‘Reek’ by Alastair Chisholm was a Times Children’s Book of the Week. I was gripped by this fast-paced adventure and its strong environmental theme. Although it’s set in the near-future, the climate concerns and developing tech sound oh too real.

“Climate catastrophe leaves the people of Earth fighting for oxygen in this gripping dystopian thriller from bestselling sci-fi author Alastair Chisholm.

Sparrow lives in the world after the Reek. The atmosphere is toxically polluted, and Axel Brodie, the tech billionaire behind Zephyr Industries, is cashing in as the only supplier of clean air.

Sparrow is struggling to help her family survive until her brilliant inventor friend, Miriam Fenn, comes up with a new form of technology that could break Zephyr’s stranglehold on the air supply. But men like Brodie are hard to defeat, and he will do everything in his power to stop Miriam and Sparrow. Who will triumph in this battle to breathe?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.”

‘New You For Ever’ by Steve Cole is a thrilling sci-fi adventure which raises some key questions around humanity, A.I., and the abuse of power. I can imagine this being the starting point for some interesting discussions in KS3 classrooms.

“Can you save the world by living for ever? Anders uncovers the sinister truth about Pleekas in this gripping dystopian thriller from award-winning author Steve Cole.

The year is 2070, and the New You Foundation claim to have found the ultimate answer to the climate crisis. They want human beings to transform themselves into Pleekas – perfect artificial replicas. Pleekas can go on for ever but won’t create waste or use the Earth’s resources.

Too good to be true?

When a chance meeting leads young journalist Anders Jones to the sinister truth, he must risk everything to expose New You – if it’s not already too late …

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8.

‘Killer’ by Tanya Landman is part of a new range from Barrington Stoke which is aimed at those with a reading age of 6+ but a reading interest age of 11+. It’s brilliant for those older readers who may not yet be able access the same texts as their contemporaries. ‘Killer’ is a razor-sharp retelling of the tragic Welsh tale of the Royal dog, Gelert.

“The courage of a loyal dog is tragically mistaken for violence in this gripping quick read for seriously struggling readers from award-winning author Tanya Landman.

When the prince and his lady go out hunting, they leave their baby in the care of their faithful wolfhound, Gelert. But when they return, their baby is missing, and a horrific attack has taken place. What has happened and who will pay the price?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 6.”

‘The Day Death Died’ by Tanya Landman is another title aimed at those 11+ with a reading age of 6+. I love Tanya’s writing so am so pleased to see that she has turned her incredible talent to writing for Barrington Stoke.

“When Jack gives Death a taste of his own medicine, he’s unprepared for life in a world where nothing dies. An engaging quick-read for seriously struggling readers from award-winning author Tanya Landman.

Jack’s mum is ill and Jack is devastated when Death arrives to take her away. Jack doesn’t want to let her go, so he fights back and drives Death away.

But what consequences will there be when Death is banished from the world?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 6.”

‘Little Women’ by Louise May Alcott, retold by Laura Wood is one of a series of retellings of classic stories which have been carefully retold to maintain the key themes and characters of the originals, but are abridged and adapted to be more accessible.