Age 12 plus
Wild Horse Summer
Lauren St John
RECUPERATING after an accident that has left her scarred
inside and out, an American teenager’s long-haul trip to stay with little-known
relatives in a small seaside town in North Devon is a daunting prospect. And little
does she suspect that it is destined to be a summer of romance, adventure,
mystery… and horses! Wild Horse Summer – a clean teen novel bursting with
summer vibes, drama and humans’ eternal bond with horses – comes from
award-winning author Lauren St John who grew up on a farm and game reserve in
Zimbabwe and is a passionate conservationist.
When sixteen-year-old Morgan Taylor arrives from New York to
spend the summer with her British cousins, all anyone knows is that an accident
has left her vulnerable and troubled. But Morgan is also hiding a secret that she
will do anything to keep. And when the town’s hottest surfer, Cal Heyward, saves
her life, the truth about her past suddenly feels harder than ever to hide. To
escape, Morgan takes a job at a stable yard, hoping that horses will heal her
as they have done so often before. But everything changes when she is asked to
help Night Dancer, a horse with his own dark history... In the scorching summer
heat, attraction swirls and tensions rise. Out on the moors, meanwhile, Morgan,
Night Dancer and Exmoor pony Mouse must confront their greatest fears if they
are to survive a 100-mile journey across one of the toughest wildernesses on
earth. With a compulsive, edge-of-the-seat story full of romance,
heartbreak, healing, resilience and second chances, all explored through St
John’s lyrical and atmospheric storytelling, the heat will be on this summer
when teens get their hands on this fabulous, horse-powered
odyssey!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)
Song of the Saltings
Rachael King
FIGHT off the summer heat with a chilling folk-horror
fantasy about a girl who must defy tradition to save her beloved island from
the monstrous forces that are tearing it apart. Song of the Saltings, a
powerful novel tingling with suspense and atmospherics, is the work of Rachael
King, a writer, reviewer and former literary festival director from New Zealand,
and was inspired by King’s visit to St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides, and her
own passion for Scottish folklore. On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an
ancient bargain… every year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the
creature that haunts the salt marshes. Once, it demanded children. Eight years
ago, it should have taken Lotta. Instead, the monster spared her and claimed
her pony, shattering tradition and anointing her both folk hero and object of
suspicion. Now sixteen, Lotta tends the Council’s sacrificial horses, keeping
her distance from the islanders who whisper about her fate. But something is
stirring. The island hums beneath her feet, and a song threads through her
dreams. Is the Glimm calling Lotta back? When she crosses paths with Moss – a boy
once hidden from sacrifice – a daring bog rescue sparks a chain of events which
forces them both to question the Council’s rule and the lore that binds their
people. As crops and animals are blighted and uncanny weather plagues the
community, Lotta and Moss must decide whether to obey the Council or risk
everything to uncover the island’s deepest secrets… because on Brack, monsters
come in many forms. Exploring community, politics, manipulation and myth, and set
against a stunning backdrop brought to visceral life by King’s lyrical prose
and imaginative prowess, Song of the Saltings is a haunting, enthralling and
unforgettable read. Don’t miss it!
(Guppy Books, paperback, £8.99)
Murder on a Midsummer Night
Lucy Strange and Hannah Peck
PARTY night turns out be murderously funny in the first of
the dazzling Mulberry Hall Mysteries, a young readers’ cosy crime series from
award-winning author Lucy Strange and illustrator Hannah Peck. Packed with
puzzles to solve, a cast of quirky characters to love and laugh at, and a
youthfully enthusiastic detective team, this fresh and fun series promises to
be a true killer thriller. It’s the night of Sir Percy’s midsummer costume party, and
Mulberry Hall has been turned into an enchanting wonderland… but a murderer
stalks the grounds of the hall and the evening takes a dark turn when grumpy
guest Magnus Cooper is mysteriously poisoned. The bumbling village policeman,
Inspector Plum, is baffled so it’s down to quick-witted Eliza and her brother Bram
Rose, who live with their parents in the gatehouse, and Sir Percy’s
great-nephew Krish to solve the mystery. Can they find out who had access to
the bottle of poison? Did a demon really appear in the maze? And what on earth
is going on down in Sir Percy’s cellar? Strange, who admits to having loved murder mysteries since
she was a child, blends mayhem and mischief to perfection as she sets her
imaginations loose on an atmospheric midsummer adventure which delivers all the
spooky vibes that children love, but with a big helping of heart and humour. Teamed
with Peck’s darkly funny illustrations, and published in Barrington Stoke’s
trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a classic whodunit… with a smile on
its face!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
The Summer My Wishes Came True
Radhika Sanghani
IMAGINE what fun it would be if everything you wished for
came true! But would it really make you happier? It’s a fascinating concept that
is explored in a fun and relatable new novel from Radhika Sanghani, an
award-winning journalist, author and body positivity campaigner. Ayesha can’t wait for summer camp, it’s going to be the best
two weeks ever with her best friend Nikki. But Nikki has changed over the
summer and things don’t feel the same between them. When Ayesha overhears Nikki
telling their roommates she’s immature, Ayesha is embarrassed and wishes her
life could be different. The next day, Ayesha realises everything she wishes
for is coming true. Lie-in in the morning? Tick! Pizza for lunch? Tick! Nikki
to be her best friend? Tick! Suddenly Nikki's hanging out with her again, and
then Ayesha wishes for Nikki to get a part in the camp’s musical… and now she’s
playing the lead role. But their friendship still isn’t the same. Ayesha thinks
she needs a part in the musical too so she makes another wish, even if her
actions have taken a role in the musical from someone else who would really
love it. She’s got everything she has ever wished for, but will Ayesha’s wishes
really make her happy? This summer isn't turning out to be everything she hoped
for... With its empowering messages about self-esteem and being
true to yourself, Ayesha’s journey to discovering what really makes her happy
is ideal for tweens facing the all-too-familiar challenges of friendships. With
its irresistible a sprinkling of magic and an emotion and drama-packed
storyline, The Summer My Wishes Came True is the perfect fun read for your
tweens.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
Colour Your Streets: London
PUT some colour into a tour of the UK’s capital city with
this brilliant, interactive colouring book full of quizzes, fun facts and even
a treasure hunt! This entertaining insight into London’s landmarks comes from Colour
Your Streets, a family-run business created by husband and wife team, the
entrepreneur Jeremy Weil and broadcaster Emma Barnett, who were inspired by
their two children wanting to learn more about their local area in a
screen-free way. From the famous London Eye and Big Ben to less familiar sites
like Crystal Palace Park Dinosaurs and St Katharine’s Dock, youngsters can bring
the capital city’s landmarks to life with their favourite colours. With over 40
landmarks in the book, readers can also learn fascinating facts about each
place… and there are plenty of puzzles (and even a quiz) to do. So if you are
planning a sightseeing visit to London this summer, searching for a souvenir,
or looking for something to keep your child occupied at home or even while
riding on one of the city’s eye-catching red buses, climb on board to discover
this amazing city!
(Puffin, paperback, £9.99)
Royalslinger
Graci Kim
RETURN to a dazzling world in which there are two different versions of the truth as Korean Kiwi diplomat turned bestselling author Graci Kim brings us the second and final book of her thrilling Slinger fantasy duology which is international in its scope but inspired by Korean mythology and culture. Kim, who lives in New Zealand, writes about the magic she wants to see in the world so enjoy being swept away to another fantastical adventure in which dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul, meals magically appear based on your mood, and your wildest dreams – or your darkest nightmares – come to life before your eyes! After successfully passing the Annual Royal Slinger Trials, Aria Loveridge – one of a group of children born with genetic mutations which transport them to a powerfully magical realm while they sleep –is about to kick off her second year of training at the Royal League of Dreamslingers. All she and her bloom dragon, Rio, have to do is pass the last Fellowship exam and finally become fully-fledged Fellows. But before training can begin, the king of Royal Hanguk cancels the exam, and instead commands Aria and the other novices to reclaim the Touch of Death… a powerful ancient relic that was stolen from the kingdom… by Aria’s mother no less! If that wasn’t bad enough, Aria experiences a devastating loss and considers going to horrific lengths to cope… even potentially joining the freedom slingers, a rogue and dangerous faction of dreamslingers. How will Aria choose to deal with her grief? And will her decisions result in the end of the League?
Kim delivers a fabulous finale to this magical series with
its original premise, a heroine to adore and admire, and a gripping story which
explores the different ways of looking at truth, and the courage it takes to
embrace the complexities and challenges in a world in which our dreams affect
our reality. A dream read for fantasy fans!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
BobLand
Matt Lucas and Begoña Fernández Corbalán
JUMP on the merry-go-round and join actor, comedian,
presenter and author Matt Lucas for a wild ride in a theme park called BobLand!
This madcap tale of comedy and chaos is the second hilarious children’s
adventure story of family and friendship from one of TV’s most recognisable
personalities and Spanish illustrator Begoña Fernández Corbalán. What’s better than the best theme park in the world – in
your own garden! Bob Grubb and his family live on a ramshackle smallholding
backing on to the world-renowned theme park, Happey World, run by Arthur Happey
and his dreadful granddaughter, Maisie. When Bob accidentally gets into
Maisie’s bad books, he is banned from Happey World… FOREVER. What is an
entrepreneurial boy to do? Build his own theme park in his back garden, of
course! With the help of friends and family, BOBLAND is go! But with Arthur and
Maisie doing everything in their power to derail Bob’s plans, will they make it
to the Grand Opening (where they are due to meet the king himself !) in one
piece? And what is the big family secret that lurks beneath it all? Lucas is on his best form for this funny, joyful and
heart-warming adventure which shines a light on the rewards of creativity,
learning to be resilient, and simply being yourself. Corbalán’s characterful
illustrations put extra vigour and charm into the thrills and spills of Bob’s
story making this the perfect read for your own young adventurers.
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
Paddock Grove: Runaway Horse
J.P. Rose
WHAT could be better than boarding school adventures… with
horses taking the starring role? Pony lovers will be in seventh heaven as
award-winning author J.P. Rose returns with the third book in her much-loved series
about friends and their horses at Paddock Grove school. Ever since her parents
sold her last horse, Tabitha Bailey has yearned for the chance to build that
special bond with another. Now she finally has the chance to do this with
Rusty, an ex-racehorse from her parents’ training stables. Even though Rusty is
a handful to ride, Tabitha isn’t about to admit that she’s in over her head…
not if it means her parents might take Rusty away. When the Paddock Grove gang
enter a competition where they must navigate a complex route across unfamiliar
moorland, Tabitha is determined to not let her control over Rusty slip. Packed
with excitement, dramas, and the ups and downs of school days spent alongside
some characterful horses, youngsters will be galloping to the shops to saddle
up with some now familiar school pals!
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)
Weather, Camera, Action!
Liam Dutton and Giordano Poloni
GRAB your coat, sunglasses, umbrella and snow boots for an
action-packed adventure through every kind of weather! Channel 4 News weather
presenter, author and meteorologist Liam Dutton has had nearly two decades of
experience in explaining the weather and proves the perfect guide through some
of the planet’s wildest weather in this big, colourful and fascinating book.
Lavishly illustrated throughout by Giordano Poloni, an award-winning freelance illustrator
based in Milan and known for his cinematic vistas, Weather, Camera, Action! is
globetrotting heaven for all young weather watchers. Discover whirling
planetary jet streams, catastrophic hurricanes, torrential monsoons, blinding
dust storms, volcanic lightning and other amazing phenomena all through the
lens of Dutton’s knowledge and experience. From super-rare iridescent clouds to
rainbows created by the smallest raindrops, this adventure through the
atmosphere shows off the splendour of our skies in their most fierce and
dramatic states and uncovers the science behind weather events. With important
reminders about the impact of climate change and extreme weather, this
fact-filled book proves that what’s going on around us has never been more important
to understand. Sky high lessons for budding meteorologists!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £10.99, published on July 30)
Mix and Match: Inventors
Jane Wilsher and Mar Hernández
IF you could invent anything, what would it be? Join some
amazing inventors and dream up your own mind-boggling creations in a brilliant
flip format book which puts young readers in the driving seat to tomorrow’s
world! There are over 450 possibilities to create your own incredible
inventions as you flip the split pages and let your imagination soar! If there
were no limitations to your creativity, how far would you go? Mix and Match: Inventors
makes the reader the inventor and the sky is the limit when it comes to the
contraptions you can create. From star-powered submarines to dream-powered
space rockets, and flush-powered bicycles to solar-powered toilets, you can
create the wildest, most unbelievable inventions ever seen on planet Earth.
With bright, bold illustrations by Mar Hernández, and page after page of brilliant
facts dug out by author and editor, Jane Wilsher, you could even become the
inventor of your own future!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)
Bunny vs Monkey: Intergalactic Monkey Business!
Jamie Smart
HOLD on to your hats and watch out for trouble… Bunny and Monkey are back in their exhilarating remastered series which delivers all the comedy and chaos of the daffy duo’s helter-skelter world, and is published for the first time in book form! This outrageously funny new adventure in the super-popular series features 213 pages of fast and furry-ous exuberant fun… plus some entertaining draw-it-yourself activities. Bunny and Monkey are part of the Phoenix Presents series, published by David Fickling Books in partnership with The Phoenix comic, which goes from strength to strength, and much of that success is due to the genius of the extraordinarily talented illustrator Jamie Smart whose comic-strip Bunny vs Monkey books cause giant waves of laughter.
So welcome back to the Woods where chaos reigns supreme once
more with the arrival of a new mischief-maker… Little Monkey, a smaller, cuter
and even stranger Monkey than our beloved chaos-causer. But as Bunny and
friends try to work out his motives, they are led far from the woods and into
outer space. And on Planet Monkey, the laughs are positively intergalactic! Laugh-out-loud comical and ingeniously addictive, these
manic, high-energy stories were just made for fidgety readers who like their
books to come with plenty of comic-strip pictures and loads of turbocharged
snorts and sniggers. Madcap antics for a new generation of action kids!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)
Age 5 plus
Fairytale Fiasco: Jack and the Beanstalk
Myles McLeod and Evgenia Golubeva
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99 each)
Enchanted Beach
Esther Freud and Emma Chinnery
WHO can forget those magical childhood seaside holidays?
There is something very special about being beside the sea and this captivating
illustrated story about family memories of beaches, sunshine and fun
encapsulates all those experiences we treasure. Enchanted Beach – the perfect
travelling companion for youngsters heading off on their own summer breaks – is
the first picture book from acclaimed novelist Esther Freud and is brought to
life by the stunning illustrations of Emma Chinnery. From treasure hunts in
spring, summer days spent playing on the beach, flying kites in autumn and
walking through buffeting winter storms, the magic of the beach is that it
changes with the seasons… and we change with it. Whether it’s brief moments
playing in the sand or the bigger milestones of birthdays or New Year’s Day
swims, this is an evocative, timeless and heartwarming celebration of your own
special moments at the beach… and a story to share time and time again in any
season!
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)
Milo and Twig
Liz Brizzi
WHAT does it mean when someone says, ‘If you love something,
let it go’? Milo and Twig is the
exquisitely beautiful author-illustrator debut picture book from Liz Brizzi who
brings young readers a loving and gentle story about a boy who rescues and
cares for a bird… and then faces the heartbreak of setting him free. The day a
little bird called Twig falls out of his nest, he meets a boy called Milo. Milo
cares for Twig, building him a new nest in his home, tending to his broken wing
and introducing him to his own ‘flock’ of friends. Twig sings his appreciation
to Milo as his wing heals, and they become the best of friends. But Twig is
still a bird and soaring along with Milo on his bike just isn’t the same as
spreading his wings in the air. When Twig stops singing, Milo is left with a
hard decision about the one last, but very important, thing his best friend needs
to heal. Brizzi’s moving and gorgeously illustrated tale of Milo and Twig helps
little ones to understand the quiet courage needed to let go of something or
someone you love… and the joy to be found in freeing a loved one to become
their true and happy self. The gift of love in a book!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Ben’s Library
Amani Uduman and Joanna Bartel
YOUNG bookworms will be cuddling up with this heartwarming
picture book which celebrates books, libraries and the joys of friendship from Amani
Uduman, a children’s author based in Melbourne, and fellow Aussie Joanna Bartel,
an illustrator who draw much of her inspiration from everyday life with her
three children. Elissa loves reading and her bookshelf overflows with all the
story books that she has read. One day she tries to borrow several books from
the school library only to realise that she can’t carry them home in her bag.
However, her new neighbour, Ben, also shares her love of reading. As their
friendship blossoms, Ben’s wheelchair proves to be the key to helping Elissa
with her quest to read even more books! With themes of community,
determination, problem solving and helping others, this beguiling picture book
packs in wise words, richly detailed and colourful illustrations… and all the
fun of friendship.
(New Frontier Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
No comments:
Post a Comment