Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: LGBTQIA+

Book SynopsisWinner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers Winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Award Shortlisted for the Children's Book Ireland Award, Irish Books Award and the Polari Prize Nominated for the Carnegie Medal When Aideen agrees to help ambitious class swot Maebh Kowalska deal with her crazy workload, she doesn’t expect to end up reluctantly pushing Maebh down the stairs. With this, Aideen becomes the school ‘fixer’: any problem a student has, Aideen will sort it out, from stealing confiscated mobiles to breaking into parties. All she asks for is a favour in return. But Aideen’s own life is a mess – her mam’s drinking again, her BFF Holly is avoiding her and she’s skipping school. Spending more time with the uptight (but annoyingly cute) Maebh and chatterbox Kavi, Aideen starts to wonder: can every problem be solved?Trade Review"I howled with laughter. Derry Girls but better, with such a massive heart" -- Joanna Nadin"[B]rilliantly channels the acerbic putdowns and frank humour of TV’s Derry Girls and Sex Education... Smart, well observed and highly entertaining" -- Fiona Noble * Observer *"Romantic, hilarious and full of crazy capers, Smyth’s second novel also quietly conveys the grinding anxiety of growing up poor without parental support" * Guardian *"[A] charming novel for young lesbians" * The Bookseller *"Witty and engaging. This engaging novel will hook readers immediately." -- starred review * School Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisA SUMMER SPECIAL EDITION OF THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, WITH EXCLUSIVE COVER AND EXTRA CONTENTWINNER OF THE 2021 BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS' AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT FICTIONNOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL 2022"This summer's hottest YA debut." Entertainment WeeklyACE OF SPADES is Gossip Girl meets Get Out, with a shocking twist. Buried secrets come to light when two students are targeted by an anonymous bully with an explosive agenda.Hello, Niveus High. It's me. Who am I? That's not important. All you need to know is...I'm here to divide and conquer. - AcesWelcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is revealing the darkest secrets of two students.Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can't escape the spotlight when his private photos go public.Head girl Chiamaka isn't afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power.Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they're planning much more than a high-school game...Unputdownable and utterly compulsive, this high-octane thriller takes a powerful look at institutionalized racism. As seen in Vogue, The Guardian, Marie Claire, The New York Times, Elle, Buzzfeed, Cosmo and Entertainment Weekly, and on BBC Front Row, perfect for fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson and Angie Thomas.*This summer special features an exclusive cover from award-winning Kingsley Nebechi, and exciting extra content: an exclusive never-seen-before chapter and brand-new author letter.*"ACE OF SPADES is the thought-provoking thriller we ALL need." Nic Stone, #1 NYT bestselling author"A heart-racing and twisty thriller." Alice Oseman"Strong Gossip Girl vibes and a whole lot of mystery." Buzzfeed"Thunderous and terrifying. There's no way you're putting this down until you get to the last page." Maureen Johnson, NYT bestselling author

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

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Book SynopsisBeing born during a hurricane is unlucky, and Caroline has had her share of bad luck. She's bullied in school, a spirit won't stop following her, and her mother went missing. But new student Kalinda becomes Caroline's friend, and perhaps more. Together, they must set out in a hurricane to find Caroline's mother - before she is lost forever.

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Book SynopsisA commercial coming-of-age story for tweens exploring identity, family and self-acceptance, from award-winning author Sarah Hagger-Holt.Thirteen-year-old Aidan can't breathe in his crowded family home. Running is his only respite from four loud sisters and involved, touchy-feely parents. Then his mum makes an announcement: she's having another baby. Only, this time it's not for her; she will be a surrogate for gay couple Justin and Atif.Aidan is incensed. As if his family wasn't embarrassing - or big - enough already. But he's also scared. Aidan thinks he might be gay, and he's really struggling to accept this possibility. What if being around Justin and Atif means that he has to come out before he's ready?If only he were just like everyone else.Praise for Sarah Hagger-Holt:Winner of the Little Rebels AwardTwice-nominated for the Carnegie Medal"Gentle and compassionate" The Times Literary Supplement"A fantastic book - I absolutely loved it!" L.D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency"Warm, funny and believable" The GuardianTrade ReviewAcutely observed, warm and down to earth, Aidan's gradual journey from denial to self-acceptance is an absorbing read for 11+. * The Guardian *A story of family and identity for readers aged 12+. * Irish Examiner *A powerful and important story. * Tamsin Winter, author of Girl (In Real Life) *

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Book SynopsisPrepare to meet the gender trailblazers of past and present - who dress and express themselves however they choose!Featuring icons from across art, sports, fashion, music, politics, civil rights and the media, this vibrantly illustrated book introduces children age 5+ to transgender, non-binary and genderqueer role-models who dare to be different - and are conquering the world as they go.Packed with the triumphant tales of 25 gender heroes - including Laverne Cox, Elliott Page, Marsha P. Johnson, Gavin Grimm and Alok Vaid-Menon, as well as a glossary of key terms, this is an inspirational introduction for kids and educators alike - and a timely reminder that not all heroes wear capes.Trade ReviewRepresentation is key to helping the next generation of queer people - and this book is bursting with so many amazing role models that you can't fail to be inspired to be the best version of yourself. Full of colour, warmth, and divine illustrations - this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to be reminded of the importance of community at any age. -- Ben Pechey, author of The Book of Non-Binary JoyGender Heroes is a bright and beautiful book for a generation of young people who will be able to learn about such a rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ individuals. Essential for schools! -- Jamie Windust, author of In Their Shoes: Navigating Non-Binary LifeTable of Contents1. Welcome2. Marsha P Johnson3. Eliott Page4. Charlie Craggs5. Sarah McBride6. Sylvia Rivera7. Chella Man8. Owl and Fox Fisher9. Jazz Jennings10. Mauree Turner11. Freddy McConnell12. Laverne Cox13. Alok Vaid Menon14. Chris Mosier15. Michaela Jaé Rodriguez16. Aaron Rose Philip17. Rebekah Bruesehof18. Charlie Martin19. Tyler Ford20. Munroe Bergdorf21. Pidgeon Pagonis22. Miss Major Griffin Gracy23. Kim Petras24. Travis Alabanza25. Gavin Grimm26. Glossary23.

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Book Synopsis'These boys and their love story filled up my heart - I couldn't stop reading' Amie Kaufman David used to be in a band with his best friends Chance and Eli. Now the band, Darkhearts, is super famous, with a legion of fans - and David's out of the band and back in high school, brooding over everything he lost out on. Then tragedy throws David and Chance back together. Chance is everything David is not: a swaggeringly drop-dead gorgeous rock god. And yet spending more time alone with Chance, David has to admit he actually misses being with his old friend - and maybe he feels something more. Can you mix music with love? An enemies-to-lovers gay romance, perfect for fans of Simon James Green, Heartstopper and Adam SilveraTrade Review"A messy, joyful story about what happens when rockstars meet reality, and about finding the part of yourself that makes you whole. These boys and their love story filled up my heart - I couldn't stop reading, and I didn't want to" -- Amie Kaufman"Cute and true-to-life complicated, Darkhearts is a hands-down heart-stirrer for fans of Phil Stamper, Simon James Green, and YA romance" * LoveReading4Kids *"A tender-hearted LGBTQ+ romance about music, fame and second chances" * Waterstones *"Sparkles with laugh-out-loud dialogue ... A funny romp with a lot of heart" * Kirkus *"Sutter does an excellent job of building both character and compelling plot, turning his novel into more than a simple summer romance as he brings David and Chance to vivid life" -- starred review * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Generous, wry, and big-hearted. A touching and riotous journey through the legacies of pain and the wonders of connection." — Eliot Schrefer, two-time National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author "Michael Thomas Ford put me through it with this stunning sequel. A touching, funny, and thoughtful exploration of how we move on from our toughest choices and embrace what makes us unique, even if we're imperfect." — Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue “In Every Star That Falls, Ford examines with heart and compassion not just what it is to be queer, but the ways in which queerness changes relationships and frees us.” — LC Rosen, author of Jack of Hearts and Camp “Every Star That Falls is an extraordinarily fun and wild ride that will make you laugh and cry on numerous occasions. There is no way to tell what happens next but each chapter comes with a wonderful surprise that keeps you hooked into the moment. The book brings you a lot of things—complex characters, intricate relationships and a beautiful message for the new generation. It’s the kind of story that genuinely reflects the growing complexity of life for young people.” — Vincent Tirado, author of the Pura Belpre award-winning Burn Down, Rise Up "A sweet, loving, joyful celebration of queer identity! Queer joy is real, and we deserve happy endings, too!" — Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of The Bridge and Destination Unknown "Packed with charming characters and witty narration, Every Star That Falls is a moving story about boldly—and proudly—becoming your true self. We've waited fifteen long years for this sequel, and it was so worth the wait!“ — Phil Stamper, national bestselling author of The Gravity of Us and Golden Boys Praise for Suicide Notes: “With a sprinkling of dark humor and a full measure of humanness, Suicide Notes is quirky, surprising, and a riveting read.” — Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of Fallout and Crank “Like the very best teen novels, Suicide Notes is both classic and edgy, timeless and provocative.” — Brent Hartinger, author of Geography Club and The Last Chance Texaco “Jeff’s journey is wittily unique, balancing a fresh voice and a uniquely realistic character with comedy and seriousness.” — KLIATT “Make(s) a powerful emotional impact.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Jeff’s wit and self-discovery are refreshing, poignant, and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny.” — School Library Journal PRAISE FOR LOVE & OTHER CURSES: “Funny, heartfelt, and magnificently unexpected, Michael Thomas Ford’s Love & Other Curses is a gritty, glittery triumph that broke my heart, put it back together again, and left me with a new, much needed sway in my sashay.” — Bennett Madison, author of September Girls “Intriguing. A solid exploration of the meanings of love.” — Booklist “Love & Other Curses is a book with heart—a big, generous, loving heart. Anyone looking for a deep, thoughtful story about love and life and coming of age will enjoy the relationships, the search, and the lovely magic that may or may not be a part of every person’s life.” — New York Journal of Books “Michael Thomas Ford has created an intense, complex exploration of family, love, and gender & sexual identity. I learned, I laughed, I got inspired.” — Jeff Garvin, author of Symptoms of Being Human

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Book SynopsisTrade Review★ “Should be placed in the hands of every LGBTQ teen so they’ll know that not only are they not alone, but they have a rich and diverse history. Presented in a breezy, conversational tone that will engage teens and make them laugh.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ★ “Prager delivers a rich exploration of gender identity and sexuality across time and nation…These snapshots—sometimes irreverent in tone, but always respectful of the people and relationships they discuss—offer strong insight into the lives of individuals who broke barriers or simply lived life on their own terms.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) ★ “Written with a pop culture sensibility that will appeal to teen readers, the collection is a fascinating look at history through a different lens than what most history books provide. Hurray for Sarah Prager’s own splendid contribution to queer history!” — Shelf Awareness “A lively and informative introduction to queer history.” — Booklist “Well written, timely, and interesting; the profiles include a thoughtful, varied mix of queer historical figures .... Prager has captured moments from thousands of years of queer history-making in a captivating, illuminating read.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) “Queer, There, and Everywhere is so conversational, fast paced, and infused with pop culture sensibilities that it tricks you into forgetting it’s a series of (incredibly timely) biographies. An absolute must-read for people interested in their queer forebears.” — Meredith Russo, author of the Stonewall Award winner If I Was Your Girl “Accessible, irreverent, and meticulously researched, at times heartbreaking and just as often wildly funny, this stunningly diverse survey of queer histories is a nourishing and inspiring addition to our arsenal of queer possibilities. Should be required reading for all of us, queer or not.” — Sarah McCarry, author of the Lambda Award-nominated About a Girl “A valuable resource for all those queer kids out there. Let them know they are not alone. Let them know they have a history. This book is a lifeline and a gift.” — Justin Sayre, writer, performer, and author of Husky “Wow. It isn’t easy to tell stories from across time and space of lives we would now call queer. Much less in an I-can’t-put-this-book-down way. Sarah Prager has done it, showing us all how to ‘live bravely.’” — Leila J. Rupp, author of Sapphistries: A Global History of Love between Women, co-editor of Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History and professor at UC Santa Barbara “Reading this book is like discussing history with a really good (and really smart) friend—free of pretentiousness, full of wisdom, dispatched in a casual, but informative way. Queer, There, and Everywhere is a desperately needed and absolutely brilliant breath of fresh air. A must-read!” — Shane Bitney Crone, activist and producer/subject of the Bridegroom documentary “Sarah Prager tells us 23 fascinating stories, some of them new twists on familiar ones (like Abraham Lincoln) as well as ones about figures that history has nearly forgotten (like the Roman Emperor Elagabalus), mixing light-hearted humor with impeccable scholarship.” — Kevin Jennings, founder of GLSEN, former Assistant Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Education, and author of Becoming Visible “A powerful, educational book about the lives of 23 LGBTQ people who made important contributions to our society. This is an essential tool to educate the world about our LGBTQ heroes and leaders.” — Jose Gutierrez, founder of the Latino GLBT History Project and co-founder of the Rainbow History Project “In this delightful and accessible book, Prager introduces us to a wide and diverse assortment of 23 historical figures who challenged the gender and/or sexuality norms of their time and place and changed the world. I enjoyed every story.” — Robyn Ochs, educator and co-editor of Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals around the World “This is a great book about some remarkable people who show us the actual diversity of real life. Gender isn’t nearly as straightforward as most people pretend it is!” — Dr. Susan Stryker, author of Transgender History and co-director of the Emmy-winning film Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria

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Book SynopsisThe blood Feeds the hunger That threatens everything It starts when Claudia offers her a yellow rose. Immy has been in love before – many times, across many lifetimes. But never as deeply, as intensely as this. Claudia has never been in love like this either. But then, this is her first time with a vampire. The forbidden thirst for blood runs deep in Immy. And within her mind clamour the voices, of all the others she has been, their desires, and their wrongs. A unique verse novel by the award-winning author of The Deepest Breath and The Space Between.Trade Review"By linking vampirism to themes of queer desire and community as well as repeating personal cycles, Grehan freshens an old trope, building both a central romance and lifetimes-long connections that are by turns realistically sweet and thorny." * Publishers Weekly, starred review *"Grehan’s verse novel skilfully charts uncertainty, temptation and the course of a strange, desperate love." -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *"Emotionally rich and gloriously queer." * Kirkus, starred review *"A fresh, dark take on the vampire myth and desire, Baby Teeth shows vampires haunted by their pasts and memories, where immortality is not one long life but a broken patchwork of different experiences. It will twine around your heart and bite, ever so gently. I adored it.” -- Helen Corcoran"Delicious and unsettling." -- Claire Hennessey * The Irish Times *"An intense, immersive read from one of Ireland’s most interesting and innovative young writers." -- Sarah Webb * Irish Independent *"Grehan evocatively conjures Immy’s tragic sense of isolation and hard-won self-acceptance." * Financial Times *'Grehan is not the first Irish writer to push the boundaries of vampire fiction ... Yet Grehan delves much deeper into the risky relationship between vampire and lover, as a means of exploring modern LGBTQ identity for her young adult readership.' -- Pet O'Connell * The Echo *"It’s personal. Powerful. Passionate." -- Hanna-Rose Sullivan * Paper Lanterns *'Beautifully crafted.' * Kirkus, 'Best of 2022: Our Favourite Teen & YA Books' list *"Absolutely beautiful." * Down the Rabbit Hole *"This enchanting work is an excellent addition to LGBTQIA+ and verse novel collections." * School Library Journal *"Grehan keeps the vampiric vibes flowing with this unique, darkly beautiful and emotional read." * CultureFly *"Baby Teeth is an unexpected LGBTQ+ novel in verse; it takes elements of horror and mixes them with romance, resulting in a changeling of a book that reimagines vampire myths for the twenty-first century. * Foreword Reviews *"...queer vampire stories are still relatively uncommon, and this will be welcomed." * Booklist *"This book is heady, it pulls you into it, capturing so beautifully love and longing, particularly between women. A moving story of what it is to be accepted for who you are completely." ***** reader review * Swear by the Books *"Very weirdly uniquely wonderful." * NetGalley *"I'll be delighted to recommend this book to a wide range of folks who are looking for something fresh and attractive." * NetGalley *"Soft and sweet, tender and dark, and helplessly sad. The desire-filled romance evokes a specific type of fresh, earthy, heartfelt sapphic wonder which I absolutely adore." * NetGalley *"A really engaging read." * NetGalley *"I am such a sucker for a novel in verse and this was excellent." * NetGalley *"I recommend it to anyone who needs more sapphic vampires in their lives." * NetGalley *"I highly recommend this book, especially if you love paranormal stories or just want to try out a lyrical novel in verse story. BUT SERIOUSLY A NOVEL IN VERSE FEATURING A SAPPHIC VAMPIRE!! YOU ALL NEED IT." * NetGalley *"An absolutely lovely little book with beautiful writing. There needs to be more sapphic vampires because hello wow." * NetGalley *"Recommend for those looking for something new in their reading routine." * NetGalley *"I loved this, this was an amazingly written story! There isn't enough sapphic stories but this sapphic vampire one is amazing." * NetGalley *'It's toasty, ribbon in hair, sexy, lusty, heart breaking, woods, moss, cottagecore vibes.' * NetGalley *'I would recommend this to anyone who likes novels in verse, vampires and lesbian stories.' * NetGalley *

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Book SynopsisWayward Son is the stunning YA novel by the bestselling author of Fangirl and Carry On, Rainbow Rowell. With all of her signature wit and heart, this is Rainbow at her absolute best. This edition includes two beautiful illustrations.The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after . . .So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light . . .That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place . . .With Wayward Son, the sequel to Carry On, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first.Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero’s journey might be over – but your life has just begun. Trade ReviewRowell's magical world is finely drawn * Guardian *Thrilling and sexy, funny and shocking, deeply moving and very, very magical. Trust me, you have never, ever seen a wizard school like this. -- Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians

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Book SynopsisA celebration of love from the author and illustrator of Goth Girl, Ottoline and the Cloud Horse Chronicles, Poems to Fall in Love With sees Chris Riddell select and illustrate his very favourite classic and modern poems about love – gorgeously presented in this giftable hardback.This beautifully illustrated collection explores love in all its guises, from silent admiration through passion to tearful resignation. These poems speak of the universal experiences of the heart and are brought to life with Chris's exquisite, intricate artwork.This perfect gift, this book features famous poems, old and new, and a few surprises. Classic verses sit alongside the modern to create the ultimate collection. Includes poems from Neil Gaiman, Nikita Gill, Carol Ann Duffy, E. E. Cummings, Shakespeare, Leonard Cohen, Derek Walcott, Hollie McNish, Kae Tempest, John Betjeman and Roger McGough and many more.Enjoy more poetry with Chris's Poems to Live Your Life By, one of the Bookseller's best poetry books of the last twenty-five years.Trade ReviewThis is a stupendously well-chosen, feelgood anthology in which even feel-bad poems feel good. This little book is a must-have, with poems that will make you feel more alive. -- Kate Kellaway * Observer - New Review *This beautifully designed anthology about love in many forms is a delight from cover to elegant purple bookmark. A wonderful gift for a literate teenager, it will also be enjoyed by many others unsure how to approach poetry. -- Bel Mooney * Daily Mail *In this beautiful volume, complete with a dashing purple cover and Riddell’s stunning artwork, he shows how poetry gives meaning to all our lives, from childhood through to old age. * Independent *Table of ContentsPoem - 1: Locks - Neil Gaiman Poem - 2: Postcards from The Hedgehog - A. F. Harrold Poem - 3: Love and Friendship - Emily Bronte Poem - 4: La Belle Dame Sans Merci - John Keats Poem - 5: The Beautiful Librarians - Sean O'Brien Poem - 6: Sisters of Mercy - Leonard Cohen Poem - 7: Wormwood - Margot Armbruster Poem - 8: You: An Achilles Apple - Sappho Poem - 9: It's No Use/Mother Dear - Sappho Poem - 10: She Walks in Beauty - George Gordon, Lord Byron Poem - 11: If I profane with my unworthiest hand from 'Romeo and Juliet' - William Shakespeare Poem - 12: The Indian Serenade - P B Shelley Poem - 13: A Small Dragon - Brain Patten Poem - 14: A Lost Language - Nikita Gill Poem - 15: Valentine - Wendy Cope Poem - 16: From Idem the Same, A Valentine to Sherwood Anderson - Gertrude Stein Poem - 17: i carry your heart with me - e e cummings Poem - 18: From Hamlet - William Shakespeare Poem - 19: A Red, Red Rose - Robert Burns Poem - 20: The Licorice Fields at Pontefract - John Betjeman Poem - 21: Mad Girl's Love Song - Sylvia Plath Poem - 22: Firework - Kate Tempest Poem - 23: Wild nights - Wild nights! - Emily Dickinson Poem - 24: Into My Arms - Nick Cave Poem - 25: I Don't Love You As if You Were a Rose - Pablo Neruda Poem - 26: Words, Wide Night - Carol Ann Duffy Poem - 27: Like a Flame - Grace Nichols Poem - 28: Like Otters - Hollie McNish Poem - 29: happiness - Roger McGough Poem - 30: The Bargain - Sir Philip Sydney Poem - 31: Corinthians . . . but the greatest of these is love - St Paul Poem - 32: Sonnet 116 - William Shakespeare Poem - 33: The Owl and the Pussycat - Edward Lear Poem - 34: How Do I Love Thee? - Elizabeth Barrett Browning Poem - 35: The Good Morrow - John Donne Poem - 36: If You Are an Ancient Egyptian Hero - Hera Lindsay Bird Poem - 37: The parent anniversary - Lucy Thynne Poem - 38: Dark Sonnet - Neil Gaiman Poem - 39: The Song of the Wandering Aengus - W B Yeats Poem - 40: Love After Love - Derek Walcott Poem - 41: My Life Closed Twice - Emily Dickinson Poem - 42: Solitary Observation Brought Back from a Sojourn in Hell - Louise Bogan Poem - 43: Goodbye - Carol-Anne Marsh Poem - 44: Me and My Dog - Phoebe Bridgers Poem - 45: Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part - Michael Drayton Poem - 46: O Rose Thou Art Sick - William Blake Poem - 47: Remember - Christina Rossetti Poem - 48: I Can't Remember What We Talked About - Chris Riddell Poem - 49: The Taste of a Biscuit - A. F. Harrold Poem - 50: Funeral Blues - W H Auden Poem - 51: Tomorrow when you will not wake - Jan Dean

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Book SynopsisMeet Morgan and Eric: born on the same day, at the same time and bonded for life. In this moving dual narrative, we meet them every birthday from the age of thirteen, as Eric figures out who he is, as Morgan decides to live as her true self, and as they realize they are inextricably part of each other.Trade ReviewAn emotional, winning touchdown. * Kirkus Reviews *Rarely have we seen a story like Meredith Russo’s Birthday * The New York Times *Birthday is a luminous and profoundly moving coming-of-age story of love, family, friendship, destiny, and the struggle to live as one’s truest self. It will break your heart, piece it back together even stronger, and do it again and again until the last page. * Jeff Zentner, author of The Serpent King *I couldn’t put this book down, I fell so in love with Eric and Morgan. Birthday broke my heart and made me tear up, but it was also so triumphant. This book will save lives. * Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure *There is so much hope and light and love here. * Rachael, Waterstones Bookseller *

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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. The 7+ books are designed for children aged 7+ who need more practice to acquire phonics skills.

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Book SynopsisShe’s never been the girl that gets the guy, let alone the girl that gets a hit song named after her.But when last summer’s crush, smoking-hot musician Sebastian Delacroix—who has recently hit the mainstream big-time—returns home to play a local show, that’s just what she gets.Trade Review"Lively and smart, Blair Thornburgh's debut will hook you like a pop song and then proceed to win your heart." -- Nina LaCour, award-winning author of We Are Okay "Blair Thornburgh's debut is the perfect mix of music and heart, friendship and romance. Like a classic song, Who's That Girl will stick in your head long after turning the last page." -- Elizabeth Eulberg, author of Better Off Friends "I should write a love song about how much I adore Blair Thornburgh's fresh and funny debut. Charming, quirky, and full of heart." -- Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of I See London, I See France "Clever. A light, funny romance that offers a fair degree of satisfaction." -- Kirkus Reviews "Thornburgh thoughtfully charts the tensions and loyalties among a solid group of friends." -- Publishers Weekly "Thornburgh deftly balances snark and optimism in this thoroughly delightful [novel]. Readers will root for this intelligent heroine surrounded by terribly clever and articulate friends. The snappy dialogue, extremely likable characters, and daydream-worthy plot make this fun romance with Gilmore Girls-esque humor a perfect summer read." -- School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisIn this gripping, genre-defying YA novel from New York Times bestselling author Z Brewer, three teens—one who presents as genderqueer, one who presents as female, and one who presents as male—are caught up in three very different stories of survival.Trade Review"Teens who are contemplating the constructs of their identity will appreciate Quinn's company." — School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A touching novel about all the confusions and intensities of high school, from sexuality to peer pressure... The novel deftly negotiates the complexities of teenage friendships and relationships with insight and compassion." — Teen Vogue "We Are Totally Normal downplays its literary sensibility with lighthearted humor and smart, bantering dialog. This book is a great choice for readers interested in LGBTQ+ and QPOC romance and post-Millennial coming-of-age stories." — them.us "With its fast, dialogue-driven pacing, humor, and finger on the youthful pulse, this book will find an eager audience in queer and questioning teens, especially those of color." — Booklist "[We Are Totally Normal's] strength lies in the normalization of negotiating the complex social structure of teenage friendships and relationships." — Kirkus Reviews "This is not a typical coming-out narrative.... The most interesting parts of the book deal with Nandan’s conflicted feelings about masculinity and gendered friendships, as he struggles to understand the power dynamics among his male friends and longs for close platonic friendships with girls." — School Library Journal "This story could be what a reader out there needs." — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) "Told through the eyes of one of the most endearing and real characters I’ve ever met, We Are Totally Normal is validating, entertaining, and filled with love." — Kacen Callender, Stonewall award-winning author of This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story “Nandan’s fresh perspective is a gift—I can’t wait for readers to experience it!” — M-E Girard, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of Girl Mans Up “A brilliant coming-of-age story. Every teen needs this book.” — Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running With Lions “An endearing, messy, and honest exploration of identity that reminds us that discovering who we aren’t is as important as discovering who we are.” — Shaun David Hutchinson, author of We Are the Ants and Brave Face "An engrossing and palpable story that is in no rush to have all the answers, and that's totally normal." — Sara Farizan, award-winning author of Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel “Incisive, funny, and gloriously messy.” — Kelly Loy Gilbert, author of Picture Us in the Light “A perfect story about the complications of sexuality and identity. I adored this book from beginning to end.” — Mason Deaver, author of I Wish You All the Best “A fresh and rare exploration of sexuality, identity, friendship, and love.” — Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights "Raw, intimate, and unflinchingly honest, We Are Totally Normal fully embraces the messiness and unpredictability of the human heart. — Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts, Last Girl Lied To, and All Eyes on Her "One of my favorite things about how much queer YA we get these years is that we’re finally allowed to have the messy stuff, the representation that isn’t the neatest and most pristine and clear cut.... Is Nandan bisexual? Is he in it to be more interesting? Is he always going to be “different” now, even more than before? So many questions and no great answers, but exploring the complexity of it all is the beauty of this book." — LGBTQ Reads

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Book SynopsisDebut author Tobly McSmith delivers a coming-of-age teen love story about a transgender boy who’s going stealth at his new Texas high school and a cisgender girl who is drawn to him, even as she’s counting down the days until graduation.Trade Review“A necessary read that favors compassion and understanding.” — School Library Journal (starred review) "A rom-com with heart and purpose." — Publishers Weekly "[A] compelling #OwnVoices story that is populated by sympathetic characters." — Booklist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Ebullient readers struggling with being mindful of others and true to their always-on selves should find reassurance in this friendship story." — Publishers Weekly "A satisfying picture book.” — Booklist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of the most powerful YA books of the year." — Popsugar "The story will help readers understand how multifaceted and complicated the transgender experience can be. A well-paced, unique story. — School Library Journal "McSmith’s approach to gender and dysphoria is compassionate, and the musical’s cast dynamics are well sketched; theater fans especially will find the discussion of representation on the stage compelling." — Publishers Weekly "McSmith writes with authority, insight, and empathy. [A] necessary book." — Booklist (starred review)

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Kacen Callender and Mason Deaver comes a heart-tugging coming-of-age YA debut that takes a poignant look at gender identity, sexuality, friendship, and family—both the one we’re born into and the one we find for ourselves.Seventeen-year-old Gael is used to keeping to himself.Trade Review"Sweet and powerfully compassionate, If I Can Give You That explores the power of family—the ones we choose and the ones chosen for us." — Z.R. Ellor, author of May the Best Man Win “Bulla deftly weaves joy and sorrow, sweetness and hardship in this delightful debut.” — Adi Alsaid, author of Let’s Get Lost and We Didn’t Ask for This “A deeply realized trans coming-of-age story that’s more of a glorious coming-of-self. This book takes no easy exits and provides no simple answers in exploring family, first love, and the power of self—and it soars! Debut author Michael Gray Bulla is a voice to watch." — Adam Sass, award-winning author of Surrender Your Sons and The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers "Michael Gray Bulla's If I Can Give You That offers an emotional and deeply honest depiction of queerness and mental health. At times heartwarming and at times heartbreaking, this remarkable debut novel will remind you that loving fearlessly and letting other people in is the best way to live—especially when times get tough." — Daniel Aleman, author of Indivisible Bulla handles complex topics such as consent, gender and sexuality, and mental illness with nuance, and Gael’s sensitive first-person narration believably renders his internality and gradual growth in this confidently written portrait of a young queer person finding his way. — Publishers Weekly Gael’s story feels both tender and real. It focuses on the difficulties of growing up with a parent who struggles with depression and suicidal ideation while never blaming her for the state of her mental health. It highlights the importance of community and finding the people you can rely on and also takes readers through Gael’s process of finding his voice. While there is excitement at the climax, overall, the book is quiet and thoughtful—a bit like Gael himself. A sweet and emotional story of queer adolescence. — Kirkus Reviews Bulla has written a fine, character-driven novel with strong trans representation. — Booklist

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