25 Children’s Books to Read in 2025
17th January 2025
I started this selection thinking it would be easy to limit my choices to just 25 books, but it turns out that 2025 is going to be a stellar year for kids, teens and young adults with so much to look forward to with returning authors and much-anticipated debuts. We agonised over which books to include in our shortlist, and hope you like our selection, but you can find even more recommendations for this year’s big new Primary and Secondary titles if you wanted to explore further.
The book that made us squeal in delight when an advance copy landed on our desks yesterday is Phil Earle’s The Dawn of Adonis – which tells the origin story of When the Sky Falls’ Adonis the Gorilla as he arrives in smuggled cargo from a Congolese Rainforest. Just as eagerly anticipated is the follow up to The Final Year by school-favourite poet Matt Goodfellow. In The First Year, we see Nate starting Secondary School with more life and school challenges to overcome and we know this will strike a chord with young readers as much as The Final Year did. We chose Safiyyah’s War as Book of the Month in July '23, as we were utterly enchanted by a forgotten history brought to life by debut fiction author Hiba Noor Khan. Now excitedly, Hiba returns with The Line They Drew Through Us, another powerful and inspiring novel, this time of best friends whose lives are changed forever when Indian Independence draws lines of Partition that tear them apart. It has award-winner written all over it!
Magical Creatures like Griffins, Unicorns and Dragons will keep on soaring in 2025, with the 5th instalment of the biggest fantasy adventure series, Skandar, due in the Autumn. We also see a return to Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures world with The Poisoned King – these are books well worth seeking out for its epic Tolkien-esque scale of worldbuilding and adventure. For older readers of 14+ there is much talk about debut author SF Williamson’s A Language of Dragons – with Dragons but also an incredible Dark Academia setting and a bit of enemies-to-lovers romance thrown in too.
There’s new titles from national treasure Michael Morpurgo, Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell Boyce, free-verse novel maestro Kwame Alexander, and a Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury picture book collaboration to look forward to, as well as a debut from Ella Dove, a powerful new voice advocating for disability awareness and there’s fantastic adult author Janice Hallett writing her first crime novel for children, coupled with fantastic Non-Fiction that challenges and informs. Oh, and I nearly forgot the 5th Hunger Games Novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, telling Haymitch’s story…. It really is a bumper year!
Let the 2025 Reading begin!
Claudia, Content Selection Team
Early Years
Oh Dear, Look What I Got!
Rosen, Michael
Hardback
A classic new picture book by the creators of the bestselling We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. "I went to the shop to get me a carrot. Oh dear, they gave me …. a parrot! Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No I do NOT!"From beloved author and illustrator pairing Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury comes a brilliant new picture book that will delight a new generation of children. Each visit to the shop brings an animal surprise in this playful read-aloud, with a final twist and a joyful ending. Young readers will love joining in the rhyming text and guessing what comes next in this hilarious picture book, sure to become a timeless classic.
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Gozzle
Donaldson, Julia
Hardback
Join Bear and Gozzle on an unforgettable journey through the seasons, written by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie. A funny and joyful picture book about home, family and belonging, Gozzle is the perfect gift to share and enjoy together. Bear has woken up from his long winter sleep to find a lost egg outside his cosy cave. Out hatches Gozzle, a very sweet little gosling who is convinced that Bear must be her daddy – and that she should be able to climb, dig and eat honey just like him!From the creators of the bestselling picture books, The Detective Dog, winner of the Books Are My Bag Readers' Award, and The Hospital Dog, winner of the Indie Book Awards.
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The Wild Robot on the Island
Brown, Peter
Hardback
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. Venture into Roz's wild world in this gorgeously illustrated picture book that brings to full colour the adventures of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel THE WILD ROBOT - now a DreamWorks major motion picture starring Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal and Kit Connor!Roz is not where she's supposed to be. Roz the robot wasn't designed to live in the wilderness. But when she washes up on an island, she must learn from the animal inhabitants and adapt to her new, natural surroundings, and before long, the island begins to feel like home. Filled with Peter Brown's stunning artwork, this moving picture book is the perfect gift for readers new to THE WILD ROBOT or for longtime fans of the series that sparked a global phenomenon. [The Wild Robot on the Island was a #1 New York Times bestseller w/c 13th July 2025]
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Meet the Mubbles
Pichon, Liz
Hardback
Meet the Mubbles is the first in a hilarious full colour graphic novel series by Liz Pichon, the globally bestselling creator of Tom Gates. Kids love it:‘I laughed so much, I could barely breathe!’ – Ellie‘I read this book 5 times over, it was so good!’ – HugoWelcome to the Isle of Smile! Come on in and meet the colourful, fun-loving Mubbles - Bash, Dash, Cheery and the gang. The Mubbles love their island, especially the mysterious Uncertain Curtain, which always delivers an unexpected surprise! What will it be today?This time, it's a very odd . . . ball? The Mubbles aren't sure what to do with it - but one thing's for sure, the Mubbles definitely shouldn't press the button that says 'Don't Touch'!Filled with colourful characters, boundless fun and lots of adventures this series is a guaranteed hit for kids. Featuring a QR code that will take you to a website full of extra content, including arts, crafts and many fun songs from The Mubbles world. Join our ever growing community, with over 150,000 subscribers already!Don't miss The Mubbles' next adventure in When Berry Met Terry!
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Cobweb
Morpurgo, Michael
Paperback / softback
A powerful, moving adventure inspired by the extraordinary true story of the French Drummer Boy of Waterloo, COBWEB is a stunning tale of courage and kindness – a book about humanity, animals, and the heartbreak of war, from a writer at the height of his powers. 'Thank goodness for Michael Morpurgo' ????? The Telegraph 'Moving, unique and utterly charming. This is why Michael Morpurgo is the nation's favourite storyteller' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear “They call me Cobweb. I’ll tell you why later. I may be a dog, but I know and understand a lot more than people think I do.” Britain. 1815. After years of loss and sacrifice, the end of the war with Napoleon is approaching. Cobweb knows nothing of the war – he loves being a young puppy and playing with his owner, Bethan, exploring the countryside and chasing rabbits. But when he is taken away from Bethan and sold, Cobweb must learn to become a Drover’s Dog – herding sheep and cattle for hundreds of miles on the long, treacherous journey to London. And after the Napoleonic wars finally come to an end with the Battle of Waterloo, Cobweb meets an unexpected stranger with an incredible tale to tell on his journey home …
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The Adventures of Rap Kid
Grammar, MC
Paperback / softback
"FUN, FRESH and THUMPING with ENERGY" - Jeff Kinney, bestselling author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid"MC Grammar is IT. He is the MAN!" - Michael Rosen The first in a hilarious series from multi-award-winning teacher and World Book Day Ambassador, MC Grammar! Meet Z, he only speaks in rhyme. Teased all the time. But now it’s his time to shine. Z stands for ZERO: being the amount of words that Z speaks at school. Why? Because every time he talks, it rhymes. Every. Single. Time. But, things are about to change. The Royal Rap Rumble is coming to town in search of the next rhyming rap legend. With the help of his super-cool English teacher, Mr G, his best friend, SFX, and the ultimate hip-hop makeover, RAP KID is born. But can he become the G.O.A.T and take home the golden mic? Bring on the vibes!The Adventures of Rap Kid celebrates the power of words and friendship. Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Tom Gates and Loki. From the viral book-rapping sensation and star of SkyKids Wonder Raps and Rap Tales.
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The Blockbusters!
Cottrell-Boyce, Frank
Hardback
Nominated for the Carnegie Medal for WritingYear 6 goes to Hollywood!Head to Tinseltown in this hilarious and heart-warming adventure by the UK Children's Laureate 2024-2026 and bestselling, award-winner Frank Cottrell-Boyce. The Blockbusters! is fabulously illustrated in black and white throughout by Steven Lenton. When new boy Rafa and his friends accidentally stray onto the set of a Hollywood blockbuster, the last thing they expect is to become part of the action. Rafa’s likeness to the famous movie star, BB, gives him VIP access all areas, including the banquet of catering doughnuts!But Rafa isn’t the only one having an adventure. His big brother, Cillian, is missing. He sent Rafa a clue to his location, but he can’t really be in actual Hollywood, can he? It’s up to Rafa to keep acting the part of a movie star, if he is to find his brother – and home. Praise for Frank Cottrell-Boyce:'Full of heart and emotion that might just bring a tear to your eye' - Tom Fletcher on Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth'Full of jokes and touching moments' - The Sunday Times on Framed'He has something of Roald Dahl's magic, but more heart' - Sunday Telegraph on Cosmic'A funny, charming, life-affirming book' - Richard Osman on Runaway Robot
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How To Roller-Skate with One Leg
Dove, Ella
Paperback / softback
"A book to race through, heart thudding, cheering Maya's courage - a book to keep forever because it's so subtle, so surprising, so very special." JACQUELINE WILSON"An inspiring and uplifting story that celebrates friendship, family and overcoming challenges." The Week JrWhen Maya finds a list she made before losing her leg, she decides she's still going to do everything on it - even though her former bestie has ditched her for the cool kids. Before she turns 13, she's going to . . . * Get her ears double-pierced * Learn how to roller-skate* Stay up all night at a sleepover* Go viral* Have the best birthday party ever* MAKE HER EX-BEST-FRIEND SOPHIE REALISE WHAT SHE'S MISSING!!!This funny and uplifting story by journalist and amputee Ella Dove is a celebration of friendship, family and overcoming adversity.
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A Box Full of Murders
Hallett, Janice
Paperback / softback
Shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards 2025: Children’s Fiction Category'Pure catnip for budding young sleuths' The TelegraphThe first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey. When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box of papers in their attic they are instantly curious about secrets it might hold. As they read through letters, diary entries, newspaper cuttings and listen to secret recordings, they realize that a decades-old, still unsolved, murder mystery is unfolding right in front of them . . . Ava and Luke decide to try and crack the case themselves. But as they work through the clues, it soon becomes clear that the mystery isn't something left in the past: the killer is still be out there - and might be closer than they think... YOU know the facts. YOU have all the clues. Can YOU solve the mystery before they do?
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The Dawn of Adonis
Earle, Phil
Paperback / softback
From the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls comes the heart-wrenching story of a baby gorilla, Adonis, born into captivity, and the twelve-year-old girl who risks everything to rescue him. In 1911, before the start of World War One, London’s docks thrum with underhand deals, none so great as the arrival of a valuable, rare and exotic animal – a baby silverback gorilla. The baby gorilla stands to make one man very, very rich. Heaven help anyone who gets in his way. But then one night a twelve-year-old girl is unwittingly drawn into his criminal underworld. Can she find a way to escape and rescue the baby gorilla?The hotly anticipated follow-up to the multi-award-winning story about the incredible friendship between a young boy and a silverback gorilla in the Second World War, inspired by a true story: When the Sky Falls. ‘This richly atmospheric adventure . . . confirms Earle as a master of his craft’ Daily Mail ‘Nobody writes striking, heartfelt adventure like Phil Earle. I loved it!’ Ross Montgomery ‘It’s a tremendous nail-biting read, tender and terrifying in equal measure’ Jacqueline Wilson Praise for When the Sky Falls: ‘A magnificent story’ Philip Pullman ‘Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement’ Michael MorpurgoPerfect for fans of War Horse, I Am Rebel and The Last Bear
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The Line They Drew Through Us
Khan, Hiba Noor
Paperback / softback
From the author of Safiyyah's War – winner of the Indie Book Award, the Week Junior Book Award, the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize and The Diverse Book Award. 'Historical fiction at its finest - vibrant, vital, deeply moving, and brimming with wisdom for the future' - Sophie Anderson'A richly told and immensely moving Partition story that spotlights a moment in history of colonial empire that changed the lives of millions' - A M DassuThree best friends are born on the same day under miraculous circumstances. But by their twelfth birthday, Jahan, Ravi and Lakshmi’s lives are about to change forever. The British announce Indian independence and draw lines of Partition that tear apart the country, and the friends. One of them flees, one of them disappears, and the other is left wondering, could a miracle bring them back together?Cover art by Hazem Asif
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Skandar and the Spirit War
Steadman, A.F.
Hardback
BLOODTHIRSTY UNICORNS. UNLIKELY HEROES. A MORTAL ENEMY. Don’t miss this epic final adventure in the number 1 bestselling SKANDAR series, for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Impossible Creatures. Pre-order THE FIRST UNICORN RIDER now to be one of the first to read an unmissable new magical adventure set in the incredible WORLD OF SKANDARSkandar is in hiding after the Chaos Cup where Rex Manning revealed a game-changing secret. But as Rex prepares to invade the Mainland, the Islanders are not sure who to trust. With one of Skandar’s closest friends now fighting for the enemy, Skandar must build new alliances – including an uneasy truce with Kenna. To defeat Rex, Skandar and his friends will need to look back to the origins of the Island, and harness the full power of their elemental magic. Can Skandar become the leader he needs to be – to save the Mainland and the heart of the Island itself?Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns in this highly anticipated adventure that will keep you reading after lights out!Praise for the SKANDAR series:‘The most popular children’s fantasy hero since Harry Potter’ – Telegraph‘Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.’ – The Times Children's Book of the Week‘Deft, dazzling and breathlessly exciting – it’s a joy to enter Skandar’s World.’ – Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood and Co. seriesSkandar and the Unicorn Thief was WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 and WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!Skandar and the Phantom Rider was one of THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2023. *Skandar and the Chaos Trials was the Number 1 bestseller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan chart, 27th April 2024*Skandar and the Spirit War was the Children’s Number 1 besteller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan Chart 30th August 2025
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The Poisoned King
Rundell, Katherine
Hardback
'Katherine Rundell returns with a perfect fantasy' Telegraph** BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS' AWARD WINNER **The unmissable new story in the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling Impossible Creatures series, for fans of Philip Pullman, Percy Jackson and Skandar. 'There was Tolkien, there is Pullman and now there is Katherine Rundell' – Michael MorpurgoWhen Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months he’s dreamed of returning to the Archipelago – the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon’s lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket and a ravenous hunger for justice... Awards and praise for Impossible Creatures WINNER Waterstones Book of the YearWINNER British Book Awards Children's Book of the YearWINNER Foyles Children's Book of the Year WINNER Books Are My Bag Readers Award'A book stuffed full of fantastical, magical delight' – Cressida Cowell 'Readers will seize this with delight' – Philip Pullman 'A masterpiece to rival Tolkien' – Daily Telegraph 'Every sentence sparkles ... Magnificent' – The Times Impossible Creatures Sunday Times bestseller, December 2023
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The First Year
Goodfellow, Matt
Paperback / softback
Nate’s eleven and has just finished Primary School. After a challenging final year, life is looking up. His brother has recovered from a life-threatening heart condition, he’s got the love of his mum, brothers and Auntie San, and he’s off to Secondary School with his two best mates. But while he's making new friends and avoiding the fists of Turner, his old nemesis, and struggling to come to terms with a strict new teacher and a sense of isolation from his brothers, a sudden surprise appearance in Nate's life threatens to throw him completely off course. And The Beast - the anger he tries so hard to control - reappears. Will Nate find a way to keep himself and his family together?
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Sunrise on the Reaping
Collins, Suzanne
Hardback
“Sunrise on the Reaping is a propulsive, heart-wrenching addition to The Hunger Games, adding welcome texture to the cruel world of Panem ... This is the project of dystopian fiction: to shine a light in tyranny's greasiest corners and show how people - ordinary, determined human beings - might take it apart” - New York Times “Collins is an excellent writer, and there are moments of surprising lyricism ... Sunrise on the Reaping contains enough both to snare new readers and to satisfy the most bloodthirsty fan” - Guardian “A brutal, tender tale that adds depth to the franchise, weaving pertinent themes of misinformation and propaganda around the thrills and action.” - The Observer When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for? As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena. Four books, five films and one worldwide phenomenon, The Hunger Games original trilogy changed the face of global YA and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was an instant number one bestseller (Nielsen Bookscan, May 2020). All four of the Hunger Games novels have been made into major feature films, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Peter Dinklage. A feature film for Sunrise On the Reaping - the fifth book in the Hunger Games series - is slated for November 2026 OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES The Hunger Games The Hunger Games illustrated edition released in October 2024 Catching Fire Mockingjay The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
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The Vulpine
Crosby, Polly
Paperback / softback
Enter a darkly dystopian world full of eerie folklore, in which illness and difference have been prohibited. But from deep beneath the earth, a rebellion is rising... Perfect for fans of Never Let Me Go and The Luminaries. Ora has always been fascinated by chilling fairy stories of the Vulpine – the mythical, fox-like monsters who live below ground, emerging at night to snatch 'imperfect' babies and children. Because Ora knows that disability and illness have no place in her world. To succeed is to be genetically ‘perfect’, just like her best friend Casta and his family. Then, one day, Casta’s baby sister disappears. And Ora’s mother reveals a long-buried secret: Ora herself has a genetic illness that affects her lungs... And she's about to be found out. Desperate for answers and sanctuary, Ora decides to do the unthinkable and seek out the fabled Vulpine. And below the earth, she discovers a hidden world that turns everything she has been taught upside-down... A unique and powerful story about stepping into your power and creating a better world, with a brilliant cast of disabled heroes, from an author whose own experiences of chronic illness inform Ora's. A chilling dystopian world filled with eerie science fiction and a sweet, slow-burn romance. Perfect for fans of Never Let Me Go, A Handmaid's Tale, The Hunger Games and The Luminaries.
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Black Star
Alexander, Kwame
Hardback
Set during the turbulent segregation era, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination and the unflappable faith of an American family. Twelve-year old Charley is set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional baseball, even if that’s a lofty dream for a Black girl in the American South in the 1920s. Even so, her grandfather Kofi’s thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so much more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn’t old enough to know about certain things, like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge, and why she can never play on the brand-new baseball field on the other side of town. When Charley challenges a neighbourhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. Then a dispute on the field leads to Charley making a fateful decision, one that will bring consequences she never could have imagined.
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Mondays Are Murder
Guron, Ravena
Paperback / softback
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. "Clever, witty and so much fun...I was on the edge of my seat. At this point, if Ravena Guron writes it, I'm first in line to read it." Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen 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... Praise for Ravena Guron:"For fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M McManus." The Observer "A treat for crime fiction fans." Sunday Express "A crisp, Christie-esque detective story told in lively multiple voices, perfect for Holly Jackson fans." The Guardian
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A Beautiful Evil
Fitzgerald, Bea
Hardback
The instant bestselling YA Greek myth re-imagining from Bea Fitzgerald, TikTok superstar and Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen. Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple purpose: to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos. The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her. Hurt and confused, Pandora struggles to find meaning in her new life. What's the point of being given all these gifts by the gods, if she can't get this infuriating, awful, frankly very rude man (with an admittedly quite nice face) to love her? Maybe she's failing at her life’s purpose. Or maybe she's destined for an entirely different one . . . ?As Pandora and Matheos work to uncover why she was created, that fated connection between them feels increasingly difficult to ignore. And with that comes terrible risk. Because Matheos’s traitorous brother, Prometheus, is a seer – and before the gods captured him he issued a final warning: that Pandora and Matheos’s love will be humanity’s doom. So . . . what do you do when faced with an all-powerful love . . . that just happens to threaten the end of the world?Pandora’s about to find out. A glorious sunshine/grumpy romantic re-imagining of the Pandora myth, from the bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen and The End Crowns All'No one does Greek myths quite like Bea Fitzgerald . . . A deliciously addictive romp.' - The Observer 'Full of laughter, romance and drama . . . I would read ANYTHING she writes.' - Elodie Harper, bestselling author of The Wolf Den'Empowering and thoroughly entertaining.' - Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne 'A brilliant, bright and hopeful examination of female desire and agency.' - Costanza Casati, bestselling author of Babylonia
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Girl, Ultra-Processed
Sage, Amara
Paperback / softback
'Thoughtful, sassy, and full of joy. A gift for a teenage girl - and a very enjoyable read for this adult reader, too' Pandora Sykes'Heartwarming, hard-hitting YA takedown of diet culture.'Guardian New year, new me!That's what Saffron Saldana tells herself as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. Her resolution is the same every year: lose weight. Because Saffron has it hard-wired that weight loss equals happiness. It's what she's been told her whole life - online, in magazines, especially by her own diet-obsessed mother. But dietingis hard. So to escape her own reality, Saffron creates Sydney, a super-slim, AI-generated 'perfect'version of herself. Boys online love Sydney, and for Saffron, it's just a bit of harmless fun. Until the boundaries of her life online and offline begin to blur . . . And one boy in particular makes her question her desire to be someone she's not. Can Saffron find a way back to herself, and learn to love who she actually is?Girl: Ultra-Processed explores what it is like to be a teenage girl in our current body-obsessed world while juggling family drama, friend dynamics, dating, betrayals and major life changes. A searing look at diet culture and all its ugly consequences, from the talented writer of Influential.
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A Language of Dragons
Williamson, S. F.
Hardback
The most exciting debut of 2025 – an incredible fantasy Dark Academia, perfect for fans of Babel, Fourth Wing, and the Scholomance trilogy EVERY FIRE STARTS WITH A SINGLE SPARK. Welcome to Bletchley Park… with dragons. London, 1923. Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get an internship studying dragon languages, and make sure her little sister never has to risk growing up Third Class. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war. With her parents arrested and her sister missing, all the safety Viv has worked for is collapsing around her. So when a lifeline is offered in the form of a mysterious ‘job’, she grabs it. Arriving at Bletchley Park, Viv discovers that she has been recruited as a codebreaker helping the war effort – if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die. At first Viv believes that her challenge, of discovering the secrets of a hidden dragon language, is doable. But the more she learns, the more she realises that the bubble she’s grown up in isn’t as safe as she thought, and eventually Viv must decide: What war is she really fighting? An epic, sweeping fantasy with an incredible Dark Academia setting, a clandestine, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and an unputdownable story, filled with twists and turns, betrayals and secret identities, A Language of Dragons is the unmissable debut of 2025, from an extraordinary new voice. "A smart and original young adult riff on the dark academia aesthetic, SF Williamson’s book is a glorious mix of dragons, rebellion, language and romance, and the world-building is a joy." – Observer, best children’s books of 2025 A Language of Dragons was Children's #1 bestseller in the TCM chart on 07 January 2025.
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Michael Rosen's Pocket Shakespeare: A Beginner's Guide to the Best Bits of the Bard
Rosen, Michael
Hardback
The ultimate beginner’s guide to the magic of Shakespeare, from the award-winning Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell. Step inside a sparkling celebration of the wonderful words of William Shakespeare. With former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen as your guide, discover how Shakespeare explores love and heartbreak, magic and superstition, jealousy, beauty and much more in a collection of quotes and speeches taken from his plays – plus a selection of Shakespearean insults and one-liners! Michael Rosen’s commentary illuminates the Bard for beginners alongside sumptuous illustrations by Chris Riddell, making this the perfect book to bring Shakespeare to life for all ages.
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We Are All Inventors!
Pankhurst, Kate
Paperback / softback
**Shortlisted for the ASE Book of the Year 2025**Unleash your IMAGINATION and learn all about INVENTING in this fact-packed new picture book from the bestselling creator of the FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN series and WE ARE ALL ASTRONAUTS. This is the perfect introduction to inventing for the next generation of curious creators, whoever they may be. Can you feel it? That FANTASTICAL FIZZ of CURIOSITY? Lizzy Sparks has the spark, the spark of INVENTION, and she’s going to need it because her pet hamster Gizmo is MISSING! That's where Ruby, Lizzy's super-smart babysitter, comes in. She's going to show Lizzy how inventors NEVER give up … because there's an inventor in ALL of us. And maybe Lizzy can invent the perfect solution to find Gizmo. Join Lizzy, Ruby and Gizmo in the second title of Kate Pankhurst's new non-fiction picture book series. Including facts on famous female inventors, biomimicry, how inventions are made, life-saving inventions, planet-saving inventions and MORE! Mixing STEM topics with a story of adventure and learning will inspire and entertain curious minds.
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See Inside AI
Frith, Alex
Board book
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 evolutionChapters 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
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The Secret Lives of Women Spies
Philby, Charlotte
Paperback / softback
**** FIVE STARS 'Fascinating . . . Few fictional adventures can outdo those recounted here' The Telegraph Step into the Secret World. Charlotte Philby’s grandfather was the most infamous double agent in history. Inspired to find out about his world, Charlotte discovered that there were plenty of untold stories of courage and secrets and daring . . . And so many were about women. There are a host of extraordinary tales involving female spies: from dare-devil skiers delivering top-secret information, to clever codebreakers taking down the world’s biggest criminals, to brave undercover agents fighting alongside the French Resistance. Starring Edith Cavell, Elizebeth Friedman, Noor Inayat Khan and many more, the stories in this book explore the hope, courage, fear, loves and lives of these remarkable women. Featuring top-secret spying info and imagined newspaper articles covering incredible spy stories, this is your chance to find out about the women who hid in the shadows, but deserve to be in the spotlight.
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