What Are You Looking For?

A humorous, emotionally serious story about a boy facing bullying, family disruption and caring responsibilities, with a fantastical wish premise. It may offer reassurance while still presenting difficult circumstances that merit thoughtful discussion.

This is a character-led story about a Deaf teenager using graffiti and art to express herself while navigating exclusion, friendship and the expectations of hearing people.

This is a school and family drama about a quiet teenager confronting public lies, persistent bullying and a frightening home atmosphere. It also follows her growing connections with Elijah, Aunt Polly and the mysterious ‘red pen’ correspondent.

A contemporary coming-of-age romance about Simon’s identity, friendships and first relationship, told alongside anonymous email exchanges. It offers LGBTQ+ representation, humour and emotional growth, while placing personal discovery alongside school conflict and online communication.

This is a dark, psychologically charged supernatural horror story about a teenager whose ability to see the dead brings him into contact with a powerful, vengeful ghost. Identity and control appear central alongside fear.

A school-transition story about Frankie finding ways to join in, protect her privacy and build friendships through music, while facing sensory challenges and the return of a bully.

This offers a lively, personal story about cultural and family pressures, school belonging and wanting independence. Humour sits alongside increasingly serious material, so the emotional experience may change notably as Jo grows older.

This is an illness-and-school story that gives Ross's anger a central role rather than presenting cancer only through hope or life lessons. Friendship, embarrassment, creativity and humour shape his efforts to retain an ordinary identity.

This is a character-led coming-of-age novel about identity, secrecy, family and finding community. Its emotional centre is Amir’s attempt to reconcile his Muslim family life, sexuality, fear and desire for freedom.

Expect anarchic humour, imaginative adventures and a central character who challenges adult authority. Pippi’s friendships, confidence and physical strength drive the fun, while the episodic structure offers distinct comic situations rather than one tightly unfolding plot.

This is an imaginative story about making a world that reflects one person’s ideas. Its main appeal is the inventive detail: Wesley turns a plant into resources, culture and communication, then sees others respond.

This is a coming-of-age story about self-understanding, changing friendships and finding a community where different identities can be discussed openly.

A school-spirit story turns towards the consequences of a prank and repeated online nastiness, while Zoey’s friendships, creativity and blog become ways to consider responding to harm.