Shortlisted Books

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Set in the pueblo of Palenque in Colombia, this book explores a community where many individuals have not yet learnt to read. The story follows a girl who, with the help of the local shopkeeper, is able to unlock the mysteries of […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. An inclusive and innovative tale that shows the colour and energy that stories can bring into our lives. Readers are given admission into a beautiful, old building where they are invited to imagine the rich and colourful stories that are housed there. […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: some homophobia, gender dysphoria, transphobia and dead-naming. A refreshing authentic visual autobiography told through an intimate graphic novel. Theo the lead character takes us on a rites-of-passage journey about self-acceptance and coming to feel confident in one’s own body. Issues […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. A tender look at feelings of sadness and despondency which is relayed in a way that is accessible and resonates with readers of all age. Wolf and Bear have been friends forever and enjoy spending time together, but when Bear begins to […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. A realistic look at a girl who doesn’t like books and the journey she goes on to discover a world of adventure and surprises within their pages. The girl’s task is to search out all of the ingredients to cast a special […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. The child at the centre of the story feels small and low and is left out of kite-flying games by the town’s other children. Wawa, the little blue bird offers help and hope, guiding the child through a diverse world where there […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. A strikingly original non-fiction book that brings the everyday, unassuming crow into the limelight with great effect. It showcases many interesting facts about crows including their great memory and their adaptability to the ever-changing world that surrounds them. Similarities between humans and […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. A deceptively simple story that offers a complex and convincing portrayal of how it feels to be lost in oneself. It offers an accepting, empowering and honest look at what it means to have a low mood and the ways in which […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: strong language, drug taking, some violence, sectarianism, suicide, death, murder, mental health, knife crime. A powerful coming of age novel. Con is trapped in Coatbridge, Scotland with few hopes for a secure future due to the harsh conditions of his […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: references to crime and violence, misogyny, arson, death, anaphylaxis, gang violence, vandalism, domestic violence. Relationships lie at the heart of this story. Anton wears the reputation of his father, who is in prison, like a badge of honour at the […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: strong language, violence, mentions of drug taking and child abuse, attempted suicide, PTSD, panic attacks, chronic illness, abandonment, depression, self-harm, hate. A moving story of love and family in all manners and modes. Finlay and Banjo are estranged friends who […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: drug-taking and trafficking, drinking, strong language, implied sexual assault, death, misogyny, homophobia, toxic masculinity, neglect. Multi-layered, original and compelling, ‘Play’ follows the friendship of four boys – Mark, Matt, Luc and Johnny. We see them develop from building and destroying […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: Car accident, death (including of a parent), child death, grief, references to drugs, sexual relationships and abortion  A haunting story of loss and bereavement and its impact on family dynamics, but also on the ability it holds to unite and strengthen […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: some references to drinking, child carers, hospitalisation of sibling, neglect, poverty, alcoholism, bullying. A poignant exploration of change and loss. Nate struggles to come to terms with the changes facing him in his home and school life during his final […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: strong language, drinking, some violence, racism, child refugee experience, authoritarianism, xenophobia, dementia, police brutality, death, terrorism, extremism. A multi-layered story that keeps you guessing until the end. Clem celebrates her sixteenth birthday with a picnic, a day that marks a […]

Please consult our group leader information for guidance on taking part in shadowing. Content advice: teenage pregnancy, references to sex, abortion, strong language, panic attacks, religious differences. A bittersweet romance that leaves a lasting impression. Set in Northern Ireland, Mel finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. Together with her partner Sid, she has to navigate choices and […]