The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder by Kereen Getten

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

Any 7- to 10-year-old who wants detective and mystery stories should pick up this book! The first book in a new series by this Jamaican author introduces us to Fayson who is going to spend the summer with her rich cousins on a private island. She becomes a member of The Greatest Gang of All Time, but the group of children is really not that great at solving mysteries, and that’s where Fayson comes in – she’s been recruited to solve the mystery of the man who appears every evening in the lighthouse, then vanishes without a trace. But there might be other factors preventing her solving the case …

This mystery novel is a great change from many other books (by no means all of them!) aimed at that age, dealing with a mystery instead of a lot of silly humour. I also enjoyed the Caribbean setting and Fayson speaking Patwah, which makes the whole story even more exciting.

Also suitable for reluctant readers.

Time to Shine at the River School by Sabine Adeyinka

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

In the second book in the River School series Jummy meets Dongo, a new girl at the school, and have to battle The Atlantic Four from the Zambezi House for pretty much anything throughout the year. But more importantly, something is happening to the Shine-Shine River – it’s smelly, sluggish and brown. Jummy and her friends need to figure out if Redbrick Bakery has something to do with it.

I love boarding school stories and River School series, set in Nigeria, is one of my favourites. This book deals not only with friendship and school issues all children have, but with wider environmenatl topics as well. Definitely worth to be picked up in these climate change ridden times.

Digging For Victory by Cathy Faulkner

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

Set during the Second World War, this verse form novel follows Bonnie whose brother has joined the RAF. She has always felt in his shadow, and longs to be a hero herself.

The mysterious Mr. Fisher is billeted on their household – is he a conscientious objector, or a spy? Bonnie resolves to find out.

I loved the inventive use of type in this novel, it really enhances the text, with curves and swoops and bold and faint letters. The story moves along quickly and the verse form might be good for reluctant readers too.

Great themes of adventure, resilience,  bravery, strong but sidelined women, standing up for yourself – and STEM subjects – physics features heavily!

Quiet Storm by Kimberley Whittam

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

Since starting Year 7, Storm has often been told that she is quiet, that she should speak up, stand up for herself, and be more like her popular brother, Isaiah.

At school Storm feels isolated from her friend Zarrish who is in another class. When Storm breaks a school sprint record, a new world opens up for her, with new friends who accept her as she is. Trouble is, her old friend seems to be turning against her and wanting her to change – what should she do?

An empowering read about standing up for what you think is right, while still being true to yourself – ‘You don’t have to be loud to have a voice.’

One Chance Dance by Efua Traore

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

After an argument with his aunty, Jomi decides to leave his uncle’s house and follow his mum to Lagos. But once he gets there, he realises that finding her in such a huge city will be much harder than he thought. Luckily, he meets a group of poor children who let him stay with them. They come up with a big plan to win a televised dance competition that Jomi knows his mum always watches – that way she will see he is in Lagos and will come find him. It is lucky that Jomi has a bush baby, Ghost, at his side, because there are many obsctacles to his reunion with mum.

Set in rural Nigeria, and later in Lagos, this book will make you think about how people in other parts (i.e. not Western part) of the world live, that despite our problems and dissatisfaction with the way things are, it can’t compare to life of ordinary people in many places in Africa, where there is no respect for human rights and the law is in the hands of corporations and people with money. That said, it’s not a preachy read, and definitely very enjoyable and fast-paced, with loads of funny as well as sad moments. Suitable for 9+

Lottie Brooks’s Totally Disastrous School-Trip by Katie Kirby

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

The fourth book in the Lottie Brooks series is just as hilarious as the last three! This time Lottie is back from her summer holiday and off on a school trip. What could possibly go wrong? A LOT, this is Lottie after all.

If you are not aware of Lottie Brooks books, they are a series of diaries written by Lottie herself, starting when she is 11 and 3/4. They follow the friendships (and fall-outs), crushes and utterly hilarious mishaps as Lottie navigates growing up and surviving secondary school. They are perfect for girls 10 and upwards about to start secondary school.

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

A beautifully written book, set in Paris during World War II.

Safiyyah’s family is Muslim, they live in the Grand Mosque of Paris. Despite all the horrors they see when German soldiers arrive in Paris, at least they are safe, as Germans are reluctant to target Muslims.

Gradually Safiyyah starts noticing that her Baba is behaving differently and finally finds out why – he and other Muslim men have been helping Jews around town, providing them with fake documents and smuggling them out of Paris into the countryside. Due to circumstances they are forced to allow Safiyyah to join their efforts, and she is a massive help, especially when her Jewish friend Hana moves in with them after her parents have been arrested.

Culminating in a great escape, this is a book you’ll finish in one go! For the first time I found out about the Grand Mosque’s help against the Nazis, while the book also depicts beautiful scenes of life in a Muslim family, as well as glimpses into Jewish traditions. Definitely worth a read for any 10+ history buff!

The Lovely Dark by Matthew Fox

Out Now, Paperback £7.99

This is a very unusual book in regards of the topic it talks about.

Ellie and her friend Justin were in an accident, and they both end up in afterlife, with other children who’d been in horrible accidents. But Ellie’s family is expecting her baby brother and Ellie desperately wants to return to the world of living to meet him, even if she’s a ghost. Will she succeed? And why are her and Justin separated after arriving in the underworld?

This is a beautiful, elegiac story for 10+, based on Greek mythology, but beacuse it’s about children dying and afterlife, I would recommend this book to be bought only if you know the child you’re giving it to very well and are sure they won’t be upset by it. Definitely worth picking up though!

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

Out Now, Paperback £8.99

When Adina has her acceptance revoked from Yale, she will do anything to get it back. When she gets an invite to The Finish, the annual games run by the elite Remmington family she doesn’t hesitate to accept. If she wins, their power and money will get her back into Yale and allow her to be whatever she wants. However, The Finish is not what she thought and only one winner means only one survivor. 12 girls, 3 trials, all there for the same reason – Money. Just how far will they go to make sure they are the only one to walk out alive?

A ruthless, twisty, fast paced thriller that had me completely hooked. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games.

All About Romance by Daniel Tawse

Out Now, Paperback £8.99

I love Roman Bright, and you will too. Roman is an openly gay, queer and non-binary teenager in a small northern town. And they are FABULOUS.

Follow Roman’s intriguing story, full of mystery, revelations, synaesthesia(!),  friendship and resilience. And fabulous items of clothing that have names and personalities … Vivid, funny, warm, and intelligent, loved the art references and the setting – can’t wait to read more about Roman.

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

Out Now, Paperback £8.99

Wow! This thriller puts a whole new meaning to edge-of-your-seat.
Six teenagers are driving down in an RV to spend spring break partying, but a wrong turn turns deadly. In the middle of nowhere, with no phone signal and a sniper hiding in the bushes making sure no-one leaves, can they survive the night? One of them has a secret that is preventing them from leaving, but they are all hiding someting. Friendships and their mental health are about to be seriously tested.

Set across eight terrifying hours I couldn’t put this thriller down. I was reading through squinted eyes as I kept thinking the worst and didn’t want to know what happens next but just couldn’t stop. I loved Holly Jackson’s “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” but personally I’d say “Five Survive” is ten times better.

One of Us is Back by Karen McManus

Out Now, Hardback £14.99

The wait is finally over. The final instalment of the Bayview Four trilogy. Don’t worry if it was a while ago that you read the previous two as McManus makes sure the important elements are recapped.

When the local digital billboard is hacked with the words “Time for a new game, Bayview”, it looks like history is about to repeat hiself. With Jake requesting a re-trial and Phoebe terrified of what her brother Owen did coming out, will Bayview ever be safe?

Narrated by Addy, Nate and Phoebe but featuring all your favourite characters from the previous books, this conclusion will not leave you disappointed. Absolutely loved it! It was everything I wanted it to be and Karen McManus has kept her crown as queen of YA thrillers.

Sh!t Bag by Xena Knox

Out Now, Paperback £8.99

When Freya is fitted with temporary ileostomy bag on her stomach she refuses to acknowledge that this is now her life. She wants nothing to do with it, won’t look at it or change it, and if she can’t bear it how will anyone else?

As a last resort her parents send her to a camp with others in a similar position to hers, in a final hope to force her to come to terms with her situation. But Freya refuses to accept that this is long term, she doesn’t need help and she doesn’t need these people to be her friends … or does she?

Full of feelings and friendships this novel is a funny, honest and insightful YA novel about literally getting your sh!t together when it all goes to pot.

It had me shouting at Freya, laughing at Freya and opened my eyes to a world I knew nothing about. A great read and thoroughly enjoyable. Suitable for 12+

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kaylnn Bayron

Out Now, Paperback £8.99

Charity is working at Camp Mirror Lake, an immersive game based on a famous horror film, where visitors pay to try to “survive” the night.

With just a few nights left, things start getting weird and staff are disappearing. As the real secrets of Camp Mirror Lake start emerging, can Charity live up to the last girl character she plays and survive the night?

I loved this awesome horror. Perfect for classic slasher film fans like “Friday 13th”. This is a fast paced, terrifying novel that will send shivers up your spine. Slightly gory in places that will definitely make you squirm, this chilling novel is suitable for 14+

Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

Out Now, Hardback £14.99

We know the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades but what if all those stories we’d heard were all wrong? What if Persephone wasn’t actually kidnapped? What if, in fact she jumped?

Kore is the Goddess of Flowers and has spent her life on an island being protected by her mother Demeter and taught what she needs to know to be the perfect wife to a Greek God. The problem is, Kore doesn’t want that life, she wants to make her own choices, so when her mother and father are choosing her a husband Kore makes a drastic decision to take her life into her own hands.

This YA novel is a gorgeous retelling of the classic Greek myth, full of fiery romance, hate and power I was gripped from the page 1 and loved it.

For more reviews, check out Booktime Magazine 

Published 31st August

Published 14th September

Published 12th October.

Any Pre-orders will get a free print

Published 26th September

You can check out other books due to be published and pre order here