Our Favourite 9-12 Reads of 2024 So Far

Skandar and the Skeleton Curse

A.F. Steadman

£14.99 £14.24

What a sequel! And what a cliffhanger to be left on ... (we have it on good authority that Annabel is working on setting the world right again with the 5th book!)

The Snowman Code

Simon Stephenson and Reggie Brown

£12.99 £12.34

It is March and London is still covered in snow. Blessing really needs this neverending winter to end, as her mum is getting sadder and sadder, and they might take Blessing away. But all this changes when she meets Albert the snowman, who reveals the reason the snow won't go away, and they will join forces to resolve it, because Rule Six of the Snowman Code is: "You always have to help a Child in Need." A beautiful, heartwarming story about one gilr's quest to end winter, featuring snowmen in love, the Abominable Snowman and a dog with oversized paws. Perfect for long winter nights for 7+.

The Clockwork Conspiracy: Nominated for the 2024 BOOKS ARE MY BAG Readers Award

Sam Sedgman

£7.99 £7.59

If you're in the mood for a thrilling, edge-of-you-seat adventure, then this is the perfect read to start 2024 off with! When Isaac's dad, who's in charge of Big Ben, vanishes from the clocktower, with only a few cryptic clues left behind, Isaac is determined to find him. With the help of Hattie, the Speaker's daughter, he begins a mad rush around London (and it's rooftops) to beat time - or New Time, which is threatening to destroy the world as we know it! Not only is this a really exciting adventure, it's also brimming with science facts (the author must be real science lover), as well as Introducing the workings of British democracy and Parliament to the young readers. A perfect read for all 9+ fans of Adventure of Trains (obviously, as it's the same author), Crookhaven and Mysteries at Sea.

Amari and the Despicable Wonders

BB Alston

£12.99 £12.34

The third book in the Amari series, in which Dylan and his League of Magicians are preparing to take over the supernatural world. The only way to stop them is finding the magical Wonders, but with Quinton and others in charge thinking they know best, Amari and her friends need to set off on their own to defeat Dylan once and for all. A great conclusion to Amari's fight with Dylan, although the author says there are more Amari books coming. Can't wait to see what's next in store for the young magician!

Murder! By Narwhal!: Book 1

Alex T. Smith

£8.99 £8.54

This is a hilarious and very intriguing murder mystery, the first in a new series by Alex T. Smith. Edna's family is trapped in a snowstorm on her Grandfather's estate, the Grimacres. While searching for her pet tortoise, Charles Darwin, in the middle of the night, Edna finds something much more horrible - a dead grandfather. Only someone in the house could have killed him, and many of them have a motif for it. Will Edna discover the murderer? If you enjoyed The Swifts, you will love this book!

Evenfall: The Golden Linnet

Alexander Armstrong and Tom Roberts

£14.99 £14.24

A truly magnificent novel that will keep you completely gripped from start to finish. Sam’s mum died in a crash and his dad has never been the same again. When strange things start happening in the run up to his 13th birthday, his dad is taken away and strange people are following him. On the run, Sam starts investigating the mystery of his families past and his mum’s death. Little does he know he’s about to enter a world bursting with ancient magic and secret societies. An absolutely FANTASTIC treasure hunt of an adventure for fans of Percy Jackson (and Indiana Jones)

Skandar and the Chaos Trials: The INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER in the biggest fantasy adventure series since Harry Potter

A.F. Steadman

£14.99 £14.24

The third book in the Skandar series, and it sure doesn't disappoint! Everyone who hasn't satrted these books yet, needs to pick up the first one immediately! Skandar is a Fledling now, and the unicorns are turning into rebelling teenagers, keeping their riders on their toes. That's not Skandar's (and his Quartet's) biggest problem, though - Kenna's bond with her wild unicorn is growing stronger, and Skandar is desperately searching for a way to rewerse it. After an outing gone wrong, the sentinels and Silver Circle are chasing Kenna, and with the Chaos Trials (and the possiblity of being declared a nomad) on the horizon, Skandar is facing his biggest challenge so far ... Well, the wait is on for book 4 now, hopefully by this time next year!

Fireborn: Starling and the Cavern of Light

Aisling Fowler and Sophie Medvedeva

£7.99 £7.59

This book is an amazing conclusion to the epic Fireborn trilogy. Phoenix and her friends will be facing the Master one final time, will the clans unite for survival? What happened to Six and Seven? What is happening to Dog? Will Ember survive the final battle? This book is so gripping, you won't want to put it down!

Rosa By Starlight

Hilary McKay and Keith Robinson

£12.99 £12.34

When orphan Rosa gets "unintentionally" abandoned in Venice by her aunt and uncle, she has to fend for herself in a strange new city where she doesn't know anyone. But help comes from the least expected creatures - the local cats, including one very special big one, when Rosa discovers she has a special ability ... A beautiful short novel full of magic for any cat lover aged 9+.

Crookhaven: The Island Heist: Book 3

J.J. Arcanjo

£7.99 £7.59

Another amazing sequel in the Crookhaven series, where Gabriel and his friends have to overcome further obstacles, not only to finish the school year and win the Challenge, but to achieve their ultimate goal – defeat The Nameless. A great book, but definitely read the first two books first!

Maisie vs Antarctica

Jack Jackman

£7.99 £7.59

Maisie has the most BORING dad ever - his idea of fun is doing jigsaws and even owning a bike is too dangerous in his opinion. He writes books like "How to Defuse a Bomb" or "How to Wrestle with a Crocodile", but can't actually do any of these things. Then a babysitter falls through and he has to take Maisie on his next work research trip - to Antarctica of all places. While they are surrounded by ice and with only a pile of gross-looking fish for food, Maisie realises that something weird is happening and things are stranger that her dad claims. Is there more to dad than Maisie thinks? Going to Antarctica is already a completely different kind of summer holiday, but what Maisie experiences is a totally new ball-game ... Read it, it's great!

The Ice Children

M. G. Leonard and Penny Neville-Lee

£7.99 £7.59

One morning at the start of winter, Bianca's little brother Finn is found frozen in the park. He is alive, but frozen, with a content smile on his face. The next day two more frozen children are found, and three the day after. Bianca is determined to save her brother and the other children, and she is convinced that a mysterious book has something to do with the freezings. When she follows a strange man to an abandoned bookbinders, she ends up in Winterton, a magical land filled with winter fun, and all the frozen children. But there is the Snow Queen as well, and how will Bianca manage to save everyone? Especially as she needs to defeat and save winter at the same time ... A wintery fantasy turns into a timely climate change story, and you will enjoy every moment of it, especially during those cold winter nights. A magical standalone novel by M.G. Leonard, suitable for any 9+ winter enthusiasts.

The Boy Who Fell From the Sky

Benjamin Dean

£7.99 £7.59

Clumsy, funny and friendless Zed always wanted to be like the Hunters he admired, especially like the First Hunter, Alistair Smyth, Zed's dad. But it feels that he can't be further away from becoming a hunter, someone tracing and capturing Demons, who come to Earth on shooting stars and are a threat to humans. Then one of the hunts doesn't go according to plan and Zed meets the hunted Demon - and he turns out to be ... well, nice. All of a sudden Zed's world is turned upside down and he has some important decisions to make. I always enjoyed Benjamin Dean's books, and was intrigued when I saw that The Boy who Fell from the Sky will be a fantasy novel, so different from his previous books. But after reading the book, I realise that it's not actually that different - it is a story about the importance of friendship, being kind and believing in yourself. A must-read for anyone aged 9 and up in need of a good story. Can't wait to see what the next book will bring!

Dream Hunters

Nazima Pathan

£7.99 £7.59

A fantastic fantasy adventure will keep you on tender hooks. Set in a reimagined India where dreams can be captured into bottles. Mimi Lives with her aunt after her parents were imprisoned for betraying the king but When Mimi and her best friend overhear that the king is being sent mad because his evil brother is feeding him nightmares and her parents might not be guilty of their crimes that her aunt says they did, the two children embark on an Incredible journey to save the king, her parents and stop the illegal sale of nightmares. Absolutely loved this novel and I REALLY hope there is going to be sequel.

Bird Boy

Catherine Bruton

£7.99 £7.59

Will has been trapped in a small flat for years, but after his mum's death, he finds himself in Lake District, out in the wide open space. When he finds a kestrel's nest and a chick with a broken wing, he's determined to protect her. So he brings her to his uncle's house, and with the help of his friend Omar tries to raise her. But two small teens can't really look after a protected species of a bird that needs a lot of space, so eventually they will need to get more help if they want Whitetip to strive. Although completely alone at the beginning of the book, Will finally finds out the true meaning of family and community. A beautiful story about family and belonging, for 10+ readers.

A Drop of Golden Sun: 'Radiant storytelling. Sublime.' Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Kate Saunders

£7.99 £7.59

An uplifting, heartwarming story set in the 70s. 11-year-old Jenny gets cast as one of the child actors in a new film, "The Music Makers" (the description of which sounds very much like "The Sound of Music"). Together with 3 other children and 2 famous actors, she flies to French countryside for the filming. On set Jenny feels as if she's found a new family, and in enjoying herself thoroughly, but there is a threat to "The Music Makers" in the form of a grumpy French actor, which could mean the end of production for everyone. Will Jenny and her new acting friends manage to keep tempers down and finish the filming? The book gives the young reader a more detailed picture of how a film is made, and a good portrayal of life on set. This is a beautiful read for young film enthusiast and fans of lovely stories, a proper feel good book.

The Girl Who Couldn't Lie

Radhika Sanghani

£7.99 £7.59

Such a lovely, warm hug of a book! Priya Shah is used to lying - a lot! She lies to keep her family's secrets, to not hurt other people's feelings and to save herself from embarrassment. The one day she manages to put her late grandma's bangle on her wrist, and everything changes. It becomes impossible for Priya to tell a lie. She admits all kinds of truths to everyone, including her teachers, but a weird thing happened - because of the truth, things are starting to get better instead of worse. But there are certain truths that should have been handled more carefully ... I enjoyed every minute of reading this book about friendship and standing up for yourself, and I can guarantee that everyone else will as well.

The Last Life of Lori Mills

Max Boucherat

£7.99 £7.59

When Lori’s babysitter cancels, she is left home alone (she is an almost teenager). Mum has left a list of rules that she must definitely not break (obviously these need to be immediately broken). So, with the duvet fort (rule break) set up in the living room, the heating on max (rule break) Lori turns on her computer and starts playing Voximer (rule break). That’s when it all starts to get weird and creepy. She’s sure someone is watching, then there’s the whispers and did Ben Her characters Voxifriend just talk to her? Could it be Voxminer’s most terrifying legend, Shade Girl? Trapped in her home as the doors and windows start to vanish, Lori must use all her bravery, wits, gaming skills – and the love and deep bond she shares with her best friend, Shoelace – to survive until Mum gets home. Set all in one night, this is a BRILLIANT, one-of-a-kind spine-tingling awesome adventure. Loved it!

How to Be Free

Daisy May Johnson

£8.99 £8.54

Remember the fun, silly, and totally amazing children's films that we all used to watch, where children can do all these brilliant things, that are otherwise considered completely impossible? Like hanging off towers and pretending to be a bench? This book (and it's predecessors - How to Be Brave and How to Be True) is just like those films - a mystery adventure, with the most lovable feisty heroines, and hilarious to boot. It also features cake. Lots of cake. And biscuits. And every other sweet treat. PS. The 3 books can be read in any order, and I'm desperately hoping for more.

Shipwrecked

Jenny Pearson

£7.99 £7.59

Jenny Pearson is fast becoming one of my favourite middle grade authors. Her books are funny adventures about friendship and families. Meet Sebastian, nothing in his life really goes according to plan. His dad is disappointed in him and his mum doesn't want him. When he wins a competition with his best friends, Lina and Étienne to go to Climate Avenger’s camp. He decides this is how he is going to make his dad proud. And then Sebastian’s challenges the cool kids to a boat race... When a storm hits the friends find themselves deserted on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Here begins a hilarious and epic adventure of survival, pirates, baby turtles and a goat called Giuseppe Garibaldi. With the help of William Golding's Lord of the Flies will they ever be found and make it home? And most importantly does Julian the Jellyfish really have it in for Sebastian? A heartwarming story of the power of perseverance, friendship, hope and family. Big Love for this one!!

Mysteries at Sea: The Hollywood Kidnap Case

A.M. Howell

£7.99 £7.59

This is Alice and Sonny's third adventure on sea. After the excitement of the previous journey everyone's hoping for a calm, non-detective-work-filled trip. But when the famous Hollywood actress Estelle Fortune is abducted from their ship, the siblings need to open an investigation again. The book is full of clues and mysteries, with a good dose of Maltese history added, and is another great adventure read.

Mysteries at Sea: The Royal Jewel Plot

A.M. Howell

£7.99 £7.59

Alice and Sonny are finally reunited and together with their father and Dorthy move to their new home - a boat called Lady Rose! Their first time aboard will be even more special, as their guest is no other than the King of England. But on the second day a precious opal guraded by a lethal octopus disappears from its home in the aquarium on the boat. The children quickly launch their investigation, as the alternative would mean losing their boat. But many people aboard are hiding things, so which one of the suspects was it. Could it have even been (gasp!) the King!?! Set on board a ship travelling along Croatian coast and viviting amazing places along the way, this second book in Myetsries at Sea series definitely doesn't disappoint! A breathtaking adventure, based (very) loosely on the King's actual journey along the Adriatic coast, that readers aged 9+ will surely enjoy.

Impossible Creatures: INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Katherine Rundell

£8.99 £8.54

Christopher is a boy from our world. Mal is a girl from the Archipelago, a magical world hidden from us. Christopher has a special relationship with animals, who flock to him in droves. Mal knows how to fly. When these two children meet by chance, it is the start of a wonderful friendship and an unforgetable adventure, in which they are joined by a griffin, a Berserker, a part nereid and a small dragon. This might just be the biggest children's book of the year, and rightfully so! The story of Christopher and Mal is exciting and entertaining, there's magical creatures galore (including the brilliant bestiary at the beginning) and the book is extremely well-written. Definitely one for young and old fantasy lovers everywhere.

Keedie

Elle McNicoll

£7.99 £7.59

Keedie by Elle McNicoll. A prequel to A Kind of Spark, but can be read by itself or afterwards, as it has lots of 'ah, I see...' moments where things become clear. Keedie is almost 14, she is one of Addie's older sisters, and this book takes place several years before A Kind of Spark. Keedie is autistic and is the sort of girl you would want on your side. Independent, loyal, resourceful. Keedie is a great observer of others actions and motivations. She is also on a personal mission to deal with bullies. After she is asked for help she sets up an agency to deal with bullying in her school, and finds she has lots of customers. Trouble is, her twin sister Nina is part of the toxic friendship group that rules the school. When Keedie realises that her younger sister Addie is autistic too, she vows to look out for her, and shield her from the bad experiences she has had in her education, and in the small town they live in. She also has to navigate the changing relationships within her family, her bond with her twin, and a new friendship, or maybe more than a friendship. Great story with neurodiverse protagonists at the centre - wonderful characterisation and empathy.

Starminster

Megan Hopkins

£7.99 £7.59

Astrid has lived in the rhubarb shed her whole life. She’s Desperate to meet other children and see the stars but the outside world is dangerous and her mama won’t let her t set foot beyond the door.. Then one night, a stranger with wings unlocks the shed and whisks Astrid to a secret city in the sky called London Overhead. Astrid is swept into a breathtaking and magical world of new friendships and school for Librae students called Starminster– Because Astrid is a Librae and one day she will grow wings! But all is not what it seems, Children have been going missing from London underground and with her new friends Astrid gets investigating, A beautifully-written adventure for children aged 8+

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science

Kate McKinnon and Alfredo Caceres

£14.99 £14.24

The first novel by comedian Kate McKinnon, Millicent Quibb definitely lives up to the expectations. Full of quirky characters, crazy, funny and (sometimes) ferocious creatures and inventice contraptions, young 9+ readers will enjoy getting stranded in snooty Antiquarium (that's a town) with Gertrude, Eugenia and Dee-Dee. And Millicent Quibb, the etiquette teacher "extraordinaire" ...

The Wanderdays: Journey To Fantome Island

CLARE POVEY

£7.99 £7.59

Join Flo and Joseph Wanderday on an edge-of-your-seat underwater adventure. After their mum disappears, the children find clues showing that it most likely wasn't an accident. Joined by their best friends, they embark on a submarine journey to confront some of the world's best people, who might actally be the worst. Perfect read for the summer holiday, with lots of plot twists and peril.

Secrets of the Snakestone

Piu DasGupta

£7.99 £7.59

An incredible mystery set in late 19th century Paris. Join Zelie when she explores the catacombs, the sewers, the old disused railway which used to circle the city and the circus, in search of a missing magical stone and her missing father. She'll meet some amazing helpful people along the way, but unfortunately she'll also meet many terrible ones. How will she ever save her father from life in prison? This daring adventure is the perfect read for fans of Bastien Bonlivre, Robin Stevens and Emma Carroll.

The Swifts

Beth Lincoln and CLAIRE POWELL

£7.99 £7.59

If you think your family is weird, you clearly haven't met the Swift family yet! Now, they are different, to put it mildly! The Swifts have gathered from around the world for a family Reunion, but someone starts killing off family members one by one. Sisters Shenanigan, Phenomena and Felicity are determined to find the murderer, especially after their Aunt Schadenfreude dies. But will they be able to outsmart the killer in time? You will love the things the people in this book come up with, it's funny and engaging, and overall an amazing whodunit, with quirky characters (some lovable, some loathsome) - you won't be able to put this book down!

Freya's Gold

Fiona Longmuir and Carmi Grau

£7.99 £7.59

Another smugglers adventure by the author of Looking for Emily, set in the same town, and we even get a glimpse of Sam and Lily from the first book! Freya's home, the old b&b, is under threat from developers, who are looking to tear up the old boardwalk and put shiny new buildings there instead, to draw in tourists. But then Freya discovers there's more than meets the eye to their mysterious guest, and the tunnels and caves on the seafront might actually hold the secret to save them. With the help of her friends, Freya embarks on an unimaginable adventure. This is a great adventure story for any 9+ mystery and puzzles lover.

The Wrong Shoes: The vital new novel from the bestselling creator of Big Bright Feelings

Tom Percival

£12.99 £12.34

This is no fairy tale' Will's life is pretty tough - his parents aren't together anymore, and Will lives with his Dad, who has had an accident at work and isn't earning at the moment and is now suffering from depression. They don't have enough money for essentials but they are keeping it quiet, even from Will's mum. Will has a great friend Cameron, but he just doesn't get it, how hard his life is at the moment, because his home situation is so different. Plus Will is being bullied by Chris, the school gang leader who calls him Poundland. The story isn't sugar-coated, and there aren't any magical fixes. But Will is reslilient, and when he gets into trouble, by being drawn into Chris's shoplifting gang, he gets himself out of it, by owning up to what he has done. Thoughtful story, with surprising twists, and well rounded characters and thoughtful insights. iGreat imagery - especially the owl that keeps appearing, in real life and in Will's artwork, which seems to symbolise hope.

The Girl Who Dreamed in Magic

Maria Kuzniar

£7.99 £7.59

Saga's whole village has been taken by mountain trolls. Now she needs to ravel North to ask the sorcerers for help and fulfill her magical destiny. The only probelm is, Saga is deathly terrified of magic. But with her bear Bjorn and a few friends she makes along the way, Saga will find out what she is capable of. A beautiful fanatsy story, full of daring adventures and descriptions of Scandinavian traditions, this is a heartfelt read that will grip you from the start.

Toxic: A fast-paced rainforest adventure story for readers aged 9 and up

Mitch Johnson

£7.99 £7.59

A thrilling rainforest adventure, all about protecting nature from the most deadly predator there is - humans! When Jessica accompanies her parents to the Amazon on a frog finding research expedition, she thinks she will be bored senseless. Little does she know that it will turn into an adventure of a lifetime, which might just cost her her life - as the saying goes: "There are a thousand ways to die in the forest, but old age is not one of them." Features an exciting, possibly deadly run against baddies and dangerous creatures of the Amazon, and a particularly ingenious way of dealing with the chief villain, I definitely recommend this to anyone over 9, especially in these dire climate change days.

Black Hole Cinema Club

Christopher Edge

£7.99 £7.59

Lucas and his friends attend a movie marathon in the local cinema. But instead of enjoying the film, a tidal wave of blackness engulfs them - and they find themselves in the middle of a film, trying to save the world from destruction. Eventually they end up in a different film, then another and another, until at last they find themselves on a spaceship heading towards a black hole. Although now it seems different - could it actually be the reality for the five friends? An action-packed, fast-paced adventure, I don't recall ever reading something like this book before. One for all lovers of science fiction and action, be prepared to challenge your understanding of reality and black holes!

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

Jordan Lees and Vivienne To

£14.99 £14.24

After one of the creepiest first chapters of any middle grade novel I have read, I was convinced that The Whisperwicks would utter terrify me (I am not great with horror) However, it is not as scary as one first thinks. Instead, it's an incredibly exciting adventure. Benjamiah does not believe in magic, he is a child of science - everything has an explanation. So when a strange doll arrives in the post, comes to life and leads him through a hidden door in his basement, into a parallel world, he surely must be dreaming. It is in this world called Wreathenwold that Benjamiah meets Elizabeth (she's fabulous). The two set out on a dangerous quest to find Elizabeth's brother and find a way to get Benjamiah home and in this world, there is definitely magic!

Girl on the Fly

Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

£7.99 £7.59

Kamaria loves rhythm, especially the thwack of her and her running mates' feet on the track during relay races. The girls are facing the most important race of their lives, the last one as a team - but will they actually get there without fallin out? This book is about so much more than running - it's mostly about friendship, the importance of families and finding out who you really are. Along the way you will also find out a lot about the Tanzanian way of life, which makes this book even more special. Highly recommended for 10+!

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans

Isi Hendrix

£7.99 £7.59

This is the first book in a powerful new fantasy series! Adia Kelbara finally manages to leave her uncle's house, where she was always misunderstood and mistreated, and join the Academy of Shamans as a kitchen apprentice. Once there she quickly realises that there are no actual shamans at the Academy, just rich kids pretending to hae supernatural powers. When she gets kicked out of the school, Adia decides not to go back to the Swamplands, but follows someone to the Horrorbeyond. That someone just so happens to be the snarky goddess Gini, and all of a sudden Adia finds herself saving the emperor and the whole of the land from Olark. But Adia is more powerful than she seems ... A great fantasy read with remarkable characters, which also deals with much bigger topics of white missionaries in Africa, so a definite must-read for anyone aged 9 and up.

Wolf Road: The bestselling animal adventure from TV's Alice Roberts

Alice Roberts

£7.99 £7.59

If you are a history buff, then you need to pick up this amazing book. Written by professor Alice Roberts, it is not only a brilliant adventure, but also full of interesting facts which many times are definitely surprising - did you know that in Stone Age it was the women, mostly mothers and grandmothers, who were the leaders of the tribes, and the workload such as hunting and cooking was equally shared among men, women and children? I know now. And all these facts are expertly woven into the story, so you don't have a feeling of just a fact book. The book's protagonist is Tuuli, a child in a smallish tribe (talo), and we follow her journey from winter camp to their summer set. Along the way Tuuli rescues and adopts a wolf cub, and later meets Andar, a boy who is completely different to any other pesron she's ever seen. But their meeting will have consequences ... We heard from reliable sources that this is the first book in a trilogy, so fingers crossed we get the next one soon.

Artezans: The Forgotten Magic (1): Epic fantasy adventure of dreams and magical powers

L.D. Lapinski

£7.99 £7.59

Twins Edward and Elodie live in a world where remnants of old magic are still around, and their family is one of the most magical ones. Convinced he won't show any magic at the Reveal, Ed is overjoyed when he shows to have really strong magic, although it is not yet clear what this magic does. But it keeps getting clearer and stronger every day, and Ed finds out that he can travel to the Land of Dreams - and to the Land of Nightmares. But when a revenge goes wrong and nightmares are taking over, will Ed and Elodie's magic be strong enough to fight evil? This is the first book in the new series by Strangeworlds author L.D. Lapinski and I am already excited to read the next one! I loved the connection between dreams and nightmares, and the final battle kept me reading through the night. Definitely pick it up!

Greenwild: The World Behind The Door

Pari Thomson and Elisa Paganelli

£7.99 £7.59

Daisy Thistledown's upbringing has been different from what we're used to - she's been travelling around the world with her journalist mother, working on stories. But now her Ma's disappeared in the Amazon, and Daisy is in harm's way. Following her mother's instructions, she finds her way to Mallowmarsh, a pocket of Greenwild (which exist parallel to our world, Greyside) and is full of botanical wonders, where Daisy immediately feels welcome. But same as her, Greenwild is under threat, and it is all conected to her mother's disappearance. Daisy and her new friends will have to be very resourceful to save their way of life. A thrilling fantasy adventure with environmental issues at its core, this is the first book in the new series by author Pari Thomson. I particularly enjoyed descriptions of Daisy and Laila's travels around the world, Thomson's beautiful use of language transporting me to faraway places. Detailed illustrations by Elisa Paganelli and an evocative map make this book even more special. Suitable for 10+

Geomancer: In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen: An epic fantasy adventure from an award-winning author

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

£7.99 £7.59

Ysolda has lived in Glaw Wood all her life, and it is all she knows other than legends of far off places. She lives an outdoor life in tune with Nature. Hari, her older sister, can hear trees talking to each other, a gift Ysolda wishes she had too. One day when out with her sea hawk Nara, Ysolda meets a strange girl her own age and they fight. Returning home she sees the mysterious Ryders heading towards her home but an earthquake stops her getting there in time and her sister is gone. The stranger reappears and tells her she had come to warn her sister that the Wolf Queen has sent Ryders to take gifted people from all around and is searching for the Anchorite and End World Wood. She suggests they try to find the Anchorite themselves, but Ysolda sets off alone to rescue her sister from the Wolf Queen’s palace. I loved this book for its amazingly vivid descriptions of Giant Sea Wolves, a palace made of wrecked ships, mysterious forests and trees and roots, and its gripping story. Themes of trust, betrayal and strong women with magical powers, both real and feigned. Can’t wait for the next part.

Finding Hope

Nicola Baker

£12.99 £12.34

Ava is spending two weeks at her aunt & uncle's farm, while her parents are away. A child from the big city, she doesn't expect to have much fun on the farm. But then she saves a newborn lamb, and her view of coutryside and farm life starts to change. And there is more to the story as well, as there are mysterious things happening, which only Ava seems to know about. A lovely feel-good novel for any 7- to 10-year-olds who love animals and the outdoors.

Skandar and the Phantom Rider: the spectacular sequel to Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, the biggest fantasy adventure since Harr

A.F. Steadman

£7.99 £7.59

You will NOT be disappointed with this sequel (and you will count down the days until the next books is out)! Skandar's secret is out - everyone knows he is a Spirit Wielder, and it doesn't make his life any easier. But this isn't the biggest problem Skandar is dealing with - wild unicorns, the immortal ones, have been turning up killed, and the Island is having its revenge for that. He is also trying to find a way to bring Kenna to the Island and bond her with her unicorn, but it seems others might have the same idea ... This book is the definition of unputdownable, so don't start reading it before school, as you will have to skip lessons for the day or two. And be prepared to be left shocked and a bit heartbroken, and waiting for more!

Saving Neverland

Abi Elphinstone and Geraldine Rodriguez

£7.99 £7.59

Return to Neverland on this unforgetable adventure! It’s a thoroughly enjoyable book with brilliant characters, a proper frosty adventure, mixed with humour & lots of magic – you will read it in one sitting! I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of neverland’s magical features – I didn’t imagine it like this before. Most suitable for 9+