Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Divorce, separation, family break-up

Book SynopsisI'm Dan Hope and inside my head I keep a list of things I want to come true. For example, I want my sister, Ninja Grace, to go to university at the North Pole and only come back once a year. I want to help Sherlock Holmes solve his most daring mystery yet. And finally, the biggest dream of all, I want my dad to love me.Trade ReviewA thought-provoking, moving and very funny debut. * The Bookseller *A beautifully written and heartfelt novel that made me laugh and cry in equal measure. I initially read a proof of this and have been championing it in store ever since it’s publication. It’s perfect for fans of Wonder and even for older readers who like Erin Lange and John Green. I can’t wait to read Lara’s next book. * Gem Routledge, Waterstones *A Boy Called Hope is a 2014 debut that you do not want to miss, whatever age you are. The writing is beautiful, honest, and enjoyable. * Books and Writers JNR *A Boy Called Hope is a truly fantastic book and its message of hope and courage when life doesn’t pan out as planned is one of the strongest I’ve read in a long while. * Moontrug *A Boy Called Hope should be your companion through these dark, gloomy nights, when the rain is falling and you need a little joy and light in your life. It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will make you smile. * It Was Lovely Reading You blog *

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Book SynopsisThe perfect flower girl gift to celebrate the importance (and fun!) of being the littlest bridesmaid at the wedding!For the sweetest girl in the bridal party, The Most Special Flower Girl takes you on an adventure to discover all the best things about being in a wedding. Try on a twirly dress, carry pretty flowers, smile big for pictures, walk down the aisle, and have lots and lots of fun! An adorable wedding party gift for any niece, daughter, family member, or other future flower girl to understand the duties and importance of their job on the special day.The Most Special Flower Girl is perfect for:Learning the special role a flower girl plays-change the names to fit your family and walk through all the steps of the big day to prepare!A gift for the littlest member of your wedding party-with a page dedicated to write a special note from the coupleAn adorable prop for the perfect photo-op or special moment between the couple a

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Book SynopsisA sensitively-told story that addresses the tricky subject of divorce with care and understanding, from Clare Helen Welsh and Åsa Gilland. Laughing and playing together as a family on the beach, it seems the happy, warm days of summer will never end. Then, everything changes. Mummy and Daddy say they can’t live together anymore, and sad, worried feelings begin to emerge – It’s not fair! Was it all my fault? But, as time passes and the seasons change, it becomes clearer that hard times won’t always be quite so hard . . . A lyrical book about the difficult emotions a child can feel when their parents break up, with an optimistic message of hope and resilience. Gorgeous illustrations and an emotive colour palette perfectly capture the nuances of emotion felt by both the child and parents during a separation. Much like Pat Thomas’s My Family's Changing, Claire Masurel’s Two Homes and Patrice Karst’s The Invisible String, Everything Changes offers a way to help children understand their feelings during big changes in their family unit. Also available from this author and illustrator: The Perfect Shelter PRAISE FOR EVERYTHING CHANGES: "Parental separation is never easy, but this gentle picture book handles the subject with tenderness and sensitivity . . . It's an ideal book for offering gentle guidance to children who are experiencing big changes in their family and processing the feelings that come with it." – BookTrust "Everything Changes is a beautiful, lyrical text which uses swirling, crashing waves and stormy weather as a metaphor for emotions a young child might feel. Åsa Gilland's stunning illustrations take us through the changing seasons and remind us that, in life, sometimes everything changes." – Teach Early YearsTrade Review"Parental separation is never easy, but this gentle picture book handles the subject with tenderness and sensitivity. The lyrical text and gorgeous colour palette that changes with the passing seasons capture the very subtle changes in emotion that both child and parent can feel over time. It’s an ideal book for offering gentle guidance to children who are experiencing big changes in their family and processing the feelings that come with it. However, it’s ultimately a book full of warmth and joyful moments – time is an important healer and as well as the bad moments, change can bring lots of good things too.""Everything Changes is a beautiful, lyrical text which uses swirling, crashing waves and stormy weather as a metaphor for emotions a young child might feel. Åsa Gilland's stunning illustrations take us through the changing seasons and remind us that, in life, sometimes everything changes."

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Book SynopsisSuzanne Lang (Author) Suzanne Lang produces, develops and writes for children's television. She is a producer for Nickelodeon international's animated-shorts program and previously worked for Cartoon Network. Suzanne loves animals (especially cats and monkeys) and chocolate (especially with praline filling.)Max Lang (Illustrator) Max Lang is an animation director, storyboard artist, character designer, and illustrator. He codirected the film adaptation of The Gruffalo, which was nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA, as well as the Oscar-nominated adaptation of Room on the Broom, which has won numerous awards, including an International Emmy, a BAFTA, and the Cristal for Best TV Production. Suzanne and Max live in England with their daughter and a trouble-prone cat.Trade ReviewFamilies can take many different shapes and forms and this engaging book looks at animal families in all their variety in a superb celebration of family life. It's an excellent way to introduce different sorts of families - animal and human - and to show that what counts, above all, is love. The wonderful illustrations are themsselves a celebration of difference, with plenty of different approaches taken to show animal families of all sorts. A great springboard for discussion. * Parents in Touch *Families can take many different shapes and forms and this engaging book looks at animal families in all their variety in a superb celebration of family life. It's an excellent way to introduce different sorts of families - animal and human - and to show that what counts, above all, is love. The wonderful illustrations are themsselves a celebration of difference, with plenty of different approaches taken to show animal families of all sorts. A great springboard for discussion. * Parents in Touch *

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Book SynopsisEleven-year-old Isabella’s blended family is more divided than ever in this “timely but genuine” (Publishers Weekly) story about divorce and racial identity from the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper.Eleven-year-old Isabella’s parents are divorced, so she has to switch lives every week: One week she’s Isabella with her dad, his girlfriend Anastasia, and her son Darren living in a fancy house where they are one of the only black families in the neighborhood. The next week she’s Izzy with her mom and her boyfriend John-Mark in a small, not-so-fancy house that she loves. Because of this, Isabella has always felt pulled between two worlds. And now that her parents are divorced, it seems their fights are even worse, and they’re always about HER. Isabella feels completely stuck in the middle, split and divided between them more than ever. And she is begi

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of bestselling THIS LIE WILL KILL YOU comes another unputdownable thriller about a group of friends who will do anything to protect each other – even murder . . . Perfect for fans of RIVERDALE, ONE OF US IS LYING and A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER. The recipe for the perfect murder...Poppy, Lily, and Belladonna would do anything to protect their best friend, Raven. So when they discovered he was suffering abuse at the hands of his stepmother, they came up with a lethal plan to stop her from ever hurting Raven again. But someone got cold feet, the plot faded to a secret of the past, and the group fell apart. Three years later, on the eve of Raven’s seventeenth birthday, his stepmother turns up dead and Belladonna is carted off to jail. Desperate to prove her innocence, Belle reache

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Book SynopsisA feisty enemies to lovers romcom from the YA Book Prize shortlisted author of This is How You Fall in Love. Perfect for readers of Jenny Han, Joya Goffney and Adiba Jaigirdar!HE BROKE HER BEST FRIEND'S HEART. NOW SAACHI PLANS TO BREAK HIS.MAY THE BEST HEARTBREAKER WIN . . .Saachi would do anything for her best friend. So when school bad boy Fahim breaks Mona's heart, Saachi is hellbent on getting revenge. It's time to put him in his place once and for all.And so begins Operation Heartbreaker: Saachi will make Fahim fall in love with her and then pull the plug on him - just like he does to every girl he's ever dated. Simple.Except as she spends more time with Fahim, against her better judgement, she finds herself falling for him. Unable to talk to Mona about her mixed emotions, and with the mission veering dangerously off course, Saachi will have to embrace her role as a heartbreaker or potentially end up with her own heart broken . . .

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Book SynopsisSerena Patel (Author) Serena Patel is the author of the Anisha, Accidental Detective series which won the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award for Fiction. She lives in the West Midlands with her family and believes all children deserve to feel seen in the stories they read and that books are an important tool for empathy. When she's not writing Serena enjoys watching movies, reading and eating cake. Chocolate cake preferred.Emma McCann (Illustrator) Emma McCann is a freelance illustrator, sporadic painter/print maker, occasional cake baker, and regular mess maker. She lives in Cornwall and works from an attic studio where her ideas are scribbled, Wacom'd, and Photoshopped into existence. In her spare time, Emma undertakes scientific research into Cornwall's best cream tea and takes it very, very seriously.

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Book SynopsisJacqueline Wilson (Author) Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.ukNick Sharratt (Illustrator) Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awardTrade ReviewTold in the zany, entirely convincing voice of Tracy Beaker herself . . . The strains of communal life with other children, rivalries and friendships and jokes, all spring to life, and Tracy's prose is decorated throughout with cheeky line drawings * The Sunday Times *An appealing mix of events and reactions that are both entertaining and moving. A book that lingers in the mind long after it is put down * Guardian *A sensitive and beautifully observed story . . . Our young readers appreciated both the humour and the pathos * Federation of Children's Book Groups, 1991 Pick of the Year *Tracy is lively and spirited, and her narrative funny and moving * The Bookseller *A breath of fresh air. It is entertaining yet tender but by no means sentimental when it confronts the need we all have for commitment in relationships, for trust, for love . . . A real bonus is that the book genuinely celebrates the act of writing - and not by preaching, I promise * The School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisJacqueline Wilson (Author) Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.ukNick Sharratt (Illustrator) Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awardTrade ReviewFunny and very moving -- Josie Lawrence * Daily Express *An unsentimental and truthful book that is even better for a strong sense of mischief * Independent on Sunday *The chatty style draws young readers straight into the story, and the constant stream of corny jokes masks, but does not conceal, the deeper issues * Daily Telegraph *This is an hilarious and at the same time exceptionally emotional story * Scribbler *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the joy of dancing and the importance of family, whatever your culture, ability or style with Luna, by award-winning Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, the third book in the Luna Loves... series. When Luna dances, she feels like the world’s volume turns up, like all colours brighten, like sunlight sparkles behind every cloud. But when she takes her dance exam she ducks, dives, spins and... falls. Luna thinks she can't be a real dancer now. Can Luna's family convince her otherwise? Celebrate every culture and every style of dance with Luna, featuring a glorious fold out carnival page. Other books in the Luna Loves... series: Luna Loves Library Day Luna Loves Art Luna Loves BooksTrade Review"This delightful tale shows young children that, with perseverance and determination, they can overcome setbacks and follow their dreams" * BookTrust *"Dazzling and colourful... touching and lyrical this is the perfect introduction to Joseph Coelho's work" * The Hunts Post *"Joyful and inspiring, Luna Loves Dance celebrates a little girl as she finds the best way of expressing herself through dance" * LoveReading4KIds *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS 2022. A rainbow-filled, JOYOUS debut from a hugely exciting new talent. Perfect for 9+ readers and fans of Elle McNicoll, Lisa Thompson and Onjali Rauf's The Boy at the Back of the Class.My name’s Archie Albright, and I know two things for certain:  1. My mum and dad kind of hate each other, and they’re not doing a great job of pretending that they don’t anymore.  2. They’re both keeping a secret from me, but I can’t figure out what. Things aren't going great for Archie Albright. His dad's acting weird, his mum too, and all he wants is for everything to go back to normal, to three months before when his parents were happy and still lived together. When Archie sees a colourful, crumpled flyer fall out of Dad's pocket, he thinks he may have found the answer. Only problem? The answer might just lie at the end

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Book SynopsisAn enchanting story about fairies, baking, and the magic of blended families from TV star and influencer Kate FerdinandIn a magical forest full of busy birds and buzzy bugs, there stands a giant oak tree. This is where the fairy families live!Ash and Willow live in the Family Tree with their dad. They love baking and can''t wait to enter the Busy Beetle Bake-Off, but everything changes when their dad introduces them to a new fairy, Hazel. With their bakes going badly, and a new member of the family to get used to, will Ash and Willow manage to find a way to win the contest? This is Kate Ferdinand''s first picture book for children - a heartwarming story full of magic, friendship and baking that will help children of blended families feel seen, heard and appreciated.

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Book SynopsisA funny and moving story about how a little girl copes with change after her parents separate.When Dad says that he's moving out, Lily-May feels all upside-down inside. But now Dad comes on Sundays, and they ride their bikes really fast and make secret dens together. Lily-May plays more just with Mum now, too - and when Mum's new partner Peter comes over, they play pirate ships! Sometimes, there are tricky moments - Lily-May hates it when Mum has to work late - but a birthday party with Lily-May's big fantastic family helps her realise just how many people love her.This reassuring celebration of non-nuclear families will help children to understand that they will always be loved, even if parents separate or divorce. Beautifully written in rhyme by the award-winning authors of the bestselling George's Amazing Adventures series, this uplifting story with a diverse cast of characters embraces all the positive aspects of becoming part of a blended family after a divorce or separation.Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free "Stories Aloud" audio recording. Just scan the QR code and listen along!

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Book SynopsisBig Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It comprises classroom resources to support the SSP programme and a range of phonic readers that together provide a consistent and highly effective approach to teaching phonics.Have you ever lost a sock? Maybe a sock fairy took it! Gock has stolen one of Cam''s socks, and she needs to find it. Will she be able to outsmart this mischievous fairy before she gets collected by her mum?

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author and former NFL player Tim Green comes a riveting stand-alone football novel about being a leader and finding your inner strength. Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica.When Ryan’s estranged father unexpectedly dies, Ryan learns that he has inherited the Dallas Cowboys football team. With his new role as owner of this NFL team, Ryan has high hopes that he can be more than just a middle school misfit. Maybe he can even get off the bench and into the starting lineup of his own football team.With the help of his friends Jackson and Izzy, Ryan takes advantage of his newfound stardom. He convinces his coach to use a tricky passing offense that plays to Ryan’s strengths. But just when things are looking up, Ryan’s nasty stepmother makes a legal play to make her own son the Cowboys’ kid owner. With drama heating up both on and off the field, Ryan quickly realizes he may lose much more than just the Dallas Cowboys.

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Book SynopsisElla Black seems to live the life most other seventeen-year-olds would kill for . . . Until one day, telling her nothing, her parents whisk her off to Rio de Janeiro. Determined to find out why, Ella takes her chance and searches through their things.And realises her life has been a lie.Her mother and father aren''t hers at all. Unable to comprehend the truth, Ella runs away, to the one place they''ll never think to look - the favelas.But there she learns a terrible secret - the truth about her real parents and their past. And the truth about a mother, desperate for a daughter taken from her seventeen years ago . . .Trade ReviewBarr is superb at evoking the heightened emotions of adolescence: the exhilarating thrill of first love, the intensity of fear and rage at adults' deception and the need to discover one's own identity. With disturbing undertones, vivid characters and authentic dialogue, this is a worthy successor to her wonderful debut, The One Memory of Flora Banks * Daily Mail *Evoking Ella's intoxicating new surroundings while skewering the facile assumptions of "poverty tourism", Barr's second YA novel is a fast-paced, dramatic search for answers to the secrets of the self * Guardian *Colourful setting and pacy plot. If you like dark fiction you'll devour it * Heat *Emily Barr already proved she could hit all the right teen-fiction notes in last year's The One Memory of Flora Banks. This taps the same vein. Ella's parents are doting to the point of smothering but they don't know about the dark and twisty part of her that threatens to destroy everything * i *

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Book SynopsisSam likes being a twin. He likes having two mums. He likes cheese sandwiches and his dog and drawing comics with his friend Pea. He does not like humus - or heights . . .His twin sister Sammie likes being a twin too. She knows that she''s perfect best friend material for somebody - the girls in her class just haven''t realised yet. And she knows that she''s the best Sam - Sam A.Both Sam and Sammie - and everybody in their lives seems to be keeping secrets - which ones will come out?

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Book SynopsisSusie Day grew up by the seaside in Penarth, Wales, with a lisp and a really unfortunate choice of first name.Between books, she works as a copywriter in Birmingham, crochets ridiculous jumpers and inhales tea.Susie now lives in Coventry, England with her partner and a black cat named Pantalaimon.

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Book SynopsisFamily; friendships; and fun, diverse, real-life situations and issues. The brand-new book by Susie Day, for girls growing up in a real, modern world . . .Billie Bright''s family is pretty big for one that''s got somebody missing. There''s Billie who is a girl Billie and eleven and about to go to secondary school. Then there are her three big brothers and her Dad, who also runs the cafe under their flat. Life''s loud but Billie likes it, even without her mum there any more.But with the new school comes having to make new friends and all kinds of other grown-up things to deal with. And at home it feels like all her brothers are keeping secrets from her. So when she decides to do a project on her mum, she has to do all the research herself and ends up finding out all kinds of things she doesn''t expect to .Trade ReviewFor the 8-12ish set, in a more contemporary vein, Susie Day's THE SECRETS OF BILLIE BRIGHT is marked out by unforced inclusivity, and Day's ability to tackle complex topics without writing an 'issue' book. * Guardian *There's something deliciously Judy Blume-esque about Day's style - she perfectly describes the mixed angst and bravado of growing up, and her characters are filled with warmth. * Bath Chronicle *What I love most about Susie Day's books is the casual inclusion. She is an expert at creating fictional worlds that truly and positively represent the diverse world kids live in today. And once again, she has aced it! . . . She is awesome at creating characters that you fall in love with; that are creative and intriguing and flawed and wonderful. She writes with such skill and pace and whips you along on a positive and affirming ride. * Rhino Reads Blog *Susie writes books that I would have loved to have read as a child . . . Wonderfully diverse and effortlessly entertaining Susie's books are a must for all school libraries, offering an ideal transition for children getting ready to move on to secondary school. * Book Lover Jo Blog *So lovely and diverse and just awesome. Such a wonderful read. Book equivalent of hugs with a cup of tea and rich tea biscuits. * Goodreads *

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Bestseller!As seen on The Today Show, Rachael Ray, and Kelly and Michael.From the Emmy-Award winning host of Survivor, Jeff Probst, with Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life co-author, Chris Tebbetts, comes a brand new family adventure series!A family vacation becomes a game of survival!It was supposed to be a vacation--and a chance to get to know each other better. But when a massive storm sets in without warning, four kids are shipwrecked alone on a rocky jungle island in the middle of the South Pacific. No adults. No instructions. Nobody to rely on but themselves. Can they make it home alive?A week ago, the biggest challenge Vanessa, Buzz, Carter, and Jane had was learning to live as a new blended family. Now the four siblings must find a way to work as a team if they're going to make it off the island. They're all in this adventure together--b

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Book SynopsisIn this inventive take on the traditional Cinderella tale, Fanny Agnes is a sturdy farm girl with a big dream. Someday, she believes, she will marry a prince. When the town mayor announces he is throwing a grand ball, Fanny is convinced her time has come. She puts on her best calico dress and goes out to the garden so that she'll be ready when her fairy godmother arrives. As the seconds tick by, Fanny waits and waits. Finally, she hears a voice. It isn't her fairy godmother-but it is someone who will change her life forever.

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Book SynopsisThe classic award winning story from Anne Fine. Kitty Killin is not just a brilliant story-teller, but also the World''s Great Expert when it comes to mothers having new and unwelcome boyfriends. So it''s no surprise that she''s the one chosen to sort out classmate Helly, who''s gone into meltdown. Kitty decides to share her story about old Goggle-eyes - possibly one of the worst episodes in her life...Trade ReviewGoggle-Eyes is a winner: witty, sensitive and warm-hearted - a lovely book * Guardian *This author is too much of a treasure to be reserved for children alone * Independent *

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Book SynopsisYour first love, your first time, your first heartbreak. The new novel from Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places. You were my first. Not just sex, although that was part of it, but the first to look past everything else into me. Some of the names and places have been changed, but the story is true.Claudine Henry was not supposed to spend her summer on this remote island off the coast of Georgia. She was supposed to be on a road trip with her best friend, spending every last minute together before they go to college. But after her father makes a shock announcement, she is exiled with her shaken mother, with no phone service and no one she knows. She is completely cut off. Until she meets Jeremiah. Free spirited, mysterious and beautiful, their chemistry is immediate and irresistible. They both know that whatever they have can only last the summer, but maybe one summer is enough...

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming, funny and fast-moving story set in 1930s America - past winner of the highly prestigious Newbery Medal.Bud is on a journey. He has hit the road with one idea in mind - he wants to discover his father. He''s not got a lot to go on - just a flyer for a jazz band and his very own Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself. Despite encounters with a car-driving vampire, a monster-infested woodshed and even a real live girl, Bud presses on towards a surprising discovery ...Trade ReviewWill keep readers engrossed from first page to last * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA compelling, gorgeously-written story about the power of friendship and the true meaning of family . . . perfection! Robin Stevens, author of Murder Most UnladylikeA high-speed, witty, absurd and joyful adventure. Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers and The Good ThievesThe remarkable. The extraordinary. The brave.Way back in the autumn of 1880, five babies are discovered at the Little Tulip Orphanage in most unusual circumstances. Those babies are Lotta, Egbert, Fenna, Sem and Milou.The vile matron calls the children ''the unadoptables'' but this talented gang of best friends know that their individuality is what makes them so special - and so determined to stay together.When a sinister gentleman tries to get them in his clutches, the children make a daring escape across the frozen canals of Amsterdam, embarking on an adventure packed with pirate ships and puppets. But is their real home - and their real family - already closer than they realize?A corker of a story. Emma Carroll, author of Letters to the LighthouseA book to absolutely fall in love with. Cerrie Burnell, author of The Girl with the Shark''s Teeth Trade ReviewA high-speed, witty, absurd and joyful adventure * Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers and The Explorer *Perfection! * Robin Stevens, author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series *A corker of a story. * Emma Carroll, author of Letters to the Lighthouse *A book to absolutely fall in love with * Cerrie Burnell, author of The Girl With the Shark's Teeth *A compelling, gorgeously-written story about the power of friendship and the true meaning of family. It's a mystery with a hint of magic, featuring characters who feel entirely real ... perfection! * Robin Stevens, author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series *I adored this story from the very first page. Sleek as Amsterdam velvet and full of heart-clutching mysteries, moonlit escapes on frozen canals, puppets with heartbeats and secret messages engraved upon pocket watches. Follow Milou and her adopted family on a glorious adventure as they race through the streets of Amsterdam, determined to fight for their freedom with spectacular wit, dazzling theatrical wonder and huge amount of hope, courage and everlasting friendship. A book to absolutely fall in love with. * Cerrie Burnell, author of The Girl With the Shark's Teeth *A corker of a story. I loved the writing, the setting, the STUPENDOUS action scenes, how well-paced it was, with such drama, revelations, plot twists and the loveliest of final lines... and one of the most satisfying endings I've read in a long while, with the promise of more in the epilogue. Bravo, Hana - what a book! * Emma Carroll, author of Letters to the Lighthouse *This delicious debut had me reading late into the night... Beautiful but accessible writing, thrilling action, a hint of magic and unforgettable characters are delivered with wit, wisdom and heart in an enviably distinct voice. It's a story of unforgettable friendship and what it really means to be a family... I can't wait to see what Tooke does next. * The Bookseller, Children's Book of the Month *Effortlessly merging the gothic and ghastly with the eccentric and absurd, Hana Tooke's mesmerising debut sends a quintet of abandoned orphans off on a caper across nineteenth-century Amsterdam, complete with sinister supervillains, heart-in-mouth cliff-hangers and lashings of evocative period flavour. * Waterstones Blog, 'Best Books to Look Out For in 2020' *While the vivid, Dickensian setting - grim orphanage, icy mists, and shadowy dockyards - and quaint clockwork creations and life-size puppets spin a web of Gothic creepiness, the bonds among this found family of lively orphans add plenty of warmth and light. Unfolding with the clarity of a fairy tale, this sure-footed debut casts a delightfully spooky spell * Kirkus *Offbeat orphans! Sinister villains! Sort of creepy life-sized puppets! In her debut middle-grade book, Hana Tooke has crafted a terrific, atmospheric story wherein five 'unadoptable' orphans, each of whom showed up in the orphanage in very unusual ways and have unique not-quite-powers, are about to be taken in by the callous Rotman for nefarious purposes and must go on the run. The Unadoptables will make you wish your own parents had loved you enough to leave you at a Dutch orphanage in the 19th century to join in their adventures. Great for readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Serafina series. * Nathan Halter, Lahaska Bookshop *When Milou discovers the orphanage matron's plot to sell her and her friends to a nefarious figure, she hatches an escape plan. Using only the clues left with her as a baby (a coffin-shaped basket, a cat puppet, a velvet dress), Milou and her friends dive headlong into a new adventure outside the orphanage's walls. The Unadoptables has everything: evil ship captains, lifelike puppets, a charming Dutch setting complete with windmills and canals, a ragtag group of orphans looking for a family, and a mystery at the heart of it all. Perfect for reading out loud, and just the right amount of scary, this has the feel of a classic in the making. * Bethany Strout, Tattered Cover Bookstore *The world building in The Unadoptables was absolutely unforgettable. This book has everything you need: villians, action, comedy and adventure all rolled into one. Perfect for fans of Nevermoor and Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. * Robyn Broderick, The Reading Bug *In a cold, dark, Amsterdam winter, a group of unique orphans shine brightly with hope and love. Milou and her band of talented friends set out from the Little Tulip Orphanage on a quest for freedom and family, over frozen canals to evade a despicable villain. With a little bit of spookiness and a whole lot of quirkiness, this book will capture your heart! * Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company *Targeted in a wicked scheme, five resourceful kids flee their orphanage in 1892 Amsterdam. Each longs to be adopted, but would-be parents reject them when they see the kids' atypical attributes: Lotta's 12 fingers, Egg's East Asian ancestry (other characters default to white), Fenna's muteness, clumsy Sem's ears, and Milou's wild ferocity. That is, until sinister Meneer Rotman sees their remarkable gifts - but Milou's special sense warns her that Rotman's evil. Indeed: They discover he intends to buy them as slave labor to crew his ship. Milou, who keeps a Book of Theories regarding why her birth family hasn't claimed her, persuades them to escape to the puppet-making Poppenmaker family she's sure she belongs to. Loyal if not convinced, the others join her. Lotta's math and Egg's cartographic acumen help them follow coordinates on Milou's mysterious timepiece to the Poppenmakers' windmill home and puppet theater, now abandoned. Thanks to Lotta's technical ingenuity, Egg's artistry, Fenna's culinary prowess, and Sem's needlework-assisted by clockmaker and dike warden Edda Finkelstein - it's almost home. Then Milou forgets the other orphans have family longings, and the orphans discover Rotman has not forgotten them....While the vivid, Dickensian setting - grim orphanage, icy mists, and shadowy dockyards - and quaint clockwork creations and life-size puppets spin a web of Gothic creepiness, the bonds among this found family of lively orphans add plenty of warmth and light. Unfolding with the clarity of a fairy tale, this sure-footed debut casts a delightfully spooky spell. * Kirkus *

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Book Synopsis#1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star Nicola Yoon is back with a new and utterly unique romance.''An endearing, affecting portrayal of the journey of love. Everything Yoon touches turns to gold... this cinematic supernatural romance will be no exception'' Booklist Evie is disillusioned about love ever since her dad left her mum for another woman - she''s even throwing out her beloved romance novel collection.When she''s given a copy of a book called Instructions for Dancing, and follows a note inside to a dilapidated dance studio, she discovers she has a strange and unwelcome gift. When a couple kisses in front of her, she can see their whole relationship play out - from the moment they first catch each other''s eye to the last bitter moments of their break-up.For Evie, it confirms everything she thinks she knows about love - that it doesn''t last.But at thTrade ReviewAn endearing, affecting portrayal of the journey of love. Everything Yoon touches turns to gold... this cinematic supernatural romance will be no exception * Booklist *A remarkable, irresistible love story that will linger long after the reader turns the final page * Kirkus *A story of love's unpredictability and the importance of perspective that unfolds with ease and heart * Publisher's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFlorrie has two of everything.Two lovely brothers . . .Two smashing parents . . .Two very cuddled pets.But two isn''t always a magic number, as Florrie now has to live in TWO different houses:one with her mum . . . and one with her dad.An uplifting picture book that helps young readers discuss their feelings around divorce and embrace change.Praise for Two Places to Call Home:''Phil Earle''s reassuring and hopeful picture book suggests imaginative ways to find courage and to tackle a child''s anxiety about parents who separate.'' Sunday Times''Heartfelt, honest and positive - a much needed, wonderful picture book!'' Jim Field''A gentle and beautiful book filled with comfort and imagination.'' Katya Balen, Carnegie Medal winner''Warm and wise and sweet.'' Ross Montgomery''Perfect example of how picture books can be a powerful tool when helping children to make sense Trade ReviewPhil Earle's reassuring and hopeful picture book suggests imaginative ways to find courage and to tackle a child's anxiety about parents who separate. -- Nicolette Jones * Sunday Times *Heartfelt, honest and positive - a much needed, wonderful picture book! -- Jim Field * personal review *

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Book SynopsisA touching story that introduces children to separation, following the challenges a family face going through a divorce. Divorce and separation can be hard on any family and a difficult topic for children to understand, including Tilly. Tilly lives in the mountains with her mummy and daddy. She loves it - there are beautiful views and lots of space to play. The only downside is that she lives some of the time with Mummy on one mountain and the rest of the time with Daddy on another.Even though their mountains are joined by a bridge, Tilly isn''t allowed to use it. Instead, Tilly has to walk all the way down one mountain and trek up the next to get between the two houses, which makes her extremely tired and makes her wish that they all lived together. One day, when upset, Tilly decides to fix the old, wobbly bridge in the hope that it will fix her family. Will she succeed?This touching story for children aged 3-5 features: - The charming

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Book SynopsisAmber, Geena and Jazz have been through some tough times. Think Bollywood levels of tragedy and you're getting close.Now, they've finally got everything they could ever want. Well, almost everything. They're smart, funny and popular and they've got all the latest designer labels. The one accessory they don't need is their interfering Auntie-ji cramping their style. But nothing can stop the Bindi Babes can it?

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Book Synopsis NATIONAL BESTSELLER!  'Grounded and relatable.' —Whitney Gardner, creator of Fake Blood   'Frank and honest portrayal of divorce, losing friends, and growing up' —Rex Ogle, co-creator of Four EyesFans of Real Friends and Be Prepared will love this energetic, affecting graphic memoir, in which a young girl uses her active imagination to navigate middle school as well as the fallout from her parents' divorce.  Tori has never lived in just one world. Since her parents' divorce, she's lived in both her mom's house and her dad's new apartment. And in both places, no matter how hard she tries, her family still treats her like a little kid. Then there's school, where friendships old and new are starting to feel more and more out of her hands. Thankfully, she has books-and writing. And now the stories s

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Book SynopsisIt's been 30 years and with rising temperatures melting icy mountain tops the previously frozen Willoughbys have thawed out and are about to return! From living legend and Newbery medalist Lois Lowry comes a hilarious sequel to New York Times bestseller The Willoughbys—soon to be an animated film starring Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, and Sean Cullen on Netflix!Although they grew up as wretched orphans, the Willoughby siblings also became heirs to the the Melanoff candy company fortune. Everything has turned out just splendidly, except for one problem: Richie Willoughby, son of Timothy Willoughby, is an only child and is quite lonely.Winifred and Winston Poore have long admired the toys of their neighbor Richie Willoughby and finally befriend the mysterious boy next door. But just as Richie finally begins to make friends, selling sweets is made illegal, and the family's fortune is put in jeopardy. To make matters worse, Richie's horrible Willoughby grandparents—frozen atop a Swiss mountain thirty years ago—have thawed, remain in perfect health, and are making their way home again.What is the point of being the reclusive son of a billionaire when your father is no longer a billionaire? What is the future without candy in it? And is there any escaping the odiousness of the Willoughbys? These are the profound questions with which Newbery medalist and ignominious author Lois Lowry grapples in The Willoughbys Return.Trade Review"The Willoughbys Return offers plenty of delightful silliness for younger readers too, from its nuttily arch dialogue to its winningly absurdist plot and subplots.... Lowry proves yet again that she has the imaginative power to transport."—New York Times Book Review "An entertainingly absurd revival that recalls Roald Dahl’s oeuvre."—Publishers Weekly "Archly comedic.... Lowry’s exaggerated characters and breezy, unlikely plot are highly entertaining."—Kirkus "Lowry exaggerates and gently mocks the conventions of old-fashioned fiction, while capturing readers with her sure-handed storytelling and wry wit."—Booklist —

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Book SynopsisMama’s getting married, and Jackson has an important job to do! A story about love, weddings, and the special joy that is a blended family.Jackson’s mama is getting married, and he gets to be the ring bearer. But Jackson is worried . . . What if he trips? Or walks too slowly? Or drops the rings? And what about his new stepsister, Sophie? She’s supposed to be the flower girl, but Jackson’s not sure she’s taking her job as seriously as she should. In a celebration of blended families, this heartwarming story, stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Floyd Cooper, is a perfect gift for any child who's nervous to walk down the aisle at a wedding, and shows kids that they can handle life’s big changes.Praise for The Ring Bearer:Throughout, Cooper's softly textured mixed-media illustrations offer a warm, affirming depiction of this black family's life and love together . . . RTrade ReviewPraise for The Ring Bearer:"Throughout, Cooper's softly textured mixed-media illustrations offer a warm, affirming depiction of this black family's life and love together . . . Readers will be joining the congregation in cheering for Jackson."--Kirkus"Written with simplicity, immediacy, and warmth....Cooper creates beautiful effects with subtle colors, textures, and suffused light in the soft-focus paintings. A heartening, reassuring picture book."--Booklist "Children will identify readily with Jackson’s fears and enjoy the way he overcomes them. A solid purchase for any picture book collection."--School Library Journal "Many children experience parental weddings, and these times are filledwith joy and nervousness. Cooper captures each moment."--Horn Book

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Book SynopsisJacqueline Wilson (Author) Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.ukNick Sharratt (Illustrator) Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awardTrade ReviewFunny and entertaining . . . I'd definitely recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars * TBK *This hilarious and heartbreaking new story from the bestselling, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson follows her most popular character through ups and downs, laughs and tears. Fifteen years on from her first appearance on the page, Tracy Beaker is as vibrant and entertaining as ever * www.bettybookmark.co.uk *A heartwarming story of one of the UK's most favoured children's characters * Headteacher Update *

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Book SynopsisJacqueline Wilson (Author) Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.ukNick Sharratt (Illustrator) Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awardTrade ReviewWilson tackles subjects that other writers shy away from and this meaty read will win her more fans * Guardian *Thoughtful sequel . . . Wilson has a genius for conveying tricky material to those readers who can handle it * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''I'm Em I love when Dad pretends that it's short for Emerald, which is much better than boring old Emily. I was so sure this was going to be the best Christmas ever, but something has gone horribly wrong.''Em ADORES her funny, glamorous dad - who cares if he''s not her real father? He''s wonderful to her, and to her little brother Maxie and sister Vita. At Christmas, Dad gives them FANTASTIC presents, including a real emerald ring for his little Princess Em.Unfortunately he''s got another surprise in store - he''s leaving them. Will Dad''s chaotic attempts to keep seeing Em and the other children help the family come to terms with this new crisis? Or would they be better off with a clean break - just like Em''s arm? An engaging, honest story about one girl''s struggle to hold her family together, from multi-award-winning Jacqueline Wilson. Trade ReviewA brilliant writer of wit and subtlety * The Times *Hugely popular with seven to ten year olds: she should be prescribed for all cases of reading reluctance * Independent on Sunday *Has a rare gift for writing lightly and amusingly about emotional issues * The Bookseller *Jacqueline Wilson tackles another delicate subject that is close to many children's hearts * The Bookseller *Clean Break sometimes causes sniffles, but in places it's also humorous and is a wonderful read for children aged eight and upwards. Jacqueline Wilson has written plenty of books . . . This is her best one yet * Birmingham Evening Mail *

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Book SynopsisFrom two extraordinary authors comes a moving, exuberant, laugh-out-loud novel about friendship and family, told entirely in emails and letters.Avery Bloom, who's bookish, intense, and afraid of many things, particularly deep water, lives in New York City. Bett Devlin, who's fearless, outgoing, and loves all animals as well as the ocean, lives in California. What they have in common is that they are both twelve years old, and are both being raised by single, gay dads.When their dads fall in love, Bett and Avery are sent, against their will, to the same sleepaway camp. Their dads hope that they will find common ground and become friends--and possibly, one day, even sisters. But things soon go off the rails for the girls (and for their dads too), and they find themselves on a summer adventure that neither of them could have predicted. Now that they can't imagine life without each other, will Bett and Avery (who sometimes call themselves Night Owl and Dogfis

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Book SynopsisA group of undocumented children with letters for names, are stuck living in a refugee camp, with stories to tell but no papers to prove them. As they try to forge a new family amongst themselves, they also long to keep memories of their old identities alive. Will they be heard and believed? And what will happen to them if they aren''t?An astonishing piece of writing that will enchant and intrigue children; perfectly pitched at a 9+ readership.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for Closer to Nowhere:A 2022-2023 Truman Readers Book Award Nominee (MO) A 2022-2023 South Carolina Book Award NomineeA 2021 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the YearA 2021 NCTE Notable Novel in VerseAn Amazon Best Book of the Month★ “Readers will root for these realistic characters, and will cheer for the growth they experience. Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, starred review“Hopkins’ use of free verse provides a canvas for sure-handed, brush-stroke development of the backstory and plot and emotional investment and identification with the characters. . . Compassionate and compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews“There’s a new crowd of Ellen Hopkins fans on the horizon! Hopkins tackles tough subjects with honesty and compassion, woven in brilliant verse as always, now in a novel for younger readers. This beautifully written book about the strength of family shows us that even someone who doesn’t feel at home anywhere can find a place to belong.” —Lynne Kelly, author of the Schneider Family Book Award–winning Song for a Whale“Hopkins uses her familiar verse to take readers on an emotional rollercoaster. . . The author’s note about her own family experiences with addiction and behavioral challenges is almost as poignant as the text, and the quick pace makes it easy to devour, enticing fans to check out the rest of Hopkins’ oeuvre.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“Hopkins creates realistic portrayals of two kids trying to do their best even when it’s not easy.” —Publishers Weekly“One of the biggest challenges a middle-grade author faces is the middle-grade reader. This is the age when childhood and young adulthood so violently clash within you, even YOU aren’t sure how to find your voice. With Cal and Hannah, Ellen Hopkins tells middle-grade readers: I see you. I hear you. And your voice is powerful . . . even as it evolves. Closer to Nowhere is raw, but real. It’s love, but tough. It IS middle grade, and it is a gift for readers everywhere.” —K. A. Holt, award-winning author of House Arrest“The queen of gritty YA novels-in-verse enters the realm of middle-grade literature with this story of a family fracturing under myriad pressures yet refusing to be broken . . . Hopkins paints a realistic picture of a family undergoing upheaval and learning to better care for one another.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisThe final invasion of the world's most evil teddy bears is here! A laugh-out-loud adventure series for fans of The Last Kids on Earth and My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish. It's been three days since Grizz almost took over the world - again. Lisa Marie and Vernon have been interrogated by the police, and Bearvis and the Duds have been taken away to be studied. But things are far from over. Grizz has found a way to infiltrate the wireless networks and he's planning an invasion. As all teddy bears come to life, Lisa Marie and Vernon must battle a King-Kong sized teddy bear with a mind for evil. It looks like they're going to need their furry friends back!

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