Latest Book Reviews

  • One Up

    One up is a story about best friends. Best friends who fall out because they want to know who is the best turtle. They make their shells...

  • Ruffles and the Lost Bouncy Ball

    Ruffles and the Lost Bouncy Ball is by the extremely talented creator of the hugely successful Hugless Douglas series. Ruffles and the lo...

  • Baby's First Cloth Book: Cuddly Bear

    Baby's First Cloth Book: Cuddly Bear is an excellent book for babies and toddlers. The black and white pictures and patterns support thei...

  • Bear's Wash Day

    Help bear do the washing after they get smoothie on their clothes! The story follows the stages of putting washing in the machine; each page has an intera...

  • A Cedric and Boo Book: Two Birthdays

    At the beginning of this simple, charming picture book, we are introduced to two best friends; Cedric the crocodile and Boo the elephant. The story starts...

  • Pavlo Gets the Grumps

    Pavlo is a cat who feels a bit down in the dumps. He does not want to do anything his mum suggests; he says 'no' to the park, 'no' to swimming and even 'n...

  • Hank Goes Honk

    Hank the goose spends a lot of his time being obnoxious. His selfish behaviour and unpleasant manners upset others and mean that Hank can get lonely. So,...

  • Roots of Love: Families Change, Love Remains

    A beautifully illustrated book about different family set ups. The Roots of Love explores the difficult subject of family separation and...

  • The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Little Intisar has a big job at her Aunty Mahira's wedding but she has been asked to do something that she cannot do. This wonderful story links relatable...

  • Be Normal!

    What a lovely story about friendship and valuing our friends for their differences. Be Normal! begins when Theo gets a n...

  • Mabel and the Big Wide World

    Mabel lives in a barn with her siblings and is very happy to stay safely inside whilst her older brothers and sisters explore the world beyond the barn do...

  • Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant

    Fancis Martin wanted to create a book which inspired children to tell their own story and the Gina Kaminski series definitely does this incredibly success...

  • The Dictionary Story: Brand new picture book from Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

    The Dictionary Story is a quirky, clever book that explores how we can use words. The front cover shows a book with characters peeping ou...

  • Just Like Millie

    Just like Millie will melt your heart and is a beautiful book about friendship, courage and love. In this book we meet a...

  • The Bridges

    The Bridges is an incredibly important book. Mia is a lonely girl, ignored by her busy parents and bored of her grey life. In her imagina...

  • Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books

    'What a bright and brilliant Tuesday' for Henry. It all began when he picked up a key that a lady had dropped. This key led him on an adventure into the w...

  • Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant

    Gosh, what a find this book is! A first glance at the cover art shows a very determined little girl with a backpack who is clutching an emotions chart. A...

  • You're a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems

    Walker Books has done it again! I was delighted to receive this treasure, You're a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems, which every primary...

  • Peng and Spanners: When Pigs Go Bad!: For fans of Bunny vs Monkey and Dogman

    The second superhero graphic novel featuring a new delightful duo who are determined to defeat crime - sarcastic penguin Peng and gadget-genius cat sideki...

  • Journey to Poo-topia (Poo Crew Adventures)

    I made the mistake of thinking Journey to Poo-topia (Poo Crew Adventures) was a graphic novel, i.e. a comic strip story. I now know to ca...

  • Bertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle

    Bertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle is a new adventure series all about Bertha the inventing bear. Bertha is a world renowned inventor...

  • Yomi and the Curse of Grootslang

    Another awesome adventure set in South Africa and based upon fascinating African mythology and folklore. Yomi and younger brother Kayode are now fully fle...

  • Grimwood: Party Animals

    Grimwood: Party Animals is the fourth book in the wonderful Grimwood series. In this book we return to the forest where anything can happ...

  • One Button and the Sea

    On the face of it, this is s simple tale of a community ripped apart by a disaster, their flight from danger and eventual homecoming. It could certainly b...

  • The Beanstalk Murder: A giant-sized murder mystery

    The Beanstalk Murder is a gripping new murder mystery in giant-sized portions! P.G Bell's new book is a magical read that will appeal to...

  • The Great Farm Rescue: Hannah's Farm Series

    Hannah and her family are facing tough times again as their landlord is threatening them with eviction and dad has had an accident. But Hannah is determin...

  • Flame Chasers

    Every year, Ember yearns to fly with the golden flamebirds who pause in their flight at Bright Beacon before heading on to their home. Those known as 'fla...

  • Dream Hunters

    Dream Hunters, a colourful adventure story set in a fantasy version of India, invites young readers to imagine...  Imagine a world where...

  • The Secret of Golden Island

    Here is a book for the many children who say that they read to escape to a place they feel calm and happy. For me, it was like drinking b...

  • Amari and the Despicable Wonders (Amari and the Night Brothers)

    Amazing Amari is back again and her third adventure, Amari and the Despicable Wonders, is utterly gripping from start to finish. Teenage...

  • The Dance in the Dark (Scarlet and Ivy, Book 3)

    I haven't read number three but all of the other books were really good so i'm looking forward to it.

  • Wintour's Game

    Wintour's Game is one of the best Young Adult books I have read in a while! This fast-paced, all-action read is certainly one to get young readers...

  • Storm of Lies

    Storm of Lies, the latest edge-of-your-seat thriller from Sophie Mackenzie, explores what might happen if a tsunami struck the south coas...

  • Raz Beri

    Billy Turpin has cerebral palsy and is finding life at secondary school challenging. Dealing with bullies, thoughtless teachers and an over-helpful helper...

  • The Fights That Make Us

    Jesse has recently come out as non-binary and is finding it hard to feel they belong and are accepted in school, despite staunch support from their best f...

  • Electric Life

    This book is the most thrill seeking book I could find - a full-on adventure of a too-good-to-be-true society.

  • Death at Morning House (HCUK)

    Death at Morning House is a classic murder mystery with intense relationship dynamics that distort logical thinking. When lovestruck Marl...

  • Almost Nothing Happened

    A teenager who should be on the Eurostar home to London after a lacklustre French exchange is instead riding pillion on a motorbike through the backstreet...

  • Our Wicked Histories

    Our Wicked Histories is a delightfully sinister read that truly appealed to my love of horror and my interest in crime;  this novel also...

  • Wisteria: the gorgeous new gothic fantasy romance from the bestselling author of Belladonna and Foxglove

    Wisteria is the sensational conclusion to the brilliant dark gothic romance series, <a href="/books/belladonna-bestselling-gothic-fantasy...

  • Now, Conjurers

    Now, Conjurers is an enjoyable read, part horror fantasy, part relatable older teen reality, incorporating mystery and crime into its 400+ thrilli...

  • These Stolen Lives

    These Stolen Lives is a relevant and captivating dystopian thriller that taps into and explores timeless issues faced by society. It desc...

ReadingZone Authors of the Month

  • Barry Timms & Laura Borio:  Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books

    Barry Timms & Laura Borio: Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books

    Barry Timms and Laura Borio introduce spooks, the joy of bookshops and reading for pleasure, in Griselda Snook's Spe...

  • Ged Adamson

    Ged Adamson

    Author and illustrator Ged Adamson introduces Be Normal!, a story about accepting our friends for who they are. Ged w...

  • Moira Butterfield - Look What I Found

    Moira Butterfield - Look What I Found

    Moira Butterfield is the creator of the 'Look What I Found...' non-fiction series for young children about...

  • Sean Taylor

    Sean Taylor

    You're a Poet, Sean Taylor's new book about writing poetry, draws on his years of writing and teaching poetry in schools. </...

  • Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju:  The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju: The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Farrah Riaz is a London-based author from a Hindustani background. Creating characters in all sorts of narr...

  • Professor Anjali Goswami

    Professor Anjali Goswami

    Professor Anjali Goswami's first children's book, Dig Dig Dinosaur, is aimed at sharing her passion about n...

  • Alex Latimer

    Alex Latimer

    Award-winning writer and illustrator Alex Latimer introduces Godfrey is a Frog, a hilarious picture book about being content...

  • Tom McLaughlin

    Tom McLaughlin

    Tom McLaughlin introduces The Boy Who Painted the World, his new picture book that encourages children to embrace creativity...

  • Susannah Lloyd & Kate Hindley: Who Ate Steve?

    Susannah Lloyd & Kate Hindley: Who Ate Steve?

    Susannah Lloyd is the author of picture books including Who Ate Steve?, Here Be Giants and Here Be Dragons....

  • Gloria Goes for Gold by Marina Firth & Annabel Tempest

    Gloria Goes for Gold by Marina Firth & Annabel Tempest

    Discover a young hippo who loves her medal-winning family, but who wants to win a prize al...

  • Marcela Ferreira & Mark Chambers: Bear Vs Dragon

    Marcela Ferreira & Mark Chambers: Bear Vs Dragon

    Marcela Ferreira was born in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to London as a teenager. S...

  • Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson joins ReadingZone to introduce her picture books, Martha Maps it Out and Martha Maps it Out in Time...

  • Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne's Big Bad Wolf Investigates explores the science behind our favourite fairy tales... Gr...

  • Jarvis

    Jarvis

    Jarvis, author of The Boy With Flowers In His Hair, shares his new picture book, Thank You, with ReadingZone. Jarvis's earli...

  • Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Award-winning author and illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo introduces her new picture book, I Love Books, on ReadingZone. <p...

  • Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman and Guilherme Karsten tell ReadingZone how a traditional children's song i...

  • James Carter

    James Carter

    James Carter introduces Once Upon a Big Idea, the latest in his poetry books exploring ideas and science ab...

  • Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed and illustrator Hazem Asif introduce their new picture book, The Best Eid Ever.      </p...

  • Matty Long

    Matty Long

    Matty Long creates picture books including Who Rules the Rockpool?, the Super Happy Magic Forest series, Turbo Bunnies, and...

  • Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson lives in Cornwall in the UK with her husband and dog, cat, ducks and a tortoise called Hercules...

  • Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle's new picture book, A Horse Called Now, explores children's worries with the help of a horse, No...

  • Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage was born and raised in Stevenage. She has a First Class BA Honours in...

  • Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy grew up in South Wales, on a council estate firmly sandwiched between the steel and chemica...

  • John Kane

    John Kane

    When John Kane was younger, he liked to make up stories for his little sister. Jimmy and Bear, who appeared in them, are sti...

  • Katherine Rundell

    Katherine Rundell

    Katherine Rundell is a bestselling author and whose novels for children include Rooftoppers, The Wolf <br /...

  • BB Alston

    BB Alston

    BB Alston started writing in middle school, entertaining his classmates with horror stories starring the whole class where n...

  • Nazima Pathan

    Nazima Pathan

    Discover Dream Hunters, the debut fantasy novel by Nazima Pathan, set in a richly imagined alterna...

  • Natasha Farrant

    Natasha Farrant

    Natasha Farrant tells ReadingZone about her new adventure, The Secret of Golden Island.  Her earlier children's adventure st...

  • Helen Peters

    Helen Peters

    Helen Peters revisits her childhood, growing up on an old-fashioned farm in Sussex, surrounded by family, animals and mud, i...

  • Nicola Colton

    Nicola Colton

    Nicola Colton introduces her new series, Bertha and Blink, about a bear inventor and an excitable Robo-bird! </stron...

  • Marie Basting

    Marie Basting

    Discover an alternate world peopled by Roman gods in Marie Basting's Auntie Medusa and Me, the follow-up to her hilarious My...

  • Kieran Larwood:  Dungeon Runners

    Kieran Larwood: Dungeon Runners

    Kieran Larwood lives on the Isle of Wight where he enjoys exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing....

  • MT Khan

    MT Khan

    MT Khan is back to tell us about her new novel, Amir and the Jinn Princess, which returns us to the world o...

  • Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh introduces The Voyage of Sam Singh, the adventurous follow-up to her acclaimed debut, The Destiny of M...

  • Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll's new historical fiction novel, The Houdini Inheritance, explores the intrigue and mystery of...

  • Sarah Matthews & Rodney Matthews

    Sarah Matthews & Rodney Matthews

    Sarah and Rodney Matthews have created a new children's fantasy adventure, Oddney's Otherland: Chronicles from Benea...

  • Alan MacDonald

    Alan MacDonald

    Alan MacDonald introduces his brilliant new series for younger readers about best friends Huxley, a koala b...

  • Adeola Sokunbi

    Adeola Sokunbi

    Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise is Adeola Sokunbi's first book for children. Adeola is both a writer and illustrator, and an...

  • Bryony Pearce

    Bryony Pearce

    Discover ancient gods, mysterious thefts, and new friends in Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwold, Bryony Pearc...

  • Patrick Gallagher

    Patrick Gallagher

    Transcendent, the action-packed debut by Patrick Gallagher, explores the climate crisis against a backdrop of Uganda...

  • Jennifer Bell

    Jennifer Bell

    Find out what inspired Jennifer Bell's wondrous new series, Magicalia: Race of Wonders!  Londoner Jennifer Bell worke...

  • Ramzee

    Ramzee

    Author and comic creator Ramzee joins ReadingZone to tell us about his school days, a 'cheat book', and making reade...

  • Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo, author of Welcome to Lagos, introduces her first children's book, Mayowa and the Sea of Words</stron...

  • Fiona Longmuir

    Fiona Longmuir

    Freya's Gold by Fiona Longmuir is a mystery story about a secret tunnel, hidden treasure and a community fighting to...

  • Ross Montgomery

    Ross Montgomery

    Author Ross Montgomery tells ReadingZone about his new book, I Am Rebel, about a dog's quest to save the boy who res...

  • Alex Falase-Koya

    Alex Falase-Koya

    Author of the Marv superhero books, Alex Falase-Koya has been writing since he was a teenager and in 2019 w...

  • Manon Steffan Ros

    Manon Steffan Ros

    Carnegie-winning author Manon Steffan Ros tells ReadingZone about her new novel, Me and Aaron Ramsey. Manon was born...

  • Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner, historian, author and podcast host, tells ReadingZone about his new Totally Chaotic History series, sta...

  • Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm's new science fiction novel I Am Wolf (Nosy Crow) is the first in an exc...

  • Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey's Time Travel Twins series (Andersen Press) takes its readers back in time to explore different...

  • Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga is a neuroscientist and science writer. Aftera decade at the forefront of brain research, he...

  • Louise Forshaw

    Louise Forshaw

    Louise Forshaw's hilarious new graphic novel series, Bad United, stars Hoof the unicorn in a football team with some unusual...

  • Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, introduces her new book, Bird Boy. Catherine s...

  • Abi Elphinstone

    Abi Elphinstone

    Abi Elphinstone grew up in Scotland where she spent most of her childhood running wild across the moors, hiding in tree hous...

  • Katya Balen

    Katya Balen

    Katya read English at university and then completed an MPhil researching the impact of stories on autistic children's behavi...

  • Zohra Nabi

    Zohra Nabi

    Zohra Nabi grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but...

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold

    In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change m...

  • Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak writes books about magical summer camps, missing people, and the inner life of dogs.  She grew up in North C...

  • Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

    Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

    Anders Sparring writes children’s books and is a screenwriter for many popular television shows.  He is als...

  • Ash Bond

    Ash Bond

    Ash Bond writes magical stories that have classical myth sprinkled through them like fairy dust. Look out for her debut, <st...

  • Guy Bass:  Hugh Dunnit Mysteries

    Guy Bass: Hugh Dunnit Mysteries

    Guy Bass introduces Hugh Dunnit, 'a self-styled detective who loves nothing more than cracking cases and solving mys...

  • Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard introduces her latest novel, Alyssa and the Spell Garden, exploring community, teamwork...

  • Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne's Big Bad Wolf Investigates explores the science behind our favourite fairy tales... Gr...

  • Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Authors Katie and Kevin Tsang introduce their new Dragon Force adventure, Devourer's Attack, in this special ReadingZone fea...

  • Steve Webb

    Steve Webb

    Steve Webb tells ReadingZone about his hilarious new graphic novel about the newest superheroes in town, Peng and Sp...

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the we...

  • Christopher Edge

    Christopher Edge

    Black Hole Cinema Club, Christopher Edge's latest novel, is a love story to movies. Dive into an immersive blockbuster exper...

  • Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    The bestselling Stitch Head series is getting a new look - as a graphic novel!  Author Guy Bass and illustr...

  • Justin Somper

    Justin Somper

    Justin Somper, author of Vampirates, introduces his brand new pirate series, Pirate Academy! Justin grew up in St Alb...

  • James Nicol

    James Nicol

    James Nicol, author of The Apprentice Witch series, tells ReadingZone about his new eco fantasy, The Cloud Thief. Jam...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Sinéad O'Hart

    Sinéad O'Hart

    Lola and Larch is Sinéad O'Hart's first chapter book series for young readers. Her books for older readers include...

  • Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan, an award-winning author who writes about strange worlds and fantastical creatures, joins ReadingZone to introd...

  • Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo introduces her magical new story, The Magician Next Door, and tells Re...

  • Elys Dolan

    Elys Dolan

    Rex Dinosaur in Disguise is the brilliantly funny novel for younger readers from E...

  • Jenny McLachlan

    Jenny McLachlan

    Stink the troublesome fairy is back in Fairy Vs Wizard  Jenny McLachlan's first b...

  • Gabriel Dylan

    Gabriel Dylan

    For readers who like their adventures laced with a dash of horror.... Look out for Gabriel Dylan's Shiver Point series!...

  • Alex Bell

    Alex Bell

    Alex Bell introduces her magical new middle grade novel, The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts, the latest in a range of  nove...

  • Bex Hogan

    Bex Hogan

    Bronte Tempestra is author Bex Hogan's first young fiction series and it's packed with adventure, friendship and magical cre...

  • Nazima Pathan

    Nazima Pathan

    Discover Dream Hunters, the debut fantasy novel by Nazima Pathan, set in a richly imagined alterna...

  • MT Khan

    MT Khan

    MT Khan is back to tell us about her new novel, Amir and the Jinn Princess, which returns us to the world o...

  • Brian Dungan

    Brian Dungan

    Irish author and cameraman Brían Dungan introduces his debut novel Wintour's Game, a time-twisting, action-packed adventure...

  • Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh introduces The Voyage of Sam Singh, the adventurous follow-up to her acclaimed debut, The Destiny of M...

  • Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll's new historical fiction novel, The Houdini Inheritance, explores the intrigue and mystery of...

  • Laura Jane Williams

    Laura Jane Williams

    Queen of the cute-meet Laura Jane Williams introduces her debut novel for teenagers, Taylor Blake i...

  • Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford is a Black mixed-race British debut author and is passionate about Black British and mixed...

  • Efua Traoré

    Efua Traoré

    Efua Traoré's latest novel Sister Spirit draws on her years growing up in Nigeria, as well as the mythology and supe...

  • Chloë Heuch

    Chloë Heuch

    Chloë Heuch introduces her new novel, A History of my Weird, which challenges our perceptions of autism. Chloë was bo...

  • Patrick Gallagher

    Patrick Gallagher

    Transcendent, the action-packed debut by Patrick Gallagher, explores the climate crisis against a backdrop of Uganda...

  • Manon Steffan Ros

    Manon Steffan Ros

    Carnegie-winning author Manon Steffan Ros tells ReadingZone about her new novel, Me and Aaron Ramsey. Manon was born...

  • Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm's new science fiction novel I Am Wolf (Nosy Crow) is the first in an exc...

  • Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga is a neuroscientist and science writer. Aftera decade at the forefront of brain research, he...

  • Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, introduces her new book, Bird Boy. Catherine s...

  • Katya Balen

    Katya Balen

    Katya read English at university and then completed an MPhil researching the impact of stories on autistic children's behavi...

  • Zohra Nabi

    Zohra Nabi

    Zohra Nabi grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but...

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold

    In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change m...

  • Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

    Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

    Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl is a writer and editor. Her recent books include Beyonce (Knowles-Carter) and Nelson (Mandela), whi...

  • Ash Bond

    Ash Bond

    Ash Bond writes magical stories that have classical myth sprinkled through them like fairy dust. Look out for her debut, <st...

  • Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan introduces her powerful new verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury YA). Sa...

  • Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dåsnes is an author and illustrator. Cross My Heart and Never Lie is her debut as a writer and illustr...

  • Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard introduces her latest novel, Alyssa and the Spell Garden, exploring community, teamwork...

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the we...

  • Christopher Edge

    Christopher Edge

    Black Hole Cinema Club, Christopher Edge's latest novel, is a love story to movies. Dive into an immersive blockbuster exper...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan, an award-winning author who writes about strange worlds and fantastical creatures, joins ReadingZone to introd...

  • Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop's new book, On Silver Tides, is her first novel for teenagers. Sylvia spent an entire childhood reading fictio...

  • Gabriel Dylan

    Gabriel Dylan

    For readers who like their adventures laced with a dash of horror.... Look out for Gabriel Dylan's Shiver Point series!...

  • Tim Hall

    Tim Hall

    The inspiration to write about Robin Hood struck Tim Hall while trekking in the 'primal and dangerous landscape' of the Amaz...

  • Brian Dungan

    Brian Dungan

    Irish author and cameraman Brían Dungan introduces his debut novel Wintour's Game, a time-twisting, action-packed adventure...

  • Jenny Valentine

    Jenny Valentine

    Jenny Valentine introduces her new YA book, Us in the Before and After, a powerful and absorbing novel about friendship, fir...

  • Laura Jane Williams

    Laura Jane Williams

    Queen of the cute-meet Laura Jane Williams introduces her debut novel for teenagers, Taylor Blake i...

  • Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford is a Black mixed-race British debut author and is passionate about Black British and mixed...

  • Efua Traoré

    Efua Traoré

    Efua Traoré's latest novel Sister Spirit draws on her years growing up in Nigeria, as well as the mythology and supe...

  • Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite is British-Nigerian and has drawn on her heritage to create the world of Goddess Crown. She spent a significant...

  • Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan introduces her powerful new verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury YA). Sa...

  • Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain tells ReadingZone what inspired her latest page-turning YA novel, One Last Breath. ...

  • Tim Hall

    Tim Hall

    The inspiration to write about Robin Hood struck Tim Hall while trekking in the 'primal and dangerous landscape' of the Amaz...

  • Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain lives in Belfast where she works with disabled students in further education. Her debut novel, Fly...

  • Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland is the New York Times bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares a...

  • Nazima Pathan

    Nazima Pathan

    Discover Dream Hunters, the debut fantasy novel by Nazima Pathan, set in a richly imagined alterna...

  • Brian Dungan

    Brian Dungan

    Irish author and cameraman Brían Dungan introduces his debut novel Wintour's Game, a time-twisting, action-packed adventure...

  • Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford is a Black mixed-race British debut author and is passionate about Black British and mixed...

  • Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju:  The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju: The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Farrah Riaz is a London-based author from a Hindustani background. Creating characters in all sorts of narr...

  • Professor Anjali Goswami

    Professor Anjali Goswami

    Professor Anjali Goswami's first children's book, Dig Dig Dinosaur, is aimed at sharing her passion about n...

  • Adeola Sokunbi

    Adeola Sokunbi

    Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise is Adeola Sokunbi's first book for children. Adeola is both a writer and illustrator, and an...

  • Patrick Gallagher

    Patrick Gallagher

    Transcendent, the action-packed debut by Patrick Gallagher, explores the climate crisis against a backdrop of Uganda...

  • Ramzee

    Ramzee

    Author and comic creator Ramzee joins ReadingZone to tell us about his school days, a 'cheat book', and making reade...

  • Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo, author of Welcome to Lagos, introduces her first children's book, Mayowa and the Sea of Words</stron...

  • Marcela Ferreira & Mark Chambers: Bear Vs Dragon

    Marcela Ferreira & Mark Chambers: Bear Vs Dragon

    Marcela Ferreira was born in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to London as a teenager. S...

  • Ash Bond

    Ash Bond

    Ash Bond writes magical stories that have classical myth sprinkled through them like fairy dust. Look out for her debut, <st...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Katherine Rundell

    Katherine Rundell

    Katherine Rundell is a bestselling author and whose novels for children include Rooftoppers, The Wolf <br /...

  • Barry Timms & Laura Borio:  Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books

    Barry Timms & Laura Borio: Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books

    Barry Timms and Laura Borio introduce spooks, the joy of bookshops and reading for pleasure, in Griselda Snook's Spe...

  • Ged Adamson

    Ged Adamson

    Author and illustrator Ged Adamson introduces Be Normal!, a story about accepting our friends for who they are. Ged w...

  • BB Alston

    BB Alston

    BB Alston started writing in middle school, entertaining his classmates with horror stories starring the whole class where n...

  • Nazima Pathan

    Nazima Pathan

    Discover Dream Hunters, the debut fantasy novel by Nazima Pathan, set in a richly imagined alterna...

  • Natasha Farrant

    Natasha Farrant

    Natasha Farrant tells ReadingZone about her new adventure, The Secret of Golden Island.  Her earlier children's adventure st...

  • Helen Peters

    Helen Peters

    Helen Peters revisits her childhood, growing up on an old-fashioned farm in Sussex, surrounded by family, animals and mud, i...

  • Nicola Colton

    Nicola Colton

    Nicola Colton introduces her new series, Bertha and Blink, about a bear inventor and an excitable Robo-bird! </stron...

  • Marie Basting

    Marie Basting

    Discover an alternate world peopled by Roman gods in Marie Basting's Auntie Medusa and Me, the follow-up to her hilarious My...

  • Kieran Larwood:  Dungeon Runners

    Kieran Larwood: Dungeon Runners

    Kieran Larwood lives on the Isle of Wight where he enjoys exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing....

  • MT Khan

    MT Khan

    MT Khan is back to tell us about her new novel, Amir and the Jinn Princess, which returns us to the world o...

  • Moira Butterfield - Look What I Found

    Moira Butterfield - Look What I Found

    Moira Butterfield is the creator of the 'Look What I Found...' non-fiction series for young children about...

  • Brian Dungan

    Brian Dungan

    Irish author and cameraman Brían Dungan introduces his debut novel Wintour's Game, a time-twisting, action-packed adventure...

  • Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh introduces The Voyage of Sam Singh, the adventurous follow-up to her acclaimed debut, The Destiny of M...

  • Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll's new historical fiction novel, The Houdini Inheritance, explores the intrigue and mystery of...

  • Jenny Valentine

    Jenny Valentine

    Jenny Valentine introduces her new YA book, Us in the Before and After, a powerful and absorbing novel about friendship, fir...

  • Laura Jane Williams

    Laura Jane Williams

    Queen of the cute-meet Laura Jane Williams introduces her debut novel for teenagers, Taylor Blake i...

  • Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford

    Helen Comerford is a Black mixed-race British debut author and is passionate about Black British and mixed...

  • Efua Traoré

    Efua Traoré

    Efua Traoré's latest novel Sister Spirit draws on her years growing up in Nigeria, as well as the mythology and supe...

  • Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite is British-Nigerian and has drawn on her heritage to create the world of Goddess Crown. She spent a significant...

  • Chloë Heuch

    Chloë Heuch

    Chloë Heuch introduces her new novel, A History of my Weird, which challenges our perceptions of autism. Chloë was bo...

  • Sean Taylor

    Sean Taylor

    You're a Poet, Sean Taylor's new book about writing poetry, draws on his years of writing and teaching poetry in schools. </...

  • Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju:  The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju: The Twirly Wiggly Dance

    Farrah Riaz is a London-based author from a Hindustani background. Creating characters in all sorts of narr...

  • Professor Anjali Goswami

    Professor Anjali Goswami

    Professor Anjali Goswami's first children's book, Dig Dig Dinosaur, is aimed at sharing her passion about n...

  • Sarah Matthews & Rodney Matthews

    Sarah Matthews & Rodney Matthews

    Sarah and Rodney Matthews have created a new children's fantasy adventure, Oddney's Otherland: Chronicles from Benea...

  • Alan MacDonald

    Alan MacDonald

    Alan MacDonald introduces his brilliant new series for younger readers about best friends Huxley, a koala b...

  • Adeola Sokunbi

    Adeola Sokunbi

    Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise is Adeola Sokunbi's first book for children. Adeola is both a writer and illustrator, and an...

  • Bryony Pearce

    Bryony Pearce

    Discover ancient gods, mysterious thefts, and new friends in Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwold, Bryony Pearc...

  • Alex Latimer

    Alex Latimer

    Award-winning writer and illustrator Alex Latimer introduces Godfrey is a Frog, a hilarious picture book about being content...

  • Tom McLaughlin

    Tom McLaughlin

    Tom McLaughlin introduces The Boy Who Painted the World, his new picture book that encourages children to embrace creativity...

  • Patrick Gallagher

    Patrick Gallagher

    Transcendent, the action-packed debut by Patrick Gallagher, explores the climate crisis against a backdrop of Uganda...

  • Jennifer Bell

    Jennifer Bell

    Find out what inspired Jennifer Bell's wondrous new series, Magicalia: Race of Wonders!  Londoner Jennifer Bell worke...

  • Susannah Lloyd & Kate Hindley: Who Ate Steve?

    Susannah Lloyd & Kate Hindley: Who Ate Steve?

    Susannah Lloyd is the author of picture books including Who Ate Steve?, Here Be Giants and Here Be Dragons....

  • Gloria Goes for Gold by Marina Firth & Annabel Tempest

    Gloria Goes for Gold by Marina Firth & Annabel Tempest

    Discover a young hippo who loves her medal-winning family, but who wants to win a prize al...

  • Ramzee

    Ramzee

    Author and comic creator Ramzee joins ReadingZone to tell us about his school days, a 'cheat book', and making reade...

  • Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo, author of Welcome to Lagos, introduces her first children's book, Mayowa and the Sea of Words</stron...

  • Fiona Longmuir

    Fiona Longmuir

    Freya's Gold by Fiona Longmuir is a mystery story about a secret tunnel, hidden treasure and a community fighting to...

  • Ross Montgomery

    Ross Montgomery

    Author Ross Montgomery tells ReadingZone about his new book, I Am Rebel, about a dog's quest to save the boy who res...

  • Marcela Ferreira & Mark Chambers: Bear Vs Dragon

    Marcela Ferreira & Mark Chambers: Bear Vs Dragon

    Marcela Ferreira was born in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to London as a teenager. S...

  • Alex Falase-Koya

    Alex Falase-Koya

    Author of the Marv superhero books, Alex Falase-Koya has been writing since he was a teenager and in 2019 w...

  • Manon Steffan Ros

    Manon Steffan Ros

    Carnegie-winning author Manon Steffan Ros tells ReadingZone about her new novel, Me and Aaron Ramsey. Manon was born...

  • Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner, historian, author and podcast host, tells ReadingZone about his new Totally Chaotic History series, sta...

  • Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm's new science fiction novel I Am Wolf (Nosy Crow) is the first in an exc...

  • Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey's Time Travel Twins series (Andersen Press) takes its readers back in time to explore different...

  • Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga is a neuroscientist and science writer. Aftera decade at the forefront of brain research, he...

  • Louise Forshaw

    Louise Forshaw

    Louise Forshaw's hilarious new graphic novel series, Bad United, stars Hoof the unicorn in a football team with some unusual...

  • Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, introduces her new book, Bird Boy. Catherine s...

  • Abi Elphinstone

    Abi Elphinstone

    Abi Elphinstone grew up in Scotland where she spent most of her childhood running wild across the moors, hiding in tree hous...

  • Katya Balen

    Katya Balen

    Katya read English at university and then completed an MPhil researching the impact of stories on autistic children's behavi...

  • Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson joins ReadingZone to introduce her picture books, Martha Maps it Out and Martha Maps it Out in Time...

  • Zohra Nabi

    Zohra Nabi

    Zohra Nabi grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but...

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold

    In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change m...

  • Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

    Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

    Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl is a writer and editor. Her recent books include Beyonce (Knowles-Carter) and Nelson (Mandela), whi...

  • Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak writes books about magical summer camps, missing people, and the inner life of dogs.  She grew up in North C...

  • Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

    Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

    Anders Sparring writes children’s books and is a screenwriter for many popular television shows.  He is als...

  • Ash Bond

    Ash Bond

    Ash Bond writes magical stories that have classical myth sprinkled through them like fairy dust. Look out for her debut, <st...

  • Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan introduces her powerful new verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury YA). Sa...

  • Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dåsnes is an author and illustrator. Cross My Heart and Never Lie is her debut as a writer and illustr...

  • Guy Bass:  Hugh Dunnit Mysteries

    Guy Bass: Hugh Dunnit Mysteries

    Guy Bass introduces Hugh Dunnit, 'a self-styled detective who loves nothing more than cracking cases and solving mys...

  • Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard introduces her latest novel, Alyssa and the Spell Garden, exploring community, teamwork...

  • Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne's Big Bad Wolf Investigates explores the science behind our favourite fairy tales... Gr...

  • Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Authors Katie and Kevin Tsang introduce their new Dragon Force adventure, Devourer's Attack, in this special ReadingZone fea...

  • Steve Webb

    Steve Webb

    Steve Webb tells ReadingZone about his hilarious new graphic novel about the newest superheroes in town, Peng and Sp...

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the we...

  • Christopher Edge

    Christopher Edge

    Black Hole Cinema Club, Christopher Edge's latest novel, is a love story to movies. Dive into an immersive blockbuster exper...

  • Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    The bestselling Stitch Head series is getting a new look - as a graphic novel!  Author Guy Bass and illustr...

  • Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain tells ReadingZone what inspired her latest page-turning YA novel, One Last Breath. ...

  • Justin Somper

    Justin Somper

    Justin Somper, author of Vampirates, introduces his brand new pirate series, Pirate Academy! Justin grew up in St Alb...

  • Jarvis

    Jarvis

    Jarvis, author of The Boy With Flowers In His Hair, shares his new picture book, Thank You, with ReadingZone. Jarvis's earli...

  • James Nicol

    James Nicol

    James Nicol, author of The Apprentice Witch series, tells ReadingZone about his new eco fantasy, The Cloud Thief. Jam...

  • Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Award-winning author and illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo introduces her new picture book, I Love Books, on ReadingZone. <p...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Sinéad O'Hart

    Sinéad O'Hart

    Lola and Larch is Sinéad O'Hart's first chapter book series for young readers. Her books for older readers include...

  • Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan, an award-winning author who writes about strange worlds and fantastical creatures, joins ReadingZone to introd...

  • Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman and Guilherme Karsten tell ReadingZone how a traditional children's song i...

  • Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo introduces her magical new story, The Magician Next Door, and tells Re...

  • Elys Dolan

    Elys Dolan

    Rex Dinosaur in Disguise is the brilliantly funny novel for younger readers from E...

  • James Carter

    James Carter

    James Carter introduces Once Upon a Big Idea, the latest in his poetry books exploring ideas and science ab...

  • Jenny McLachlan

    Jenny McLachlan

    Stink the troublesome fairy is back in Fairy Vs Wizard  Jenny McLachlan's first b...

  • Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop's new book, On Silver Tides, is her first novel for teenagers. Sylvia spent an entire childhood reading fictio...

  • Gabriel Dylan

    Gabriel Dylan

    For readers who like their adventures laced with a dash of horror.... Look out for Gabriel Dylan's Shiver Point series!...

  • Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed and illustrator Hazem Asif introduce their new picture book, The Best Eid Ever.      </p...

  • Alex Bell

    Alex Bell

    Alex Bell introduces her magical new middle grade novel, The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts, the latest in a range of  nove...

  • Bex Hogan

    Bex Hogan

    Bronte Tempestra is author Bex Hogan's first young fiction series and it's packed with adventure, friendship and magical cre...

  • Tim Hall

    Tim Hall

    The inspiration to write about Robin Hood struck Tim Hall while trekking in the 'primal and dangerous landscape' of the Amaz...

  • Matty Long

    Matty Long

    Matty Long creates picture books including Who Rules the Rockpool?, the Super Happy Magic Forest series, Turbo Bunnies, and...

  • Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain lives in Belfast where she works with disabled students in further education. Her debut novel, Fly...

  • Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland is the New York Times bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares a...

  • Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson lives in Cornwall in the UK with her husband and dog, cat, ducks and a tortoise called Hercules...

  • Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle's new picture book, A Horse Called Now, explores children's worries with the help of a horse, No...

  • Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage was born and raised in Stevenage. She has a First Class BA Honours in...

  • Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy grew up in South Wales, on a council estate firmly sandwiched between the steel and chemica...

  • John Kane

    John Kane

    When John Kane was younger, he liked to make up stories for his little sister. Jimmy and Bear, who appeared in them, are sti...

  • Rachel Greener

    Rachel Greener

    Rachel Greener is a children's books editor from London who has written and edited fiction, non-fiction and...

  • Marcus Sedgwick

    Marcus Sedgwick

    Marcus Sedgwick was a full time author who died unexpectedly in November 2022. He was 54.  He grew up in Kent and had been l...

  • William Hussey

    William Hussey

    William Hussey's The Outrage, set in a future England that has become a fascist state, is published this mo...

  • Pippa Curnick

    Pippa Curnick

    Pippa Curnick has always written her own stories and loves illustrating, so it's no surprise that she has now written and il...

  • Jessie James & Tamara Anegon

    Jessie James & Tamara Anegon

    Tamara Anegon attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2008. Following this, she studied for a masters d...

  • William Goldsmith

    William Goldsmith

    William Goldsmith is a British writer and illustrator. Published by Jonathan Cape, his gra...

  • Tom Nicoll

    Tom Nicoll

    Tom Nicoll has been writing since school, where he enjoyed penning essays that were as silly as possible. Tom lives near Edi...

Competitions See all

Win a set of Mysteries at Sea

Win a set of Mysteries at Sea

We're giving away a set of AM Howell's thrilling Mysteries at Sea series

Get Creative See all

Join the Summer Reading Challenge 2024

Join the Summer Reading Challenge 2024

The annual challenge is organised by The Reading Agency alongside libraries across the country. This year's theme has been developed in p

This month’s highlights

  • Picture Book

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024

    Winners of the ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024 announced We are thrilled to announce the winners of the ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024, judged by Ste...

  • Book Trailers

    Make a Book Trailer

    Make a Book Trailer

    Create a Book Trailer Create a book trailer of your favourite book or your latest bookclub read for ReadingZone, and encourage others to read the book!  Or you can use it...

  • Podcasts

    Create your own Podcast

    Create your own Podcast

    Bex, a presenter for Fun Kids, has put together a simple guide for us about creating podcasts and gives us some top tips for starting your own podcast.

  • Videos & Vlogs

    Creating a Book Vlog

    Creating a Book Vlog

    Ever wanted to create your own vlog, but don't know how to get started? In these videos, author and book vlogger Lucy Powrie (lucythereader) gives her tips on getting started, what to inc...

Books