What Are You Looking For?

This is a serious, trauma-focused novel in which two sisters face the effects of abuse, family disruption and foster care. It also follows attempts to find support, speak openly and begin recovering.

This is a clue-led children’s adventure about investigating a disappearance after an accusation of theft. Its central appeal is the Secret Seven working together, with a younger sibling presented as a possible complication.

An energetic race story where the excitement of competition is balanced by moments of empathy. Its strongest message is that a satisfying result can involve kindness, fair choices and sharing, not simply finishing first.

This is a school-and-survival story about two people misreading each other. Its strongest material concerns how assumptions shape behaviour, while Mark’s growing attachment to the outdoors gives the book a reflective strand alongside its danger.

A playful magical adventure centred on pottery, crafts and recovering a missing object. It offers a straightforward conflict between Rachel and Kirsty and Jack Frost, with creativity forming the story’s distinctive setting.

A playful animal tale builds humour around a toothache and a reversal of fortune. Its clearest offering is a simple situation in which laughing at another character’s discomfort comes back to the laugher.

A tense school story about belonging and the cost of acceptance. Jericho’s growing unease gives readers a close view of how group loyalty can compete with judgement, while the initiation exposes humiliation, coercion and danger.

This is a brisk detective adventure built around a mountain-bike race in Costa Rica. Nancy supports her friend while investigating efforts to stop a leading cyclist, with several possible suspects and a time-pressured mystery.

Expect a warm, humorous story built around Lottie's plan to grow a giant pumpkin with her grandfather. Its comic elements sit alongside school bullying, family strain, bereavement, illness and Lottie's responsibilities at home.

Choose this for a romance-led story with mystery elements, emotional fallout and social themes. It offers a second-chance relationship alongside questions about scholarships, reputation, secrecy and whether competitive systems genuinely support young people.

A sweeping fantasy sequel about friends divided by danger and prejudice, with witches, magic, political responsibility and a developing romance. It offers an immersive world, tense escapes and battles, while leaving parts of the journey open for a later book.

This is a dark, visually distinctive folktale about a poor fisherman, Death’s unusual fairness, medicine, deception and consequences. Its accessible story shape is paired with a bleak ending that may invite thoughtful discussion.

Expect an imaginative factory adventure centred on five children, with comic fantasy, moral contrasts and a strong focus on Charlie’s honesty. The story also includes poverty, rule-breaking and punishments that may prompt differing reactions.

A fast-moving story about being misunderstood, facing an oppressive future and deciding whether individual actions can make a difference. It offers suspense, moral pressure and a strong focus on justice and responsibility.

A familiar flood story is reframed through Mrs Noah’s quiet choices. It offers a warm, gently humorous read-aloud with striking artwork, while inviting attention to who gets to make decisions and whose actions are noticed.

This is a tense dystopian story about selection, survival and uncertainty, pairing a damaged future society with a personal struggle over whether affection and trust can coexist.

This is a school-based ethical conflict with comic narration: Karl resists organised cheating while severe institutional discipline escalates the stakes. Expect attention to peer pressure, authority and competing ideas of fairness rather than a straightforward rule-following lesson.

This is a fast-moving dark fantasy about judgement, punishment and sibling loyalty. Its imaginative school setting supports comic invention, while death, hell-inspired imagery and frightening authority figures give the adventure a darker edge.

A historical adventure about loyalty and determined problem-solving, set in the Florida Keys in 1912 as Eddie investigates the accusation against his father.

This is a friendship story about settling into a new home, meeting an exciting neighbour and discovering that fun can become troubling when another person causes damage and blame.

A fantasy adventure centred on a stolen moonstone, fading fairy magic and dream-related danger. Rachel and Kirsty are presented as helping India search for the missing jewel before the situation becomes a nightmare.

A promising discussion choice for a reader interested in fairness and resisting other people's expectations.

A discussion choice for a reader interested in friendship and unfairness, with care around debt and criminal choices.