Age Group: KS3 (Ages 11-14)

Starminster

Chapter book

There is something about a girl being brought up in a rhubarb shed that is instantly interesting and captivating! We only find out why at the end, but it is so compelling and awful and yet at the same time the reader knows there must be a good reason. That is how the story starts and the contrast between the enclosed space and the wide-open spaces is very much in evidence as the story progresses.

As a Londoner I loved the London setting. This is exactly the sort of story I love, combining fantasy and real places and there is even the ubiquitous school to train the students who have magical abilities – in this case wings. The school setting (the Starminster of the title) is actually St Paul’s Cathedral, which is such a fun place for a school.

Suitable for Key Stage 2, this is a wonderful and original story which fantasy lovers (and bird lovers!) will really enjoy.

Like a Brother

Nathanael Lessore

Chapter book

From the multi-award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of Steady For This, King of Nothing, What Happens Online and Against All Odds comes a laugh-out-loud new teen comedy about a summer turned upside down!

THEY’RE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. EXCEPT IN ALL THE WAYS THAT MATTER.

Owais lives a chill life. He’s well-liked, funny and everything’s a breeze – until his estranged cousin shows up.

Loud, unpredictable and one bad decision away from serious trouble, Abass crashes into Owais’ laidback world like a hurricane: picking fights, ruining parties, disappearing without explanation and clogging toilets in places he absolutely shouldn’t.

But as the boys get to know each other and their bond deepens, Owais starts to see there’s more to Abass than the chaos – and more to himself than just being the popular guy who coasts through life. Because sometimes, the person who turns your world upside down is also the person who helps you figure out where you’re really meant to be…

Tart

Becki Jayne Crossley

Chapter book

When your world is crumbling around you, how do you make life sweet again?

Libby’s life is turned upside down when a video of her ‘cheating’ on her boyfriend, Dan, goes viral the night he has a serious bike accident. Now the whole school has turned on her and her only friend is Neha, the new girl everyone else ignores.

If Dan doesn’t wake up from his coma soon, the secret he’s been carrying around might disappear along with him. A secret that will change everything. And he’s not the only one hiding things – Neha’s been crushing on Libby for months …

But when Libby finds herself falling for Neha she worries that if she follows her heart she will betray the people she cares about most. Can she discover who she really is before she loses everyone?

A heartwarming friends-to-lovers queer romance about coming out and finding yourself along the way. Perfect for fans of She Gets the Girl and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

Gloam

Ben Joel Price & Jack Mackay

Chapter book

In a creaky old house on a small, damp island, someone – or something – is waiting…

A Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week

A grieving family. A decaying house. A babysitter with a monstrous secret. Nothing on Gloam Island is quite what it seems…

Gwen doesn’t need anyone to help her look after her younger siblings. And she isn’t fooled by the beautiful babysitter with the hungry eyes and sharp teeth. But everyone else is. So if Gwen wants Esme Laverne gone, she’ll have to handle it herself.

As Esme’s power grows, Gwen must embrace her deepest fears before she can defeat the monster in her home for good.

Because as everyone knows, it’s impossible to be brave unless you’re already afraid.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King

Harry Trevaldwyn

Chapter book

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is the hilarious YA rom-com debut from actor and comedian Harry Trevaldwyn, perfect for fans of Heartstopper.

First there was Bridget Jones. Then there was Georgia Nicolson. Now get ready to meet Patch Simmons . . .

Patch has decided that this is the year he will get a boyfriend. Fate finally intervenes when two new mysterious boys join drama club: Peter, who’s just moved from New York (very chic) and his best friend, Sam.

Patch is confident that one of them will be his first boyfriend. So, armed with his over-supportive best friend Jean and an alarming level of self-confidence, Patch sets out to make his mission a success. Whether or not they actually like boys or him is a problem for later.

Life (As We Know It)

Ziggy Hanaor

Non-fiction, Picturebook

A dizzying ride through 4.6 billion years of life on Planet Earth.

Once upon a time, before time even existed, all matter in the universe was concentrated in a single point a fraction of the size of an atom. And then? And then it exploded.

This is a celebration of the origins of our planet and the life that inhabits it. With lyrical text and sumptuous illustration, this book takes readers on an extraordinary evolutionary journey; from the emergence of photosynthesising single-celled organisms to the blobby sea creatures that gradually morphed into fish and then tetrapods, reptiles, dinosaurs and finally to mammals.

We tell stories of apples and snakes, of gods and monsters. But the creation story told by science is more perplexing and incredible than any we could ever make up.

Written by award-winning writer, Ziggy Hanaor, and gorgeously brought to life by Cristóbal Schmal, this striking book is both emotive and educational.

Augmented

Kenechi Udogu

Chapter book

In a future where humans are enhanced to ensure the survival of society Akaego fights to prevent her power to grow plants from being weaponised by a corrupt regime.

I was going to be a Mechsim. I was going to use my powers to make a difference.

In a near future London, where extreme weather has depleted plant life, sixteen-year-olds must surgically augment an ability to contribute to the new utopian society. Akaego moves to a prestigious academy after the late discovery of her rare ability – she can project a vocal frequency that accelerates plant growth.

As Akaego learns to use her new skill and is chosen for an internship with the mayor she begins to feel like she can change society for the better . . . and it doesn’t hurt that the mayor’s gorgeous son, Joon, seems to be flirting with her. But then the Freestakers, an anti-enhancement group, warn Akaego not to get Augmented.

Can she discover the truth of her ability, find the courage to rebel and keep her power out of the hands of those wishing to control it?

The Shell Keepers

Truly Johnston

Chapter book

An enchanting and sunny seaside adventure – a perfect gift for children aged 7 and up!

When Corrine picks up a shell on the beach, she doesn’t expect to see a tiny girl inside it.

Kauri lives below the sand and sea, travelling with her family on the tides.

But now their miniature world is in danger, and they need a shell keeper to keep them safe …

A cosy middle-grade debut from Truly Johnston, winner of the Bath Children’s Novel Award 2022.

A heart-warming tale about a family of miniature people cast adrift in the human world.

Shades of The Borrowers in a coastal seaside setting.

Themes of belonging, identity, environment and activism, wrapped up in a sunny adventure and treasure hunt.

Press Start to Play

Sam Gayton

Poetry

Designed to look a bit like a video game controller (which way up would you hold it?!), Press Start to Play is a poetry collection that offers a way to capture children’s interest in gaming. The book itself is there to be played with, with its fun interactive flick-book feature.

This playful collection gamifies poetry by hooking young players with zappy rhymes, puzzling riddles and gaming-themed wordplay that will appeal to fans of everything from video games like Minecraft to boardgames like Monopoly and outdoor games like playground football matches.

It’s not all high-energy though. Sam Gayton weaves in quieter, reflective verses that add depth. Complete with prompts to get children writing their own verses, this is a fantastic and high-interest choice for Key Stage 2.

Wildheart

Bec Manser

Chapter book

Frozen meets Greenwild in this incredible debut, full of wild magic, spooky ghouls and adventure.

The children of Twigswick are taught three things:

Never stray past the rune posts at the edge of town
Run home as fast as you can when the warning bell chimes
Spirits are very real and very dangerous

Nettle Sourbud lives in the shadow of her older sister, Fern; fearless, tough and confident, Fern is everything Nettle is not.

So, when Fern runs off to join the Wildheart Rangers – the protectors of towns from the spirits and ghouls of Dryda Forest – Nettle thinks she’s lost her sister forever, as she’ll never be brave enough to follow her into the enchanted woods.

Then news reaches Twigswick that Fern has abandoned the Rangers to join the infamous Shadow Stalkers and Nettle knows something isn’t right. Fearing her sister is in danger, she ventures into the forest to find the truth . . .

Joining the Rangers, Nettle realises she’ll have to face her fears and defeat the Hollow Spirits who haunt the forest if she wants to rescue Fern. But soon Nettle starts to wonder if her sister needs saving at all, or Fern is the one who must be stopped . . .