The New Books For Children To Get Stuck Into This Summer
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AGE 5-8
Dave Pigeon (Kittens!) by Swapna Haddow & Sheena Dempsey
In the fifth book in the bestselling Dave Pigeon series, Dave and his trusty sidekick Skipper are minding their own business in the garden shed when they see Mean Cat behaving very strangely. The arrival of some very cute kittens is disastrous news for the pair – but then the kittens come under threat, are Dave and Skipper cold-hearted enough to leave them defenceless?
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The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen
In a big, abandoned house lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit and rich artwork, The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious.
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We Dug Up the World by Alexandra Stewart & Kitty Harris
Team up with archaeologists from around the world and travel through time to learn about fantastic historical artefacts. From Tutankhamun's tomb to the Titanic, and dinosaur bones on the beach to Pompeii, children will discover something new on every page and delight in learning about how the world used to be.
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The Trapped Puppy by Holly Webb & Sophy Williams
This is a new story from bestselling author Holly Webb, perfect for animal-loving children. Amelia and her family are walking their two dogs when disaster strikes and Poppet the puppy disappears during a game of fetch. After searching high and low, Amelia discovers that Poppet has fallen down an old mine and has no way of escaping. Amelia is so worried at the thought of Poppet all alone in the cold, dark mine, but can she find a way to get Poppet out safely?
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Lil' Muffin Drops the Mic by Romesh Ranganathan
From comedy superstar Romesh Ranganathan comes a hilarious and heartfelt tale that proves rap battles and baking muffins really can mix. Ever since his dad left, James can't seem to stop worrying about everything. His favourite hobby, baking, is a fun distraction, but no matter how many brownies he makes, James still feels like there's a missing ingredient in his life. Until he discovers rapping, and he's hooked. So, when he hears that grime artist star Brukka is on the hunt for young talent, James starts to wonder: could this be his chance to share talent with the whole school? The perfect story for readers age 8+.
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AGE 9-12
The World's Worst Monsters by David Walliams & Adam Stower
The World’s Worst series has captivated millions of readers. You’ve met the world’s worst children, the world’s worst parents, the world’s worst teachers and the world’s worst pets – but are you ready for the world’s worst monsters? Laugh along to these ten terrifying tales of marvellous monsters, brought to you by David Walliams and illustrator Adam Stower.
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The Other Edie Trimmer by Jacqueline Wilson
Edie is fascinated by Victorian times, and she's just desperate to be cast in the lead role of her drama club production of Oliver. When she's given a real Victorian notebook she's determined to write the best story ever, all about a girl in a workhouse. But when she starts writing, something strange happens. Edie finds herself in Victorian London. She feels the same, but everything around her is completely different to what she knows. Soon, she realises she's living the life of another Edie Trimmer – and is in danger of being sent to a real workhouse. Will she forget everything she knows about her other life – and will she ever be able to make it back to her family?
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City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
India, 1855. The British rule, and across the country, Indian magic is being stamped out. More terrifying still, people born with magic are being snatched from their homes. Rumour is that they are being taken to England by the all-powerful, sinister Company. When Chompa's home is attacked and her mother viciously kidnapped, Chompa – born with powerful and dangerous magic that she has always been forbidden from using – must travel to smoky east London in search of her. But Chompa will discover far more treachery in London than she had bargained for.
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Lottie Brooks's Totally Disastrous School-Trip by Katie Kirby
Lottie Brooks continues to navigate the many perils of growing up in this fantastically funny illustrated series for a 9-12 audience, filled with friendship, embarrassing moments and plenty of laughs. After a summer of meeting handsome French boys and getting a tiny bit sunburnt, Lottie's heading off on a week-long residential school trip. A whole week away from embarrassing parents. But the trip soon turns into a total disaster. The other girls staying at the camp are mean, best friend Jess is spending all her time with new girl Isha, and Lottie's diary gets stolen. Who knew a school trip could cause so much drama?
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Robodog by David Walliams & Adam Stower
Bedlam is one of the most dangerous places on Earth – home to a host of wicked villains. Nothing and nobody are safe from these evil criminals. The city needs its own superhero to defeat the supervillains. Enter Robodog, the newest recruit at the Police Dog School, and supercharged for adventure. But can he stop the most feared duo in Bedlam, and their evil plans to ruin the city?
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The Best Sleepover in the World by Jacqueline Wilson
This summer sees the long-awaited sequel to the hugely popular book Sleepovers! Daisy's worst ever enemy Chloe is desperate to win back her friends, so she announces she's going to have ‘the best sleepover in the world’. Chloe's party is going to have a swim in a luxury pool, a special makeover for every guest, and a live meeting with a social media superstar. All Chloe's old friends are invited, even Daisy's best friend Emily. But Daisy is left out. Daisy's sister Lily is non-verbal but she's learned Makaton at her new special school. She signs to Daisy that she wants a sleepover. Will family and friends somehow make Lily's party the best sleepover in the world?
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Stolen History by Sathnam Sanghera
This is an accessible, engaging and essential introduction to the British empire for readers aged 9+, by bestselling author of Empireland Sathnam Sanghera. The book explores how Britain's empire once made it the most powerful nation on Earth, and how it still affects our lives in many ways today – from the words we use, to the food we eat, the sports we play and even to every grown-up's fixation with a good cup of tea. Because how can we ever make the world a kinder, better place for the future, if we don't know the truth about the past?
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The Cosmic Diary of our Incredible Universe by Tim Peake
This first children's non-fiction book by astronaut Tim Peake is just the thing for kids hungry to know more about space, the universe and our place in it. How are stars made? What will we find in a black hole? Which fruit can create antimatter? What is antimatter? Peake and a host of expert STEM characters talk us through it all in this fascinating adventure through space, time and the diary of our truly incredible universe.
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TEEN & YA
One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus
From international bestseller Karen McManus comes the explosive third and final instalment in the acclaimed Bayview series. Life hasn't been easy for the Bayview Crew. First they had to prove they weren't killers. Then a new generation had to outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it's beginning again. At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke. But when a member of the crew disappears, it's clear this 'game' just got serious – and no-one understands the rules. Everyone's a target and now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things are starting to get deadly. Simon was right about secrets – they all come out in the end.
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Friends Like These by Meg Rosoff
New York City, June 1982. When 18-year-old Beth arrives in Manhattan for a prestigious journalism internship, everything feels brand new – and not always in a good way. A cockroach-infested sublet and a disaffected roommate are the least of her worries, and she soon finds herself caught up with her fellow interns – preppy Oliver, ruthless Dan and ridiculously cool Edie. Soon, Beth and Edie are best friends. But with the mercury rising and deceit mounting up, betrayal lies just around the corner. Who needs enemies when you have friends like these?
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Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
This dazzling fantasy is inspired by Greek mythology. Each spring, Ithaca condemns 12 maidens to the noose. This is the price vengeful Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope's 12 maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago. But when that fate comes for Leto, death is not what she thought it would be. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island and meets a girl with green eyes and the power to command the sea. A girl named Melantho, who says one more death can stop a thousand. The prince of Ithaca must die – or the tides of fate will drown them all.
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How To Die Famous by Benjamin Dean
London-born Abel has landed the role of a lifetime for an upcoming blockbuster. On the face of it he’s Hollywood’s latest teen star, but below the surface he’s an undercover journalist on a mission to expose the ‘squeaky clean’ entertainment industry and the part they played in his brother’s ‘accidental’ death. As Abel steps into the spotlight alongside fellow actors Lucky, Ryan and Ella, he soon discovers that beneath the glittering surface of fame and riches lies a darker world of secrecy, scandal and murder. Nobody is who they seem when the cameras are off, and everybody has something to hide. But who’s next in line to die famous?
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Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Eighteen-year-old Red and her friends are on a road trip, heading to the beach for Spring Break. It’s a long drive but spirits are high. Until the RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. And as the wheels are shot out, one by one, the friends realise that this is no accident. There’s a sniper out there. He’s watching them and he knows exactly who they are. One member of the group has a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for. As a game of cat-and-mouse plays out, the group desperately tries to get help. Buried secrets are forced to light and tensions within the group reach deadly levels. Only one thing is for sure – not everyone will survive the night.
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Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying. The real story is much more interesting. Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld's annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan – one that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core.
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