New Books and Holiday Reads

My Last Summer with Cass by Mark Crilley

Megan and Cass have been joined at the brush for as long as they can remember. For years, while spending summers together at a lakeside cabin, they created art together, from sand to scribbles… to anything available. Then Cass moved to New York.

When Megan finally convinces her parents to let her spend some time in the city it seems like Cass has completely changed. She has tattoos, every artist in the city knows her – she even eats chicken feet! At least one thing has stayed the same: They still make their best art together.

But when one girl betrays the other’s trust on the eve of what is supposed to be their greatest artist feat yet, can their friendship survive? Can their art?

A wonderfully drawn graphic novel – full of friendship and a love of art.

HappyHead by Josh Silver

We are in an epidemic of unhappiness. The good news is HappyHead has the answer.

When Seb is selected for an innovative retreat designed to tackle teenage unhappiness, it’s his chance to finally be good at something. But the challenges the participants must undergo become more unsettling by the day. Together the participants start to question the true nature of the experiment.

What is it that HappyHead really wants from them? And will they even make it out alive?

‘Like Hunger Games but better’ Sue Wallman (author of See how they Lie)

This Time it’s Real by Ann Liang

When Eliza Lin’s essay about the love of her life goes viral, her quiet life changes overnight…but it’s all made up, Eliza has never been in a relationship.

To hide the truth, Eliza makes a deal with the famous actor in her class, Caz Song. She’ll help write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. But when her fake relationship with Caz starts feeling a bit too real, Eliza needs to decide can she follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

A fun rom-com read set in Beijing – a perfect read for the holidays!

So that Happened…but maybe you already knew that by Tami Sussman

Natalie’s (Nutty to her friends) is excited to be turning twelve, even though she hates change, she’s looking forward to showing the world how mature she is by planning the best bat mitzvah party anyone has ever been to! Graduating primary school and hopefully getting a boyfriend (hopefully).

But then change comes along and her family home with it’s reassuring family smell is sold and her best friend no longer feels like a girl and wants to leave the bat mitzvah group. Can Natalie keep her family, her friendships, and her party from falling apart?

If you love Judy Blume’s, Are you there God? It’s me Margaret – Natalie will fill your soul.

Nightbirds by Kate J Armstrong

In a world full of whispers and clandestine trades, the Nightbirds are Simta’s best-kept secret. These high-society girls can gift their magic with a kiss – something the church would have killed them for. But protected by the Great Houses, their identities safe behind masks, the Nightbirds are well-guarded treasures.

Matilde, sure of her place in this glittering world, but not of her Nightbird sisters. Sayer, from the wrong side of the canal with a score to settle. And AEsa, afraid of everything and everyone, including herself. When the three girls discover their magic is far greater than they were taught, they see the Nightbird system as a gilded cage.

They must make a choice – to remain kept birds or take control, remaking the city that dared to clip their wings.

‘A luscious, sumptuously woven and totally addictive fantasy.’ Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Aurora Rising

Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel

All her life, Siena dreamed of being a ballerina. Her love of movement and dedication to the art earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet, with hopes of becoming a member of the world famous dance company, New York City Ballet. Her whole identity has been shaped by ballet, but now her invincible confidence is suddenly shaken by injury and breached by doubts.

Told as a beautifully drawn graphic novel, this memoir tells the story of Siena’s teenage years as a dancer struggling to find her next step and as a young woman finding her true footing in the world.

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing up a Wizard by Tom Felton

Tom Felton’s childhood was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame saw him catapulted into the limelight aged just twelve when he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.

Speaking with humour and candour, Tom shares his experience of growing up on screen and as part of the wizarding world for the very first time. He tells of his big break, what filming was really like and the lasting friendships he made during ten years with the franchise, as well as the highs and lows of fame and reality of navigating adult life after filming finished.

Prepare to meet a real-life wizard.