Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

Mondays Are Murder

Chapter book

From the bestselling author of This Book Kills comes a deadly new YA thriller of murder, mystery and mind-blowing twists. Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus.

Seventeen-year-old Kay left her sleepy hometown after the devastating death of her friend, Ivy. But when Kay is forced to come back, she receives an anonymous letter that turns her life upside down.

The letter tells her that there will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday – and her murder on Monday.

And if Kay can’t figure out who is behind the threats, the worst day of the week is about to get deadly…

The Summer My Wishes Came True

Radhika Sanghani

Chapter book

When everything she wishes for starts coming true, Ayesha discovers what will really make her happy. A book about tween friendships, with a sprinkling of magic, from award-winning journalist and author Radhika Sanghani. Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries.

Ayesha can’t wait for summer camp, it’s going to be the best two weeks ever with her best friend Nikki. But Nikki’s changed over the summer and things don’t feel the same between them. When Ayesha overhears Nikki telling their roommates she’s immature, Ayesha is embarrassed and wishes her life could be different.

The next day Ayesha realizes everything she wishes for is coming true. Lie-in in the morning? Tick! Pizza for lunch? Tick! Nikki to be her best friend? Tick! Suddenly Nikki’s hanging out with her again, and then Ayesha wishes for Nikki to get a part in the camp’s musical, and now she’s playing the lead role.

But their friendship still isn’t the same. Ayesha thinks she needs a part in the musical too, so she makes another wish, even if her actions have taken a role in the musical from someone else who would really love it. She’s got everything she’s ever wished for, but will her wishes really make her happy? This summer isn’t turning out to be everything she hoped for…

Football Skills

Fran Bueno & Usborne

Non-fiction

This must-have manual, written in collaboration with professional footballers, covers the main skills every player needs. It combines photographs, illustrations and instructions in a clear, concise and highly-visual format. Football fans can learn everything from perfecting their first touch to scoring the winning goal – with plenty of freestyling along the way. Difficulty ratings, top tips and a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion make this book the perfect way for everyone to enjoy the beautiful game.

World Kitchen: Celebrations

Abigail Wheatley & Chaaya Prabhat

Non-fiction

Join families from all corners of the globe as they share their much-loved recipes for special occasions and festivals. Whether they’re for Ramadan or Passover, for a national day, a birthday or just a big family get-together, all the recipes are simple, heartfelt and delicious. The families, and the simple, step-by-step instructions, are illustrated in a bold, graphic-novel style. From Nigerian party rice to U.S. Halloween cookies, each recipe brings authentic international cuisines, traditions and stories to your table. Also featuring fascinating facts about regional festive traditions and ingredients.

All the recipes are vegetarian, and instructions are also included to make them vegan, nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free and gluten-free – or any combination of these.

Celebrations featured include:
St David’s Day (Wales); Halloween (USA); birthday (Italy); Passover (Jewish diaspora); Twelfth Night (France); family time (Sudan); Girls’ Day (Japan); Barbados Day (Barbados); Christmas Eve (Germany); Day of the Dead (Mexico); Palm Sunday (Spain); Lunar New Year (South Korea); ANZAC Day (New Zealand); pool party (Brazil); Rice Festival (Indonesia); Shrovetide (Finland); Thanksgiving (Canada); Ramadan (Bangladesh); wedding (Guyana); party (Nigeria); New Year (Bulgaria)

Shadow Chaser

Simon Tudhope & Tom Knight

Chapter book

This magically illustrated gamebook plunges you into a story with a difference – one where the hero is YOU. Woken one night by a bang at the door, you creep to the window and see five hooded strangers below. The leader looks up and beckons you down. What do you do? Open the door, play for time, or escape through the window out back? The choice is yours…

From this point onwards you are in control of an epic adventure, and your survival depends upon the decisions you make. Who to fight? Who to trust? In a book where nothing is as it seems, even the pictures hold secrets that must be unlocked. But as you race across land, sea and sky, one thing becomes clear: it’s not just your fate that hangs in the balance – it’s the fate of the entire kingdom.

Bringing together a sweeping story, beautifully illustrated picture puzzles and an exciting combat system (with a link to an online dice-roller), this is an adventure that will have you gripped from beginning to end.

Cinnamon Crumb, Baking Detective: The Great Cake Caper

Harry Woodgate

Chapter book

Cinnamon Crumb: The Baking Detective is a delightful and engaging read that’s hard to put down. From the first chapter, the story pulls you in with its charming mystery and wonderfully creative world. The pacing of the book is excellent, with short chapters that make it incredibly easy to keep reading “just one more.”

What really makes this story unique is the author’s imaginative baking theme woven throughout every detail. From the names of the characters to the streets and locations, everything has a fun, baking-inspired twist. This adds a layer of creativity and humour that makes the world feel original and memorable.

Cinnamon Crumb: The Baking Detective is a fantastic book full of charm, creativity and intrigue. With its engaging storyline, brilliant illustrations and clever touches, it’s a truly enjoyable read that leaves you wanting more.

See Inside AI

Alex Frith & Beatrix Hatcher & Victoria Williams

Non-fiction

Plug in to the often mind-blowing world of artificial intelligence.
How can a machine write a story? Are computers now cleverer than people? Could a robot do your shopping? Discover all the things that artificial intelligence can already do (and the things it can’t).

– Packed full of flaps to lift
– Explores the opportunities – and risks – that AI could bring
– Written in consultation with Professor Michael Wooldridge, from Oxford University’s Department of Computer Science
– Part of Usborne’s See Inside Series which contains over 50 books, covering everything from space to Ancient Greece, the human body and evolution

Chapters in this book include:
– What is Artificial Intelligence?
– AI all around
– How does AI work?
– Talking computers
– Can computers make art?
– Rise of the robots
– Possible futures
– A brief history of AI

Fake News And How To Spot It

Alex Frith & Holly Bathie & Jack Brougham & Laura Wood

Non-fiction

Learn how to spot scams and misinformation with this fun, comprehensive guide.

Packed with entertaining illustrations alongside practical information, Fake News and How to Spot it helps identify many pitfalls of everyday and online life – from scams and advertising tricks, to one-sided information and image manipulation. A must-have tool to help make wise choices and navigate a fast-changing world safely and confidently.

– Broad coverage of a range of topical issues, including doctored photos and videos, influencing with statistics, biased news articles and sophisticated scams.
– A reassuring book for parents, aimed at empowering young people to evaluate information objectively before they act or share online.
– Ideal for adults and young people alike and perfect to share with friends and family.

Dragonflare

Jamie Hammond

Chapter book

Solve the puzzles to find the gold in this thrilling and funny interactive dragon-riding adventure from the bestselling author-illustrator of Grumpfort, packed with epic illustrations!

You are invited to compete in the Wingrider Trials on Dragonflare Island!

Do you have what it takes to become a dragon rider, solve the puzzles and find the treasure? Flynn definitely doesn’t. So, when a dragon kidnaps him to be her partner in the trials, things get complicated.

Now they’re stuck in a labyrinth full of hungry monsters, impossible obstacle courses, and backstabbing competitors. To win, they’ll need brains, bravery and – worst of all – teamwork.

But the trials are hiding a deadly secret, and if Flynn and his dragon don’t win, the whole island could be doomed…

Strike

Mitch Johnson

Chapter book

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.

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Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

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