A mesmerising illustrated young fiction offering from Polly Ho-Yen & Sojung Kim-McCarthy, perfect for early readers. When Ziggy goes to sleep in their new bed at their dad's house, they wake up in the middle of the dark and scary night forest. When even sleeping at their mum's house doesn't help, Ziggy is forced to face their fears... but maybe that scary forest isn't as scary as it sounds? Deals with themes of divorce/separation & night terrors through Polly's poetic and gently magical lens, accompanied by black-and-white artwork by Sojung Kim-McCarthy.

An exciting action series set in a soccer club that is a melting pot for teens from different backgrounds with one thing in common – love of the beautiful game.

In this second book of the series, Mondli is captain of Sandview A Under 17 and is doing his best to lead his team. But with his father away, and his mother not coping at home, being a leader is not easy.

When the competing demands of home and team cause clashes in his life, Mondli realises just what leadership is really about.

Buyisiwe feels like a stranger in London, where he grew up. And then he receives the terrible news: he has to go and live with his estranged father in a game reserve in South Africa. Africa is not what Buyisiwe expected it to be. It is a place of great beauty and splendour, magnificent animals and terrible danger. And now a scarred, man-eating lion prowls the reserve, waiting for his next victim. Will Buyi be able to heal from the physical and emotional scars left behind?

Wanneer Helena se vervreemde pa toevallig by haar ma se werkplek inloop en sy besluit om hom vir onderhoud te dagvaar, gebeur daar iets wat hulle lewens onherroeplik verander. Soos 'n hedendaagse Aspoestertjie verruil Helena die gehawende wendyhuis op die plot vir al die luukses wat haar hart begeer. Maar selfs in hierdie idilliese bestaan kan Helena nie van die werklikhede van die lewe ontsnap nie.

An outstanding YA novel of family love, loss, and life lived between two cultures, by an astonishing, super-stylish new voice.

'I'm going to tell you exactly how everything happened. Baba always says, Mati mwana'ngu, I love a good story but I don't have time for a long one, so make it short.'

When Mati and her two siblings travel from London to Zimbabwe with their father, they are forced to confront the knotty family dynamics caused by the loss of their mother. Along for the trip is Meticais, a fabulously attired gender-neutral spirit - or ghost? or imaginary friend? - who only Mati can see and talk to.

Guided by Meticais's enigmatic advice and wisdom, Mati must come to terms with her grief and with the difficulty of a life lived between two cultures, while her family learn to forge their way in a world without their monumental mother. This is distinctive, stylish, powerful writing by a vital new voice.

A novel in verse about teenage love and friendships, lost and found. Daisy can feel like a solo act at home. On the outside of her twin brothers’ intense relationship, she leans towards her parents, particularly her father, for support. As a passionate classical musician, she is not wildly popular at school, but she has one close friend and a life filled with musical performance. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend suddenly breaks up with her, and Daisy is left disconnected from her one true love, music. When she makes a new friend at school, mysterious Flora, Daisy finds a glimmer of peace in her chaotic life. Just as everything seems to be getting better, they all fall apart. Family tensions heighten as Daisy’s dad falls ill and Daisy needs to decide should she find her way back to who she was or look towards who she is going to become.

Oh, how we wished and wished for someone just like you. Someone special to share our home. And the special times, too.

This warm, lyrical picture books tells the story of different adoptive families. It’s the perfect starting point for parents who want to discuss the topic of adoption, and it helps children to understand that every family is special – even though we may not look the same.

The author’s royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Engo, a nonprofit non-governmental organization that provides support to individuals and families, and is involved in facilitating adoptions and offering support to adoptive families.

WOULD YOU ACCEPT THE DARE?

In Marley's town, senior student pranks are a rite of passage. They start out simple: Marley and her friends - Atlas, Lucia and Jesse - egg houses, fill the headteacher's office with glitter-filled balloons and set chickens loose in the halls.

But when Jesse accepts a dare to drive Danger Alley, a ten-mile stretch of winding road that's notorious for car crashes, with no headlights, things take a turn for the worse. With her friends never backing down, Marley is caught between keeping the peace and keeping herself safe.

Just how far will they all go to finish a dare? And, more importantly, will any of them make it back the same?

Rorisang en haar tweelingbroer, Mo, moet die skooljaar by ’n nuwe skool begin nadat hulle ma besluit het dat die gesin uit hulle gemaksone moet kom.

Die tweeling is al sedert hulle kleuters was in die skool oorkant die pad. Al hulle vriende is daar en die skoolhoof is hulle pa se beste vriend. Die nuwe skool is ver van hulle huis af en soggens sit hulle in die verkeer vas. Die buitemuurse aktiwiteite wat aangebied word, is dinge waarvan Rorisang nog nooit eens gehoor het nie, en alhoewel sy goed gevaar het in atletiek in haar ou skool, verloor sy ver teen haar nuwe klasmaats.

Maar gelukkig maak sy sommer vinnig vriende, leer hoe om sagtebal te speel en neem deel aan die Eisteddfod. Sy oorleef selfs die lang ritte in die motor saam met haar irriterende broer deur speellyste saam te speel wat in elke lid van die gesin se musieksmaak val!

’n Storie oor die belangrikheid van vriendskap en familie en om jou stem te vind te midde van verandering.

Die boek is ook beskikbaar in isiZulu en Engels.

Rorisang and her twin brother Mo must start the school year at a new school after their mom decides that the family needs to get out of their comfort zone.

The twins have attended the school across the road since they were toddlers. All their friends are there, and their dad is best friends with the headmaster. The new school is far from their house, the extramural activities that are on offer are unfamiliar and the ones that Rorisang used to excel at in her old school is dominated by kids far better than her.

Luckily Rorisang makes new friends quickly, learns to play softball and performs a praise poem at the Eisteddfod. She even survives the long trips in the car with her pest of a brother!

A heartwarming story that celebrates family and friendship and finding your voice amidst change. The book is also available in isiZulu and Afrikaans.

Follows the bestselling and multi-award winning The Final Year "Well-written, authentic and very moving." David Almond on The Final Year 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?

Goue reeks is een van die heel bekendste en gewildste inheemse leesreekse met beproefde sukses oor dekades. Derduisende onderwysers en ouers het self daarmee leer lees – en dit werk steeds! Op publieke aanvraag is die volledige reeks nou weer beskikbaar. Dit volg ’n basiese benadering tot leesonderrig deur klank- en woordbouvaardighede en is gebaseer op herhaling, herkenning en inoefening. Goue reeks se hersiene uitgawe (2009) bied alles wat nodig is om jong leerders te ontwikkel in jong lesers.

Rorisang and her twin brother Mo must start the school year at a new school after their mom decides that the family needs to get out of their comfort zone. The twins have attended the school across the road since they were toddlers. All their friends are there, and their dad is best friends with the headmaster. The new school is far from their house, the extramural activities that are on offer are unfamiliar and the ones that Rorisang used to excel at in her old school is dominated by kids far better than her. Luckily Rorisang makes new friends quickly, learns to play softball and performs a praise poem at the Eisteddfod. She even survives the long trips in the car with her pest of a brother! A heartwarming story that celebrates family and friendship and finding your voice amidst change.

Twelve-year-old Mira comes from a chaotic, artistic and outspoken family where it's not always easy to be heard. As her beloved Nana Josie's health declines, Mira begins to discover the secrets of those around her, and also starts to keep some of her own. She is drawn to mysterious Jide, a boy who is clearly hiding a troubled past and has grown hardened layers - like those of an artichoke - around his heart. As Mira is experiencing grief for the first time, she is also discovering the wondrous and often mystical world around her. An incredibly insightful, honest novel exploring the delicate balance, and often injustice, of life and death - but at its heart is a celebration of friendship, culture - and life. Winner of the 2011 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.

The day after his tenth birthday, the last thing Zak expects - or wants - is to have to give up his room for an ageing old grandmother! With a face like an extra wrinkly raisin, hands as cold as an iceberg and always smelling of smoked fish and custard creams, there's nothing she gives Zak but the chills. With the help of his friends and a series of tactics inspired by his school's chess club, Zak is convinced it'll be no time before he can reclaim his rightful territory! But Zak soon discovers that his nani is no ordinary old grandma but a former chess prodigy, able to outwit and outdo him - and his friends - at every turn. Just as both players begin to forge a mutual respect and a friendship that might finally overcome all obstacles, Zak begins to notice things. Like how Nani sometimes forgets where she is, or who she is... Or how she keeps asking for people who are no longer by her side... Once he learns the real reason she has been brought to live with them is because she is struggling with Dementia, Zak launches a desperate bid to ensure Nani never forgets who she is ever again. He enters her into the chess competition of a lifetime. But will Zak's nani remember long enough to play?

In this laugh-out-loud funny sequel to the graphic novel Huda F Are You?, the Fahmys are off to Disney World, but self-conscious Huda worries her family will stand out too much.

Huda and her sisters can’t believe it when her parents announce that they’re actually taking a vacation this summer . . . to DISNEY WORLD! But it’s not quite as perfect as it seems. First Huda has to survive a 24-hour road trip from Michigan to Florida, with her sisters annoying her all the way. And then she can’t help but notice the people staring at her and her family when they pray in public. Back home in Deerborn she and her family blend right in because there are so many other Muslim families, but not so much in Florida and along the way.

It's a vacation of forced (but unexpectly successful?) sisterly bonding, a complicated new friendship, a bit more independence, and some mixed feelings about her family's public prayers. Huda is proud of her religion and who she is, but she still sure wishes she didn’t care so much what other people thought.

Sonia and I have a lot in common. Our parents are divorced. Our dads are gay. We both love barbecue potato chips. But she is different from me in at least one way: you can't tell how she's feeling just by looking at her. At all.

When Bea's dad and his wonderful partner, Jesse, decide to marry, it looks as if Bea's biggest wish is coming true: she's finally (finally!) going to have a sister.

They're both ten. They're both in fifth grade. Though they've never met, Bea knows that she and Sonia will be perfect sisters. Just like sisters anywhere, Bea thinks. But as the wedding day approaches, Bea makes discoveries that lead her to a possibly disastrous choice.

Making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy in this brilliant modern classic by Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead.

Pa is weg, en skielik moet ek ’n grootmens wees. Ek wil nie die man van die huis wees nie. Ek wil nie hoor hoe Ma in die stilte huil nie. Ek wil nie hê Mason moet eendag opdaag en vra “Waar is Pa?” nie.

Ek wil teruggaan na twee jaar gelede – toe ek nog net Ethan was. Ethan met die cool broer en ôsim ouers. Ethan wie se ouers Sondagmiddae in die agterplaas gedans het. Maar op Vrydagaand het die dood Pa kom haal. Hoe oorleef ek my eerste week sonder hom – en alles wat nou anders is?

Hoe haal ek nou asem?

Using the colours of the rainbow to beautifully illustrate different emotions, I’m going to be a BIG BROTHER, helps children understand the range of emotions they may feel when experiencing change to their family unit.

With brilliant rhythmic verse, fun, bright and distinctive illustrations - this is a firm favourite with children and parents alike!

• Psychologists recommend that the best way to introduce a new baby to an older sibling is by giving your older child a gift that’s from the baby such as a book or T-shirt that says big brother or big sister. So this is the perfect gift for parents to give to their children or family members/friends to bestow on them.
• This book taps into the psychological importance of children naming feelings as the first step in helping them learn to identify them. It allows parents to discuss their children’s feelings with them in a fun and colourful way.
• This book allows children to develop an emotional vocabulary so they can talk about their feelings & develop into mentally strong children. Children who understand and are able to verbalise their emotions and have the coping skills to deal with them will build the confidence that they can handle whatever life throws their way.
• In this book, the colours of the rainbow are used as a clever reference for children to identify their emotions with colours. Colour is important in reflecting and emphasizing the particular emotional states of a child as there is a colour feeling connection in preschool aged children.

The paperback editions of The Boxcar Children Mysteries: #1, The Boxcar Children; #2, Surprise Island; #3, The Yellow House Mystery; and #4, Mystery Ranch are offered together in a cardboard case.

A wild night of partying and a run-in with one of the most notorious drug dealers in Gauteng turns Barries’ life upside down.

The police give him one simple choice – if he wants to stay out of jail, he has to spend the next six weeks on a farm, near a small coastal town in the Eastern Cape, right in the middle of nowhere. With his estranged father.

Slowly but surely, Barries comes to realise that the bottle of brandy stashed under the bed is not the only – or the darkest – secret his father is hiding.

Breath, a translation of the best-selling Asem, is a gripping novel for teens that doesn’t hesitate to tackle difficult themes.

‘Nearly as good as one of my books’ – David Walliams

Dive in to this funny and debut heart-warming magical adventure from star of stage and screen, Matt Lucas – a festive modern classic for young readers of 8-12!

Leo LOVES Christmas. And this Christmas needs to be absolutely perfect, because it’s the first one without Mum. Only it all keeps going wrong!

The fairylights are in a tangle. The Christmas cards aren’t finished. The tree isn’t decorated. And the Christmas cakes have all been destroyed! Soon Leo decides he’s had enough – he makes a heartfelt wish that it would all GO AWAY.

Then Leo wakes up on Christmas morning – and it’s gone!! All of Christmas! But Leo isn’t going to let it escape that easily . . .

Join Leo as he sets out on a mission to undo his wish and get Christmas back in the brand-new festive classic by bestselling author Matt Lucas.

Home Alone meets A Christmas Carol in a hilarious adventure with a big dollop of festive magic. Funny, sensitive and emotional in all the best ways, this warm and seasonal family story touches ever so gently on childhood grief but is wrapped up in a chaotic and heart-warming adventure.

Beloved author Gary D. Schmidt expertly blends comedy and tragedy in the story of Doug Swieteck, an unhappy "teenage thug" first introduced in The Wednesday Wars, who finds consolation and a sense of possibility in friendship and art.

At once heartbreaking and hopeful, this absorbing novel centers on Doug, 14, who has an abusive father, a bully for a brother, a bad reputation, and shameful secrets to keep. Teachers and police and his relatives think he's worthless, and he believes them, holding others at arm's length. Newly arrived in town, he starts out on the same path—antagonizing other kids, mouthing off to teachers, contemptuous of everything intimidating or unfamiliar. Who would have thought that the public library would turn out to be a refuge and an inspiration, that a snooty librarian might be a friend, or that snarky redheaded Lil would like him—really like him?

With more than his share of pain, including the return of his oldest brother from the Vietnam War, shattered and angry, will Doug find anything better than "okay for now"?

Using the colours of the rainbow to beautifully illustrate different emotions, I’m going to be a BIG SISTER, helps children understand the range of emotions they may feel when experiencing change to their family unit.

With brilliant rhythmic verse, fun, bright and distinctive illustrations - this is a firm favourite with children and parents alike!

• Psychologists recommend that the best way to introduce a new baby to an older sibling is by giving your older child a gift that’s from the baby such as a book or T-shirt that says big brother or big sister. So this is the perfect gift for parents to give to their children or family members/friends to bestow on them.
• This book taps into the psychological importance of children naming feelings as the first step in helping them learn to identify them. It allows parents to discuss their children’s feelings with them in a fun and colourful way.
• This book allows children to develop an emotional vocabulary so they can talk about their feelings & develop into mentally strong children. Children who understand and are able to verbalise their emotions and have the coping skills to deal with them will build the confidence that they can handle whatever life throws their way.
• In this book, the colours of the rainbow are used as a clever reference for children to identify their emotions with colours. Colour is important in reflecting and emphasizing the particular emotional states of a child as there is a colour feeling connection in preschool aged children.

New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor author Renée Watson explores friendship, loss, and life with grief in this poignant novel in verse and vignettes.

Sage's thirteenth birthday was supposed to be about movies and treats, staying up late with her best friend and watching the sunrise together. Instead, it was the day her best friend died. Without the person she had to hold her secrets and dream with, Sage is lost. In a counseling group with other girls who have lost someone close to them, she learns that not all losses are the same, and healing isn't predictable. There is sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, pain, love. And even as Sage grieves, new, good things enter her life-and she just may find a way to know that she can feel it all.

In accessible, engaging verse and prose, this is a story of a girl's journey to heal, grow, and forgive herself. To read it is to see how many shades there are in grief, and to know that someone understands.