Written by bestselling author Saviour Pirotta, this fast-paced story is set in the Islamic Golden Age when Baghdad was the largest and most dazzling city in the world. Perfect for fans of thrilling adventure. Thirteen-year-old Jabir is hoping to save his family from being made homeless by finding work in Baghdad. Famished after his long journey to the city, Jabir is caught stealing bread and sent to prison. Luckily, one of the guards there notices that he has a gift for carving wooden models and he is released on the orders of the grand caliph Harun al Rashid himself. In return Jabir must carve twelve golden horsemen, a gift from the caliph to the emperor Charlemagne. But someone is determined to stop Jabir from completing the work and he will stop at nothing, not even arson, to achieve his aim. Can Jabir and his friend Yasmina finish the horsemen or will Jabir be sent back to prison? Ideal for readers aged 8+, this exciting and readable adventure story is packed with great characters and insight into Islamic civilisation and the historic culture of the Middle East circa AD 900, a period which is now studied in the National Curriculum. The Flashbacks series offers dramatic stories set in key moments of history, perfect for introducing children to historical topics.

Double the trouble! An original novel by Michael Rosen, told alongside the Dickens classic that inspired it: Oliver Twist. Shona and her dad are moving house, and at Shona's new school, the rules are pretty confusing; she keeps getting into trouble without realizing! It's a lot like how it is for Oliver Twist, that boy she's reading about in English class. After Shona is unexpectedly given a mobile phone, she begins to suspect there's something fishy about the new boys she's met. Where did the phone come from? And some gifts, she soon learns, aren't exactly free... Read two stories at once - both illustrated by Tony Ross.

From Andy Marino, author of The Plot to Kill Hitler series, comes another fast-paced historical thriller chronicling one family's desperate bid to escape the deadly Chernobyl disaster. 26 April 1986 01:18 Alina & Lev are two siblings living in Pripyat, one of the Soviet Union's proud nuclear cities. Both are asleep in their beds. Their cousin, Yuri, is a custodian at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, where he's fiercely attacking a spill in the hallway with a mop. Alina's best friend, Sofiya, sleeps just a few doors down. Her father is an engineer at the plant, a fact that has always filled her with pride. In five minutes, Reactor No. 4 will explode in a ball of fire. It will expel radiation across their town for nine days before it's finally contained. For the people of Pripyat, it will be far too late. Two young siblings flee the Chernobyl disaster with their parents, but the Communist party is on their heels. Meanwhile, the friends and family they were forced to leave behind must contend with a disinformation campaign that's determined to pretend nothing is wrong-even as deadly radiation spills into the air.

Welcome to Professor Brownstone's vault - containing ancient relics from around the world, all collected by his famous ancestors! This fan favourite is coming to shelves in paperback! Follow the epic journey of Brownstone's earliest ancestor, Arthur, and travel back to the age of the Vikings where this bookish young adventurer must find the courage to save his village and defeat the mighty beast Fenrir...

Pull back the curtain and enter a world where mystery and magic take centre stage in a gloriously gothic adventure from Jenni Spangler, illustrated by Chris Mould. Twelve-year-old Tig works at Manchester's Theatre Royale, cleaning, selling tickets and doing anything else that is asked of her by her tyrannical boss, Mr Snell. Tig will do whatever it takes to get closer to her dream - to become a Stage Manager and spend her days inventing new ways to imagine and build the intricate machinery and props that bring the exciting productions to life! But when a strange new act - a talking machine - arrives at the Theatre Royale, it moves and behaves in a way that Tig just can't work out. It's as though it's alive somehow . . . And when the machine appears to be hiding a dangerous secret, Tig must race against time to solve the mystery, before everything and everyone she cares about is lost forever. A Victorian adventure full of ghost, gadgets and shifty villains, from the critically-acclaimed Jenni Spangler, who's debut The Vanishing Trick, was selected as Waterstones Book of the Month. Praise for THE VANISHING TRICK: A thrilling, original, evocative and eerie tale - I adored it!' Michelle Harrison, author of A Pinch of Magic 'A thrilling page-turner. Madame Pinchbeck is a gloriously Dickensian villain' Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song 'Ghosts, gadgets, likeable villains and unlikely heroes: The Vanishing Trick is a dark and dazzling adventure' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse 'A completely enthralling tale, oozing with atmosphere and originality' Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island

Return to the spellbinding magical world of the Hatmakers in this sweeping, epic and exciting new adventure on the high seas - perfect for fans of Nevermoor, A Pinch of Magic and Harry Potter. Cordelia Hatmaker has finally united the Maker families and restored the kingdom's trust in Maker magic. But mysterious outbreaks of chaotic magic are beginning to happen across London... And then the unthinkable happens. Cordelia is accused of treason. As the guards close in, she must flee London at once. With her father Prospero, and friends Sam and Goose, Cordelia sets sail on her family's ship, the Little Bear, for the adventure of a lifetime. They're determined to solve the mystery of a missing girl, and to clear Cordelia's name once and for all. But soon they are in the dangerous territory of a band of legendary pirates: the Troublemakers, captained by a fierce and unstoppable pirate queen... A breathtaking new adventure from bestselling author of The Hatmakers and The Mapmakers, Tamzin Merchant, featuring beautiful illustrations by Paola Escobar. Praise for The Hatmakers 'Wildly inventive . . . full of laugh-out-loud humour, enchanting magic and rebellious hope. I loved it' Catherine Doyle 'Imaginative' The Times 'An utterly charming adventure full of wildness, wit, magic and heart' Anna James 'Absolutely wonderful' Emma Carroll 'A swashbuckling romp for lovers of history and magic . . . Will appeal to Philip Pullman and Harry Potter fans' Kirkus

Daniel weier om te glo wat almal sê: dat hy ’n skelm is, nes sy pa . . . Wanneer hy egter ’n meisie in ’n rolstoel op Simonstad se kaai raaksien en besluit om haar pêrelhangertjie te steel, beland hy onverwags op ’n skip wat hom wegvoer na Skulpiesbaai en die rykman Robert Stanford se plaas. Hy maak kennis met Malgas, ’n visser wat in die kliphuis bokant die melkhoutbos woon, en Gertjie, die diensmeisie wat die venynige juffrou Caitlin in haar rolstoel versorg. Maar wie is die vreemde ou vrou wat saam met die strandjutwolf langs die see verskyn? En waarom tree Caitlin so boosaardig op, terwyl sy vrees dat die Seevrou haar gaan kom haal? Hou dit dalk verband met die wrak van die slaweskip wat daar op die rotse geloop het? ’n Spannende historiese jeugroman wat tegelykertyd fantasie­, avontuur­ en spookverhaal is.

The second book in the series, based on the remarkable story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies. With the end of WW1 being declared, Hettie's brother Freddie should be feeling relieved, but unfortunately his personal war has only just begun. He is still crippled by nightmares and guilt about a mistake that led to a man's death in the war. He tries to distract himself by helping Hettie support the Dick, Kerr team, and his love for photography sees him quickly become their unofficial photographer, taking team shots and getting to know the girls. Can the introduction of a new key player, Jessie Walmsley - a brave heroic woman, help Freddie to face his demons? And will a new job opportunity giving him the chance to travel the country, reporting on the Dick, Kerr Girls, finally appease his Dad? As the girls embark on their first domestic and international tour against the French Ladies team, Freddie finds he is on a journey of his own, facing up to his mistakes and taking a step to correct them. Can he learn from the vital lesson that the Dick, Kerr Girls have to offer? That team work, communication and friendship can overcome just about anything.

"There once is a Queen ever constant to her people..." From the Nation's Favourite Storyteller Sir Michael Morpurgo comes a poetic celebration of our Queen and longest reigning monarch, beautifully illustrated in watercolour by acclaimed artist Michael Foreman. Created in partnership with the Jubilee Pageant Committee. There once was a little girl, born a princess. While she was still a young woman, she became a queen, our Queen Elizabeth II. Her reign of seventy years, making her the longest serving female monarch in history, saw her stand steadfast through triumph and tribulation, and through the monumental changes that have shaped our world. This remarkable queen remained devoted to crown, to country . . . and a corgi or two! Beginning with the late queen as a little girl, planting an oak tree with her father, There Once is a Queen follows her incredible story in a way that will bring this historic reign vividly to life for readers, big and small, around the globe. An exquisite gift book and commemoration of the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, it marks a unique moment in our shared history and will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come.

An enchancting, lyrical novel from the acclaimed author of A Light Between Worlds! 'Weymouth's prose is lush and evocative, filled with palpable descriptions and compelling mystery' KIRKUS 'With lush prose and an eye for atmospheric detail, Weymouth adeptly spins a tale in which thge heroine is torn between passion and purpose, destruction and duty.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY When her father is convicted of high treason, Violet Sterling is exiled. Seven years later she has a chance to return to her beloved Burleigh House and to Wyn, the boy she left behind. But Burleigh - one of the six great magical houses of England - has gone wild with grief after the death of Violet's father and now the capricious King of England has threatened to raze it to the ground. Vi must decide whether her destiny is set in stone, before Burleigh destroys everything she loves. The second novel by acclaimed YA talent and author of The Light Between World, Laura Weymouth. A curious and original alternate history of living great houses, set in a vividly imagined, enchanting world.

A thrilling gothic horror novel about biracial twin sisters separated at birth, perfect for fans of Lovecraft Country and The Vanishing Half - now in paperback! Magnolia Heathwood, heiress to a decrepit cotton plantation in Jim Crow's Georgia, was raised to be the perfect southern belle. All her life she's prepared to carry on the family dynasty, but according to her cruel grandmother, she always falls short. When Magnolia finally learns the truth-that she is not white in this segregated land, but mixed race-her reflection vanishes from every mirror: a sign of a terrible curse. And life in Eureka, Georgia is getting stranger every day: The most popular girl in town launches an initiative to segregate the dead in the local cemetery, and white-passing Magnolia doesn't know how much longer she can bear to live a lie. Meanwhile, Charlie Yates, an aspiring Civil Rights organizer from Harlem, is speeding toward Eureka beside her dying grandmother. Nana's last wish is to be buried in the land they fled seventeen years ago, after the brutal murder of Charlie's parents, who were killed for loving across the color line. On a segregated train car, brave Charlie has never felt so powerless. Nana's told her plenty of stories about the cursed town they're headed for-but she's never told her that she left a twin sister, Magnolia, behind. The sisters reunite as teenagers in the deeply haunted town of Eureka, where ghosts linger centuries after their time, and dangers lurk behind every mirror. They couldn't be more different, but they will need each other: to put the hauntings of the past to rest, to break the mirrors' deadly curse-and to discover the meaning of sisterhood in a racially divided land.

From debut author, Joyce Efia Harmer, comes a groundbreaking YA story of friendship and freedom that crosses continents and centuries, in a timeslip novel exploring the legacy of slavery. Sometime, me love to dream that me is a human, a proper one, like them white folks is. Enslaved on a plantation in Barbados, Obah dreams of freedom. As talk of rebellion bubbles up around her in the Big House, she imagines escape. Meeting a strange boy who's not quite of this world, she decides to put her trust in him. But Jacob is from the twenty-first century. Desperate to give Obah a better life, he takes her back with him. At first it seems like dreams really do come true - until the cracks begin to show and Obah sees that freedom comes at an unimaginable cost . . . Both hopeful and devastating, this powerful novel about equality, how far we've come, and how far we still have to go introduces an extraordinary new literary voice.

Leopold se wêreld stort in duie wanneer sy familie hul rykdom verloor. Hy sluit by ’n togryer aan op pad na die diamantvelde om sy fortuin te soek. Sara, vermom as ’n touleier, reis saam op soek na die merk van haar voormense. Maar wanneer hulle by die geheimsinnige tolhuis in Ceres gestrand raak, kom hulle ’n donker wese in die berge tee en ontdek dat hulle nog altyd bestem is om die skrikbewind van die Verdwaalding stop te sit . . .

From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, a remarkable, funny, sexy, heartbreaking story of two teen boys finding each other in New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic. The first thing I noticed about C.J. Gorman was his plexiglass bra. It's 1987 in New York City, and Micah is at a dance club, trying to pretend he's more out and outgoing than he really is. C.J. isn't just out - he's complete out there, and Micah can't help but be both attracted to and afraid of someone who travels so loudly and proudly through the night. A connection occurs. Is it friendship? Romance? Is C.J. the one with all the answers ... or does Micah bring more to the relationship that it first seems? As their lives become more and more entangled in the AIDS epidemic that's laying waste to their community, and the AIDS activism that will ultimately bring a strong voice to their demands, whatever Micah and C.J. have between them will be tested, strained, pushed, and pulled - but it will also be a lifeline in a time of death, a bond that will determine the course of their futures. In Destination Unknown, Bill Konigsberg returns to a time he knew well as a teenager to tell a story of identity, connection, community, and survival. Perfect for fans of John Green and Nicola Yoon From Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of Out of Pocket and Openly Straight A heart-breaking, life-affirming YA novel that sees a tough subject dealt with humour, compassion and unflinching truth.

Lonely after their family moves to London, Ben and Hattie are delighted to find a new friend in the park: a talking lion wearing a top hat, dress suit and red cravat. But not only is Mr Dandy Paws an exceptionally well-dressed feline, he's a highway lion who robs from those who are cruel to animals and invests the proceeds in animal justice. But with a P.I. on his tail, Dandy's latest scheme - a daring break-out at Tower Zoo - could get Ben and Hattie into far more trouble than they bargained for ... A delightfully old-fashioned debut adventure for modern children aged 7 and up, full of friendship, daring and fun Set in an off-the-wall 1920s London complete with talking animals! Strong animal welfare and ecological themes with a funny and fantastical twist Inside illustrations with a classic nostalgic feel by Roxana de Rond

ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER. 'An exceptional read' The Sunday Times 'Vital glimmers of hope enlighten this profoundly poignant book' Guardian A powerful and heart-breaking novel about three childhood friends living during the Second World War whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses. Inspired by a true story, this is the perfect read for fans of The Book Thief and Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl. Vienna, 1936. Elsa, Leo and Max have always been best friends, a special team of three. Then the Nazis come. As a growing darkness descends around them, Leo and Elsa run for their lives, taking two very different paths across Europe. And Max, once their closest friend, now becomes the enemy as he is drawn into the Hitler Youth. Will the friends ever find their way back to each other? Will they want to? Inspired by a true story, WHEN THE WORLD WAS OURS is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking, and shows how the bonds of love, family and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. Three friends. Two sides. One memory.

A gripping tale of conflict and survival that has inspired millions of young readers and adults alike

It’s 1985, and southern Sudan is ravaged by war. Eleven-year-old Salva is forced to flee on foot when his village is attacked. Braving every imaginable hardship – including killer lions and hungry crocodiles – Salva becomes one of the 'lost boys' of Sudan, travelling the African continent on foot in search of his family and a safe place to stay.

Years later, a girl named Nya walks for hours each day to fetch water for her family. The walk is gruelling and leaves no time for school. But there is unexpected hope, as Salva’s story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

Gabriel skrik wakker in ’n donker kelder in ’n vreemde stad, sonder enige herinnering van hoe hy daar gekom het. Al wat hy weet is sy naam en dat hy in Amsterdam woon. Tot sy verbasing bevind hy hom in die Kaap van Storms, die VOC se ou halfwegstasie – en in die begrafplaas is ’n graf met sy naam en geboortedatum op. ’n Pragtige slawemeisie, Zytia, probeer hom help om uit te vind wie hy werklik is. Sy potloodsketse bring visioene van ’n Khoi seun en ’n vreemde klip. En Zytia se geheimsinnige meesteres soek sy bloed . . .

Imagine if you lived in the White House The first book centers around three of Theodore Roosevelt's children, Kermit, Ethel and Archie. Their mother is away and they are left in the charge of a comical nanny named Mrs. Duffit and their President father, who is very preoccupied with the visit from a quirky Russian Ambassador, Count Cassini. Eager to keep the children out of trouble, President Roosevelt sends his children on a treasure hunt--just like Treasure Island, only in the White House. There are mysteries popping out of Dolley Madison paintings and strange goings-on in the attic--and the result is a rollicking good time and a crash course in American history too. Ron Kidd has masterfully adapted the script from the original play into a novel for us, and Ard Hoyt's playful illustrations are interspersed throughout.

From the bestselling author of Darwin's Dragons and My Friend the Octopus comes an exciting historical adventure - with a touch of magic - set aboard the Titanic ... Young cabin steward, Sid, is proud to be working on the Titanic, the greatest ship ever built. Clara dreams of adventure too, but she's a stowaway in the hold of a much smaller boat, Carpathia. Here she meets the biggest, best dog she's ever known: Rigel, who is on his way to be reunited with his owner. None of them could have imagined how they would need each other one ice-cold terrible night - or that an extraordinary sea creature might also answer their call ... The third middle-grade historical adventure from the author of Darwin's Dragons and My Friend the Octopus A new spin on the sinking of the Titanic, offering an uplifting alternate history of real-life survivor, Sid Daniels A touching animal friendship lies at the heart of the story, as well as hints of mythology Showcases Lindsay Galvin's trademark combination of exciting adventure, rip-roaring history 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