Laila's life
Darcel Dimon Pledge
Book summary
Laila shares journeys about character, with making good choices presented as a way to support positive lives for herself and others.
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Darcel Dimon Pledge
Laila shares journeys about character, with making good choices presented as a way to support positive lives for herself and others.
Melanie Dickerson
This is a romance shaped by Rose’s wish to prove herself and the limits placed on her choices. Her work as an apprentice and her uncertain feelings both contribute to the story.
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Choose a route in, then open only the collection you want. 1 collections · 1 books.
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A curated collection of children’s books about setbacks, recovery, perseverance, courage and growth. Compare how each book handles difficulty before choosing what fits your child, timing and family values.
1 bookJulie Murphy
A body-positive coming-of-age novel about Willowdean’s attempt to reclaim confidence by entering a beauty pageant, while navigating attraction, friendship, family tensions and her community’s expectations.
This is a cadet adventure built around a real training mission, with competition and self-doubt alongside a high-stakes decision about responding to danger.
Lisa Yee
A lively superhero adventure centres on Harley’s schemes, performances and investigation of a carnival that seems wrong. Her distinctive humour and abilities are treated as assets, while friendship and teamwork remain important.
Thalia Chaltas
This is a lyrical verse novel about invisibility, family abuse, conflicted loyalties and finding a voice. Volleyball gives Anke confidence, while relationships at home and school test what speaking up might mean.
Cate Cameron
A light romantic coming-of-age story about two contrasting teenagers who influence one another while handling school expectations, new experiences and relationships with friends and family.
Kasie West
This offers a gentle coming-of-age story about finding a voice, resisting people-pleasing and building trust through friendship and romance. It also brings family relationships, music, social media and a disconnected summer setting into the same narrative.
Katie Smith
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.
Winter Morgan
A fast-moving Minecraft adventure centred on teamwork, construction and defending a community.
Kristin Cashore
A high-stakes fantasy about a young woman whose lethal magical ability has been controlled by authority. It offers questions about self-definition, freedom, trust and whether power can be used justly, alongside graphic violence and emotional darkness.
Laurie Halse Anderson
This is a coming-of-age story about balancing loyalty, pressure and future plans. Its central appeal is watching Ashley become more confident while dealing with a complicated school event and uncertain relationships.
Danny Parker
A visually imaginative story about fear, self-soothing and growing independence. Toby’s rescue of Henry shifts bravery from something supplied by an object to something he begins to practise himself.
Phil Earle
A lively football story about a struggling team, a supposed cursed kit and Stanley’s efforts to restore confidence. Expect comic superstition, setbacks and team-focused action, with the ending centred on the last game.
Rebecca Anderson
A frank, humorous YA novel about Rose’s difficult first sexual experience, a medical complication, relationship pressure and the shame surrounding bodies. It also follows friendship, online support and uncertainty about the future.
Julie Murphy
A body-positive coming-of-age novel about Willowdean’s attempt to reclaim confidence by entering a beauty pageant, while navigating attraction, friendship, family tensions and her community’s expectations.
Lucy Freegard
A lively circus setting frames a story about a penguin choosing a different role. Poppy’s change from performer to organiser offers a reassuring alternative to following a family tradition.
Holly Bourne
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.
Rachel Morrisroe, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly
A lively magical adventure may appeal to readers who enjoy secret worlds, imaginative creatures, London settings and protagonists discovering where they belong. Expect suspense, emotional difficulty and an ending that does not resolve everything.
Jacqueline Wilson
A humorous adventure about a reluctant child facing unfamiliar activities, social pressure and team expectations. Tim’s practical idea in a challenge suggests that contribution need not depend on sporting ability.
Niyla Farook
A family mystery with a strong relationship thread: Ani and Riri are trying to stay connected across separated households when a killing turns their theme-park visit into an investigation.
Andy Jones
A tender coming-of-age story about coping with family change, mental ill-health and school upheaval. Magic, mystery and friendship give Phyll ways to explore belief, choice and the possibility of making a new beginning.
Philip Caveney
A comic fantasy adventure about work, family duty and finding a place in the world. Sebastian travels towards royal employment while danger, friendship, creatures and a succession of familiar fantasy episodes complicate his plans.
Gill Lewis, Sarah Horne
This is an animal-rescue adventure centred on a puppy aspiring to be a sheepdog, her self-doubt, a missing lamb and an injured hiker. Its strongest appeal appears to be urgent action alongside a character trying to discover what she can do.
S. Alston, kiran Tariq
This is a gentle, repetitive introduction to self-awareness: children are encouraged to notice thoughts and feelings, recognise their capacity for choice, and direct their actions towards loving and helpful behaviour.
Mike Lupica
A sports-centred story about a boy facing extraordinary financial pressure, with friendship and Abby’s changing ability to paint adding emotional weight beyond the competition itself.
Lauren Karcz
A dreamy, emotionally focused story about artistic identity, truth and difficult choices. Its imaginative premise gives Mercedes room to create, while personal uncertainty keeps the conflict grounded in relationships and loss.
Tor Freeman
This is a family-centred story about a summer visit, growing responsibility and a child confronting fear. Its emotional focus is Flora’s uneasy relationship with Nelson, rather than a broad account of the holiday.
Julie Fison
This looks like a choice-driven story about balancing a crush with loyalty to friends. Its interest lies less in simply meeting Rio than in Kitty weighing promises, popularity and the hope of being liked.
Ellen Schreiber
A coming-of-confidence story about a shy student discovering that comedy can give her a public voice, while success and romance pull her towards competing priorities.