From Heartfelt to Thrilling: July Highlights at Better Reading Kids

From enchanting adventures to heartfelt and inspirational reads, we have a fantastic July TBR pile. Our highlights are below but we’d love to hear about what you’ve been reading this July.

Cranky Chicken #2: Party Animals by Katherine Battersby

Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm are back in another laugh-out-loud, heartwarming and brightly illustrated graphic novel for newly independent readers, as Speedy tries to plan a party for a hungry Chicken.

Ages 5+

Buy a copy of Cranky Chicken #2: Party Animals here.

All Four Quarters of the Moon by Shirley Marr

A big-hearted story of love and resilience, starring sisters and storytellers Peijing and Biju, a lost family finding their way, a Little World made of paper, a Jade Rabbit, and the ever-changing but constant moon.

Ages 9+

Buy a copy of All Four Quarters of the Moon here.

Little Ash #1: Perfect Match! by Ash Barty, Jade Goodwin and Jasmin McGaughey

Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty teams up with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family.

Ages 5+

Buy Little Ash #1: Perfect Match! here.

The Snow Laundry by Mette Jakobsen

With the intensity of The Handmaid’s Tale, the drama of Divergent and the political intrigue of The Darkest Minds series, this is a captivating, fast-paced thriller set in a dystopian world not so different from our own.

For YA readers and children aged 14+

Buy a copy of The Snow Laundry here.

Friends Like These by Meg Rosoff

From the incomparable Meg Rosoff, bestselling author of How I Live Now and The Great Godden, comes an alluring coming-of-age tale about the summer that changes everything.

For YA readers and children aged 14+.

Buy a copy of Friends Like These here.

The Golden Swift by Lev Grossman

It’s been a year since Kate and Tom became conductors on the Great Intercontinental Railway, and life has changed completely! Delivering animal passengers to their rightful habitats using their very own secret steam train, The Silver Arrow, is exciting and magical and fulfilling. Until one day a new and mysterious train almost rams them off the track! Its name? The Golden Swift.

Ages 10+

Buy a copy of The Golden Swift here.

Willa and Woof #1: Mimi is Missing by Jacqueline Harvey

From the bestselling author of Alice-Miranda comes this humorous and heartfelt series about eight-year-old Willa and her best four-legged friend, Woof! Willa’s in trouble. Mimi – the famous racing pigeon owned by Frank, her neighbour and best old-aged friend – is missing. And Willa is pretty sure she’s the one who left the cage door open…

Ages 6+

Buy a copy of Willa and Woof #1: Mimi is Missing here.

Cop and Robber by Tristan Bancks

A new nailbiter from the bestselling author of Two Wolves. If your mum was a cop and your dad was a crim who needed your help to commit a crime, would you do it to save him? At what cost?

Ages 11+

Buy a copy of Cop and Robber here.

There’s No Such Book by Jessica Dettmann and Jake A Minton

It’s the night before the Book Week parade and Ellie announces that she needs a costume by the morning. Mum, who is taken by surprise, desperately tries to piece together a costume from what’s lying around the house …

Ages 5+

Buy a copy of There’s No Such Book here.

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical romance in the vein of Groundhog Day about a girl forced to relive her disastrous first day of college— only to discover that her nemesis is stuck in the time loop with her.

For YA readers and children aged 14+.

Buy a copy of See You Yesterday here.

Act by Kayla Miller

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller crafts a genuine and inspiring story about evolving friendships, supportive family, and finding out that you—yes, you—have the power to make a difference.

Ages 8+

Pre-order a copy of Act here.