almost two centuries. Through the simple joys and
hardships of Grace’s family life, youngsters learn about society’s expectations
of young women in the Victorian era. Full of drama, rich descriptive detail and
Robinson’s emotive artwork, this is another winner from a dynamic writing and
illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
I Am Raven
Alastair Chisholm
RETURN to a thrillingly imagined dystopian world packed with
big ideas, spine-tingling danger and jaw-dropping surprises as highly-acclaimed
author and puzzle creator Alastair Chisholm unleashes the second book of his dazzling
middle grade trilogy. With a bold, ingeniously detailed and highly original ‘other
world’ at the heart of the stories, a cast of unforgettable characters, plenty
of thought-provoking concepts, and page-turning adventures to get lost in,
youngsters are hooked from first page to last. Once, Brann belonged to Raven. She flew high above the world
on the incredible mechanical Construct... and she was fearless. But that
changed when Raven was destroyed by Dragon. Now Brann has lost the life she
once knew, her home is gone and she is desperate to find Raven’s missing crew.
Determined to find the truth, Brann heads north with her friends Coll, Rieke
and Finn. But secrets start to unravel and what they learn will change
everything they know about their world, and themselves. Where did Dragon come
from? What happened to Raven's crew? And what is the secret Brann is hiding? Expect to be bewitched and bedazzled by Chisholm’s
imaginative power as Brann’s fascinating, fearsome world rolls out across 218
pages of action, intrigue, peril and unlikely alliances. Packed full of menace
and suspense, featuring world-building at its mesmerising best, and with hidden
perils waiting round every corner, the final book in the series can’t come too
soon!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
Peregrine Quinn and the Mask of Chaos
Ash Bond
Dino Knights: Extinction
Jeff Norton and Jeff Crosby
PICK two favourite themes – dangerous dinosaurs and daring
knights – blend them together, and what do you have? Dino Knights, of course!
In the third book of his fabulous, action-packed chapter book series, Jeff
Norton transports youngsters back to his thrilling and imaginative medieval
land where dinosaurs still roam and brave knights ride into adventures on the
back of roaring dinosaurs. Norton, loved for his stories which create
compelling characters, awesome escapades and immersive worlds, is on his best
form in this new tale starring the now established Dino Knight, Henry Fairchild,
defender of Brecklan, his beloved homeland, who sets off on the back of his
trusty T-rex to find his lost parents. But there’s trouble ahead and Henry is
soon caught up in a battle to save the environment of the dinosaurs and to
uphold the duty of conservation. With Jeff Crosby’s exciting and atmospheric
black and white illustrations bringing Norton’s world-building to vivid life, a
gallery of amazing characters, a map, playful heraldic chapter headings and a
dinosaur field guide, this all-action story of bravery, loyalty, family,
conservation and duty is perfect for all fearless young adventurers.
(Scallywag Press, paperback, £7.99)
Meg and Merlin: Having Fun
Tanya Landman and Sònia Albert
SADDLE up for the fourth action-packed instalment of
Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman’s captivating Meg and Merlin series
which is proving a dream read for pony lovers. Packed with action, fun and
friendships, these warmhearted stories celebrate the close bond between horse
and rider, and this entertaining new adventure will have youngsters (who dream
of owning their own horse!) cantering through the pages. Here we join Meg and
Merlin braving a ‘fun day’ at the nearby stables and learning some exciting new
tricks. Meg and her friend Sam Houseman take their ponies Merlin and Alfred to
the fun day but with Sam’s bossy mum as one of the instructors, the day isn’t
anything like as much fun as they’d hoped. But when Sam’s mum tries to force
Merlin over a water jump, he refuses and she ends up getting very wet and soon
there are plenty of laughs all round! Brought to life by the lively illustrations
of Sònia
Albert, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format,
this new drama-filled adventure is a sure-fire winner for all young horse
riding fans.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Where’s the Spy?
Alex Frith, Laura Cowan and Colin King
JOIN Usborne’s classic espionage hero Si the Spy on his
mission to save the world! He’s an expert at blending in with a crowd but be
warned... you’ll have to find him, and his spy enemies, and solve all sorts of
puzzles along the way. Authors Alex Frith and Laura Cowan combine their talents
with illustrator Colin King on this brilliant spot-and-find story which is
packed with codes to crack and twelve intricate ‘can you spot puzzles’ to
fathom as you embark on a thrilling tale of espionage. Who are the Twindicate? What do they want?
And can Si the Spy stop their dastardly plans in time? Look out for him in a
crowded train station, a thronging carnival, a shopping mall, a science lab and
of course a secret underground villain lair. As well as spotting our hero on
every page, he'll need your help with codes, puzzles and unravelling fiendish
conundrums to get to the bottom of an international crime conspiracy. Are you
ready for the fun?
(Usborne Publishing, hardback, £6.99)
Where Did They Go?
A Search and Find Book
Emily Bornoff
SPOTTING books are always fun and here’s one that packs in
important messages about conservation as well as all those much-loved search
challenges. Where has the polar bear gone, where did the lemur go... can you
find them? Writer and illustrator Emily Bornoff’s lush, painterly artwork
creates beautiful patterns and lots of playful hide-and-seek elements as
youngsters search for endangered animals in jungles, deserts and on the ice. Where
Did They Go? enhances children’s observational skills but as every animal
featured is becoming increasingly rare, there are also fascinating facts to
absorb along the way. Learn where in the world they come from, what is being
done to save them, and enjoy finding them all as you turn the pages!
(Big Picture Press,
paperback, £8.99)
Mirabelle and the Baby Dragons
Harriet Muncaster
BEING different is fun… especially when it comes to making
mischief! From the magical world of author and illustrator Harriet Muncaster’s
much-loved half-vampire, half-fairy Isadora Moon comes her impish, lovable
cousin Mirabelle Starspell who puts the nice into being naughty. Mirabelle's mum is a witch, her dad is a fairy, and she is a
bit of both. She likes casting spells with her fairy wand and flying around on
her witchy broomstick, but most of all the thing she really, really likes to do
is cause mischief. When Mirabelle and her family are invited to spend some time
at a dragon sanctuary, Mirabelle cannot wait to get stuck in and show off
everything she knows. But she’s about to find out that she's not quite the
dragon expert she believes herself to be! Full to its sparkly covers with crazy capers and enchanting
purple and black illustrations, this enchanting series of first chapter books
is perfect for early readers who like their glitter with a bit of knockabout,
naughty fun. Mirabelle and her madcap family are perfectly created for
youngsters getting bored with run-of-the-mill fairies and princesses, and are eager
to get their teeth into something excitingly different. Clever, imaginative,
funny and positively fizzing with potions and broomsticks, Mirabelle’s
misadventures always leave youngsters eager for more!
(Oxford University Press Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
The One and Only You
Shane Hegarty and Ben Mantle
TAKE an amazing trip across space and time to discover just
how special YOU are! Bestselling author Shane Hegarty and award-winning
illustrator Ben Mantle combine their talents on this big, beautiful picture
book which puts every young reader firmly in the frame. Written with Hegarty’s
sparkling sense of fun and brimming with Mantle’s bold and colourful artwork, The
One and Only You is a glorious celebration of individuality. In this whole wide
world of people and animals, and plants and flowers, and oceans and lakes, and
so, so many things, there is still only one you. With lessons for little ones
about cherishing just who they are, and illustrations full of depth and rich
detail, this is a joyful reading journey for all the family to share!
(Hodder Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Our World: England
Sumana Seeboruth and Ella Hobbis
HELLO! Let’s spend a day in England, eat a full English
breakfast, watch the horses grazing from the train, enjoy a picnic and playing
cricket on the heath, and relax with the birds, bees, and butterflies. Author
Sumana Seeboruth and illustrator Ella Hobbis have drawn on their personal
experiences of growing up in England to create this charming board book which features
educational endnotes and is part of Barefoot Books’ Our World series for young
readers. Also in the series is Our World: USA written by American author Joëlle
Retener and American illustrator Sarah Walsh in which readers enjoy a hearty
Southern breakfast, play a pickup game of hoops in Chicago, and fall asleep
under the estrellas in New Mexico with eight different characters from a wide
variety of backgrounds across the country. And why not spend a day in Türkiye with
Turkish author Emrah Güler and illustrator Deniz Üçbaşaran and eat fresh simit
and plums, play yakantop, and search for stories inside coffee cups. These One
World books avoid stereotypes and concentrate on daily life rather than
landmarks. Bold artwork and an engaging text make global learning accessible to
young children while back-of the-book notes offer simple explanations of the
objects and actions found in the book. A whole world of knowledge!
(Barefoot Books, board books, £7.99 each)
Frog Can Float!
Tony Neal
IF science concepts are giving your youngsters that sinking
feeling, here’s a brilliant book that puts comedy into learning. Frog Can
Float! is another fabulously fun and cunningly clever book in perennially
popular author and illustrator Tony Neal’s Animal Academy series. Stars of the
show here are Frog and friends who are desperate for ice-cream, but the truck
is across the river and they need to find a way across. Laughter is guaranteed
as Frog gets caught up in a series of funny mishaps in this introduction to the
science of floating and sinking. And in Dig Monkey Dig! Monkey has discovered a
jar of seeds, but what are they for? Children will love this introduction to
the science of plant lifecycles and the fun activities which provide little
ones with hands-on learning. Children will be so busy laughing along with the
animals’ hilarious mishaps and exploring Neal’s comical artwork that they won't
even realise they are learning, and with entertaining activities to help youngsters
explore more about the science concepts, and tips for adults on how to get the
most out of the book, these ingenious science lessons are the perfect teaching
tool for home, school and nursery.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99 each)
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