A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars by Yaba Badoe, for ages 12+

A powerful, haunting debut that steps seamlessly from the horrors of people-trafficking to the magic of African folklore by an award-winning Ghanaian-British filmmaker, shortlisted for the Branford Boase award 2018 and nominated for the 2018 Carnegie Medal. Download readers' notes here.

Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. by Malcolm Duffy, for ages 12+

The world of Torak and Renn is that of six thousand years ago: after the Ice Age, but before farming spread to north-west Europe, when the land was one vast Forest. The people looked like you or me, but their way of life was very different. They lived in small clans, some staying at a campsite for a few days or moons, others staying put all year round. They didn’t have writing, metals or the wheel – but they didn’t need them. They were superb survivors. They knew all about the animals, trees, plants and rocks around them.