The best books for kids and young adults this summer

IS THIS A PLUM? by Dan and Finn Ojari (Puffin £8.99, 40pp)

Peep through a cut-out window on the book cover to spy a round shape – is it a plum? No, it’s a hippo’s bum! Hidden behind other cut-outs are a spider/tiger, a goose/moose and a bat/cat, leading up to a surprise twist at the end. Ingenious and witty. Age 2+

TINY TIGER SAYS I DON’T WANT TO! by Smriti Halls Illustrated by Steve Small (S&S £7.99, 32pp)

This warm, reassuring and funny book perfectly captures toddler Tiny Tiger’s nerves at attending a party, throwing tantrums and creating havoc, until he sees others having fun and joins in – then, of course, he doesn’t want to leave. Perfect for reading aloud, with stamping of feet . . . 3+

WHERE IS PIERRE? by Emma Clarke (Bloomsbury £7.99, 32pp)

It’s Bear’s birthday but where is his best friend, the penguin Pierre? He’s not over here, he’s not over there, where is Pierre? A bouncy, rhyming text with bold illustrations following the search for Bear’s elusive friend – with lots of chances to spot where he’s hiding. 3+

DYLAN’S PARK by Dylan Thomas Illustrated by Thomas Docherty Edited by Helen Docherty (Graffeg £12.99, 32pp)

Using radio extracts and poems by Dylan Thomas, this recalls Thomas’s imaginative childhood playing in Swansea’s Cwmdonkin Park – full of robbers’ dens and pirates’ cabins, secret societies and eccentric characters. A nostalgic celebration of how outdoor freedom and simple games allow young minds to fly. A delight. 5+

UNEXPECTED GUESTS by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Frances Lincoln £12.99 48pp)

A FAMILY of mice is alarmed when humans move into ‘their’ house but soon find lots of curious objects and tasty treats to carry back home, until one plucky mouse gets trapped in a jar . . . With a gatefold revealing life under the floorboards and a surprise ending, this is great fun. 3+

MONKEYPIG by Huw Aaron (Puffin £7.99, 32pp)

Molly is a big, pink pig, living happily amongst the monkeys in the forest who are unaware of her difference. But when head monkey Norman sets a test to uncover the ‘imposter’, Molly is almost rumbled. Playful with glorious illustrations. 3+

YOUNG FICTION

BONE HEAD by Jamie Gregory (Scholastic £7.99, 256pp)

Demise, known as Bone Head, is a skeleton guardian of the underworld, who, after a terrible mistake, is demoted to looking after three-headed dog, Cerberus. Written in diary format with comic book illustrations (and sarcastic interjections from Bone Head’s boss, Mort) this is frenetic, hilarious and clever. 7+

The Night I Borrowed Time is available now from the Mail Bookshop 

THE NIGHT I BORROWED TIME by Iqbal Hussain (Puffin £8.99, 304pp)

After his father has a car accident, Zubair’s grandmother arrives from Pakistan and gives him a locket with which he can transport himself back in time. Can he use it to repair his parent’s shaky marriage? This funny, bittersweet story of a family’s past shaping its present is superbly well told. 8+

THE LAST WOLF by Rob Biddulph (Macmillan £12.99, 272pp)

Twins Jax and Jovi risk their lives by breaking a full-moon curfew to discover the truth about the werewolves that threaten their town. In doing so, they uncover dangerous human enemies plotting to destroy them. The first in a series, this is thrilling and richly atmospheric with engaging characters and stunning illustrations. 9+

FINN’S EPIC FAILS by Phil Earle Illustrated by Al Murphy 1`(S&S £7.99, 272pp)

Finn seems to fail at everything while his bullying older brother, Jonah, is seen as the golden boy. But when Trouble, a stray dog, moves in, Finn seizes his chance to get his own back on Jonah, while learning a lesson on where real power lies – a shout-out for underdogs everywhere! 9+

CROW: THIEF OF MAGIC by Fiona Dixon (HarperCollins £7.99, 304pp)

Crow robs the rich for his criminal masters, but things go awry when he’s caught by Viktor, a mysterious sorcerer, who then trains him as his apprentice. Crow learns to catch dreams which can be sold to the wealthy and powerful – but dreams may also be nightmares . . . Fast-paced, atmospheric and full of great characters. 9+

SIX WEEKS by Matt Goodfellow Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Starboard £8.99, 304pp)

It’s been a year since Alfie’s mum died and he still refuses to see his cold stepfather. During the summer holidays, he rides his bike every day until it breaks and he’s forced to ask for help. This remarkable, painful portrait of grief, love, family and hope is beautifully handled, warm and wise. 11+

TEEN AND YA

PIPER AT THE GATES OF DUSK by Patrick Ness (Walker Books £16.99, 352pp)

Ness’s Chaos Walking trilogy has moved on 20 years and Todd and Viola’s sons, Max and Ben (Ben can’t speak after being cured of the Noise, the male-only affliction where thoughts can be heard) confront fiery figures screaming out from the forest-attacking New World. Prejudice, gender identity and abuse of power lead to a terrific cliffhanger . . . 12+

The Summer after the Night Before is available now from the Mail Bookshop 

THE SUMMER AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE by Lisa Williamson (David Fickling Books £8.99, 352pp)

this powerful novel explores sexual consent and misunderstanding. After a drunken party, Molly wakes up in Ben’s bed. He’s her best friend’s brother and has always loved her. But what actually happened? Written from different perspectives, it raises disturbing questions and avoids easy answers. 14+

HER HIDDEN FIRE by Cliodhna O’Sullivan (Penguin £9.99, 416pp)

Aristocratic Ionian must prove he can channel magic to save his family. He can’t, but servant girl Eadha can, and she sends him her power. Eadha must keep her secret in a world of patriarchy and violence. Plus, she’s in love with Ionian but desires mysterious Gry . . . Oh, and there’s dragons. Phew, a terrific read! 14+

NON-FICTION

THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU A SCIENTIST by Dr Sheila Kanani Illustrated by Ellen Surrey (Nosy Crow £14.99, 64pp)

This Book Will Make You a Scientist is available now from the Mail Bookshop 

Published in collaboration with Cambridge University, this fascinating book looks at the work of ground-breaking scientists and shows how to recreate their experiments. Learn chimp language like Jane Goodall or extract DNA from strawberries with Rosalind Franklin. A must for budding boffins. 7+

MARVoLUTION by Dr Claire Asher Illustrated by Fiona Fogg (Bloomsbury £14.99, 72pp)

A PROFESSOR ‘time walks’ to a future world, changed by climate, without humans. Instead, animals have evolved and adapted: miniature bunny cows roam tiny islands cut off by tides, Vampire butterflies suck blood like mosquitoes . . . Thought-provoking. 7+

WORLD OF FOOTBALL by Marcus Rashford (Rocket Fox £9.99, 240pp)

As England fans hope for World Cup glory, there is no better time to brush up on the offside rule, the stepover, and the drag-back with England star Rashford. In this fact-packed book, he looks at the history of the game, tournaments and statistics, offers tips to improve your game and weighs up who is the Greatest Of All Time – guaranteed to start an argument! 9+