Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

The Boy Next Door

Chapter book

The new novel by Carnegie Medal nominated author Jenny Ireland. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Jennifer Niven.

Now she wasn’t Molly Cassidy, St Anne’s pain-in-the-hole princess. She was nine-year-old Molly who was my best friend in the whole world. Nobody had put her in the recovery position. All these people and they’d just left her like that . . . I held her hand until the ambulance came.
Finbar and Molly live next door to each other. When they were children, they spent hours and hours together. They were best friends. Until they weren’t.

Now 18, Fin and Molly move in very different circles. Molly is popular, pretty, dating the most handsome boy in the whole school. Fin has one friend and he’s pretty sure he hates his dad and his little sister.

At a party one night, though, they’re pulled together in a way neither of them expects and then follows a year that will see them experiencing life-changing challenges, friendships, love and everything in between.

The Bubble Wrap Boy

Phil Earle

Chapter book

‘The Bubble Wrap Boy’ is a coming-of-age novel which will make you howl with laughter and cry with heartache. Phil Earl tells the story of a teenage boy Charlie, who feels lost and isolated, until he finds his passion: skateboarding. The only issue is his overprotective mother, who will do everything in her power to ruin his fun and consequently, all chances of being popular at school. Interweaved within hilarious plot twists and teenage angst, is a powerful message of friendship, loyalty and resilience.

The story is told with utter brilliance as Earl manages to capture the point of view of a misunderstood young boy, who shows that anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it. This novel is undoubtedly a modern classic, which conveys some important messages for young people today.

How To Be Disabled and Proud: (or at least kinda sorta okay with it…)

Cathy Reay

Non-fiction

A warm, funny and empowering guide to what you can expect growing up disabled, written by disabled journalist and mum Cathy Reay.

Have you ever felt like you don’t fit in anywhere?

Or like no-one understands what it feels like to be you?

Maybe you feel like you’re the only person in the world who looks, moves or thinks like you do.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you are not alone, and you belong in the world exactly as you are.

In this honest, funny, empowering guide, Cathy Reay draws on her own experiences of growing up disabled to encourage young readers to embrace (or at least, feel kinda sorta OK with) their disabled identity.

This book will guide disabled readers through navigating the move from primary to secondary school, voicing their accessibility needs, finding disabled community and gaining the confidence to stand up for their rights, and for others too. Cathy examines the challenges faced by disabled children, touching gently on issues such as bullying and discrimination, and what to do when people just don’t get it, with comforting and practical advice to help readers through tough times.

How To Be Disabled and Proud empowers disabled readers to value and appreciate themselves for who they are, exactly as they are, and acts as a powerful call to action for both disabled and non-disabled children to advocate for a more accessible, more understanding world.

Featuring interviews from a wide range of disabled changemakers and friends, including Ellie Simmonds, Jameisha Prescod, Nina Tame, Dr Shani Dhanda, Ellie Middleton, Elle McNicoll, Simon Wheatcroft and even a couple of disabled kids.

This is the essential guide to growing up disabled, perfect for children aged 9+ to read together with their families.

Ibraheem’s Perfect Eid

Farhana Islam & Nabila Adani

Picturebook

When Eid arrives, so do the decorations, the games, the family, the food and the fun! But where are the presents? Ibraheem can think of nothing but presents! He loves Eid and he loves presents. But despite his searches, there are none to be found. He eats, joins in with the fun and games and visits the mosque. But there are still no presents.

Ibraheem asks his dad to help him find the presents, but instead, he talks him through his day. Then as Ibraheem remembers all the special things he’s done, he realises that the greatest gift of Eid is time, love and togetherness, through his family, his culture and his community.

This is a beautifully illustrated picturebook, ideal for sharing with friends, family or classmates. Full of warmth, celebration and family – and a reminder that although presents are great, love is better! This is a great book for primary teachers to share with a class of children. There are so many opportunities to talk, share personal stories of celebrations and allow children to shine within their own culture.

Part of a Story That Started Before Me

George the Poet

Poetry, Verse novel

Part of a Story That Started Before Me is an extraordinary new collection of poems chosen by acclaimed spoken-word performer and social commentator George the Poet.

Taking readers on a thought-provoking poetical journey through Black British history, the anthology brings together some of the most exciting wordsmiths from across the diaspora and fascinating era-by-era notes from historian Dr Christienna Fryar.

From Africans in Roman Britannia to the first Black actor to play Othello on stage, from Malcolm X’s visit to the West Midlands to highlighting an organizer of the UK’s first Gay Pride, this important collection reveals unsung people and events from our past to recognize the intrinsic impact they’ve had on Britain today.

Featuring: Abi Simms, Adesayo Talabi, AFLO. the poet, Amina Jama, Anu Balofin, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Becksy Becks, Benjamin Zephaniah, Bridget Minamore, Cara Thompson, Casey Bailey, Deanna Rodger, Derek Walcott, Dorothea Smartt, Dzifa Benson, Edward Kamau Brathwaite, Eno Mfon, Evan the Poet, Fred D’Aguiar, FULAANI onda 3s, George The Poet, Grace Nichols, Henry Stone, Highwater Ell aka Elliott Henry, Ife Grillo, Inua Ellams, Irenosen Okojie, Isaiah Hull, Jade LB, Jeffrey Boakye, Jenny Mitchell, Jeremiah Brown, John Agard, Joseph Coelho, Jude Yawson, Kat Francois, Keith Jarrett, Kelechi Okafor, M. NourbeSe Philip, Malika Booker, Michael Groce, Miles Chambers, Muneera Pilgrim, Nick Makoha, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Nile Faure-Bryan, Olaudah Equiano, Olivette Otele, Patience Agbabi, Peter deGraft-Johnson aka The Repeat Beat Poet, Phillis Wheatley, Priss Nash, Rakaya Fetuga, Raymond Antrobus, Reece Williams, Safiya Kamaria Kinshasha, Samuel King, Sophia Thakur, Stretch the Top Boy, Thembe Mvula, Theresa Lola, Tré Ventour, Vanessa Kisuule, Wretch 32 and Zena Edwards.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (Puffin)

Arthur Conan Doyle

Chapter book

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation – including this thrilling edition of The Hound of the Baskervilles

When Sir Charles Baskerville is found mysteriously dead in the grounds of Baskerville Hall, everyone remembers the legend of the monstrous creature that haunts the moor. The great detective Sherlock Holmes knows that there must be a more rational explanation, but the difficulty is to find it before the hellhound finds him.

The Other Side of Truth

Beverley Naidoo

Chapter book

The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo is a powerful, emotionally charged novel that remains as relevant today as when it won the Carnegie Medal in 2000.

Set in the politically turbulent landscape of 1990s Nigeria, and later in London, it tells the harrowing story of 12-year-old Sade and her younger brother Femi, who are forced to flee their home after their mother is killed in an assassination attempt meant for their father—a political journalist targeted for speaking out against the Nigerian military regime.

Their journey to England, smuggled into the country under false identities, is anything but a rescue mission. Abandoned in London and left to navigate a foreign legal system and an often hostile environment, Sade and Femi’s experience reveals the stark and complex realities of life as refugees. Naidoo explores with deep compassion the trauma of displacement, the fear of the unknown, and the desperate hope of reunion and safety.

Seen through Sade’s eyes, the novel deftly portrays the emotional toll of being labelled ‘illegal’, the cruelty of bullying, and the injustice of a system that fails to protect the most vulnerable. Naidoo avoids romanticising the children’s ordeal or portraying England as a safe haven; instead, she presents a nuanced, often uncomfortable truth. Yet, amid the darkness, there is resilience, love, and the quiet courage of children who fight to keep their family and identity intact.

Drawing inspiration from real-world events, such as the execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, Naidoo’s storytelling is grounded, honest and deeply human. It’s a book that confronts tough issues—freedom of speech, political persecution, and racism—while never losing sight of the emotional core: the bond between siblings and their unwavering longing for home.

An essential read for ages 12+, this novel belongs in every school library.

Wild East

Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Poetry, Verse novel

Written in verse. Ronny moves out of London after his friend is attacked, but he struggles to fit into his new town until he discovers spoken word.

Powerful, empathetic, raw, inspiring and creative!

Flower Block

Hoang Giang & Lanisha Butterfield

Picturebook

When Jeremiah plants a packet of sunflower seeds, the very last thing he expects is for the vines and leaves to grow overnight and burst through the ceiling of his apartment!

As Jeremiah and his brother chase the magical plant up through the floors of their tower block home, they discover an array of curious neighbours who join in the adventure. But what could be waiting for them at the top of the building? And will Jeremiah find his voice to help the neighbours discover the true magic hidden within these sunflower seeds?

A glorious celebration of the power of nature to bring communities together, from talented debut author Lanisha Butterfield and illustrator Hoang Giang.

Into the Spotlight

Carrie Hope Fletcher & Kiersten Eagan

Chapter book

I love reading books that connect to other books: prequels, sequels, spin offs etc; In this book, the Pebble children, Mabel, Morris and Marigold have lived their whole lives in the Pebble Theatre. But times are hard, and the theatre is threatened with closure, and so the three decide they will do whatever it takes to save it. When they discover a secret from the past that is connected to the Fossil sisters (the very same sisters that featured in Ballet Shoes) they are inspired to rescue their theatre in a very special way.

You, the reader, are in good hands: the author, Carrie Hope Fletcher is an actress who has starred in several West End shows!

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