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This is a school-and-sport story about a deaf boy seeking belonging and recognition. Its central interest is how Landon responds to exclusion and whether friendship and determination change his place within the team.

A brisk school mystery centres on Frank and Joe’s teamwork as they confront a secret team culture built around intimidation. Expect investigative momentum alongside uncomfortable scenes involving captivity, assault, threats and reputational manipulation.

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.

This is a contemporary school story about a girl working out where she belongs while friendships, racial identity and public events reshape her understanding of courage. It offers an emotionally grounded route into questions about rules, protest and standing up for values.

This is an emotionally charged teen novel about being seen beyond labels. Its central relationship brings together romance, loneliness, grief, bullying, disability-related experience and efforts to reclaim confidence and possibility.

A sports-centred school story broadens into questions about trying unfamiliar activities and supporting a friend. Kyle’s basketball and theatre commitments provide the main conflict, while homophobic bullying is a significant social issue in the story.

Expect a fast-moving science-fiction adventure centred on young people facing captivity, rescue, alien encounters and perilous travel. Its strongest appeal is likely imaginative problem-solving and the contrast between threatening and protective beings.

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.

A comic adventure about an underestimated child confronting a frightening threat, while the adults and children around him face the consequences of past choices. Its imaginative monster story also explores belonging, courage and changing relationships.

This is a serious memoir about a child navigating poverty, school exclusion, racism and violent home relationships. Alongside distressing experiences, it includes friendship, sibling joy, Abuela’s influence and moments of perseverance.

A reflective story of two girls connected through dreams, grief and a Welsh poem. Its interest lies in the developing bond between contemporary school life and an imagined medieval world.

A suspenseful school mystery follows three boys of colour who are treated as suspects after a principal’s murder. Their investigation brings together different perspectives while exploring prejudice, unequal schooling, friendship, determination and the pressure of protecting their futures.

A lively fantasy quest with a determined heroine, comic creatures and a school setting. Bronte’s pursuit of knighthood challenges traditional expectations while the story explores courage, responsibility and standing by others.

Ben’s OCD is represented through counting, tapping, blinking, colour rules and fears that dreadful things will happen. The story also follows friendship, school transition and family strain, with support beginning to help him regain control.

This offers a poetic, character-led account of a young person facing anorexia and other mental-health difficulties, with attention to treatment, relationships, bullying and the possibility of accepting help.

This is a character-led school story about a young person who is often judged by her behaviour but wants to belong, make friends and change direction. Its central appeal is the possibility of second chances.

This is a school drama about disability prejudice, bullying and self-worth. Billy and Mia’s friendship provides a counterpoint to classmates’ treatment of Billy and to a football hero who proves disappointing.

A lyrical verse novel about grief, relocation, racism, belonging and the effort to turn anger into creative purpose. Ronny’s experiences centre young people’s challenges while presenting perseverance and artistic expression as possible ways forward.

Expect a mystery-adventure centred on a schoolboy Bond, with friendship, rivalry and investigation leading from Eton to Scotland. Its appeal lies in suspense, courage and a darker, occasionally grotesque atmosphere.

A lively school-camp adventure centres on friendship, frightening folklore and a difficult peer relationship.

This is a historical family story about fitting in, responding to school teasing and deciding whether to challenge unfair blame directed at Japanese-American friends. Its central interest lies in personal choices made amid wider wartime uncertainty.

A supernatural family mystery with a teenage protagonist, a ghostly romantic interest and difficult questions about home, school and the meaning of the past.

A determined teenager builds an unconventional team around a shared goal, challenging the status attached to school sports. Expect group conflict, struggles over dignity and a story that treats the journey as potentially more important than recognition.

Winicker moves to Paris because her mother starts a new job and strongly dislikes her new circumstances.

A school-year story about Gabriela navigating friendship changes, hurtful attention towards her stutter, intimidating classmates and a potentially difficult election campaign.

A school-set story about a reluctant student encountering boxing, a new community and a threat to her school. Tessa’s changing relationship with New Directions appears to drive the book.

This is a magical school adventure about belonging, danger and resourcefulness. Ned’s lack of magic places him at a disadvantage, but the central problem becomes how he can help when usual powers are unavailable.