Familjen 9-12 år

A million copies sold‘With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering.Cuz tonight I'm delivering’12-year-old Josh and his twin Jordan have basketball in their blood. They’re kings of the court, star players for their school team. Their father used to be a champion player and they each want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps.Both on and off the court, there is conflict and hardship which will test Josh’s bond with his brother. In this heartfelt novel in verse, the boys find that life doesn’t come with a play-book and it's not all about winning.

The essential 10-step guide for children whose parents are splitting up, containing expert insight and practical tips from child psychologist, Angharad Rudkin, and co-written by children's author Ruth Fitzgerald.Finding out that your parents are splitting up can feel scary and upsetting. It can also be hard to know who you can talk to about it. But you are NOT alone.Psychologist Angharad Rudkin is here to guide you on this journey with 10 simple steps that will help you to feel calmer, stronger, confident and more positive about the future. From acceptance and resilience, to communication and compassion towards other people, this book will help you tackle the tricky situations that a divorce can bring, and answer some of the questions going through your head.With practical and positive tips, this book will show you that change is a tough journey, but with the right survival kit, you will reach a happier destination!

A first children’s title from a prize-winning poet and author of adult books. A novel exploring a young boy’s grief, set against a colourful background of surfing.Eleven-year-old Billy's mother has just died. Billy's father isn't coping too well so Billy goes to stay with his dull Auntie Mary. The death of his mother has taken all the colour away from Billy's world. He sees his Auntie Mary as a grey person, whose dull blue house is shrouded in fog. Billy feels foggy and dull, too, and longs for the colour to return to his life. His mother was a well-known surfer – Kitten Brown – and the author has woven into this novel the buzzing vibes of the surfing world. Waves, movement, colour, VW combis, Cornwall, surfing songs – described through Billy's dreams as he sleeps away his grief. For though Billy's mother is dead, her joyful personality pervades the whole story as Billy, Auntie Mary and Billy's dad all attempt to deal with their grief. The author confronts the themes of loss and change in a most vibrant and original way. Her writing is sensual – colour, taste, smell, touch and sound all leap from the page. She shows how different people handle loss and change differently, and how they learn to relate to each other in new ways.The author's writing style is simple, sparse yet poetic, reminiscent of David Almond and Berlie Doherty.

From the author of STARGIRL, a powerful novel of a young boy who is like all kids, yet unlike all kids. Loser is unique, a one-off, a touching and powerful book about the pull of individuality over the need to fit in…Donald Zinkoff has a problem. And it isn't just his name. Though, having a name beginning with Z does cause him lots of problems, not least making him last to be called for everything. Donald's main problem is his happiness; his enthusiasm – particularly for school where he arrives early every day. His happiness leads to laughter – loud laughter. It sometimes gets him into trouble at school. It sometimes gives people the wrong impression. His classmates think he is bonkers, a bit of a problem, a loser. But Donald is blissfully unaware of this. He thinks when they cheer and jeer him, that they like him. He thinks when they don't pick him for their team, oh well, maybe tomorrow. Donald is the eternal optimist – a delight. Throughout his school life there are people that recognize his individuality and admire him; two of his teachers; the old lady he 'delivers' mail too; Claudia, the little girl who lives down the road, always on a harness, in case she runs away; The Waiting Man – still waiting after thirty years for his son to return from Vietnam. And most of all, his parents, and sister, Polly, who love him to bits and will always be there to support him.The novel offers snapshots of Donald's life as he progresses through his first year in school, to his graduation to High School. It is warm, witty and wonderful and has the reader reaching for a hanky and shouting 'Go, Donald, go!' simultaneously. With some of his finest writing to date, Jerry Spinelli uses wit and emotion to create this unique novel about a unique person. As with Stargirl and Wringer, the author writes about the power of individuality over the need to fit in; the importance of attitudes to failure and how any name can ultimately be replaced with 'hero'.

Nine-year-old Alice must write about herself for a school assignment, and in doing so, she sorts out her feelings about her somewhat prickly single mother, the father she has never met, her flamboyant paternal grandmother and the rest of her sometimes confusing life.Alice doesn’t see how she can write her life story as a class assignment.. How can she fit nine years into a couple of pages? Her pets have died and the only family she has is her mother. Until recently she had a beloved interfering grandmother – Gene – but she’s gone from Alice’s life. Besides, Alice discovered ages ago she was born by accident, and that’s the sort of private thing you don’t write about for school. Alice does the assignment but she thinks it’s boring, until she discovers a need to write about her true life – the exciting, complicated and private of her life. She writes how Gene came along, how she changed Alice’s life, making it richer in experience but also more complicated. She records ongoing quarrels between Gene and her mother which ended with the Big Row and now she can’t see Gene any more.Lynne Reid Banks has written a truly compelling story of a creative child caught in the middle of a difficult but very real and increasingly common situation.

The fifth gloriously funny and poignant book in Jean Ure’s series of ‘secret’ diary stories.Lily and Violet are twins – physically identical but quite opposite in character. Lily is brash, up-front and in your face. Lily Loudmouth, her dad calls her. Violet is timid and shy. She lives very much in Lily’s shadow – a shrinking violet.Finding it difficult to make friends, Violet finds the perfect solution in Katie, her new pen pal. Soon the two are writing at a fast and furious pace and become very attached to each other. That is, until Katie suggests that they meet…

A humorous, poignant and heartwarming story of four girls and their exasperating parents. Reissued in the Jean Ure branding.“People always fall out after they’re married. I’m going to stay single.”Jasmine, Laurel, Rose and Daisy. Four very different sisters, four very different attitudes! As if living with each other wasn’t bad enough, living with their parents is worse – particularly parents who are both actors. Please!But after the Great Row, the girls find themselves living with Mum, while Dad has gone to America to find work. How are the sisters going to achieve their own personal ambitions: become an actress, model, writer, vet… when they can’t even achieve their joint ambition – to reunite parents who are on different continents?

Bright and bubbly young starlet Ruby Parker heads for Hollywood in the third book in this lively new series – a must for star-struck girls!Ruby's mum is now going out with Hollywood superstar Jeremy Fort! And when he invites her and Ruby to stay at his mansion over Christmas, Ruby is over the moon. This could be the chance of a lifetime for her acting career. Could her dreams come true in Hollywood?

Bright and bubbly young starlet Ruby Parker heads for Hollywood in the third book in this lively series – a must for star-struck girls!Ruby's mum is now going out with Hollywood superstar Jeremy Fort! And when he invites her and Ruby to stay at his mansion over Christmas, Ruby is over the moon. This could be the chance of a lifetime for her acting career. Could her dreams come true in Hollywood?

One of the brilliant titles in Jean Ure’s acclaimed series of humorous, delightful and poignant stories written in the form of diaries and letters which make them immediately accessible to children.Megan and Annie are bright twelve-year-old girls, who are desperate to meet their favourite author, Harriet Chance. When Annie makes contact with Harriet `s daughter via an Internet chat room, the girls are ecstatic. Lori helps them to arrange a secret meeting with Harriet, and the girls congratulate themselves on being so clever. But when they meet the author she’s a bit strange. Why does Megan seem to know more about the author than she does herself? Why does Harriet seem so edgy? Is this really their favourite author, or are the girls in real trouble…?Jean Ure’s diary series includes: Passion Flower, Pumpkin Pie, Shrinking Violet, Skinny Melon and Me, The Secret Life of Sally Tomato, Becky Bananas, This is Your Life! and Fruit and Nutcase

The beautifully repackaged eighth title in Jean Ure’s acclaimed series of humorous and poignant stories, about making wishes come true."I'm your fairy godmother!" Annie sprang off the bed and did a little twirl. "I'm the one who makes you dreams come true!"Annie's arranged an amazing birthday present for her best friend, Megan. She's surfed the Net, made the contacts, and it's all sorted! Now all they need to do is to escape from Annie's bossy older sister, because a secret meeting wouldn't be the same if it wasn't, well secret…

One of the brilliant titles in Jean Ure’s acclaimed series of humorous, delightful and poignant stories written in the form of diaries and letters which make them immediately accessible to children.Lily and Violet are twins – physically identical but quite opposite in character. Lily is brash, up-front and in your face. Lily Loudmouth, her dad calls her. Violet is timid and shy. She lives very much in Lily’s shadow – a shrinking violet.Finding it difficult to make friends, Violet finds the perfect solution in Katie, her new pen pal. Soon the two are writing at a fast and furious pace and become very attached to each other. That is, until Katie suggests that they meet…

A humorous, poignant and heartwarming story of four girls and their exasperating parents, from the Queen of Tween, Jean Ure.“People always fall out after they’re married. I’m going to stay single.”Jasmine, Laurel, Rose and Daisy. Four very different sisters, four very different attitudes! As if living with each other wasn’t bad enough, living with their parents is worse – particularly parents who are both actors. Please!But after the Great Row, the girls find themselves living with Mum, while Dad has gone to America to find work. How are the sisters going to achieve their own personal ambitions: become an actress, model, writer, vet… when they can’t even achieve their joint ambition – to reunite parents who are on different continents?

A young boy’s relationship with his struggling dad is strained when he is forced to choose between playing football and quality time in this sensitively told story from award-winning writer Tony Bradman. Daniel had a hard time when his parents split up and his dad started working abroad. He had to move and start at a new school, but things changed for the better when he started playing football for the Haybrook Rockets. This season the team are in with a chance of winning the Championship, but just as things are looking up for Daniel his dad comes back and the only time he can meet up is a Saturday morning – when Daniel plays football. He doesn’t want to let his dad or his team down, so what is Daniel going to do? Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

'I don't think my mum's fit to be a parent, really I don't.'How would you feel if your mother had royal-blue hair and wore lavender fishnet tights? But Minna's whole family (including her mum's punk boyfriend, Crusher Maggot) is a bit unusual. Being the only sensible one is not easy for Minna...

Indigo Blue by Cathy Cassidy is a powerful, tender novel for girls aged 9+'I need a seriously brilliant daydream . . . because everything is far from OK . . .'When Indigo's mum announces that they're moving - just Indie, Mum and baby Misti - Indie doesn't understand. Why the hurry? Where are they going? Will her best friend, Jo, still be there for her?In a dingy old flat with a grumpy neighbour, no heating and only biscuits to eat, Indie begins to realize that her mum's got a reason for running away - a secret no one can admit . . .Will Indigo choose her family or her friends?'Touching, tender and unforgettable' - Guardian'Cassidy's characters have real heart' - Sunday Telegraph'Cathy Cassidy . . . is way better than Jacqueline Wilson' - Courtney, aged 10***www.cathycassidy.com***

Ever since Lexie's mum vanished, her world hasn't stopped spinning. A new home, a new school - even a new family but Lexie never gives up hope that her mum will come back and writes her letters every day to tell her all about her new life. There's plenty to tell - the new group of misfits she calls friends, the talent for music she never knew she had and the gorgeous boy with blue eyes and secrets to hide. But her letters remain unanswered and she's starting to feel more alone than ever. Lexie's about to learn that sometimes you need to get lost in order to be found.The first in a gorgeous new series from the bestselling author of the Chocolate Box Girls and the perfect next step for fans of Jacqueline Wilson.

Indigo Blue by Cathy Cassidy is a powerful, tender novel for girls aged 9+'I need a seriously brilliant daydream . . . because everything is far from OK . . .'When Indigo's mum announces that they're moving - just Indie, Mum and baby Misti - Indie doesn't understand. Why the hurry? Where are they going? Will her best friend, Jo, still be there for her?In a dingy old flat with a grumpy neighbour, no heating and only biscuits to eat, Indie begins to realize that her mum's got a reason for running away - a secret no one can admit . . .Will Indigo choose her family or her friends?'Touching, tender and unforgettable' - Guardian'Cassidy's characters have real heart' - Sunday Telegraph'Cathy Cassidy . . . is way better than Jacqueline Wilson' - Courtney, aged 10***www.cathycassidy.com***

'I don't think my mum's fit to be a parent, really I don't.'How would you feel if your mother had royal-blue hair and wore lavender fishnet tights? But Minna's whole family (including her mum's punk boyfriend, Crusher Maggot) is a bit unusual. Being the only sensible one is not easy for Minna...

Kitty Killin is not only a good storyteller, but also the World's Greatest Expert when it comes to mothers having new and unwanted boyfriends. Particularly when there's a danger they might turn into new and unwanted stepfathers...

'A beautifully written emotional story to make you laugh and cry' - Jacqueline WilsonThe problem with Wales, he thought, was that it was too far away.But that was the point. To leave Southend behind. To get so far that no one would think to look for them there.Max wants to be just like his dad - fun, loud and strong.Instead, he always seems to be accidentally getting into fights and breaking things.But when his dad starts bringing home mysterious boxes, even more mysterious wads of cash starts turning up.Then Dad disappears. And it's up to Max to look after his sisters until he comes home.When they run away to a remote village in Wales, he's convinced that no one will find them.He's Max Kowalski. Of course he can look after three kids with no grownups around!Although, he can't stop thinking about where Dad really went. And the whispers of a golden dragon, asleep under the Welsh mountains...A funny and exquisitely written story, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Ross Welford.

'A beautifully written emotional story to make you laugh and cry' - Jacqueline WilsonThe problem with Wales, he thought, was that it was too far away.But that was the point. To leave Southend behind. To get so far that no one would think to look for them there.Max wants to be just like his dad - fun, loud and strong.Instead, he always seems to be accidentally getting into fights and breaking things.But when his dad starts bringing home mysterious boxes, even more mysterious wads of cash starts turning up.Then Dad disappears. And it's up to Max to look after his sisters until he comes home.When they run away to a remote village in Wales, he's convinced that no one will find them.He's Max Kowalski. Of course he can look after three kids with no grownups around!Although, he can't stop thinking about where Dad really went. And the whispers of a golden dragon, asleep under the Welsh mountains...A funny and exquisitely written story, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Ross Welford.

'Dean Burnett is the first old person who understands phones' Eleven-year-old Dermot, quoted in The Times'A wonderfully useful book, told with Dean Burnett's trademark wit and wisdom' - Adam Kay on Why Your Parents Are Driving You up the Wall“Can you get off your phone/ PS5/ Xbox!? NOW!” - Your parents (probably)I bet that you and your parents argue about phones.Maybe you want one, but your parents don’t agree? Or maybe you do have a phone, but your parents think you use it too much. Or even make you leave it downstairs at night when you want to scroll before sleep.Either way, the result is: arguments. Between you and your parents. About phones.Meet brain scientist and bestselling author Dean Burnett. He’ll show you why your parents are sometimes wrong about phones (and why, annoyingly, they can be a bit right), how you can both understand them a bit better and how you can stop arguing about them. You’ll learn about:Why turning off TikTok can be so hardHow video games can change your brain for the betterHow Snapchat can make us sad (and lots of other complicated feelings)Because screens can be a good thing. And a bad thing. But they’re definitely not worth getting hung up about.

''Dean Burnett is the first old person who understands phones'' Eleven-year-old Dermot, quoted in The Times''A wonderfully useful book, told with Dean Burnett''s trademark wit and wisdom'' - Adam Kay on Why Your Parents Are Driving You up the Wall

“Can you get off your phone/ PS5/ Xbox!? NOW!” - Your parents (probably)I bet that you and your parents argue about phones.Maybe you want one, but your parents don’t agree? Or maybe you do have a phone, but your parents think you use it too much. Or even make you leave it downstairs at night when you want to scroll before sleep.Either way, the result is: arguments. Between you and your parents. About phones.Meet brain scientist and bestselling author Dean Burnett. He’ll show you why your parents are sometimes wrong about phones (and why, annoyingly, they can be a bit right), how you can both understand them a bit better and how you can stop arguing about them. You’ll learn about:

Why turning off TikTok can be so hardHow video games can change your brain for the betterHow Snapchat can make us sad (and lots of other complicated feelings)

Because screens can be a good thing. And a bad thing. But they’re definitely not worth getting hung up about.

Amber, Geena and Jazz have been through some tough times. Think Bollywood levels of tragedy and you’re getting close.Now, they’ve finally got everything they could ever want. Well, almost everything. They’re smart, funny and popular – and they’ve got all the latest designer labels. The one accessory they don’t need is their interfering Auntie-ji cramping their style. But nothing can stop the Bindi Babes … can it?