Format: Chapter book

Goal Squad: Win the Cup!

Chapter book

Football stories are a massive hit in schools, often acting as a bridge into reading for children who prefer the pitch to the library or a deep dive into their favourite hobby for those who already love to read. Goal Squad: Win the Cup, written by football fanatic and sports journalist Scott Allen, is an excellent way into the genre, packing the drama of a real match into an accessible, fast-paced read.

Leo has the skills to reach the Premier League, but an injury sidelines him just as the season kicks off. He’s forced to watch from the bench while his rival Olli (a ball-hogging glory-hunter) takes his spot and puts the team’s future at risk. With relegation looming and only three games left, it’s a race against time for Leo to get fit and save the squad.

A gentle, football-themed short chapter book exploring teamwork, sportsmanship and perseverance.

Isadora Moon Has a Birthday

Harriet Muncaster

Chapter book

This is part of a highly recommended early chapter book series responsible for turning many young children into independent readers.

Isadora Moon celebrates ten years of magic in this special anniversary edition with a shiny cover and celebratory sprayed edges. In this story, everyone’s favourite half-vampire, half-fairy attempts to host a human birthday party.

This series is a perfect pick for KS1 children moving onto their first chapter books, using the iconic pink-and-black illustrations to support newly independent readers. This edition also features a bonus story told by Pink Rabbit, giving fans a rare chance to hear from Isadora’s usually silent best friend! A lovely, positive story that encourages children to be happy in who they are.

Marv and the Funfair Fright

Alex Falase-Koya & Paula Bowles

Chapter book

We highly recommend the Marv series, about an ordinary boy who finds that his superhero skills are very much in need! This is a short, illustrated chapter book with a cool, male protagonist and a spirit of action-adventure.

The story starts with Marvin as an ordinary school boy. When he finds a superhero suit in the attic, he transforms and he must put his powers to the test to stop a villain from causing chaos and destruction (via zombies and giant toy pandas) at the funfair.

This early, colour-illustrated chapter book series is suitable for first chapter books to read together or as an independent read for children in the stages of advancing onto chapter books by themselves.

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.

Love on Sight

Asli Jensen

Chapter book

A universal story that will resonate far and wide, Love on Sight captures the heat and hope of the city, and the magic of falling in love for the first time…

Sabrina has her life planned out – she’s going to pass her A levels and go to university. But then she meets Jalaal, a boy trapped on the wrong path, desperate for a way out.

An English Jamaican girl and a Somali Muslim boy being together isn’t straightforward, with cultural expectations, disapproving family and religious differences to overcome.

But is that the struggle you face when you fall in love on sight?

The outstanding debut novel from the Lime New Storyteller 2023 award winner, Asli Jensen.
An uplifting contemporary YA romance, which draws on the author’s experience of growing up in inner-city London.
A modern dual narrative Romeo-and-Juliet story, perfect for fans of Danielle Jawando and Candice Carty-Williams.
Explores themes of family, culture, friendship, redemption, class, faith and different forms of love in a fresh and authentic style, which will resonate universally.

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.

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.

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.