Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Friends and friendships

Book SynopsisThe hilarious new sequel to The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by the bestselling creator of Hurrah for Gin.Lottie Brooks is back for spring term at secondary school and ready to face anything. No more trying to impress mean girl Amber. And absolutely no more being nicknamed Cucumber Girl.A lead role in the spring musical gives Lottie a chance to dazzle her mega-crush Daniel with her talent as a singing crab but it''s not all singing and dancing at Kingswood High. Lottie''s friendship with Molly and Jess seems to be falling apart no matter how hard she tries to keep her BFFs together.Is Lottie on track for another epic friendship fail?Perfect for readers aged 9-12 and for fans of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Dork Diaries and Wimpy Kid.Readers LOVE Lottie Brooks:My daughter couldn''t put it down and read it in 2 days. Read at breakfast, walking downstairs, tea time, in the bath. My 9-year-old daughter devoured it in two nights, and all I could hear from her was giggling and the occasional Mum! Listen to this! This is SO me!.My 12 year old reluctant reader took this book, read 100 pages in one night and proclaimed it ''the best book ever''Katie has managed to capture the essence of what this group think and feel in a positive, life-affirming fashion''Have you read all of Lottie''s embarrassing diaries?Book 1: The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie BrooksBook 2: The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie BrooksBook 3: The Mega-Complicated Crushes of Lottie BrooksBook 4: Lottie Brooks''s Totally Disastrous School-TripBook 5: The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie BrooksBook 6: The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie BrooksAvailable to pre-order now: Lottie Brooks''s Totally Essential Guide to Life

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Book SynopsisGo on an adventure with Katherine Rundell ..._______________Winner of the Children''s Book PrizeWinner of the Costa Children''s Book Award 2017Winner of the London Book Fair Children''s Travel Book of the Year_______________''I loved The Explorer'' - Jacqueline Wilson''Rundell is now unarguably in the FIRST RANK'' - Philip Pullman''Read everything she writes'' - Daily Mail_______________From his seat in the tiny aeroplane, Fred watches as the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of making history and of reading his name amongst the lists of great discoveries. If only he could land and look about him.As the plane crashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and the three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast, untamed place. With noTrade ReviewA wildly exciting adventure … One of our most talented writers for children * Observer, Children’s Book of the Week *The tone is humorous and wise, the characterisation observant and true, and the story suspenseful … Reading this delicious book is like eating electricity * Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Year *Cracking … A kind of cross between Indiana Jones and the film Up … One of the most captivating books of the year * Spectator *Katherine Rundell just gets better and better. I loved The Explorer. On one level it’s a very exciting adventure story of four children fighting for survival in the Amazon – but it’s also saying profound things about human nature and love and loss * Jacqueline Wilson *There’s a gritty solidity to the horrors and the beauties, and a completely convincing depth to the characters, all of whom I loved. Katherine Rundell is now unarguably in the FIRST RANK * Philip Pullman *An adventure story to die for … Rundell is a class act – her beautiful descriptions of the rainforest could turn the head of a Mayan statue. And scrap bedtime: her need-to-know next chapters just won’t wait till the sun’s up. What a discovery * The Times *As extravagantly beautiful as the rainforest it so lovingly describes, I cannot imagine the child who wouldn’t be delighted by it * Independent *Plunge into the green wilds of Katherine Rundell’s marvellous new novel … Hannah Horn’s delicate line drawings, encroach, vine-like, on Rundell’s dangerous, intoxicating pages in this love song to the natural world. It is essential reading for lovers of Eva Ibbotson * Guardian *‘For sheer adventure, The Explorer is hard to trump * Daily Telegraph *Rundell conjures up a world of natural beauty – pre-internet – where survival depends on cooperation. Her vivid locations are almost characters in themselves … Terrific * Daily Mail *Rundell is an astonishing young talent and her books combine old-fashioned, edge-of-your-seat adventure with richly imagined characters... Read everything she writes * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'A SLUMDOG, FEEL-GOOD TREASURE FIND' Daily MailNow adapted into a Bafta-nominated film directed by Steven Daldry and written by Richard Curtis.Raphael lives on a dumpsite, eking out a living sifting through rubbish. One unlucky-lucky day, he makes an extraordinary and deadly discovery. Now he and his two friends, Gardo and Rat, are wanted by the corrupt forces that run the city and will stop at nothing to get back what they've lost. From the slums to the mansions of the elite, it's going to take all of their quick-thinking and fast-talking to stay ahead. And to stay alive.Trade ReviewOne of the most exciting and original novels of the year . . . It's a tight, thrilling story, told from various characters' perspectives and has a Slumdog, feel-good pulse beating through it. A genuine treasure find -- Sally Morris * Daily Mail *One of my favourite novels of 2010, now in paperback with a new cover look. Reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire, three dumpsite boys take on the world in this gripping and intensely moving story . . . Harrowing, exhilarating, humbling and quite brilliant -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *Outstanding, hotly anticipated thriller . . . an exceptionally satisfying plot -- Amanda Craig * The Times *Great stuff: taut, plausible and thought-provoking -- Toby Clements * Daily Telegraph *Trash is a thriller with moral weight and a complex structure . . . Without ever moralising, Mulligan raises issues of corruption, poverty, waste and excess in an exciting, but also grimly sad tale -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisA hilarious, touching and extraordinary new fable from David Walliams, number one bestseller and one of the fastest growing children's author across the globe.Joe has a lot of reasons to be happy. About a billion of them, in fact.You see, Joe''s rich. Really, really rich. Joe''s got his own bowling alley, his own cinema, even his own butler who is also an orangutan. He''s the wealthiest twelve-year-old in the land.Yes, Joe has absolutely everything he could possibly want. But there's just one thing he really needs: a friendTrade Review"A triumphant mix of wit and warmth" – Telegraph Books of the Year "Witty, warm and enjoyable" – Daily Express “David William’s third book for children is a neat combination of hilarity and morality in the best spirit of the master story-teller of the genre, Roald Dahl” – Julia Eccleshare

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Book SynopsisAN INSTANT NUMBER 1 NYT BESTSELLER AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER! THE EXPLOSIVE NEW YA CRIME THRILLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER.AN INSTANT NUMBER 1 NYT BESTSELLER AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER!WINNER of the CrimeFest award 2022 for Best Crime Fiction Novel for Young Adults!A blisteringly good standalone thriller.'The Observer, YA Books of the Year, 4/12/2022A thrill ride.' The Guardian Eighteen year old Red and her friends are on a road trip in an RV, heading to the beach for Spring Break. Spirits are high. Until the RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. And as the wheels are shot out, one by one, the friends realise that this is no accident.There's a sniper out there. He's watching them and he knows exactly who they are. One of the group has a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for.As a game of cat-and-mouse plays out, the group desperately tries to get help. Buried secrets are forced to light and tensions within the group reach deadly levels. Only one thing is for sure. Not everyone will survive the night . . .Five Survive reached number one in the New York Times Young Adult Hardcover Besteller list, week commencing 19/12/2022.Five Survive reached number four in the Sunday Times Children's and YA Fiction chart, week commencing 12/12/2022.Trade Review ‘A blisteringly good standalone thriller.’ The Observer, YA Books of the Year, 4/12/2022 ‘A thrill ride.’ The Guardian 'The secrets, suspense and action pushes you to read the entire book in just one sitting, proving yet again Jackson is the queen of young adult novels.' The Independent (Children’s book of the week, 4/1/2023) “Holly Jackson, the OG of UK YA thriller writers, has written one of her most exciting novels yet. Five Survive, my Book of the Month, is about a group of teens who set off on a trip for spring break; when they find themselves under attack, they must work out who is trying to shoot them—and why. Set over the course of just a few hours, this taut thriller will keep readers hooked.” Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller Praise for the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy: ‘A taut, compulsively readable, elegantly plotted thriller' - Guardian 'Jackson ensnares readers in another highly addictive web, woven from the dark shadows of small-town secrets.’ The Observer “As Good As Dead is a phenomenal YA mystery that deserves to be one of the books of the year and provides a stellar finale to a knockout series." Nerd Daily 'A fiendishly-plotted mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.' – Laura Purcell, bestselling author of The Silent Companions 'There is a lot to really enjoy in this story and there is great energy to the writing, as well as some fine characterization' – Peter James, award-winning and no.1 bestselling crime thriller author of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series 'Twisty, compulsive and so, so clever' – Savannah Brown, author of The Truth About Keeping Secrets 'That ending! Pure genius' – Yasmin Rahman, author of All the Things We Never Said

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming, fresh and original story about family and friendship from brand-new picture book author, writer and performer Jordan Stephens. Sunny loves jigsaw puzzles – the bigger the better. When she completes one, she gets a warm, happy honeybee buzz. One day, her Gran gives her a ONE-THOUSAND-PIECE puzzle. Piece after piece, all by herself, she puts together the picture, until … DISASTER! The final piece is missing. Sunny may be small, but she is very determined – so she sets off to find it. As the day whizzes by in a whirl of new places and friends, Sunny discovers that looking for something is every bit as fun as finding it, and that perhaps the missing piece was there all along …Trade ReviewA heart-warming picture book, perfect for the whole family to read together * Fearne Cotton *A beautiful debut picture book story that contains a powerful message about empathy * Books for Keeps *Such a wonderful book, would highly recommend to anyone with kids or friends with kids! * Ed Sheeran *Such a gorgeous story. * Zoe Sugg *

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Book Synopsis Book 1 in the New York Times bestselling series - the perfect gift for curious readers! 'This book reminded me of some of the children’s books I grew up with, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Phantom Tollbooth.'RICK RIORDAN, author of the PERCY JACKSON series 'Like the Potter books, this story goes beyond mere adventure' BOOKLIST When a peculiar advertisement appears in the newspaper for children to take part in a secret mission, children everywhere sit a series of mysterious tests. In the end, just four children succeed: Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance. They have three things in common: they are all honest, all remarkably talented and all orphans. They must go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened where the only rule is that there are no rules. There they must work as a team to save not only themselves, but also the world outside the walls ... Book 1 in the 4-book New York Times bestselling adventure series – an ideal gift for children aged 10 and up Join a group of smart and resourceful band of kids as they solve a series of page-turning puzzles and mysteries Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens's MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE series The adventure continues in book 2, THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY

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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 awards for his picture books, including the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the 2001 Children's Book Award. He has also enjoyed stellar success illustrating Jacqueline Wilson's books. Nick lives in Hove.Trade ReviewHas all the Jacqueline Wilson hallmarks of humour, good sense and a profound realism * Independent *Highly entertaining * TES *As ever, Wilson is thought-provoking rather than preachy * Guardian *In this funny and touching story by the fantastic Jacqueline Wilson, young readers are encouraged to explore the worries of bullies, disabilities and making new friends * Waterstones Books Quarterly *

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Book SynopsisOtter loves playing with Rock. Manatee would like to join. But what happens when Manatee joins Otter and Rock for a boisterous game and disaster strikes? This is a story about finding the courage to face one's mistakes and take the plunge to save a friendship. It's also about Rock. . .who doesn't talk but experiences a lot.Trade Review“Plain blue watery backdrops focus attention on the foregrounded animals, which Zuill expressively depicts in sketchlike lines as affable and emotive . . . . Otter embraces collaborative play for a conclusion that reinforces the value of conviviality.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisA love story with a difference - an unforgettable tale of life, loss and making each day count in the INTERNATIONAL NO. 1 BESTSELLING book of TIKTOK fame, clocking over 100 million views and counting! Don't miss The First to Die at the End, the prequel to They Both Die at the End.

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Book SynopsisMilo and Jay have always been best friends . . . until one day, a green-eyed monster appears! A book about dealing with jealousy, from the bestselling Big Bright Feelings series by Tom Percival Be open, be honest, be you! Big Bright Feelings for little people. Milo loves spending time with his best friend, Jay. But when a new girl called Suzi moves in next door, Milo starts to feel left out. The jealous feeling gets stronger and stronger – until suddenly, a GREEN-EYED MONSTER pops up beside him! Soon, the monster is poisoning Milo's thoughts. It won’t leave him alone! Can Milo find a way to free himself from the monster and repair his friendship? Warm and uplifting, Milo’s Monster is an inspiring story about dealing with feelings of jealousy. It's the ideal starting point for helping children to build strong friendships and say goodbye to jealous feelings. Tom Percival’s Big Bright Feelings series is the perfect springboard for talking about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence and managing feelings. Every child’s bookshelf should contain his books.Trade ReviewBeautiful and uplifting * The Scotsman on MEESHA MAKES FRIENDS *A joyous, original paean to individuality * Guardian on PERFECTLY NORMAN *Perceptive and poignant . . . a must-have for all children's bookshelves * Guardian on RUBY'S WORRY *Truly uplifting . . . inspires children to dare to be different * BookTrust on PERFECTLY NORMAN *Sure to help young readers recognize – and reconcile with – their own green-eyed monsters * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisIsadora Moon is special because she''s different. Her mum is a fairy, her dad is a vampire, and she''s a bit of both.When a new girl, Ava, joins her class, Isadora is keen to make friends. But Ava''s not interested. She''d much rather be back at her old school, with her old friends, who are much more fun to play with.Isadora''s classmates are happy to leave Ava on her own since she clearly doesn''t like them, but Isadora figures out that there''s something more going on beneath Ava''s unfriendly surface.Can Isadora help Ava to let her guard down, and give her new school a chance?A magical story about the power of kindness, inclusivity, and friendship.With irresistible pink and black artwork throughout, Isadora Moon is a unique heroine with an out-of-this-world family!

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Book SynopsisA stunning story of friendship and our natural world set against the backdrop of the First World War. From the nation's favourite storyteller, Michael Morpurgo.Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought.But his warnings to stay away from the abandoned and cursed Samson Island stay with them. And when those warnings seem to be coming true, Gracie and Daniel must find out what the Birdman knows before it''s too late Why the Wales Came is a gripping historical tale full of adventure and friendship, from the author of War Horse.Michael Morpurgo has written more than one hundred books for children and won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children's Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.Trade ReviewPraise for Why the Whales Came: 'A memorable adventure' – Booklist Praise for Michael Morpurgo: “Michael Morpurgo writes brilliantly about war and animals, conveying the big emotions without preaching.” Guardian “There are few children’s writers as compelling as Michael Morpurgo.” Daily Express “Morpurgo, as always, is subtle and skillful, and incorporates social and moral issues into his writing without being self-righteous or detracting from the quality of the narrative”Elizabeth Reilly, British Council “The former children's laureate has the happy knack of speaking to both child and adult readers.” Guardian

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Book SynopsisTHE ONE WITH THE WINTER BATTLE! *The thirteenth laugh-out-loud, fully illustrated bestselling Wimpy Kid book!* Snow has shut down Greg Heffley''s middle school! Which should be exciting, but now his neighbourhood is a wintry battlefield.And Greg and his best friend Rowley are caught in the crosshairs of territory battles, epic snowball fights and massive snow forts. Can Greg and Rowley navigate the art of war when their street goes into meltdown? Or will they even survive to see another day?ABOUT DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: 50% words, 50% cartoons, 100% hilarious! Hilarious stories that all readers can''t wait to get their hands on Laughter guaranteed! 200 million copies sold worldwide''Kinney is right up there with J K Rowling as one of the bestselling children''s authors on the planet'' - Independent

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Book SynopsisA TOP 5 CHILDREN'S FICTION BESTSELLERThe perfect balance of high adventure, breathless action and eerie wonder' Jonathan Stroud, author of the Bartimaeus trilogyThe best kind of children's fantasy story: thrilling and imaginative while packing an emotional punch!' B. B. Alston, author of Amari and the Night BrothersSet in the snowy northern forests of a prehistoric world, Fireborn is the middle-grade debut of the decade. By turns exciting, funny and heart wrenchingly sad, it introduces an unstoppable new voice in children's storytelling.A FIERCE HEROINE RISESTwelve has spoken the Pledge and now she is a Huntling. She has given up her name to train in the art of fighting monsters, and she won't choose a new one until she has earned it. But when her friend is taken, Twelve sets off on a dangerous journey to rescue her. Teaming up with Dog, the stone Guardian of the Hunting Lodge, Twelve ends up on an epic adventure that will change her life, her name and her entire world.Follow the FIREBORN series with Phoenix and the Frost Palace and Starling and the Cavern of Light available now.Trade Review‘The perfect balance of high adventure, breathless action and eerie wonder’Jonathan Stroud, author of the Bartimaeus Series ‘A monster-filled adventure set in a wildly imaginative frozen world, with axe-wielding action scenes that’ll make your heart race! I couldn’t put it down’ A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief ‘FIREBORN is the best kind of children’s fantasy story, thrilling and imaginative while packing an emotional punch’ B. B. Alston, author of Amari and the Night Brothers ‘I absolutely loved FIREBORN. Such a cinematic journey in both the literal and emotional sense! I cannot wait to read what happens next’ L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency ‘Atmospheric, fast-paced’ Guardian ‘FIREBORN is a fantastic debut, deftly told with skill and originality. A richly-imagined story, bursting with thrilling magic, terrifying monsters and an epic adventure that leaves you wanting more’ Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper’s Island ‘Epic, sweeping and full of heart – FIREBORN is truly something special. I can't wait for the next book in the series!’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear ‘This remarkable debut pulsates with energy and drama’ Daily Mail, Best Children’s Books of the Year ‘I loved this whirlwind adventure! A brilliant novel weaving fantasy, friendship, heartbreak and hope together really superbly. I have pledged my heart to FIREBORN’ Cerrie Burnell, author of Harper and the Sea of Secrets ‘Scorching . . . Gripping and immersive’ New Statesman ‘FIREBORN is an exciting adventure that will make you want to set off on your own epic journey to battle mythical monsters. With giant stone dogs, mysterious frozen forests and mischievous fire spirits, readers will be captivated from page one’ Katie Tsang, co-author of Dragon Mountain

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Book SynopsisThe world was too bright for Leo. And too loud."I must be living on the wrong planet," Leo thought.Leo struggles to make sense of the world. He doesn't understand the other children in his class, and they don't seem to understand him. But then one day, Leo meets Maya. Maya is an octopus, and the more Leo learns about her, the more he thinks that perhaps he isn't alone in this world, after all."The sensitive descriptions throughout the book of what it is like to have autism are accurate and perceptive on so many levels" (Professor Tony Attwood, author of Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals).Trade ReviewA brilliant book for building empathy. -- Get Kids Into Books * Get Kids Into Books *An excellent book to help classes in KS2 understand and empathise with how children on the autistic spectrum experience the world * School Reading List *

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Book SynopsisReissued for the Originals series of powerful teen fiction. Nobody wants Tulip in their gang. She skives off school, cheeks the teachers and makes herself unpopular with her classmates by telling awful lies.None of this matters to Natalie who finds Tulip exciting.At first she doesn''t care that other people are upset and unnerved by Tulip''s bizarre games, but as the games become increasingly sinister and dangerous, Natalie realises that Tulip is going too far. Much too far. Racing, in fact, to the novel''s shocking ending.Trade ReviewThis novel will make children aged between 11 and 14 think about the dangers of peer pressure and the collective responsibility of society for unhappy children. As always, Fine teaches her lessons by making her readers feel. -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times *Tulip is the violent child about to crack, the child who echoes famous cases in our recent news. What elevates this subtle telling is that Fine manages to convey sympathetically the probable reasons why Tulip is the way she is. * Books for Keeps *

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Book SynopsisWhat do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favourite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren't looking! If you follow the essential tips in How to Make Friends With a Ghost, you'll learn how a ghost can be the perfect companion for rest of your life and beyond... "Green’s picture-book debut is a guidebook that will be useful for anyone lucky enough to meet a ghost... A solid guidebook to shelve with similar tomes on caring for monsters, trolls, fairies, dragons, and the like." Kirkus Reviews "[A] tender little love story." The Globe and MailTrade Review"Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a delightful, sweet friendship book with a beautiful, retro-inspired illustration and stylish palette with plenty of funny little details to find." * BookTrust *"[A] wonderful, whimsical guide" * Sunday Express *"A cute Hallowe'en read for ages 5-8" * Inis Reading Guide *"Endearing... perfectly timed for Halloween" * Early Years Educator *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024MEET MC GROWLS, WANNABE RAPPER AND STAR OF THE SHOW IN THIS HILARIOUS AND HEARTWARMING TEEN DEBUT.Shaun (aka MC Growls) is ready to drop his best bars and smash the competition at Raptology. That way, he's convinced Tanisha, his crush, will finally give him a chance.But when a livestream practice goes epically wrong, Growls's dirty laundry is literally exposed. He's finally achieved his dreams of going viral - not in the good way.Now Tanisha won't look at him, he's the joke of the school and there's no way he can show his face at the competition. Will he ever catch a break?Then a new girl on the block appears who might be just the friend Growls needs. Especially when she points out that Raptology could be the answer to his problems after alTrade ReviewRaw, real, fun and bold; I loved every word. This blazing debut is both laugh-out-loud and intensely moving. -- Polly Ho-Yen, author of BOY IN THE TOWERThere are funny books, there are comical books, and then there's Steady For This. To say it was a joy is an understatement. Nathanael has created such a glow of happiness by brilliantly combining the awkwardness of teen life with a barrage of hilarious and heartfelt moments. Nathanael is a much needed fresh, funny and authentic voice. A true star in the making. Steady For This would make the most reluctant of readers fall in love with books. Everyone needs MC Growls in their life. -- J. P. Rose, author of THE HAUNTING OF TYRESE WALKERHilarious and heartwarming, it's impossible not to love Growls and his raw, uplifting way of seeing the world. Deftly written and an incredible debut, STEADY FOR THIS is pure joy and laughter. -- Beth Reekles, author of THE KISSING BOOTHCrammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *Steady for This is perfect to share with teenagers who are looking for a vibrant, new read. * Just Imagine *

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Book SynopsisA gripping and emotionally searing novel 'Looking for JJ' exploresthe circumstances and motives behind the murder of a child - byher friend. Three children walked away from the edge of town one day - but onlytwo of them came back . . .

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Book Synopsis''Hilarious and full of heart.'' A. M. Dassu''Will inspire a whole generation of music-lovers.'' Rashmi Sirdeshpande''Fizzing with originality and energy.'' Katya BalenKofi had an idea . . . one big lightning bolt of an idea that hit him like electricity. And all it needed was Kelvin's incredible memory for words. Kofi is used to stuff going wrong, he''s usually in detention or about to be. But when he finds out his best friend Kelvin has a photographic memory, he comes up with a genius money-making scheme. The whole school is obsessed with music, but no one can ever make out the words, so the boys hit the jackpot selling a new fanzine full of song lyrics: PAPER JAM. It''s not long before one of the teacher''s tells Kofi: You could be a real leader at this school, you know that?' and . . . suddenly it''s turning out to be the best summer ever!

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Book SynopsisDive into an exciting and mysterious adventure full of fun-filled friendships, fantastical creatures and incredible investigations by the #1 bestselling author Marcus Rashford!Inspired by Marcus’s own experiences growing up, The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence is the first fiction book by England International footballer, child-poverty campaigner and bestselling author Marcus Rashford MBE.Written with children's author Alex Falase-Koya it's packed with tons of illustrations by Marta Kissi, making it the perfect book for children aged 8-11.There's something fishy going on at school . . .When twelve-year-old Marcus kicks his favourite football over the school fence, he knows he's never getting it back. Nothing that goes over that wall ever comes back. But when Marcus gets a mysterious note inviting him to join the Breakfast Club Investigators, he is soon pulled into an exciting adventure with his new mates Stacey, Lise and Asim to find out what is lurking on the other side of the fence – and get his football back!Don't miss the Breakfast Club Investigators next adventure in The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Ghoul in the School!'Breakfast Club guaranteed I had the best possible start to my day and welcomed me with open arms. It wasn’t just about food. It was about forming friendships, about togetherness, about escape. It was where some of my greatest memories were made. I want to capture that feeling in my debut fiction book.' - Marcus Rashford MBETrade ReviewA super-fun story about friendship, community and having exciting adventures. -- The Week Junior’s Children’s Book of the WeekA great story of developing young friendships, delving into some of the issues children of this age group may be facing, and helping them find the tools they need to grow with confidence. -- The Liverpool Echo Children's Book of the WeekThe third title in the Marcus Rashford Book Club marks the fiction debut of the international footballer and food poverty campaigner himself, as a group of self-styled Breakfast Club Investigators take the twelve-year-old Marcus under their wing. * Waterstones Best Children's Books 2022 *if there’s ever a book likely to encourage football fans to pick up a book, this is it! * Good Housekeeping - Top 50 Books Every Child Should Read *

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Book SynopsisMarcus and the Breakfast Club Investigators are back in The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Ghoul in the School! From #1 bestselling author Marcus Rashford comes another exciting adventure full of fantastic friendships, high-stakes mysteries and strange goings-on! Written with Alex Falase-Koya and packed with tons of illustrations by Marta Kissi, it's the perfect book for children aged 8-11.There’s something strange going on at school . . .The Breakfast Club Investigators haven't managed to solve a mystery in months and Marcus is worried that the group is going to break up! So when the captain of the school basketball team comes to ask for their help Marcus knows this might just be the Investigator's last chance to prove themselves.The basketball team have had a streak of bad luck, and Marcus and his mates are sure there's more going on than meets the eye. As the mystery deepens and they uncover one surprising clue after another, they discover that someone – or something – has cursed the basketball team! Can Marcus and his friends solve the mystery in time?Trade ReviewA super-fun story about friendship, community and having exciting adventures. * The Week Junior on The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence *A great story of developing young friendships, delving into some of the issues children of this age group may be facing, and helping them find the tools they need to grow with confidence. * The Liverpool Echo on The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence *if there’s ever a book likely to encourage football fans to pick up a book, this is it! * Good House Keeping on The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence *

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Book Synopsis''I know exactly what you mean.'' Six simple words, and suddenly Sam doesn''t feel so alone. A heart-warming series about friendship, compassion and finding your kindred spirits.This is the story of one of those days - a day so bad you can barely get out of bed, when it''s a struggle to leave the house, and when you do, you wish you hadn''t. But even the worst of days can surprise you. When one sad ghost, alone at a crowded party, spies another sad ghost across the room, they decide to leave together. What happens next changes everything. Because that night they start the The Sad Ghost Club - a secret society for the anxious and alone, a club for people who think they don''t belong. Stunningly illustrated, this is Volume 1 in the beloved graphic novel series perfect for fans of Heartstopper and for anyone who''s ever felt invisible.Join the community of half a million ghosties on Instagram, Trade ReviewCharming, heartwarming graphic novel...ultimately it's about the power of friendship to help us step outside our loneliness, and the joy found in making communities of like-minded souls. * Booktrust *A relatable graphic novel with lovely illustrations and a strong sense of friendship, this adorable number is the first of a series, intended to draw compassion for those who live with anxiety, and feel as though they don't belong * Cosmopolitan *

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Book SynopsisA graphic novel adapted and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile!When The Baby-sitters Club gets into a huge fight, Mary Anne is left to her own devices. She has to eat alone in the school cafeteria, figure out how to make new friends, and deal with her overprotective father. But the worst happens when she finds herself in a baby-sitting emergency and can''t turn to her friends for help. Will Mary Anne solve her problems and save The Baby-sitters Club from falling apart?

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Book SynopsisEnter a fantastical, underwater world in Deeplight, from Frances Hardinge, the Costa Award-winning author of The Lie Tree.'One of our finest storytellers,' – Sarah Perry, author of The Essex SerpentThe gods of the Myriad were as real as the coastlines and currents, and as merciless as the winds and whirlpools. Now the gods are dead, but their remains are stirring beneath the waves . . .On the streets of the Island of Lady's Crave live 14-year-old urchins Hark and his best friend Jelt. They are scavengers: diving for relics of the gods, desperate for anything they can sell. But there is something dangerous in the deep waters of the undersea, calling to someone brave enough to retrieve it.When the waves try to claim Jelt, Hark will do anything to save him. Even if it means compromising not just who Jelt is, but what he is . . .Trade ReviewHardinge creates an entire world and furnishes it with wonders. Pure magic. -- M.R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the GiftsEveryone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now -- Patrick NessIn Deeplight, Hardinge's unparalleled, terrifying imagination illuminates an underwater world filled with the potent debris of departed gods, and the desperate ambitions of the humans who seek it. No one else writes quite like her - every new book is something extraordinary to be celebrated. -- Imogen Russell WilliamsElectrifyingly good -- Amanda Craig * New Statesman *A novel by Hardinge is always an event * Sunday Times *Frances Hardinge has joined the company of writers whose books I will always seek out and read -- Garth NixThere is no mistaking the distinctive voice and vividly crafted prose of Frances Hardinge. She is a writer who delights in language, and whose stories fizz with ideas, allusions and eccentric detail * Metro *

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Book Synopsis''A superbly inventive and magical debut''Piers Torday ''Beautifully written and filled with unforgettable characters ... a diamond of a book''Ross MacKenzie''Utterly original, thrilling, strange and cracking good fun ... every chapter is packed full of wild imagination''Liz HyderCatch the wind. Find your freedom.A riveting, magical adventure set deep underneath a richly reimagined London for 9+ readers.Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underneath a half-bombed, blackened power station, 12-year-old Luke''s life is miserable. Then, he discovers he can see things others can''t. Ghostly things. Specifically, a ghost-girl named Alma. Alma, who can ride clouds through the night sky and bend their shape to her will, befriends Luke. And with Alma''s help, Luke discovers he is in fact a rare being - half-human and half-something else ...Then Luke learns the terrible tTrade ReviewOne of 'Waterstones best children's books of 2021' * Waterstones *'Fantasy fans will dive headlong into this imaginative, action-packed debut' * The Guardian *Smartly wrought worldbuilding aptly engages with themes of identity and equity while conjuring an atmospherically gritty London that's at once singularly inventive and reminiscent of works by Joan Aiken, Charles Dickens, and Philip Pullman. It's a thoughtful and well-built fantasy that's also rollicking good fun * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *Charles Dickens, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, and Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book rolled into one. Mann creates empathy for Luke, who shows clear hope and compassion for others during this evil time. The quick-witted humor and fast pace keep the entertainment factor high. Thrilling. * Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review *This inventive adventure presents a unique world where ghosts bond with water to become clouds, lose themselves in rivers, and read your thoughts through rain. It's a satisfying and often surprising fantasy world that children will no doubt enjoy coming back to again and again. * Booktrust, Great Books Guide 2022 *

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Book SynopsisThe boys had been friends for as long as they could remember and a little while before that. They were like brothers. Follow the adventures of Tam, Rey, Nattie and Bobby - four boys who share a friendship that will last a lifetime. From playing on the beach as babies to navigating the journey from childhood to adulthood, this beautifully illustrated picture book explores the importance of male friendships. Emotive storytelling by Lauren Ace gently presents themes of individuality, grief, togetherness and feelings, while Jennie Lovlie's stylish artwork delicately presents the difficulties and triumphs of growing up. This is the perfect book for young readers who are facing big changes, and opens up discussions about school-life and the future. From the creators of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner, The Girls. "Gentle, tender and joyful..." - Guardian "...a nostalgic story with a refreshingly modern feel." - Daily Telegraph "The book is at pains to show non-stereotypical images of boys and men... and manages to be not only insightful but affecting." - Financial Times "With echoes of Helen Oxenbury's illustration style, Løvlie's characters glow, while her detailed, textured depictions of the seashore feel really alive." - Observer "Utterly charming... luminously illustrated..." - AttitudeTrade Review"Lauren Ace and Jenny Løvlie brought us The Boys (Little Tiger) which, like its award-winning predecessor The Girls, lovingly depicts the bonds between four friends." ~ The Observer

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Book SynopsisWith gorgeous pictures by a host of top illustrators, KIND is aninspiring picture book about the many ways children can be kind,from sharing their toys and games to making those from other countriesfeel welcome. A donation from every copy of Kindsold goes to Three Peas, a charity which supports refugees whohave fled their homes.

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Book SynopsisThe Hare-Shaped Hole is a poignant and touching picture book exploring death and grief, as Bertle the turtle learns to cope with the loss of his best friend Hertle the hare.Trade Review"A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning" * Joseph Coelho, Waterstones Children's Laureate *"Explaining grief to children is one of the hardest things of all but Hare-Shaped Hole does it beautifully. Bertle Turtle experiences every emotion as he tries to come to terms with the loss of his best friend, Hertle Hare, but eventually realises that she'll always live on in his heart and his mind. It's a book full of love, empathy and wisdom. Hare-Shaped Hole is a fantastic collaboration between author John Dougherty and illustrator Thomas Docherty and needs to find a place in primary schools across the country." * Jon Biddle *“When Hertle the hare goes away, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole and he misses his friend. A sweet and poignant story about loss.” * The Bookseller *"This is a deceptively deep story about love and loss, enlivened by charming art." * Storytime Magazine *"The Hare-Shaped Hole tackles ideas around grief and bereavement with sensitivity and warmth, and could help you and your children start tricky conversations." * BookTrust *"This book is a delight and perfect for working with children on bereavement, grief and loss […] deserves to be in every classroom in the UK" * ELSA Support *"Truly a wonderful read" * Grief Encounter *"A beautiful book" * Winston's Wish *“Beautiful guidance on how to keep the memories of those we love and miss alive within us.” * The Grief Gang Podcast *“The perfect starter book for introducing children to conversations about death and dying.” * Cumberland News *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in a brand-new read-aloud board book series for the youngest Moomin fans!Moomin is feeling glum - his best friend Snufkin has gone away for the winter, and nothing is any fun without him. Luckily Moomin''s other friends are there to help him feel less lonely until Snufkin returns.With gorgeous illustrations and a soothing story, this is the perfect book to celebrate friendship.More beautiful Moomin books:My First Moomin: Goodnight MoominMoomin and the Wishing StarMoomin and the Birthday ButtonMoomin: The Very BIG Moominhouse Lift-the-Flap Book

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Book SynopsisFrom psychologist and children’s friendships expert Eileen Kennedy-Moore and parenting and health writer Christine McLaughlin comes a social development primer that gives kids the answers they need to make and keep friends.Friendships aren’t always easy for kids. Almost every child struggles socially at some time, in some way. Having an argument with a friend, getting teased, or even trying to find a buddy in a new classroom…although these are typical problems, they can be tough. Children want to fit in, but sometimes getting along with friends is complicated. Psychologist and children’s friendship expert Eileen Kennedy-Moore and parenting and health writer Christine McLaughlin give kids the answers they need to make and keep friends using five essential skills: -Reaching Out to Make Friends -Stepping Back to Keep Friends -Blending In to Join Friends -Speaking Up to Share With Friends -Letting Go to Accept Friends With research-based, practical solutions and plenty of true-to-life-examples of social skills in practice—presented in lighthearted humorous cartoons—Growing Friendships is a toolkit for both boys and girls as they make sense of the social environment around them. They will learn how to be open to friendship, choose kind friends, and most important, be a good friend.Trade Review“Growing Friendships is the secret playbook you’ll wish you’d had when you were growing up. It’s packed with clever strategies that help kids handle the awkward, upsetting, and confusing social situations that happen to everyone. The fun cartoons make the advice light-hearted and easy to swallow.” -- Diane Debrovner, deputy editor of * Parents magazine *"Finally! A gap in the literature of friendship is filled. Growing Friendships is profound and subtle, clear and humorous. Anyone, of any age, who reads it will benefit." -- Wendy Mogel, PhD, author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee"Kids who have social skill challenges often view friendship as an event or a product (Hi, I'm Michael. Let's be best friends and have a sleepover tonight.). They do not understand that friendship is a PROCESS with specific steps and sequences. Eileen Kennedy-Moore brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and sensitivity to this issue. Her book Growing Friendships teaches kids the strategies they can use to establish--and maintain--peer relationships. Her unique and entertaining format holds the child's attention and makes these complex concepts understandable and within reach. It will be an invaluable tool for parents and professionals as they try to prevent their child from hearing the most dreaded words in childhood: 'Sorry, you can't sit there. That seat's taken.' " -- Richard D. Lavoie, author of It's So Much Work to be Your Friend"Funny, practical, and not at all preachy—Growing Friendships offers spot-on, research-based friendship advice for girls AND boys. Highly recommended! This must-read book is the Google Maps to friendship that every kid needs ” -- Michele Borba, author of Unselfie“This book is so important! All children face friendship challenges at some point and Growing Friendships offers kids real help—and enough giggles to make the messages fun and memorable.” -- Amy McCready, author of If I Have to Tell You One More Time and The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic“Some kids intuitively know how to make and manage friendships. Most don’t. Growing Friendships is a kid-friendly guide that uses simple language, engaging illustrations, and humor to help girls AND boys master the mysteries of social interaction.” -- Jennifer L. W. Fink, founder of BuildingBoys.net“Practical examples, real-life solutions, and playful humor make Growing Friendships a great resource. This insightful guide can help kids become competent problem solvers, cope with common social challenges, develop empathy, and build strong friendships.” -- Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, coauthor of bestsellers The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline“This empowering and entertaining guide for kids shows ways to maneuver the often tricky, confusing, and challenging journey to build and maintain positive friendships. Not only do children learn strategies to make new friends, handle stressful situations, say ‘no’ to a pushy peer, and be a great team member, Growing Friendships makes the process fun and meaningful for the entire family.” -- Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD, developmental psychologist and founder of Roots of Action“Children’s friendships are a rollercoaster of emotion and conflict—fun and exciting when a friendship is going well, but challenging and even crushing when it’s not. Growing Friendships taps into the real-life problems kids face—from the friend who tells your secret to the one who likes you one day and won’t play with you the next. This spot-on guide navigates the slippery slope of inevitable difficulties with kid humor and compassion to demonstrate not only how to mend friendships or let them go, but also how to be a good friend. If you have school-age children they—and you—need this book.” -- Susan Newman, PhD, social psychologist and author of Little Things Long Remembered and The Case for the Only Child“The complexities of friendships in the school-aged years can be the most perplexing for students, parents, and educators alike. Growing Friendships gives research-based, concrete, and effective solutions for navigating these relationships. A tool every school should have!” -- Kelly Bos, MSW, RSW, psychotherapist, parent, and former school counselor"For any child struggling with friendships, this book will be a source of comfort, guidance, and fun, with its wonderful illustrations and child-centered dialogue. Counselors, psychologists, and parents, this is a book to read with the children you care about." -- Maurice J. Elias, PhD, Rutgers University, coauthor of The Joys and Oys of Parenting and Emotionally Intelligent ParentingWritten for kids (specifically 6 -9 year olds) this is a book that parents will want to read as well. It offers some terrific advice for helping young people navigate the complicated waters of social interaction. These authors return to the basics to explain social and face-to-face communication skills to children who are living in a mostly virtual world. What appears to be silly dialogue between a cartoon cat and dog, actually contains some powerful lessons about how to approach and interact with other children. The fact that it makes these encounters humorous allows children to feel more comfortable about risking personal contact with other children. Making friends and keeping them, joining the fun, how to share, when to say NO, dealing with bullying, joining a group, and moving past conflict are all topics which are discussed in kid-friendly terms with real-world applications. In our fast-paced and disruptive world, we’re losing sight of the kitchen-table wisdom that children used to take refuge in. This book puts kids and their parents back in touch with basic, tried and true, social skills, and the ways in which those skills can be used. * Retailing Insight *Kennedy-Moore and McLaughlin highlight five skills—reaching out, stepping back, blending in, speaking up, and letting go—to help readers make and maintain friendships. Each chapter introduces a dilemma relating to one of 15 fictional kids: Aiden tries too hard to be funny, Susan assumes that others are being mean behind her back, and Mackenzie has trouble joining a group. Mingus’s cartoon spot illustrations and comics sequences add humor and help illustrate various points (such as the “power difference” involved in bullying, versus other social conflicts). Multiple-choice quizzes and reader-directed questions (“Do you have a habit of apologizing when you didn’t do anything wrong?”) invite children to apply these ideas to their own developing relationships. -- Publishers Weekly * May 15, 2017 *A how-to book for making friends, is clear and entertaining as well as informative, could be a very useful tool. Many kids struggle with the myriad aspects of navigating the day-to-day complexity of interpersonal relationships. Combining real-life examples, attractive cartoon illustrations, and humorous commentary from a snarky cat and a friendly dog, this upbeat effort provides ample useful advice. Making friends and keeping them, dealing with bullying and distinguishing it from simple teasing, speaking up for oneself and others, being a good sport, figuring out how to join in a group activity (including choosing the right activity to join), and matching the tone of a conversation are just a few of the topics covered. The presentation is clear, reasonable, and specific enough to be practical, and it begins with very basic skills such as greeting others. Practice situations, including a couple where friends won't take no for an answer, provide opportunities to try new skills in low-stress situations. This handbook is highly recommended for high-functioning autistic children as well as anyone who suffers from social awkwardness. The cover depicts both a white and a black child. The simple chapter format makes it possible to just practice certain skills without having to read through the entire work. A fun handbook for any child who has ever wanted another friend but been uncertain how to accomplish that. (Nonfiction. 8-12) -- Kirkus Reviews * 5/1/17 *For children and preteens, perhaps no other aspect of life is as stressful as making and maintaining friendships. The author team of Kennedy-Moore and McLaughlin offers sound advice from the perspectives of psychologist, parent, blogger, and therapist. Using fun cartoons, relatable stories, metaphors, and bulleted summaries, this provides basic skills training for kids looking to widen their social circles. From reaching out to make initial contact with potential friends, through navigating tricky situations and mitigating arguments, myriad issues are described. Readers are encouraged not to just follow prescribed advice but to consider the feelings of others and to use their own judgment in choosing a course of action. Many of these skills are important lifelong lessons that will benefit readers long after their adolescence. While skills like saying no and compromising may be intuitive to some, for many others, particularly those in their awkward preteens, the advice in the book will be invaluable. This is an authoritative and appealing resource for children working on fitting in and finding a tribe. — Erin Anderson -- Booklist * June 2017 *This guide to friendships is simply illustrated and full of useful information. Written by a child psychologist and a professional parenting writer, this book goes over basic information explaining how body language and verbal signals can help signal the progression of a friendship. It provides basic coping skills for anxiety so that readers can attract more friends. There is also a section on bullying and learning to say no. The information is a lot to digest for a younger crowd, while the conflicts presented are too young for a middle grade audience. Recurring dog and cat mascots are supposed to provide a bit of levity but just end up being diverting. The section on blending in may put off more independent and individualistic types, and the section on anxiety isn’t always clear about the feelings it’s trying to help children cope with. Overall, though, the information is accurate and helpful. VERDICT A decent guide for younger middle grade collections, even adults could learn something from this book. -- School Library Journal * August 2017 *

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Book SynopsisThree-year-olds will love this collection of seven brand-new stories, one for every day of the week

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Book SynopsisMarcus Rashford MBE is Manchester United's iconic number 10 and an England International footballer.During the lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcus teamed up with the food distribution charity FareShare to cover the free school meal deficit for vulnerable children across the UK, raising in excess of 20 million pounds. Marcus successfully lobbied the British Government to u-turn policy around the free food voucher program a campaign that has been deemed the quickest turnaround of Government policy in the history of British politics so that 1.3 million vulnerable children continued to have access to food supplies whilst schools were closed during the pandemic.In response to Marcus's End Child Food Poverty campaign, the British Government committed 400 million to support vulnerable children across the UK, supporting 1.7 million children for the next 12 months.In October 2020, he was appointed MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Marcus has committed himself to combating child poverty in the UK and his book You Are a Champion, written with Carl Anka, is an inspiring guide for children about reaching their full potential. Marcus's first fiction title, The Breakfast Club Adventures, was written with Alex Falase-Koya.Alex Falase-Koya is a London native. He has been both reading and writing since he was a teenager; anything at the cross-section of social commentary and genre fiction floats his boat. He was a winner of Spread the Word's 2019 London Writers Awards for YA/children's. He now lives in Walthamstow with his girlfriend and two cats. He is the cowriter of Marcus Rashford's debut children's fiction title The Breakfast Club Adventures.Marta Kissi studied BA Illustration & Animation at Kingston University and MA Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art. Her favourite part of being an illustrator is bringing stories to life by designing charming characters and the wonderful worlds they live in. She shares a studio with her husband James.Trade ReviewA super-fun story about friendship, community and having exciting adventures. * The Week Junior on The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence *A great story of developing young friendships, delving into some of the issues children of this age group may be facing, and helping them find the tools they need to grow with confidence. * The Liverpool Echo on The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence *

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Book SynopsisButternut and Buttercup are like two peas in a pod. It’s Buttercup’s birthday and Butternut doesn’t want to spoil their sweet friendship with a sour gift. He visits old and new friends for advice and goes on an exciting exploration of food and friendship, where he discovers so much more than the perfect present.

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Book SynopsisThe brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky Crater Lake. Perfect for fans of R.L.Stine's Goosebumps.Angelo and his friends know that together they can handle any pretty much anything including giant mutant spiders or snake-like parasites that burrow into your brain. But when a terrifying new enemy attacks from above it seems they have met their ultimate match . . . how can they defeat giant vampire birds that are after BLOOD?With summer term in full force and sports day and prom night on the horizon the whole school is in danger. The gang need a plan to bring safety to the skies!Trade Review‘On the first Dread Wood book: “Deliciously scary and hilarious comedy-horror, perfectly pitched for eight-plus.” The Guardian “Brilliantly creepy fun for young horror fans, with an unexpectedly moving ending.”The i, 30 of the best children’s books for Easter. “Jennifer Killick’s talent for horror and humour is blended brilliantly here as the spiky dialogue, unstoppable pace and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax”– Daily Mail “A heart-stopping thrill ride of a book.”M.G. Leonard, author of Adventures on Trains series “Sharp, scary and a whole lot of fun!”Christopher Edge, author of Escape Room “This is BRILLIANT! Creepy, pacy, smart, witty and just pure Jennifer genius.”Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm “This is Killick’s best book yet; think ‘The Breakfast Club’ meets ‘Stranger Things’, making great use of her talent for comic dialogue and her astute eye for just the right kind of scary for this age group.”Fiona Noble, Bookseller, Editor’s Choice Jennifer Killick's latest masterpiece is chock full of brilliant friendships, banter, laughs & of course a TERRIFYING plot! It's a FANTASTIC read! – Lorraine Gregory, author of Mold and the Poison Plot Clever, brilliant writing, blending the creeps with Jennifer Killick’s trademark wit and warmth!Amy Wilson Couldn’t put it down. Absolutely brilliant!Tell Tales Books

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Book SynopsisEleven-year-old Maxwell is always, always in trouble. While visitingan elderly neighbour, he comes across a mysterious cabinet ofcuriosities and suddenly finds himself erased from his life: it'sas if he's never existed. Maxwell needs to find a way to reversehis erasure, with the help of his best friend Charlie and hissister Bex.

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Book SynopsisNarwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together in the hilarious seventh book of this blockbuster graphic novel series! The perfect first book for young 5 year-old, 6 year-old, 7 year old and 8 year-old readers looking for funny, high interest books that are an accessible read, where they''ll discover the joys of friendship, working together and the power of imagination. Featuring three short stories and a super fun ocean fact page and joke page too!Trade Review’Hilarious and charming. The most loveable duo.’ Dav Pilkey, bestselling author of the DOGMAN series and CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS ’Undersea advenutres have never been so darn cute . . . The incessant charm and unabashed joy should make this an easy sell. Swimmingly delightful and a guaranteed smile-maker.’ Starred review, Kirkus Reviews ’Bound to be popular among young readers.’ Starred review, School Library Journal ’Geez, Narwhal and Jelly are adorable. There’s no other word as appropriate for this duo . . . readers will likely clamour for the next outing’ Starred Review, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books ‘Readers ready for underwater goofiness of the non-SpongeBob variety will be eager for more adventures from this duo’ Publishers’ Weekly

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Book SynopsisAn all-female detective agency righting wrongs at the end of thenineteenth century; infiltrating a scandalous upper class world straightout of Bridgerton and using their wit and bravery to unmaska villain.

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Book SynopsisThe brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spookyCrater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine's Goosebumps and Stranger Things!It's summer term and time for a school trip with a difference! Year 8 are on a boat off the coast of France, learning about ocean life. But things are about to get WEIRD . . .Who is the creepy man on board the ship? And what IS the vast, shadowy creature seen lurking at the bottom of the ocean?When the ship is sunk Club Loser realise that they are the only ones who can save the day, and their classmates. Can they outwit and defeat a giant, deadly sea monster from the depths? It's a fight for survival and if they fail, Club Loser will find themselves in a watery grave . . .Trade Review September Book of the Month LoveReading4Kids: ‘This is a cracking new adventure in a series that has set the standard for comedy-horror.’ Scope for Imagination‘This is upper middle grade comedy horror at its best.’ Praise for the Dread Wood series: “Deliciously scary and hilarious comedy-horror, perfectly pitched for eight-plus.” The Guardian “Brilliantly creepy fun for young horror fans, with an unexpectedly moving ending.”The i, 30 of the best children’s books for Easter. “Jennifer Killick’s talent for horror and humour is blended brilliantly here as the spiky dialogue, unstoppable pace and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax”– Daily Mail “A heart-stopping thrill ride of a book.”M.G. Leonard, author of Adventures on Trains series “Sharp, scary and a whole lot of fun!”Christopher Edge, author of Escape Room “This is BRILLIANT! Creepy, pacy, smart, witty and just pure Jennifer genius.”Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm “This is Killick’s best book yet; think ‘The Breakfast Club’ meets ‘Stranger Things’, making great use of her talent for comic dialogue and her astute eye for just the right kind of scary for this age group.”Fiona Noble, Bookseller, Editor’s Choice

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Book SynopsisWhen Otis wakes up after a sleepover at popular kid Rocco Rococo'shouse, it's a scene of total chaos and disaster. Weirdly, no onecan remember what happened the night before, so Rocco and Otisreluctantly team up to retrace their steps in the hopes of workingout happened.

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Book SynopsisFrom Eisner Award-winning creator Aron Nels Steinke, a vibrant, funny new series that charmingly captures the everyday antics of a fourth-grade classroom!Mr. Wolf has just started teaching at Hazelwood Elementary. He wants the first day of school to go well, but he''s got his hands full with his new class. Some of his students include: Margot, who is new in town and is trying to make friends. Sampson, who brought something special to school for show-and-tell. Aziza, who just wants everyone to be quiet and do their work. And Penny, who is VERY sleepy because she has a new baby brother at home, goes missing! This delightful new series captures the everyday -- and unexpected -- ups and downs of a fourth-grade classroom.

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Book SynopsisA charming lift-the-flap story from the bestselling, record-breaking partnership of Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb.One little boy is very excited when he receives an invitation to go and play at his friend Dan's house. But there's just one problem, he doesn't know which house on South Street Dan lives in. Along the way he meets some very interesting neighbours, including a cook, a pirate and ghost. But which door does Dan live behind? A wonderful game of dressing-up awaits. Will he ever be able to find the right house?Written in Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming style and with adorable illustrations packed full of details to spot from the award-winning Rebecca Cobb, this is a book to delight young children, and to read again, and again . . . and again!

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Book SynopsisThere has been a terrible mistake. Instead of having thirty classrooms side by side, Wayside School is thirty storeys high! (The builder said he was sorry.) Perhaps that's why all sorts of strange and unusual things keep happening – especially in Mrs Jewls's classroom on the very top floor. There's the terrifying Mrs Gorf, who gets an unusually fruity comeuppance; Terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early; and Mauricia, who has a strange ice-cream addiction. Meanwhile, John can only read upside down, and Leslie is determined to sell her own toes. From top to bottom, Wayside is packed with quirky and hilarious characters who are all brought to life in this new edition with delightful illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff throughout. This is an unmissable, irrepressible story of mixed-up mayhem from Louis Sachar, the bestselling author of Holes.Trade ReviewLouis Sachar is one of the few masters of American fiction * Independent on Sunday on Louis Sachar *Thirty clever, fast-moving stories that describe the bizarre events at Wayside School … each story is refreshingly different * Guardian *Magic and hard realism come crashing together. This is an extraordinary and unconventional novel * Observer on HOLES *

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Book SynopsisViolet never wanted to move to Perfect. Who wants to live in a town where everyone has to wear glasses to stop them going blind? And who wants to be perfectly behaved all the time? Violet quickly discovers there's something weird going on, and when she meets Boy she realizes that the mysterious Watchers are guarding a perfectly creepy secret!

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