From the bestselling author of Darwin's Dragons comes a high-stakes aquatic adventure, perfect for fans of The Murderer's Ape! England, 1893, and aquarium fever is at its height. Twelve-year-old Vinnie Fyfe works in the tea-shop at Brighton aquarium, and waits for her milliner mother to return from Paris. The arrival of a giant octopus changes her life for ever. Discovering a talent for art, Vinnie begins to draw the extraordinary beast. She soon realises she can communicate with the octopus through colour and - as a gripping mystery begins to unfold - discovers what true courage really means ... The second middle-grade historical adventure by critically acclaimed Lindsay Galvin, author of Darwin's Dragons A gripping Victorian mystery with a touching connection between a young girl and an octopus at its heart Strong STEM and natural history themes with an underwater twist Effortlessly blends exciting adventure with a rip-roaring historical mystery and non-fiction elements PRAISE FOR DARWIN'S DRAGONS: 'A striking and original adventure ... just the sort of story I love.' EMMA CARROLL 'WHAT a voyage! [Darwin's Dragons] is everything you hope it will be ...' LUCY STRANGE '[A] beautifully fictionalised story' THE TELEGRAPH

A spellbinding story from the Sunday Times-bestselling author of The Girl of Ink & Stars, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. 'A story bursting with imagination, sparkle and tender heart ... I adored it!' JASBINDER BILAN 'Both souful poetry and thrilling adventure; powerful and delicate, chilling and comforting' SOPHIE ANDERSON 'Ripping propulsive plot, gorgeous imagery, floating fairytale prose ... absolutely loved it' ROSS MONTGOMERY In an Italian city ravaged by plague, Sofia's mother carves beautiful mementoes from the bones of loved ones. But one day, she doesn't return home. Did her work lead her into danger? Sofia and her little brother Ermin are sent to the convent orphanage but soon escape, led by an enigmatic new friend and their pet crow, Corvith. Together they cross the city underground, following clues in bones up to the towers of Siena, where - circled by magpies - the children find the terrible truth ... The fourth children's novel by Times number one bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year From the author of The Island at the End of Everything, The Way Past Winter, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies - chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club A darkly beautiful historical novel featuring Kiran's trademark magical realism and an enthralling mystery, presented as a gorgeous flapped paperback with stunning cover foil Longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2021

For fans of The Gilded Ones, Children of Blood and Bone, and Circe, this is the breathtaking follow-up to SKIN OF THE SEA - an epic love story infused with West African mythology and a powerful new imagining of a devastating time in history, told through the eyes of a bold and unforgettable heroine. One life. One choice. One sacrifice. To save those closest to her, Simi sacrificed everything - her freedom, her life as mami wata, and the boy she loves. Now she serves a new god, watching over the Land of the Dead at the bottom of the ocean. But the tide of change is coming and when Simi discovers demons have entered the human realm bent on destruction, she must break her vow and return to the world above the water. The fate of the world lies in her hands. Praise for SKIN OF THE SEA - a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER: 'Epic and original . . . Simi's story will stay with me for a long time' Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything 'The most engrossing, thought-provoking, beautiful novel . . . knocks your socks off and leaves you wanting more' Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones 'A triumph of storytelling' Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of Cinderella is Dead 'This poignant supernatural romance stands out for its sensuous prose' Financial Times 'Fantastical creatures and vengeful gods form a vivid backdrop to this rich and original story of one girl's journey to find herself' Observer (YA Books of Month)

Kathleen Fidler's classic story is set in the ancient Stone Age village of Skara Brae on Orkney. This is a fascinating and vividly portrayed story of life nearly 3,000 years ago. Kali and Brockan are in trouble. They have been using their stone axes to chip limpets off the rocks, but they've gone too far out and find themselves trapped by the tides. Then, an unexpected rescuer appears, a strange boy in a strange boat, carrying a strangely sharp axe of a type they have never seen before. Conflict arises as the village of Skara must decide what to do with the new ideas and practices that the boy brings. As a deadly storm threatens, the very survival of the village is in doubt. Step back into the Stone Age and learn about the daily life and rituals of the ancient village of Skara Brae in this compelling, fictional account of the famous Orkney settlement. Vivid descriptions and accurate historical details bring the village to life and make this an ideal choice for those studying the Stone Age curriculum.

A frozen palace and a sparkling secret - an epic Russian adventure awaits! Anna Orlov might be the luckiest girl in the world. She is the daughter of a Russian Count and lives in a beautiful snowbound palace that is home to a menagerie of wonderful animals: tigers, wolfhounds and, of course, horses. And she is also the owner of a beautiful heirloom - a diamond necklace with a secret past. But when Anna defies her father's wishes and secretly raises a young colt alongside her pet tiger cub, her actions will have far reaching consequences. And soon Anna, her tiger and her horse will be fighting for survival in the frozen tundra of Siberia... An epic adventure of horses, friendship and sparkling secrets!

A powerfully moving and beautiful picture book about the voyage of HMT Empire Windrush from national treasure, Benjamin Zephaniah. The hopes, dreams and bravery of the Windrush generation are expressed in this vivid story through the real-life experiences of Trinidadian musician, Mona Baptiste. Written as a brand-new poem by Benjamin Zephaniah, the book is beautifully illustrated by the extraordinary artist, Onyinye Iwu. The arrival of the Windrush in 1948 is celebrated each year on Windrush Day, 22 June Benjamin recently won a BAFTA for his Sky Arts show, Life & Rhymes, a showcase of some of Britain's finest poets This book is perfect for teaching young children about inclusivity and diversity Praise for Windrush Child: 'An invaluable story for any young readers who enjoy adventure and want to learn more about the Windrush generation's experience. Essential reading' Alex Wheatle

Paisley 1876. 12-year-old Jim has escaped from the Poor House and now he must save his little brother from the same fate. His only hope lies in a mysterious family heirloom - a Paisley patterned shawl that has five guineas sewn into its hem - the price of a new life for Jim's family. Now he must find the shawl and steal it back from the big house where the girl with the red hair lives... Two different worlds collide in this gripping Victorian mystery as Jim and Jessie unravel the past and its pattern of secrets...

It is 1937 and tensions are high. A spectacular air race around Europe seeks to promote unity among a group of young pilots, but distrust and animosity are rife. The British and sole female contestant, Stella North, is determined to prove not only her skill, but also her identity as her Nansen passport declares her 'stateless'. However, barely a few hours in, Stella is witness to a horrifying attack when a contestant's plane is forced out of the air and crashes. Was this the work of another competitor desperate to win? Was the attack random or premeditated and, most importantly, will it happen again? With the competition heating up and the death ruled an accident, Stella is left to form her own investigation. Can she find allies among her fellow competitors or will suspicion and deceit bring them all down? An exhilarating rush of a novel, with all the twists and turns we've come to expect from the award-winning Elizabeth Wein.

'A hugely entertaining mystery' - Fiona Noble, The Bookseller Children's Previews 'One to Watch' Greenwich, London, 15th February 1894. Luna thinks that an evening at her aunt's butterfly club sounds deathly boring. But it turns out that the meeting, held in the Butterfly Room at the Greenwich Observatory, is not at all as Luna expects. The Butterfly Club is a society with an unusual secret . . . they use time travel to plunder the future for wonders. Together with her friends, Konstantin and Aidan, and a clockwork cuckoo, Luna boards the Time Train. The gang travel to 1912 and find themselves aboard a great ship travelling from Southampton to New York. They locate a man called Guglielmo Marconi and his new invention: the wireless radio. But as the ship heads into icy waters, they discover its name: The RMS TITANIC Can Luna and the boys save Marconi and his invention from the doomed ship? Can they get the radio back home to the Butterfly Club? And how will their actions change the rest of time?

Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire will whisk you away on a fabulous adventure, full of daring action and delicious cakes! Baker by day, spy by night - Alice Eclair leads an exciting double life! A mysterious message sends Alice on a mission aboard France's most glamorous train, The Sapphire Express. Alice must sneak on board disguised as a pastry chef and discover which passenger is an enemy agent before they reach their final stop. But everyone on the train seems to be hiding something... Armed with her whisk, her wits and her will to succeed, Alice has a spy to catch. A Recipe for Trouble can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire series. Look out for A Spoonful of Spying!

What if the past became your future? Join teenager Joe on a rollercoaster adventure travelling back in time to the heyday of Victorian Crystal Palace. Joe is lonely and bored. His best friend moved away, he's stuck looking after his annoying little sister and Dad spends every hour in their struggling restaurant, Paradise. But Joe's world is turned upside down when he discovers a shattered compass among the brambles where the Crystal Palace once stood and time travels through the maze back to 1888. With help from the teenage H. G. Wells and Samuel Coleridge Taylor, daredevil Iris Blondin, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and the Queen of the Gypsies, Joe must foil dangerous diamond thieves to uncover dark secrets about the 'People's Palace'. Standing on boundaries between worlds, it's secrets are tied to the fate of his family. Will Joe be trapped in the past with his new friends, find a way to return to his family or can he somehow have both?

It's 1829, and young Princess Victoria's life is full of constraints. Brought up hidden from the world and protected even from walking downstairs alone, the ten-year-old princess decides to write a secret diary about life at Kensington Palace. But little does she know that she is about to make a startling discovery. Closer to the throne than she ever imagined, My Story: Victoria spans a fascinating year in the life of a future queen. Experience history first-hand with My Story in this all-new look! Other titles in the My Story series include: My Story: Titanic My Story: The Trenches My Story: The Great Plague My Story: Berlin Olympics My Story: Blitz My Story: Mayflower My Story: Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan My Story: D-Day My Story: A Picture of Freedom My Story: Roman Invasion My Story: Ignatius Sancho

North Carolina, 1863. As the American Civil War rages on, the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island is blossoming, a haven for the recently emancipated. Black folk have begun building a community of their own, a refuge from the shadow of the 'old life.' It is where the March family has finally been able to safely put down roots with four young daughters: Meg, a teacher who longs to find love and start a family of her own. Jo, a writer whose words are too powerful to be contained. Beth, a talented seamstress searching for a higher purpose. Amy, a dancer eager to explore life outside her family's home. As the four March sisters come into their own as independent young women, they will face first love, health struggles, heartbreak, and new horizons. But they will face it all together.

_______________ A page-turning, laugh-out-loud historical adventure by comedian and podcaster Iszi Lawrence, perfect for fans of Horrible Histories. Time flies when you're having fun. But what does it do when you're not? Sunil and his extraordinary Auntie Alex are back for another hilarious adventure as they whizz through time. But Auntie Alex's time machine has started behaving strangely and using it has become even more unpredictable and dangerous than ever. From the dark and gloomy heights of the Tower of London to the frosty forests of Hanover, will Sunil and Alex be able to get home? And can they avoid the sinister Mr Shaykes and his pet kiwi?! _______________ The Time Machine Next Door is an exciting new series of quirky historical chapter books for readers aged 7-9. Written by comedian, podcaster and children's author Iszi Lawrence, these books bring lesser-known parts of history to life with hilarious plots, real-life characters, fascinating facts and fantastic illustrations. _______________

Named Children's Book of the Week by The Times! Inspired by a true family story, Michael Rosen presents an astonishing account of perseverance, love and hope in wartime. Beginning in 1939, young Solly in London exchanges letters with his teenaged cousin, Bernie, in Poland. While Solly is evacuated and tries his best to adjust to life in the English countryside, Bernie's parents know that as Jews they're not safe staying in Warsaw, so they send Bernie to the Russian-occupied side of the country in the hope that he'll be safer there. Soon, though, he is arrested and sent off to a forced labour camp in Russia. As the cousins exchange sporadic letters, they try to keep their spirits up, trading jokes and observations about the world changing all around them. Then Bernie seizes the opportunity to join the "Anders Army" and fight the Axis powers, and tells Solly all about his experiences in Iraq and eventually Italy, where he fights alongside the British at the famous Battle of Monte Cassino. Does Bernie survive and find a safe place to call home? With breathtaking illustrations by beloved illustrator Michael Foreman, this is an unforgettable story of courage and love, perfect for the whole family to share. Michael Rosen is one of the best-known figures in the children's book world, known for his work as poet and author of classic books such as WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT. This book is a perfect companion to POPPY FIELD by Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman. Together, the books are a wonderful introduction to the history of the great wars of the 20th century and the importance of Remembrance.

After solving the case of Truly Devious, Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery from New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson, now available in paperback. Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she's back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer. But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls-the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case. Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders. But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive. * Cosmopolitan Best YA Books of 2021 * People Magazine Best Books of Summer 2021*

Includes: The Knight of Silk and Steel: Sir Ulrich is a knight errant, wandering the land in a silk dress and blonde wig in honour of his lady love. This is his story. The Knight of Spurs and Spirits: A cruel knight beats and bullies his servants. But one day he goes too far...The Knight of Sticks and Straw: El Cid strikes terror into the enemy forces - but El Cid is dead. How can a dead man inspire his troops in battle? The Knight of Swords and Spooks: Young George Neville is a hostage of Richard III at Bosworth as surety for his father's loyalty. Can George survive when his father betrays the King?