From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning edition of The Garbage King, with a cover illustration by Zeamanuel Abera, an author letter and additional content from the author, including discussion notes. Inspired by the true story of an Ethiopian childhood lived on the edge of destitution, it takes you on an unforgettable emotional journey.

When Mamo's mother dies, he is abandoned in the shanties of Addis Ababa. Stolen by a child-trafficker and sold to a farmer, he is cruelly treated. Escaping back to the city, he meets another, very different runaway. Dani is rich, educated - and fleeing his tyrannical father. Together they join a gang of homeless street boys who survive only by mutual bonds of trust and total dependence on each other.

Meet ocean explorer Sandy Fin, silver-scaled diver of the deep, puzzler of puzzles and hero of a new madcap middle grade series from Martin Stewart, illustrated by Santy Gutierrez Sandy Fin lives in the Museum of Seaside Stories with the famous explorer Emile du Pont and their collection of treasures. Sandy and his best friend Lily are being taught the art of ocean exploration by Emile, aided by his ingenious inventions. When the museum's future is in peril, it is up to Sandy and Lily to save it. But then Albo Start arrives! Start plans to turn Portwhistle Bay into a Seaworld-style theme park named Splash Landing, locking up Portwhistle's cherished marine life in tiny tanks. Sensing skulduggery, Sandy and Lily set out to stop Start, armed with banana sandwiches, moonlit sneezes and noses for danger.

In the moving and compelling debut novel from Benjamin Zephaniah, a young man's life is completely changed when his face is badly scarred in a car accident.

Martin seems to have it all. He's cool, funny, and he's the undisputed leader of the Gang of Three, who roam their East London estate during the holidays looking for fun. But one night after the Gang leave a late night rap club, Martin accepts a ride from Pete, a Raider's Posse gang member. Too late, he realises that the car is stolen, and that the police are after them.

What happens next will change Martin's life and looks, and show him the true meaning of strength, courage, discrimination and friendship

This mystery thriller by the Number One bestselling author of The Inheritance Games is a gripping story of high stakes, betrayal, and unpredictable twists. Perfect for fans of A Good Girls Guide to Murder.

Any problem can be fixed for a price . . .

When Tess Kendrick is sent to stay with her older sister in Washington D.C., she has no idea that Ivy is the capitol’s go-to “fixer,” a person who can make powerful people’s scandals disappear with a snap of her fingers. Tess never thought she and Ivy had much in common, but when she enrolls at the exclusive Hardwicke School, she soon finds herself thrust into the role of high school fixer, solving problems for the children of the D.C. elite.

But secrets pile up as each sister lives a double life, and their worlds come crashing together when a scandal from the halls of Hardwicke reaches Capitol Hill. As the stakes turn deadly, Tess must uncover who’s behind the power play before she becomes a target herself.

Don’t miss the sequel, Lessons in Power!

Dewald se ouers stuur hom na 'n nuwe skool na sy lewe omvergegooi is. Elke skool het nuwe uitdagings en elke skool het sy boelies, en dis nie maklik om 'n tiener te wees met 'n skielike hakkelprobleem nie. Dewald probeer weer sy balans vind, om sin te maak van hoekom sy beste vriendin hom nooit ingesluit het in haar grootste besluit nie. Dit terwyl een van die grootste boelies in die skool sy lewe hel maak. En hy besluit: genoeg is genoeg. 'n Hartroerende verhaal oor relevante tienerkwessies.

Nothing is the same for Joff this summer. His dad is sick, his mum is working, there's a new kid in town. The days are long and hot, and change is in the air. With his dog, Jet, Joff explores. The Chapel of Doom is always there, ancient and crumbling, with its warning signs and the legend of the Falling Boy. But Joff isn't going to go past those signs ... is he?

We may look different you and I,
sound different,
act different,
eat different food,
and live in different places
but when I look into your eyes, I see myself.

A comforting and lyrical book about friendship and ubuntu that celebrates both our differences and similarities.

Also available in isiZulu and Afrikaans.

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.

'This book can be read millions of times when you are worried.' - Books for Keeps

A board book edition of the compelling and bestselling picture book which can be used as a spring board into what worries children today and how to deal with anxiety.

Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her - in a big blue bag. They are there when she goes swimming, when she is watching TV, and even when she is in the lavatory. Jenny decides they will have to go. But who can help her?

The Huge Bag of Worries was written by Virginia Ironside, one of Britain's leading agony aunts, and has sold 140k copies to date.

Sixteen-year-old Adrienne Lewis is in charge of eight-year-old Emma Warner, the youngest member of the snooty Warner family. Emma is an evil genius who has gotten all five previous nannies fired -- and she's the good news. Because then there's Emma's half brother, Graydon, who goes to college -- yet always seems to be lurking around waiting to hit on Adrienne. But worst of all is Emma's beautiful seventeen-year-old half sister, Cameron, whose reputation as a wild girl, a liar, and a user is known to everyone ...everyone, that is, except Adrienne.

Mamello and her parents paint a pretty picture of household harmony for their community but their household is far from perfect. Mamello’s parents mistreat her.and don’t allow her to go to school. All Mamello desires is to go to school and one day study towards becoming a human rights lawyer. Mamello is a South African Cinderella story of a young woman’s courage and perseverance to achieve her dream.

Gabby en haar niggie Georgia lyk baie na mekaar met hulle krullerige hare, hoë wangbene en vol lippe, en toe hulle jonger was, was hulle onafskeidbaar. Maar iewers het hulle vreemdelinge vir mekaar geword en al wat hulle nou in gemeen het, is die bloed in hulle are.

Toe die matriekgroep van Barkley-Wes op ’n toer na Kaapstad vertrek, ontdek Gabby dat Georgia se dagboek in haar rugsak is. Hulle ma’s het vir hulle identiese blou dagboeke vir hulle gekoop, en hulle deel ’n kamer, so dit kon maklik gebeur het dat sy die verkeerde dagboek ingepak het. Dit beteken waarskynlik ook dat háár dagboek in Georgia se besit is.

Kort voor lank kry Gabby se nuuskierigheid die oorhand en begin sy Georgia se dagboek lees. Wanneer Georgia daarvan uitvind, breek ’n volskaalse niggie-oorlog uit wat nie eens Kaapstad se besienswaardighede of hulle vriende se pogings om raad te gee, kan keer nie.

Gaan Gabby se verraad die niggies nog verder uitmekaar dryf of sal dit dalk daartoe lei dat hulle mekaar beter begin verstaan?

A stellar novel about space, starting over and the best friend you could ever imagine. Ralph sat up. His voice was croaky. ‘If a shooting star past right now, what would you wish for?’ ‘To find another friend like you.’ Leo and Ralph have been best friends ever since Ralph flew down from one of Jupiter's moons. But now that Leo's older, his mum and dad think it's time to say goodbye to Ralph. When the family moves to a small town in the country, they hope Leo might finally make a real friend. But someone like Ralph is hard to leave behind...

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?

It’s the summer before college and Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing―she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.

As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable―and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut . . .

But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success―and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.

A powerful exploration of the lengths we go to feel seen, and the devastating consequences of an unquenchable thirst.

This book tackles the serious matter of child molestation and serves to inform and empower children. It highlights the warning signs of sexual abuse and teaches children how to react in such a situation. Kyla loves stories about fierce princess Arabia who can even fight dragons. But her older sister, Abby, don’t believe in fairy tales anymore. Abby says there is a dragon in their own home – one that fears nothing and no one. But who could it be?

A warm, feel-good story for 9+ about taking a leap of faith when life feels wobbly. Perfect for fans of Cathy Cassidy.

Jelly, aged 11, is the life and soul of the classroom. She's popular and great at doing impressions. She's also overweight. She's learned to deal with the put-downs by brushing them off and pretending she finds it all very funny - while making up poems and writing her private worries in a notebook.

Then Lennon arrives, Mum's new boyfriend. He's nice. He treats her mum well, buys her flowers, doesn't let her down. He's the first person to have noticed that Jelly is playing a part. He reads her poems and tells her they're really good. In fact, he'd like to set one to music.

When a talent show is announced at school, Lennon persuades Jelly sing her poem in the contest. But can Jelly find the courage to perform something so personal - especially when Lennon might not always be there to cheer her on?

JOIN THE TEAM. SAVE THE WORLD. Join twin geniuses Jacob and Kira on an out-of-this-world mission to protect the planet in the second book in the Transcendent series. Jacob and Kira have been launched into space by a top-secret agency called Transcendent. Their mission? Finish work on an invention with the power to clean up the Earth and stop climate change for good. But they soon lose all communication with mission control and discover that a mysterious creature is closing in on them. Meanwhile, an evil billionaire is determined to get rid of Transcendent so he can unleash a terrifying, mind-bending technology on the planet. With two disasters looming, how will Jacob and Kira save the day when everything is at stake? Two kids, one top-secret agency and an epic mission to save the world.

A gripping, genre-blending YA horror about what happens when a Haitian American girl uses her previously hidden zombie abilities to exact revenge on the wealthy elites who've caused her family pain. Brielle Petitfour loves to cook. But with a chronically sick mother and bills to pay, becoming a chef isn't exactly a realistic career path. When Brielle's mom suddenly loses her job, Brielle steps in and uses her culinary skills to earn some extra money. The rich families who love her cooking praise her use of unique flavours and textures, which keep everyone guessing what's in Brielle's dishes. The secret ingredient? Human flesh. Written by the storytelling duo Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, The Summer I Ate the Rich is a biting, smart horror inspired by Haitian zombie lore that explores themes of vengeance, family, and young love - and scrutinizes the socioeconomic and racial inequity that is the foundation of our modern times. Just like Brielle's clients it will have you asking: What's for dinner?

Far out to sea and deep below the whispering waves lives a merman called Nen. Nen spends his days exploring his underwater kingdom, but something is missing: his heart is empty. So, Nen ventures to the forbidden world above and it is here that he meets Ernest, a lonely fisherman. But can two people from different worlds be together and what will happen when a terrifying storm gathers? A lyrical, beautiful celebration of love, acceptance and faith, with a gentle message about how we treat our oceans, and each other.

A kick-ass 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! Packed with humour and strong female attitude as four Black teens demand their spotlight.

Girl power with a modern twist... warning, this book may inspire readers to pick up a guitar and belt out their favourite angsty tune - The Irish Examiner

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 . . .

For fans of heartfelt graphic novels and the kick-ass rock of We Are Lady Parts!

For readers who loved Wonder and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time this extraordinary debut will make you laugh and cry.

A story that crosses time and generations, for adventure-loving readers young and old.

“My dad died twice. Once when he was thirty nine and again four years later when he was twelve.”

On Al Chaudhury’s twelfth birthday his beloved Grandpa Byron gives him a letter from Al’s late father. In it Al receives a mission: travel back to 1984 in a secret time machine and save his father’s life.

Al soon discovers that time travel requires daring and imagination. It also requires lies, theft, setting his school on fire and ignoring philosophical advice from Grandpa Byron. All without losing his pet hamster, Alan Shearer…

Time Travelling With a Hamster is a funny, heart-warming race-against-time – and across generations – adventure that you will won’t be able to put down.

For fans of ONWARD and A Monster Calls, this is an unmissable illustrated story about grief and love for young readers 9 and up.

Twelve-year-old Sadé has been escaping to an imaginary world ever since her mum passed away - with its candy-floss lilac sky, she goes on endless adventures atop her purple-winged bird, Nix. But soon she discovers that frightening shadow beasts live here too and they are seeping into the real world.

Luckily, when her sister signs her up to an anonymous grief counselling group, Sadé finds her anxiety gets better. But then she's asked to perform spoken word in the talent show. The beasts won't let her get on stage: Tiger appears with her long sharp claws, Lion with his piercing blue eyes, and Fox stands on his giant hind legs.

Will Sadé find the courage to say what she needs to - can she banish the shadow beasts for good?

A story about a girl dealing with the death of a parent - with the help of a school support group and a colourful world only she can see.

In this stunning sequel to the critically acclaimed Alyssa and the Spell Garden, Alyssa is transported to Jamaica and must rediscover the magic of her ancestors. The air felt dense with magic, even more than in the spell garden back home. And not in a good way . . . When Alyssa accidentally transports herself, her cousins and Leon to the Jamaican spell garden, Golden Falls, they have to work out a way back home before the end of the summer holidays and the all-important Bloom Trials. But the magical plants are inexplicably hostile and they will need to win the garden over. Can they connect to the ancient magic of the forest? And when the very essence of the garden is threatened will their magic be enough to protect it?

Twelve-year-old Mizzy dreams of being a detective and she won't let anything stand in her way ― not her reputation for tall tales, or her embarrassing fear of escalators, and definitely not her Down syndrome. Dumped for the summer with cousins who've outgrown her, Mizzy feels even more sidelined than usual. But when she discovers Great Aunt Jane's diaries in a locked wardrobe in their spare room, and realises her aunt didn't die in her sleep but under suspicious circumstances, everything changes. What's more … someone in the family appears to have been involved. Under the guise of a family-tree project for school, and armed with a brand new set of Pipsqueak markers, Mizzy grabs the chance to prove herself to her cousins ― and the world.