The Best Books of 2024 – Kids, Children, and Youth (A Year-End List Aggregation)

Children – 2024

“What are the best Kids, Children, and Youth books released in 2024?” We looked at 351 of the top Kids, Children, and Youth books, aggregating

Other Years: 2025 2024 2023
Other Subjects 2024: Art/Coffee Audiobook Bio/Memoir Children Comic Cookbook Fiction General History Mystery/Thriller/Horror Nonfiction Picture Poetry Sci-Fi/Fantasy Science/Nature YA
#1
Impossible Creatures

Impossible Creatures

by Katherine Rundell
Amazon Bookshop

A boy called Christopher is visiting his reclusive grandfather when he witnesses an avalanche of mythical creatures come tearing down the hill. This is how Christopher learns that his grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the non-magical world and a place called the Archipelago, a cluster of magical islands where all the creatures we tell of in myth live and breed and thrive alongside humans. They have been protected from being discovered for thousands of years; now, terrifyingly, the protection has worn thin, and creatures are breaking through.

#3
We Are Definitely Human

We Are Definitely Human

by X. Fang
Amazon Bookshop

WINNER of the Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award • An American Library Association Notable Children's Book A hilarious alien invasion story with a feel-good message about what it means to be human. Perfect for earthlings of all ages. When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high. A sweetly funny extraterrestrial offering that explores surprising acts of kindness and acceptance, X. Fang's second picture book is truly out of this world.

#6
Island of Whispers

Island of Whispers

by Frances Hardinge, illustrated by Emily Gravett
Amazon Bookshop

Part gothic thriller and part coming-of-age story, Island of Whispers is an original illustrated middle-grade fantasy from award-winning author Frances Hardinge and acclaimed illustrator Emily Gravett about a strange island filled with ghosts and long-buried secrets On the misty island of Merlank, the lingering dead can cause unspeakable harm if they're not safely carried to the Island of the Broken Tower, where they can move on. Milo's father always told him that he wasn't suited for dealing with the dead and could never become the Ferryman--but one day, he's unexpectedly thrust into the role. And his father is his first passenger . . . Milo's father was killed by the Lord of Merlank, in pursuit of his dead daughter who he's unwilling to give up. It's a race to the island as Milo must face swarms of sinister moths, strange headless birds, and dangerous storms to carry his ghostly passengers across the secret seas. Filled with suspense and Frances Hardinge's signature sparkling prose, this story--accompanied throughout by striking illustrations by award-winning illustrator Emily Gravett--will keep you on the edge of your seat in this remarkable and ultimately heartwarming story of grief, family, kindness, and being true to yourself.

#16
Weirdo

Weirdo

by Sara Pascoe
Amazon Bookshop

THE DEBUT NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN, WRITER AND ACTOR SARA PASCOE 'Moving and bittersweet and clever . . . I love it.' EMMA JANE UNSWORTH 'Hilarious and heartbreaking at every sentence.' CARIAD LLOYD 'Quietly profound and laughing-in-public funny.' CAITLIN MORAN 'A tragicomic masterpiece.' DAISY BUCHANAN 'A deep meditation on how it feels to be lost - in your relationship, your family, your job and even your own mind.' ELIZABETH DAY 'Funny, sad, engaging, Pascoe nails everything that confronts women today.' STYLIST 'Funny and deeply relatable.' GUARDIAN 'A tremendously exciting voice.' THE TIMES 'An incredible read.' AISLING BEA 'I loved every page.' NATHAN FILER "I USED TO THINK MY MUM COULD SEE ME THROUGH THE CAT" Deep in Essex and her own thoughts, Sophie had a feeling something was going to happen and then it did. Chris has entered the pub and re-entered her life after Sophie had finally stopped thinking about him and regretting what she'd done. Sophie has a chance at creating a new ending and paying off her emotional debts (if not her financial ones). All she has to do is act exactly like a normal, well-adjusted person and not say any of her inner monologue out loud. If she can suppress her light paranoia, pornographic visualisations and pathological lying maybe she'll even end up getting the guy she wants? Then she could dump her boyfriend Ian and try to enjoy Christmas. What readers are saying: 'Acutely and profoundly observed.' 'Brilliantly relatable and painfully honest.' 'A book that will make you laugh, think, and feel a little bit better about being yourself.' 'A funny, insightful and unusual perspective on growing into yourself.' 'This is one of the best novels I've read in a long time.'

#83
Artezans

Artezans

by L.D. Lapinski
Amazon Bookshop

Prepare for the magical adventure of your dreams, in the first in a brand-new series by L.D. Lapinski, author of Strangeworlds Travel Agency. 'A stupendous, witty, humane fantasy. Lapinski's done it again - an inventive, compelling world and characters I would die for. LD Lapinski is a genius!' Louie Stowell, author of 'Loki: A Bad God's Guide' series For the last 400 years, magic has been fading... Edward Crane has always feared he won't have any magic at all. Sure, he's part of a powerful magic Artezan family, but he's adopted. His twin sister, Elodie, isn't so worried, but then everything always seems to work out perfectly for her. So when Ed discovers he does have an Artezan power after all, he's relieved. And it's more than he ever could have imagined - in fact, it's a dream come true. But the problem with dreams is that sometimes they twist themselves into nightmares. And with Ed's new abilities growing by the day, there's a chance that this nightmare will become all too real...

#88
Barracoon

Barracoon

by Zora Neale Hurston
Amazon Bookshop

New York Times Bestseller Amazon's Best Hostory Book of the Year 2018 Time Magazine’s Best Nonfiction Book of 2018 New York Public Library’s Best Book of 2018 NPR’s Book Concierge Best Book of 2018 Economist Book of the Year “A profound impact on Hurston’s literary legacy.”—New York Times “One of the greatest writers of our time.”—Toni Morrison “Zora Neale Hurston’s genius has once again produced a Maestrapiece.”—Alice Walker A major literary event: a newly published work from the author of the American classic Their Eyes Were Watching God, with a foreword from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, brilliantly illuminates the horror and injustices of slavery as it tells the true story of one of the last-known survivors of the Atlantic slave trade—abducted from Africa on the last "Black Cargo" ship to arrive in the United States. In 1927, Zora Neale Hurston went to Plateau, Alabama, just outside Mobile, to interview eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis. Of the millions of men, women, and children transported from Africa to America as slaves, Cudjo was then the only person alive to tell the story of this integral part of the nation’s history. Hurston was there to record Cudjo’s firsthand account of the raid that led to his capture and bondage fifty years after the Atlantic slave trade was outlawed in the United States. In 1931, Hurston returned to Plateau, the African-centric community three miles from Mobile founded by Cudjo and other former slaves from his ship. Spending more than three months there, she talked in depth with Cudjo about the details of his life. During those weeks, the young writer and the elderly formerly enslaved man ate peaches and watermelon that grew in the backyard and talked about Cudjo’s past—memories from his childhood in Africa, the horrors of being captured and held in a barracoon for selection by American slavers, the harrowing experience of the Middle Passage packed with more than 100 other souls aboard the Clotilda, and the years he spent in slavery until the end of the Civil War. Based on those interviews, featuring Cudjo’s unique vernacular, and written from Hurston’s perspective with the compassion and singular style that have made her one of the preeminent American authors of the twentieth-century, Barracoon masterfully illustrates the tragedy of slavery and of one life forever defined by it. Offering insight into the pernicious legacy that continues to haunt us all, black and white, this poignant and powerful work is an invaluable contribution to our shared history and culture.

#90
Basher STEM Junior: Science

Basher STEM Junior: Science

by Jonathan O'Callaghan
Amazon Bookshop

One of four books in an exciting STEM series for younger children, STEM Junior: Science covers 40 topics from the core subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics. Each topic is introduced as a personality who has plenty to say on the subject, while a STEM Junior character appears on each spread to introduce the big idea behind each topic. Combined with "jargon buster" panels and additional information presented in bitesize boxes, over 100 of Simon Basher's trademark illustrations bring fun, appeal, and humor to the topics. Basher's Stem Junior: Science will help give 7- to 9-year olds a solid foundation in the key topics that make up the core STEM subject of science.

#99
Black Hole Cinema Club

Black Hole Cinema Club

by Christopher Edge
Amazon Bookshop

"When Lucas meets his friends at the Black Hole cinema, they're excited about the movie marathon ahead. But when a jet-black tidal wave comes crashing out of the screen, they find themselves swept into an epic adventure. Prehistoric monsters. Lost cities. Impossible missions. Being the hero of your own film should be fun, but when Lucas save the day before the end credits roll? The fate of the world depends on it..."--Back cover.

#129
Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons – Ember Spark 1

Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons – Ember Spark 1

by Abi Elphinstone
Amazon Bookshop

A magical NEW story filled with adventure, wonder and edge-of-your-seat excitement, set in a world of daring dragons and magical maladies by the best-selling author of Sky Song, Abi Elphinstone . . . 'This new fantasy series for younger readers is bubbling with action and imagination... A joy.' The Daily Mail 'Elphinstone has the confidence to embrace fantasy's most popular tropes - unicorns, dragons, dark-hearted villains - and make them thoroughly her own.' TheTelegraph Rusty Fizzbang, vet to magical beasts, needs an apprentice. Ember Spark, looking for adventure, is his newest recruit - and together with an unlikely friend, Arno, she is sent to help a baby dragon whose parents have gone missing. But keeping magical beasts a secret isn't an easy task, especially with arch-villain, Jasper Hornswoggle, hot on their heels and keen to derail them... Praise for Ember Spark: 'A total masterclass in high-action, high-stakes, high-fun adventure.' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse 'Quirky and magical, this wonderful adventure proves what everyone should know - Abi Elphinstone is a writer to be cherished.' Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls 'Ember Spark herself is a wonderful heroine - she's brave, curious and always up for an adventure.' Katie Tsang, author of the Dragon Realm series 'I adored Ember Spark. Abi is a master storyteller . . . she's created a thrilling adventure fizzing with heart and magic and wonder.' Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea 'Kids are going to go wild for this joyful, moving, thrill-ride of a book, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Every word is magic.' Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe series 'Sure to ignite any reader's imagination and warm their heart. Wonderful and wonder-filled!' Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons 'Utterly charming, wonderfully wild and sprinkled with gutsy characters, dastardly villains & magical creatures galore . . .' Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries 'Ember Spark is bursting with adventure, magic & that very special Abi Elphinstone sparkle . . .' Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls

#136
Fia and the Last Snow Deer

Fia and the Last Snow Deer

by Eilish Fisher
Amazon Bookshop

Born under the same solstice sky thirteen years ago, Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection. But as Fia's village face a seemingly eternal winter, they turn their sights to Solas and an ancient prophecy that promises the return of sunlight and life, if the ultimate sacrifice is made . . . Refusing to allow the worst to happen, Fia and her cousin Mish run from the village with Solas, seeking out the Deer Mother - the mythical being who wakes the sun at the winter solstice and who might be their only hope. But the wilderness is harsh and shadows lurk at every turn. Can they make it to the Deer Mother? And, if they do, what choices will Fia face to bring back the sun and save her village? A powerful and beautiful tale set in snowy pre-historic Ireland, about hope, kindness and the power of friendship, from exceptional new writing talent, Eilish Fisher, brought to life with stunning illustrations from Dermot Flynn.

#142
Fox Goes North

Fox Goes North

by Jeremy Strong
Amazon Bookshop

"A story about love, life, friendship and loss . wonderful" - The I "Enchanting" - Telegraph "Feels like an old fashioned, all-ages classic" - Observer "Funny, sweet story of a maverick gang of animals travelling to see the Northern Lights" - Daily Mail Winnie-the-Poohmeets Charlotte's Webin this charming, emotionally touching children's fable from award-winning author Jeremy Strong, highly illustrated in black and blue colour printing and launched in a beautiful, covetable hardback. An extraordinary house on wheels is being towed along a forest track by doleful Moose. On board the house are philosophical Fox; distinguished Bear; theatrical Toucan, with his magnetic beak that always points north; argumentative Little Owl, and loving, excitable Young Llama. With nothing but her little blue suitcase, Fox has left home to join the animals' expedition to the Snowlands to see the Northern Lights. They encounter many ups and downs on their travels - and their journey's end will require the most courage of all... By turns funny and thoughtful, this is a brave, touching and timeless children's fable about friendship, art and the journey of a lifetime. This stunning book with its iconic animal characters has all the hallmarks of a future classic, with notes of The Jungle Bookand Charlotte's Web, ideal for fans of Sara Pennypacker's Paxand Iona Rangeley's Einstein the Penguin. With beautiful art and a courageous, touching message, this is perfect winter's tale for readers young and old, from age 7+. Themes of life and loss are handled with a lightness of touch, gentle humour and heart-warming hope and empathy.

#147
Godfather Death

Godfather Death

by Sally Nicholls and Júlia Sardà
Amazon Bookshop

A soul-stirring reimagined Grimm tale by award-winning author Sally Nicholls and hauntingly illustrated by Júlia Sardà that will spellbind and thrill readers of all ages. When a poor fisherman chooses Death to be godfather to his son, he's certain he's made a good choice--for surely there's no man more honest than Death? At the christening, Death gives the fisherman a gift that seems at first to be the key to the family's fortune, but when greed overcomes the fisherman, he learns that nobody can truly cheat Death...

#165
I Am Rebel

I Am Rebel

by Ross Montgomery
Amazon Bookshop

The Letter for the King meets The Incredible Journey in this story of one dog’s quest to save the human he loves. I’m Tom’s dog, and he’s my human. We belong to each other. Rebel is a good dog. He loves his simple, perfect life on the farm with his owner, Tom—until one day, when the war comes too close. Tom is determined to join the rebellion to defeat the king’s men, but Rebel knows that war is dangerous, and he will stop at nothing to save his beloved human. How can he bring Tom home before it’s too late? A heartwarming adventure told from a dog’s perspective as he travels across a pseudo-Civil War Britain on his loyal mission, I Am Rebel holds sure appeal for fans of I, Cosmo; When the Sky Falls; and War Horse.

#166
I Follow The Fox

I Follow The Fox

by Rob Biddulph
Amazon Bookshop

From bestselling author Rob Biddulph comes a magical tale about a boy, his teddy and a very special winter adventure. Little Fox has gone missing in the park. The family search high and low, but the teddy can't be found. Then, one night, a beautiful fox calls at the window, and the young boy decides to follow her. They go on a magical winter adventure: moving through the city, past snowy meadows and icy rivers, until the boy realises the fox has led him to something special, and that she needs his help. Can the fox help him find his own beloved Little Fox?

#167
I’m Growing Great (Happy Hair)

I’m Growing Great (Happy Hair)

by Mechal Renee Roe
Amazon Bookshop

Confident, empowered girls are celebrated in this follow-up to Happy Hair, a flower-filled, nature-loving, read-together children's book that encourages growth and positivity, Lovely and wise, shine at sunrise! I am growing each day! Beautiful Black and Brown girls with gorgeous natural hairstyles full of flowers, butterflies, and other garden treasures are the stars of this vibrant, rhythmic, and inspiring book from the author/illustrator of Happy Hair and Cool Cuts. Set in a backdrop of nature's glorious color and bounty, it's the perfect springtime read-aloud to promote confidence and self-esteem for girls of all ages. Look for all the books in the Happy Hair series: • Happy Hair • Cool Cuts • Smart Sisters • I Love Being Me! (Step Into Reading) • I Am Born to Be Awesome! (Step Into Reading)

#200
Maisie vs Antarctica

Maisie vs Antarctica

by Jack Jackman
Amazon Bookshop

"Maisie thinks her dad is the most boring person in the world. For fun he likes to do origami (but only basic triangles) or jigsaw puzzles of a cloudless sky (yep, every piece is blue). He writes cool-sounding books like How To Wrestle A Crocodile and How To Defuse A Bomb, but he's never actually done any of the awesome things he writes about. But Maisie has to admit weird things happen around Dad. Unexplainable things...When childcare falls through and Dad has to take Maisie to Antarctica to research his next book, How To Survive In Antarctica, Maisie realises there is definitely something unusual about Dad... Maisie is determined to find out the truth about her dad. What she doesn't realise is that she'll discover some things about herself and what it really means to be a hero along the way. One thing is for sure - it's going to be the adventure of a lifetime!"--Amazon.

#235
Pirates of Darksea

Pirates of Darksea

by Catherine Doyle
Amazon Bookshop

Utterly brilliant. Sensationally swashbuckling. Completely magical' - A.F Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief From the award-winning author of The Storm Keeper's Island, set sail on Catherine Doyle's latest perilous adventure to the magical islands of Darksea Deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, where the full moon rests on the horizon, lies a secret kingdom called Darksea. Ruled by the Pirate King, Captain O'Malley, Darksea's tranquil waters have, of late, been haunted by an invisible and deadly monster - a monster that is eating the once-beautiful islands in gigantic bites. On the other side of the horizon, at his home in Galway, Max Reid and his family are battling a different monster. His big brother Christopher is in hospital and getting sicker - and his parents have begun to talk of miracles. Then one night a loud, bright red parrot taps on Max's bedroom window, carrying an invitation from the pirate king. Captain O'Malley needs a new crew member for a dangerous quest; and the reward is everything Max has been hoping for. But in Darksea, not everyone is as they seem. When Captain O'Malley's secret threatens to upend their mission and destroy Max's chance to help his family, Max realises he's going to have to navigate much more than he bargained for...

#237
Pretty Ugly

Pretty Ugly

by David Sedaris, illustrated by Ian Falconer
Amazon Bookshop

Contradictions (both real and apparent), oppositions, enigmas, provocations, challenges——this is the kind of material that makes a life, and is the kind of material that, in fiction, one is never quite sure of. With Pretty Ugly, Kirsty Gunn reminds us again that she is a master of just such stuff, presenting ambiguity and complication as the essence of the storyteller's endeavour. The sheer force of life that Gunn is able to load these stories up with is both testament to her unrivalled skill and an exercise in what she describes as 'reading and writing ugly', in order to pursue the deeper truths that lie at the heart of both the human imagination and human rationality. So here we have all the strange and seemingly impossible dualities that make up real life——and pretty ugly it can be, as well as beautiful, hopeful, bleak, difficult, exhilarating. But never, ever dull.

#241
Robin Hood Aged 10 3/4

Robin Hood Aged 10 3/4

by Ben Miller
Amazon Bookshop

School kid by day, hero by night! Dive into a magical adventure inspired by Robin Hood, where you can be the hero, from bestselling author, actor and comedian, Ben Miller. OUT NOW! 'Bubbles with warmth and mischievous humour . . . irresistible' Alexander Armstrong 'Wonderful, funny, magical' Chris Evans Charlie has just started a NEW SCHOOL. Feeling a little shy, she prefers to escape into a world of books. But when she finds herself on the other side of the library in a completely different world, she must embark on a QUEST to save the people of the forest from the EVIL Sheriff who looks a lot like her mean teacher. Learning to use a bow and arrow and stand up against the bullies is harder than it looks, but there might just be some friends to help her on the way . . . TURN THE PAGE, SHARE THE ADVENTURE in a heroic new story of TEAMWORK, FRIENDSHIP and BRAVERY for all the family, packed with amazing illustrations from Elisa Paganelli.

#246
Spies in the Sky

Spies in the Sky

by Beverley McWilliams
Amazon Bookshop

Sometimes we must do things we don’t want to, even if they frighten us. Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon from a long line of champions. Every morning he wakes in his comfortable loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best seeds and spends the day training with his best friend to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain. But there’s a war going on, and things are changing. Then one day the King himself comes to the loft and chooses Blue for a very special assignment. As Blue goes on missions, helping with rescues, carrying secret messages and facing dangers he never could have imagined, one thing will become clear: never underestimate a pigeon.

#250
Super Sleuth

Super Sleuth

by David Walliams
Amazon Bookshop

From million-copy bestselling author David Walliams comes his first ever murder mystery - with thrills, spills and laughs galore. Dilly loves a good murder. Not a REAL murder. A made-up murder. One you would find in a murder-mystery novel. Sherlock Holmes is her favourite detective. She even named her dog Watson after his faithful companion, and trained him to sniff out clues and follow trails. So far, Dilly and Watson haven't cracked many cases - beyond lost cats, or missing biscuits that turned out to have been eaten all along. But now the detective duo find themselves on a luxury ocean liner bound for London. A thousand passengers. A thousand miles of ocean around them. It's the perfect place for a murder... Or two. Or three. Or four. Or MORE!

#258
The Boy Who Fell From the Sky

The Boy Who Fell From the Sky

by Benjamin Dean
Amazon Bookshop

Combining the warmth and heart of Ross Welford’s The 1,000 Year Old Boy with the epic adventure and inseparable friendship of Frank Cottrell Boyce’s Cosmic comes an otherworldly new middle grade adventure from the award-winning Benjamin Dean. Twelve-year-old Zed has always been fascinated by the Demons that fall from the sky. His whole life his dad has worked as a Hunter, tasked with eliminating Demons once and for all, and Zed hopes to one day follow in his footsteps. But then one night Spark appears and disrupts everything Zed thought he knew. Because this Demon is nothing like the myths – he’s a frightened boy, no older than Zed, who wants to go back home. Can Zed stand up for what’s right, even if it means going against his own family? Praise for Benjamin Dean: ‘Warm-hearted and cheering, with a dash of sparkle’ – Guardian 'A life-affirming, must-read' – The Independent 'The novel wears its heart on its sleeve, and it is a very big heart' – Financial Times 'Funny, fresh and full of heart' – Katie Tsang, co-author of DRAGON MOUNTAIN ‘Vibrant, funny and wise – a book to savour’ – Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS 'A joyful and thoughtful celebration of family, identity and inclusivity' – Anna James, author of the PAGES & CO. series

#260
The Cheat Book

The Cheat Book

by RAMZEE
Amazon Bookshop

Laugh-out-loud funny. Kids are going to love The Cheat Book!' Cressida Cowell 'Comedy gold!' Louie Stowell Forgotten your homework and need to WING it? Wish you could talk your way out of DETENTION? Want to SQUASH your bullies and RISE to the top? Join Kamal as he attempts to go from PUKE BOY to POPULAR! Kamal is better than anyone else in his school at fading into the background. When you're a refugee and you've started a new school three times in as many years, you learn to keep your head down. But, after a major puke incident in front of the whole school, being invisible is no longer an option. And when Kamal finds a mysterious CHEAT BOOK in the library that promises to help him gain popularity, he sees a chance to finally make his mark . . . This hilarious guide to being 'too cool for school' (or just cool enough) from brilliant author-illustrator RAMZEE. Perfect for 8+ readers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Loki, with black-and-white illustrations throughout!

#262
The Clockwork Conspiracy

The Clockwork Conspiracy

by Sam Sedgman
Amazon Bookshop

Clever, inventive and a cracking read' - Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis FowlA locked-room mystery packed with rooftop chases, hidden codes and mind-bending science, The Clockwork Conspiracy is a must for fans of the Adventures on Trains series and Sharna Jackson's High Rise mysteries.Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him.Hunting a trail of clues through London's landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father - and time itself.'An ingenious mystery full of fascinating facts. Sedgman has cracked the code for an absolute triumph of a book' - A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief'The Clockwork Conspiracy offers a captivating and perilous adventure that surprises and delights at every turn' - Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island'A smart and pacey thriller. Time well spent' - The Times'A taut, tense mystery with perfectly-timed plotting, this is guaranteed to make the time fly' - Maz Evans, author of Who Let the Gods Out? 'A gripping mystery delivered with panache' - The Observer'A thrilling story from start to finish' - Inis Magazine'Action-packed with twisty turns and a gripping plot' - Daily Mail'THE CLOCKWORK CONSPIRACY is a fiendishly clever contraption, featuring brilliantly savvy characters and a well-wound plot that ticks along like - what else? - clockwork' - Andy Sagar, author of Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup'A thrilling locked-room mystery, with a plot as beautifully engineered as clockwork' - Pari Thomson, author of Greenwild: The World Behind the Door'An action-packed, thrilling adventure' - The Week Junior'A rapid adventure, combined with an encyclopaedic focus on a particular subject - and an ability to make it sing' - The Telegraph'I predict this will be a very popular addition to any library, home or classroom' - Books for Keeps

#273
The Houdini Inheritance

The Houdini Inheritance

by Emma Carroll
Amazon Bookshop

Magic shows and mysteries abound in this showstopping new standalone from a bestselling author who has sold close to a million copies of these middle-grade adventures! The English seaside, 1920s A world famous escape artist . . . A suitcase full of secrets . . . And a death-defying stunt . . . When Harry Houdini comes to visit the seaside town of Sidford-on-Sea, Glory and her friend Dennis are first in-line to see him. He is there to perform a daring trick: he will jump off the town pier in chains, pitching himself into the water below. But when Glory outsmarts the infamous Houdini, she is suddenly sucked into his world, and finds herself tasked with looking after his precious trunk - the one that contains all his secrets. With Houdini in danger, Glory and Dennis are thrown deep into an adventure that takes them all the way to Coney Island in America, and the dark underbelly of its amusement parks . . . ' Utterly thrilling.' Abi Elphinstone ' Magical.' Katya Balen ' An absolute cracker.' Hilary McKay ' A page-turning, plot-twisting, mind-bending treat.' Piers Torday 'Bursting with excitement, action and heart.' Jasbinder Bilan 'Emma Carroll at her dazzling, storytelling best.' Phil Earle

#279
The Last Life of Lori Mills

The Last Life of Lori Mills

by Max Boucherat
Amazon Bookshop

Gaming, adventure and an incredible friendship combine in this one-of-a-kind, heart-pounding, spine-tingling adventure that takes place in the space of a single night. Eerie, exciting, funny and deeply moving, THE LAST LIFE OF LORI MILLS is like nothing you've ever experienced before. Eleven-year-old Lori is home alone for the first time in her life, and she's immediately done all the things she's TOTALLY NOT allowed to do: 1. Turned the heating up to the max. 2. Built a GIANT blanket fort in the living room. 3. Switched on Voxminer, aka the greatest game in the history of the universe. But quickly, Lori realises something is wrong. She can hear strange whispers coming from the screen - and soon, they're in the house with her. Could it be Voxminer's most terrifying legend: Shade Girl? Trapped in her home as the doors and windows start to vanish and her phone goes dead, Lori must use all her bravery, wits, gaming skills - and the love and deep bond she shares with her BFF, Shoelace - to survive until Mum gets home... A unique and unforgettable read that's perfect for fans of Jennifer Killick, Christopher Edge, Minecraft and Stranger Things.

#286
The Midwatch

The Midwatch

by Judith Rossell
Amazon Bookshop

The biggest children's book of the year! The Midwatch is the long-awaited new middle-grade novel from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Judith Rossell, creator of the multi-award-winning novel Withering-by-Sea. 'The city was stuffed full of wickedness, everyone knew that ...' Banished to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways and Unwanted Girls, Maggie Fishbone is sure she's in for a life of drudgery. But she quickly discovers there's more to the Midwatch than meets the eye ... The city shimmers with jewels and secrets, and soon Maggie is thrust into an adventure that takes her deep underground, high above the clouds and face to face with danger itself. Turn the page and prepare to be drawn into a lavishly illustrated world, brimming with mystery, unlikely heroines and an adventure as big as the sky. PRAISE FOR THE MIDWATCH Shortlisted for the 2025 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Children's Literature Shortlisted for the 2025 Indie Book Awards Shortlisted for the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards 'Gasp-out-loud brilliant! An absolute treasure of a book.' -- KATRINA NANNESTAD, bestselling author of We Are Wolves 'I was hooked from the beginning ... Move over Lemony Snicket!' -- KAREN FOXLEE, award-winning author of Lenny's Book of Everything 'Welcome all treasure-hunters and mystery-solvers to the Midwatch Institute ... [where] disobedient girls are not to be underestimated!' -- AMELIA MELLOR, award-winning author of The Grandest Bookshop in the World 'A cracking concept, sensational characters and absolutely smashing pictures: The Midwatch is the cat's pyjamas!' -- JACLYN MORIARTY, award-winning author of the Kingdoms and Empires series 'Cinematic, amusing, and exciting: a slightly subversive, delightfully empowering, all-around winner.' - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 'Absolutely winning adventure tale brimming with awe-inspiring characters.' - The Sydney Morning Herald '[A] subversive and captivating examination of adventure, lifelong learning, and sisterhood ... Action and adventure abound.' - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

#289
The Nine Night Mystery

The Nine Night Mystery

by Sharna Jackson
Amazon Bookshop

A page-turning murder-mystery about identity, full of surprising twists, from the award-winning author of High-Rise Mystery and The Good Turn. Last night Wesley and his friends Josephine and Margot threw their neighbour Rachel a surprise birthday party. This morning, Rachel is dead. And Wesley is the one who finds her body - and the bucket list of things to do beside it. Rachel's friends throw a traditional Caribbean Nine Night celebration to help guide her soul to the next world. But Wesley, Margot and Josephine don't have time to mourn Rachel. They are determined to find out who did this, complete everything on her list - and find out what secrets Rachel was keeping... Praise for Sharna Jackson: 'I utterly loved The Good Turn; it's bone-deep brilliant; a joy to the very end. It's so warm and so funny, and so ferociously on the side of justice and of hope. I adored it.' - Katherine Rundell

#295
The Race to Be Myself

The Race to Be Myself

by Caster Semenya
Amazon Bookshop

Olympian and World Champion Caster Semenya is finally ready to share the vivid and heartbreaking story of how the world came to know her name. Thrust into the spotlight at just eighteen years old after winning the Berlin World Championships in 2009, Semenya's win was quickly overshadowed by criticism and speculation about her body, and she became the center of a still-raging firestorm about how gender plays out in sports, our expectations of female athletes, and the right to compete as you are.Told with captivating speed and candor, The Race to Be Myself is the journey of Semenya's years as an athlete in the public eye, and her life behind closed doors. From her rural beginnings running free in the dust, to crushing her opponents in record time on the track, to the accusations and falsehoods spread about her in the press, the legal trial she went through in order to compete, and the humiliation she has been forced to endure publicly and privately. This book is a searing testimony for anyone who has been forced to stop doing what they love.

#324
Unraveled

Unraveled

by Shannon Messenger
Amazon Bookshop

The past and present unravel into staggering truths in this can’t-miss installment of the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series told entirely from Keefe’s point of view. Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all about me. It’ll be better for everyone that way. Those were the last words Keefe Sencen wrote to Sophie Foster before he ran away to the Forbidden Cities. He didn’t want to leave, but it was the only way to keep his friends safe while he figured out how to control his scary new powers and searched for answers about his past. What he found was so much more than adventures in Humanland. Where did he go? What did he do? And who did he meet while the rest of his friends worked to solve the mystery of Stellarlune? The answers go far beyond anything anyone could have ever imagined and give Keefe the power to change his destiny.

#342
Witchspark – Witchspark

Witchspark – Witchspark

by Dominique Valente
Amazon Bookshop

"Witty, warm and wonderfully bold." Elle McNicoll"Everything I could possibly want in a book." Laura Ellen AndersonFall under the spell of Witchspark. A magical adventure series perfect for fans of Greenwild, Harry Potter and The Hatmakers. Eglantine Bury can't find her Witchspark. But if her magic doesn't appear, her family and their magical house will fall into the terrifying clutches of the evil Whistlewitch. Across the land, Princess Victoria faces her own danger, as her secret magical powers start to spiral out of control and cause chaos in the Royal Palace.Eglantine and Victoria both turn to the disgraced witch Miss Hegotty for help. Her witch lessons are difficult and powerful, but can this secret magic match up to the dangers these two hopeful witches face?Two aspiring witches, one unusual teacher, a magical house, and a talking dragon-butler fight for what's right, in this major new series from Dominique Valente the bestselling author of Starfell.

#343
Wolfpack (Young Readers Edition)

Wolfpack (Young Readers Edition)

by Abby Wambach
Amazon Bookshop

In this young readers adaptation of her #1 New York Times bestselling book, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champion Abby Wambach inspires the next generation to find their voice, unite their pack, and change the world. From rising young star to co-captain of the 2015 Women’s World Cup Champion team, Abby Wambach’s impressive career has shown her what it truly means to be a champion. Whether you’re leading from the bench or demanding the ball on the field, real success comes when you harness your inner strength, forge your own path, and band together with your team. Updated with stories that trace her journey from youth soccer to the hall of fame, this young readers adaptation of Abby’s instant bestseller Wolfpack is for the next generation of wolves ready to change the game.