Category: General Fiction

The Pug Who Wanted To Be A Fairy by Bella Swift

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The Blurb On The Back:

Wag your tail if you believe in fairies!

Oh no!  Peggy the pug’s local park is shutting down!  Now where will she go for walks with Chloe, her best friend?  Chloe plans a summer fair with a cake sale to save the park, but Peggy has a better idea – she just needs to find a fairy to grant her friend’s wish!

You don’t always need wings and a wand to work some magic …

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order THE PUG WHO WANTED TO BE A FAIRY by Bella Swift from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Listen, Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

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The Blurb On The Back:

I am Layla Kareem Abdul-Hafiz Hussein, the greatest Sudanese Australian inventor the world has ever seen.  And if they don’t know my name yet, they soon will.  Inshallah!

School’s out for the summer!  And Layla’s going to spend it getting her inventions ready for the grand design competition.  But when her grandmother falls ill and her family must rush to Sudan to be with her, Layla feels like she’s being pulled in many different directions.

Family, friends, home, inventions – there’s a lot to navigate.  With big protests looming in Sudan, could Layla save the day with her revolutionary ideas?

Exploring the diaspora experience, Listen, Layla is an own voices novel for young readers bursting with passion, humour and truth.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book

You can order LISTEN, LAYLA by Yassmin Abdul-Magied from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Kissing Emma by Shappi Khorsandi

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The Blurb On The Back:

Emma is beautiful.

Men stare at her.

Girls are jealous of her.

Yet Emma is trapped.

Trapped by her beauty and trapped by a lack of prospects.  She sleeps on her nan’s sofa and rushes to cleaning jobs after school.  She dreams that there’s more to life than just scraping by.

Then Emma is tempted by two men who promise her the world in exchange for modelling work.  But there’s a dark side to their offer that she will only discover when she’s in too deep …

Can Emma break free and take control of her own life?

You can order KISSING EMMA by Shappi Khorsandi from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

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The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Basically Famous by Jen Carney

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The Blurb On The Back:

Five things that happen in this book that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS:

1. I appear on ACTUAL TV.

2. My teacher LITERALLY tells us to P.E.E. in class.

3. I locate dead people’s lost jewellery in exchange for luxury BISCUITS.

4. I discover where you can get FREE HOT CHOCOLATE.

5. I find out about a HUGE secret my mums have been keeping from me.

WARNING: Janey has been extra painy recently (one thing that might put you off). 

THE ACCIDENTAL DIARY OF B.U.G: BASICALLY FAMOUS was released in the United Kingdom on 19th August 2021.  Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Basically Famous by Jen Carney from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Straight Outta Crongton by Alex Wheatle

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The Blurb On The Back:

Round these ends, it’s hard to hold on to your dreams.

Life’s a constant hustle for Mo.  Her mum’s boyfriend Lloyd is just another man who likes to beat down women; the South Crong streets are fraught with hazards and nasty G’s; and when it comes to matters of the heart … she’s still hung up on Sam.  No wonder she’s vexed so much of the time.

Thank God her sisters, Elaine and Naomi, are on her side.

But when badness goes down and a life is let handing in the balance, Mo has to face her hot urge for revenge … and she might end up losing more than she wins.

You can order STRAIGHT OUTTA CRONGTON by Alex Wheatle from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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The Blurb On The Back:

Disliked. Bullied. Framed. But I’m not going to let that stop me …

Most of the students at Middlesfield Prep don’t look like Donte. And they don’t like him either. When Donte is suspended from school and arrested, framed for something he didn’t do, he knows it would have never happened to high lighter-skinned brother, Trey.

Terrified, and searching for a place where he belongs, Donte discovered the sport of fencing. And he’s good at it. Very good.

But when he must fence the very boy who framed him, there is far more at stake than just a trophy. Donte must fight not only his bullies, but an entire system that has never treated him fairly because of the colour of his skin.

Powerful and emotionally gripping, this is a story about one boy’s path to finding his own voice in the fight against racism.

BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER was released in the United Kingdom on 13th May 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

You can order BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER by Jewell Parker Rhodes from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK. I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

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The Blurb On The Back:

The boat sways and rocks.

Bodies pressed against bodies.

Holding on for our lives.

Natalie’s world is falling apart.  She’s just lost her mum, and her brother marches the streets of Dover with a far-right gang.  Swimming is her only refuge.

Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe.  Every step he takes is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future.

A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope.

But is hope enough to mend a broken world? 

You can order THE CROSSING by Manjeet Mann from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Jaz Santos Vs. The World by Priscilla Mante

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The Blurb On The Back:

Olá!  I’m Jasmina Santos-Campbell (but you can call me Jaz).  You’ve probably heard of me and my team the Bamrock Stars before.  No?  Well, you will soon because we’re almost famous!

Forming the Stars was my genius idea – you see I need to prove to Mãe (that’s my mum!) that I’m a football star so she’ll want to come back home.

The idea was the easy part, though.  Now I’ve got a team of seven very different girls and we need to work together, to be taken seriously as footballers.

We are the DREAM TEAM and we’re going to show the world that girls CAN play football! 

You can pre-order JAZ SANTOS VS THE WORLD by Priscilla Mante from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt

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The Blurb On The Back:

”I wonder what people would think if they could take the front off our house, like a doll’s house, and watch us.  All in the same house, but everyone separate.  No one talking, but everyone thinking the same thing. Will we ever be a normal family again?”

Izzy’s family is under the spotlight when her dad comes out as Danielle, a trans woman.  Now shy Izzy must face her fears, find her voice, confront the bullies and stand up for her family.

Warm, honest and hopeful, this is a story about the power of family, friendship and being true to yourself.

You can buy NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE by Sarah Hagger-Holt from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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This Careless Life by Rachel McIntyre

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The Blurb On The Back:

”In this job, festering skeletons have a nasty habit of tumbling out, sooner or later.  So think carefully – is there anything you need to tell me?”

Four best friends with perfect lives.

A once in a lifetime opportunity.

Who can resist the call of fame and fortune?

When Liv, Hetty, Jez and Duffy audition for a new reality TV show, they’re confident they can handle the pressure of being in the public eye.  After all, they don’t have anything to hide.  Do they?  But that’s before Cass produces the photo of the body …

You can buy THIS CARELESS LIFE by Rachel McIntyre from Amazon UK and Waterstones.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Agatha Oddly – Murder At The Museum by Lena Jones

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The Blurb On The Back:

Agatha Oddly: No case too odd … 

Agatha Oddlow’s just stumbled across her next big case … a murder at the British Museum.

But as Agatha starts to dig beneath the surface she begins to suspect that a wider plot is afoot below London – a plot involving a disused Tube station, a huge fireworks display and five thousand tonnes of gold bullion.

Luckily, Agatha’s on the trail …

You can buy AGATHA ODDLY: MURDER AT THE MUSEUM by Lena Jones from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Eight Pieces Of Silva by Patrice Lawrence

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The Blurb On The Back:

Silva’s door is open.  My brain nudges me.  She’s not in there.  All the time I’ve been hanging around and trying not to disturb her, she wasn’t here at all …

Becks and Silva live under the same roof, but they couldn’t be less like sisters.

Becks likes watching loud superhero movies, girls, and chatting to anyone and everyone.  Silva likes privacy; her bedroom is her oasis, and she has an unspoken rule that none of her family are allowed inside.

But then Silva goes missing.

Becks enters Silva’s room.

And finds eight clues about Silva’s secret life.

Can Becks piece the jigsaw together and find her, before it’s too late? 

You can order Eight Pieces Of Silva by Patrice Lawrence from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Scavengers by Darren Simpson

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The Blurb On The Back:

Follow the rules.

Babagoo’s always right.

Believe only Babagoo.

Respect your fear.

Never go looking outside.

Never rise above the wall.

Landfill has lived his whole life as a scavenger, running with wooflings, swimming with turtles and feasting on whatever he can catch.

Old Babagoo has always looked after him – on one condition.  Follow Babagoo’s rules.  And the most important rule of all is NEVER go beyond the wall.

But Landfill longs to venture Outside.  And some rules are made to be broken.

You can order SCAVENGERS by Darren Simpson from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew

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The Blurb On The Back:

During Frankie’s first sexual experience with the quiet and lovely Benjamin, she gets her period.  It’s only blood, they agree.  But soon a graphic meme goes viral, turning their fun, intimate afternoon into something disgusting, mortifying and damaging.  As the online shaming takes on a horrifying life of its own, Frankie begins to wonder: is her real life over?

You can order Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Girl With Space In Her Heart by Lara Williamson

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The Blurb On The Back:

Mabel Mynt knows a lot about space …

… like how we feel connected to the stars because we are all made of stardust.

And that Mum’s new boyfriend, Galactic Gavin, has eyes that twinkle like Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

And that sometimes the perfect place for her sister, Terrible Topaz, would be a black hole.

But Mabel doesn’t know how to fill the space in her heart that Dad left when he walked out.

And so she sets out on a mission of discovery …

You can order The Girl With Space In Her Heart by Lara Williamson from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

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The Blurb On The Back:

This is Michael’s story.

Join him as he enters the world with tiny feather eyelashes.  Travel from school to college, where he discovers his flock, and comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen.  At university, take a seat in the audience and watch him find his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo.

A bold story about discovering that only YOU get the privilege of choosing who you are.  There is power in embracing your uniqueness.  What’s your story?  

You can order THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Where Do You Go, Birdy Jones? by Joanna Nadin

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The Blurb On The Back:

Birdy Jones is all alone.

Dad’s new family means there’s no room left for Birdy.  The only place that feels like home is Grandpa’s pigeon loft, amongst the warmth of the birds she loves to race. It’s also where she meets Dogger – her only real friend.

When Birdy uncovers a message from the past, she thinks it explains why she doesn’t ‘fit’ in her family.  But the closer she gets to the truth, the further apart she becomes from Dogger.  Why is he drifting away when she needs him the most?

Sometimes it’s those we know best who may be hiding the biggest secrets … 

You can order Where Do You Go, Birdy Jones? by Joanna Nadin from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Slay by Brittney Morris

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The Blurb On The Back:

We are different ages, genders and traditions … but tonight we all SLAY

By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is a college student, and one of the only black kids at Jefferson Academy.  By night, she joins hundreds of thousands of black gamers who duel worldwide in the secret online VR game, SLAY.

No one knows Kiera is the game developer – not even her boyfriend, Malcolm.  But when a teenager is murdered of a dispute in the SLAY world, the media labels it an exclusion isn’t, racist hub for thugs.

With threats coming from both inside and outside the game, Kiera must fight to save the safe space she’s created.  But can she protect SLAY without losing herself?

You can order Slay by Brittney Morris from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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A Strange Kind Of Brave by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

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The Blurb On The Back:

What doesn’t kill you makes you … stronger?

Jake McCormack is the villain of Clanfedden.  He’s just killed a boy – deliberately run him over with his truck, in front of everyone.  And he knows he’ll get away with it. 

Luca Spinelli, 14, is the new boy in town.  He’s looking for a fresh start after what happened at his old school.

Allie Redmond has lived in Clanfedden all her life.  Luca’s friendship is the bright spark she needs.

But more than anyone, Allie knows the danger of Jake McCormack.  She needs to warn Luca.  She needs to prevent disaster.  At least, she needs to try …

You can order A Strange Kind Of Brave by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Swimming Against The Storm by Jess Butterworth

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The Blurb On The Back:

Our land is sinking.  It’s disappearing into the water.  And no one knows how to save it

Twelve-year-old Eliza and her younger sister Avery have lived their entire lives in a small fishing village on the coast of Louisiana, growing up alongside turtles, pelicans and porpoises.  But now, with sea levels rising, their home is at risk of being swept away.

Determined to save the land, Eliza and Avery secretly go searching in the swamp for the dangerous, wolf-life loup-garou.  If they can prove this legendary creature exists, they’re sure that the government will have to protect its habitat – and their community.

But there’s one problem: the loup-garou has never been seen before.  And with a tropical storm approaching and the sisters deep, deep in the swampland, soon it’s not just their home at risk, but their lives as well …

You can order Swimming Against The Storm by Jess Butterworth from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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Rose, Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence

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The Blurb On The Back:

Her life has changed and no one’s told her the new rules.

So she’ll just have to make up her own …

Eighteen months ago, seventeen-year-old Rose and thirteen-year-old Rudder escaped a strict religious sect with their mum.  

While Rudder gorges on once-taboo Harry Potters, Rose swaps ankle skirts for Japanese-cute fairy dress and her new boyfriend, Kye.  Kye, who she wants with all her being.  But there’s loads of stuff that Rose has no idea how to handle – it’s normal for girls to let their boyfriends take naked pictures of them, right?

When Rudder accidentally sets a devastating chain of events in action, Rose must decide whether to sacrifice everything and go back to the life she hates, in order to save the people she loves. 

You can order Rose, Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence from Amazon USA,  Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. Drews

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The Blurb On The Back:

Sam breaks into strangers’ houses every night.

But it’s not about stealing from houses, it’s about stealing THE houses.

He tricks locks and sleeps in stolen beds, because he just wants to find a home

Can two broken boys find their perfect home?

Sam is only fifteen but he and his autistic older brother, Avery, have been abandoned by every relative he’s ever known.  Now Sam’s trying to build a new life for them.  He survives by breaking into empty houses when their owners are away, until one day he’s caught out when a family returns home.  To his amazement this large, chaotic family takes him under their wing – each teenager assuming Sam is a friend of another sibling.  Sam finds himself inextricably caught up in their life, and falling for teenager daughter, Moxie.

But Sam has a secret, and his past is about to catch up with him.

You can order The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. Drews from Amazon USA,  Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla

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The Blurb On The Back:

When life knocks you down, can you learn to fight back?

Told over the course of the ten rounds of his first fight, this is the story of amateur boxer Sunny.  A seventeen-year-old feeling isolated and disconnected in the city he’s just moved to, Sunny joins a boxing club to learn to protect himself after a racist attack.  He finds the community he’s been desperately seeking at the club, and a mentor in trainer Shobu, who helps him find his place in the world.

But racial tensions are rising in the city, and when a Far Right march through Bristol turns violent, Sunny is faced with losing his new best friend to radicalisation. 

You can order THE BOXER by Nikesh Shukla from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Closest Thing To Flying by Gill Lewis

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The Blurb On The Back:

When Semira discovers a diary written by Hen, a girl living over one hundred years ago, she finds the friend she has been desperately seeking. A friend who reaches through time to bring not just comfort but inspiration to be brave, to fight for her place in the world, and maybe even to uncover the secrets of her own past …

Writing the diary changed one girl’s life. Reading it changes another’s. 

You can order THE CLOSEST THING TO FLYING by Gill Lewis from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer

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The Blurb On The Back:

Avery, you don’t know me but I’m writing to you anyway.  This is awkward but I’m just going to say it.  Your dad + my dad ARE NOW A COUPLE.  That isn’t my business, only it IS my business because my dad wants to send me to a summer camp that you’re going to.

– Bett Devlin

Bett, I think you are confused and have the wrong person.  If my papa was in a relationship with your dad, there is a one hundred per cent chance I would know about it.  We’re very close, and it’s been just the two of us almost my whole life, so we’re best friends and he tells me everything.

– Avery A. Bloom

You can order TO NIGHT OWL FROM DOGFISH by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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