When we meet someone, one of the things we notice is the colour of their skin. But what can someone's skin colour tell us about them? Despite what some people say, your skin means very little! Inside we're all the same.

Join Njabulo, Aisha, Tim, Chris and Roshni as they discover why humans have different skins, and how people's thinking about skin colour has changed throughout history. Skin We Are In is a celebration of the glorious human rainbow, both in South Africa and beyond.

One of South Africa's best-selling authors, Sindiwe Magona, has teamed up with well-known American anthropologist, Nina G. Jablonski, and award-winning illustrator Lynn Fellman to create a much-needed book about race and skin colour – for children. Magona has written a story of five friends as they explore and discuss the skin they are in. The scientific narrative, written by Jablonski, expands and supports the conversation topics generated by the children's adventure.

This is the story of love, commitment and the flowering of the human spirit against the background of South Africa's apartheid. Frightened that their baby sister Dineo will die, thirteen-year-old Naledi and her younger brother Tiro run away from their grandmother to Johannesburg to find their mother, who works there as a maid. Their journey illustrates at every turn the grim realities of apartheid - the pass laws, bantustans, racism, the breakdown of family life.The opulence of the white "Madam's" house contrasts starkly with the reality that Naledi and Tiro face - that their baby sister is suffering from starvation, not an incurable disease. This edition of Beverley Naidoo's classic story includes a special "Why You'll Love This Book" introduction by Michael Rosen, the Children's Laureate.

A powerful, thoughtful and bold comment on humanity and its future from one of today’s most thought-provoking artists.

In his first picture book created specifically with a wider audience in mind, Oliver Jeffers shares a history of humanity and his dreams for its future. Where are we going?

With his bold, exquisite artwork, Oliver Jeffers starts at the dawn of humankind following people on their journey from then until now, and then offers the reader a challenge: where do we go from here? How can we think about the future of the human race more than our individual lives? How can we save ourselves? How can we change our story?

Illustrated in his instantly recognisable style, Oliver Jeffers’s exploration of the state of the world today is insightful, moving and powerful. A must-have for every forward-thinking person who wants the next generation to inherit a world to be proud of.

Thlalefo’s family is constantly moving, and she doesn’t often get to establish friendships.

At a new school yet again, she strikes up a friendship with the beautiful Boitumelo and shares the story of her secret crush on Lethabo, whom she falls for when she sees him in her taxi.

As it turns out, Boitumelo is a “mean girl” – she steals Lethabo’s attention while pretending to stay friendly with Thlalefo, leaving Thlalefo to learn a hard lesson.

Ben word geteister deur nie net een nie, maar twee boelies by die skool. Die rooikop-tweeling maak hom baie bang en ongelukkig en hy wil nie eers meer skool toe gaan nie. Mamma herinner Ben dat hy nooit hoef bang te wees as Jesus by hom is nie en dat daar ander maniere is om boelies te hanteer.

Zuléka Smit se pragtige storie bespreek die sensitiewe tema van boelies, veral by skole, en is gebaseer op haar baie jare van ondervinding in die onderwys en ook haar ervaring met haar eie kinders.

All the animals, including his own pack, think Wild Dog is too wild. In fact, he’s the wildest dog they’ve ever met. His constant activity leads him into a variety of adventures and, ultimately, into danger.

But the wild dog pack saves the day and his own mother defends his wild ways, pointing out that curiosity and boldness are essential traits for an alpha dog, such as his father and herself. Rather than squelching Wild Dog’s high spirits, she affirms them.

In six heartwarming tales, Avril van der Merwe highlights character traits or habits that may trouble young children. Wild Dog’s hyperactive nature gets him into trouble, Pangolin uses her intelligence to outsmart Lion and discovers new friends in the process, Bushbaby’s nocturnal habits lead the animals to assume he is shy, Hyena mistakenly thinks that if she changes her identity she’ll be accepted, Hippo’s envy of Rhinoceros’ horn ends up creating more trouble than she anticipated, while Cheetah learns that his bragging doesn’t impress his friends.

Each animal character faces a challenge, but with plenty of encouragement and support from their friends, a lesson is learned and the outcome is always positive.

Ten-year-old Jamie Matthews has just moved to the Lake District with his Dad and his teenage sister, Jasmine for a 'Fresh New Start'. Five years ago his sister's twin, Rose, was blown up by a terrorist bomb. His parents are wrecked by their grief, Jasmine turns to piercing, pink hair and stops eating. The family falls apart. But Jamie hasn't cried in all that time.

To him Rose is just a distant memory. Jamie is far more interested in his cat, Roger, his birthday Spiderman T-shirt, and in keeping his new friend Sunya a secret from his dad. And in his deep longing and unshakeable belief that his Mum will come back to the family she walked out on months ago.

When he sees a TV advert for a talent show, he feels certain that this will change everything and bring them all back together once and for all.

A reissue of Pam Munoz Ryan's bestselling backlist with a distinctive new author treatment.
Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.

A tear-jerking, heart-breakingly beautiful novel from the award-winning Jenny Valentine, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, Kathleen Glasgow and Laura Nowlin.

There is one side of that moment, and the other

Before

After

I have dreamed about it ever since

At the start of a long, hot summer best friends Elk and Mab face the fallout of a sudden death, and the lifelong consequences of a single tragic act.

An intensely emotional story that raises questions about love, ghosts, and the unshakeable bonds of friendship.

Sixteen-year-old Khetiwe has a natural talent for swimming. When she is given a scholarship to a prestigious Johannesburg private school, she immediately bumps up against Farrah, the swimming captain, who sees her as competition.

As “the poor girl”, Khetiwe is already struggling to fit in, but Farrah sets out to make her life unbearable. When the two girls clash over Aidan – Farrah’s exboyfriend – Farrah becomes even more unhinged. The constant bullying is starting to seriously affect Khetiwe, but when she tries to defend herself, things turn out even worse...

A realistic portrayal of teenage angst with a cast of believable, authentic characters.

Liwa Nile is a 6-year-old girl who lives an idyllic life on the farm with her parents, Thandi and Moya, as well as her older sister Nomfie. She enjoys playing with her horse, Sky and loves the red apples that her mom always buys when she goes to the market.

Liwa is uncomfortable when Uncle Siphiwe comes to visit. Although he smiles with the family and brings more red apples from the market, Liwa stops eating them. She becomes silent and sad because of Uncle Siphiwe’s actions.

Will she be able to let her parents know why she doesn’t want Uncle Siphiwe’s red apples?

It’s sports season at school. Liwa and Noel are best friends and all they want is to get into the first team of their favourite sport, tennis.

Challenges arise when they can’t keep up with the other girls during practice and they start thinking that they need to lose weight.

They decide to take drastic measures to lose weight with terrible consequences.

It’s the summer holidays and Liwa Nile and her sister Nomfie are looking forward to having fun without worrying about school work. Although they enjoy playing with their horses Sky and Blue on the farm, they hope that their father Moya has fun plans for the family.

When the girls learn they are going to the beach for the holidays, Nomfie is excited to play on the sand, but Liwa is scared of the sharks and jellyfish in the water. They make friends on the beach, but it stops being fun when other kids start bullying them.

Will they be able to stand against the bullies so they can continue chasing sunsets on the beach?

Inspired by Mama, Gogo, and the African queen, Lisakhanya is proud of her natural hair that grows up towards the sun like a summer sunflower. She calls it her COILY, CROWNY HAIR.Just like Lisakhanya, you too can love and be proud of your beautiful hair. You can TIE IT UP, TWIST IT RIGHT, BRAID IT DOWN, AND WEAR IT LIKE A CROWN.

Kalk Bay has secrets and surprises.

James explores the beach and harbour, with its whales and fishing boats, the village clinging to the hillside, and the best revelation of all: meeting the grandmother he never knew he had. But hidden from view are the abalone poachers, to whom everyone turns a blind eye . . .

Yet, no secret is as hefty as the one James carries with him: the hideous birthmark that has kept him from the water all his life. Will he find the courage to overcome his fears?

For Ren Barbosa (5 million followers) and Pearl Newman (GreenGirlPearl) the feeling's mutual - deep, undeniable loathing. Ren hates Pearl's calmly righteous perfectionism just as Pearl can't stand the 'burn it down' disruption Ren carries out with her wildly popular climate crisis activists, Out of Time and her former situationship, Tab. A loathing that's complicated further by Renée's prickly mother being an OG eco-activist turned government influence and Pearl's idol. Plus Renée being only one arrest away from serious trouble. But when fate brings the rivals together for a sweltering summer under the guidance of vivacious rebranded influencer, unexpected sparks begin to fly. Increasingly cut off from the outside world, tensions rise as activism and personal lives collide. . .

Book Lovers meets Notting Hill with a slice of You''ve Got Mail in Wish You Were Her, the brand new rivals-to-lovers romance from bestselling, award-winning Elle McNicoll.

Eighteen-year-old Allegra Brooks has skyrocketed to fame after starring in a hit television show, and she''s the overnight success that everyone''s talking about. They just don''t know she''s autistic. Now, all she wants is a normal teenage summer.

Her destination for escape is the remote Lake Pristine and its annual Book Festival, organized by the dedicated but unfriendly senior bookseller, Jonah Thorne.

In small towns like Lake Pristine, misunderstandings abound, and before long the two are drawn into high-profile hostility that''s a far cry from the drama-free holiday Allegra was craving. Thank goodness for her saving grace: the increasingly personal emails she''s been sharing with a charming and anonymous bookseller who is definitely not Jonah Thorne . . .

An unforgettable romcom about finding the one person who makes you feel yourself when the whole world is watching.

Fourteen-year-old Emily is gloomily spending the summer with her mum’s best friend Uncle Tom, helping him renovate his house, instead of being at home hoping the gorgeous Toby will ask her out. Worse, she’s broken her phone and left her iPad at her dad’s house. How is she supposed to survive without her tech, her BFF and her social life? No one understands her despair, least of all the boomers.

Then she finds her mum’s old diary. MASSIVE CRINGE. But as Emily starts to read, she’s stunned to discover that her mum was once a teenager too. A nineties teenager called Lila MacKay, who was VERY MISUNDERSTOOD. It’s a long-forgotten era of weird fashions, TV shows and music Emily’s never heard of. There are boys too, notably cute Park Boy Tom and her mum’s dorky neighbour Weird Nicky. And as she becomes more and more invested in Lila’s teenage life, Emily begins to wonder if perhaps she and her mother are not so different after all …

Perfect for fans of Geek Girl and readers who are that next age up from Lottie Brooks.

In this third book to the NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING and TIKTOK phenomenon They Both Die at the End series, two strangers, each with their own complicated relationship to Death-Cast, help each other learn to live.
 
This is Paz and Alano.

Paz Dario stays up every night, waiting for the Death-Cast call that would mean he doesn’t have to keep faking his way through this lonely life. After a devastating day, Paz decides he’s done waiting around for Death-Cast. If they say he’s not dying, he’ll just have to prove them wrong. But right before Paz can die, a boy saves his life.
 
Alano Rosa is heir to the Death-Cast empire that encourages everyone to live their best lives, but he doesn’t feel in control of his own existence thanks to his father. And with a violent organisation called the Death Guard threatening Alano, his End Day might be closer than he thinks. It’s time to live.
 
Fate brings Paz and Alano together. But they must survive the tragic trials ahead so no one dies at the end.
 
This book contains themes that some readers may find difficult.

Wanneer Cazlee se pa een aand weer sy hande vir haar lig, slaan sy terug. Voor sy haar kom kry, veg sy elke naweek by ’n onwettige vegklub om kos op die tafel te sit en sy dobbelgewoonte te onderhou.

Sy droom van ’n matrieksertifikaat en ’n lewe ver weg van haar swakkeling-ma, dronklap-pa en ’n vegkryt waarin min reëls geld. Maar haar skoolwerk ly ál meer onder die laatnaggevegte.

Dan sien ’n voormalige martial arts-kampioen Cazlee se talent raak. Hy bied haar ’n beurs aan by die skool waar hy taekwondo afrig en die kampioentrofee in die visier het.

Ellamay, sy dogter, droom daarvan om in haar kampioen-pa se voetspore te volg. Dat haar pa uit sy pad gaan om eerder van Cazlee ’n kampioen te maak, lei tot wrywing tussen die twee meisies.

Dan gaan die wêreld van onwettige gevegte vir Ellamay ook oop. Dinge loop lelik skeef en Cazlee moet 'n besluit neem wat haar hele toekoms kan beïnvloed.

A kick-ass new graphic novel about an all-Black female pop-punk band and the epic battle they face at Clash of the Bands. For fans of Heartstopper and Josie and the Pussycats! Band founder, Jada has always dreamed of tearing up the music industry rules - she'll fight anyone or anything who says otherwise. So when auditions open for Clash of the Bands, she forms Black Dolls. Influencer Sassy is lead vocals; Silvee's a killer bassist; DIna, an ex-child star who hates the cameras is on guitar, and Jada, self-proclaimed rhythm legend is on drums and vocals. But band life is continual drama and everyone's got their secrets. Black Dolls battle each other, overbearing families, identity questions and media exploitation, trying to keep their dream alive. Can Black Dolls overcome their differences and take the world by storm? Or will they crash and burn before they skyrocket .

Tumi Letsatsi is a 15-year old melanin kween living in Rondebosch, Cape Town. Her favourite colour is yellow, she's still trying to figure out how not to dent her afro on the bus, and how one goes about (ahem!) “french kissing”. She’s a little awkward and a lot uncertain about her future, friendships and how to put together a cool outfit! But then she stumbles across the magic of coding and creates an app called “Project Prep” that goes viral and rockets her and her friends to fame. Then everything starts to fall apart, as she deals with a catfish who befriends her and steals her code, nasty rumours at school and the newfound attention of a crush.

The New Girl Code (by Niki Smit, locally edited by Buhle Ngaba) is about the wonders of working in tech, aimed at girls and young women aged 9-15. The project is an initiative of Inspiring Fifty and based on an idea by Janneke Niessen.