Publisher: Chicken House Ltd

Aliya to the Infinite City

Chapter book

A sparkling magical debut, set in a fantastical Egypt full of flying carpets and mythical creatures!

At home in Cairo, an unexpected gift arrives for Aliya, promising to grant her greatest wish – to know more about her lost parents.

To her surprise, she’s whisked off by flying carpet to a parallel Egypt, where she’s enrolled at an academy for … time-travellers!

But while she’s there, an enemy is watching – a master of forbidden magic.

If they can unlock Aliya’s inherited talent, they can change history forever …

A stunning adventure story for readers aged 9 and up Shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2021 For fans of Nura and the Immortal Palace and The Kingdom Over the Sea ‘An epic adventure packed with richness, history and a brilliant new magical school!

Silent Night by Emma Read

Emma Read

Chapter book

On Christmas morning, Masen, his younger brother Jos and their cousin Connor wake to find the rest of their family is missing from their holiday cottage on the Gower, Wales. All that is left behind is a small, peculiar Christmas tree with a mushroom-like fungus growing on it but even that has shrivelled and turned black.

Masen, Jos and Connor set out to find out what has happened to their family and other local people, and seek shelter and safety from the winter storm that has blown over South Wales. On their travels, they meet different groups of young people and soon Masen has a difficult choice to make: head for the safety of the Friary with Jos or leave to seek help with Connor. His decision will impact them all.

A fantastically paced, thrilling story that combines the genres of horror, adventure and sci-fi that will keep you questioning who can be trusted throughout. If you are looking for a dark Christmas story with plenty of twists and turns, this fits the bill perfectly.

The Girl of Ink & Stars

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Chapter book

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped.

When her friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search. The world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland – and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fire demon is stirring from its sleep.

Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.

A beautifully written, multi award-winning story of friendship, discovery, myths and magic for any age – perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Frances Hardinge or Katherine Rundell

From the author of Julia and the Shark and The Mercies, chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club

Set in an extensive and stunningly-imagined parallel world imbued with magical realism

A gorgeous gift with intricate star-chart illustrations throughout – a present for young and old, which will stay with you long after reading

The Last Bard

Maz Evans

Chapter book

Maz Evans has crafted a story brimming with humour, heart and unforgettable characters in The Last Bard. From the very first page, readers are swept into a world where friendship and hope shine brightly, even when the odds seem stacked against them.

The premise of the story is a boy (the last living relative of William Shakespeare) with befriends a larger-than-life cast of Shakespeare characters who have jumped right out of the pages of an inherited copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare.

The main characters are wonderfully drawn; flawed, funny and full of life. Their struggles and triumphs feel real, whether it’s their witty banter, moments of vulnerability or the courage they show when faced with daunting challenges. At its core, this is a story about friendship and hope in dark times. Maz Evans balances these heartfelt themes with her signature humour and fast-paced storytelling, making the book both deeply emotional and entertaining.

Livia in Rome

Bruna De Luca

Chapter book

Could Rome be where the heart is? Sixteen-year-old Scottish–Italian Livia feels like an outsider, spending the summer in her grandmother’s bar in Rome.

Smug local boy Giulio works there too, and quickly becomes Livia’s nemesis. She is not going to be the cliché foreign girl who has a summer romance.

But as Livia navigates family drama, new-found friendships and . . . Giulio, she starts to see the city – and herself – in a new light . . .

Perfect for fans of Love and Gelato, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Anna and the French Kiss.

Think ice cream dates, gorgeous Italian boys and sightseeing on a Vespa!

Scottish Italian author, Bruna De Luca, draws on her own experiences of growing up as a third culture ‘Scotalian’ kid.

Princess BMX

Flavia Sorrentino & Marie Basting

Chapter book

Trust me, the fairy tales have it so wrong.

Dingy towers and wicked step-mums are the least of my worries: it’s the boredom that will kill me. Honestly, apart from the endless supply of cupcakes, being a princess is pretty rubbish.

I used to think about locking myself in a tower and throwing away the key. Thank the good goblin I discovered BMX. If it wasn’t for BMX, nothing would have changed …

A brilliantly funny adventure from a fantastic new voice for readers aged 7+

Follows a pampered but rebellious princess as she travels from another world, finds her true talents in BMX and brings her brand-new powers back home

For fans of Enchanted – with even more laughs!

Island of Influencers

Monique Turner

Chapter book

Funny, dramatic, sometimes dark and bang on trend, this thrilling YA novel is perfect for those who love a Black Mirror twist. Harper wants to be an influencer. Badly. She’ll do anything to be like her famous cousin, Belle.

When Belle is the latest ‘victim’ in a string of influencer kidnappings, and is put on an island for a new reality show, Harper wants in too.

It’s her chance to join the greatest talents and finally make a name for herself.

But with demeaning tasks and the constant pressure of a live audience judging their every move, it’s not long before cracks begin to appear in the influencers’ shiny veneers.

Funny, dramatic, sometimes dark and bang on trend, this is the perfect read for those who love a Black Mirror twist, and it explores the negatives and positives of internet culture.

Naeli and the Secret Song

Jasbinder Bilan

Chapter book

Naeli lives in India and one day receives an anonymous ticket to England. She feels that she must go, despite not knowing who it is from, because that’s where she believes her father is. She takes her precious violin with her and boards a ship to England where she meets Jack, who is on his way to boarding school.

Once she arrives in England, things are not quite as she expected, and several people seem very interested in her violin. Naeli decides to enlist Jack’s help to find the place where her father was last seen, as none of the adults seem willing to help her.

I really enjoyed the mystery element to this story, and not knowing what was so special about the violin. All the adults the children met along the way seemed to know more about Naeli’s father than they were letting on, so Naeli had to get creative to find out information. I also enjoyed the contrast in setting between India at the start of the book and Victorian London.

Suitable for children Y4 and up, this would make a good read aloud in the classroom. Children who are fans of mysteries, historical fiction, or adventures will enjoy this.

All the Hidden Monsters

Amie Jordan

Chapter book

A grisly murder. A detective warlock with a dangerous past. A girl out of her depth. Can they solve the case?

Sage is an ordinary girl and a werewolf, moving between worlds, desperate to make sense of her life.

When her supernatural friend, Lucy, is found murdered in the human domain, Sage is determined to be part of the investigation headed up by the attractive but arrogant warlock, Oren Rinallis.

Sage is neither magical nor immortal, but she knows right from wrong – and can scent a killer like no other . . .

The first in a stunning YA crime romantasy series – each title standalone – from an outstanding new YA talent

Think slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, twisty crime, and a supernatural detective gang in a unique urban fantasy setting under the city of Manchester

For fans of Cassandra Clare, with a touch of Rivers of London.

The Island at the End of Everything

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Chapter book

Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s The Island at the End of Everything is a lyrical and moving story that explores themes of love and courage as one girl journeys to overcome injustice and reunite with her mother.

The story immerses readers in the world of Amihan, living on the island of Culion where many of the islanders have leprosy. Ami’s love for her home is disrupted by a harsh official who forces any undiseased islanders to leave. Banished and desperate to return to her mother, Ami finds a fragile hope in a colony of butterflies.

Hargrave’s masterful storytelling, evocative writing and memorable characters bring Ami’s journey to life. The symbolic butterflies underscore the themes of hope and transformation in this beautiful tale of resilience, belonging and the enduring power of family bonds.

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Publisher: Chicken House Ltd

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