The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow

Nate and his best friend PS are ready for high school. But when they are put in two different classes and PS finds a new friend in Turner, the school bully, Nate’s world turns upside down. His new teacher, Mr Joshua, sees a spark inside of Nate - but will this be enough to combat everything that’s going against him?

Themes: friendship, bullying, family, coming of age, verse

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf

When a new boy joins their class, a group of children try to befriend him. They soon learn that Ahmet is a refugee and has been separated from his family. None of the grown-ups seem to be able to help him, so the friends come up with a daring plan, embarking on an extraordinary adventure.

Themes: refugees, friendship, family, school

You Don’t Know What War Is by Yeva Skalietska

This book follows twelve days in Ukraine that changed 12-year-old Yeva's life forever. She was woken in the early hours to the terrifying sounds of shelling. Russia had invaded Ukraine, and her beloved Kharkiv home was no longer the safe haven it should have been.

Themes: non-fiction, war, Ukraine, diary, family, refugees

This book follows twelve days in Ukraine that changed 12-year-old Yeva's life forever. She was woken in the early hours to the terrifying sounds of shelling. Russia had invaded Ukraine, and her beloved Kharkiv home was no longer the safe haven it should have been.

Themes: non-fiction, war, Ukraine, diary, family, refugees

Black in Time by Alison Hammond & E. L. Norry

How many Black people can you name from our history? Mary Seacole? Ira Aldridge? George Bridgetower? Pablo Fanque? Walter Tull? Have you heard of these people? Yes? That's great! But if you haven't, don't worry, you're not alone - this book will introduce you to these people and others.

Themes: non-fiction, Black history, biographies

The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Friend Mission by Rosie Jones

Edie Eckhart lives with the condition cerebral palsy. It's the start of Year Eight and there's a new girl in Edie's class from America! Edie can't wait to get to know Mia and her twin brother, Benjamin. Mia has a hearing impairment and wears hearing aids, so maybe they can be friends...

Themes: quick read, disabilities, friendship, school

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons - until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medallist who recognises his natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

Themes: running, family, personal challenges, friendship

Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman

Cameron is thirteen, and all he wants is a 'normal' life - friends, swimming, school, family. But his life is far from normal. Not every thirteen-year-old desperately needs a new heart because theirs doesn't work properly. But then he is offered hope, in the form of a radical, controversial procedure...

Themes: family, coming of age, illness, social issues

Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah

Leonard is shocked when he arrives with his mother in the port of Southampton. His father is a stranger to him, it’s cold and even the Jamaican food doesn’t taste the same as it did back home. But his parents have brought him here to try to make a better life, so Leonard does his best not to complain...

Themes: Windrush, racism, human rights, bullying, family

Leonard is shocked when he arrives with his mother in the port of Southampton. His father is a stranger to him, it’s cold and even the Jamaican food doesn’t taste the same as it did back home. But his parents have brought him here to try to make a better life, so Leonard does his best not to complain...

Themes: Windrush, racism, human rights, bullying, family

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets. Then Todd Hewitt unexpectedly stumbles on a spot of complete silence. Which is impossible. And now he's going to have to run...

Themes: coming of age, relationships, politics, human rights

The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens

While Ted is on holiday in New York to visit Aunt Gloria and Salim, a painting is stolen from the Guggenheim Museum, where Aunt Gloria works. When Aunt Gloria is blamed for the theft, Ted launches his own investigation to find out who is really responsible.

Themes: mystery, travel, autism, family

Boy, Everywhere by A. M. Dassu

This story chronicles the harrowing journey taken by Sami and his family from privilege to poverty, across countries and continents, from a comfortable life in Damascus, via a smuggler's den in Turkey, to a prison in Manchester.

Themes: refugees, family, bravery, human rights, war

This story chronicles the harrowing journey taken by Sami and his family from privilege to poverty, across countries and continents, from a comfortable life in Damascus, via a smuggler's den in Turkey, to a prison in Manchester.

Themes: refugees, family, bravery, human rights, war

Black and British by David Olusoga

When did Africans first come to Britain? Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings? Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution? These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of the Black British history.

Themes: non-fiction, Black history, British history, biographies

When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten

Nothing much happens in Sycamore, the village where Clara lives - at least, that's how it looks. She loves eating ripe mangoes from trees, running in the rainy season and escaping to her secret hideout with her best friend. Only one problem - she can't remember anything that happened last summer.

Themes: family, friendship, bereavement, bullying

Can You See Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

Tally is eleven years old and she's just like her friends. Well, sometimes she is. If she tries really hard to be. Because there's something that makes Tally not the same as her friends. Something she can't cover up, no matter how hard she tries: Tally is autistic.

Themes: friendship, autism, feelings

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter

Billy Plimpton is an eleven-year-old boy with a big dream. He wants to be a stand-up comedian when he grows up: delivering pinpoint punch-lines and having audiences hang on his every hilarious word. Surely impossible for Billy, who has a stammer. How will he find his voice, if his voice won't let him speak?

Themes: friendship, bullying, speech, humour