Earlier this month, we hosted our online Publisher Roadshow events, showcasing a host of brilliant upcoming titles from a range of publishers. We’ve selected a handful of books that particularly caught our eye from each of the Picture Books, Middle Grade and Young Adult presentations. These are our ones to watch (or read!) in the first half of the year:
The Hospital for Mythological Creatures by Cathy Evans
This quirky and imaginative title introduces younger readers to how a hospital works through the lens of a car crash involving mythological creatures. It’s a reassuring and engaging read for any child who feels curious or anxious about hospitals. With eye-catching illustrations and information presented in a clear, accessible format, this is a book that will be revisited time and again.
Tomorrow I’m in Charge by Jörg Mühle
Any parent or teacher who has helped children navigate the tricky dynamics of a three-way friendship will immediately recognise this scenario. A must-have for any school library, the story follows Badger, Weasel and Bear as they attempt to decide who should play with whom, what game to play, who is right and (most importantly) who’s in charge! A fantastic resource for helping children see beyond the familiar refrain: “They’re not playing how I want them to!”
The Overthinker’s Club: Happy List by Nat Luurtsema
Move over Lottie Brooks: Birdie is here, and she’s ready to overthink! Told in diary format, this highly relatable story is perfect for the worriers in your life. Packed with tween drama and humour, this first title in a new series is sure to become a firm favourite for readers eager to fill a Dork Diaries or Lottie Brooks–shaped gap. The illustrations cleverly break up the text, making it accessible for reluctant readers and a great stepping stone to longer fiction.
The Galaxy World Cup by Alan Joyce
Alien abduction meets football superfandom. What would happen if aliens came to Earth and assumed that anyone wearing a football shirt was a superstar player? This hilarious, high-energy story celebrates teamwork and friendship, and is sure to spark conversations among aspiring footballers waiting to be discovered as the next big thing.
The Children of Wolf Rock by Natasha Farrant
High in the Scottish mountains, there is a castle, and in that castle there is a school like no other... Essentially a companion novel to the bestselling The Children of Castle Rock series - this is a must-read for fans old and new, and can also be read as a standalone adventure story, by queen of the genre, Natasha Farrant! The Children of Wolf Rock will bring all the excitement and heart of the original series to a fresh set of readers. Perfect for 9–12 year olds.
The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away by Sophie Anderson
The long-awaited sequel to The House with Chicken Legs will fly off school library shelves. Full of adventure and magic, this fairy-tale-inspired story follows Marinka and Benjamin as they race to discover why the House with Chicken Legs has left them behind. Like its predecessor, the novel sensitively explores themes of loss and living in circumstances you didn’t choose, making it a valuable and enriching addition to the curriculum.
A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once by Lucas Maxwell
This powerful debut from librarian and author Lucas Maxwell won the 2024 Times/Chicken House Fiction Competition — and with good reason. Speaking directly to the teenage experience, Maxwell draws on his own childhood to create Elias, a neurodivergent protagonist who devises a plan to save his brother after he becomes involved in addiction. Emotionally complex and deeply affecting, this exploration of family dynamics may be a short read, but it delivers a lasting impact.
Texts We Never Sent by G. Forsyth-Read
Described as an ode to female friendship, this debut novel from podcaster G. Forsyth-Read follows four friends who have drifted apart as they begin receiving the time-capsule text messages they sent to themselves two years earlier. Set during the summer between college and university, the story beautifully captures the heady mix of possibility and nostalgia that accompanies the transition to adulthood, while also exploring themes of body image, unhealthy relationships, romance and sexuality.
Find out more about all these titles and lots more by watching the recordings of our Spring term Publisher Roadshows. SLA members can visit the Publisher Roadshow page on our website, where you will also find links to classroom resources and activity sheets. Not a member? Watch the Picture Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult Publisher Roadshows on Youtube.