An unforgettable, powerful and all-consuming story of two Year 7 children (one autistic, one non-binary) struggling with their first term at Secondary school, puberty, friendships, dysfunctional family life, discrimination and bullying.

Following the success of ‘Nen and the Lonely Fisherman’, Owlet Press have collaborated with the award-winning children’s television writer, Barbara Slade (credits include Angelina Ballerina, Winnie the Pooh, Rugrats) and illustrator Lucia Soto to create a fairy tale love story, this time between two girls, Cinder and Ella.

‘Rory’s Room of Rectangles’, breathtakingly illustrated by Jessica Knight, published exactly 1 month before Father’s Day, and for a very good reason. Taking art as a metaphor for life and art as a form or expression for emotions within the story, the author and illustrator are symbiotic in communicating Rory’s journey to readers. As the subtitle on the front cover reveals, this is “a story of blended families and big feelings”, and it delivers.

This has to be one of the most highly anticipated middle grades for 2023 - a new novel from the Costa Book Awards winner for ‘The Voyage of the Sparrowhawk’, author Natasha Farrant! Very exciting! This is a BIG story. BIG because like one of my favourite cakes, there are layers upon layers of delicious storylines for the reader to immerse themselves in, but at the heart of it is a dollop of yummy chocolate ganache - unconditional love for one's family and friends.

When teacher, Miss Clark, asks the children to hop onto the country that their parents come from, Georgie feels confused… which country should she stand on? Panicking and after some teasing from classmate, Ben, she then forces her way back to England and when there’s no more room, she heads over to stand on East Africa. Ben says “Why are YOU in Africa?” YIKES!! This is such an important book for classrooms to support awareness of diversity and heritage!!