Children’s / Teenage fiction: Relationship stories

Book Synopsis"To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love." —Pride and Prejudice, Jane AustenFilled with interactive wheels and pull-tabs and lavishly illustrated, Lit for Little Hands: Pride and Prejudice is an unprecedented kid's introduction to Jane Austen's beloved classic novel. Unlike many board books that tackle the classics, Lit for Little Hands tells the actual story in simple, engaging prose. Gorgeous pastoral illustrations transport the reader to the fields and estates of Lizzy's England, while tons of interactive elements invite kids to spin the dancers at the ball, care for Jane, open a shocking letter, and more! Austen fans will be delighted by the book's attention to detail and clever use of original dialog. And the book's use of super-sturdy board means everyone can enjoy this tale of wit and romance over . . . and over . . . and over again!

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Book Synopsis A heartwarming introduction to reading for kids ages three and up about how even solitary beings need people too, from Jean-François Sénéchal and Pascale Bonenfant Anyone can make it on their own—just ask Colette! She’s a solitary bee who enjoys her own company more than anyone else’s and thrives on her independence. Colette can do just about anything by herself: day-to-day tasks, cleverly navigating the elements, and even setting out on solo adventures. But sometimes, even the most solitary bees need other insects around—like when things don’t go as planned, or when they’ve simply got a good story to tell. Colette: The Solitary Bee is an adorable, heartwarming tale that shows us we can be proud to do things by ourselves, but it’s also pretty great to share our lived experiences with those around us.

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Book SynopsisMarch, hop, slip, and slide through a winter wonderland in this adorable sing-along board book from beloved children’s musician and performer, Raffi.Put on your penguin suit and waddle along with Penny Penguin and her penguin pals as they spend a day in the snow together!With rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, Raffi’s catchy song is perfect for encouraging movement and building speech and listening skills. Irresistibly cute illustrations from Dan Tavis make this the perfect book for entertaining and early learning.

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Book SynopsisFall in love with a turtle wearing a bear suit—determined to prove that he’s a “for-real” bear—in this laugh-out-loud silly friendship story from the award-winning Bob Shea, author-illustrator of the popular Dinosaur VS. series and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great 3 starred reviews! 'Fresh, expressive, and wildly colorful.' (Booklist starred review) When a turtle in a bear suit claims he is a “for-real” bear, he must prove himself to another turtle who just so happens to be a for-real bear expert. Hilarity ensues as Bearsuit Turtle proves he can climb trees, hibernate, and do other for-real bear stuff . . . like riding bikes, eating ice cream, and smashing pumpkins. But when Bear-Expert Turtle reveals a secret, Bearsuit Turtle has to admit a truth of his own. Whether or not these two turtles are for-real bears or experts, they just might become for-real friends. With a fabulously endearing, offbeat, and memorable new character; playful, true-to-life child dynamics; and a goofy, kid-perfect sense of humor, Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend is sure to charm readers everywhere. Includes a page of “for-real bear facts” at the end.

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Book SynopsisWitch trials in seventeeth-century Connecticut a Newbery-Medal winning classic.Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1687. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Kit''s unconventional background and high-spirited ways immediately clash with the Puritanical lifestyle of her uncle''s household, and despite her best efforts to adjust, it seems Kit will never win the favour of those around her.Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place, and just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit''s friendship with old Hannah Tupper, who is believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined, and ultimately Kit is forced to choose between her heart and her duty.Elizabeth George SpeareTrade Review“A thoroughly exciting and rewarding Newbery Medal winner and ALA Notable Children's Book, Elizabeth George Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond brings this frightening period of witch hysteria to life. Readers will wonder at the power of the mob mentality, and the need for communities in desperate times – even current times – to find a scapegoat.”amazon.com “Strong plot, fully realized characters, and convincing atmosphere distinguish this historical narrative.”Booklist

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Book SynopsisWhen Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior's center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditionswhat could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling a

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Book SynopsisSound the Cosmic Horn! Georgia Nicolson's bestselling 8th book of confessions is now available in paperback!The original Sex God has re-landed, Masimo the Italian Stallion wants to be her boyfriend, and Dave the Laugh is still a regular snoggee. How will Georgia cope juggling all three boys of her dreams? Have her days on the rack of love really gone for good? Or will this just lead to confusionosity and merde?Laugh your knickers off at Georgia's hilarious confessions this brilliant new story is her funniest yet.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘…startled by his furry shorts!’: ‘Totally hilarious’ Shout ‘It’s an excellent book and I’m dying to know what happens next.’ Sugar Praise for ‘…then he ate my boy entrancers.’: '’You'll be falling about laughing at this.' Mizz ‘The only snag about taking this on holiday is that it won’t last long: it will be consumed without a break except for the snorting noises. But it can always be passed on to parents by any youngster who can stand the sound of Vati’s and Mutti’s snorts, or dipped into repeatedly because every line is vair vair funny.’ Sunday Times Praise for ‘…and that’s when it fell off in my hand.’: ‘Readers will find themselves laughing uncontrollably until their sides hurt, and won’t be able to put the book down.’ Sunday Times ‘Hilarious… [Louise Rennison] is queen of the pink-book pack.’ The Times Praise for ‘Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging’: ‘Bridget Jones for teenagers – but funnier. Expect Potter-esque queues for the sequel.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Don’t miss this gem’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisFans of Susan Lee and Dustin Thao will be enchanted by this soulful YA romance about how we love, how we heal, and how we find the strength to go on“Where were you thinking of going?”“Nowhere.”“Great,” he says lightly, putting the car in gear. “Then we’ll go there.”Seventeen-year-old Deedee's life is full of family ghosts and questions she can't ask. She longs to escape her stifling home, but guilt holds her back—that, and the fact that her strict Filipino single mom won't let her learn to drive.But one sleepless night leads Deedee down a road she never thought possible: secret driving lessons with the new boy next door, Jay, whose turbulent family life also keeps him up until sunrise.As midnights stretch into days, Jay helps Deedee begin to unravel her past, and as shared secrets blossom into love, Deedee starts to imagine a life where happiness is possible. But the deeper she digs into the trauma that has shaped her, the more that trauma threatens to tear Deedee and Jay apart. Together, these two must decide if the pain they've both inherited has the power to choose their fate, or if they have the power to choose for themselves.

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Book Synopsis'Gossip Girl meets Katharine McGee’s American Royals' (SLJ) in this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), where four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete to inherit a European kingdom. For fifty years, King Leander Eldana has ruled Ashland without naming an heir to the crown. After sending away his grandchildren to be raised out of the public eye, it’s finally time to secure his nation’s future by appointing one definitive heir. The best way to appraise his successor? In the halls of Almus Terra Academy, a boarding school infamous for breeding the world’s next generation of leaders—and liars. Titus Eldana has always known he’d inherit Ashland’s future. Now he must prove he has what it takes. Alaric Eldana was not raised with a silver spoon. His secondhand clothes might not be fit for a king, but he knows how to rule: with his fist. Emmeline Eldana only wants to please her neglectful parents. If that means securing the crown, she won’t hesitate to destroy anyone in her way. Sadie Aurelia has no idea why she’s been given a chance to bring new blood to the throne. With nothing left to lose back home, she’s ready to take it.  Filled with competition, secret alliances, enemies-to-lovers romance, and cunning revenge, Royal Heirs Academy is a breathless, entertaining read set in modern-day. This gossip-filled school for the global elite is inspired by UWC of the Atlantic, which Vanity Fair has described as 'Hippie Hogwarts.'  

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Book SynopsisSeventeen-year-old River doesn’t know what to do with himself when Penny, the girl he adores, dumps him. He lives in LA, where nobody walks anywhere, and Penny was his ride; he never bothered getting a license. He’s stuck. He’s desperate. He’s lonely. One afternoon he does the unthinkable - he starts walking, and stumbles on a support group for teens with addictions. He fakes his way into the meetings and begins to connect with the other kids, but when he finds himself falling for one of the girls in the group a delightful comedy of errors ensues. River wants to tell the truth, but he can’t stop lying, and his tangle of deception may unravel before he learns how to handle the most potent drug of all: true love.Trade Review‘[Reinhardt] is a new voice bursting out…To be found under mounds of clothes in teenager’s rooms across the country this summer’. * Big Issue *‘I promise you’ll fall in love with River Dean, even though he's a faker, a stalker, a non-driver, a bad dancer, a bad friend and a co-dependent mess. He’s funny and he’s true. His heart is smashed six different ways and he’s trying to mend it with tacos and lies – but isn’t that true of all of us?’ * E. Lockhart, New York Times-bestselling author of We Were Liars *'A smart and poignant coming-of-age story about the awkward mistakes of adolescence’. * The Sun *‘A heartfelt tale that elevates truth over passion and friends over lovers. Reinhardt keeps it real. Much respect.’ * Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook and Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock *‘A sharp-witted, hilarious, and addicting novel about being lost and discovering your best self. Highly recommended!’ * Adam Silvera, New York Times-bestselling author of More Happy Than Not *‘Oh, how I love a novel where the hero ties himself up, Houdini style, and dives into his own predicament. Once again Dana Reinhardt has written a charming, compassionate, very clever comedy, and this one reminds us how a big lie can reveal the truth.’ * Laura McNeal, author of Dark Water, National Book Award Finalist *‘Tell Us Something True is hope, it is humanity, it is original, funny, wrenching, real, and intelligently surprising.’ * Beth Kephart, author of Small Damages, Going Over, and This Is the Story of You *‘When you start reading a Dana Reinhardt book, it’s like discovering a new friend. By the time you’ve turned the final page it’s like saying goodbye to your best friend, and I can think of nothing better to ask of a writer.’ * Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief *

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Book SynopsisIf you loved Heartstopper and need more feel-good LGBTQ+ romance - If You Still Recognise Me is the one for you! Elsie has a crush on Ada, the only person in the world who truly understands her. Unfortunately, they’ve never met in real life and Ada lives an ocean away. But Elsie has decided it’s now or never to tell Ada how she feels. That is, until her long-lost best friend Joan walks back into her life. In a summer of repairing broken connections and building surprising new ones, Elsie realises that she isn’t nearly as alone as she thought. But now she has a choice to make… A lyrical contemporary story about falling in love and finding yourself in the process, for fans of THE BLACK FLAMINGO, THE FALLING IN LOVE MONTAGE and Alice Oseman. "Cynthia So leans into the complex fluidity of relationships over time, across generations and communities, shaded by culture and circumstances. Elsie’s story is romantic, warm, wise, and disarmingly sincere.” - Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda “An epic fandom, a scavenger hunt for a lost love and an ode to cultural inheritance – this is a wonderfully heartfelt and joyously queer romance” - Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe “If You Still Recognise Me is a poignant, perfectly formed debut about queer love, fandom and family.” - Lex Croucher, author of Reputation “A beautiful and intricately layered tale of friendship, fandom and finding yourself – I absolutely adored it.” - Sophie Cameron, author of Out of the Blue “Exploring the bonds of friendship, family, fandom, culture and queer community, this is a story about finding who you really are at the heart of all the things you love.” - Sera Milano, author of This Can Never Not Be Real "A celebration of fannish glee, queer joy and family in all senses of the word. If You Still Recognise Me asks what it means to find yourself, when we are all more than a single story. I adored it." - Kat Dunn, author of Dangerous Remedy “Beautifully written with moments of sheer lyricism. A must-read for humans of all ages and walks of life. I loved it so much!” - Wibke Brueggemann, author of Love is for Losers “If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So is just so SO perfect. Refreshing, relatable and raw in its honesty, this is the book I wish I'd had as a queer teen discovering my identity.” - Sarah Underwood, author of Lies We Sing to the Sea “If You Still Recognise Me is a moving and heart-warming story about queer love, family, culture and fandom and So's has a uniquely poetic style that sees beauty in the everyday and makes the familiar feel fresh and new” - Ciara Smyth, author of Not My Problem “This wonderful book is both a tender coming-of-age romance and a tapestry of queer identity that spans oceans, generations, and stages of life ... Suffused with queer wistfulness and the ache to be known, So’s debut is as intimate and revelatory as the first touch of a first crush’s hand.” - Riley Redgate, author of Seven Ways We Lie “A lyrical, complex tale of friendship, family, and all the stories we tell ourselves – true and not – about what it means to love” - Kelly Loy Gilbert, author of When We Were Infinite “Cynthia So deftly weaves a story that explores queerness, love, and relationships across distance, both geographical and time. An accomplished debut with shades of Nina LaCour, If You Still Recognise Me is the perfect summer-time read.” - Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author and editor “A beautiful story of cultural identity, friendship, and the dizzying and exhilarating experience of young love. IF YOU STILL RECOGNIZE ME is a triumph." - Ashley Herring Blake, author of Girl Made of StarsTrade Review“Cynthia So leans into the complex fluidity of relationships over time, across generations and communities, shaded by culture and circumstances. Elsie’s story is romantic, warm, wise, and disarmingly sincere.” -- Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs the Homo sapiens Agenda"An epic fandom, a scavenger hunt for a lost love and an ode to cultural inheritance – this is a wonderfully heartfelt and joyously queer romance.” -- Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe“If You Still Recognise Me is a poignant, perfectly formed debut about queer love, fandom and family.” -- Lex Croucher, author of Reputation“A beautiful and intricately layered tale of friendship, fandom and finding yourself – I absolutely adored it.” -- Sophie Cameron, author of Out of the Blue"Exploring the bonds of friendship, family, fandom, culture and queer community, this is a story about finding who you really are at the heart of all the things you love.” -- Sera Milano, author of This Can Never Not Be Real"A celebration of fannish glee, queer joy and family in all senses of the word. If You Still Recognise Me asks what it means to find yourself, when we are all more than a single story. I adored it." -- Kat Dunn, author of Dangerous Remedy“Beautifully written with moments of sheer lyricism. A must-read for humans of all ages and walks of life. I loved it so much!” -- Wibke Brueggemann, author of Love is for Losers“If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So is just so SO perfect. Refreshing, relatable and raw in its honesty, this is the book I wish I'd had as a queer teen discovering my identity.” -- Sarah Underwood, author of Lies We Sing to the Sea“If You Still Recognise Me is a moving and heart-warming story about queer love, family, culture and fandom and So's has a uniquely poetic style that sees beauty in the everyday and makes the familiar feel fresh and new” -- Ciara Smyth, author of Not My Problem“This wonderful book is both a tender coming-of-age romance and a tapestry of queer identity that spans oceans, generations, and stages of life ... Suffused with queer wistfulness and the ache to be known, So’s debut is as intimate and revelatory as the first touch of a first crush’s hand.” -- Riley Redgate, author of Seven Ways We Lie“A lyrical, complex tale of friendship, family, and all the stories we tell ourselves – true and not – about what it means to love” -- Kelly Loy Gilbert, author of When We Were Infinite“Cynthia So deftly weaves a story that explores queerness, love, and relationships across distance, both geographical and time. An accomplished debut with shades of Nina LaCour, If You Still Recognise Me is the perfect summer-time read.” -- Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author and editor“A beautiful story of cultural identity, friendship, and the dizzying and exhilarating experience of young love. IF YOU STILL RECOGNIZE ME is a triumph." -- Ashley Herring Blake, author of Girl Made of Stars

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Book SynopsisFirewalker - the follow-up to Trial By Fire - is another sexy, fast-paced thrill ride from internationally bestselling author of the Starcrossed series, Josephine Angelini.Witches do not die quietlyLily Proctor has made it back to her own universe, and it's finally time for her and Rowan to be happy and relax. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape, and they must hide her new magic for the safety of the world, but compared to fighting the monstrous Woven and leading armies in the alternate Salem, life is looking good.Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the thirteen Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. Lily is the closest version of herself she's ever seen in all her worldwalking, and Lillian's running out of time. If she can't persuade Lily and Rowan to return to her world, she'll have to find a way to make them come back.Inspired by the Salem witch hunt, contin

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Book SynopsisAll's fair in love, war and noodles! This delicious debut is perfect for fans of teen romcoms such as When Dimple Met Rishi and Jenny Han's To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.What if Romeo and Juliet was set in a Vietnamese restaurant?Linh and Bao like each other. A lot. The only problem? Their families own rival pho restaurants and hate each other’s guts, so they have to keep their relationship a secret. But they can only steal kisses in dark alleys and the art room at school for so long. Can their love transcend an age-old feud and heal the rift between these two families? Or have these high school sweethearts bitten off more than they can chew?Praise for A Pho Love Story: '(A) warm, full-bodied take on the star-crossed-lovers rom-com genre' Kirkus Reviews 'Utterly delicious' Buzzfeed  

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Book Synopsis'This book is exquisite' - Holly Bourne, bestselling author of Am I Normal Yet?Fierce Fragile Hearts is the stunning companion novel to Sara Barnard's YA bestseller Beautiful Broken Things, which was selected for the inaugural Zoella Book Club. It is about leaving the past behind, the friends who form your future, and learning to find love, in all its forms. Now with bold cover look.Two years after a downward spiral took her as low as you can possibly go, Suzanne is starting again. Again. She's back in Brighton, the only place she felt she belonged, back with her best friends Caddy and Rosie. But they're about to leave for university. When your friends have been your light in the darkness, what happens when you're the one left behind?Trade ReviewI felt like I was living this book -- Zoella on Beautiful Broken Things

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Book SynopsisAmanda Hocking's bestselling Trylle trilogy comes to its thrilling conclusion in Ascend.Wendy Everly can barely remember what it was like to feel like a normal girl. She'd wished for her life to be different but everything is so much more complicated than she'd expected. And she certainly hadn't dreamt she'd be getting married at eighteen to a man she didn't love - all for the sake of duty. As the big day approaches, Wendy can't stop thinking about two different men - and neither of them are her husband-to-be. Finn - quiet, strong and determined to do what's right, and Loki - dark and seductive, a sworn enemy who once saved her life. With all-out war just days away, Wendy needs to act quickly if she is to save her friends and family. But while her loyalties and duties are to her people, deeper passions are leading her elsewhere. And as her worlds collide, Wendy must sacrifice everything she loves to save them. But will it be enough?Trade ReviewGenerated an excitement not felt in the industry since Stephenie Meyer or perhaps even J. K. Rowling. * New York Times *A fast-paced romance . . . addictive. * Guardian on Switched *Drew me in and kept me hooked . . . cracking pace. * Sunday Express on Switched *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of John Green. A winning combination of humour, heartbreak and romance make this a must read.If fate sent you an email, would you answer?It''s June - seventeen-year-old Ellie O''Neill''s least favourite time of year. Her tiny hometown is annually invaded by tourists, and this year there''s the added inconvenience of a film crew. Even the arrival of Hollywood heartthrob Graham Larkin can''t lift her mood.But there is something making Ellie very happy. Ever since an email was accidentally sent to her a few months ago, she''s been corresponding with a mysterious stranger, the two of them sharing their hopes and fears. Their developing relationship is not without its secrets though - there''s the truth about Ellie''s past... and her pen pal''s real identity. When they finally meet in person, things are destined to get much more complicated. Can two people, worlds apart but brought together by chance, make it against all the odds?SpaTrade ReviewI gulped down this book like a glass of ice-cold water on a scorching hot day. If you don't read this book in one sitting there may well be something wrong with you... An absolute treat! * Cat Clarke *The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a cracking read full of heart and humour. Hadley is a witty and charming protagonist and Smith's fantastic writing makes you believe that first love really can blossom in just 24 hours, even at 40,000 feet * The Bookseller *I absolutely loved The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I read it in one sitting and when I finally put it down I was beaming and a bit tearful...A sweet, charming, romantic book, it's begging to be turned into a film * Keris Stainton *The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is sweet, tender and uplifting - everything you could want * The Bookette *

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Book SynopsisA compellingly beautiful tale of magic, intrigue and deception, set against the backdrop of eighteenth-century Paris on the cusp of revolution.Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries – and magicians . . . When seventeen-year-old Camille is left orphaned, she has to provide for her frail sister and her volatile brother. In desperation, she survives by using the petty magic she learnt from her mother. But when her brother disappears Camille decides to pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.Using dark magic Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine‘ and presents herself at the court of Versaille, where she soon finds herself swept up in a dizzying life of riches, finery and suitors. But Camille’s resentment of the rich is at odds with the allure of their glamour and excess, and she soon discovers that she’s not the only one leading a double life . . .Enchantée is a compelling historical fantasy and is Gita Trelease's debut novel.Trade ReviewEnchantée is a lit firework crackling with treacherous magic, decadent romance and disguises that take on lives of their own. I adore this gorgeous, deliciously addictive book! -- Stephanie Garber, author of CaravalAn intoxicating blend of opulence, magic, intrigue and romance. Gita Trelease deftly balances a spellbinding story of desperation and deceit on the precipice of the epic revolution that changed history. Camille's tale wrapped around me as entrancingly as her magical gown. -- Alwyn Hamilton, author of Rebel of the Sands'Trelease is a supremely confident writer... [Enchantee is] a triumph of high jinx over history, which should keep young readers enthralled to the meticulously plotted end' -- Emily Bearns * Telegraph *Romantic, decadent and glamorous, it’s a hugely entertaining historical fantasy and Macmillan’s biggest YA début of the spring. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *An immersive, glittering debut that intriguingly blends history and fantasy. A striking examination of power, privilege, and choice in a limited world, that makes Trelease a new voice to watch. * Booklist *Distinctive characters, vivid 18th-century images of Paris and Versailles, lively French-infused dialogue, an appealing heroine, and an upbeat ending propel this lengthy romantic fantasy. Romance and fantasy readers will enjoy the magic realism, ruse and tension of Camille’s double identity, authentic historical references, and Camille’s daring, passionate spirit. A must-have. * School Library Journal, starred review *Set against the burgeoning throes of revolution, this immersive drama makes brilliant use of its conceit, suggesting that the decadent opulence of the French nobility was maintained by a fragile illusion that depended on the abject sorrow and blood of the French people. The period detail is exquisite, with Camille’s family situation and the inclusion of the problems surrounding the development of the hot-air balloon (Camille falls for an aeronaut) enabling readers to see what daily life was like for various classes of people as well as what new technologies were on the horizon. Fans of substantial historical romance as well as fantasy will be thoroughly enchanted. * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *This is a book to be savoured: from the rich, detailed descriptions of Paris on the brink of revolution; to the witty repartee and tender romance; to the dark, dangerous thread of magic woven through this wonderfully vivid world. -- Rosalyn Eves, author of Blood Rose RebellionA heady sparkling dream of a book. One of the best fantasies I’ve read in years. -- Margaret Rogerson, author of An Enchantment of RavensA fine teen novel [...] a thrilling account of love, passion and adventure. * Literary Review *Trelease does a marvellous job of transporting the reader to the vibrant streets and rooftops of Paris on the brink of a Revolution. Her writing is truly captivating * NYA Lit Festival *Magic, treachery and romance aplenty is woven into this enchanting tale * Candis *A deliciously decadent historical romance set in Paris that is awash with enchantment, deceit and adventure. It will set your heart racing. C’est Magnifique! * South Wales Evening Post *A decadent and romantic blend of history and fantasy * I *

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning Jenn Bennett comes a swoon-worthy story with a compelling mystery at its heart  Raised in isolation and home-schooled by her strict grandparents, the only experience Birdie has had of the outside world is through her favourite crime books. But everything changes when she takes a summer job working the night shift at a historic Seattle hotel. There she meets Daniel Aoki, the hotel’s charismatic driver, and together they stumble upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—is secretly meeting someone at the hotel. To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell, and in doing so, realize that the most confounding mystery of all may just be her growing feelings for Daniel.  

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Book SynopsisWILLA Film director LA insider Impulsive Looks like Alice ALICE Eco warrior LA tourist Cautious Looks like Willa Alice can't wait to visit Willa in LA – home of Hollywood, where dreams come true. Their plan is to explore the city and see the sights, but then Willa gets the opportunity to work on the film project of her dreams and she can’t say no! The only problem is she is absolutely 100% supposed to be taking part in a beach clean-up. Which, now she thinks of it, sounds pretty perfect for Alice... Can the girls really swap lives again? Cue plotting, outfit swapping and award-winning performances. But everyone knows that real life is nothing like the movies… The second instalment in THE SWITCH UP series and the perfect read for fans of GEEK GIRL and SUPER AWKWARD.

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Book SynopsisSurfing is sixteen-year-old Iris's world, and when the ultra-talented Zeke walks into her life, it soon becomes her passion. Over one amazing summer, as she is drawn into his sphere, she experiences love, new friendships, but also loss, with an intensity she never dreamed of. But is Zeke all he seems? What hides beneath his glamorous and mysterious past? When Iris decides to try for her own surfing success, just as her ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, she will test her talent, and her feelings for Zeke, to the limit...Trade Review'Possibly the best YA Romance by a UK author I've read' Wondrous Reads. * Wondrous Reads *A fantastic coming of age novel ... the characters, their dialect and motivations, feel very real. It addresses sexism in surfing as a minor theme effectively ... Tribalism, jealousy and loyalty are explored in lots of ways and I read the whole thing in one go * School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisEvie Barnes is a bad girl. And everyone knows that bad girls make the best friends ... A story of murder, secrets and tragedy from the author of MOXIE - as seen on Netflix.Trade ReviewGripping, relatable and emotionally engaging, Bad Girls Never Say Die is a triumph. * LoveReading4Kids *

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Book SynopsisA heartbreaking story about finding yourself and your people, from the bestselling author of If I Stay, a major film starring Chloë Grace Moretz. For fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, John Green and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.'I got this whole-body feeling . . . it was like a message from future me to present me, telling me that in some way we weren’t just bound to happen, that we had, in some sense, already happened. It felt . . . inevitable.'So far, the inevitable hasn’t worked out so well for Aaron Stein.While his friends have gone to college and moved on with their lives, Aaron’s been left behind in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State, running a failing bookshop with his dad, Ira. What he needs is a lucky break, the good kind of inevitable.And then he meets Hannah. Incredible Hannah – magical, musical, brave and clever. Cou

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Book Synopsis'Funny and heart-warming ... Brathwaite tackles big themes with a deft touch' Stylist'A sharp look at the realities of growing up Black in Britain ... warm and insightful' Observer'You don't want to put it down until you've read it cover to cover' Independent'Tackles big issues with humour and heart' i newspaperLove is never just black and white...A sharp and authentic love story about 16-year-old Cynthia, who finds herself caught between two brothers: one who is Black and the other who is white. Tackling the complexities of growing up Black and British, Cuts Both Ways is the first fiction title from the Sunday Times best-selling Candice Brathwaite, author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother.London is everything to Cynthia, so when her parents move her to a place where there is only one bus an hour and the faint smell of horse manure continuously permeates the air, it's a culture shock, to say the least. As is transitioning to a private school.At her new school, Cynthia immediately finds herself caught between two brothers - head boy Thomas, who is white, and his adopted Black brother, Isaac. There is something about Isaac she cannot quite get enough of ... but her father wants her to partner up with someone like Thomas, someone who will be 'better for her future prospects'.When it turns out the brothers have been keeping secrets from her, secrets that link back to the life Cynthia thought she had left behind in London, she realises that not everything is as it seems.How can Cynthia follow her heart when it's being torn in two?An exploration of race, class, love and the complexities of growing up as a Black British teen, from bestselling author Candice Brathwaite.Trade ReviewEmotional, page-turning and beautiful, I loved this book. Candice has created such a relatable character in Cynthia, who you can't help but root for. CUT BOTH WAYS is a breathtaking YA love story that everyone needs to read. * Sara Jafari, author of THE MISMATCH *Funny and heart-warming ... Brathwaite tackles big themes with a deft touch * Stylist *This book handles serious and pertinent themes like knife crime and grief in Brathwaite's signature, compelling style ... her writing is so good you don't want to put it down until you've read it cover to cover. * The Independent *Deftly tackles big issues with humour and heart * i newspaper *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that’s endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams. For some reason, Clark has woken up and relived the same monotonous Monday 309 times. Until Day 310 turns out to be…different. Suddenly, his usual torturous math class is interrupted by an anomaly—a boy he’s never seen before in all his previous Mondays. When shy, reserved Clark decides to throw caution to the wind and join effusive and effervescent Beau on a series of “errands” across the Windy City, he never imagines that anything will really change, because nothing has in such a long time. And he definitely doesn’t expect to fall this hard or this fast for someone in just one day. There’s just one problem: how do you build a future with someone if you can never get to tomorrow?Trade Review* "Couples a vivacious queer romance with an emotionally intelligent time loop tale, meshing Groundhog Day with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off....Their day-after-day cat-and-mouse game, which never feels dull despite repeating events, eloquently explores themes of loneliness, love and forgiveness, and the quiet power of kindness, all while maintaining ticking-clock suspense." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review * March 2023 ** "The story is structured around a series of deviations and mysteries; as each mystery is solved, a new one springs up, spurring the plot onward and making the novel compulsively readable. In addition to excellent structure and pacing, Couch also provides a compelling, endearing narrator in Clark." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * March 2023 ** "Couch has done an excellent job of breathing new life into an old trope, crafting a clever plot with complex, likable characters. Along the way, he keeps readers on their toes.... If Couch occasionally throws his readers for a loop, they’ll be glad he does." -- Booklist, starred review * March 2023 *"Fresh, engaging, funny, and heartwarming....The story is expertly paced and includes a satisfying mix of romance, sleuthing, sci-fi, humor, and coming-of-age themes. The book also reads like a love song to Chicago, similar to Rachel Lynn Solomon’s devotion to Seattle in Today Tonight Tomorrow....Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal * 10/6/23 *"The romance itself is strange and satisfying, consisting of both classic meet-cute instant attraction between Clark and Beau and slow-burn character development as Clark hunts for Beau and seeks to learn more about him....An engaging, sweet, and emotional journey." -- Kirkus Reviews * February 2023 *“If I See You Again Tomorrow is easily Robbie Couch’s best, most compelling offering yet. He’s already proven himself an indelible master of the queer YA romantic comedy and builds on that skill with clever twists, excellent pacing and edge-of-your-seat suspense. I know people say they could not put this book down, but I truly could not put this book down. It almost made me want to get whisked away into a time loop of my own for a spell—but overall, it simply made me feel less alone.” -- David Oliver, entertainment reporter, USA Today"What's better than a love story set over the course of a single day? Reliving that day over and over. Or is it? Sometimes dreamy, sometimes nightmarish, If I See You Again Tomorrow is a brilliant time-loop romance I never wanted to end. You'll love following Robbie Couch's lonely hero as he seeks someone to spend infinity with, even when it plays with your heart time and time (and time and time) again." -- Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End

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Book SynopsisFollowing Brenna Thummler’s bestselling and critically acclaimed graphic novels Sheets and Delicates, Marjorie, Eliza, and Wendell the ghost are back to uncover the secrets of Wendell’s human life in the third and final heartwarming installment of the Sheets trilogy. Marjorie Glatt’s life was forever changed the day she discovered a group of ghosts hiding in her family’s laundromat. One of those ghosts was Wendell: a lonely phantom turned Marjorie’s best friend. When he and Marjorie are joined by ghost-enthusiast Eliza Duncan, the three friends band together in friendship, bravery, and all things paranormal. Wendell died far too young and now must wander the Land of Humans with nothing more than a sheet for a body. He knows how he died—a tragic drowning accident—but lately he’s grown curious about his past life. He wants to know more about why he died, not just how he died. It’s not easy, though, since Wendell’s memory of his human life has grown increasingly blurry. With Marjorie and Eliza’s help, they set out on a journey to find out more. When they hear a rumor about Wendell’s death, they wonder if it might not have been an accident after all. Meanwhile, Marjorie and Eliza’s friendship is tested when Marjorie starts to befriend the very people who used to bully Eliza. In the third and final installment of the Sheets trilogy, Wendell will finally uncover the truth of his human life. Marjorie and Eliza will learn that some people really can change. Most of all, they start to see that everything can cast shadows, but if you look hard enough, you can find the light.

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Book Synopsis'This summer's must read' - The Times ‘An irresistible account of female friendship … Nobody describes the strength, pain and comedy of being young as elegantly and eloquently as Meg Rosoff’ – Amanda Craig ‘A wonderful, captivating writer’ – Daily Telegraph __________________ From the incomparable Meg Rosoff, bestselling author of How I Live Now and The Great Godden, comes an alluring coming-of-age tale about the summer that changes everything. New York City. June, 1982. When eighteen-year-old Beth arrives in Manhattan for a prestigious journalism internship, everything feels brand new – and not always in a good way. A cockroach-infested sublet and a disaffected roommate are the least of her worries, and she soon finds herself caught up with her fellow interns – preppy Oliver, ruthless Dan and ridiculously cool, beautiful, wild Edie. Soon, Beth and Edie are best friends – the sort of heady, all-consuming best-friendship that’s impossible to resist. But with the mercury rising and deceit mounting up, betrayal lies just around the corner. Who needs enemies … when you have friends like these? From bestselling, award-winning author Meg Rosoff comes a gritty, intoxicating novel about a summer of unforgettable firsts: of independence, lies, love and the inevitable loss of innocence. Sharp and irresistible, it's perfect for fans of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends and Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan.Trade ReviewA magical and utterly faultless voice * Mark Haddon *An irresistible account of female friendship set on the cusp between of adulthood in 1980s New York. Nobody describes the strength, pain and comedy of being young as elegantly and eloquently as Meg Rosoff -- Amanda CraigA wonderful, captivating writer * Daily Telegraph *This dreamy novel ... charms and seduces effortlessly. Just like those long, hot, lazy summers of your childhood, by the end of it, you'll want to start all over again ***** * Heat Magazine on THE GREAT GODDEN *This summer's must-read YA novel * The Times *Highly filmic ... gorgeously evoked * Spectator *There's a touch of The Bell Jar to this 1980s New York-set novel ... Rosoff is a terrific writer, wry and spare, and this engaging read about friendship, work, love and how to survive them would be enjoyed by a teen as much as an adult * Daily Mail *Effortlessly lyrical, moving from straightforward description to devastating emotional truth in the blink of an eye ... a smart, stylish summer read * Irish Times *Beautifully written and evocative ... An intoxicating mix of love, friendship and learning over one unforgettable summer * Reading Zone *From the author of The Great Godden comes another intoxicating coming- of-age tale, this one set in 80s Manhattan * The i Paper *A feel good, coming-of-age treat, with ripples of NYC angst * Jewish Chronicle *Rosoff is on top form in this compelling coming-of-age story * Daily Mirror *This wise and drop-dead funny book is a love song to friendship, to starting out, and to New York * Perspective Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA pun-filled YA contemporary romance, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar finds a teenage girl competing in a televised baking competition, with contestants including her ex-girlfriend and a potential new crush - perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off and She Drives Me Crazy!Welcome to the first ever Junior Irish Baking Show!Shireen Malik is still reeling from the breakup with her ex-girlfriend, Chris, when she receives news that she''s been accepted as a contestant on a new televised baking competition show. This is Shireen''s dream come true! Because winning will not only mean prize money, but it will also bring some much-needed attention to You Drive Me Glazy, her parents'' beloved donut shop.Things get complicated, though, because Chris is also a contestant on the show. Then there''s the very outgoing Niamh, a fellow contestant who is becoming fast friends with Shireen. Things are heating up between theTrade ReviewStart with a warmhearted romance, add in two cups of refreshing frankness, and blend it all together with a healthy scoop of reality TV chaos. Adiba Jaigirdar's mix of wit and sincerity hits every sweet spot, and the world class puns are just the icing on the donut. * Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon Vs. The Homosapiens Agenda *Deliciously funny and swoony, The Dos and Donuts of Love serves delightful slices of identity, community, redemption, and love. Adiba Jaigirdar delivers another pitch-perfect, must-have winner! * Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running With Lions and Right Where I Left You *Simply flan-tastic. A celebration of queer love, being brown, fat bodies, second chances, and delectable desserts, THE DOS AND DONUTS OF LOVE embodies the warmth and comfort of binge-watching your favorite show. An absolute must-read for baking show addicts - with puns that serve as the icing on the cake. * Crystal Maldonado, author of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega *I flew through this! Mouth-watering food, a romance that had me squealing, and a fun premise with a twisty plot - it's everything I love in my rom-coms! * Sophie Gonzales, author of Never Ever Getting Back Together *Charming, smart, and as sweet as a six-pack of doughnuts! * Simon James Green, award-winning author of Gay Club *A sweet, fluffy romance with a serious centre - Shireen's devotion to her dreams, as well as her courage to overcome hate and prejudice, will inspire aspiring bakers and non-bakers alike. A timely love story told with specificity and sincerity * Michelle Quach, author of Not Here to Be Liked *Filled with a gorgeous cast of memorable characters, The Dos & Donuts of Love is a sugar-sweet second chance sapphic romance perfect for summer * Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend *'A sweet and exceedingly wholesome tale of lesbian love and baking... From baking puns to love triangles, this book has it all.' * The Sunday Times Ireland *Praise for The Henna Wars: The scenes between Flávia and Nishat simmer, and their mesmerizing relationship unfolds with just the right amount of complexity. Most satisfyingly, each character gets the ending she deserves. Impossible to put down. * Kirkus *Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating is funny and warm, cleverly balancing skilled storytelling and romantic themes with an exploration of issues such as race and otherness, queer-ness and sexuality * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisA heartwarming story of friendship and celebrating our differences--and the teachers who help us shine--from master storyteller Patricia Polacco, author of Thank You, Mr. Falker. In this story based on the author-illustrator's own childhood, Patricia Polacco once again celebrates the power teachers have to help us discover the potential we each hold. Young Trisha is devastated when she finds out that her class at her new school is known as the junkyard. It is a special class, and she had moved from where she used to live so she wouldn't be in a special class anymore! But then she meets her teacher, the amazing Mrs. Peterson, and her classmates, an oddly brilliant group of misfit kids, whom the other kids in school call the junkyard kids. Much to her own surprise, it is here in the junkyard that Trisha discovers the true meaning of genius, and that this group of misfits are, in fact, Junkyard Wonders, each and every one of them. Now with questions at the back of the book to help g

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Book SynopsisRaccoon finishes his book and is ready for his own adventurehe wants thrills, excitement and to conquer the sea! He borrows everything he needs from his friends: a boat from Badger, who insists on coming along because you should never go on an expedition alone. Fox packs them eggs for the omelettethen must join to be the cook. Bear insists on coming to scare away the jellyfish, and Crow says he should be lookout. The friends sail through rapids, collect sweet blackberries, chase away bees, and play soccer, until a little rain and thoughts of home bring their excursion to an end. That, thinks Raccoon, was the most thrilling magnificent adventure with friends I've ever had. Let's go again soonand next time we'll bring the chickens. In this heartwarming follow-up to A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends, Waechter shows how life is better when you bring along your friends and take what the day brings. "The perfect book for summer.Frankfurter Allgemeiner

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Book SynopsisThere''s nothing more thrilling than being behind the wheel when the flag drops, a stretch of track ahead and her foot on the gas. Racing is in Jojo''s blood. Or at least . . . it was.Jojo Emerson-Boyd should be on the fast track to her own wildly successful racing career. Instead, she''s spending the seemingly endless summer working at her grandmother''s auto shop in the small town of Dell''s Hollow. Everything changed when Jojo lost her mom, a celebrity NASCAR racer, in a tragic racing accident. Now, according to her dad, even getting her license is out of the question, so she might as well forget about racing. For the first time, her future seems foggy. But something comes into focus when Eliana El Blum turns up at the shop with an adorable scowl, a tough-girl vibe, and a mystery to solve. A Motorcyle Girl at heart, El grew up on the sidelines of the motocross circuit, watching Maxine, her idol of an older sister, compete. When she suddenly loses all

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Book SynopsisA heartfelt picture book celebrating the special bond between daddies and the children they love, perfect for fathers everywhere!What do daddies love?Some daddies love going outdoors and exploring the world.Some daddies love teaching their kids how to fix machines.Some daddies love learning and dreaming big dreams.But there's a special something or someone that daddies love best of allThis heart-warming and beautifully illustrated picture book by acclaimed artist Raissa Figueroa is a celebration of the close bond between father and child, and the many ways daddies bring joy and meaning to the lives of their children.

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Book SynopsisSEX EDUCATION meets Holly Bourne and Ciara Smyth - a frank, relatableand outrageously funny YA novel full of heart and empathy, abouta teenage girl's struggles with first-time sex and her discoveryof her peers' secret sex struggles. MEAN GIRLS level quotabilityplus an empowering take on friendships, teen relationships andpersonal growth.

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Book SynopsisSixth-former Anna Campbell is the go-to girl when anyone needs anything. Teachers, friends, random strangers… It never occurred to her that she could say no. After all, Anna Campbell’s always been too ‘nice' to say no. But Anna is sick of being that girl, the nice girl, and she’s going to do something about it. Only, is she prepared to risk losing everything she cares about – even herself – along the way…? A novel for anyone who’s ever struggled to put themselves first.

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Book SynopsisThe Hating Game meets Alex, Approximately in this smart, chemistry-filled teen rom-com about two rival journalism students competing for the same position on their university newspaper.Wyn is going to beat Three even if it kills her—or, preferably, him. Being freshmen staffers on the university newspaper puts them at the bottom of the pecking order—until a rare reporter spot opens up. Wyn and Three are both determined to get the position, starting a game of sabotage that pushes them to do their worst, from stealing each other’s ideas to playing twisted mind games. No road is too low when it comes to winning. As Wyn’s search for the perfect story leads her to an anonymous, campus-wide dating app, she hits it off with a mystery man she thinks might be the cute RA from her dorm. But Wyn is all too familiar with being rejected because of her weight, and she’s hesitant to reveal her identity, even as she grows closer with so

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Book SynopsisHeartstopper meets Friday Night Lights in this “seamless, engrossing” (Publishers Weekly) coming-of-age story about a teen hometown hero who must find out who he is outside of basketball when his coming out as gay costs him his popularity and place on the team.In his small Georgia town, Barclay Elliot is basically a legend. Here basketball is all that matters, and no one has a bigger spotlight than Barclay. Until he decides to use the biggest pep rally in the town’s history to come out to his school. And things change. Quickly. Barclay is faced with hostility he never expected. Suddenly he is at odds with his own team, and he doesn’t even have his grandfather to turn to the way he used to. But who is Barclay if he doesn’t have basketball? His best friend, Amy, thinks she knows. She drags him to her voting rights group, believing Barclay can find a bigger purpose. And he does, but he also finds Christopher

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Book SynopsisThe romantic Beauty and the Beast retelling of your dreams - perfect for fans of reimagined fairy tales and dark, brooding love interests ... A heartless beastA sister''s sacrificeAnd a love so strong it will drown the raging sea ...THIS FAIRY TALE IS CURSEDIn a kingdom that fears the sea, Ria Lucroy longs to be brave. Bodies are washing ashore and everyone knows who''s to blame. Legends of the Heartless King shroud the continent in fear; they call him a pirate, a monster, a god. When his mercenaries raid her father''s merchant ship, Ria''s family is faced with a horrifying demand. They will spare his life, in exchange for one of his daughters.Determined to save her sisters, Ria launches herself into the world of pirates. Face-to-face with the Heartless King, she finds he is far more than the stories told. He is a man, with a human name and blood-stained hands, bound to the seas by a centuries-old curse. As theiTrade Review"A Curse of Salt is a gorgeously romantic high seas adventure filled with the joys of found family, the coming-of-age tenderness of love, and the torment of a centuries old curse." -- NATALIE XENOS * CultureFly *

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Book SynopsisONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER. ‘An exceptional read’ The Sunday Times ‘Vital glimmers of hope enlighten this profoundly poignant book’ Guardian A powerful and heart-breaking novel about three childhood friends living during the Second World War whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses. Inspired by a true story, this is the perfect read for fans of The Book Thief and Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl.Vienna, 1936.Elsa, Leo and Max have always been best friends, a special team of three. Then the Nazis come.   As a growing darkness descends around them, Leo and Elsa run for their lives, taking two very different paths across Europe. And Max, once their closest friend, now becomes the enemy as he is drawn into the Hitler Youth. Will the friends ever find Trade ReviewWhen The World Was Ours is Liz's masterpiece . . . an instant classic -- Anthony McGowan, winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie MedalAn exceptional read * The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week *A wonderful book, half tragedy, but told with such sheer, warm humanity that it leaves you with hope -- Hilary McKay * author of The Skylarks' War *I haven't read a Holocaust book for children that's better -- Charlotte Eyre * The Bookseller *When The World Was Ours is the most wonderful, terrible, powerful, important book I have read in years and years. It is so good, so real, so unflinching -- Cathy CassidyWhen The World Was Ours is an exceptionally powerful book based on Liz’s family’s extraordinary escape from Nazi occupied countries . . . a book I hope will be read and discussed by children everywhere -- Francesca SimonAn absolute masterpiece! -- Keren DavidThis is a tour de force, a book about friendship and what happens when hate is institutionalised, but most of all it's a book about love -- Catherine JohnsonUtterly, utterly gut-churningly brilliant. It's a superb piece of writing. It should win everything going -- Tanya LandmanThis stunning book is going to make you rage, and cry, and yelp with joy, then cry and rage again. A genuine tour de force from Liz Kessler. I couldn’t put it down except to wipe away tears -- Joanna NadinThis striking Holocaust story was a real passion project for Liz Kessler and it shows. Begins in Vienna in the 1930s, following the fortunes of three friends over the following years. Inevitable ugly crying at the end -- Karen McCombieWhen The World Was Ours is a gut-wrenching story of friendship torn apart by war. I can’t recommend it highly enough -- Anna WilsonAn unstoppable read - compassionate, angry and uplifting all at once -- Katherine LangrishI just finished When The World Was Ours and I'm in tears. I don't think I've ever read anything so powerful, shocking or moving. Such an important book - it truly deserves to fly -- Emma PassThis book is completely engaging and will engross young (and older) readers . . . it will prove to be very important, and widely read and recommended -- Linda NewberyThe most powerful book about the Holocaust I've ever read . . . it is an utterly stunning, and important, read. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time, and would urge everyone to read it -- Kerry DreweryPowerful, heartbreaking, thought-provoking and timely. This story of three friends will be etched in my mind for a very long time. What an incredible novel -- Emma PerryVery moved by the new Liz Kessler novel . . . the story and the story behind it. I wish I was a Costa judge next year as well -- John McLayPowerful, heart-wrenching -- Leila RasheedA powerful, sombre and moving account * The Financial Times *I read it in one sitting. It is heartbreakingly wonderful; a compelling book threaded through with hope that readers can grasp and take forward with them. -- Patrice Lawrence

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Book SynopsisAn aadorable and funny love story between aardvarks.Aardvarks Aalfred and Aalbert both need a pal. But Aalfred sleeps in the day, and Aalbert sleeps at night. How will they ever get the chance to meet? Bird conjures up a series of sillier and sillier schemes to get the two aardvarks into the same place, but their paths simply refuse to cross. Until one day, when they find each other in the most unexpected way – and now Aalfred and Aalbert will never lose each other again.Aalfred and Aalbert is as funny and memorable as Morag Hood's previous books, Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea, I Am Bat and The Steves. With its sweet and natural portrayal of love accidentally blooming between two aardvarks, it makes a brilliant gift for a loved one.Trade Reviewa truly original rising star * Bookseller *From Two Hoots, and the fabulous author-illustrator Morag Hood, there’s the adorable aardvark story of Aalfred and Aalbert, whose different sleep cycles have doomed them never to meet, much to the frustration of a small avian matchmaker. Whether snoozing curled up in their burrows or following their passions of broccoli, cheese and flowers, these aardvarks, and their happy ending, make for ear-to-ear smiles. -- Imogen Russell Williams * Guardian *A superbly comic though still subtle and understated gay love story appears in Morag Hood’s Aalfred and Aalbert (Two Hoots), the story of two star-crossed aardvarks who emerge from their burrows at fatally different times – one by night and one by day. [...] While some children might read Aalfred and Aalbert simply as a story of friendship, others will be delighted by the small, sweet smiles of the enormously endearing protagonists, finding and falling for each other at last. * Times Literary Supplement *“It's a wonderful tale demonstrating the joy of friendship and love, told through the charming bright and bold illustrations and text that is suitable for early readers.” * The School Librarian *An adorable and somewhat unconventional love story that shows that eventually love triumphs and that good things comes to those who wait. * ReadingZone *Full of charm and gentle fun in its depiction of two endearing aardvarks [...] this appealing appealing story should leave its young readers, and their families, with smiles on their faces * Books For Keeps *I think it’s my favourite so far. This treat is not to be missed; in fact you really shouldn’t miss any of Morag’s books * Red Reading Hub *this is a story lovingly created… and an endearing gift for anyone in need of a hug! * Lancashire Evening Post *A feel-good treat infused with Hood’s trademark playfulness and cheer * The Bookseller *A unique voice and wryly humorous illustrations will leave you smiling at this wonderful tale of aardvarks, broccoli, string and friendship. * BookTrust's Great Books Guide 2019 *It’s refreshing to have a love story, even if it is between aardvarks. The picture book is by the rising star author-illustrator Morag Hood, who has also written Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea, I Am Bat and The Steves. Aalfred and Aaalbert’s sleep cycles are different and they are doomed never to meet but eventually, an accidental meeting gives them a happily-ever-after ending * I News *

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Book SynopsisMichelle Quach is a graphic designer and writer living in Los Angeles. She's Chinese Vietnamese American and a graduate of Harvard University, where she studied history and literature. She loves rom-coms, characters who don't always do the right thing, and any dog that kind of looks like her dog. Not Here To Be Liked is her first novel.

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Book SynopsisJessie's got a lot going on . . . As well as having to give up her bedroom to the new lodger, she's busy filming her popular pranking videos for the Girls Can Vlog channel, there's an important gymnastics competition to prepare for, and the SummerTube convention is just around the corner! But there are only so many hours in a day, and the girls are getting fed up with Jessie constantly running late. When a huge row breaks out, she is faced with an impossible choice . . .

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Book SynopsisThe power of finding yourself, finding your people and living your truthTrade ReviewCompelling, clever, and achingly honest. A book for anyone who has ever grappled with who they are and who they want to be. -- Katherine Webber * Katherine Webber *This wild ride of a novel is all about finding your true self in the unlikeliest of places * iNews *

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Book Synopsis

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