A well-paced, and engaging paranormal YA which draws on folklore, The Binding Spell explores a family moving to the country sometime after losing their mother. Their father’s grief has led to the parentification of Morgan, the protagonist, who has a deep sense of duty to her family, and in particular her two youngest siblings, Callie and Wulf. Her rebellious brother Johnny, however, has reacted differently, rejecting the responsibility and engaging in risky behaviour.
Riley’s Dad has died suddenly, leaving Riley and her mother behind. This would be devastating enough but the family are also in dire financial circumstances, something Riley’s Dad hid from his family. The story opens with the very real threat that Riley and her Mum will lose their house and the reader soon witnesses the heartbreaking move from their home to living in a car.
Kadeen is passionate about football, but her life is thrown into a spin after she witnesses the murder of her brother. For the sake of her safety, she needs to leave Jamaica and is sent to her Aunt Mel in England where she must navigate grief, culture shock and an unfamiliar environment, while trying to secretly pursue her passion for football against her aunt’s wishes.
Isaiah is struggling at home; he is navigating his parents’ divorce, taking on grown-up responsibilities, his dad is living with chronic pain and now there is a possibility that they might be evicted!
In an isolated land with a hidden history, a crocodile goddess swirls through the spirit world, gifting everyone a magic skill in teenagerhood. From super speed to teleportation to invisibility; everyone has been gifted a power, except Somadina and her twin brother Jayaike that is. When their powers finally arrive they embody a terrifying pair of forces that leads to Jayaike’s disappearance and Somadina bringing together an unexpected group of people to save him.
In a world where sport books are typically written for boys, young girls finally get the perfect book for them in Shoot for the Stars.
This is a book full of hope in a time of great ecological upheaval. Nature Heroes showcases twenty international figures who are working to heal or protect nature. Dyu shares her own love of the natural world and welcomes us into the lives of our heroes by sharing the stories of how they became activists.
Inspired by Lipinski’s non-binary character Jamie Rambeau, and the world of non-binary skateboarder Alana Smith, this empathetic story of schoolgirl and skater boy Elliott is heart-warming. Emotional words about identity meet with expressive and moody monochrome panels depicting the inner struggle of a teen trying to be three people in their search for their true self.
How far would you go to go viral? This is the question this book asks of the reader, as we get a peek into the close friendship of Alma Rose and Willow. They’re best friends who share a love of performing and a dream of being famous and adored. Even their different home lives don’t affect their friendship … too much. How do two teenagers negotiate two very different home lives? Will Willow discover Alma Rose’s secret? And will their friendship survive?
Compiled by the LGBTQ+ charity ShoutOut, Faithfully Queer is a pamphlet aiming to show the connection between queer identities and faith. Funded as part of the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund 2023 from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, it’s a free resource available in both printed and digital format.
