Age Group: KS3 (Ages 11-14)

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King

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 . . .

Jed Greenleaf

David Wyatt & Kieran Larwood

Chapter book

Skin of bark, soul of a hero . . . an astonishing adventure from the bestselling author of The World of Podkin One-Ear.

Albion city is governed by a puppet queen, secretly controlled by Lord Cromwell, and strange magic is afoot as six Guilds all compete to rule it. Although the Leaf Guild is the weakest, no one has reckoned with newcomer Jed Greenleaf’s extraordinary ability to transform into a half-tree, covered over with bark . . . he just needs to learn how to harness that power.

Could he be the hero that the Guild needs to win at the Punchbowl tournament? It just might be that this year Jed can turn over a new leaf in the history books, and bring glory to the decaying Guild and peace to Albion . . .

Beautifully illustrated with full page artwork by leading fantasy illustrator David Wyatt.

Wild Horse Summer

Lauren St John

Chapter book

Deeply romantic, compulsive and edge-of-your-seat exciting: for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and The One Dollar Horse.

When American teenager, Morgan Taylor, arrives to spend the summer with her British cousins, all anyone knows is that an accident has left her scarred inside and out. But Morgan is hiding a secret she’ll do anything to keep.

Then the town’s hottest surfer, Cal Heyward, saves her life and suddenly the truth about her past feels harder than ever to hide.

To escape, Morgan takes a job at a stableyard, hoping that horses will heal her as they’ve done so often before. But everything changes when she’s asked to help Night Dancer, a horse with his own dark history…

The perfect clean teen novel! Bursting with romance, adventure, mystery – and horses – it’s an explosive, unputdownable read.

The Great Bear Breakout

Catherine Randall

Chapter book

London, 1855.

Twelve-year-old Rosa doesn’t want to leave her widowed father and when he reluctantly sends her to live with her wealthy relatives across the river, she feels more alone than ever.

She soon discovers the Surrey Zoological Gardens, where she befriends Jem, a young bearkeeper. When Rosa learns the animals are to be sold, and the bears may be killed, she joins forces with Jem, vowing to save them.

A travelling menagerie seems like the perfect solution, until Rosa encounters the villainous Mr Murdlock and uncovers the bears’ true, dreadful fate.

With Jem threatened into silence, and no adult she can trust, Rosa realises the only way to protect the animals is to take matters into her own hands.

Together, can Rosa and Jem outwit the dangerous Mr Murdlock and rescue the bears before it’s too late?

Bim Blake’s Hot Takes: My Pencil Case Doesn’t Define Me

Ariyana Taylor & Tolá Okogwu

Chapter book

Bim Blake’s Hot Takes: My Pencil Case Doesn’t Define Me is a funny, relatable and engaging read that would appeal strongly to upper KS2 and KS3 readers.

Through Bim’s witty ‘hot takes’ on school life, friendships and fitting in, the book explores important themes of identity, self-esteem and peer pressure in a way that feels authentic and accessible.

The humorous narrative voice is one of the book’s biggest strengths. Alongside the comedy, there are thoughtful moments that encourage readers to reflect on confidence, belonging and being comfortable with who they are. Other themes include bereavement, puberty and peer pressure and fitting in. All these themes are handled in a gentle, accessible and often humorous way, making the book suitable for upper KS2 readers. In fact, they provide useful opportunities for PSHE discussions around confidence, kindness and accepting differences.

This book would work well in classroom libraries, as an independent read or PSHE discussions around friendships and self-image. Its mix of humour, honesty and relatable experiences makes it a highly enjoyable and meaningful read for those transitioning to secondary school.

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