24 new children's and teen books coming out in 2024

January

Pablo & Splash by Sheena Dempsey (6+)

This graphic novel is perfect for children who are already fans of Bunny vs Monkey and Bumble and Snug. Join time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash on an unexpected adventure to the time of the dinosaurs.

Lunar New Year Love Story written by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by LeUyen Pham (14+)

Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she's pretty sure she's cursed – no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? This rom-com graphic novel for teens is about fate, family and falling in love.

Fright Bite by Jennifer Killick (9+)

It's Colette’s birthday and the friends are spending an evening at Neon Perch – an epic entertainment spot where they can eat pizza, play mini golf and – best of all – take part in Project Z – an epic new escape room experience. It's going to be the best night ever! Or is it… ? This is the spooky fifth book in the popular Dread Wood series. The short story Creepy Creations was also one of this year's World Book Day £1/€1.50 books!

February

When I Feel Red by Lily Bailey (9+)

April has always marched to the beat of her own drum, but would life be easier if she learned to fit in? An empowering follow up to When I See Blue about finding your place in the world from the inspiring author and mental health activist.

Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan McDermott (9+)

The first book in a new magical fantasy series. 12-year-old Zhi Ging receives an invitation to Hok Woh, an underwater school that offers her the chance to become immortal. There, she battles in hair-raising dragon boat races, meets age-shifting tutors and competes in thrilling trials. But there are rumours of a growing dark force... 

Feather by M.G. Leonard (9+)

The Twitchers have one last mystery to solve – and this time it's a heist! The final unputdownable adventure in the bestselling birdwatching detective series from the author of Beetle Boy and Adventures on Trains.

Peng and Spanners by Steve Webb (6+)

Meet your child's new favourite superheroes: a sarcastic penguin and a clever cat with a toolbelt. Join Peng and Spanners as they investigate the craziest pizza mystery ever! The first book in this deliriously daft graphic novel series.

Red Sky at Night, Poet's Delight written by Alex Wharton and illustrated by Ian Morris (7+)

From Children's Laureate Wales Alex Wharton comes a second collection of funny and thoughtful poems, aimed at developing a love of language and self-expression. Young readers will be excited by fun new characters like Mr Slime and the return of Hector the Horrible Hedgehog from Daydreams and Jellybeans, as well as being introduced to powerful and moving poems such as 'Young Oak', 'The Long Way Home', and 'For a Quiet Day'.

The Best Eid Ever by Sufiya Ahmed and illustrated by Hazem Asif (5+)

Eid-al-Fitr is Aisha's favourite festival and this year her family have promised an epic treasure hunt to find her gifts. But between all the chaos and celebrations, will Aisha ever get her presents? From breaking fast to going to the mosque, painting your hands with henna to sharing tasty treats, Aisha’s story is the ideal introduction to explore the story of Eid with your children, family or pupils.

Artezans: The Forgotten Magic by L.D. Lapinski (7+)

The first in a new fantasy series from the author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency series. Edward Crane has always feared he won't have any magic. So when he discovers that he does have an Artezan power after all, it's more than he ever could have imagined - in fact, it's a dream come true. But the problem with dreams is that sometimes they twist themselves into nightmares. And with Ed's new abilities growing by the day, there's a chance that this nightmare will become all too real...

Your SENSE-ational Human Body: A Guide to Your 32 Senses written by Emma Young and illustrated by John Devolle (6+)

This colourful human body book explores the 32 amazingly awesome, broccoli-hating, wee-sniffing senses that help children figure out the world around them. They tell you how some people can SMELL sickness, when you need to do a POO, and why words CAN actually hurt you!

March

The Secret of the Moonshard by Struan Murray, illustrated by Vivienne To (9+)

An imaginative new fantasy novel from the Orphans on the Tide series. Domino is an 11-year-old girl with a strange affliction: if she goes anywhere near magic, it will kill her. All her life she's been trapped in a floating laboratory, safe from magic but not from the cruel children and the crueler Science Barons who live there. Domino believes the Barons are trying to invent a cure for her magic allergy, but when a mysterious wizard arrives and unleashes total chaos, she discovers that everything she's been told is a lie…

Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan (12+)

Ireland, 1846. Nell is working as a scullery maid in the kitchen of the Big House. Once she loved school and books and dreaming. But there's not much choice of work when the land grows food that rots in the earth This is the brand-new novel for teens from former Laureate na nÓg Sarah Crossan; thought-provoking and incredibly moving, it explores love and family during The Great Hunger.

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees and illustrated by Vivienne To (8+)

11-year-old Benjamiah Creek believes in science, logic and the power of reason. He definitely does not believe in magic. But when he receives a mysterious gift in the post - a doll that can transform into a bird - he is led into the impossible (and most definitely magical) world of Wreathenwold, where dark secrets are lost amongst a vast labyrinth of streets… There's a world of magic and secrets, friendship, and unimaginable quests in this spectacular new fantasy series, perfect for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.

Make Art With Nature by Pippa Pixley (7+)

Artist Pippa Pixley shows children how to make amazing art with materials found in nature in this hands-on book. Get creative and make incredible pieces of art using rocks, wood, berries, flowers, and leaves.

How to Teach Grown-ups About Climate Change written by Patricia Daniels and illustrated by Aaron Blecha (8+)

Never has there been a more perfect time to empower children to take the lead and educate their grown-ups about climate change. Bursting with fabulous original illustrations, this delightfully witty book deals with the pressing topic of our changing planet in an uplifting, positive manner.

April

This Book Will Self-Destruct by Ben Sanders (6+)

Agent Harrier must follow the red wire and diffuse the bomb before it’s too late. Will our canine spy extraordinaire save everyone from being blasted to smithereens? This stylish graphic novel is a funny, punny twist on the traditional spy caper, and the first book in a new series. 

Homebody by Theo Parish (14+)

In this powerful graphic novel, Theo tells the heartwarming story of discovering how to live life on their own terms, perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Juno Dawson.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson (12+)

For fans of Holly Jackson's A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy comes a brand-new crime novel. 18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness. Rachel is gone, presumed dead. The case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true-crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. But then Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again...

Keedie by Elle McNicoll (8+)

Set in Juniper five years before Elle McNicoll's A Kind of Spark, Keedie is a powerful coming-of-age story that thoughtfully tackles bullying, navigating friendships, and the joys and difficulties of being an autistic teenager. As Keedie and her twin sister Nina approach their fourteenth birthday, they seem to only be growing further apart. Keedie instead feels drawn to, and fiercely protective of, their quiet younger sister Addie - who on the surface is the opposite of loud and fiery Keedie, but in fact they have more in common than anyone knows.

Mission: Microraptor by Philip Kavvadias & Euan Cook (8+)

The first book in a thrilling new series of all-action environmental adventures - with added dinosaurs! Two boys and a microraptor. A dark, mysterious forest. And a squad of army-trained mercenaries searching for them. What could possibly go wrong?

May

Marv and the Humongous Hamster by Alex Falase-Koya & Paula Bowles (5+)

In Marv's sixth story, it's Marvin's turn to look after Nibbles, the classroom hamster. He's determined to show his grandad that he's responsible enough to have a pet, but disaster strikes when Dr Boom shows up with his latest invention and makes the hamster HUMONGOUS! You can also find Marv and the Ultimate Superpower in bookshops as it was one of this year's World Book Day £1/€1.50 titles!

June

Pablo & Splash by Sheena Dempsey (6+)

Imogen Quinn is a chaotic bisexual with dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, crushing stereotypes about autistic people. When she decides to put on a pride festival that's accessible for everyone, she enlists the help of the openly gay captain of the football team, Ollie Armstrong. Packed full of fun, forever friendships and fighting back, this YA novel is perfect for fans of I Kissed Shara Wheeler, Gwen and Art are Not in Love, and Not My Problem.

Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar (12+)

A gorgeous, bright and swoony YA Muslim rom-com from two award-winning stars of YA. Said Hossain hates Tiwa Olatunji. And Tiwa would happily never see Said again in her life. Growing up, the two were inseparable, but they have barely spoken since the incident many Eids ago and both of them would like to keep it that way. But when Said comes home for a funeral and the town's Islamic Centre burns down on the same day, they have to face each other again and sparks fly.