Front cover of How High the Moon by Karyn Parsons, 2019
A MG novel set in 1940s America, exploring social injustice (including a true story as part of the narrative, making it that much more hard-hitting), hope and family. One of those important books as it opens eyes to the times (and the wrongs). An immersive read. #kidlit 💙📚
Front cover of Ben's Gargoyle by Keith Gray and illustrated by Keith Robinson, due to be published 4 June 2026 by Barrington Stoke
A brilliantly emotive short story about bullying and finding strength and support. You can't help but feel for Ben, his loneliness and family dynamics. An engaging (and gruesome!) opening, accessible format and hopeful ending - a must for a school library. #kidlituk #NetGalley #BensGargoyle 💙📚
The first definitely gave me Six of Crows vibes (with, as I say, vampires). 😊
Front cover of A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal, 2025
The second in the YA fantasy duology. It was enjoyable to return to this world, especially the characters. A heist novel with vampires is how I would describe both. #YAlit 💙📚
No sprayed edges for me but I did pick up a copy when on holiday in Edinburgh last week. 😊
Front cover of The Liar's Handbook by Keren David, 2017
Barrington Stoke YA contemporary story about a boy with a huge imagination and his worries: new stepdad, not knowing his real dad, and his football team. Inspired by a true story about undercover police and activism. Lots packed into a short story with a compelling main character. #YAlitUK 💙📚
Front cover of The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu, 2021
Great urban fantasy set in a dystopian Edinburgh. A dark, self-contained mystery about missing children but lots of questions about the world that will hopefully be answered in the series. FMC is 14 but this isn't YA. #fantasy 💙📚
Front cover of Gone for Good by Sarah Crossan, 2026
A great YA verse novel. Thriller, mystery, a missing girl and a facility for 'troubled' teens. Accessible and gripping. #YAlitUK 💙📚
Front cover of Immortal Consequences by I. V. Marie, 2025
YA dark academia. I found this first part of a duology compelling and so enjoyable! 6 POVs, a school in the afterlife, danger, magic and betrayal, enemies to lovers and lgbtq+ representation. So much fun! #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of The Lions'Run by Sara Pennypacker, 2026
A middle grade, historical novel about what it means to be brave. Set in occupied France in WW2, plenty of animals, a hateful regime and a boy with the heart of a lion, this will enthral many readers. #kidlit 💙📚
Front cover of They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran, 2025
That cover! For once, it's actually the reason I picked up the book. YA horror (though crossing many genres) about identity, trauma, ecology and belonging. #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray, 2025
This was an enjoyable YA fantasy romance - a solid example of the genre, mild in terms of spice (so great for a secondary school library). The first of a trilogy/series that I will continue to read. #YAlitUK 💙📚
I really enjoyed it but it did take me longer to get through than the average book!
Front cover of Hazelthorn by C. G. Drews, 2025
Beautifully written, gothic and, at times, graphically gory. Lots of trigger warnings, including body horror. The prose, which is very flowery, perfectly shows the mc's torment. #YAlit
Front cover of Lockett & Wilde's Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor by Lucy Strange and Pam Smy, 2024
A fun, ghostly, middle grade mystery. #kidlituk 💙📚
Front cover of Timeriders by Alex Scarrow, 2010
Fun sci-fi adventure for young teens. Plenty of action, thrills and danger. #YAlitUK 💙📚
This is utterly jaw-dropping.
A school that bans Atwood, Zadie Smith, Terry effing Pratchett and *literal George Orwell* is actively harming its pupils.
www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/03/scho...
Front cover of Under the London Sky by Anna Woltz, 2025
The writing was wonderful, the themes on point and the characters cleverly brought to life. Ultimately, a WW2 coming-of-age story about survival, hope and the value of life. A devastating end, alluded to at the start. #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, 2023
YA, more romance than fantasy. Two competing journalists fall in love, with a backdrop of a war between gods involving mortal armies. A cliffhanger at the end. #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of The Lovecraft Anthology Volume 1, edited by Dan Lockwood, 2011
I've wanted to read Lovecraft for a while and found this graphic novel anthology. Alien or godlike creatures, grief, madness and the macabre. I'm now keen to read the prose. #horror 💙📚
Front cover of The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer, 2025
An enjoyable gothic fantasy retelling. Ghosts, witches, monsters and romance - it kept me interested until the end. #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of Alice with a Why by Anna James, 2025
Similar to the original in its silliness and whimsy, with old and new characters. It was short but well-written and heartfelt. #kidlituk 💙📚
Front cover of Reckless by Lauren Roberts, 2024
A sequel that's heavy on the romance. Not a lot happens plotwise but people who are fans of the romantasy genre would lap it up. I didn't see the ending coming until just before it happened and I'll definitely read the next one. #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of Twelve Months by Jim Butcher, 2026
So many great characters appear in this one (with a notable exception). Dresden is weighed down with grief but it doesn't stop other threats knocking at his door. I really enjoy this series. #fantasy 💙📚
Front cover of Riverkeep by Martin Stewart, 2016
Lyrical prose in this dark tale of a boy on a journey to save his father, meeting a range of characters on the way - the dynamic between them is brilliant and the world beautifully described. Monsters, gore and a lot of heart, courtesy of the main character. #YAlitUK 💙📚
Front cover of Ice Apprentices by Jacob North, 2025
Loved the world building and magic system in this MG fantasy. Fast-paced and some great characters. Great for representation too. #kidlituk 💙📚
Front cover of The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, 2004
An older (over 20 years ago) read for young teens: epic fantasy inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (or Wolverhampton as predictive text would have it!). There are battles, magic, imagination and a fight for the throne. Fun. #YAlit 💙📚
Front cover of Wildlands by Brogen Murphy, 2025
Great for those who like adventure, nature and stories about families. There is very realistic peril in this middle grade novel, set in the near future where a lot of Britain has been given up for nature to reclaim. #kidlituk 💙📚
I put it off for years because I just thought they'd be overhyped. However, students in my book club insisted I give them a go and I ended up loving the whole trilogy. Action, corruption, danger - just great YA dystopia.
Front cover of Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, 2025
An emotional ride. A lot of what I enjoyed about the other Hunger Games books and a great, if harrowing, backstory. #YAlit 💙📚