Selects the best titles for teenagers this Christmas
Mistletoe and Murder: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery Robin Stevens (Puffin, £6.99) The brilliant fifth instalment from the award-winning author of the ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ series sees beloved teen detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong in snowy Cambridge for the holiday. When there’s a murder three days before Christmas, the Detective Society must use all its cunning and courage to find the killer. Festive, fun and full of mystery.
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Egmont, £7.99) This much-anticipated sequel to the popular Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is the fourth collaboration from bestselling authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. When her grandfather falls ill, Lily appears to fall out of love with life, shying away from friends and festive cheer. With 12 days to go until Christmas, her boyfriend Dash hatches a heartwarming plan to kickstart Lily’s Christmas spirit.
The Sun is Also a Star
Nicola Yoon (Random House Children’s, £15.46) Nicola Yoon’s 2015 debut Everything, Everything was a New York Times Bestseller and is soon to be filmed, so it’s no wonder that her new book has been eagerly awaited by her legion of fans. It tells the story of two teenagers, Daniel and Natasha, who meet by chance on a crowded New York street and, despite their differences and several obstacles, they fall in love. A moving novel that explores fate, identity and the science of love.
…And A Happy New Year?
Holly Bourne (Usborne, £9.99) The perfect end to the ‘Spinster Club’ series, Holly Bourne’s novella reunites Evie, Amber and Lottie, who have plenty to catch up on after months apart. Amber is planning to move to America, Lottie is keeping secrets about her university experience and Evie is struggling to balance a relationship and her OCD. From feminism to friendship, this Spinster Club Special is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, tough truths and surprising revelations. including Lauren St John, Emma Carroll, Katherine Woodfine and Abi Elphinstone. This magical collection of winter stories features snow queens, time travellers, dragons and witches and is a charming gift for teenage readers of all abilities.
Chasing The Stars
Malorie Blackman (Random House Children’s, £10.99) The former Children’s Laureate offers a bold retelling of Shakespeare’s Othello set in space. After a deadly virus wipes out their family and crew, Olivia and her twin brother head back to Earth, facing a lonely existence until their lives collide with space refugee Nathan and everything changes. Entwining betrayal, love and space adventure, this is a gripping page-turner, full of suspense.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay J. K. Rowling (Little, Brown Book Group, £16.99) Magizoologist Newt Scamander finds himself in a spot of bother when he arrives in New York and
Katy Birchall is the author of ‘The It Girl’ teen-comedy series. The third book in the series, ‘Don’t Tell the Bridesmaid’, will be out on January 12, 2017 (Egmont, £6.99)