Lottie goes to swim lessons every Saturday, but she never gets in the water. That's because she is convinced there is a shark in the pool, a shark that wants to eat her and only her. But then Walter appears. Walter likes singing and reading books and bubble baths, and his favorite food is fish sticks, just like Lottie. When Saturday rolls around again, Lottie is no more ready to jump in the pool than she was before. Or is she? Sometimes it just takes a special friend to find the courage that was inside you all along.

New boy Smithy can't understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called "Bengo." He's been absent for the first few games of the season and starts the next game on the bench, so surely he can't be that special? But when their coach pulls Smithy off and sends Bengo on in his place, Smithy gets a chance to see him in action. Bengo is easily the best player Smithy's ever seen, putting in perfect crosses and generally running the opposition ragged. So why is Bengo left on the bench so often, and why does he seem to bottle it when any strong tackles come his way? An engaging football story accompanied by fascinating facts about famous substitutes, from reluctant-reader favourite Alan Gibbons.

Sibling rivalry gets even more intense when twins are involved! Brothers and swimming team-mates Ty and Tristan have always tried to one-up the other, especially in the pool. When their competitiveness threatens to cost the team the big relay race, the swimming twins need to rethink, reset and work together to spur the team on to victory.

Put your trainers on, Billy Bonkers is back with more amazing adventures! This time he's landing a plane and flying through the air in a hot-air balloon to watch the World Cup's final. Billy and his family are so wacky, you will laugh your socks off!

In Yehudi Mercado's full-color middle grade graphic memoir sequel to Chunky, Hudi and his imaginary friend, Chunky, head to Jewish summer camp, where the dynamic duo meet a new friend who can see Chunky, too, and get mixed up in a prank war. This series is perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft. Hudi finally embraced his love of art and comedy, but his class clown antics keep getting him in trouble. After Hudi's artwork lands him in detention again, his parents decide a change is needed when summer arrives, and they sentence him to four weeks at summer camp. Hudi is hesitant about Camp Green-a Jewish sleepaway camp in the blazing Texas desert. At least he still has Chunky. Then Hudi meets Pepe, a fellow camper who's also Latinx, Jewish, and a comedian like Hudi, and who-get this-can also see Chunky! What?! The rest of Hudi's bunkmates are also a motley crew of misfits. Has Hudi finally found his people? This new friendship with Pepe leads Hudi and Chunky into all kinds of hijinks, including a prank war with a few rival campers: the rich, preppy trio of Joshes. Hudi soon realizes that Pepe is driven by more than just making people laugh and he's not telling Hudi the truth. As the pranks escalate further than Hudi wants, he's at risk of getting labeled a troublemaker again-can Chunky help Hudi save this new friendship? Or will it flame out?

Frankie and his team love playing football and there's always time for a game. But when they win an old football at a carnival, they're going to be transported to a magical world of football they never knew existed Can Frankie and his team beat the Pirate Pillagers and make their way home?

When Ben and David are impressed at the speed of a runner in the park, the best friends are inspired to take up running. With race day looming, with they be able to work together, or will competition get the better of them? Reflect is a series of emotionally powerful fiction and non-fiction with realistic settings, carefully crafted to promote thoughtful discussions and develop higher-level reading comprehension. Written by top authors and developed with Literacy expert Nikki Gamble, these are books you can trust to engage, entertain and support children's personal development and wellbeing. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to books with the right depth and complexity, and helping them to progress. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children deepen their understanding and support their reading comprehension. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links to Relationships Education and support literacy skills.

Star quarterback Alex has always played football with his best friend, Oscar. But when Oscar suddenly quits the team to join the school play, Alex feels blindsided and betrayed. Now pressure is mounting on and off the field. Can the two boys ever recover from their friendship fumble? Young readers will love the exciting American football story and the electrifying full-colour comic format in this Sport Stories Graphic Novel.

If you could see with your eyes closed, would you use your power for good or for personal gain? That's what Henry has to decide in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, one of the seven short stories in this extraordinary collection. A boy who can talk to animals, a cunning hitchhiker, and a man who finds a fabulous fortune are only a few of the characters you'll meet. This clever mix of fact and fiction also includes the story of how master storyteller Roald Dahl became a writer.

A sweet and funny LGBTQ+ romance perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Julie Murphy, from the critically acclaimed author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit! Piper Kitts is spending the summer living with her grandmother, training at the barn of a former Olympic horseback rider, and trying to get over her ex-girlfriend. Much to Piper's dismay, her grandmother is making her face her fear of driving by taking lessons from a girl in town. Kat Pearson has always suspected that she likes girls but fears her North Carolina town is too small to color outside the lines. But when Piper's grandmother hires Kat to give her driving lessons, everything changes. Piper's not sure if she's ready to let go of her ex. Kat's navigating uncharted territory with her new crush. With the summer running out, will they be able to unlock a future together? "Piper and Kat are imperfect, but always trying their best-aren't we all?-and Brown had me rooting for them all the way through this sweet, slow burn romance. Their triumphs, their blunders, and the way they swing between confidence and self-doubt are utterly relatable."-Misa Sigura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret

Harvey is having a bad match. It's too hot. The Team can't score. And then when they do, the Ref says it wasn't a goal. Harvey gets so angry he tells the Ref he isn't doing his job properly... Then Harvey gets his first ever Red Card. He has to leave the field. He won't be able to play in next week's Cup Final. And the worst punishment of all is - he has to go to Referee School!

The third book in the Jamie Johnson football series - as seen on CBBC! Jamie's dreams of becoming a professional footballer seem to be coming true, after years of hoping and practising. But, just when he's close to living the dream, a shocking event turns his world upside down. He's never been a quitter, but can he rise to the toughest challenge of his life? Perfect books for every young football/soccer fan Author Dan Freedman has been a writer for the FA, the Premier League and attended two World Cups. PRAISE FOR The Kick Off (Jamie Johnson, book 1) "An inspiring read for all football fans" GARY LINEKER. "Dan knows his football" OWEN HARGREAVES. "You'll read this and want to get out there and play" STEVEN GERRARD. "If you like football, this book's for you" FRANK LAMPARD. "Pure class - brings the game to life"OWEN COYLE.

He has huge claws and enormous feet. He has a big tail and great big teeth. He's fierce, and everyone runs and hides from the biggest dinosaur of them all. But one little dinosaur doesn't hide--she knows her gargantuan grandpa is the sweetest dinosaur of them all. Beloved author-illustrator Bernard Most adds an irresistible pair of larger-than-life creatures to his wild and wonderful dinosaur menagerie.

"We are the ship; all else the sea."-Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League
The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the twentieth century. But most of all, the story of the Negro Leagues is about hundreds of unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions, and low pay to do the one thing they loved more than anything else in the world: play ball.
Using an "Everyman" player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through its decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. The voice is so authentic, you will feel as if you are sitting on dusty bleachers listening intently to the memories of a man who has known the great ballplayers of that time and shared their experiences. But what makes this book so outstanding are the dozens of full-page and double-page oil paintings-breathtaking in their perspectives, rich in emotion, and created with understanding and affection for these lost heroes of our national game.
"We Are the Ship" is a tour de force for baseball lovers of all ages.

After their amazing first competition, 12-year-old Harper is loving life in her new group, the DanceStarz. But now, Harper has landed a part in her school musical - and not everyone is as thrilled about it as she is.

The DanceStarz are worried Harper will be distracted so close to their next event. The girls have to win - especially as they're facing their arch-rivals, the Belles. Can Harper figure out how to find her balance and shine before she loses it all?

The Callback, written in collaboration with Jula DeVillers, is the glittering sequel to dancer and international superstar Maddie Ziegler's debut novel, The Audition.

From U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera comes the powerful journey of Chicano teen Lucky Z. A former skateboarder who's anything but lucky, he finds triumph and power through his voice. Raw, cool, real-this novel in verse is a shout-out to teens to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, to raise their voice and find strength in the sheer and simple power of expression. Lucky Z has always lived on the edge-he loved to skateboard, to drag race, to feel alive. But things have taken a turn-he's living with new foster parents and a tragic past. An accident changed everything. And only his voice will set him free. As you feel Lucky breathe in life again, you will want to shout out with him.

Pedro dreams of playing goalie in the next big football match. But he worries he's too slow and too small. Will Pedro meet his big goal? Reader-support tools, such as a glossary and discussion questions, make this a great choice for early readers.

An action-packed basketball series from author LJ Alonge set on the courts of Oakland, CA. Janae works every day at her Granny's Strange Goods Superstore, selling lucky rabbits' feet and other useless junk. And every night, after closing up shop, she dominates the courts with her boys. When the chance comes around to take her game to the next level, she knows she'll make the cut. It's all about skill-luck's got nothing to do with it. Right?