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Age Group: KS2

Chapter book

Alyssa must save the magical spell garden with her new unreliable powers.

When 11-year-old Alyssa is forced to spend the summer holiday with her mum’s family, who she’s never met before, her latent magical powers explode into life. Her great aunt runs a secret magic school in her spell garden where local kids can hone their power. The garden grows magical spell ingredients that have protected their family and the wider neighbourhood for decades – ever since they arrived from Jamaica with their mother Effie in the 1960s. But something is going wrong and the magic is running out! Can Alyssa use her new, unpredictable magic to set things right?

A contemporary fantasy set in a small community in North London facing eviction and gentrification with a magical garden at the centre of it. Stunningly illustrated by Bex Glendining.

Chapter book

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot – and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission in this first book in the NYT’s bestselling series. After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous.

Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement.

Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.

Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Full-colour illustrated stories for readers at all ages and all abilities.

Graphic Novel

Enter the rich and fantastical world of Rema in the first instalment of this middle-grade graphic novel series with sweeping adventure and light romance! Tabby Simon is determined to learn what happened to her father, who was found dead after researching a tree that leaks a mysterious mist in her neighbourhood.

She is unexpectedly led to Rema, a distant world of magic and beauty that is periodically invaded by a nearby planet desperate for resources.

While Tabby searches for the truth surrounding her father’s death, she meets a handsome blue-haired boy named Philip. He has his own dangerous secrets, but he has promised to help Tabby get home.

As Tabby learns more about this strange world, she discovers that she is destined for something far greater than she ever could have imagined.

The first graphic novel in a fast-paced, highly imaginative fantasy series.

Includes a big journey, a touch of romance and an undertone of thriller.

Perfect for fans of Kazu Kibuishi, Tui T. Sutherland and Molly Knox Ostertag.

Non-fiction

Uncover History and find out about the Mayan civilisation with this fun and humorous guide.

Who were the Mayans? Read about their daily lives, what jobs they did and why they built pyramids. Find out about their gods, why they stargazed and what happened to their civilisation. Find out the answer to questions such as ‘who ruled the Maya?’, ‘what was Mayan writing like?’ and ‘what art did the Maya make?’

Using fun, humorous illustrations, this book tells the story of Mayan people, from farmers to leaders.

Ideally suited for readers age 8+.

Read the other titles in the series: Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, the Vikings, the Stone, Bronze and Iron Age, and the Shang Dynasty.

Chapter book

Welcome to Shadowhall Academy, where spirits haunt the school halls. A brilliantly spooky new series from the author of Aveline Jones.

I heard a tapping noise, right by my head. Like there was someone in the wall trying to get my attention…

When Lilian Jones starts at creepy, cold and bewilderingly large Shadowhall Academy, she’s nervous about making friends. And when her roommates tell her the school is haunted, she thinks they’re just trying to scare the new girl.

But then bizarre things start happening – tapping and whispers in the walls at night, tales of missing students and strange figures in the woods.

Lilian discovers that not only are the school ghost stories true, but her new friends could be in danger. So she sets out to uncover the secrets of Shadowhall Academy, whatever it takes.

Non-fiction

This richly illustrated collection presents the extraordinary life stories of fourteen bright stars from Black British history – from Tudor England to modern Britain – and charts their ongoing influence.

This important and timely book delves into the life stories of important figures – including Tudor trumpeter John Blanke, storytelling freedom fighter Mary Prince, and Notting Hill Carnival founder Claudia Jones – many of whom are only just beginning to get the recognition that they deserve.

Brought to life through hand-painted illustrations by award-winning illustrator Angela Vives, Bright Stars of Black British History shines a light on the courage, resilience and talent of remarkable individuals who have left a lasting mark on our collective history.

Picturebook

A gorgeous picture book to introduce children to Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr written by acclaimed children’s author Sufiya Ahmed with beautiful, colourful illustrations by Hazem Asif.

Eid al-Fitr is Aisha’s favourite festival and this year her family have promised her and her brother an epic treasure hunt to find their gifts. But between all the chaos and celebrations, will Aisha ever get her presents? From breaking fast to going to the mosque, painting your hands with henna to sharing tasty treats, Aisha’s story is the ideal introduction to explore the story of Eid with your children, family or pupils and would make a beautiful gift for Eid.

Featuring gorgeous colour illustrations, a non-fiction section with Eid facts, a glossary of key vocabulary, and an accessible story, this stunning picture book is a must have for every child’s bookshelf.

Picturebook

Join Raya and her mama and aba as they enjoy iftar, bake Ramadan cookies, do good deeds around their community and visit the mosque.

Raya is celebrating Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr with her family and inviting you along to learn more! It’s a time full of fun activities and celebrations, and a great opportunity to get closer to Allah.

Learn about this special time as Raya makes Ramadan mubarak cards for her friends and has her hands decorated with henna!

And when the month of Ramadan is over, Raya, her mama and aba, aunts, uncles and cousins have a magical Eid celebration, playing games, opening presents and eating delicious food.

This bright and engaging picture book is the perfect way to introduce little ones to Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Author Sara Khan brings the celebrations to life, drawing on her own experiences with her daughter, also named Raya! This book also offers fun activities that parents and children can do together in the lead-up to the celebration, such as making a pop-up card and cookies. A fun fact file and colourful quiz follow the story, giving kids the opportunity to learn more about Allah, worship and the lunar calendar.

Part of the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family’s celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious festivals around the world.

Chapter book

A fresh, funny story about white lies, brutal honesty and a bangle with special powers, from award-winning journalist and author Radhika Sanghani.

Priya Shah lies. A lot. She pretends everything in her life is perfect, so she doesn’t disappoint anyone.

But when she puts on a bangle left to her by her Ba – the one person she was always honest with – she finds herself unable to tell a lie.

Priya is mortified. She tells her dad she hates his cooking, she tells Dan Zhang about her huge crush on him, she shares her best friends’ secrets at school. She can’t get the bangle off, and she can’t stop the truths pouring out of her.

As more things go wrong, and Priya’s truth-telling spirals out of control, can Priya learn to be honest without hurting the people she loves?

Non-fiction

A stunningly illustrated tribute to all things aeroplane, Aviation celebrates the ingenuity of aeroplanes, biplanes, monoplanes and helicopters past, present and future.

From the first hot air balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers, through to the the legendary Wright Flyer and the revolutionary Concorde, this beautifully illustrated book by the award-winning artist Dieter Braun is the perfect gift for lovers of all things plane.

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