In Helen Rutter’s 7th middle grade novel, YOU get to help 11 year old Fred choose his path — in a powerful, original ‘choose your own adventure’ story about moving up to secondary school.For readers aged 9+ (especially Year 6s!), this is a BRILLIANT must-read. Smart, emotionally rich, interactive — and perfect for fans of Matt Goodfellow, Chloe Heuch, and Joanne O’Connell.

I absolutely adore this crafty, sassy, witty, brave new mystery solving heroine - the one and only, the marvellous, the unforgettable, Mizzy. She’s the newest super-sleuth on the block! Readers don’t just follow Mizzy’s tangled family mystery - they also experience life through her eyes as a young person with Down Syndrome.

This is an epic, exciting modern day fantasy adventure! Readers are drawn into blind protagonist schoolgirl, twelve year old Ella’s world - she’s kind, thoughtful, brave, clever and determined. She’s also incredibly optimistic. Plus, she’s about to save the world!

An hilarious read, laugh-out-loud, humour for young and old(er) to enjoy. Embracing teamwork, community, friendship, recycling, awareness of our smaller earth-bound neighbours, and some STEAM invention fun… ‘Beastie Bros : The Cabbage Juice Crime’ is a bugtastic top pick from me!

Fans of a murder mystery, fans of a spine-chilling supernatural thriller, fans of a girls boarding school drama, super fans of Phil Hickes’s ‘Aveline Jones’ series - your desperate wait for what to read next is over! 

Set in an eerie, fog-drenched house in England, Lucy Strange’s newest novella explores wartime grief and loneliness in a Victorian historical setting. Published by Barrington Stoke for ages 9+ (with a reading age of 8+), this dyslexia-friendly book delivers a supernatural tale with an unexpected twist.

An ode to Sherlock Holmes and Piet Mondrian, this noiresque, Tintin-style detective mystery instantly drew me in! Detective Stanley - a not-for-the-want-of-trying almost retired old dog of crime-solving fame in Narlybone town - is just about to tuck into his stack of pancakes at breakfast, a bird delivers a plea for help… irresistible for his eccentric crime-fighting mind to refuse. 

Every parent’s nightmare when their child goes on their first ‘away’ school trip… Mirabelle and Carlotta get separated from their teachers and classmates on their way to the Museum of Magical History in Witch City! But, if anyone can think of a way to get out of a tricky situation, it’s Mirabelle.

I loved meeting teacher Mrs Adisa and her class - a group of children with diverse representation that will delight teachers, parents and carers to know. A must-have for school libraries, book corners, PSHE lessons, and wellbeing rooms.

Most children will never experience being a foster family or being a foster child. Having this giggly at the same time as serious illustrated fiction adventure series accessible for young readers (and teachers, parents, and carers) is absolutely brilliant! 

Authenticated by Greg’s own experiences of living with ADHD, a neurodivergent condition, a young boy called Bobby goes about his days at home, or at school. As he does, his mum or teachers find it hard to communicate with him, understand him, or sometimes to contain their own frustrations with how to relate to him.

Absolutely one of my favourite books of 2024, ‘The Best You’ is now publishing in paperback. I’m delighted to share this review with you, as this is a book I have repeatedly enjoyed using in school book clubs, including in school library orders, and reading to children in my Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop during weekly storytime sessions. 

‘Just One More Story’ highlights the natural curiosity of young children who are on the cusp of their reading journey; how the influence of being in a proactive and positive reading environment - whether at home, the local library, bookshop, or at nursery - can provide the catalyst for them to want to pick up a book, to want to know what the words say for themselves, to look at the pictures to decipher what is happening. 

Featuring a diverse cast of protagonists including a child with a tracheostomy collar, a child wearing a head scarf, a child who stands with a walker, a glasses wearer, as well as children with no obvious visible disabilities, this is a wonderful introduction to the how amazing our bodies are!

A journey through a fearful moment, that assures a young child that they can find bravery from within just when they really need it. Whether your child or children have a fear of the dark, or separation anxiety, even going to school or nursery, this is a comforting read with a happy, hopeful and positive message (and ending). 

Be blown away by Patrice Lawrence’s trade-mark brilliance in ‘PEOPLE like STARS’ - a fictional middle-grade true crime mystery with its oh so clever plot twists and turns, chaotic struggles with loyalty and justice, many clandestine trips to the library to research records, and the inter-changing narrators enabling readers to deep-dive into each character’s identity and inner struggles.

For ages 9+ (or confident readers 8+) this initial ‘Time Keys’ mystery brings together the author’s passions for music, history and adventure, for without music, or should I say, the children in this story and their playing a musical instrument, the world as we know it today is at great risk from time travelling magical artefact hunters who could alter our reality forever! 

Children reading these stories will discover the incredible bravery, kindness, loyalty, daring and power of animals whether they are in the wild or pets at home. Without many of their adventures, some of our battles, advances in space exploration, or even human lives may have been lost. You’ll discover some new heart-warming stories from around the world to inspire you for the rest of your days.

This captivating tale combines authentic cultural roots with a race-against-time adventure. Through a sleepy temple cat, Miaow, and a fiery nine-tailed fox, Ming, young readers will embark on a journey filled with unexpected friendships, mythological insights, and problem-solving challenges. Perfect for Lunar New Year.

Larry Hayes delivers a thrilling mix of humour, horror and heart. ‘The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick’ is spine-chilling, edge-of-your-seat fast-paced, and very exciting, I couldn’t put it down! Keep your skillet, frying pan, water pistols of holy water at the ready… you won’t want to miss this series!