What Are You Looking For?

A lively school-election story about finding allies, challenging unfairness and turning strong feelings into action. Its campaign plot combines humour, friendship and political participation with a developing lesson about listening and working constructively with opponents.

A visually rich introduction to detective fiction, offering a contained mystery, recurring animal friends and clues for readers to inspect. It combines suspense about a theft and suspected parents with humour, friendship and collaborative problem-solving.

A clue-heavy ensemble mystery for readers who enjoy solving puzzles alongside characters. Its appeal lies in twists, red herrings, humour and changing partnerships, while its many characters and social tensions may require patient attention.

A playful animal story centred on making and sharing pancakes. Its appeal lies in comic trouble, recognisable characters and the contrast between refusing help and wanting the finished food.

A lively child-led detective adventure: Emil responds to theft by following the suspected criminal through Berlin and working with other children. Its appeal lies in pursuit, teamwork and the contrast between a small town and a large, exciting city.

A brisk, atmospheric whodunit offers clues to examine, several viewpoints to compare and a snowbound mansion full of secrets. Its emotional centre is the unexpected bond formed by three very different girls.

Expect a fast-moving, high-threat story centred on escape, survival and the choices Luka makes when prison control collapses. Its imaginative future setting is paired with frightening creatures, bodily danger and questions about justice.

Expect a gently comic adventure in which a boy, a dragon and St George confront expectations about what dragons and heroes should be. The story makes room for poetry, friendship and a staged solution rather than presenting fighting as the only answer.

Expect a fast-moving science-fiction adventure built around giant mechanical beings, survival and shifting loyalties. Alongside danger and suspense, Coll’s journey explores belonging, disability, identity and whether inherited beliefs deserve questioning.

A light fantasy adventure about dance and recovering a missing magical object, with Rachel, Kirsty and Jessica opposed by Jack Frost’s goblins. Its main appeal is likely the combination of movement, friendship and a simple quest.

This is a fast-moving fantasy about survival, theft, vengeance and shifting loyalties. Kyra’s independence and uncertainty about her identity sit alongside Tristam’s grief-driven mission, while their partnership complicates both their goals.

A school rivalry develops into an uneasy partnership between two boys sharing a name, with questions of reputation, ability and ambition at its centre.