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A sci-fi, dystopian, heart-pounding adventure like no other, by one of the world’s most beloved young-adult writers and author of A Monster Calls. This is a brand-new story set in the world of the multi-award-winning, globally bestselling Chaos Walking series – a compelling read for new and existing fans.

Brothers Ben and Max have never really gotten on, each being more like one of their parents – Todd and Viola.

But when something is spotted in the night sky – something that’s bringing back dreams of Noise, dreams of terror – the brothers will have to come together.

Danger is coming and the family will be tested like never before.

My name is Salma, which means peace. Islam also means peace. I wish more people knew that.

Salma is Muslim, an identity she takes pride in. But not everyone understands Salma’s religion the way she does, including news reporters, and even a boy in her class, who bullies Salma for belonging to the culture and faith she loves. However, when things go too far, Salma says, “Enough is enough!” and finds the courage to defend herself while also spreading a message of peace.

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From Judy Blume, author of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Iggie’s House is a moving novel that tackles racism and neighbourhood prejudice.

Dear Iggie. How are you? I hope you’re fine because nobody around here is . . .

Winnie’s best friend, Iggie, has just moved away – and Winnie’s bored out of her mind without her.

So she’s determined to be friends with the new family, the Garbers, who’ve moved into Iggie’s old house – especially Glenn, who’s kind of cute. But certain people don’t want the Garbers to be there, and have started a petition to get rid of them.

You see, Glenn and his family are black. And Grove Street is stuck in the past.

And the toughest thing of all is that Winnie is terrified her parents might sign the petition – and there’s nothing she can do to stop them . . .

It also features brand new work from celebrated writers such as Nikki Grimes and Carole Boston Weatherford. Compiled by award-winning picture book writer and editor Traci N. Todd, this collection touches a wide range of themes – hope and struggle, joy and pride, home and food, music and family.

Each poem is perfectly paired with vibrant, heartfelt illustrations from Jade Orlando. This is a gift book to cherish – a brilliant tribute to the rich literary history and bright future of Black writing.

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In the small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi, all eyes are on Henson Blayze, a thirteen-year-old football phenom who many have wondered if he was super-human. The predominately white townsfolk have been waiting for Henson to play senior school ball, and now they’re overjoyed to finally possess an elite Black athlete of their own. Until a horrifying incident forces Henson to speak out about injustice.

Until he says that he might not play football anymore. Until he quickly learns he isn’t as loved by the people as he thought. In that moment, Henson’s town is divided into two chaotic sides when all he wants is justice.

Even his best friends and his father can’t see eye to eye. When he is told to play ball again or else, Henson must decide whether he was born to entertain people who may not even see him as human, or if he’s destined for a different kind of greatness. Derrick Barnes’s groundbreaking novel masterfully combines a modern-day allegory with classic-style tall tales to weave a compelling story of America’s strange obsession with the Black body, relegated to labour or entertainment.

Spanning the 1800s to today, it shows how much has changed over centuries. . . and, at the same time, how little.

Bianca is Keira’s best friend. At school, they are inseparable. But Keira questions their friendship when she learns more about the meaning of the Confederate flag hanging from Bianca’s front porch. Will the two friends be able to overlook their distinct understandings of the flag? Or will they reckon with the flag’s effect on yesterday and today?

In That Flag, Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith graciously tackle the issues of racism, the value of friendship, and the importance of understanding history so that we move forward together in a thought-provoking, stirring, yet ultimately tender tale.

A perfect conversation starter for the older and younger generations alike, this book includes back matter on the history of the Confederate flag and notes from the creators.

• A 2024 Jane Addams Peace Association Children’s Book Award Picture Book — Honor
• A 2023 NYPL Best Book for Kids
• A 2023 NPR Best Book for Kids
• A 2023 Charlotte Huck Honor for Outstanding Fiction for Children
• A 2023 SLJ Best Book for Kids
• A 2023 Nerdy Book Award Winner
• A 2024 Notable Book for a Global Society by the International Librarian Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group
• A 2023-24 MCS Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” Book Award Nominee
• 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Books Award List Selection
• 2023 MISelf in Books List for Upper Elementary as selected by certified school librarians who are members of the Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL)
• 2024 Comstock Read Aloud Book Award Winner

You won’t forget the lingering stench of Mouldysocks – a boy obsessed with staring at his iPad but rather less obsessed with personal hygiene – and you’ll be rooting for Rap-Unzel when she gets the chance of fame by appearing on Kingdom’s Got Talent . . .

but at what cost?Packed with stories about boys who aren’t afraid to cry and rhymes about girls who refuse to kiss frogs, FEARLESS FAIRY TALES shakes up dusty, old-fashioned (and, to be honest, rather sexist) bedtime stories and totally reinvents them for the twenty-first century. From fake news to female footballers, environmental pollution to equal pay, nothing is off limits in this anthology of laugh-out-loud fairy tales with thoroughly modern morals. Told in the fresh, vibrant and unique voice of Blue Peter favourite Konnie Huq, writing with James Kay, and packed full of irresistible illustrations by Rikin Parekh, FEARLESS FAIRY TALES is the perfect gift for young readers (and older readers fed up with serving their kids the same old boring bedtime stories).

As Ambitious Girl says:
No “too that” or “too this” will stop what’s inside me from flowering
From now on, when I hear “too that” or “too this” I won’t mind – it’s empowering!

And as Meena writes in her author’s note in the back of the book, after she heard a member of her own family deemed “too ambitious” in the media:

“I felt a new sense of urgency to make sure my young daughters-and girls all over-would have the tools and language to reframe, redefine, and reclaim what they will inevitably hear in the ‘real world.’ In writing this book, my greatest hope is that girls dare to define their own unique purpose in the world, and that they grow into strong, ambitious women.“

This boxed set of three First Conversations books is perfect for families and teachers looking for topic-driven books that offer clear, concrete language and compelling imagery to introduce the concepts of race, gender, and consent.

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it’s hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about tough issues from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see but also increases self-awareness and self-esteem, allowing them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice. These titles offer a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the back matter in each book offers additional resources and ideas for extending discussions.

Includes three hardcover picture books:

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
Being You: A First Conversation About Gender
Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent