'Do you feel safe?' A powerful novel exploring how teenagers can be swept up into county lines. For fans of PUNCHING THE AIR and SPLINTERS OF SUNSHINE. Erik's mum is juggling the challenge of two small babies, plus the recent death of her husband due to COVID-19. Both these factors affect teenage Erik too, struggling with homework as the babies continually cry or his mum needs help. When the difficulties at home affect Erik's behaviour at school and he gets in with the wrong crowd, Erik is tempted to earn some easy money. . . But this kind of money is never truly easy to earn and comes with a terrible cost. Written in verse, the thoroughly-researched narrative exploring how teenage boys can be drawn into county lines pulls the reader in from the very first page, as Erik makes some good - and some very bad - decisions...

An all-new edition of the tragicomic smash hit which stormed the New York Times bestseller charts, now featuring an introduction from Markus Zusak. In his first book for young adults, Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school. This heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written tale, featuring poignant drawings that reflect the character's art, is based on the author's own experiences. It chronicles contemporary adolescence as seen through the eyes of one Native American boy. 'Excellent in every way' Neil Gaiman Illustrated in a contemporary cartoon style by Ellen Forney.

Abigail has ADHD and can't concentrate, but one teacher knows just how to get her engaged. Abigail is frustrated. She can't focus on writing and fools around instead. She is sent to the cooling down room. After that is music class, and she can't make any of the instruments work! Just when things are about to go wrong again, the teacher discovers exactly what to do to engage this little girl, and Abigail ends up finding a special voice of her very own.

Multi-award-winning author Brian Conaghan's first book for 10+ readers is a future classic brimming with humour and heart

Even though I found him living in a house made of cardboard, Bruce is a massive legend. FACT. So this mine and Bruce's story. You don't have to believe it happened, but it did. All of it.

Nobody at school can see past Lenny's size to the person within. So when lessons get too tough, Lenny always goes to his bench to think. At least there no one can see him. Then one day, midway through lobbing his empty can of Irn-Bru into the canal he's stopped by Bruce. Bruce lives in a cardboard home hidden away by the banks, and he doesn't approve of kids messing up his front lawn .

But a bumpy start soon gives way to an unexpected friendship - and an epic road trip - that will change both of them for life ...

The hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit are ready to go back to school! The crayons are getting ready to go back to school and each crayon has a subject they're looking forward to the most. They're also ready to meet new friends and let loose during their very favourite time of day . . . art class. A hilarious back-to-school story featuring everyone's favourite school supplies!

Natasha Devon's Click - Be Your Best Self Online is the perfect guide for young people navigating the digital world. There are three billion people online. Each of those people has their own biases, agendas and issues. It's little wonder when young people step into the digital world and are bombarded with 'hot takes', calls to cancel 'problematic' individuals, trolls, fake news and celebrity sales pitches they're likely to find it overwhelming and confusing. This book wants to change that. It will teach young people how to: - See and evaluate all sides of an argument - Spot fake news - Explain their 'take' persuasively - Use the internet to campaign for a fairer world - Get the most out of their online role models - Show allyship to marginalised groups Natasha Devon is a writer, campaigner and broadcaster. She travels to schools and colleges throughout the UK and the world, delivering classes and conducting research with teenagers, teachers and parents on mental health, body image and social equality.

From comedian, actor, rapper and screenwriter Ben Bailey Smith comes a blazingly funny, big-hearted story about family, friendship and how far one boy will go to get a laugh. Perfect for fans of David Baddiel and Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

For thirteen-year-old Carmichael Taylor, life is one big joke - in a good way. He just can't understand why no one else seems to find everything as funny as he does.

When Car is filmed stumbling into performing a piece of hilarious stand-up at the school talent show - targeting his family, school and friends - the footage ends up creating international infamy. But with the promise of fame and fortune comes trouble, and it's up to Car to decide what or who he's willing to risk to chase his comedy dream.

Get ready to laugh at life with this heart-warming, unashamedly honest and hilarious look at family, friendship and what really matters.

Big lies mean big trouble for Jay and his mates. Funny and tender, My Big Mouth, CLiPPA Award-winner Steven Camden's brilliant first novel for readers of 8 to 11, is about friendship, storytelling and the price of being cool. Brilliantly illustrated throughout by Chanté Timothy.

‘They think I’m cool.’
Dom’s face wrinkled up, ‘Who does? Who cares?’
But I did. I cared.

When Dad leaves, ten-year-old Jay has questions.
Where has he gone?
Why did he go?

When no one can give Jay the answers he needs, he makes up his own stories, setting off a chain reaction that sees regular old Jay go from just another face in the crowd, to the centre of attention.

But being the coolest kid in school comes at a cost. And as things spiral out of control, can the most unlikely person help him learn the most important lesson of all?

A life-affirming story about friendship, adventure and self-belief, from the award-winning author of The Bubble Boy. Perfect for fans of Louis Sachar's Holes and Elle McNicoll's A Kind of Spark. When three eleven-year-old 'problem children' are thrown together at summer camp, they're challenged to build a place to live together for the next month. But after a trip to a disused tin-mine goes awry, Milo and his new friends, Oscar and Effie, soon find themselves split off from the group and trapped underground. Can they work through their individual issues and come together as a team to find their way to freedom?

A powerful, compelling novel from the critically-acclaimed author of I Am Thunder, about making friends, and breaking them too.

Fifteen-year-old Ilyas is under pressure from everyone: GCSE's are looming and his teachers just won't let up, his dad wants him to join the family business and his mates don't care about any of it. There's no space in Ilyas' life to just be a teenager.

Serving detention one day, Ilyas finds a kindred spirit in Kelly Matthews, who is fed up with being pigeonholed as the good girl, and their friendship blows the social strata of high school wide open. But when Kelly catches the eye of one of the local bad boys, Imran, he decides to seduce her for a bet – and Ilyas is faced with losing the only person who understands him. Standing up to Imran puts Ilyas' family at risk, but it's time for him to be the superhero he draws in his comic-books, and go kick the moon.

Kick the Moon, is Muhammad Khan's explosive second novel, with original comic-book art from Amrit Birdi, bestselling illustrator of Username:Evie.

Toby's sister and baby brother love their schools - they smell of paint and rainbows. Toby doesn't think he likes his new school at all - it smells of ogres and he's lonely. He looks and looks for friends but he can't find any anywhere. He finds an alien, a mermaid, a dinosaur expert and a pirate, but no friends! When his mum comes to pick him up he tells her the sad news - but if he didn't make any friends then who is in the playground waving at him? Rebecca Elliott's charming first experiences books, featuring her son Toby encountering new situations, help children deal with new and unfamiliar circumstances. In Mr Super Poopy Pants, Toby got used to the idea of having a new baby brother; in Missing Jack he had to come to terms with the death of his pet cat. Now Rebecca is showing that going to school isn't quite as scary as you might think, using her unique sense of humour and style to create a warm and comforting picture book, which is quirky and funny at the same time.

'Full of practical parenting advice that will give you the tools to guide your child through this time' Daily Express Raising a tween can often leave you feeling like a parenting beginner all over again. Children in the 'between' stage seem to change almost daily, leaving many parents struggling to understand the child they once thought they knew so well. In Between, parenting expert and mother of four Sarah Ockwell-Smith uses a unique blend of the biology, psychology and sociology of adolescence as the basis for practical parenting advice that you can use to help your child through the transition from childhood to adulthood. It explores key issues, including: *Why tweens can often be moody, rude, lazy and impulsive - and how to cope with their behaviour *What exactly happens during puberty - and when and how to talk to your tween about it * How to navigate friendships and romantic relationships in the tween years *How to encourage good mental health and body image *Managing screen time and avoiding common pitfalls *Supporting the transition to secondary school Between also offers advice on coping with your own feelings as your child moves through this busy developmental period, and how to let go and give them wings to fly. The tween years can be a difficult period for parent and child alike, but your openness and support is key to building the relationship that you will have with your child for the rest of their life. Between is the handbook that will guide you across the bridge from childhood into adolescence, together with your child.

Is the truth as simple as black and white? Mark My Words is the searing novel from Branford Boase Award-winner and 2020 World Book Day author Muhammad Khan, asking who you can trust when all you see is lies. 'A brilliant and powerful story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The protagonist is extremely compelling and relatable, a warrior through and through - you'll root for Dua the entire way!' - Nikita Gill 'A bold and timely book about protest and finding your voice.' - The Observer Fifteen-year-old Dua Iqbal has always had trouble minding her own business. With a silver-tongue and an inquisitive nature, a career in journalism seems fated. When her school merges with another, Dua seizes her chance and sets up a rival newspaper, exposing the controversial stories that teachers and the kids who rule the school would rather keep buried. Dua's investigations are digging up things she shouldn't get involved with about family, friends and her community and as exams rattle towards her, she needs to make some hard decisions about when to leave things alone. But when she discovers that some kids at school are being blamed for selling drugs when the real perpetrator is right in front of their noses, she can't keep quiet any longer. 'A voice long overdue in British fiction' - Alex Wheatle on I Am Thunder 'Khan has created a book steeped in drama and empathy, as well as providing two iconic superheroes' - Nikesh Shukla on Kick the Moon

Jay and his mates were looking forward to the best summer ever before they become nervous little minnows heading off to senior school learning to swim with the sharks. But when Danny and Dom have to bail, Jay is left facing the long holiday alone, until his mysterious new next door neighbour makes him think hanging out at Summer School might not be such a bad idea after all. Summer School and Cyborgs, the sequel to ClIppa award-winner Steven Camden's funny and tender first novel My Big Mouth, is for readers of 8+ about friendship, growing up and working out who you want to be. Brilliantly illustrated throughout by Chante Timothy.

A glorious boarding school adventure set in Nigeria - a story of friendship, empathy and fighting for what you believe in. 'What a joyful, vibrant story! A book for the heart' EFUA TRAORE, author of Children of the Quicksands Jummy has won a place at the River School, the finest girls' boarding school in Nigeria. Nothing can dampen her spirits, not even when she learns that her best friend Caro won't be joining her. By the Shine-Shine River, school is everything Jummy dreamt of, with friendly new girls, midnight feasts and sporting prizes - but when Caro suddenly arrives at the school to work, not to learn, Jummy must bring all her friends together to help. From a fantastic new talent in middle-grade contemporary fiction, Sabine Adeyinka, based on her own experience of attending boarding school in Nigeria A joyful, glorious collision of classic boarding-school story with vibrant 1990s Nigeria Irrepressible Jummy investigates an intriguing mystery as her best friend from home turns up at the school

Book Band: Brown, ideal for ages 7+ Real-life drama about finding your real friends, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. Carly used to be part of the Funny Five until her so-called friends started making fun of her and pretending that she wasn't there. Now Carly isn't her bubbly self and she's 'lost her fizz'. But when she finds a lost dog, life starts looking very different and maybe, just maybe, she'll find her fizz again... This heartwarming story from Jenny Alexander has delightful black-and-white illustrations by Paula Bowles and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with book-banded stories to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2 by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence. With engaging illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for home and school. For more information visit www.bloomsburyreaders.com. 'Any list that brings together such a quality line up of authors is going to be welcomed ... Bloomsbury Readers are aimed squarely at children in Key Stage 2 and designed to support them as they start reading independently and while they continue to gain confidence and understanding.' Books for Keeps

A motivational and hopeful school handbook for students navigating uncertain times, by the nation's Head Teacher, Matthew Burton.

'You're now at secondary school - you've settled in, made some friends, possibly a few enemies and you know the subjects you like and the ones you loathe. Added to that, you've just managed to survive the most BONKERS year ever - a pandemic, no school, exam chaos - whhhhat. Are you feeling a little frazzled? Like you can't be bothered? That everything is just pointless? We all feel like that from time to time. But there are things you can do to get back your mojo, find a bit of hope and get back on track.'

Whether facing assessments, a big change or having to make up for lost time, Head Teacher Matthew Burton is here to help students get motivated again.

From ways to manage the tough times and solve even the biggest problems, to skills for beating school stress and tapping into your potential, this is the one-stop guide for kids who are in need of a bit of hope, some soothing words of advice and a good old pep talk to get them going in school again.

Whatever it is that young people are worried about, this book is crammed with advice so that though things at school might seem really hard, they will soon be back on track and raring to go.

Toby's sister and baby brother love their schools - they smell of paint and rainbows. Toby doesn't think he likes his new school at all - it smells of ogres and he's lonely. He looks and looks for friends but he can't find any anywhere. He finds an alien, a mermaid, a dinosaur expert and a pirate, but no friends! When his mum comes to pick him up he tells her the sad news - but if he didn't make any friends then who is in the playground waving at him..? Rebecca Elliott's charming first experiences books, featuring her son Toby encountering new situations, help children deal with new and unfamiliar circumstances. In Mr Super Poopy Pants, Toby got used to the idea of having a new baby brother; in Missing Jack he had to come to terms with the death of his pet cat. Now Rebecca is showing that going to school isn't quite as scary as you might think, using her unique sense of humour and style to create a warm and comforting picture book, which is quirky and funny at the same time.

A collection of accessible and scientifically proven strategies for parents struggling with school attendance problems in children of all ages. School attendance problems are a common and worrisome challenge faced by many parents. Even in milder forms, poor school attendance can increase the risk of social, behavioral, and academic problems in childhood and adolescence, and even into adulthood. Unfortunately, parents often have trouble understanding their children's school attendance issues and are uncertain about how to help. Getting Your Child Back to School is intended for parents grappling with school attendance problems at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Covering a wide variety of attendance problems and special circumstances, the book offers practical, step-by-step strategies parents can use themselves, including asking the right questions, evaluating the severity of the problem, and knowing whom to consult. Parents will learn to change a child's negative thoughts around school, establish a clear and predictable morning routine, and set up a system of rewards for going to school. New to this edition is material on very severe and chronic cases, including discussion of educational alternatives; mindfulness approaches and parent involvement strategies; teletherapy and other options for young people who have been out of school for an extended period; and more extensive guidance on working with school officials. Easy to read and filled with concrete strategies, this book was the first of its kind dedicated to educating and arming parents with the tools they need to resolve their children's absenteeism; this new edition continues to offer the best available scientifically-proven guidance for parents determined to get their kids back to school.

Billy's Mini Monsters really want to go to school with him. But Billy really doesn't want them to. He's got enough trouble with the school bully, Basil Brown. But perhaps having MONSTERS around will be more helpful than Billy imagines... Meet Billy and the Mini Monsters in this laugh-out-loud adventure series for young readers, with colourful illustrations throughout. Perfect for reluctant and newly independent readers growing in confidence, Billy and the Mini Monsters are back in paperback! Look out for awesome new editions of old favourites and exciting new adventures in 2020 and 2021!

What's the good in keeping secrets?

Secret Friends is a heartbreaking story about friendship and bullying from the multi-award-winning Elizabeth Laird.

Rafaella doesn't find it easy to make friends. She looks and feels different from the others at school. And Lucy is the first to tease, the first to call her 'Earwig', until they get to know one another and Lucy sees that Rafaella is full of hopes and ideas, just like she is. Lucy loves keeping her own secret friend, until tragedy strikes and secrets can't be kept any longer.

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Children's Book Award and reissued with gorgeous illustrations, more than twenty years after first publication, Elizabeth Laird's moving and unflinching novella brings home the crucial importance of cultivating empathy in young people.