Set on a private island in Jamaica this fun, charming, immersive novel follows Fayson, a wannabe detective, her rich cousins and a secret club as they try to solve a strange mystery. Getten deals with themes of class, bullying and empowerment with such a light touch that you barely notice.

A beautiful read that despite its poignant story, is both heartwarming and hopeful. December needs her wings and her knowledge of birds to fly away to be with her mother, she is kicked out of various foster homes until she meets Eleanor who allows her to learn to stay grounded.

Grandpa is dying and Jess is drawn into his quest to finish a painting, his final wish. You know the ending before you start, but the journey through grief, love and the natural world that this gentle, magical and often breathtaking story takes us is one not to be missed.

A heartwarming and joyful read with a powerful core carefully yet carefreely woven into the story of Archie who discovers Dad’s secret, a secret that could blow his family apart. Archie has the solution and a chaotic adventure to London ensues where he uncovers a whole rainbow of new friends.

Fun and charming mystery about 10-year-old Flora, so determined to become a detective that she opens her own agency and starts searching for her first case. She soon finds it and we are whisked away on a strange and exciting journey. I very much look forward to Flora’s next adventure.

A thrilling mystery surrounding a boy, his beloved football team and their missing star player. I really loved the pace of the writing, the danger and the determination of Danny to solve the mystery and bring the criminals to justice. A great series for lovers of short, punchy crime adventures.

A sweeping historical novel with a cast of siblings at its core, leading the narrative across several decades through peace, war, love and peace again. Gentle, warm, spiced with thrills and tragedy this novel is perfect for when you have time to be swept away by the lives of others.

This keeps Shafak on my favourite author list, such rich, smooth yet gritty writing that encompasses history, romance, magical realism and leaps across seas and decades. A daughter rediscovers her connection to the island where a community and her parents were once ripped apart by war. A beautifully strange read.

One innocent mistake takes Elwood’s life, one full of promise despite the reality of 1960’s Florida for a young black man. Instead, he finds himself in the Nickel Academy and the nightmare begins. Dark yet witty, uncomfortable and heartbreaking this novel reveals the lives shattered by sanctioned hatred and prejudice.

A timely, disturbing and page turning cautionary YA dystopian tale about how society can turn on its own and how hard fought for human rights can be ripped away when the wrong people win power. This love story both thrilled and angered me yet also made me smile and cry.

This clever, flowing and page-turning YA novel not only thrills, shocks and deals with an often-overseen human tragedy but is also a love story and a celebration of friendship. The reader cannot help but feel the injustice, be angered at the human traffickers and feel joy at the human connections.

Lawrence has once again written a gripping mystery thriller with human stories at its core. Her characters are real, vulnerable, flawed and she faces social issues head on but quietly and seamlessly. A story told by Spey, Dee and sometimes Benni and a road trip fraught with surprises and danger.

A beautiful and other-worldly winter adventure about friendship, family, finding courage and letting go, from an author that always delights. The sense of place, the narrative and the pace of storytelling were sublime from the first words. Perfect for anyone with a blanket, some hot chocolate and the snow falling.

A wonderful adventure that takes the reader across the frozen landscape of an eternal winter. Beneath the snow and ice this is a beautifully written tale of good versus evil and the complexity, rivalry and love between siblings. As with all Millwood Hargrave’s writing it lights up any winter evening.

A magical winter mystery woven through with Wilde, Anderson amongst others, and stitched together with themes of climate, love and empathy. Leonard takes us seamlessly back and forth between the real world and the magic of Winterton and is a story for reading under the covers or together out loud.

An intriguing debut anthology reimagining folktales, myths and legends from around the world. With a sense of power and being seen these stories, like all fairy tales, differ vastly and often cover the coercive and violent side of love but are always absorbing and I thoroughly enjoyed this unique collection.

I became immediately immersed in this captivating historical novel with the Volga flowing through its core. The characters had a hint of the magical and the setting was beautifully depicted. The only slight disappointment was a rather abrupt ending, however a great read that awakened me to an unfamiliar history.

Another triumph from Doerr. In this ode to philosophy, storytelling, climate crisis and kindness, he encompasses history, the present and the future in an epic novel that weaves multiple lives into complex story all linked by one battered and fragmented manuscript. Unexplainable in 50 or 5000 words, just read it!

A thrilling, moving and engrossing environmental dystopia. The author perfectly blends a poetic and moving narrative with a fast-paced thrilling story line and a cast of believable and magical characters. Its theme is both pertinent and frightening yet somehow gives us hope that humans can see the power of nature.

On one level a wonderful coming of age romance yet with so much more nestled within the words and the songs as Ellie navigates the humour, awkwardness and joy of growing up and becoming yourself. I listened to the audio book, but the accompanying playlist is available. Just perfect!

It was the vivid voices that had me in this absorbing domestic drama about two very different teenagers whose lives converge when their parents move in together. Told in alternate chapters, Tommy and Ryan find a common bond in their dyslexia but will this bond survive an unfolding secret?

I loved this school adventure, Killick successfully blends horror and humour in a tale about a Saturday detention that takes an unexpected turn involving monsters in both human and insect form. The relationships between the 4 students, the dialogue and the emerging story are paced to perfection. A great read.

A story that you don't realise quite how brilliant it is and how it has made you wonder and ponder, smile and float away from this world, until you've read the last page. A magical and mysterious fable-like tale of childhood, good and evil, that blurs the realms of reality.

It took me a while to read this modern classic, but I was not disappointed. Set in a Cornwall both wild and magical, Dunmore delicately weaves being human, tragedy and grief with the possibilities and magic of nature and a world under the ocean. I look forward to volume two.

Grow explores how easy it is, in our darkest moments, to believe and be sucked into toxic ideologies. The forces of right-wing extremism feed on Josh’s anger and vulnerability and Palmer explores whether Josh has the strength and support to resist in this page turning, emotional and relevant must-read novel.

An unexpectedly joyful and moving road trip novel taking us across the American South, through its landscape and history with Scoob and his G’ma who is trying to right some wrongs. Scoob is on a physical and an emotional journey, learning more about his family than he ever imagined existed.

I cannot recommend this compassionate wartime adventure enough for any age. Amid an engaging and pacy storyline of high jinks, air raids, unexploded bombs, soldiers and schoolyard rivalry, Dan Smith flawlessly weaves in subtle threads of empathy, kindness, friendship, love, grief and hardship leaving the reader invested, heartbroken and hopeful.

I was totally immersed in this must-read pandemic novel from the beginning. Intense yet low-key and with story building timed to perfection its pertinence sent a shiver of recognition and possibility through me. Fear, choices, sacrifice, memories; what would we do, how would we act if the world fell apart?

I was quickly drawn into a world of magic and illusions, power, lies, romance and friendship in this atmospheric historical novel. I sunk deeper into late Victorian Bristol with its vivid characters and potential for change. Not too dark or too light, this novel had near perfect momentum and tension.

An intriguing and powerful reimagining of Italy’s violent invasion of Ethiopia told from various viewpoints but that focuses on Hirut, a quiet servant with the strength of myth and legend, and the other hidden women of war. A fresh and unexpected retelling of a history of which I knew little.

Pacy and wonderful dual-narrative novel about grief, love, getting lost and finding oneself. Maudie’s struggling; Dad has died, Mum has disappeared, so determined to find her, she kidnaps Jake, her funny, unpredictable brother who hates loud noises. Darbon gives such clear voices to her characters that I was fully immersed.

A heartfelt, absorbing, well-paced story about Scrabble-mad Finlay, family, friendship, bullies and trust. Finlay’s stammer has worsened since his mother disappeared, his dad mostly ignores him, and the bullies find him and his new friend easy targets. Finlay’s determination and naivety, and the flowing narrative created a perfect, absorbing read.

A unique short novel that had me hooked from the start. The dreamlike quality of the world that we are thrown into from the start and the slow reveal that is never really complete may frustrate some readers, but I loved it because it left me intrigued but never frustrated.

Ash is marginalised, doesn’t quite fit in and soon finds his power of song weaving maybe dangerous. A fantasy adventure set in the snowy wastes at the edge of the world pitched at younger readers that has with well-realised characters, an inventive plotline and high-level vocabulary. A great read-aloud story.

Another powerful, raw yet hopeful novel by Jawando about injustice, friendship and the choices we make. As well as being a great story, it opens your mind and eyes to people’s capacity for prejudice, apathy and hate but also the compassion and empathy we can show if we choose to.

Funny, fast and action packed, this first instalment in a brilliant series of books about Sam Wu is the perfect tonic for old or young. With a range of wacky characters including Sam’s two long-suffering best friends, and wonderful illustrations this is perfect for readers who like short snappy chapters.

A strange and dark, yet touching and compelling novel. I was unexpectedly hooked as it slowly captivated me and reeled me in. This bittersweet love story between a cursed mermaid and the fisherman who rescues her is mythical in its subject matter, but fully and tragically human at its core.

Klara, an Artificial Friend, is the gentle and slightly detached narrator of this very modern, foreboding and pandemic novel. Humans live in a strange world that is never fully explained and that we see through the eyes of Klara whose childlike, innocent and flawed view is both disturbing and moving.

An absorbing, rich and captivating novel that sweeps across eight decades and has a city at its heart. I love a book that gives me lives I care about yet frustrate and fascinate me, that throws history into the mix, makes me laugh and cry, and this does exactly that!

Evocative, unsettling and thought-provoking, this short story says so much about our connection with Earth, and only Cassie seems to be listening to Earth cry. When she disappears Fitz must find Cassie and convince her that he believes her truth. This book is proof that small is definitely beautiful!

A captivating and exciting YA eco-thriller that draws on ancient folklore and magic within a contemporary setting, whilst exploring pertinent environmental themes. With a strong sense of place, a perfectly paced plot and with a cast of believable characters, this novel drags you in and holds you in its grip.

This intricate, vivid and beautifully structured epic novel seamlessly skips between time, character and place. The parallel storylines of Marian and Hadley effortlessly intertwine, and I was fully immersed in their lives through some truly sublime character writing. A hypnotising story about journeys, loss, love, ambition, obsession and ultimately freedom.

A unique, disturbing, powerful novel that isn’t what you think it’s going to be about. Six children connected by one event but also by more than they could ever imagine. We never know the full story about others or even ourselves and Wallace uses this to write an unexpected story

A deliciously sordid, seductive, and chilling story of one man’s ambition for literary success that comes full circle. Maurice is despicable yet Boyne’s masterly storytelling and multiple narratives drags you in, you are appalled yet admire the lengths that he will go to. Dark, funny, shocking I was totally engrossed.

A gripping, shocking, complex high school thriller about the intersections of race, class, sexuality and gender. Two black students are prey to an anonymous bully, they can surrender or fight, but their decision exposes a dark network of systemic racism. Crucially uncomfortable, with no easy resolutions, it hits a nerve.

It’s astounding how a short story can pack such a punch, absorb you and transport you? Heart-wrenching and heart-warming, inseparable brothers Nicky and Kenny go for a walk which results in a perilous journey that had me genuinely distressed, but a smiling mess for so many reasons by the end.

What a refreshing and captivating read; birdwatching, chasing escaped convicts, wonderfully varied characters, a beautifully wild setting and a page turning story that had me hooked from the start. I loved Twitch, strong yet vulnerable, he sticks by what he loves whether they be pigeons, chickens, worms or people. Perfect!

A thought-provoking novel about society, women and ultimately friendship- its up and downs, what we do or don’t say, what we don't need to say and what we should say. The event that follows two women through their lives was a thread cleverly woven throughout this captivating, character driven story.

A gentle, heart-warming curl up with a hot chocolate romance, pitched perfectly between cliché and hard-hitting drama. Nirvana has a passion for carpentry and now for Jean-Lou, determined to follow her dreams, she quietly grows in strength in this well paced, evocatively set coming-of-age novel that genuinely made me smile.

I fell in love with Mina and Almond’s magical, lyrical and thoughtful writing ten years ago so I was very excited to read this short, beautiful, magical tale. We follow Mina and her mum to Japan where the magic of the city unfolds through origami enhanced further by stunning illustrations.

Compelling and uplifting, I was hooked throughout. From the perspectives of three teenagers, it is ultimately about the power of friendship, its challenges and the importance of honesty, because misunderstanding and secrets means running away seems the only option. Brilliantly plotted, flowing prose, authentic characters- a definite five star read.

I was captivated by this West African magical, mythical, 15th Century epic quest which delivered in all areas- adventure, vengeful villains, power struggles and a splash of well-placed romance. I loved the historical narrative that sat very comfortably beside the fantastical, and I already have the next instalment lined up!

A unique, very contemporary, time-bending, mind-blowing thriller with science and maths at its core. With a very modern narrative style it takes us backwards and forwards through time where Esso and Rhia are both searching for answers, both fighting to change their past and the future as the clock ticks.

This contemporary dystopian was a little too close for comfort and really hit home, forcing me to make comparisons, both political and environmental, with the world in 2022. Short, smart and compelling, Lanchester perfects a harsh, cold and lonely world where the Wall can be protection but also sure death.

This beautiful, moving celebration of love, kindness and friendship is a must for Morpurgo fans and is surely going to be a modern classic. Perfect for anyone with a love of animals, who is passionate about the environment, loves an adventure and wants a character with fire in their belly.

A quiet, well-paced, thought-provoking, page-turner with alternate chapters from Ben and Jess smoothly moving the narrative on. Although the story revolves around their developing relationship, it is Goldie’s use of tensions that resonated for me - class, family, gentrification, the Arts, past and present- creating a truly modern British novel.

This darkly supernatural novel was unputdownable, sublime pacing, a chillingly atmospheric setting, a flawed and feisty protagonist and the promise of danger sprinkled throughout like breadcrumbs. The anticipation and foreboding that I felt from the start was perfectly executed and the ending is poised for a sequel or your imagination!

This warm, captivating, coming-of-age verse novel about first loves, identity and friendship was like a heart-warming hug. We join Mack, a beautifully flawed protagonist, as he finds his way through the upheaval of moving, the confusion of two contrasting love interests and the joy of finding himself. An uplifting romance.

Devasting yet heart-warming and uplifting, this coming-of-age verse novel is a celebration of the life of a remarkable woman. Abuela bestows the power of self-belief and unconditional love on a young man whose life is scarred by violence and neglect. A powerful read and a kind hug for difficult days.

Short but beautifully formed, this Hi-Lo book says so much in such a small space. Through lyrical prose and stunning illustrations we follow Annie after a devastating accident as she recovers her mind and soul through a new friend, nature and her passion for music. Uplifting, simple, human and captivating.

A novel about so much; marriage, parenthood, friendship, race, identity, connection, disconnection, mental health, how it can all unravel. I was, after a wobbly start, engrossed, I felt voyeuristic, fell in and out of love with them all and the hint of magical realism completed a novel I highly recommend

Absolutely loved this collection of enthralling and powerful stories about the lives of young people in American small towns in 1995. Separate but linked, each story is peripheral to two devastating events and although differently paced, voiced and set, each shows the intensity of life to every one of us.

A short, snappy, well pitched story about a crossroads in British history. Although reading a little like a history lesson at times, the likeable, plucky characters, risking their lives to stand up to fascism light up the pages. Landman does what she does best, giving a voice to forgotten lives.

We follow Peri across continents and decades as a violent act exposes a photo, the hinge to a story that unfolds at a sublime pace. Inextricably linked by politics, philosophy and religion, four lives love, and collide as the story builds subtlety to an ending that is not the end.

Another stunner from Sepetys, the focus this time is Romania, an often unheard history. The story of Christian, a young man with dreams, is seamlessly woven into the poverty, cruelty, isolation, and fear of dictatorship, from which rises revolution and hope. Both devastating and uplifting, a triumph of historical fiction.

I don’t read books in one day, but this one I did. Funny, moving, shocking, innocent, I was totally immersed in the worlds of Sam and Bo and by the end I was both in tears and smiling. A poignant, quirky story of childhood, growing up, parenthood and intergenerational relationships.

Historical fiction (813.6) grounded in true events and people that quietly packs a punch. Set in Paris, 1939 and Montana, 1983 this fascinating story centres around The American Library in Paris and the quiet heroism of its staff. The thread linking the two storylines created an clever tension and curiosity.

I loved this unique modern take on Romeo and Juliet. Set in Derry in 2016 and told through Iona and Aiden, it examines the impact of division on young people today. Divin beautifully balances the fear, anger and violence with love, courage and warmth in a story that oozes empathy.

A very human story of war, friendship and loss, this book is a thrilling adventure, but it’s also wrapped in emotions; anger, love, loneliness, and it oozes empathy and resilience. Using a remarkable nugget of real-life as inspiration, Earle has written a captivating story that I urge you to read.

Taking a tragic and extraordinary event, Tsunami Girl uses a perfect balance of prose and manga, folklore, the supernatural and an evocative sense of emptiness to enable us to imagine the impact of disaster and the act of literally and metaphorically keeping your head above water. Unique, captivating and heartfelt.

I was fully thrown into an unfamiliar and evocative history of the Philippines on the brink of invasion. Whilst this rip-roaring adventure centres around one boy on a journey to manhood, it also tackles themes of colonialism, war, prejudice and friendship honestly yet lightly, transporting, confronting and immersing the reader.

An atmospheric mystery that uses the isolation and claustrophobic landscape of rural island life to create the backdrop to an investigation into the brutal disappearance of a sister. Sharp, flawed characters, flowing narrative, and depth of emotion allowed me to invest in Alex as she exposed devastating and crushing secrets.

Written in breath-taking narrative, the first section, an expedition gone wrong, is brilliantly and cleverly written. For me though, the depth is in the aftermath; the grief, monotony, humour, and the impact on ordinary lives changed forever by trauma. McGregor excels at unravelling lives honestly, sparsely and importantly, without resolve.

Astounding, enchanting and soulful, ‘October, October’ explores the beauty, cruelty and wildness of both nature and human nature. It examines family and friendship through the physical and emotional journey of October, wrenched from her pocket, tiny and everything, into the unfamiliar wider world with the woman who is her mother.

Stunning and captivating, it gets to the heart of the refugee story, I want to give it to anyone who ever thought that being a refugee was a choice. Told alternatively by Sammy and Nat in verse, it ingeniously connects teenagers from very different worlds by focusing on being human.

I love a pinch of supernatural, the dark shadows of gothic, and a tale of extraordinary women and The Gifts gave me all this and more. Multiple narratives, characters on the edge of society and sanity, a rich sense of place, it kept me guessing and still has me thinking.

Powerful and clever, yet simply told, we meet Leonard, a British Citizen, in a detention centre. Zephaniah then recounts Leonard’s story; from the land he loves to the new life he and his family make for themselves. We invest in Leonard, yet we know what’s coming and we are ashamed.

Beautifully written with breath-taking imagery, this story of love is hard to explain, and in this lies its intrigue. It is the story of Jude, Nova and Henry, in love and trapped in time. Examining love, this short novel doesn’t hold your hand, it makes you think, stop, and return.

I have delved into unfamiliar territory again with the first in a powerful Sci-fi trilogy set many centuries in the future and many worlds away. Well-paced writing, a main character that intrigued and surprised me and well-constructed worlds kept me intrigued, despite my naivety of the genre and its complexity.

Through the story of three boys and subtle use of flashback, I became fully immersed in compelling storytelling. A special book because of its simplicity, speaking of a history too heavy to hold in its entirety, it provides a safe space to start difficult yet important conversations with young readers.

A stunning story of coercion, control, anger and the power of sport to empower. I rooted for Amber and often disliked her, I felt her anger, I admired her rebellion and bravery as she rolled like thunder. A brilliant example of how verse can be used to drive a narrative.

Perfect escapism. I journeyed happily alongside Margery and Enid, laughing and crying in this tale of friendship and self-discovery. The light and funny topping with a poignant and sometimes dark undercurrent was perfectly balanced for me to enjoy both a great story and to give me some food for thought.

I rarely choose a zombie post-apocalypse however this one did not put me off reading more. Charlton smoothly blends a community in danger, dark secrets, tension, zombies and a blossoming teenage romance. I loved Peter, his skills at homemaking but not fighting was refreshing, balancing with Cooper perfectly. Highly recommended!

A raw, heart-breaking, powerful and ultimately uplifting verse novel about chronic illness that made me want to be kinder. The design and layout were perfect and propelled the story on, I was drawn into his life and felt every moment with him. A unique, personal story well worth a read.

Clever, topical and disturbing, this novel had me feeling very uncomfortable at times , gripped as the story unfolded, and often frustrated by the actions of the characters, who were perfectly flawed. As well as being a great story it is also a warning of what might be to come!

A beautifully written novel about twins, doubles and reflections, about being human, the loss of innocence, and the inevitable impact of abuse and cruelty. Cleverly laced with elements of magical realism and spiced with sharp observations of human being, the novel deepens and darkens as the girls journey through life.

A powerfully personal tale about the impact of conflict and the desperate search for safety faced by so many. Journey alongside Sami and his family who, driven from a comfortable life, witness the unspeakable, and arrive in a false paradise. An unexpected kindness brings hope for Sami and the reader.

Family and relationships form the backbone of this funny yet heart-breaking, page-turning yet wonderfully gentle masterpiece in storytelling. Families are ripped apart by one kiss, and years later bought together by a book. We see lives pan out that, despite tragedy and hate, are irrevocably bound by love and responsibility.

A rich and tangled tale of grief and anger, love and friendship that had me reading its beautiful, complex and emotional verse out loud to others. Coelho blends the modern with myth, monsters and Librarians, and words with Milner’s evocative illustrations, in an intelligent verse novel for young and old.

I loved this short, complex novel starting with a secret that shapes lives and friendships, and circling around the what if of abortion and the suicide of a mother. The characterisation was powerful, the characters often unlikeable and hypocritical, and the knife edge and fragility of our decisions resonated strongly.

A flawless, smooth, slow burn coming of age story of one summer, the same as every other until the Goddens arrive. The story unfurls like a fern, you know what’s happening, but it still captivates. As the pages turned my reading pace increased, a predictable yet enduring and resonating masterpiece.

Two timeframes, two continents. This well paced, powerful novel explores Uganda’s recent history but also how tangled and ingrained racial identity and prejudice is. Part historical, part love story, part political and religious, the meeting of two stories, the flawed characters and the last lines have not yet left me.

On the surface the perfect recipe for a coming-of-age novel, but its power and strength come from its characters; best friends, both struggling with identity and their place in smalltown America. An important insight into the ups and downs of being a transgender teenager. A dark, moving, ultimately uplifting read.

The hardships, adventure and romance of Jiddy’s life as a young woman and smuggler continue in this action-packed, gripping sequel. Through pinpoint characterisation we hear Jiddy’s voice, her impulsiveness, passion and fears. Estevez’s sense of place transports us to 18th Century Yorkshire, a sharp twist of fate leaves us reeling.

Lexi is impulsive, angry, unpopular and creates chaos wherever she goes, she learns to use these superpowers as an appropriate response to the coercive control of her Mum’s boyfriend, I wish I’d had Lexi’s desire to make a noise earlier in life. Breathtakingly brilliant, furiously observed, painful, funny and powerful.

Fascinating, set in 1930’s Kentucky it follows Bluet, a Packhorse Book Woman, determined to deliver literature to mountain folk. A rare blood condition gives her blue skin, and she experiences deep prejudice and suspicion. A wonderful story about determination, friendship and the power of literature, I loved everything about it.

The first of a quartet about Elena and Lila. Ferrante’s characterisation is rich and powerful, she portrays the fierce loyalty and bonds between Elena and Lila, but also the superficiality and jealousy of childhood friendship. As the friends grow into young women, we taste a small slice of post-war Naples.

What a wonderful journey this was, weaving through the lives of twelve women across Britain and through the years. Friendships, relationships, and themes of womanhood, identity and race flowed into, and spilled over each other. The last story was ingenious, but no spoilers here! Pure pleasure from start to finish.