Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho returns with his well-loved character Luna. This time, Luna is exploring the magic of gardening.

Luna is impressed by the community allotment when she visits with her family.  Luna takes time to wonder about each seed she encounters – where in the world it came from and what it will turn into. With the help of Grandpa and Nana from Jamaica, Luna realises that every new seed planted will have its own story to tell.

This is a really beautiful picture book celebrating nature, gardens, community, the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of stories. Fiona Lumbers’ artwork is stunning, drawing out the elements that most capture a young child’s imagination with an abundance of colour, while also contrasting the vibrancy of the community garden with the grey, surrounding cityscape.

This wonderful picturebook is an essential story for modern classroom and home libraries.

Adventure in a sci-fi setting ensues with the usual edge-of-your-seat fast pace of a Christopher Edge story. If you liked Escape Room and Maisie Day or Jennifer Killick’s Dreadwood horror series, then you’ll love this.

Five friends find themselves sucked into the screen to become part of the 4D interactive film they were hoping to watch at the Black Hole Cinema club – so-named due to a spelling error.

The friends have to complete a mission to find their way out of the film, but to do that they have to work out what the mission is! Some of the descriptions are thrilling (if a little scary!): ‘… a jet black tidal wave, a tsunami of darkness surging towards us without a sound.‘ and ‘…as the curtains kiss the music stops and the lights go out…‘

The book is beautifully presented and laid out with some bold text, simple line illustrations for items such as the cinema tickets and feature-framed chapter title pages. The text is well-spaced and easy to read, broadening the appeal to a wider range of readers in KS2.

Ahoy there! From the author of the The Storm Keeper’s Island Trilogy, comes a brilliant new adventure story full of magic, pirates, courage and a talking parrot!

From the moment you open the book and see the map, it will have you hook, line and sinker. Max and his older brother, Christopher, used to dream of visiting the secret kingdom of Darksea, which is on the other side of the horizon, and sailing on the Stolen Sunrise with a pirate king who once killed a Kraken and then ate it for dinner. This is where stardust falls from the sky and enchants whatever it touches, including the ship. Or it used to. Now, it dissolves as soon as it hits the ocean and Darksea cannot survive without it. Something needed to be done.

One night, a letter arrives from Captain O Malley, who needs an unlikely hero but with Christopher now gravely ill in hospital, Max takes up an offer he can’t refuse to search for a magical miracle that might just save his brother’s life. When we mention pirates, we think of enemies, traitors and thieves. Not on Captain O Malley’s ship. This exhilarating, action-packed story will have you wanting to grab your pirate hat and hop aboard the Stolen Sunrise to join landlubber Max and his new sidekick Ruby and share in his quest to save Darksea from the terrifying threat that lurks in its waters. And to ensure that once more everyone will share in the magic of stardust-including his brother.

Full of beautiful descriptions throughout, this story will propel children into a world of swashbuckling fantasy and lend itself to fantastic writing opportunities in the classroom.

This is the first book in the new Early Readers series from Alex T. Smith.

The Space Cadets, Astrid, Zoink, Beryl and Dr. Quackers must complete tasks assigned to them to earn gold stars to be in the running for the grand prize. It is the Space Cadet mission to help at all times, no matter what – so when they get a distress call from the Planet Hortensis while cleaning the Milky Way, they rush to help. Snailiens have invaded the garden of Flora Mulch and are headed for her prize-winning Astro Potatoes. The cadets must figure out how to save the day in their own unique way.

This early chapter book is all about teamwork and helping people, which is a great message for young readers. The series contains easily accessible vocabulary and gorgeous illustrations to add to the appeal for young readers exploring short, illustrated chapter books. There is also a good deal of humour which also adds to the fun factor. I’m looking forward to more adventures from the crew!

The year is 2507. The oceans have risen. A new dawn of piracy has begun. This exciting and fast-paced book is the first in the Pirate Academy series from Justin Somper, with illustrations from Teo Skaffa.

At the prestigious Pirate Academy, only 15 children a year are selected from the most famous and successful pirate families to be trained to become the next generation of swash-buckling leaders. In Barracuda class, tensions become high with a poor report for Jacoby, the disappearance of Jasmine’s parents, the abrupt departure of their classmate Wing and the sudden arrival of the mysterious Neo Splice. Can the Barracudas put aside their suspicions and mistrust to work together and defeat a new, unknown enemy?

Fantastically written with attention to detail in scene setting and character development meaning the reader can become completely immersed in the story. At just over 200 pages long, the author keeps you hooked until the very end with a shock reveal and a cliffhanger that leaves you eager to delve into Book Two.

Perfect for adventure-loving children (and their grown-ups!).

Benjamin Creek is an eleven-year-old boy who lives in Wyvern-on-the-Water and can often be found sitting in the ‘Once Upon a Time’ bookshop reading (non-fiction only). He doesn’t believe in magic and doesn’t like fantasy stories, unlike his dad. He receives a mysterious parcel in the post one day which contains a strange doll. His grandma tells him it’s a poppet, a type of doll used for witchcraft, but of course, Benjamin isn’t remotely interested in that, he prefers a scientific explanation for everything.

Meanwhile, in Wreathenwold, twins Edwid and Elizabella are surrounded by magic. Edwid hears whispering coming from a crack in the wall and doesn’t know whether to listen to the voice or not. Benjamin and Elizabella’s lives collide when Benjamin accidentally finds his way into Wreathenwold and can’t find his way out again.

I love the contrast between Benjamin and Elizabella – his scientific mind and thoughts struggling to process what is going on around him, Elizabella’s blunt refusal to accept his explanations. Wreathenwold is described as a labyrinth and that’s what reading the book feels like – at first, you know nothing, but then you slowly start to uncover its secrets and find your way around as you learn more about the characters and the surroundings.

This is a brilliantly written adventure for older readers in KS2, perfect for fans of fantasy and magic-based stories. And perhaps those who generally prefer a scientific explanation too.

I was totally gripped by this thriller by a new author Piu Das Gupta set in late nineteenth century Paris.

The two protagonists Zelie, a Bengali-born housemaid who has been sent to work in Paris by her father Robi, and Jules, a Parisian sewer cleaner working with his father, meet through unusual circumstances and are drawn into a dark, mysterious world of secret societies, murderers, circuses and, of course, sewers. All with the aim of retrieving a cursed stone so that she can be reunited with her father Baba.

All of the characters are brilliantly portrayed, not only through vivid descriptions but also through how they relate and act towards each other. Zelie is frequently accused of being a witch and a thief because of her differently coloured eyes by the family for whom she works, and Jules is more cautious, initially rather reluctant to be drawn into Zelie’s quest. There are many twists and turns throughout this adventure, and some hair-raising moments involving a terrifying secret society, but Zelie and Jules work together to solve the mystery, encountering villains, fortune tellers, acrobats, and many more vibrantly depicted characters along the way. Delightful insertions add to the storytelling: Zelie’s pep talks to herself, the letters between Zelie and her father which tell contrasting stories, Rodolphe her pet pigeon, Jules’ pet snails and of course the baby sloth!

The fast-paced adventure takes the reader from the sewers and catacombs under Paris to secret lairs and a circus full of colourful and exotic characters, and besides the mystery and quest elements which enhance the excitement, also weaves in themes of family, friendship and trust, as well as the important lesson of not judging people by first impressions. It also has moments of humour, such as Zelie discovering the joy of having pockets when she wears Jules’s clothes and the baby sloth finding sanctuary in the airing cupboard. It is also fascinating the way the author has drawn on actual historical figures within the story: the inspiration Zelie draws from the fictional character she enjoys reading about, Count Rodolphe, is from The Mysteries of Paris by Eugene Sue, an actual book as the author points out in her afterword, as are also some of the other historical elements woven in with the fictional.

Though it has a historical setting, this story combines a classic style with contemporary pacing, reminiscent of authors such as Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Katherine Rundell. It would be an ideal book for reading as a class book with KS2 children and also for independent readers 9-11. The main themes are friendship, trust, making the right choice, greed and power. Highly recommended!

Aya has always loved stars ever since she can remember and is extremely excited when the Perseids meteor shower is supposed to happen right by her house. Aya and her best friend (Naznen) plan to sneak out in the middle of the night to see the meteor shower up close. Their plan is going well but just as they start to enjoy watching the stars, Aya gets struck by a shooting star, and this is where her simple life starts to unravel as she develops special star powers which are beyond her control.

At the yearly royal ball, on a quest to find someone to cure Aya of her powers, Aya and her mother witness the royal family being taken hostage and the evil Abnus takes over the region of Alferra and she is looking for the star’s power with the help of the bhoot monsters. Will Aya be able to defeat the evil and fulfil the prophecy before being consumed by her own powers?

This story takes its origins from Bengali folklore, which shines through in different ways as you read the story. The story is easy to read and very hard to put down as the story starts to unravel and you start to learn the secrets of Alferra and Aya’s family. The story starts to take a dark turn when Aya and Abnus meet up towards the end and the story reaches a dramatic – if a little scary – crescendo that will keep readers hooked.

The book draws on the author’s South Asian cultural heritage, It was enjoyable to read and there are black and white illustrations dotted throughout the pages. Upper Key Stage 2 children will enjoy listening to this as a class reader.

The perfect book for lovers of Percy Jackson and Who Let the Gods Out?

Peregrine is a 12-year-old girl who ends up on an action-packed fantasy adventure in the Under-Underground, alongside characters from mythology.

This book has a huge dose of adventure and mystery throughout. As a narrative with multiple perspectives, it would be best suited to confident UKS2 children and some understanding of Greek mythology would probably be beneficial (but not necessary).

Peregrine Quinn makes a great main character: the perfect blend of confidence, bravery and loyalty wrapped up in a 12-year-old girl. The side characters are also great fun and add a healthy dose of comedy to the story, as well as adding their journeys for children to follow through the story.

This story about twins who can stop time to solve mysteries is a delicious combination of mystery and fantasy – there is enough gore in here to keep it tense and thrilling and enough magic to make it unexpected.

The premise of the story, that a set of twins can see back and forwards in time, gives a twist that children will enjoy. There is a disappearance (or is it a murder?) to be solved and seeing back in time might come in very handy. Whilst the twins may look identical, their different personalities come through clearly in the story. Twins often fascinate people, and it is not such a stretch to imagine that they might have unusual abilities. The villain is vile and reminded me of a James Bond villain, stroking his rabbit rather than a cat. Even the rabbit seemed to have villainous tendencies!

In many ways, the setting steals the limelight. Who wouldn’t be interested in exploring an old house, with a fire-damaged wing and secret rooms? I could almost smell the mustiness of the old house and I would have wanted to explore the house and grounds in the same way. I can’t help feeling this book lends itself to a sequel, though I would miss Fox House if it did not feature in that sequel.

Keedie is the prequel to Elle McNicoll’s best-selling novel A Kind of Spark.

Set five years earlier, this book focuses on fierce, outspoken big sister Keedie who is figuring out how to navigate life as an autistic teenager whilst trying to remain true to herself.

Keedie is intent on seeking revenge against the bullies in her school – not just for herself but for others. Her intentions are honourable and she wants to send the message that we should stand up for ourselves and others. But her simplistic view of righting wrongs not only gets her into trouble but creates an even deeper divide between her and the twin sister that she barely recognises anymore.

Keedie’s character is developed with nuance and depth. Readers who enjoyed the book or CBBC adaptation of A Kind of Spark will be excited to read more about the character of Keedie, whose lived experience provided a pillar of wisdom and encouragement for Addie.

This book is perfect for developing empathy and a sense of self in Upper Key Stage 2 readers – it teaches us that while we may all be watching the same scene, our narratives can be very different.

This is an interesting and feel-good story, which, although it centres around a love of football, is so much more than that.

Sam is obsessed with football – in particular Aaron Ramsey, from the Welsh national team. He lives with his parents and younger sister, but money is tight, family life is marred by arguments, and his Dad, Huw, is secretly illiterate. Huw is also football-mad and when he is signed as a player by local club Peniel, the future looks brighter and home life becomes happier.

Tragically, after a very successful debut game, a terrible injury cuts short Huw’s fledgling career and an awful sadness seeps into the family; Sam’s way of escaping his dad’s depression and his own anxieties (that he nicknames The Bad) is by immersing himself in Aaron Ramsey videos. Home is quiet and unwelcoming. Then hope arrives in the form of a Wales vs England game at Cardiff and a force-of-nature friend who gives the family something to aim for and makes Huw consider his choices.

The story has clever hook lines at the end (and even at the beginning) of chapters to keep the reader eager for more, plus themes of anxiety, friendship, bullying, resilience, mental health and educational struggles. There’s definitely enough to interest those without a particular interest in football too. I enjoyed it.

Winner of the Commonword Diversity YA novel in 2018, Dev Kothari brings us her much anticipated, debut novel bringing to life her experience of growing up in a small village outside of Mumbai.

Aimed at the middle-grade market but equally compelling for older years too, Kothari has artfully created a gripping mystery story interwoven with a narrative that leaves you simultaneously fearing for and cheering on the main characters.

Lena has grown up in the shadow of her older brother, Kay-Kay, always feeling second-best at school and at home but, when KayKay goes missing, Lena realises just how much her brother has always been there for her and vows to help find him.

Bringing back Kay-Kay is a story of love – for India, for family and sometimes even for those who seem least deserving. Touching on the true-life, shocking statistics of missing children in India, as well as some quite difficult issues, such as depression, poverty and runaways, this story is most suitable for UKS2 and beyond. Suitable as a class read or as a good quality library addition.

Shadow Fox is a surreal and unusual tale from Carlie Sorosiak, who has become known for animal-themed middle-grade stories that explore deeper human themes like grief, mental health or loneliness.

Told through the eyes of a female fox, the story takes the reader on an adventure through place to a mysterious island. Unbeknownst to the fox, she possesses magical powers which the islanders hope to tap into. Set in the  Great Lakes in Minnesota and their islands, there is a strong sense of place in the detail within this story; the harshness of the environment is tangible.

Like the author’s previous stories, the magical animal character at the centre is the star of the show and in this story, the fox teams up with a young girl called Beatrice, whose nan has disappeared. I liked the quirky details of the fox’s personality; their love for their cuddly toy and their obsession with socks as well as the additional surreal details of the fox’s ability to conjure up miniature foxes, bean tins and other random objects.

The dream-like action and twists and turns make this story suitable for mature readers who can handle a more challenging narrative structure and are able to suspend their disbelief and run with the story. The fox embodies the magical power of the wilderness and the need to protect nature. The environmental messages behind the narrative aim to raise awareness regarding the fragility of natural resources.

Callen’s life has been turned upside-down. He’s just finished Year 6 but instead of spending the summer hanging out with his friends, his dad bought a new house.  Well, not a house but a huge, crumbling mansion which has been in his dad’s family for generations . . . but which Callen had never seen before and didn’t know about. The house is falling apart and Callen hates it. It is ‘guarded’ by some fearsome stone gargoyles, including a mysterious ring of them in the middle of the ballroom floor surrounding a fearsome-looking hole.

One night, Callen realizes that the gargoyles are not just for show but come alive, but only in times of danger. So what danger are Callen and his family in and can the gargoyles save them? With the help of some new-found friends and their special magical gifts, Callen begins to win over the trust of the house’s gargoyles . . . but can he do it in time? Can he save the house’s magic before it’s too late or will dark forces win control?

A brilliant, fast-paced adventure story with a wonderfully magical, yet creepy setting and a cast of very likeable characters. It will appeal to readers who love a magical mystery.

In this collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, Tom Percival has written a book that should be in every school library in the country. For Will, things just keep going wrong. Bullied for having cheap shoes, misunderstood by his teachers, and struggling to come to terms with the bleak and hungry life he leads after his dad lost his job, life seems to be pushing him down a path of self-destruction.

The love of his family, the persistence of his friends, and a freak encounter with nature keep filling him with just enough hope to keep doing the next right thing. Will is living on the poverty line, and this will be a sensitive issue for some children. Life for Will is hard, but he learns that he is still powerful, and in a position to make choices about his future and the path he wants to take.

The Wrong Shoes is a story that will increase empathy in children whose lives are easier than Will’s, and empower those who relate to him. Suitable for Upper KS2 and beyond.

This is the first in a series of adventures from Kieran Larwood (the author of the much-loved Podkin series of books) and illustrated by the excellent Joe Todd-Stanton.

Hero Trial is a classic tale of the underdog triumphing against the odds, standing up to bullies and showing that size and strength are not everything. Kit is a gnorf (part gnome, part dwarf) and Dungeon Runners is a TV game show that Kit is desperate to be on. The trouble is that he has no magical powers, combat skills or even a team. After being bullied into entering the Dungeon Runners trial, Kit needs to find a team double quick to make sure he isn’t humiliated by his mean next-door neighbour Breg the Troggle.

So starts his adventure in finding friendship, and courage and learning that you can win by being kind and using your intelligence. This imaginative and brilliantly illustrated story will appeal to quest lovers and adventure fans in lower KS2.

Kira and Jacob are aware that they are different. With pale skin and bright blue eyes, growing up in a small village near Jinja, Uganda, how could they not be? But it isn’t just their physical appearance that sets them apart. Home-schooled by their mother, Eunata, the two children are exceptionally gifted, with a strong moral compass that seems to lead them from one scrape into another.

When their latest skirmish involves a heavy from Ranatech, they realise that they may be making enemies in high places, why else would the biggest technology company in the world be taking an interest in them…

This is a cracking debut novel from Patrick Gallagher, interweaving his love of his maternal homeland, Uganda, with a passion for sci-fi, while ensuring an environmental message is conveyed, without ramming the message home. Set fractionally in the future with two lead characters, the story races along at break-neck speed, diving through one plot twist after another. I turned the last page with a disappointed “No!” as I longed for more and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the sequel as I am sure will any child who reads it!

Gallagher’s background as a Primary teacher also shows through, a rich source of vocabulary and an innate sense of topics that Upper KS2 children will engage with – environment, AI, hackers – make this an appealing book to pick up while the pace and storytelling should keep even the most reluctant reader along for the ride, as a class read if nothing else, although I suspect this will be well fought over at the bookcase too.