Read Between the Lies by Malcolm Duffy

Fresh out of a spell in a young offenders’ unit, tough-talking Tommy just wants to keep his head down now and avoid another sentence. Ryan, on the other hand, is bored with playing the quiet, piano-playing A-grade student, and is eager to change people’s perceptions of him.

Themes: dyslexia, family, mystery, secrets

Alex Rider: Nightshade Revenge by Anthony Horowitz

When his best friend Tom is abducted, Alex Rider is given an ultimatum by Nightshade - a sinister cult of assassins with a score to settle. But what twisted evil are they planning, and how is it connected to a revolutionary new gaming system? The clock is ticking, and Nightshade is closing in...

Themes: spies, adventure, peril, friendship, technology

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

Kofi Offin and his family live in West Africa in the 18th century. The story details the lives, loves and daily experiences of Upper and Lower Kwanta in West Africa. But when a sudden death occurs during a festival between rival villages, Kofi ends up fighting for his life...

Themes: African history, coming of age, social issues, verse

Kofi Offin and his family live in West Africa in the 18th century. The story details the lives, loves and daily experiences of Upper and Lower Kwanta in West Africa. But when a sudden death occurs during a festival between rival villages, Kofi ends up fighting for his life...

Themes: African history, coming of age, social issues, verse

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay

Luki has lived a tribal life in the mountains. She is expected to become a wife and a mother, but Luki isn't ready to give up her dream to become a warrior. When her tribe are offered a journey to America for the St. Louis World's Fair, Luki will discover that the land of opportunity does not share its possibilities equally...

Themes: 1900s, Philippines, coming of age, politics, human rights

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln

On the day they are born, each Swift is brought before the sacred Family Dictionary. They are given a name and a definition, and it is assumed they will grow up to match. Unfortunately, Shenanigan Swift has other ideas. When someone tries to murder her Arch-Aunt, Shenanigan is on the case!

Themes: mystery, family, adventure, funny, LGBTQ+

Just Like Everyone Else by Sarah Hagger-Holt

Aiden’s mum announces she’s going to be a surrogate for a gay couple, Justin and Atif. Aiden is furious. Not only does he dread the unwanted attention, he’s scared it might somehow expose his most troubling secret; he thinks he may be gay and he has no idea what to do about it.

Themes: coming of age, family, LGBTQ+, friendship, sport

Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell

Kellen is moments away from facing his first mage's duel and the start of four trials that will make him a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is gone. Ferius Parfax is a traveller who lives by her wits and her three decks of cards. She's difficult and unpredictable, but she may be Kellen's only hope...

Themes: fantasy, magic, friendship, coming of age

War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

On a remote Scottish island, 14-year-old Max’s life is changed forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. When people start acting strangely and Max’s hearing aid picks up odd sounds from a new wind farm off the coast, he suspects a scientist is using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders.

Themes: friendship, bullying, deafness, adventure, family

On a remote Scottish island, 14-year-old Max’s life is changed forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. When people start acting strangely and Max’s hearing aid picks up odd sounds from a new wind farm off the coast, he suspects a scientist is using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders.

Themes: friendship, bullying, deafness, adventure, family

Mind the Gap by Phil Earle

When Mikey’s unreliable, mysterious and more than slightly dodgy dad Vinny dies, Mikey seems to lose himself as he spirals into a self-destructive spiral of despair. Determined to help him, Mikey's best friend goes on a heroic quest to find tangible evidence of Vinny, who seems to have died without a trace.

Themes: grief, friendship, mental health, coming of age

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Mila lives alone with her sisters and brother in a land of harsh winter, which started in the same year that her father disappeared. When her brother Oskar vanishes the morning after a strange man visits the house, Mila is convinced he didn’t just leave but was taken.

Themes: fantasy, adventure, family, magic, friendship