Fans of Zainab Boladale’s debut novel, Braids Take a Day, will be delighted with the author’s second book that tackles a very modern problem. The protagonist, Aurora Kutti, is a teenage influencer living a glamorous life of constant attention. Her lifestyle is enviable, but tightly controlled by her ‘momager,’ and Aurora is starting to lose her sense of self.
This is an emotional and beautifully written story of a young man’s struggle to find his way.
Set in Nova Scotia, during a seemingly endless winter, A Million Tiny Missiles draws on the author’s experience of growing up as a neurodivergent child in a small town in the Canadian province. Central to the narrative is the relationship between the narrator, a neurodivergent fourteen-year-old, and his older brother, who has fallen into a life of addiction and criminality. They live with their policeman father, and part-time teacher mother, whose relationship is showing the strain of the challenges facing them.
Inis is the magazine of Children's Books Ireland. Within these pages you will find features and articles on Irish and international children's books as well as in-depth reviews of new titles for children and teenagers. With its range of expert contributors, this is a key resource for teachers, writers, illustrators, librarians, parents/guardians and everyone interested in children's books.
Mixed is equal parts encouraging pep talk, history lesson and two-way discussion with the reader about all elements of the mixed experience.
Haunted by recent losses, battling addiction and anxiety, facing nothing but problems and increasingly unstable futures, Shosh and Evan are not doing well. To make things worse, they’ve been hearing strange music, an ethereal sound it seems like only they can hear. As this slow-burn romance unfolds in alternating vignettes from their difficult lives – with the occasional detour to other lifetimes – we watch these teenagers muddle through their days and investigate the spectral songs that seem to draw them together. All the while we wonder, will they find their way toward a better life?
Everything Amplified is a beautifully crafted and emotionally rich graphic novel which captures the intensity of growing up with honesty and care. At the centre is Nel, whose deep love of music runs throughout the story. Illustrated scenes and song lyrics are woven through the pages, reflecting her emotions and experiences and creating a strong sense of connection from the very beginning.
Empathy abounds in this wonderful story of sacrificial sibling love, problematic parent relationships, and friendships that can weather the worst of things. Reed Beckett is a teenager and a carer for his sister Beatrice. On her behalf, he rides the waves of what serious illness and major surgery mean, all the while navigating relationships and financial hardships that stretch him to the limit.
This book offers a powerful and necessary exploration of the weight of silence surrounding mental health. As Tweety prepares to dance at Bristol’s Pohela Boishakh festival, the celebration of the Bangla New Year stands in sharp contrast to her inner turmoil. This story captures the unique pressure of achieving one’s dreams while feeling completely disconnected from that reality – a struggle made worse by a community where depression is often a silenced or non-existent concept.
Always Angel represents those who are not always in the spotlight. Whittam gives a voice to her protagonist, Angel, who is living in foster care, and coping with her parent’s mental health problems. Whittam creates a genuine and sincere world in which Angel exists, and writes with flair to present authentic characters. While Angel struggles to hold onto her relationship with her mum, she also must confront toxic friendships, all while competing in the school-wide baking competition. While baking, Angel shines brightly, now all she has to do is avoid lunchtime detention!
