Blue Peter Book Club

The Blue Peter Book Club introduces young readers to new writing and encourage a love of reading.  In partnership with The Reading Agency an expert panel of librarians, booksellers and children in library sessions, chose a list of Blue Peter Book Club recommended reads from awesome authors and fantastic illustrators. Its next six titles are:

Greenwild: The World Behind The Door by Pari Thomson, Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (book available)

Daisy Thistledown has recently escaped from boarding school and has a mystery to solve. Her search for her missing mother will lead her across London and through a hidden doorway to another world, bursting with magic: the Greenwild. But all is not well in this astonishing land. Before long Daisy finds herself confronting a dangerous presence that threatens green magic on both sides of the door. Daisy must band together with a botanical genius, a boy who can talk to animals and a cat with an attitude, to channel the power that can revive the Greenwild and find her missing mother – and save her own world too.

The Last Firefox by by Lee Newbery, Illustrated by Laura Catalán (book and ebook available)

Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he’s made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier. Because Cadno isn’t just any fox: he’s a firefox – the only one of his kind – and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail. Swept up into an unexpected adventure to protect his flammable friend, Charlie’s going to need to find the bravery he never thought he had, if he’s going to save the last firefox.

The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence by Marcus Rashford written with Alex Falase-Koya, Illustrated by Marta Kissi (book available)

When twelve-year-old Marcus kicks his favourite football over the school fence, he knows he’s never getting it back. Nothing that goes over that wall ever comes back. But the next morning, during Breakfast Club, Marcus gets a mysterious note inviting him to join the Breakfast Club Investigators, and he is soon pulled into an exciting adventure with his new mates to solve the mystery and get his football back!

You Are History: From the Alarm Clock to the Toilet, the Amazing History of the Things You Use Every Day by Greg Jenner Illustrated by Jenny Taylor (book and ebook available)

Thought history was only in museums? Think again! Join Greg Jenner as he takes you on a trip through the amazing history hidden in the things you use every day. Did you know that the first TV was made out of biscuit tins and knitting needles? Or that the humble paperclip helped lead an anti-war movement? Or that a few hundred years ago it was fashionable to style your hair with cat poo?! Find out the delightful, daft and downright deadly history of your everyday life that your teachers won’t tell you about.

Major and Mynah by Karen Owen, Illustrated by Louise Forshaw (book and ebook available)

Callie Major does not like wearing her new hearing aids at all. But when she meets abandoned Mynah bird Bo, she realises that her ‘slugs’ mean she can communicate with him! Together the unlikely duo set off to catch the thief who has been causing trouble all over town. This work includes high-speed chases, a very peckish bird and purple poo!

Bob vs The Selfie Zombies by Andy Jones, Illustrated by Robin Boyden (book and ebook available)

For Bob and his best friend Malcolm, winning the school talent competition with their band The Tentacles of Time is really important. And that’s before they realise the future of the world depends on it. Bob doesn’t know why he can time travel. He does know that it always happens at the worst possible moments. Like when he’s in the bath. Awkward! But when Bob comes face to face with his future self in the midst of a disastrous alternative reality, he’s got no choice but to try and do something! In this future, an evil genius has created a smile-operated selfie camera that turns people into zombies, and the world as Bob knows it has completely collapsed. There’s not even anywhere to get a takeaway pizza from! Now it’s up to Bob to change the course of the present to save future him, future Malcolm AND the whole world. Yikes!

A special episode of Blue Peter Book Club Live will be shown on CBBC and iPlayer, 5pm, Friday 24^th May.

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

UKLA book awards shortlist 2024

The shortlists of the UKLA Book Awards have been unveiled. The Awards are the only British children’s prize judged entirely by teachers. There are four categories: fiction ages 3-6, 7-10, 11-14 and Information Books for 3-14 year olds. The winners are announced on 5^th July.

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

Age 3-7 shortlist

Fox & Son Tailers by Paddy Donnelly (book available)

Rory’s dad, Fox, is a tailer. The BEST in the business! Animals come from all over to have their tails made by him. Rory helps his dad in the shop and one of his jobs is measuring the customers for the tails – which isn’t always easy! But Rory is bored of making the same old tails. He has his own amazing ideas.

The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty (book available)

A poignant and touching picture book exploring death and grief, as Bertle the turtle learns to cope with the loss of his best friend Hertle the hare.

10 Dogs by Emily Gravett (book available)

Ten gorgeous dogs chase, hide and play with ten juicy sausages in this funny, original book about numbers by Emily Gravett. Bursting with energy and fun, young children will love to count the dogs and the sausages, as well as looking out for all the funny details on each page.

Martha Maps It Out by Leigh Hodgkinson (book available)

Martha’s maps will take you on an enchanting journey through her world, starting from outer space and zooming in, map by map, to our planet, Martha’s neighbourhood, and beyond.

The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy (book available)

The Vasylenko family are adventurers. They all love the wet and the wild, the thrill of exploring the outside world. All that is – except Oktober. He prefers the warm and safe comfort of the inside world, and for his adventures to take place between the pages of a book. But tomorrow, Oktober has to join his family on a trek into the slimy, grimy and climby wild, where he sees only danger and worry and fears a creature called ‘The Wilderness’! Failing to keep his wits about him could be dangerous though – it may even get him a bit lost. But perhaps getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find himself and maybe even make an unexpected friend.

Dick The Delightful Duck by Kaye Umansky (book available)

What’s the matter with Dick the Duck? He’s usually so kind and friendly! But today Dick got out on The Wrong Side of Bed. He feels humpy and grumpy, cranky and cross. How can his friends cheer him up?

Age 7-10 Shortlist

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell (book available)

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She’s wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she’s carrying a strange, heavy case. She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets.

Call Me Lion by Camilla Chester (book and ebook available)

Leo has spent his life dreaming of performing on the West End. His love of dancing is getting him through the heatwave, but his selective mutism means he is unlikely to be able to perform in public and puts his spot in the end-of-summer dance show on the line. When chatty Richa moves in next door, Leo finds her easy to bond with. She talks enough for the both of them – at least to begin with. When he learns her secret, it’s clear that she needs his support as much as he needs hers. With Richa’s help, will Leo be able to follow his dreams? Or will Leo’s inability to talk to Richa will cost him their friendship?

How To Be More Hedgehog by Anne-Marie Conway (book available)

Lily has a stammer. The signal between her brain and her mouth is all messed up – and it’s getting worse. When a video of her practicing her class presentation is uploaded onto YouTube – head thrust forward, eyelids fluttering, lips stretched wide – Lily’s nightmare begins. Cyberbullying, kids at school whispering, even best friend Mia laughing behind her back. Lily’s confidence takes a nose-dive and she can only see one way out: run away to Dad in Scotland and start all over again. But Lily quickly realises that running away isn’t the answer – that her stammer will follow her wherever she goes.

Into The Dark Forest by Liz Flanagan (book available)

When war threatens her beloved city, Rowan and her mother must flee to the Dark Forest, meeting Grandpa and his white wolf Arto for the first time. Though she misses her father, Rowan makes new friends – including a trio of powerful witches. When she rescues a baby dragon from poachers, she discovers the secret of her own identity. Could Rowan really be a wildsmith? Fostering a whole clutch of dragons, the summer speeds by. But when danger threatens, Rowan and Grandpa must call on all their friends for help.

Finn Jones Was Here by Simon James Green (book and ebook available)

At Finn’s funeral, grieving best friend Eric receives a message from beyond the grave – and it must be because this is Finn’s biggest prank ever, faking his own death! As Eric follows Finn’s cryptic instructions for various challenges, he goes down memory lane and through a scavenger hunt that will change him for ever.

Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr (book available)

It’s February 1974 and working class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less hours for people to work, and less money to get by on. Thirteen-year-old Jason feels the struggle keenly. Ever since his parents died, it’s just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can’t make ends meet he’s been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won’t have enough and will have to be separated. One thing that helps distract Jason is the urban legend about a beast in the valleys. A wild cat that roams the forest, far up the river from their bridge. When Jason’s friends learn of a reward for proof of The Beast’s existence, they convince Jason this is the answer to his and Richie’s money problems. Richie can get himself out of trouble before it’s too late and the brothers can stay together. And so a quest begins.

Age 11-14+ Shortlist

Away With Words by Sophie Cameron (book and ebook available)

When Gala moves to Scotland from Spain, she feels lost and lonely. Just as she’s making friends and settling into her new life, the actions of an anonymous classmate threaten to take it all away. Will be she be able to find out who’s behind it and show everyone who she really is?

Crossing The Line by Tia Fisher (book and ebook available)

Erik’s life has been falling apart ever since his dad died. Homework and being good at school stop feeling important when you’re the new man of the house. When Erik’s bad behaviour attracts the wrong crowd, he’s sucked into a terrifying new world of drug dealing, trap houses and violence. Making money feels good but Erik soon learns that a small favour can become a huge debt. And when his sisters’ lives are threatened, Erik will have to cross one more line to save them.

As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh (available on audio)

Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She was even supposed to be meeting a boy to talk about marriage. Now Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors. She knows that she should be thinking about leaving, but who will help the people of her beloved country if she doesn’t? With her heart so conflicted, her mind has conjured a vision to spur her to action. His name is Khawf, and he haunts her nights with hallucinations of everything she has lost. But even with Khawf pressing her to leave, when she crosses paths with Kenan, the boy she was supposed to meet on that fateful day, she starts to doubt her resolve in leaving home at all. Soon, Salama must learn to see the events around her for what they truly are.

Steady For This by Nathanael Lessore (book and ebook available)

Shaun (aka MC Growls) is ready to drop his best bars and smash the competition at Raptology. That way, he’s convinced Tanisha, his crush, will finally give him a chance. But when a livestream practice goes epically wrong, Growls’s dirty laundry is literally exposed. He’s finally achieved his dreams of going viral – not in the good way. Now Tanisha won’t look at him, he’s the joke of the school and there’s no way he can show his face at the competition. Will he ever catch a break? Then a new girl on the block appears who might be just the friend Growls needs. Especially when she points out that Raptology could be the answer to his problems after all.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (book available)

Cristian has lived his entire life in the grip of a repressive dictatorship. The country is governed by fear. When the secret police blackmail him, Cristian has an impossible choice. Save the life of his sick grandfather by informing on his family, or risk his life – and all of theirs – by resisting? At 17, Cristian dreams of being free but doesn’t know where to turn. In this climate of constant suspicion, can he trust his best friend, his girlfriend or even his family?

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (book available)

Lahore, Pakistan. Then. Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Clouds’ Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start. Juniper, California. Now. Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding. Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him – and Juniper – forever.

Information Books 3-14+ Shortlist

Saving H’non: Chang And The Elephant by Trang Nguyen (book available)

An inspirational graphic novel adventure, based on a true story, about a young conservationist who overcomes the odds to rescue H’non the elephant from 50 years working in captivity. With breathtaking art and STEM facts galore, Chang’s daring story is for any young reader, animal lover, and intrepid explorer who’s ready for adventure.

Unspoken by Kwame Alexander (book available)

How do you tell a story that starts in Africa and ends in horror? About strength and pride and refusing to be broken? One that still hurts and still loves? A powerfully moving, poetic exploration of the story of slavery: from Africa to the tall ships, from back-breaking work in a strange land to resilience and eventual emancipation, Kwame Alexander tells the story that’s hard to hear. Told through the lens of a teacher speaking to their young pupils, and in multiple art styles from award-winning artist and sculptor Dare Coulter, the story of slavery becomes one that you can tell with the bravery to lift your voice.

Darwin & Hooker by Alexandra Stewart (book available)

On 24th November 1859, Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ was first published, selling out almost immediately. Describing the now well known theory that humans evolved through a process called natural selection, it became an instant classic and cemented Darwin as one of the greatest biologists of all time. However, he couldn’t have done it without the support, encouragement and advice from those who believed in him. None more so than Joseph Hooker, his friend, confidant and fellow collector, who supported and helped Darwin when he didn’t dare ask anyone else. Hooker, too, had his own adventures and made his own discoveries – many of which not only aided Darwin, but went on to change what the world knew about plants. Becoming head of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he came to be one the world’s most influential botanists.

Whose Tracks In The Snow? by Alexandra Milton (book available)

A great natural history picture book introducing children to animal tracks.

The Boy Who Didn’t Want To Die by Peter L. Lantos (ebook available)

‘The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die’ describes an extraordinary journey, made by Peter, a boy of five, through war-torn Europe in 1944 and 1945. Peter and his parents set out from a small Hungarian town, travelling through Austria and then Germany together.

Lands Of Belonging: A History Of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh And Britain by Donna Amey Bhatt (book available)

A unique exploration of the rich and complicated history of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain. There are many ways of telling the same story, and how you tell it depends on your point of view. Some stories are so complicated, or difficult to explain, that they’re not often told at all. Like the story of how a company ended up running a country, or how one man drawing a line on a map could change the lives of millions of people forever. This book aims to piece together the interesting, surprising, and sometimes very sad story of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain, and how these countries have shaped one another over the centuries.

Yoto Carnegie Prize 2024

The Yoto Carnegies celebrate outstanding achievement in children’s writing and illustration respectively and are unique in being judged solely by librarians. The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing is awarded annually to a children’s book author whose writing creates an outstanding reading experience and the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration (previously known as the Kate Greenaway Medal) is awarded annually to a children’s book illustrator whose artwork creates an outstanding reading experience.

The longlists were announced on 13th February. The shortlists will be announced on 13th March, with the overall medal winners revealed on 20th June.

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing longlist

• The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander (book and ebook available)
• The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell (book available)
• Away with Words by Sophie Cameron (book and ebook available)
• The Little Match Girl Strikes Back by Emma Carroll, illustrated by Lauren Child (book available)
• The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Kate Milner (book available)
• Choose Love by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček (book available)
• Electric Life by Rachel Delahaye (book available)
• Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle (book and ebook available)
• Digging for Victory by Cathy Faulkner (book and ebook available)
• Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher (book and ebook available)
• Wild Song by Candy Gourlay (book and ebook available)
• Boy Like Me by Simon James Green (book available)
• Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan (book and ebook available)
• Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore (book and ebook available)
• The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell (book and ebook available)
• Dogs of the Deadlands by Anthony McGowan, illustrated by Keith Robinson  (book and ebook available)
• Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean (book available)
• Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick (book available)
• Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (book available)

The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration longlist

• The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker (book and ebook available)
• Wolves in Helicopters by Paddy Donnelly, written by Sarah Tagholm (book available)
• April’s Garden by Catalina Echeverri, written by Isla McGuckin (book and ebook available)
• The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham (book available)
• Deep by Stephen Hogtun (book available)
• Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo (book available)
• Colours, Colours Everywhere by Sharon King-Chai, written by Julia Donaldson (book available)
• The Skull by Jon Klassen (book available)
• The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy (book available)
• Tyger by Dave McKean, written by SF Said (book available)
• To the Other Side by Erika Meza (book available)
• The Midnight Panther by Poonam Mistry (book available)
• The Bowerbird by Catherine Rayner, written by Julia Donaldson (book available)
• Global by Giovanni Rigano, written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin (book available)
• The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage (book available)
• My Baba’s Garden by Sydney Smith, written by Jordan Scott (book available)
• The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, written by Maggie O’Farrell (book available)
• What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking by Aleksandra Zając, written by Tina Oziewicz (book available)

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

The shortlists for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize have been revealed. There are three categories with six books on each list – Illustrated Books, Younger Readers and Older Readers. The overall winners will be announced on March 21st.

Illustrated Books

The Queen Next Door by Marcela Ferreira (book available to reserve)

In a faraway land, a happy queen rules over the happiest of kingdoms. But when a new queen moves in next door and starts showing off her ginormous, brand-new, super-duper throne, the happy queen can’t help feeling a little jealous snd decides she must have a throne of her own – no matter the cost. Can she learn that what makes a true queen is not what she has, but how she treats others? Filled with humour and heart, this beautiful picture book encourages everyone to be grateful for what we have and who we have to share it with.

The Secret Elephant by Ellen Rankin

Discover the unbreakable bond between a baby elephant and her keeper in this heartfelt narrative set against the backdrop of World War II. As war looms on the horizon, things are changing at the zoo. Before, screeching monkeys dangled in trees, roaring lions sunbathed on the dusty ground and sniffling meerkats patrolled. But now, people have stopped visiting and there is talk of a great war. As bombs begin to fall and huge blasts echo around the zoo, a baby elephant and her keeper sneak to the safety and comfort of the keeper’s home. Here, they weather out the worst of the war together in secret. But what will happen when their secret is found out? Based on the incredible true story of Denise Weston Austin at Belfast Zoo, this heartfelt narrative of their unlikely bond is brought beautifully to life by exciting debut talent and recent Cambridge MA graduate, Ellan Rankin.

Wolf And Bear by Kate Rolfe (book available to reserve)

A powerful, entertaining story of a playful young wolf trying to help her friend Bear out from under the lonely shadow of sadness which engulfs him. ‘Wolf and Bear’ is a heart-warming tale of hope and resilience that packs a real emotional punch, and offers an authentic launch pad for important conversations with young children around low mood and depression.

Whose Dog Is This? By Andrew Sanders (book available to reserve)

When Albert’s Dad opens the living room door to a scene of total chaos (think: mud-covered sofa, macaroni cheese on the walls), Albert blames it on the dog. The thing is – Albert doesn’t have a dog. But there’s definitely a dog in the living room. Will Albert be able to talk himself out of this very sticky situation?

The Search For The Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage (book available to reserve)

Dr Morley is about to embark on a quest to the northernmost tip of the world, to discover a creature that everyone talks about but nobody has ever seen: the giant Arctic jellyfish. After years of research and hard graft, she gathers together a highly trained crew and a boat full of specialist equipment, and sets sail for the vast icy scapes of the Arctic. Will she find what she is searching for? Or will it find her?

Incredible Jobs You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of by Natalie Labarre (book available to reserve)

Do you know what you want to do when you grow up? Why not work as a babysitter – for sloths? Or become a farmer – of corpses? You might even grow up to be someone who gets paid to actually sleep on the job! From taste testers to dinosaur dusters, there are all kinds of incredible jobs that you’ve probably never heard of – and one of them might be just right for you!

Younger Readers

The School For Thieves by J.J. Arcanjo (book available to reserve)

12-year-old Gabriel is a brilliant pickpocket, a skill which he uses to keep his often empty belly not quite so empty. And then one day, he’s caught. But instead of being arrested, he is invited by the mysterious Caspian Crook to attend Crookhaven – a school for thieves. At Crookhaven, students are trained in lock-picking, forgery and ‘crim-nastics’, all with the intention of doing good out in the world, by conning the bad and giving back to the innocent. But can you ever really trust a thief? With a school wide competition to be crowned Top Crook and many mysteries to uncover, Gabriel’s first year at Crookhaven will be one to remember.

Attack Of The Vampire Sheep by Emily-Jane Clark (book and ebook available to reserve)

Maggie McKay is not happy that her mum has decided to move from their flat in Leicester to a house in Knobbly Bottom (the most boring village ever invented). Knobbly Bottom has got no soft play centres, no toy shops and no horse that her mum had (sort of) promised her. There are just fields, church fetes, and a bunch of boring old sheep! But Maggie soon discovers that Knobbly Bottom is also full of secrets. The sheep are growing fangs, their eyes are turning red, and they’re planning to take over the world. When Mum thinks she’s just making up another silly story, it’s up to Maggie, her little sister Lily and their new friend Fred – with the help of a strange old lady called Nan Helsing and some stinky garlic bread – to save Knobbly Bottom from the attack of the vampire sheep!

Vivi Conway And The Sword Of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones (book available to reserve)

The lake has been calling to twelve-year-old Vivi Conway. On the day she and her Mams will move from Wales to London, she sneaks out to investigate what is calling her there. Instead of a quiet swim, she finds Excalibur (much smaller than she expected), a ferocious monster (much scarier in real life than in her mythology books), a new friend (which she doesn’t want at all) called Dara and a ghostly dog named Gelert (who can talk). Gelert insists that Vivi is part of a magical group of children known as enaids who share the souls of witches from legend and must protect the world from being taken over by the evil King Arawn of the Otherworld. Oh, and now she can magically control water. With a little extra help from spiky Avery and sweet-hearted Chia, Vivi must come to terms with her magical destiny and be brave enough to embrace true friendship.

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln (book and ebook available to reserve)

On the day they are born, each Swift is brought before the sacred Family Dictionary. They are given a name and a definition, and it is assumed they will grow up to match. Unfortunately, Shenanigan Swift has other ideas. So what if her relatives all think she’s destined to turn out as a troublemaker, just because of her name? Shenanigan knows she can be whatever she wants – pirate, explorer or even detective. Which is lucky, really, because when one of the Family tries to murder Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude, someone has to work out whodunit. With the help of her sisters and cousin, Shenanigan grudgingly takes on the case, but more murders, a hidden treasure and an awful lot of suspects make things seriously complicated. Can Shenanigan catch the killer before the whole household is picked off?

My Name Is Sunshine Simpson by G.M. Linton (book available to reserve)

Sunshine Simpson is a young girl seeking adventure – but misadventures seem to have a habit of finding her. With new friend Evie rapidly turning into a worst enemy, a French pen pal to impress, a disastrous home haircut and a stressful school showcase, every day feels like a rainy day. Sunshine’s beloved Grandad has always been there to cheer her up, but as he grows older and quieter every day, Sunshine is forced to accept that their adventures together may be coming to an end. Grandad’s stories have always helped her in the past – can Sunshine find her voice in time to tell her story at the school showcase?

Greenwild by Pari Thomson (book available to reserve)

Daisy Thistledown has recently escaped from boarding school and has a mystery to solve. Her search for her missing mother will lead her across London and through a hidden doorway to another world, bursting with magic: the Greenwild. But all is not well in this astonishing land. Before long Daisy finds herself confronting a dangerous presence that threatens green magic on both sides of the door. Daisy must band together with a botanical genius, a boy who can talk to animals and a cat with an attitude, to channel the power that can revive the Greenwild and find her missing mother – and save her own world too.

Older Readers

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks (book available to reserve)

The Urban Promise Prep School vows to turn boys into men. As students, J.B., Ramon, and Trey, are forced to follow the prestigious ‘program’s’ strict rules. Extreme discipline, they’ve been told, is what it takes to be college bound, to avoid the fates of many men in their neighborhoods. This, the Principal Moore Method, supposedly saves lives. But when Moore ends up murdered and the cops come sniffing around, the trio emerges as the case’s prime suspects. With all three maintaining their innocence, they must band together to track down the real killer before they are arrested. But is the true culprit hiding among them?

What The World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon (book available to reserve)

Maudie and Jake’s family is falling to pieces – their mum’s been struggling with her grief since they lost Dad and one night she vanishes. When Jake is put into care, Maudie can’t take it any more. She comes up with a wild plan to pull their family back together – by kidnapping Jake. On the run in Cornwall, Jake and Maudie each find something they hadn’t expected – freedom and love. But can they find Mum and a way to heal together?

Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald (book and ebook available to reserve)

Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying. The real story is much more interesting. Persephone wasn’t taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld’s annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core. But consequences can be deadly, especially when you’re already in hell.

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis (book and ebook available to reserve)

Rosalyn Quest was raised by a legendary family of thieves with one rule: trust no one. Trapped in a glamorous world of riches and double-crosses, she is about to escape the family business when her parents are kidnapped. Her only chance to save them is to win the Thieves’ Gambit – a deadly competition for the world’s up-and-coming thieves, where the victor is granted one wish. To win, she must outwit all of her backstabbing competitors, including her archnemesis. But can she take victory from the handsome, charming boy who makes a play for her heart? The one who might be hiding the most dangerous secret of all?

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (book available to reserve)

People like me are devils before we are angels. Hanan has always been good and quiet. She accepts her role as her school’s perfect Muslim poster girl. She ignores the racist bullies. A closed mouth is gold – it helps you get home in one piece. Then her friend is murdered and every Muslim is to blame. The world is angry at us again. How can she stay silent while her family is ripped apart? It’s time for Hanan to stop being the quiet, good girl. It’s time for her to stand up and shout.

Friendship Never Ends by Alexandra Sheppard (book available to reserve)

Sunita, Dawn, May and Gifty have been best friends since primary school. They’ve spent every summer together since then, but now, in the summer before Year 10, they are about to be apart for six whole weeks. After a disastrous and embarrassing end-of-term party, they’ve realised they need to use their summer to grow up – fast! As they vow to stay in touch, each of them must learn to reconcile their unique sparks, quirks and passions with the heavy expectations and pressures that come with being a teenage girl. By the time they reunite, they know they’ll be changed by this summer. But will growing up force them apart? Or can they come back closer to each other and their true selves?

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

Branford Boase Longlist 2024

The longlist for the Branford Boase Award has been announced. The prize, which is commemorating it’s 25^th anniversary this year is awarded to first-time children’s authors and their editors in honour of celebrated writer Henrietta Bradford and her esteemed editor Wendy Boase. The longlist contains 25 titles covering a multitude of genres including fantasy and detective stories. The shortlist will be revealed on April 25^th and the winner in July.

Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King, illus Claire Powell, edited by Gráinne Clear (book/ebook available)

Glow Up, Lara Bloom by Dee Benson, edited by Ruth Bennett (book/ebook available)

Gwen and Art are NOT in Love by Lex Croucher, edited by Hannah Sandford (book available)

Finding Phoebe by Gavin Extence, edited by Chloe Sackur (book/ebook available)

Digging for Victory by Cathy Faulkner, edited by Leonie Lock (book/ebook available)

Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher, edited by Emma Matthewson supported by Tia Albert (book/ebook available)

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illus Joe Todd-Stanton, edited by Charlotte Hacking (book available)

How Far We’ve Come by Joyce Efia Harmer, edited by Lucy Pearse (book available)

Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones, edited by Eishar Brar (book available)

The First Move by Jenny Ireland, edited by Ruth Knowles with Sara Jafari (book/ebook available)

The Detention Detectives by Lis Jardine, edited by Katie Sinfield and Millie Lean (book/ebook available)

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan, edited by Eloise Wilson (book/ebook available)

Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore, edited by Ella Whiddett and Ruth Bennett (book/ebook available)

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, illus Claire Powell, edited by Ben Horslen and Julie Strauss-Gabel (book/ebook available)

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud, edited by Sarah Stewart (book available)

The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi, edited by Ali Dougal (book available)

Last Girl In by Cheryl Diane Parkinson, edited by Sonya McGilchrist (book available)

City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, edited by Natalie Doherty and India Chambers (book/ebook available)

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine by Gita Ralleigh, edited by Lauren Atherton (book available)

The Witchstone Ghosts by Emily Randall-Jones, edited by Rachel Leyshon (book/ebook available)

Influential by Amara Sage, edited by Alice Swan (book/ebook available)

Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka by Davina Tijani, illus Adam Douglas-Bagley, edited by Mattie Whitehead and Karelle Tobias (book available)

Greenwild by Pari Thomson, illus Elisa Paganelli, edited by Emma Jones (book available)

The Sleeping Stones by Beatrice Wallbank, edited by Janet Thomas and Rebecca F. John (book/ebook available)

Never Trust a Gemini by Freja Nicole Woolf, edited by Non Pratt (book/ebook available)

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

Bookstart Baby Packs for children aged 0-12 months

BookTrust want every child to have the good start in life that reading brings. Their programmes reach the families of every child across the country with books, resources, support and guidance. These books and resources are delivered via health teams, libraries, children’s centres and early years practitioners and are supported with guidance to encourage the reading habit.

Bookstart Baby is a universal book gifting programme in England and Wales provided by BookTrust. Every child aged 0-12 months is eligible for a free pack of books and resources designed to support and encourage families to read with their child as early as possible. Bookstart Baby is gifted by libraries, health professionals and children’s centres in Wokingham.

During February and March we will be holding gifting sessions for those people who have not yet received their Bookstart Baby pack to come and collect their pack. We will also have information on other services available to families with children under 5 that are available in Wokingham Borough.

Finchampstead Library	Friday 2 February	11.30am to 12.30pm
Arborfield Library	Monday 5 February	11.30am to 12.30pm
Wokingham Library	Thursday 8 February	11.30am to 12.30pm
Twyford Library	Tuesday 20 February	11.30am to 12.30pm
Woodley Library	Wednesday 28 February	11am to 12 noon
Lower Earley Library	Tuesday 12 March	11am to 12 noon

Inclusive Books for Children Awards

The longlists for the Inclusive Books for Children Awards have been revealed. This new award showcases the best books that demonstrate inclusivity in the categories of Picture Books and Children’s Fiction.

Picture Books

Speak Up! By Nathan Bryon (book/ebook available)

Bookworm Rocket loves to collect new books on her weekly visit to the library, and to read all about inspirational figures like Rosa Parks. She is heartbroken when she discovers the library will be closing down! Can she use what she’s learnt from Rosa and speak up to save the day?

You’re So Amazing by James Catchpole (book/ebook available)

One-legged Joe is ‘amazing’. He knows this because wherever he goes people always tell him he’s amazing. Amazing for sliding down the slide, for kicking a ball – even walking to get an ice cream, or even just eating an ice cream. Of course, being Amazing Joe is better than being Poor Joe.

Lost In The City by Alice Courtley (book available)

Maya loves her small perfect family – it’s just her, Gran and their little kitten Sammy in their perfect peaceful house. So when Gran announces they’re going on a big adventure to the city, Maya is scared – she’s too small for the city, surely? And what about Sammy? When they arrive amongst the towering grey buildings, Maya discovers that Sammy has followed them! And when he escapes, Maya must face her fears and look after him.

My Brother Is An Avocado by Tracy Darnton (book available)

It’s hard to wait for a new baby to join the family, especially when it’s still growing inside Mum’s tummy. But when Dad describes the size of the baby at each stage, one little girl imagines, while she waits, all the fun she can have with her baby brother as a teeny-tiny poppy seed, then a grape, then a lemon. But she’s not quite sure how she feels about having an avocado for a brother. Or an onion. Or – gulp – a watermelon! This joyful picture book playfully explores the loooong waiting game for a much-anticipated new sibling – with an adorable twist at the end.

Stop! That’s Not My Story by Smriti Halls (book/ebook available)

A girl opens up a book looking for the story that’s perfect for HER and tumbles inside. But Goldilocks is not her story, and Jack and the Beanstalk is not her story and Little Red Riding Hood is not her story. There’s only one thing for it: she’s going to have to write her own story – and the hero will be HER.

The Pet Potato by Josh Lacey (book available)

Albert is so desperate to get a pet, he’ll take anything – a cat, a dog, giraffe – he’s not fussy, so he’s super excited when Dad finally brings a pet home. There’s just one problem: it’s a potato. Potatoes can’t do anything a proper pet does – can they?!

To The Other Side by Erika Meza (book available)

A young boy and his older sister have left home to play a game. To win, she tells him, they must travel across endless lands together and make it to the finish line. Children they meet along the way imagine what might be waiting for them across the border: A spotted dog? Ice cream! Or maybe a new school. But the journey is difficult, and the monsters are more real than they imagined. And when it no longer feels like a game, the two children must still find a way to forge ahead, and reach the other side. This is a symbolic and emotionally rich picture book about the spirit and strength it takes to leave your home behind.

Faruq And The Wiri Wiri by Sophia Payne (book available)

There is not a better smell in the world than Ajee’s Cook-up rice. The kitchen fills with the smell of coconut, garlic and spices. Faruq loves his grandmother Ajee, and he loves her cooking. In fact, Faruq would like to cook too – he wants to be a chef, but Ajee says he has to be a doctor like his father. But one day when Ajee is too ill to make the family feast, with the help of his neighbour Mrs Joseph, Faruq picks some hot wiri wiri chilli peppers and cooks up a banquet. Preparing food for his family fills Faruq’s heart with love – and sets a different course for his future. This sumptuous story celebrates Caribbean culture and food through Sophia Payne’s distinct voice that is reflective of her Indo-Guyanese heritage and is brought to life by Sandhya Prabhat’s beautiful artwork. It also includes a recipe for Guyanese Lime cookies for you to try at home!

Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande (book available)

Discover that bereavement can be a beginning, not an ending, in this beautiful story of one boy’s grief when he loses his beloved grandfather. Dadaji loves to teach others to paint, especially his grandson. But after Dadaji passes away, the boy can’t bear to use the favourite paintbrush his grandfather left for him. When a little girl knocks on the door, the boy discovers how many lives Dadaji touched with his art, and finds a way to continue his legacy.

The Missing Piece by Jordan Stephens (book/ebook available)

Sunny loves jigsaw puzzles – the bigger the better. When she completes one, she gets a warm, happy honeybee buzz. One day, her Gran gives her a ONE-THOUSAND-PIECE puzzle. Piece after piece, all by herself, she puts together the picture, until – DISASTER! The final piece is missing. Sunny may be small, but she is very determined – so she sets off to find it. As the day whizzes by in a whirl of new places and friends, Sunny discovers that looking for something is every bit as fun as finding it, and that perhaps the missing piece was there all along.

Children’s Fiction

The Best Princess by Kirsty Applebaum (book available)

Princess Minna’s mirror ALWAYS tells her that she’s the best princess of all, so she’s SHOCKED when one day it says that PRINCESS SKY-BLUE is the best! Princess Minna sets out to put things right again but learns instead that being a BEST FRIEND is far better!

Too Small Tola Makes It Count by Atinuke (book/ebook available)

Tola may be small, but she’s very determined! Lockdown is over and Too Small Tola has returned to the crowded family flat in Lagos, Nigeria. Even though she is back home and safe, there are still plenty of problems for Tola to solve – including her own. She may be small, but she is also thoughtful and kind and clever – and there really is no problem too big for Too Small Tola.

The Dragons Of Emerald Yard by Robin Birch (book/ebook available)

Aisha and Jayden are officially members of the Secret Beast Club and ready for another mission! This time a dragon is on the loose in Birmingham and about to cause havoc – unless the Secret Beast Club can track him down! But with a dragon hunter also on the trail, it’s a race against time to find the dragon and get him to safety!

Budgie by Joseph Coelho (book/ebook available)

Mr Buxton is always having a go at Miles and his friends for climbing the trees outside their tower block. Miles thinks he’s just a grumpy old man but when he finds a lost little budgie, Miles also discovers that he and Mr Buxton have more in common than he could ever have imagined.

Marv And The Killer Plants by Alex Falase-Koya (book available)

Marvin and his school friends are tending to the school garden when supervillain Violet Vine appears and uses her powers to make the plants grow out of control. Before long, the garden and school are covered in snaking vines, and kid-eating Venus flytraps! It’s time for Marvin to swap his gardening gloves for his superhero suit and become Marv – unstoppable, invincible, and totally MARVellous! Only then can Marv get the garden, and Violet Vine, under control.

The Cookie Culprit by Zanib Mian (book available)

Maysa Malik just can’t seem to be good like her twin, Musa. So, when she isn’t allowed to go on a school trip, Maysa tries to change her parents’ minds by taking part in a cookie competition at the mosque. But when the cookies are all destroyed, it’s up to Maysa, Musa and their neighbour, Norman, to solve the mystery. They’ll have to put their detective hats on to catch the culprit – and help save Maysa’s reputation.

The Mystery Of The Lost Chicken by Megan Rix (book available)

Lizzie and Lucky are visiting the Five Freedoms Sanctuary. It’s a lovely place for all sorts of rescued animals.When a local farmer announces some terrible plans for his land that could endanger the surrounding wildlife, our dynamic duo know they must investigate the case. But how can they put their detective skills to stop him? There must be something they can do! While looking for clues, Lizzie spots some strange footprints and an unusual green creature that stands out from the rest! But what is it, and where did it come from? Could it be the key to saving the day?

Off To India by Chitra Soundar (book available)

Nikhil, Jay, Amma and Appa are off to India for the Christmas holidays to visit Chennai Granny and Grandad. In Grandad’s garden they are excited to see parrots and Chennai squirrels, a mango tree and a coconut tree. One day they go to the beach, play in the big waves and eat Granny’s Indian savoury snacks. The boys have their first Chennai Christmas, with mango-leaf decorations, Indian sweets for Father Christmas, a basket of beautiful Indian wooden toys – and a special Christmas star. And last but not least, the family see in the New Year the Indian way. They make a Welcome poster, Granny lights a lamp at midnight and they all eat Granny’s delicious Kesala as an Indian New Year treat.

Sona Sharma, Wish Me Luck by Chitra Soundar (book/ebook available)

Sona and her friends are excited to learn their beloved teacher, Miss Rao, is getting married – but then they panic that she might leave their school for ever after her wedding! They try all kinds of tactics, like wishing on a peacock feather and even starting a petition to keep Miss Rao. But Miss Rao’s beautiful Indian wedding has a surprise in store for the girls.

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

The Nero Book Awards 2023

The newly formed Nero Book Awards cover fiction, debut fiction, non-fiction and children’s fiction. The winner of each category will be announced in January and will receive £5,000. The overall winner of the Nero Gold prize, announced in February, will receive an additional £30,000. 

Fiction

Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell (book/ebook available)

Isolated from society, Emily Bronte and her siblings spend their days inventing elaborate fictional realms or roaming the wild moors above their family home in Yorkshire. When the time comes for them to venture out into the world to earn a living, each of them struggles to adapt, but for Emily the change is catastrophic. Torn from the landscape to which she has become so passionately bound, she is simply unable to function. To the outside world, Emily Bronte appears taciturn and unexceptional, but beneath the surface her mind is in a creative ferment. A violent phenomenon is about to burst forth that will fuse her imaginary world with the landscape of her beloved Yorkshire and change the literary world forever.

Ordinary Human Failings: a novel by Megan Nolan (book/ebook available)

It’s 1990 in London and Tom Hargreaves has it all – a burgeoning career as a reporter, fierce ambition and a brisk disregard for the ‘peasants’ – ordinary people, his readers, easy tabloid fodder. His star looks set to rise when he stumbles across a scoop – a dead child on a London estate, grieving parents loved across the neighbourhood, and the finger of suspicion pointing at one reclusive family of Irish immigrants and ‘bad apples’ – the Greens. At their heart sits Carmel – beautiful, otherworldly, broken, and once destined for a future beyond her circumstances until life – and love – got in her way. Crushed by failure and surrounded by disappointment, there’s no chance of escape. Now, with the police closing in on a suspect and the tabloids hunting their monster, she must confront the secrets and silences that have trapped her family for so many generations.

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (book available)

The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie’s once-lucrative car business is going under – but rather than face the music, he’s spending his days in the woods, building an apocalypse-proof bunker with a renegade handyman. His wife Imelda is selling off her jewellery on eBay while their teenage daughter Cass, formerly top of her class, seems determined to binge-drink her way to her final exams. And twelve-year-old PJ is putting the final touches to his grand plan to run away from home. Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favour to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil – can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of a life? And if the story has already been written – is there still time to find a happy ending?

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (book available)

Five years ago, Mira Bunting founded a guerrilla gardening group: Birnam Wood. An undeclared, unregulated, sometimes-criminal, sometimes-philanthropic gathering of friends, this activist collective plants crops wherever no one will notice, on the sides of roads, in forgotten parks, and neglected backyards. For years, the group has struggled to break even. Then Mira stumbles on an answer, a way to finally set the group up for the long term: a landslide has closed the Korowai Pass, cutting off the town of Thorndike. Natural disaster has created an opportunity, but Mira is not the only one interested in Thorndike.

Debut Fiction

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth (book/ebook available)

It’s the early 1990s, and in the Irish village of Crossmore, Lucy feels out of place. Despite her fierce friendships, she’s always felt this way, and the conventional path of marriage and motherhood doesn’t appeal to her at all. Not even with handsome and doting Martin, her closest childhood friend. During a long hot summer, a spark with her school friend Susannah escalates to an all-consuming infatuation, and, very quickly, to a desperate and devastating love. With the end of school and the opportunity to leave Crossmore looming, Lucy must choose between two places, two people and two futures, each as terrifying as the other.

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa by Stephen Buoro (book available)

Fifteen-year-old Andrew Aziza lives in Kontagora, Nigeria, where his days are spent about town with his droogs, Slim and Morocca, grappling with his fantasies about white girls – especially blondes – and wondering who his father is. When he’s not in church, at school or attempting to form ‘Africa’s first superheroes’, he obsesses over mathematical theorems, ideas of black power and HXVX: the Curse of Africa. Sure enough, the reluctantly nicknamed ‘Andy Africa’ soon falls hopelessly and inappropriately in love with the first white girl he lays eyes on, Eileen. But at the church party held to celebrate her arrival, multiple crises loom. An unfamiliar man claims, despite his mother’s denials, to be Andy’s father, and the gathering of an anti-Christian mob is headed for the church – both set to shake the foundations of everything Andy knows and loves.

Close to Home by Michael Magee (book/ebook available)

Sean’s brother Anthony is a hard man. When they were kids their ma did her best to keep him out of trouble but you can’t say anything to Anto. Sean was supposed to be different. He was supposed to leave and never come back. But Sean does come back. Arriving home after university, he finds Anthony’s drinking is worse than ever. Meanwhile the jobs in Belfast have vanished, Sean’s degree isn’t worth the paper it’s written on and no one will give him the time of day. One night he loses control and assaults a stranger at a party, and everything is tipped into chaos.

The New Life by Tom Crewe (book/ebook available)

John Addington is married to Catherine, but has spent his life trying to navigate his desires for men. Now there is Frank, the working-class printer he meets at the Serpentine swimming lake. Henry Ellis is married to Edith, but she has fallen in love with Angelica, who wants Edith all for herself. These two Victorian marriages, each an unexpected love triangle, are stalked by guilt and shame. But they are also in the vanguard of new ideas for social equality, women’s rights and relationships which break convention. ‘The New Life’ explores the possibilities of love and life, set against the riveting backdrop of the Oscar Wilde trial.

Non-Fiction

The Tidal Year by Freya Bromley (book available)

Freya is still searching. For four years, she’s been looking for a way to fill the empty space her brother’s death left behind. Ready for another distraction, Freya decides to swim every tidal pool in Britain in a year with her friend Miri. The adventure takes them from a pool hidden in the cliffs of fishing-village Polperro to the quarry lagoon of Abereiddi via Trinkie Wick where locals meet each year to give the pool wall a fresh lick of paint. As Freya travels further from London, she finds herself closer to memories of her brother. With every swim, and every stranger they meet in the water, the challenge becomes more than just a way to explore the coast, but a journey of self-discovery. ‘The Tidal Year’ is a true story about the healing power of wild swimming and the space it creates for reflection, rewilding, and hope.

Undercurrent: a Cornish memoir of poverty, nature and resilience by Natasha Carthew (book available)

Natasha Carthew grew up in rural poverty in Cornwall, battling limited opportunities, precarious resources, escalating property prices, isolation and a community marked by the ravages of inequality. Her world existed alongside the postcard picture Cornwall, where wealth and privilege converged on sandy beaches and expensive second homes. In the rockpools and hedgerows of the natural world, Natasha found solace in the beauty of the landscape, and in the mobile library she found her means of escape. In this book she returns to the cliff-paths of her childhood, determined to make sense of an upbringing shaped by political neglect and a life defined by the beauty of nature. ‘Undercurrent’ is part-memoir, part-investigation, part love-letter to Cornwall.

Hags: the demonisation of middle-aged women by Victoria Dutchman-Smith (book available)

What is about about women in their forties and beyond that seems to enrage – almost everyone? In the last few years, as identity politics has taken hold, middle-aged women have found themselves talked and written about as morally inferior beings, the face of bigotry, entitlement and selfishness, to be ignored, pitied or abused. ‘Hags’ asks the question why these women are treated with such active disdain. Each chapter takes a different theme – care work, beauty, violence, political organization, sex – and explores it in relation to middle-aged women’s beliefs, bodies and choices. Victoria Smith traces the attitudes she describes back to the same anxieties about older women that drove early modern witch hunts, and explores the very specific reasons why this type of misogyny is so powerful today.

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady (book available)

This is a book about how being a woman gets in the way of people’s expectation of what autism should look like and, equally, how being autistic gets in the way of people’s expectations of what a woman should look like. ‘Strong Female Character’ is a game-changing memoir on sexism and neurodiversity. Fern Brady will use her voice as a neurodivergent, working-class woman from Scotland to bring issues such as sex work, abusive relationships and her time spent in teenage mental health units to the page. It will take a sledgehammer to the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope which is mistakenly applied to neurodiverse women. It will also look at how her lack of regard for social expectations ultimately meant she surpassed any limitations of what a Scottish working-class woman can do.

Children’s Fiction

Gwen & Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher (book available)

Gwen, the quick-witted Princess of England, and Arthur, future duke and general gadabout, have been betrothed since birth. Unfortunately, the only thing they can agree on is that they hate each other. When Gwen catches Art kissing a boy and Art discovers where Gwen hides her diary (complete with racy entries about Bridget Leclair, the kingdom’s only female knight), they become reluctant allies. By pretending to fall for each other, their mutual protection will be assured. But how long can they keep up the ruse? With Gwen growing closer to Bridget, and Art becoming unaccountably fond of Gabriel, Gwen’s infuriatingly serious, bookish brother, the path to true love is looking far from straight.

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn (book/ebook available)

Blumwald is a town overshadowed by an ancient curse: in a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a monstrous Witch. Once a generation, she comes to claim a companion to return with her – never to be seen again. Now that time is drawing near once more, Mina, daughter of the duke, is grieving and lonely. She has lost all hope of any future for herself in Blumwald. So when the Witch demands her next companion, Mina offers herself up – though she has no idea what fate awaits her. Stranded with her darkly alluring captor, the mystery of what happened to the previous companions draws Mina into the heart of a terrifying secret that could save her life, or end it.

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay (book/ebook available)

The year is 1904. Luki has lived a tribal life in the mountains of the Philippines. Now she’s growing up, she is expected to become a wife and a mother, but Luki isn’t ready to give up her dream to become a warrior. When her tribe are offered a journey to America to be part of the St. Louis World’s Fair, Luki will discover that the land of opportunity does not share its possibilities equally.

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln (book/ebook available)

On the day they are born, each Swift is brought before the sacred Family Dictionary. They are given a name and a definition, and it is assumed they will grow up to match. Unfortunately, Shenanigan Swift has other ideas. So what if her relatives all think she’s destined to turn out as a troublemaker, just because of her name? Shenanigan knows she can be whatever she wants – pirate, explorer or even detective. Which is lucky, really, because when one of the Family tries to murder Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude, someone has to work out whodunit. With the help of her sisters and cousin, Shenanigan grudgingly takes on the case, but more murders, a hidden treasure and an awful lot of suspects make things seriously complicated. Can Shenanigan catch the killer before the whole household is picked off?

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

National Non-Fiction November

National Non-Fiction November is the Federation of Children’s Book Groups’ annual celebration of all things factual. It aims to celebrate all the readers who have a passion for information and facts. This year’s theme is “wonderful water” and a booklist has been created of some great watery titles to inspire you!

these 4 books all available to reserve

all books available to reserve except Oceanarium. Can you get rainbows in space also available as an ebook

all available to reserve as books apart from Seashells and Beachcombing for Kids which is available as an ebook

all available to reserve apart from Mind Mappers. Blue Planet II, Mission Arctic and Wild Child also available as ebooks

Caring Conservationists who are Changing our Planet, The Wonderful World of Water, and Water: Protect Freshwater to Save Life on Earth available to reserve

these 4 books all available to reserve, and Swim, Shark, Swim! also available as an ebook

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library service webpage https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services

Royal Society Science Book Prize

Since 1988, the Royal Society has celebrated outstanding popular science writing and authors. This year’s shortlist has just been announced. The winner will be announced at a special award ceremony in the Autumn.

An immense world by Ed Yong  (book and ebook available) 

In ‘An Immense World’, author and acclaimed science journalist Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, allowing us to perceive the skeins of scent, waves of electromagnetism, and pulses of pressure that surround us. Because in order to understand our world we don’t need to travel to other places; we need to see through other eyes.

Breathless by David Quammen (book available)

‘Breathless’ is the story of the worldwide scientific quest to decipher the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, trace its source, and make possible the vaccines to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Here is the story of SARS-CoV-2 and its fierce journey through the human population, as seen by the scientists who studied its origin, its ever-changing nature, and its capacity to kill us. David Quammen expertly shows how strange new viruses emerge from animals into humans as we disrupt wild ecosystems, and how those viruses adapt to their human hosts, sometimes causing global catastrophe.

Jellyfish age backless by Nicklas Brendborg (book available)

Humanity has always been obsessed with the concept of immortality and the secrets to longevity have largely remained a mystery – until scientists begun looking to nature for answers. Molecular biologist Nicklas Brendborg takes us on a journey from farthest reaches of the globe to the most cutting-edge research as he explores what nature has to teach us about aging. We meet jellyfish who display reverse aging; the Greenland shark who is older than America; naked mole-rats and lobsters who are virtually ageless; redwoods that survive thousands of years; and in the soil of Easter Island, the key to eternal youth.

Nuts and bolts: seven small inventions that changed the world (in a big way) by Roma Agrawal (book available)

Smartphones, skyscrapers, spacecraft. Modern technology seems mind-bogglingly complex. But beneath the surface, it can be beautifully simple. In ‘Nuts and Bolts’, award-winning engineer and broadcaster Roma Agrawal deconstructs our most complex feats of engineering into seven fundamental inventions: the nail, spring, wheel, lens, magnet, string and pump. Each of these objects is itself a wonder of design, the result of many iterations and refinements. Together, they have enabled humanity to see the invisible, build the spectacular, communicate across vast distances, and even escape our planet.

Taking flight by Lev Parikian    (book and ebook available)

A celebration of the miraculous phenomenon of flight through 14 species and across millions of years – from pterosaurs to dragonflies, butterflies to albatross.

The exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the fight for women in science by Kate Zernike (book available)

The story of how a group of determined, brilliant women used the power of the collective and the tools of science to inspire ongoing radical change. It shows that real power is collective power and that speaking up and allying yourself with likeminded others is one of the key pathways to change. This is a triumphant story – real progress has been made – and yet the problems persist. Kate Zernike tells us why.

For information on reserving books/ebooks please visit our library services web page https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services