What to read after World Book Day: fluent and independent readers

For fans of Can You Get Jellyfish in Space?, this book will offer more insight into outer space and physics, including exciting experiments, vivid illustrations, and answers to important questions such as: what would happen if you fell into a black hole?

Also for fans of Can You Get Jellyfish in Space? this light-hearted story follows Leonard, a three-hundred-year-old alien who (after a slight mix-up) ends up in the body of a stray cat on Earth. What follows is a moving look at space, family and home.

If readers loved Loki: Tales of a Bad God, why not learn a bit more about how the Vikings lived? With rich illustrations, readers will get an insight into the funny (and disgusting!) elements of Viking life, from clothing, cooking, medicine and family life to war and famous myths!

Loki: Tales of a Bad God introduced us to one trickster god, but this book is jam-packed with so many more! Follow Trixie, trickster god obsessive, on an adventure to bring light back to the world with the help of Loki, Maui and the Monkey King. This book promises readers both adventure and an insight into folklore from around the world!

If readers loved the hilarious illustrations in Loki: Tales of a Bad God, they’ll love Freddy’s antics. Freddy is a robot who can’t wait to show off his superpowers at school: lasers, super strength and even rocket boosters! Sadly, his teacher bans him from using his robot abilities on school grounds. Will Freddy manage to find other ways to stand up for what’s right?

For those who loved the superhero school of Onyeka and the Secret Superhero, meet Amari Peters: a young girl whose search for her missing brother thrusts her into the world of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. There, she encounters magical creatures (including her weredragon roommate!) Blending a magical adventure story with resilience in the face of racism and prejudice, Amari’s story will have readers hooked!

Also for fans of Onyeka and the Secret Superhero, Fablehouse is a home for children like Heather who face racism and exclusion. It also has magic on its grounds: Palamedes, a knight from King Arthur’s court wanders the ancient woodlands. When Fablehouse is threatened by darkness, it’s up to Heather and her friends to protect their home.

If readers enjoyed Edie Eckhart’s story of finding yourself at school, this graphic novel is a great next read. Frankie is nervous about making friends at school – she wants to fit in and doesn’t want to tell anyone she’s autistic. Luckily, the upcoming Battle of the Bands competition will give her an opportunity to connect and find her voice.

Also for fans of Edie Eckhart, this story introduces Willa, a young girl living with sensory processing disorder. Willa’s life is turned upside down when her father tells her he’s been dating her best friend Ruby’s mum! This book is a really warm look at being neurodiverse, adapting to change and finding yourself at school.

A science-fiction thriller set at the bottom of the sea, this story is perfect for fans of Dread Wood: Creepy Creations. After she’s expelled from school, Lily agrees to start over, accompanying her mother to live on a deep-sea mining rig and research station. The station is riddled with problems: a disappearing scientist, a big discovery and out in the depths of the sea, something dark that’s calling to Lily…

Forced onto a school residential trip that turns strange and scary, Jodie’s story is great for fans of Dread Wood: Creepy Creations. During the trip, Jodie feels alienated by the other girls she shares a dormitory with and escapes onto the salt marshes. Now she’s trapped, and a ghostly presence makes her feel like she might not be alone…

If readers loved the ticking clock element of The Doomsday Date, they’ll love Erik J. Brown’s apocalyptic adventure romance. After a deadly global pandemic, Andrew knocks on Jamie’s door. Jamie has locked himself away from outsiders, and isn’t interested in making friends. However, when the two of them are thrust into a cross-country road trip, they become closer than they planned.

For another unflinching and honest romance, fans of The Doomsday Book will enjoy this story of 16-year-old Cynthia, a young girl who has recently moved and finds herself trapped between two brothers: one white, one Black. This coming-of-age story is a great exploration of relationships, race, class and growing up Black.