Parvana is an 11 year old girl living in Kabul, Afghanistan in a bombed-out apartment. Her father, who was a history teacher, when there was a school, has been arrested for having a foreign education by the Taliban. Girls are forbidden to earn money, but as her family’s situation becomes desperate, she has no choice but to transform herself into a boy and become the breadwinner for the family.

A young officer describes his a day fighting in the first world war, while reflecting on his life. A very moving and well researched book by the acclaimed author. The book won the Blue Peter Book Award.

Mathew suffers from severe OCD and hasn’t been to school for weeks. From his bedroom window he makes notes on the neighbours to pass the time. One day the toddler from next door goes missing, will Matthew be able to help with all his notes, even it it means revealing his secrets?

Jung-Ling is considered unlucky because her mother died after giving birth to her. She struggles at home throughout her childhood to receive recognition but, at school she excels and is well loved. Adeline enters an English creative writing competition, hoping to be given permission to study in England if she wins. Will her father consider?

Cameron is 13 years old, dying of heart disease and time is running out. His father has found a doctor who will do a transplant, but with a pig’s heart, which has never been done before. Cameron has been sworn to secrecy, but as he leaves the hospital after the transplant, it seems everyone knows and everyone is interested, having their own opinions on whether this was right or not.

A profound autobiographical account by Melba, who was one of the original nine black teenagers that became icons for the Civil Rights Movement in 1957, when they volunteered to attend the all white high school, where they faced fierce opposition. The author explores the concepts of racism, identity and justice and how powerful they can be.