Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares Rachel Cohn & David Levithan Full disclosure – this is my go-to teen/YA Christmas recommendation.  It has everything for me, New York (the ultimate Christmas location), a bookshop, lots of book-is references, a will...

Dean Atta Illustrated by Anshika Khullar A coming of age story written in verse, Black Flamingo is fresh and energising. As a mixed race gay teenager, Michael feels he never quite fits. Half Cypriot, half Jamaican, he is unconvinced by his mum’s reassurance that he is...
Roller Girl

Roller Girl

Roller Girl Victoria Jamieson Once Astrid’s mom introduces her to roller derby she is hooked.  Her best friend, Nicole, is not convinced and it is clear that they are growing apart.  Astrid is left facing the summer alone after Nicole decides not to join her at roller...
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mark Haddon Re-reading this to do a book guide for Book Clubs in Schools reminded me what a great read it is.  Starting with Christopher’s discovery of a dead dog in his neighbour’s garden, it is ostensibly the story...
Where the World Ends

Where the World Ends

Where the World Ends Geraldine McCaughrean Inspired by the bleak islands of St Kilda and the true story of a group who were stranded on one of its stone stacks for nine months, the book is set in an environment that is hard to comprehend in terms of its harshness and...