Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
From New York Times, bestselling author and 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Alicia Keys comes a new authentic and poignant coming-of-age young adult graphic novel about finding the strength within when your whole world changes in an instant. Lolo Wright always thought she was just a regular fourteen-year-old dealing with regular family drama: her brother, James, is struggling with his studies; her dad’s business constantly teeters on the edge of trouble, and her mother . . . she left long ago. But then Lolo’s world explodes when a cop pulls a gun on James in a dangerous case of mistaken identities. Staring down the barrel, with no one else to help, Lolo discovers powers she never knew she had. Using only her mind, she literally throws the cop out of the way. Girl on Fire is a young adult graphic novel about a girl who’s a flame.
Queer Up – Alexis Caught
A positive and uplifting book for young people who are queer or curious – and their allies looking to support them. In this empowering and uplifting book, award-winning podcaster Alexis Caught sets out to help queer and curious teenagers explore their LGBTQ+ identity and understanding. Alongside the author’s personal experiences are first-hand stories from notable LGBTQ+ figures, providing an inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer. With chapters on questioning, coming out, friends and family, love, sex, shame, pride and allyship, this is insightful, thoughtful and reassuring book is essential reading for any questioning teen and their allies looking to support them.
Sky Dragon – Anh Do
In the fourth instalment of the series, Amber has become used to summoning her insect friends and transforming into Skydragon at the first sign of danger. But now her powers are gone. Will she be able to get her powers back in time to help new friends defeat an old enemy?
Whisper on the Wind – Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
A stunning picture book about separation, connection and reunion from the team behind the glorious Iceberg, renowned picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft. This is the wind that carries the whisper from Ren’s dream. This is the sailor, long at sea, who catches it. The multi-award-winning duo behind Iceberg returns! With its lyrical, cumulative text and whimsical, richly imagined artwork, Whisper on the Wind is a celebration of the wonders of the ocean and the power of love to find us – wherever we are.
The Week at World’s End – Emma Carroll
1962, London during the Cuban Missile Crisis. What would you do if there was a real possibility that the world might end?
Ray, aware of his parents’ building worry, decides to take matters into his own hands. He builds a shelter in the woods behind his house in the hope that he never has to use it. Only to discover that someone else needs it more than he does. An American girl reported missing, has turned up there… Why is she hiding? And with neighbour turning against neighbour, will Ray be willing to help her?
Set over the six days when the Cuban Missile Crisis became public knowledge, this tense, clever thriller might just be Emma Carroll’s best book yet!
