Children's and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
I'm Going to Make a Friend by Darren Chetty, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, Little Tiger, £12.99When a child moves home, it can be hard to meet potential new pals. Perhaps it's best to make a friend from what's to hand? This warm, witty picture book is perfect for prompting chats about friendship.
So Devin Wore a Skirt by Shireen Lalji and Lucy Fleming, Frances Lincoln, £7.99Devin has nothing special to wear for his Nanabapa's big birthday until he spots his sister's shimmery blue skirt. At first he hides it under layers of disguise, but when he finally reveals the skirt, it's Nanabapa who takes Devin for a twirl on the dancefloor in this gentle, adorable picture book about acceptance.
Our Pebbles by Jarvis, Walker, £12.99A colourful, almost tangibly joyful picture book about a boy, his grandad and their days on the beach, painting pebbles to mark treasured memories.
Ava Spark: Hello, I'm Here! by Alex Field, illustrated by Joanna Bartel, New Frontier, £8.99Ava uses a communication aid to speak, but her friends understand her brilliantly. When she is asked to look after the new Australian girl at school, it's a big responsibility, but Ava pulls it off with panache in this sweet, inclusive story for 6+.
The Lucky House Detective Agency by Scarlett Li, illustrated by Sian James, Knights Of, £7.99Felix loves solving mysteries with Isaac, his best friend. When Felix's family takeaway business has a run of misfortune, the newly formed Lucky House Detective Agency is determined to figure out why in this gentle, highly illustrated 7+ crime caper.
Choose Your Own Evolution by Jules Howard and Gordy Wright, Nosy Crow, £14.99This original, hugely engaging 7+ take on choose your own adventure books allows the reader to decide their own evolutionary journey, choosing legs, slime or backbones, land or sea, until they either become extinct, like megalodon, or reach the present day as a survivor, like chicken or woodlice. A thrilling blend of story and science.
The Lost Book of Undersea Adventure by Teddy Keen, Frances Lincoln, £14.99The third instalment of the Unseen Adventurer's journals – breathtakingly illustrated journeys into wild nature – features a quest for the Bajau sea nomads, an exploration of some of the world's remotest, richest marine environments, and a dangerous battle with the unscrupulous people who despoil them. Heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a book to get rapturously lost in; a must for wildlife and adventure lovers of 8+.
Nate Yu's Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan, Templar, £7.99Moving to the big city is hard for Nate, especially fitting in at his new school – and his mums want him to embrace his heritage, but Nate can't even speak Chinese. When he comes across a shell casing engraved with a dragon, he summons a ghost who needs Nate's help as much as Nate needs his. A funny, heartfelt 8+ story about figuring out your place in the world.
Riverskin by Mike Edwards, Walker, £7.99Tess lives beneath the River Tees, with her Aunt Peg and her terrifying Unkle Darkwater, but when Aunt Peg's mind begins to slip, Tess must find safety elsewhere, making friends with 'dry-folk' and discovering the truth of her origins as she does so. Written in a rich, sometimes challenging narrative voice, shaped by Teesside dialect and filled with punchy, poetic coinages, this atmospheric 9+ debut brings local legend into the everyday.
Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray, Penguin, £9.99Born into a famous fire-wielding family, misfit Blaze almost drowned the world with the storm she raised at birth. Now she and her twin Flint must compete in the Choosing Rite, determining the next rulers of the Empire – could the throne, and a royal suitor, fall within Blaze's reach? Satisfying world-building, high-stakes magical trials and slow-burn, twisty romance combine in this addictive YA romantasy.
Augmented by Kenechi Udogu, Faber, £8.99In a climate-changed near-future London, 16-year-olds have their strongest talent artificially augmented, helping to ensure humanity's continued survival. Gifted coder Akaego has recently transferred to a music academy – her voice makes plants grow faster, marking her out as a rare potential Mechsim – but the rebel Freestakers warn her that her powerful ability may be put to deadly use. Udogu's debut is a believable, evocative and compelling teen eco-thriller.
The Sleepless by Jen Williams, First Ink, £16.99Elver was saved from death by the bite of a god, but now her skin poisons anyone she touches; Artair shares his body with Lucian, a malign spirit who takes control while Artair sleeps. When Artair is sent on a mission that Elver is determined to thwart, the three of them are drawn into a web of deceitful alliances, furious gods and dangerous magic in this compulsively readable and original YA fantasy.
We Are Your Children by David Roberts, Two Hoots, £25Bold, bright and instantly accessible, this illustrated history of LGBTQ+ activism in the US and UK is wide-ranging yet intimate. Detailing key moments, including the Stonewall uprising, the first Pride rally and the passing of Section 28, and sharing the stories of famous figures like Harvey Milk, Marsha P Johnson and Alan Turing alongside those of less well-known activists, it's resplendent, tragic, essential reading for 14+.
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