Format: Chapter book

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.

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.

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 . . .

Robots Stole My Mum!

Alex Kirk

Chapter book

Robots Stole My Mum is an explosive adventure right from the beginning. Everything in the seaside town of Cleeby is becoming increasingly strange and Sandy and his friend Arjan become increasingly convinced that the adults in the town are being replaced by robots. The boys need to be brave and inventive on their quest to save the day. There is tension and peril, but the book is fast-paced and funny, with humour used even in the most perilous moments. The playful typesetting and dynamic illustrations break up the text, which can be more appealing to some readers. It’s well suited to fans of Pamela Butchart’s Alien Adventures, Sam Wu, Planet Omar or Anisha Accidental Detective.

The Wild Ones

Steve Cole

Chapter book

This book is a unique take on a survivor story. It’s the story of a group of animals who are trying to find their way because a catastrophic event happens. This book follows the lives of a group of different pets that all live in a pet care centre. They are quite happy and content being looked after by a human until one day their world changes and all the humans are gone. The pets have to look after themselves in a much scarier world.

Their safe haven is then invaded by ‘The Things’. The things are starving and desperate so the pets have to run from their safe place and try to find another. They have lots of different things to overcome from betrayals to drownings as they go on their journey. Finally finding somewhere they can call home.

On this journey, the pets transform into wild animals that no longer rely on a human, but can survive on their own. With plenty of perilous moment, this book is best suited to older primary readers. It is a great story of bravery, determination and friendship, which are all brilliant themes to teach to children.

Help! Aliens Stole My Grandad

Hannah Moffatt & Rory Walker

Chapter book

HELP! ALIEN PIRATES STOLE MY GRANDAD! is an intergalactic adventure that asks a lot of BIG questions:

* Why is Harrison Brown pretending to be the Earthling Prime Minister?

* Who are the Cheddar Moon pirates and where’s their lucky parrot?

* What happens when you fire your dead grandpa’s ashes into space?

One teensy little fib plunges foolhardy ten-year-old Harrison headfirst into a daft and dangerous lunar parrot search. He’ll be plundering from pirates, wrangling space cows and even coming face-to-face with a ghost captain. But if he can’t find the pirates’ missing parrot by bedtime, he’ll be forced to walk the plank… into the BLACK HOLE.

Stone Warriors

Elizabeth Barber

Chapter book

If you’re looking for a carefully written, historical narrative based in the Stone Age, then this book would be a great choice! Stone Warriors provides a detailed and engaging insight into life in the Stone Age, with a strong focus on historical accuracy throughout. I was particularly impressed by the way the text incorporates well-researched features of Stone Age societies, such as hunting and gathering, the use of flint tools, and the development of early shelters made from natural materials like wood, stone and animal skins.

The book also highlights the importance of survival skills, including making fire, sourcing food and adapting to a harsh and changing environment. It shows how communities would have worked closely together, sharing roles and responsibilities to ensure the group’s survival. These elements are woven naturally into the narrative, helping readers to build a clear and secure understanding of how early humans lived.

What stood out most to me was the attention to everyday detail, such as how food was prepared, how tools were crafted, and how people would have moved seasonally to follow food sources. This level of detail makes the Stone Age feel more real and accessible, rather than distant or abstract.

Stone Warriors successfully balances historical detail with an engaging approach, making it both informative and enjoyable for older or more advanced primary readers who want to learn more about prehistoric life.

Wands Away: Spell Class

Emma Farrarons

Chapter book

Wands Away is a charming early chapter book series. Fans of Isadora Moon will feel right at home with this format, offering a perfectly pitched entry point for newly independent readers.

This story is one of gentle magic. The magical world here is grounded in the everyday, proving that even witches have to deal with back-to-school nerves, lost wellies and soggy school runs! Ramona and her friends are relatable characters who model positive ways to handle worries and puzzles as they learn that patience and practice are the keys to mastering any skill – magic or otherwise. Whether the group is solving scavenger hunt riddles or giving mossy trolls a clean up, the focus remains positively on finding solutions and the strength of working together as a friendship group or community.

We enjoyed the low-peril, high-optimism tone of this short chapter book, and it will prove a real asset to KS1 classrooms, primary libraries or home bookshelves catering for newly independent readers aged 5-8. Emma Farrarons’ joyful purple-and-grey illustrations keep the charm level high. The artwork is full of character, capturing stylish details like oversized glasses and jubilant facial expressions as well as the sparkling energy of the target age group.

High in fun, the plot is packed with celebratory togetherness, like fireworks, water fights and shared hot chocolate moments. With the added fun of spell badges to keep in each book, this is a positive series with high collectability potential.

The Genie Game

Jordan Ifueko

Chapter book

Set in a fantastical and dystopian future, this engaging story takes place in a world where a conglomerate called the Trio Trust monopolises business and life in America. They control food and drink, health and beauty products and all technology. Having purchased all the natural water sources in the country, they therefore provide the only beverages that people can drink. Due to gases caused by overproduction, the sky is green, and there are hurricanes of slimy ‘snot rain’; the city is now so hot that skin allergies are rife, and people stay indoors.

In this toxic environment, we meet thirteen-year-old Valentine and her driven parents: they are hard-working immigrants focused on Valentine gaining a job with the Trio Trust to ensure her future. Due to memory modification by the Trio Trust, they have forgotten the existence of Valentine’s older sister Vanessa, who appears to have disappeared.

Then a surprise delivery from Vanessa on Valentine’s birthday rekindles her memories, leading her to boba café where she is tricked into making a wish and becomes embroiled in the mysterious Genie Realm. Energy from granted wishes powers this world and can only be stored in bottle buildings like the cafe – similar to a genie’s lamp. Not only does Valentine have to work out how to locate her sister in this bizarre world, but she has to participate in their wish-granting games in order to win her freedom.

There is much throughout about the real world damage caused by mega corporations, portraying inventive environmental issues e.g. technicolour wildfires caused by trapped gases and chemical pollution, as well as monsters that feed on human life force, leaving apathy in their wake. It cleverly introduces capitalism into a strong fantasy and family story and could be set for a sequel.