Best Books This Month – June 2026

Following on from The Children of Castle Rock, and yet easy to read as a standalone, Natasha Farrant revisits Stormy Loch Academy in this new adventure following three more adventurous, determined and sometimes damaged children.

Farrant isn’t afraid to address the relationship between adults and children in her novels, and this is no different. Although there are hints of the children’s friendships, it is really the fragmentation of families, and the misbehaviour of adults that garners the most attention and is deservedly punished, as children once again come out as righteous and brave, seeking justice and truth. Minna, Kass and Tom all have their different family reasons for staying on at Stormy Loch in the school holidays, but when they stumble across teenager Addie hiding out in a nearby valley, their holiday adventures really begin. Why has the teen run away, and what is she trying to draw attention to?

With music and dogs playing their part, and the wildness of Scotland contrasting with the bustle of London, Farrant has written another gripping adventure, with lovely allusions to her previous books’ characters, but also a cast of highly authentic and loveable new characters, from headstrong Minna to doubt-ridden Tom. Children will relish the escapades and freedom, as well as understanding the backgrounds of each character and the motivations for why they act as they do. References to coercive control and abuse resonate but are never too graphic. A fantastic modern quest to discover and reveal the truth.

I found Mitch Johnson’s first novel for teens, ‘Kick’, impossible to put down, and with ‘Strike’ he’s done it again! ‘Strike’ is a follow on from ‘Kick’ but can equally be read as a stand-alone story.

Challenging, gripping, and perfectly pitched for boys who love football, this book should be on every secondary school library bookshelf! Relatable characters, best friends Owen and Teddy are scouted for the local club and join the football academy. Owen’s dedicated single parent Dad buys Owen a pair of new boots to mark the occasion, but what Owen finds hidden inside one of his boots sends him spinning and turns his football crazy world upside down: a note from a factory worker reading ‘PLEASE HELP US’.

Owen has a choice to make – will he keep his head down and pursue his dreams, or will he speak out and risk losing everything he has longed for?

Mitch Johnson puts the question of integrity and the plight of modern slaves front and centre in this brilliant book that never feels preachy and just draws the reader in.

Tiger’s Don’t Eat Jelly! is a wonderful expression of individuality and curiosity. Tiger loves to eat jelly but is curious to know what else she might enjoy. She goes on an adventure meeting lots of different animals and trying their favourite foods. From burrito loving flamingos and frogs to a bear that loves sushi, Tiger tries them all.

The book demonstrates friendship, open-mindedness and challenges stereotypes in an age appropriate way. The story uses repetitive phrases and colourful illustrations to engage readers along the way.

In a world where children are increasingly exposed to worries about the future (from climate change to endangered animals and deforestation) it’s no surprise that many young people are beginning to experience what Chris Packham calls ‘eco‑anxiety’. While the challenges facing our planet can feel overwhelming, ‘Nature Is the Answer’ offers its readers reassurance, hope and practical tools to help children navigate their worries.

This book brings together short stories, real‑life anecdotes and fascinating facts to inspire and uplift its readers. Chris Packham blends activities, scientific insights and powerful examples from around the world to show children that their concerns can be transformed into positive action. The book teaches strategies to help young people manage their feelings and channel them into something constructive.

The book is filled with engaging illustrations, simple toolkits and bite‑sized sections that make it easy to dip into little and often. It’s exactly the kind of gentle positivity so many young people need in today’s fast‑changing world. This is a perfect read for any child who cares about the planet and has worries about its future.

Alfie Piper has six weeks of summer ahead, but since his mum died, his world has unravelled. The silence between him and his increasingly estranged stepdad sits heavy, so he does the only thing that makes sense – he grabs his bike and rides around on the seven hills of Sheffield, alone. His friends struggle to bridge the chasm created by his experience of grief, and while his Dad does his best to hold things together, the days feel lonely. In these long summer days, Alfie has to figure out if he can rebuild what has been broken, as a raw and emotive journey sits ahead of him.

The talented duo of Matt Goodfellow and Joe Todd-Stanton are back, this time exploring a boy’s grief and his journey to rebuild his world after life-changing bereavement. Many readers will have adored The Final Year and The First Year, which have become seminal transition texts and brought verse novels beautifully into the spotlight they deserve.  Six Weeks is a standalone story written in the same emotion-packed verse novel style that will meet readers’ now high expectations.

Matt is an exceptional storyteller, and his use of verse is incredibly effective at conveying Alfie’s internal world. Joe’s illustrations are equally powerful. The backdrop of the Peaks – with places like Castleton and, fittingly, Hope, providing space for Alfie to process his journey –  serves as a suitable reminder of the undulating reality of Alfie’s emotional landscape.

The relationship between Alfie and his stepdad is handled with great sensitivity, as layer by layer they shed the complexities of their past to unite toward a brighter future, without ever glibly smoothing over the jagged edges of their relationship. Raw but entirely hopeful, Six Weeks is a must-read for Upper KS2 and KS3.