Junior/middle fiction
THE FIRE STALLION by Stacy Gregg, HarperCollins
Hilly, 13, lands a dream job of stunt double in a movie about teenage warrior Brunhilda in Iceland. One night she connects to Brunhilda through a shape-shifting fire ritual and as their lives intertwine, Hilly is determined this spirited girl’s true story should be told. A thrilling novel about horses, Viking mythology, fierce sibling rivalry and strong-willed girls. For ages 9+.
THE ICE MONSTER by David Walliams, HarperCollins
A chance encounter between orphan Elsie and a 10,000-year-old woolly mammoth from the North Pole sparks the start of a wild and wacky adventure that takes these unlikely friends from London to the Arctic. Walliams’ 11th novel for ages 9 to 13 is set in Victorian times and includes cameo roles from the Chelsea Pensioners and Queen Vic herself.
LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo, Walker
Louisiana’s eccentric Granny hustles her from home in the middle of the night and they end up in a motel in a small Georgia town. With no money and separated from her best friends, Louisiana plots to find a way home, but then Granny disappears, leaving a note that says the past is all a lie. This charming, sometimes heartbreaking, story is for ages 9 to 12.
THE MAPMAKERS’ RACE by Eirlys Hunter, Gecko Press
Five intrepid kids and their parrot (called Carrot) enter a race to map the best railway route through the mountains and win a bag of golden guineas for their impoverished family. Pulling together, they must survive 28 days in the wilderness, surrounded by danger and treacherous adult teams desperate to win. A pacy adventure for ages 6 to 12.
WUNDERSMITH: THE CALLING OF MORRIGAN CROW by Jessica Townsend, Hachette
In the fantastical sequel to Nevermoor, Morrigan Crow has beaten her curse and is now part of Nevermoor’s prestigious Wundrous Society. But hopes of happiness are dashed when friends are turned against her and people disappear. She needs all her skills to prevent the “wunderful” city being overrun by fear and suspicion. Ages 9+.