It’s been a year since his best friend, Sam, died. Even though Oliver knows he won’t get a response, he can’t stop texting Sam’s number, especially as the anniversary of his death approaches.

Then one day he accidentally hits the call button, and someone picks up.

Sam’s number was reassigned and a stranger has been receiving Oliver’s private and vulnerable messages for months. But Ben, a college student in Seattle, won’t remain a stranger for long. When they finally meet in person, their spark is undeniable. Everything seems perfect until Oliver discovers something impossible and strange that will keep them from being together . . .

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 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.

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.

The extraordinary true story of the sisters who saved each other.

Friedel and Gina, twins and best friends, live happy enough lives. Their world is cycling trips, visits to their father’s shops, and first-day-of school excitement.

But this is a world that is about to fall apart.

It is the 1930s, and the Nazis are on the rise across Germany. They hate anyone who is different – anyone who is Jewish.

Friedel and Gina and their family are Jewish, and before long they are forced to journey to Poland, where terrible hardships await in a prison-like ghetto. Soon separated from loved ones, as the Second World War rages around them Friedel and Gina are eventually taken to a Nazi prison camp – a place of danger and fear, where they must do everything they can to survive.

From daring recues to incredible acts of kindness, this is the story of the sisters’ love for each other, and of friendships found in the darkest of places.

Winter Moon dreams of escape. Each night, she counts her earnings, longing for the day she's saved enough to disappear. But when her money is stolen, Winter has no choice but to make a deal with her estranged father: she agrees to spend time with him for money.

It isn't easy reconnecting with the man who's been absent for most of her life. Especially when Winter uncovers a devastating secret he's been hiding.

Her only comfort is Joon, the new boy at school who sees her in ways no one else does. Winter knows broken things can't always be fixed. But can they be pieced back together in a way that feels whole again?

‘I’m going to a place called Grand Theatre and I’m going to be a dancer in a pantomime!’

Tess loves to dance, even when everything seems grim. After mum dies and pa leaves, she and her brothers and sisters are all alone, with hardly any food or money. With empty stomachs and scrambling for pennies, they’ve got to fend for themselves.
When Tess’s big brother and sister go out to look for work, she has to stay in class at The Ragged School and take care of their baby sister Ada. But Tess is determined that even though she is poor, she will still get to go to the ball…or at least to dance in the Cinderella pantomime at the Grand Theatre…
A captivating Victorian adventure about family troubles and big dreams from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

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?

Leonardo word groot in ’n arm, maar liefdevolle gesin. Wanneer sy pa en kleinboetie in ’n ongeluk sterf, verander alles. Leonardo loop weg en beland by ’n groep straatbewoners. Rodger, ’n ou Engelsman, word vir hom soos ’n vaderfiguur. Wanneer Rodger siek word en Leonardo hom in die hospitaal besoek, ontdek hy iets onverwags.

He needs to get lost. She wants to be found. Jamie and July are both eleven-year-olds living in London - but they have very different lives. They meet for the first time at Waterloo Station in the last week of the holidays. They are both desperate to get away from home. July is really worried about her unreliable mum - she needs to get help. Jamie has done something terrible - and left in a panic. Despite their worries, the sun is shining and, as they escape everything they've left behind in the city, Jamie and July can't help but sense adventure in the air. But running away isn't just harmless summertime fun. What are they really trying to escape? And will either Jamie or July find a place that finally feels like home? Three homes, two kids, one journey.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Two things that are true and one that is a lie: I think my mother is dead and alive. I think if I work hard I will be very good at something. I've tried to please my dad but I don't think I ever will. Thirteen-year-old Morgan lives with his dad and his older brother, Mitch. He hasn't heard from his mum since she left when he was two. He works hard on his football skills, striving to meet his father's high expectations and 'be a man'. But what that means isn't always clear-cut. When Morgan makes a friend at school, gets injured in a game, and his long-lost mum turns up, everything changes. Then, when he meets an old woman in need of help, Morgan must decide what kind of man he wants to be. Shining a timely and much-needed light on different kinds of masculinity, Darkest Night, Brightest Star is a unique and compelling novel from a masterful storyteller.

In Ways to Die Right, Joel's life is steeped in loss, with his mom’s battle with cancer not the first time his family has faced death. When he discovers the environmental harm of traditional burials, he decides to champion 'green burials' through a science presentation. Joel’s mom is diagnosed with cancer, again, sending him into a spiral. He is already feeling the burden of caring for his sister’s grave, how could he possibly care for his mom’s grave as well? Then, at the cemetery, his most sacred space, he is confronted by his arch-nemesis, Trent. While Joel is striving to understand how family members can ‘forget’ their loved one by abandoning their graves, Trent wants everyone to know that graves are an important part of our human community. When Joel is given the opportunity, he champions green burials in a science presentation. The public opposition from Trent is almost more than he can take. Joel is forced to fight for himself and his beliefs, while trying to hide his biggest secret. New and old friends support him in his quest to protect the environment and find peace, while his parents see his struggles and make changes to support him.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

Mo's older brother has to go away for work, but just like the swallows, he'll return to him when the summer comes.
Bibi and Mo love to watch the first swallows arriving home to their lake in the summer. But soon, just like the swallows, Bibi has to go north for work. He tells Mo to think of him flying with the birds, and just like the swallows, when summer comes again, he will journey across the cities, oceans, grasslands and jungle, and over the tops of the mountains back to Mo.
Featuring a non-fiction section all about the migration of swallows, this comforting and sensitively told story is perfect for children whose loves ones have to stay away from home sometimes.

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.

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.

A poignant and big-hearted story about love, loss and believing in the magic of the imagination. The fourth novel from bestselling Waterstones Children's Book Prize shortlisted author Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, following BACK TO BLACKBRICK, THE APPLE TART OF HOPE and A VERY GOOD CHANCE.

Gracie, 14, and Bee, 6, have lived with their eccentric uncle ever since their parents died five years ago. Gracie just wants to be normal. At school she finally has a boyfriend and cool friends, but her quirky home life and 'mental' little sister have begun to feel like liabilities.

When their beloved grandfather dies and grief hits the girls again, little Bee's incredible imagination spirals out of control. Old memories and buried secrets bubble to the surface, and she even believes that their parents are waiting in a secret hotel on a clifftop - a place ghosts wait when they haven't yet let go of life.

Gracie is determined Bee should wake up to the truth and let go of her outlandish ideas. She makes her write it down: a list of what's real, and what's not.

But when it turns out the hotel may be more than just a dream, Gracie's hard line between what is real and what is imagined begins to blur . . .

A beautiful and heartwarming tale of love, creativity and the importance and magic of believing.