New for 2019

It's another brilliant year for books - well we think so anyway. Pre-order these brand-new stories and get them hot off the printing press. We'd love to hear what your pupils really think, so if these make their way onto your bookshelves encourage young readers to write their very first reviews.

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney

The world has been hearing about Greg Heffley's middle-school years for thirteen books... and counting. 

But now it's time for readers to hear from his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, in a journal of his own!

Rowley has written his own story of life in middle-school- but he's also agreed to play the role of biographer for Greg along the way.

(After all, one day Greg will be rich and famous, and everyone will need to know his life's story.)

But, it will soon become clear that Rowley is a poor choice for the job, and Greg's biography is less a future masterpiece, and more a hilarious mess.

Charlie Changes Into a Chicken by Sam Copeland, Sarah Horne (Illustrator)

Charlie McGuffin has an incredible secret . . . He can change into animals. All sorts of animals: a flea, a pigeon, even a rhino. Trouble is, he can't decide when - it only happens when he gets worried. And right now, Charlie has quite a lot to worry about: His brother (who is in hospital), his parents (who are panicking about it) and the school bully (who has Charlie in his sights) And even though every kid wants a superhero power, Charlie isn't keen on changing into a chicken in the middle of the school play. So with the help of his three best friends, Charlie needs to find a way of dealing with his crazy new power - and fast!

Check out our resources section for a full scheme of work to help explore this hilarious book and the personal well-being issues it addresses.

The Secret Dragon by Ed Clarke

When Mari finds a tiny dragon while out fossil hunting on a Welsh beach, she knows it's a discovery that could change science - and her life - forever. Mari wants to make a scientific study of the baby reptile that will astound the world. But this dragon doesn't want to be studied, it wants to be free. And although it may only be pocket-sized, it has a giant appetite for mischief.

Even a tiny secret can be big trouble...

The Whispers by Greg Howard

Before she disappeared, Riley's mama used to tell him stories about the Whispers, mysterious creatures with the power to grant wishes.

Riley wishes for lots of things. He wishes his secret crush Dylan liked him back. He wishes the bumbling detective would stop asking awkward questions. But most of all he wishes his mother would come home . . .

Four months later, the police are no closer to finding out the truth - and Riley decides to take matters into his own hands.

But do the Whispers really exist?
And what is Riley willing to do to find out?

Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties by Humza Arshad, Henry White

Humza Khan is the greatest eleven-year-old rapper Eggington has ever known: he is Little Badman and soon everyone will know his name.

The problem is, school has got really weird: one by one, all the teachers are disappearing and suspicious aunties are taking over. It isn't so bad though, Humza can still record his first song and the aunties are very generous with snacks.

But when they start to mess with his music, Humza has to get to the bottom of what's going on. With the help of his friends Umer and Wendy, Humza must hunt for the truth. Can he stop the aunties before they carry out their evil plan?

Rumple Buttercup: A story of bananas, belonging and being yourself by Matthew Gray Gubler

Rumple Buttercup has five crooked teeth, three strands of hair, green skin, and his left foot is slightly bigger than his right.

He is weird.

Join him as he and Candy Corn Carl, his imaginary friend made of trash, learn the joy of individuality as well as the magic of belonging.

Frostheart by Jamie Littler

Way out in the furthest part of the known world, a tiny stronghold exists all on its own, cut off from the rest of human-kin by monsters that lurk beneath the Snow Sea. There, a little boy called Ash waits for the return of his parents, singing a forbidden lullaby to remind him of them... and doing his best to avoid his very, VERY grumpy yeti guardian, Tobu.

But life is about to get a whole lot more crazy-adventurous for Ash. When a brave rescue attempt reveals he has amazing magical powers, he's whisked aboard the Frostheart, a sleigh packed full of daring explorers who could use his help. But can they help him find his family . . . ?