Children & Teen Fiction Books

Book Synopsis‘It’s dark monstrous fun!’ Wondrous Reads Re-join Stitch Head, as he steps out of the shadows into the adventure of an almost-lifetime… When an unexpected visitor crash-lands on top of Castle Grotteskew, Stitch Head knows it can only mean trouble. Eccentric explorer, Dotty Dauntless, has bet her fortune on delivering a monster to the Venture Club – the problem is, all the castle’s monsters are as meek as kittens… The sixth and final book in the best-selling, laugh-out-loud STITCH HEAD series by award-winning author Guy Bass, with illustrations by Pete Williamson. Full of monstrous fun, STITCH HEAD is perfect for fans of David Walliams, AMELIA FANG and THE NOTHING TO SEE HERE HOTEL. Delve into Stitch Head’s other adventures: STITCH HEAD THE PIRATE'S EYE THE GHOST OF GROTTESKEW THE SPIDER'S LAIR THE BEAST OF GRUBBERS NUBBIN Trade ReviewPraise for Stitch Head: "If you liked Marcus Sedgwick's The Raven Mysteries, you'll love this!" Julia Eccleshare ––"Bursting with twisted humour and amusingly action-packed illustrations, this book would be best enjoyed at night, with a torch under the covers." Carousel ––

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Book SynopsisAhoy there shipmates! Climb aboard with a new fiction series from Jonny Duddle featuring the crew from The Pirates Next Door. Join Jim Lad and Matilda as they sail the seven seas (and the coast of Dull-on-Sea) in search of adventure and pirate loot. Every full moon, a mysterious ship is seen off the coast of Dull-on-Sea. Then, the day after, gold and jewellery are missing from the homes, shops and museums of the town. Matilda needs the Jolley-Rogers' help to investigate. Can Matilda and Jim Lad retrieve the stolen booty from the mysterious ship before the moon fades? Or will they end up stuck on board with ghostly pirates until the next full moon?Trade ReviewAhoy me hearties!Do you love a pirate story? Then this is a fabulous book for you! It is extremely well written (paperback 160 pages) and includes a wealth of impressive illustrations.Your kids will find this book entertaining, engaging and most amusing. There are some great characters in this story.Matilda is just adorable. Don't be surprised if your kids' are glued to this story - there is an element of "What happens next?" about every chapter.I would suggest that this book is perfect for early readers, of five years and over. However, I'm sure that younger children will be delighted to have this story read to them, with the help of the page by page illustrations. I can fully recommend this book. Lots of fun! -- Robin Rowles * Peep Behind Sofa *After pirates plunder treasures from the Dull-on-Sea museum, the town panics, and Matilda sends a note to her pirate friend, Jim Lad, asking for help. When Jim's Jolley-Rogers family arrives, Grandpa Rogers announces the ghosts of Captain Twirlybeard and his crew are likely to blame! Matilda joins the Jolley- Rogers aboard their ship as they seek the spectral scalawags and unlock a surprising secret. This early chapter book is full of intrigue, spookiness, and pirate tales that will capture the attention of emerging and struggling readers. Gray-scale illustrations show Duddle's attention to artistic detail, and his creative use of black backgrounds and white text whenever characters are plunged into darkness heightens the feel of danger and excitement. More adventures ahoy! Book two, The Jolley-Rogers and the Cave of Doom, publishes simultaneously. -- J. B. Petty * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisWhile the Jolley-Rogers are enjoying a day at the beach, little sister Nugget toddles into a cave. When she doesn't come out again, Mum goes in to find her. And, when Mum doesn't return, Dad follows. Jim Lad is suspicious and sends Bones the dog to Dull-on-Sea to find Matilda before he too ventures in to the cave. Jim Lad soon discovers a magical haul of treasure inside the cave has bewitched his family. Will the cave's spooky inhabitant, a sinister sea witch, keep them prisoner forever, or can Matilda and Bones come to the Jolley-Rogers' rescue?Trade ReviewMatilda, Jim Lad and the Jolley-Rogers family are back for another swashbuckling adventure. This time the family is bewitched by a magical haul of treasure and it's up to Matilda, thwarted by the sea witches, to rescue them. Primary age kids will devour the easy-to-read but intelligent tale, helped along by Duddle's brilliant illustrations, which give the story real colour, despite all being black and white. -- The Big Issue North * http://www.bigissuenorth.com/2015/07/summer-shelved/13273 *

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Book Synopsis**Soon to be a major motion picture**It is a universally acknowledged truth that high school sucks. But on the first day of his senior year, Greg Gaines thinks he's figured it out. The answer to the basic existential question: How is it possible to exist in a place that sucks so bad? His strategy: remain at the periphery at all times. Keep an insanely low profile. Make mediocre films with the one person who is even sort of his friend, Earl.This plan works for exactly eight hours. Then Greg's mother forces him to become friends with a girl who has cancer. This brings about the destruction of Greg's entire life.Trade ReviewThis was probably the funniest book I've ever read... Everyone should read this book. * Guardian *Funny, warm, enjoyably scatterbrained... An honest depiction of society's reaction to illness and death. * The Observer *This surprising gem is at once moving and hilarious... Greg and his misadventures will have you laughing out loud. * Book Trust *Dead funny... Shows just how much fun reading and writing can be. * The Australian *Hilarious, irreverent, sometimes rude and ultimately very touching. It's a great read and is highly recommended. * Canberra Times *

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Book Synopsis'Who's in the loo? There's a very long queue. Is it an elephant having a poo?' If your house has many occupants, then this witty rhyme from the irreverent and observant pen of Jeanne Willis will resonate profoundly. Adrian Reynolds's exuberant illustrations highlight the fun!Trade Review"Quirky and great fun" * Lovereading4Kids *"Funny story and bold drawings." -- Lorna Bradbury * Telegraph *"Brilliantly expressive drawings." -- Dinah Hall * Sunday Telegraph *"Wonderfully cheeky." * The Week *"A glorious riot of a book." * Carousel *

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Book SynopsisWelcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where ten semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes in this breathtaking, Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the author of the New York Times-bestselling Cemetery Boys.Only the most powerful and honorable will be chosen.Teo, the seventeen-year-old trans son of the goddess of birds, isn’t worried. As a Jade, it’s unlikely he’ll be chosen to compete in the Trials, and even if his best friend Niya competes, she’s a born-and-bred Gold semidiós with unparalleled abilities.But for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors: Teo - and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. With the odds stacked against them, Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed - for fame, glory, and their own survival . . .Trade ReviewSplendid storytelling. The Sunbearer Trials dazzles with adventure, breathing life into a bustling fantastical world filled with both wonders and evils. Aiden Thomas is a brilliant talent -- Chloe Gong, author of These Violent DelightsAiden Thomas fully knocked me out with The Sunbearer Trials, delivering charming queer characters, thrilling magical trials, and an immersive fantasy world full of intricate details. This book is a triumph and I could not get enough! -- Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times–bestselling author of Iron WidowOne of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. Aiden Thomas is masterful in their ability to not only build such a brilliant world but also characters who you love and want to root for. The Sunbearer Trials is a force to be reckoned with and has completely changed the game. -- Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author of My Dearest Darkest comes another incredible sapphic horror. When four best friends with a hunger for human flesh attend a music festival in the desert they discover a murderous plot to expose and vilify the girls and everyone like them. This summer is going to get gory.Five years ago, the melting of arctic permafrost released a pathogen of unknown origin into the atmosphere, causing a small percentage of people to undergo a transformation that became known as the Hollowing. Those impacted slowly became intolerant to normal food and were only able to gain sustenance by consuming the flesh of other human beings. Those who went without flesh quickly became feral, turning on their friends and family. However, scientists were able to create a synthetic version of human meat that would satisfy the hunger of those impacted by the Hollowing. As a result, humanity slowly began to return to normal, albeit with lasting fear and distrust for the people they'd pejoratively dubbed ghouls.Zoey, Celeste, Valeria, and Jasmine are all ghouls living in Southern California. As a last hurrah before their graduation they decided to attend a musical festival in the desert. They have a cooler filled with hard seltzers and syn-flesh and are ready to party.But on the first night of the festival Val goes feral, and ends up killing and eating a boy. As other festival guests start disappearing around them the girls soon discover someone is drugging ghouls and making them feral. And if they can't figure out how to stop it, and soon, no one at the festival is safe.

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Book SynopsisThree brilliant storiesthat will captivateyoung readers by War Horse author and former Children''s Laureate,Michael Morpurgo.The Marble CrusherDoes Mr Manners, the headmaster, really have a machine that crushes marbles? Albert thinks so.Colly''s BarnColly the owl and Screecher the swallow band together to save the barn.ConkerNick beats the bully, Stevie Rooster, and becomes Conker king. But can he rescue a mistreated dog while searching for the best conker?Michael Morpurgo, demonstrates why he is considered to be the master storyteller in these animal tales that are wonderful for engaging early readers. aged seven years and up.Michael has written more thanone hundredbooks for children including An Eagle in the Snow, Listen to the Moon, Private Peaceful, and An Elephant in the Gardenand won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children's Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the joy of books with the entertaining Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.Charlie Cook is reading a book about a pirate captain, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, who is reading about a frog . . .From kings and queens to aliens and ghosts, there's something for everyone in Charlie's amazing book of adventure! This hardback edition features the classic story plus extra content from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, making this the perfect gift.Enjoy more family favourite picture books from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom.

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week."An epically exciting, utterly unique debut. Not to be missed." - William Hussey, author of Broken Hearts & Zombie PartsSometimes, emotions can be a little too powerful...Seventeen-year-old Steven has a big problem... Whenever he feels intense emotions, weird things happen. Like when he kissed a boy for the first time, and the boy's head literally exploded.Fleeing to the miserable town of Grunsby-on-Sea, Steven is determined to not hurt anyone else - but he doesn't count on his best friend Freya, her boyfriend Marcus and American friend Troy following him. And when agents from the mysterious DEMA organisation show up talking about "neutralisation", Steven realises that Grunsby-on-Sea might not be the safe haven he'd hoped for...The first in a wholesome queer YA fantasy trilogy packed with magic, loveable characters and big plot twists from debut author DAVID FENNE. Perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Rainbow Rowell and Adam Silvera."The fantasy drama of dreams. " - Lauren James, author of The Quiet at the End of the World(OVEREMOTIONAL by David Fenne was a Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week on 16/07/23)Trade ReviewAn epically exciting, utterly unique debut. Not to be missed. * William Hussey, author of Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts *The fantasy drama of dreams. * Lauren James, author of The Quiet at the End of the World *A wonderful, queer action novel. * Alexis Caught, author of Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life and Mental Health *"Zany and heartwarming" * The Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisIn this fresh adventure in the New York Times bestselling series about the beloved Vanderbeeker family, a surprise road trip turns rocky when the younger siblings try to keep their family from ever facing change.The popular Harlem family is putting the VAN in Vanderbeekers as they hit the highway to give their dad the best birthday surprise EVER! Re-creating a road trip Papa never got the chance to take with his own father, the whole crew is packed and ready for a cross-country adventure.Things get off to a rocky start when the car breaks down on their way to pick up Papa. But they really veer off course when Laney discovers that Jessie and Orlando are interviewing at a college once they get to California. How can they even think about leaving New York? Wouldn''t that change their family? And how can she and her other siblings stop them?Exploring themes of leaving home, embracing change, and the lessons to be learned from going to new places, The Vanderbeekers on the Road is every bit an engaging and rewarding journey.The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As ALA Booklist commented in a starred review: “Few families in children’s literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil.”The series includes: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish The Vanderbeekers on the Road The Vanderbeekers Ever After Trade Review“Chaotic, comical, and heartwarming. A rewarding family story." — Booklist

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Book SynopsisHelp Zog as he tries his hardest to win a golden star!Put Zog through his paces in this gorgeously interactivefinger puppet book based on Zog by superstar creatorsJulia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

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Book SynopsisDiscover all the foul facts with history's most horrible headlines:Victorian edition. From ridiculous stories of why burglars werescared of bogies to how a snick fadger might kiddy-nap your spangle,it's all in Horrible Histories: Villainous Victorians. A brandnew classic Horrible Histories book, perfect for fans old andnew.

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Book SynopsisAn amazing true animal story about a brave little penguin.Hoppy the emperor penguin loves swimming in the sea with his friends. But one day Hoppy swims too far, and loses his way . . . ending up on a strange beach, all alone and far from home.How will poor Hoppy get back to his family?Inspired by the incredible true story of a lost little penguin, and the vets who saved his life, The Penguin Who Lost His Way is perfect for young animal lovers. From John Hay, and bestselling illustrator Garry Parsons.Includes a non-fiction spread with information about the real animal and the events behind the story.

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Book SynopsisMore diary entries and doodles from Nikki's not-so-fabulous life, in the new instalment of the internationally bestselling Dork Diaries series.

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Book Synopsis''Wonderful, witty, and as sweet as spun sugar.'' Kirkus[A] breezy and fun romantic comedy.'' Publishers WeeklyFrom #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer after being magically gifted with incredible luck, a boy discovers this gift just may be a curse when it comes to love.Jude is determined to fly under the radar. He just wants to draw his comics, host regular D&D nights with his friends, work at his parents' vinyl record store, and escape high school as unscathed as possible. That is, until the night he comes across a mysterious twenty-sided dice and finds himself inexplicably gifted with a bout of supernatural good luck.Suddenly, everything Jude has ever wanted is within reach. His first art submission is accepted to his favourite fanzine. He helps his friend's song become a finalist in a songwriting competition. And he's the 100th caller to a local radio contest, winning him a pair of coveted conc

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Book SynopsisThis sequel to Dassu's award-winning debut, Boy, Everywhere, finds Ali and Sami living their dream, playing football for the school team and hanging out in their friend Mark's new luxury pool. But money goes missing and racism rears its ugly head when their friend Aadam is accused of the theft. Can the boys prove Aadam's innocence, keep their friendship – and help fight Aadam’s threatened deportation? Can Ali navigate his emotions and stay focused now his dad is back on the scene and his half-brother has joined his school? A powerful story about friendship, being an ally and finding your place in the world.Trade ReviewAn important and triumphant read. Dassu expertly handles difficult topics relating to the adversity and othering that asylum-seekers and refugees face in ways that are relatable for young readers. She broaches the storyline that explores Ali’s personal life with sensitivity, showing the internal upheaval following his father’s reappearance, including themes of rejection and anger. This novel is an engaging modern tale that serves to build empathy. STARRED REVIEW * Kirkus Review *A powerful & empowering portrayal of hope against adversity. A. M. Dassu is one of our most authentic voices in children’s literature. -- Hannah GoldA. M. Dassu builds bridges of empathy and understanding with her books: while they make me despair the present, they give me so much hope for the future. -- Kathryn Evans * Author of 'When the World was Ours' *Without missing a shot, Kicked Out is a fast-paced novel that doesn’t shy away from pulling any punches. Seamlessly weaving in strong themes and characters you’ll continue to cheer for, A. M. Dassu has done it again. -- Emma PerryThis is a great story about friendship, courage, determination and kindness! Friends who don’t focus on where they came from. Instead, they see the humanity in each other and make positive change! How much do we need this right now! -- Jimmy ZachariaKicked Out is a riveting story, full of authentic characters and important truths, and bright with the power to change the world. Another must-read from the hugely talented A. M. Dassu. -- Sophie Anderson * Author *A compassionate, enterprising, fascinating and funny story of friendship and families. Loved it. -- Hilary McKay * Author of ‘The Skylarks' War' *Boy Everywhere was a stunning debut… A. M. Dassu [is] a major, much-needed voice in UK children’s fiction. -- Alex Wheatle * Author of 'Cane Warriors' and 'The Crongton Knights' *A deeply authentic and hopeful novel, touching on the themes of unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers, xenophobia, and absent fathers. With a big splash of football and friendship! -- Rashmi SirdeshpandeA. M. Dassu, you’ve done it again! It’s a joy to be back in Sami’s world with his pals. My heart was so full by the end of this book. Such a powerful, moving story about friendship and family. -- Swapna Haddow * Author *A beautifully nuanced and entirely credible story which exposes the casual racism that Ali, Sami and Aadam face every day and the cruel injustices of the asylum process. It empathetically explores family issues too... once again the author shows us that it is humanity, compassion and hope that can win against all odds. The inspirational way in which the boys remain loyal to each other and are galvanised to take action to save Aadam can show young readers that they are not powerless and may well encourage them into their own social activism. Any book which challenges the hateful rhetoric around refugees and asylum seekers is hugely important and for it to be so uplifting is a rare bonus. This book should be in every library and on every bookshelf, a thoroughly rewarding and powerful read. -- Joy Court * LoveReading4Kids *Kicked Out deftly layers up a range of weighty and complex issues: racism, bullying, absent parents, coercive control… Az’s characters are always finely and studiously drawn. They are never perfect, are variously flawed. And her novels are full of warmth. She gives permission to her readers to express themselves and with the upmost authenticity and often, also, with humour. -- Fen Coles * Books for Keeps *A. M. Dassu has done it again. She’s managed to encapsulate the depth of human feeling and emotion whilst tackling important themes on race, identity and the very topical, immigration. As with her other books, Kicked Out is a voice of contemporary teens told unflinchingly and honestly. An absolute must read! -- Sajeda AmirBoy, Everywhere was one of the best debuts I’ve ever read so I was nervous about revisiting Sami & Ali, but it was wonderful to see how their friendship had grown and their support for one another through thick and thin. Aadam’s story was upsettingly realistic but, as ever, Dassu shows readers there is always something we can do. -- Caroline FieldingKicked Out is a story of true friendship and being there for each other even when life is hard… Ali is a wonderful role model of perseverance and loyalty. Like Boy, Everywhere, Kicked Out provides readers with insight into lives they may not otherwise encounter… As serious as this topic is, Kicked Out is also a lovely story of three 13 year-old boys who want to have fun together. Readers of a similar age will really relate to them and love their light-hearted banter. -- Kate Heap * Scope for Imagination blog *Unflinching and honest, Kicked Out is an important and thoroughly enjoyable read * ThroughTheBookshelf blog *Kicked Out is a stunning book that I think deserves to be savoured so you can take in every detail and is one readers won't forget in a hurry. It is a powerful story of resilience, hope and bravery that promotes empathy and speaking up for what you believe is right. Like Boy Everywhere, Kicked Out is a book that will stay with me for a long time to come. -- Karen Wallee * K and O: Bonkers about Books blog *Dassu’s knack of engaging us to feel by creating stories and characters who still live alongside you once you’ve read the book exemplifies the genius of the most lasting books for children. -- Ben Harris * A Few to Read blog *An empathetic follow-up to the brilliant Boy, Everywhere, Kicked Out takes you back to familiarity and is superb. Readers will be inspired after reading, and hopefully have the heart of a lion like Ali to speak up and challenge racism. -- Tom G. * Check ‘Em Out Books blog *Dassu’s stories humanise the arduous experiences that many refugees face… helping readers to realise that refugees are real, and human, and hurting. Another powerful read which will hopefully put fire in the bellies of young readers and help them to speak up against the headlines we often see about refugees. People matter. This book will help readers in Y5 and above understand that ever more clearly. -- Stephen Connor * Just Imagine Book Reviews *Boy, Everywhere cemented the author’s position as one who not only wrote stories which were engaging and entertaining but who led the way in writing with the most enormous empathy, covering big issues like the plight of refugees and racism in such a way as to draw young readers’ attention to them without patronising them. It was – and still is – an incredibly powerful read and one that if you have not as yet read, I urge you to do so. Having followed that with a special short title, Boot It!, for World Book Day, we are now blessed with a third read – one which again is astonishingly good – which continues the story, not from the point of view of Sami, our original protagonist, but his close friend Ali… Perfect for Year 6 upwards, this is another powerful read – one that needs to be in every school library -- Jacqui Sydney * World’s Smallest Library blog *This is a book that shows children the many different experiences of family that might be the reality for their classmates, the importance of forgiveness and the power and sense of belonging that can be found in friends and found-families. With a football-related school-fundraising scheme designed to help a young person who is facing the cruelty of deportation, this is an empathy-builder which I am sure will be in great demand when it is published in the autumn of 2023. This story is narrated by Ali, and his pain at the rejection by his father; his resentment that his half-brother has replaced him in his Dad’s affections; his feelings of low self-esteem that gradually build to anger and lashing out at those around him, are explored in a way that will be recognisable to readers of 10 to 15. I really liked the way that author A.M. Dassu explores the unwillingness of boys to openly admit their feelings, whether due to pride or the desire to not involve others in their suffering. She also cleverly delivers the message of finding the inner strength to face up to difficult situations through the voice of a premier league goalkeeper, which will be appealing to many readers of this novel. I love the way that male friendship is investigated, and the importance of having a supportive network is highlighted. -- Veronica Price * V’s View from the Bookshelf blog *Praise for Boy, Everywhere: Carefully researched, wholly convincing, it’s a gripping, uncompromising debut, super-charged with the power of empathy. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *Praise for Boy, Everywhere: ... a story that everyone should read, written with empathy, tenderness and hope. -- Patrice Lawrence

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Book SynopsisRichard Scarry's classic book that takes readers all around town!Join Lowly Worm, Huckle Cat, and other beloved characters for a day in Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town.

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Book SynopsisEmotions are like animals: No two are quite the same. Some are quiet; some are fierce; And all are hard to tame. An Emotional Menagerie is an emotional glossary for children. A book of 26 rhyming poems, arranged alphabetically, that bring our feelings to life – Anger, Boredom, Curiosity, Dreaminess, Embarrassment, Fear, Guilt, and more. The poems transform each emotion into a different animal to provide a clear and engaging illustration of its character: how it arises; how it makes us behave and how we can learn to manage its effects. Boasting a rich vocabulary, the poems also give children a wide variety of options for describing their feelings to others. Children experience all sorts of emotions: sometimes going through several very different ones before breakfast. Yet they can struggle to put these feelings into words. An inability to understand and communicate their moods can lead to bad behaviour, deep frustration and a whole host of difficulties further down the line. Like adults, they need help to recognise and verbalise their inner state. The greater their emotional vocabulary, the more likely they are to grow into happy, healthy and fulfilled adults. Filled with wise, therapeutic advice, brought to life through musical language and beautiful illustrations, An Emotional Menagerie is an imaginative and universally appealing way of increasing emotional literacy.

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Book SynopsisLearn English with Fantastic Mr Fox! A Penguin Readers book. Discover fifteen famous Roald Dahl adventures, adapted for learners of English aged 7+. Can you read them all?Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With simplified text, illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.In these Penguin Readers editions, Roald Dahl''s stories have been aligned to the CEFR framework A1 to A2+, in four levels. Each book is also Lexile measured. The graded readers feature illustrated new words, language activities, and fun games between chapters, encouraging students and teachers to structure learning and make real progress. Every book also includes projects and discussions.Visit the Penguin Readers website for downloadable quizzes, worksheets and answer

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the world of Lillian Velvet: a very proper girl named Lillian Velvet is living a very lonely life with a nasty grandmother; she's given a jar of coins, each with the power to take Lillian on a journey to a different time and place…and also to grant a single wish. She comes across a small boy in a barn about to be crushed to death by a load of hay; a family, each member in mortal danger, who are strangers to Lillian (but whom clever readers will recognise...). And a web of dangerous magic is closing tight around all. Who IS this Lillian Velvet? And what on earth is her secret?

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Book SynopsisAn explosive romantasy YA, perfect for fans of The Hunger Gamesand Lore. Every Lunar Eclipse signifies the beginning of the Immortal Games:An epic set of games played by the Gods of Olympus. The stakesare high for the Gods who covet entertainment and glory above allelse. For the Tokens, it's about survival.

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Book SynopsisTrust no one.It is six months since the Arcadia set sail for the first time in forty years. But this wasn''t the freedom the inhabitants were hoping for. Esther Crossland did what she had to do, but it has left a trail of destruction in her wake. Now the wrecked ship is abandoned. Its inhabitants are in exile, trapped in sprawling make-shift shelters made up of warehouse, tents, shipping containers. Esther and Nik, architects of the rebellion, are on the run. Esther is in hiding, desperate to do something to help her people, and Nik seems to have abandoned all hope, on a journey taking him further and further from home. And neither of them want to face up to their true feelings about one another . . .Not only that, there is a new villain in town. With the fall of Commander Hadley, it''s left to the ruthless Admiral Janek to deal with the traitors, and her own past is beginning to catch-up with her.Then the shaky ceasefire negotiated by G

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Book SynopsisInspired by Tim Minchin's hit song NAUGHTY from MATILDA THE MUSICAL,comes a funny and heartfelt story about why being little doesn'tmean you can't do a lot!Some stories can have a different ending if we're a little bit naughtyand remember that we shouldn't let a little thing like beinglittle stop us!

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Book SynopsisWhen Lola’s mum gets a job at a fire station in a different town, it means moving away from all her friends. Lola is proud of her mum, but she’s really worried about starting a new school. There is one good thing, though – her parents have promised that they can think about getting a cat! Then one day Lola and her new neighbour Noah spot a kitten high up in a tree. It looks scared and soggy from the rain. A worried crowd forms and the fire brigade are called – including Lola’s mum. Can they rescue the stray kitten and help find him a new home? A new story from best-selling author Holly Webb, perfect for animal-loving children, and fans of ZOE'S RESCUE ZOO and MAGIC ANIMAL FRIENDS.

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Book SynopsisThere's just one problem with Lola's new fairy: she's convinced that Lola is her human!

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Book SynopsisThe second spooky illustrated story in the No Place For Monsters series – Stranger Things for younger readers! PRAISE FOR NO PLACE FOR MONSTERS: 'Wildly imaginative and totally terrifying' JEFF KINNEY, AUTHOR OF DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 'A haunted-house version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'BRIAN SELZNICK, AUTHOR OF THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET 'Overgrown with fantastic ideas' THE NEW YORK TIMES It’s been months since Levi and Kat rescued their town’s forgotten children. But now the strangeness has started again: hundreds of creepy snowmen pop up across town and a bizarre blizzard hits the day before spring break, trapping the kids in school. And something is roaming the darkened halls. Something hungry ... A heart-pounding follow-up to the highly acclaimed No Place for Monsters Half-written, half-graphic novel, and all spooky mystery! A group of unlikely friends must band together to protect their town from the monsters that are threatening to destroy it Stranger Things vibes with lavish, spine-tingling illustrations

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Book Synopsis‘Enchanting, immersive and beautifully imagined. Once I’d finished, I couldn’t stop dreaming of this magnificent magical world’ A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief 'Spellbinding storytelling - lyrical, heartfelt, and glittering with possibilities' Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs'Intricately-woven and wholly authentic.' Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of StarsMy own Yara, if you are reading this, then something terrible has happened, and you are on your own. To return to the city of Zehaira, you must read out the words on the back of this letter . . . Good luck, my brave girl. When Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map – Zehaira, a world of sorcTrade Review“Spellbinding storytelling - lyrical, heartfelt, and glittering with possibilities.” -- Sophie Anderson * author of The House with Chicken Legs *"A stunning story of the power of words and standing up for what’s right. Absolutely magnificent." -- Lizzie Huxley-Jones"Intricately-woven and wholly authentic." -- Aisha Bushby * author of A Pocket Full of Stars *“Pure alchemy on the page, every word woven with a spell of enchantment. I can't wait for a return trip to Zehaira.” -- Zillah Bethell“A beautiful book. Sumptuous and compelling, it had me gripped from the very first page. A magical thing.” -- Joanna Nadin"Lyrical prose, strong characters and an utterly enchanting magical world." -- Abi Elphinstone"Utterly mesmerising. I loved journeying with Yara!" -- A.M. Dassu"Beautifully written and utterly captivating – I loved it!" -- Sarah Crossan"Steeped in elemental magic and myth, with brilliantly real characters and breath-catching tension, this is storytelling readers won’t want to miss." -- Sarah Driver * author of The Huntress Trilogy *“One of the best children’s fantasy debuts I’ve read in years.” -- Anna James * author of the Pages & Co Series *"A glorious debut brimming with magic and warmth. The Kingdom Over The Sea dazzled me every time I turned the page." -- Natasha Hastings"Undoubtably a classic in the making. A rich, magical world that any child would long to get lost in." -- Sarah Underwood

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Book SynopsisDiscover two sides of history with the Time Travel Twins!Twins, Scarlett and Thomas, are studying the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons at school and they have a homework project to do. When Thomas is struggling for inspiration, Grandad comes to the rescue with his time machine. Thomas is catapulted onto a Viking long ship and it's not long before he's being told oral tales, fitted out with armour and weapons and is getting ready to attack a Saxon village. But uh oh, his sister Scarlett has landed in a Saxon village, in a pile of pig poo to be exact. Things seems to be getting better when she befriends the young Alfred the Great, but watch out, Scarlett, there's a Viking ship on its way. Also in the series: The Roman InvasionTrade Review"A time travel adventure story up there with the best… This is one of the best evocations of Viking times I’ve read, all the characters live and breathe on the page, and readers really will feel they’ve been back in time too" * LoveReading4Kids *"Packed with facts about life in the ninth century …this story is exciting and informative" * BookTrust *"An exciting adventure …giving children a real feel for what it must have been like to live in 859 AD. Josh Lacey has avoided making fun of the history and instead made it real and exciting" * Books for Keeps *"A brilliant resource for an ancient civilisations topic, and closes with an extended historical note" * CLPE *

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Book SynopsisCharlie and his new love, Sam, have just saved the dead from theliving! Now it's time to focus on being a normal couple - if sucha thing exists? But when a new threat lurks in the shadows, thistime to the living, and all who Charlie and Sam hold near, theymust put everything on the line - including their lives - to workout who is behind it.

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Book SynopsisTheir parents own rival businesses—an Asian American café and a Puerto Rican bakery—and Gabi’s lack of coordination has cost their soccer team too many games to count.Stuck in the closet and scared to pursue his own dreams, Gabi sees his family’s shop as his future.Trade Review"Café con Lychee quenched my thirst for the perfect queer enemies-to-lovers tale! With the most exquisitely picked ingredients—loveably cantankerous Theo, adorably awkward Gabi, delicious descriptions of treats, and relatable discoveries of love and sexuality—Emery Lee has yet again cooked up a world and characters I want to return to over and over!" — Jason June, author of Jay's Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue "Café Con Lychee is as sweet as the baked goods and boba that fill up its pages, along with the adorable enemies-turned-lovers romance at its heart." — Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars and Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating "Continuing to be THE master of tropes, Emery Lee's food filled, beautifully multicultural, enemies-to-lovers Café Con Lychee is everything that I love about eir books: humorous, sassy, the perfect amount of stress that keeps me obsessively captivated, and so incredibly gay." — Jonny Garza Villa, author of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun and Ander and Santi Were Here "If enemies-to-lovers is what you’re hungry for, Emery Lee has something special on the menu for you. Café con Lychee is the confection of sweetness and sweethearts we all need right now!" — Adam Sass, award-winning author of Surrender Your Sons “[A] touching and humorously told portrayal of intersections of culture, race, and sexuality, told through the lens of an inviting Romeo and Juliet–esque feud.” — Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisFunny, thought-provoking and bursting with curiosity, Wise Up! Wise Down! is a lively conversation between two internationally renowned poets, illustrated by treasured artist Satoshi Kitamura.How can laughter be more powerful than a sword? Why do days have names but not weeks? And do pigeons ever get a craving for cake? Two friends, internationally acclaimed poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson, take us on an inspiring, hilarious and wondrous journey through poetry, asking questions and attempting answers as they discover that life really is a forever and ever adventure.Praise for Wise Up! Wise Down!Curious minds will love the poems Poetry at its most creative and versatile is what readers will discover in this most wonderous journey through words, ideas and pictures ~ on the page and in the mind. Armadillo MagazineA fun collection of poetry. Left on the ShelfThree awesome cr

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Book Synopsis“A haunted house thriller packed with cryptic mystery, dark humor, and bone-chilling twists.” —Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston The Haunting of Hill House meets Sadie in this “genuinely terrifying” (School Library Journal, starred review) psychological thriller following two teen girls navigating the treacherous past of a mysterious mansion ten years apart.Daisy sees dead people—something impossible to forget in bustling, ghost-packed Toronto. She usually manages to deal with her unwanted ability, but she’s completely unprepared to be dumped by her boyfriend. So when her mother inherits a secluded mansion in northern Ontario where she spent her childhood summers, Daisy jumps at the chance to escape. But the house is nothing like Daisy expects, and she begins to realize that her experience with the supernatural might be no match for her mother’s secrets, nor what lurks within these walls… A decade later, Brittney is desperate to get out from under the thumb of her abusive mother, a bestselling author who claims her stay at “Miracle Mansion” allowed her to see the error of her ways. But Brittney knows that’s nothing but a sham. She decides the new season of her popular Haunted web series will uncover what happened to a young Black girl in the mansion ten years prior and finally expose her mother’s lies. But as she gets more wrapped up in the investigation, she’ll have to decide: if she can only bring one story to light, which one matters most—Daisy’s or her own? As Brittney investigates the mansion in the present, Daisy’s story runs parallel in the past, both timelines propelling the girls to face the most dangerous monsters of all: those that hide in plain sight.Trade Review"One part breathtaking ghost horror, one part gripping thriller, and an all-round absorbing read. Delicious Monsters turns an unflinching light onto the cycles of trauma and the ghosts that follow." -- Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the These Violent Delights Duet“A haunted house thriller packed with cryptic mystery, dark humor, and bone-chilling twists. Sambury approaches the grim recesses of intergenerational trauma with diligence and bravery. The odd ghosts, fearless prose, and raw character dynamics make this an absolute page-turner and a win for psychic fiction.” -- Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston"Full of eerie ghosts and secrets most sinister, Delicious Monsters is the perfect read for a dark and stormy night. I read most of it from behind the safety of my fingers and was left thoroughly haunted." -- Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows and Small Favors"On one page, this book sings a lullaby, and on the next, it throws you into a whirlwind you never could’ve seen coming. At its core, Delicious Monsters is a screaming declaration to the world that Black girls are complex and flawed, capable of everything, and that we matter. I'll be putting Delicious Monsters into the hands of everyone I know with a pulse." -- Brittney Morris, author of Slay and The Cost of Knowing“Scary, complex, emotional, lived-in, ambitious, Liselle Sambury’s Delicious Monsters is a can’t miss. A Canadian gothic epic (northern gothic?) that has a lot to say about the stories and lies we tell ourselves about our own families. Oh, and did I mention it’s scary?” -- Adam Cesare, author of Clown in a Cornfield and Video Night"Delicious Monsters grabs you by the throat in the first chapter and refuses to let go until the very end. I was on the edge of my seat for this whole book. Sambury’s chillingly beautiful prose will stay with you for ages." -- Victoria Lee, author of A Lesson in Vengeance*"A haunted mansion is the site of unmistakable horrors and horrific mistakes...The paranormal logistics are complex, and while Daisy is at the center of it all, Brittney’s investigation cuts through to discover layers upon layers of trauma that imbue the house with its supposed supernatural, if not psychological, power. As the saying goes, haunted people haunt people. A story that is careful to make its ghosts and monsters painfully real." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW * 12/15/22 **"Even with the large cast of characters and dual narratives, Sambury carefully and clearly builds an intricate story that uses metaphors of gardening to spotlight the cyclical nature of sexual violence while providing a genuinely terrifying haunted house ghost story...An excellent choice for fans of sophisticated horror that includes both paranormal and real-life terrors, such as Elana K. Arnold’s Red Hood." -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW * 3/1/23 *"The deeply creepy mansion delicately ties together two main characters who, despite being separated by 10 years and having very different backgrounds, are both fierce and compellingly imperfect, though one is perhaps less reliable than the other. A must-read." -- Booklist Reviews * 1/1/23 *"Using speculative elements to cultivate genuinely terrifying scares whose perpetrators straddle the line between imagined and real-life monsters, Sambury empathetically highlights cycles of abuse, depression, and generational trauma." -- Publishers Weekly * 1/30/23 *

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Book SynopsisFans of the Divergent series by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by Four: A Divergent Collection, a companion volume that includes four pre-Divergent stories told from Tobias Eaton's point of view.DIVERGENT, INSURGENT and ALLEGIANT were major blockbuster movies in 2014, 2015 and 2016.Readers first encountered Tobias Eaton as Four in Divergent. His voice is an integral part of Allegiant. Readers will find more of this charismatic character''s backstory told from his own perspective in Four: A Divergent Collection. When read together, these long narrative pieces illuminate the defining moments in Tobias Eaton''s life.The first three pieces in this volume The Transfer, The Initiate, and The Son follow Tobias''s transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, his Dauntless initiation, and the first clues that a foul plan is brewing in the leadership of two factions.The fourth story, The Traitor, runs parallel with the events of Divergent, giving readers a glimpse into the decisions of loyalty and love that Tobias makes in the weeks after he meets Tris Prior.Exclusive scenes included!

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Book SynopsisThe Gruffalo and Other Stories Treasury contains three bestselling titles by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: The Gruffalo, The Snail and the Whale and Monkey Puzzle. With a beautiful foiled and padded cover, this fun-filled treasury contains quizzes, games, songs, craft activities and more for the whole family to enjoy with each story!Discover what happens when a mouse comes face to face with a Gruffalo, join the tiny snail on an adventure with the great big whale and help kindly butterfly find Monkey''s mum!Also available from this bestselling partnership: The Gruffalo''s Child, Room on the Broom, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze.

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Book SynopsisA new lease on life and a chance for revenge Masamichi almost died in a hit-and-run, only to be rescued by a mysterious and handsome specter, Shino, who lives alongside humans. He offered to save Masamichi with the condition that the young man become his food! Two months later, they're bound by a strange contract and living together in Shino's antique shopa place that sells merchandise possessed by spirits. Just as Masamichi starts to feel comfortable with this situation, a writer drops in hoping to use the store as material for an article. However, digging deeper will surely unearth more trouble than she expects to find.

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Book SynopsisCosy crime meets magical mystery in the new story from the bestselling author of The Last Chance Hotel, Nicki Thornton! 'Blending magical adventure with Golden Age crime mystery, this delightfully atmospheric spin-off from the author of The Last Chance Hotel confirms Thornton’s place as one of the most original children’s writers around.' WATERSTONES on THE HOWLING HAG MYSTERY MAGIC MUST NEVER BE MISUSED . . . When a nosy stranger arrives in her riverside town, school reporter Veena Vale becomes suspicious. But only talking back cat Nightshade will listen to her. To find out the truth of what's going on, the two of them must unravel an ancient curse, tell uncomfortable lies and bake an awful lots of flapjacks . . . A magical murder mystery story perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Harry Potter By the author of The Last Chance Hotel, chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Award Follows on from The Howling Hag Mystery and The Poisoned Pie Mystery; a series starring fan-favourite Nightshade the cat as the star of her very own mystery! Praise for THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL: 'A jolly, atmospheric mystery.' THE TIMES 'All kinds of fun' THE OBSERVER '[A] mash-up of murder mystery and fantasy … full of great characters, plot twists and intriguing detail.' METRO 'Featuring magical antics, a talking cat and a locked-room murder mystery, Seth’s story reads like an old-school whodunnit with added wizards and spells' BOOKTRUST

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Book SynopsisPoppy is gazing out of the window at the snow when suddenly she sees that the snowflakes are really snow children, dancing and whirling in the garden. Excitedly Poppy joins them for an adventure in the Snow Queen's wintry kingdom where she visits a shimmering ice castle and dances at the Princess's birthday celebrations until it is time for her to go home.Sibylle von Olfers' vintage stories of nature children have been loved by generations. The whimsical tales are accompanied by beautiful art nouveau illustrations of characterful creatures, cheerful plants and flowers and magical little folk.This wonderful new edition of The Story of the Snow Children faithfully reproduces Olfers' classic illustrations in a collectable picture book featuring a hand-crafted design, premium-quality paper and a luxurious cloth spine. The Sibylle von Olfers library also includes mini gift editions and board books for very young children.Trade Review'A simple but richly imaginative tale with exquisite illustrations ... An old-fashioned delight for modern children.'-- Kirkus Reviews'A beautiful little book with gorgeous Mabel Lucie Atwell style illustrations. It contains everything you need in a Christmas story: ice castles, fairy-children, and snowmen waiters.'-- Families Magazine'An utterly delightful wintry tale full of whimsy, sprinkled with magic and sparkling with charm ... A perfect stocking filling.'-- Playing by the Book'Poppy's visit to the Snow Queen is told in a comforting manner likely to appeal to the younger listener; the very quaintness and period feel of the pictures add charm and interest. Von Olfers' illustrative style is decorative, with snowdrop panels bordering each page and patterned scenarios of icicles and frost flowers that will captivate viewers of all ages.'-- School Librarian'This utterly charming story is illustrated in a distinctive period style... A lovely book sure to fuel the imaginations of yet another generation of young readers.'-- All Done Monkey

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