Defy the norms and believe in yourself: March highlights at Better Reading Kids

Life is back at its regular rhythm. School’s back, work’s back, and some normalcy is back in place after the past year. The titles and books on our desk this March demonstrate poignant themes of self-belief, being there for others, thinking outside the box, and friendship – all with a sprinkle of magic.

We saw non-fiction titles presented in an understandable and accessible manner and fiction titles that show the true themes of believing in yourself with a dash of fun mixed into them. Now that kids have settled in, these themes are important after the adjustment period and help them to learn important qualities and different topics.

Here are the top titles on our reading list in March.

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery by Ally Carter

April is one of five foster kids living at Winterborne Home, a sprawling mansion full of secrets. The biggest secret is that Gabriel Winterborne, their reclusive millionaire guardian, is actually The Sentinel, a masked vigilante tasked with protecting the city. When Gabriel goes missing, again, it’s up to the kids to find him before his enemies do.

Readers aged 8+

The Gaps by Leanne Hall

16-year-old Yin is abducted and suspects are being questioned. Her Year Ten compatriots are reeling with shock. Friendships are fractured and new alliances are forged. Tension and uncertainty undermine trust. Will their lives ever be the same? Questions of vulnerability, safety and danger are woven through the story, challenging us all to examine society’s bias and obligations.

Readers aged 14+

Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney

Grab a flashlight, crawl under the covers, and dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley Jefferson’s imagination. You’ll meet zombies, vampires, ghosts, and much more in these comically terrifying tales.

Readers aged 7+

Dragon Legend by Katie and Kevin Tsang

Dylan has been kidnapped by the evil Dragon of Death and it’s up to his friends to travel back to the dangerous Dragon Realm to save him. So begins an epic quest – but can good triumph evil? An extraordinary sequel that picks up right where Dragon Mountain left off. The book’s charm lies in the nostalgia of the past in Dragon Realm, with character traits of strength and determination that transcend time.

Readers aged 9+

Look Book by Dan Marshall

Do you see what I see? Is that a clock or a car? Is that a vegetable or a volcano? Dynamic and beautifully designed, Look Book is the interactive ‘this or that’ alphabet book that shows me one thing and you another! This ingenious picture book is two-fold. It helps to build vocabulary with terms with words we don’t often see used for this age bracket, and it also teaches readers about perspective and a new way of looking at things.

Readers aged 2+

A Tangle of Spells by Michelle Harrison

It should have been a fresh start for the Widdershins sisters. Finally free from the misty gloom of Crowstone, and beginning a new life in the picturesque village Pendlewick. But all is not as it seems. As one of their own begins to slip away from them, the sisters find themselves in a race against time to break a dark magic that has cast a spell over the village. With unexpected twists and turns, readers will be left spellbound as they’re immersed in the magic of Harrison’s compelling storytelling.

Readers aged 8+

The Dragon and her Boy by Penny Chrimes

When Stick discovers there is a dragon living underneath the streets of London, he finds himself unintentionally drawn into an epic adventure and a quest — but how can he find a place for a dragon to live in London when dragons aren’t supposed to exist? Through illustrations and a handy glossary at the back of the book, Chrimes’ text pushes the boundaries of language and storytelling for young readers.

Readers aged 9+

Thunderbolt by Wilbur Smith and Chris Wakling

Diving for lost treasure in Zanzibar, Jack and his friends’ dive boat is lured into a trap by Somali pirates. Transferred to a militia training camp for child soldiers, the trio’s only hope is Mo, who befriends them – but will Jack trust him? The authors were inspired to write for a new generation of readers after seeing the action young people in the world today are taking. This is illustrated through Thunderbolt’s themes of friendship, family, environment, and power

Readers aged 10+

Kensy and Max 7: Take Down by Jacqueline Harvey

After winning the National STEM Championships, Kensy and Max are ready to compete for the international trophy in Singapore – a place actually rife with mysteries. Soon the twins have uncovered a much larger case than anyone counted on. And this time, it’s personal. With a character list, case note, and maps, middle-grade readers have the tools to recount the storyline and feel like they’re spies too!

Readers aged 9+

Bots and Bods by John Andrews

Bots and Bods explores the differences and similarities between human and robots. You’ll see the basic features of human bodies and how they are copied in bots, learning how movement happens, how the world is seen and sensed, and much more. Packed with detailed illustrations and fun facts, Bots and Bods takes you on a fascinating tour of the human – and robot – body.

Readers aged 9+

Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera

In Emil’s race to find an antidote that will save his brother and rid him of his own unwanted phoenix powers, he’ll have to dig deep into the very past lives he’s trying to outrun. The battle for peace is playing out like an intricate game of chess, but has Emil been competing against the wrong enemy? The diverse cast of characters of heroes and villains and situations represents the good and bad aspects of life in a way that readers can comprehend.

Readers aged 14+

The Quicksand Pony by Alison Lester

Bella, the pony, is trapped and Biddy is forced to go on without her. The next day, the only signs of Bella are hoofprints in the sand with small footprints and the paw marks of a dog. Her search leads to the discovery of a mysterious disappearance that happened many years ago. With two plots intertwined, it makes for a storyline that pulls at your heartstrings and keeps you captivated from start to finish.

Readers aged 8+