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The Waterstones Round Up: September's Best Children's Books

Posted on 25th July 2023 by Mark Skinner

The summer holidays might be over but there is still plenty for the kids to look forward to this month, with many huge new titles publishing. So, if you are sitting comfortably, let the Waterstones Blog take you by the hand and lead you through September's literary landscape.   

 

 

Whilst September may belong to the mighty Katherine Rundell and the first part of a fantasy series destined to become a modern children's classic, there are plenty of other magnificent reads also out this month. From Hannah Gold's stunning sequel to her Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning The Last Bear and Percy Jackson's rip-roaring return, to more laugh-out-loud tales from the world of Tom Gates and a gloriously gothic fable from Sally Nicholls, it's a bumper month for bookworms aged between 9 and 12.     


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The stunning sequel to Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner The Last Bear, Gold's exquisitely written and enthralling novel follows April's journey to Svalbard amidst rumours that her friend Bear has been shot.

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Reunited with Grover and Annabeth, Percy must fulfil three quests to obtain letters of recommendation for college from the mighty and unpredictable inhabitants of Mount Olympus in this deliciously pacey sixth instalment in Rick Riordan’s bestselling series.

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The former Waterstones Children's Laureate’s exciting new fantasy adventure series continues, as the four O'Hero-Smith children set out to return a Magical Creature back to its natural habitat.

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Following on from the gently spooky goings-on in The Double Trouble Society, this second instalment in the spellbinding series finds Ivy and Maggie faced with more mischief and mayhem.
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A new generation prepare to preserve the peace between humans and dragons in the first instalment of Katie and Kevin Tsang's electrifying Dragon Realm spin-off series.

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Liz Pichon’s schoolboy hero returns in the uproarious tale of what happens when Tom Gates decides to create a five star-masterpiece for Oakfield School's story book.

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Haunting, compelling and full of heart, this stunning novel from the author of the highly acclaimed October, October sees two twins follow a fox into the wilderness in an attempt to find their mother.

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A rip-roaring tale of adventure set in wartime Holland and perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Code Name Kingfisher sees two Jewish sisters fight back against the Nazi regime that threatens both their lives.
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When Tilly and her friends seek out Merlin in Arthurian legend, they discover that everything they thought they knew about bookwandering might be wrong in the spectacular final instalment of Anna James' bestselling series.

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Swapping Ancient Greece for Ancient Mesoamerica, Evans' hilarious Who Let the Gods Out? series continues with a brand-new set of deities set to cause some serious chaos.

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A masterfully told fable from the author of Ways to Live Forever adorned with gloriously gothic illustrations by Julia Sarda, Godfather Death warns of the dangers of making a deal with the grim reaper.
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Accompanied by over twenty original songs penned by the author, the debut children's novel from the popular comedian is a fast-paced and funny festive treat that sees young Leo rather rashly wish away all things Christmas.
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Both a heartwarming story about grief and family connection and a rip-roaring detective yarn, Finding Wonder sets Roo Thorn and her aunt on a mad dash around the country to prevent a spate of horse thefts.
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The author of Cinderella is Dead switches gears in this rollicking vampire romp for younger readers, as Malika and her friends are forced to take on the mantle of the vanquishers of old when one of their number goes missing.
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Written with compassion and sensitivity by Matt Goodfellow and blessed with Joe Todd-Stanton's distinctive illustrations, this eminently relatable coming-of-age verse novel revolves around Nate's troubled journey into the final year of primary school.
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The enchanting second instalment of the acclaimed Stolen Dreams Adventures finds Rachel called upon to use the powerful eponymous key in order to rescue a young girl who has been illegally smuggled into the Hinterland.
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The follow-up to My Name is Sunshine Simpson finds our delightful heroine contending with family problems, squabbling friends and a chaotic charity bake-sale.
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The Most Haunted presenter continues her spooky Ghost Hunter Chronicles, as the three friends become embroiled in a terrifying battle of wills with the notorious Pendle Witches.
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Set sail with the celebrated author of The Lie Tree and Unraveller on a deliciously dark journey, immerse yourself in a TikTok-conquering modern retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray and race through a riveting page-turner about duelling jewel thieves in our hand-picked selection of the month's best teen and young adult books.   

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From the award-winning author of The Lie Tree and Unraveller comes a haunting gothic coming-of-age tale about a young Ferryman tasked with transporting the lingering Dead across the dark sea to the Island of the Broken Tower.
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The sinister cult of brainwashed children causes more problems for teen spy Alex Rider as a deadly plot involving augmented reality rears its head in this pulsating sequel to the bestselling Nightshade.

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Perfect reading for fans of Suzanne Collins and Chloe Gong, Lewis' propulsive romantic fantasy pitches seventeen-year-old Rosalyn Quest into a deadly competition to save her mother - as long as she can resist the charms of an alluring fellow player.
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A deliciously sly retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray for the TikTok generation, Steven's seductive thriller finds the students at an elite drama school being picked off one by one through their enchanted likenesses.

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Return to the thrilling world of the bestselling Serpent and Dove series as Celie fights to prove herself as the Chasseurs' first huntswoman and a new evil rises to threaten Belterra.
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Agatha Christie meets Karen M. McManus in this whip-smart and stylish whodunit, which finds a group of high school friends embroiled in a murder mystery during a 1920s themed party in an island's stately home.
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The author of The Yearbook returns with a blazing YA dystopia that melds The Handmaid's Tale to Uglies, as Belle and Joni must choose whether to become Pretty or Objectionable.
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With echoes of The Blair Witch Project, this spine-chilling volume from an exciting fresh voice in YA horror brims with tales of danger, love triangles and fatal obessions.
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From the author of Win Lose Kill Die comes a chilling novella set at a summer camp haunted by tragedy, as students are picked off one by one in terrifying circumstances.
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September sees not one but two new books from the iconic Julia Donaldson as well as the picture book debut of the award-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and the charming return of the ridiculously talented 'Draw with' Rob Biddulph.   

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A breathtaking union of Julia Donaldson's gently rhyming text and Victoria Sandoy's evocative illustrations, this beautiful picture book traces the thousand-year history of a very special oak tree.
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Return to the ever-charming Acorn Wood and help dormouse feel better with a little help from her friends, in this delightful addition to Donaldson and Scheffler's lift-the-flap series.
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The acclaimed author of Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah delivers her heartwarming debut picture book, mining the inimitable bond between mothers and daughters through play and imagination.
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Proving that size doesn't matter if you've got a big heart and lots of determination, this adorable picture book tale from 'Draw with' Rob Biddulph revolves around the titular tiny whale's enormous mission.
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The delightfully deadpan story of a penguin who just can't stand the cold, this stylishly illustrated picture book boasts winning text from a real-life polar explorer.
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Suffused with Emily Sutton's irresistibly colourful illustrations, Twist's enchanting picture book debut spins a warm hug of a story about a girl, her grandma's garden and an animal pest who threatens to spoil everything.
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The third instalment in Fraser and Hindley's adorable picture book series sees Gertie and family load up the sledge as they move to pastures new.
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A simply magical tale with adorable illustrations to match, Drew, Moo and Bunny Too sets a boy and his two best friends off on a round-the-world adventure.
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This strikingly illustrated story of a bee, a ladybird and a toe-tapping celebration of dance and difference makes for heartwarming and inclusive reading for little ones.
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Two of the very biggest series for the 5 to 8 age group make side-splitting returns this month, as Jamie Smart unleashes more mayhem in his Bunny vs. Monkey universe and Andy and Terry add yet another thirteen stories to their already gargantuan treehouse.

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The madcap graphic novel series for younger readers returns with the woods thrown into chaos at the mysterious disappearance of pig and the arrival of an unusual bearded stranger.

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Andy, Terry, Jill and the irrepressible Mr. Big Nose return in another smorgasbord of silliness as the treehouse gains thirteen more levels and a distinctly troublesome Hall of Mirrors.

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The hugely popular presenter and author of the Toto the Ninja Cat series delivers a heartwarming and hilarious historical romp about a plucky swift determined to help the British war effort.

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The acclaimed author delivers a laugh-out-loud story for younger readers in which a prank war escalates when Vinay's cousin comes to share his bunk bed haven.
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Making gorgeous gifts for the junior bookworms in your life, September sees the ever-popular Supervet recount his incredible career for younger readers, Michael Morpurgo sprinkle his storytelling magic over classic Shakespeare plays and a who's-who of poetic greats feature in a fabulously funny volume of verse.   

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From bionic cats to hero hedgehogs, the beloved Supervet and author of Vetman retells the incredible true stories of the animals he has helped during his career for younger readers.

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The geneticist and author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived dives down into millions of years of human history in this hugely entertaining and informative guide to race, humanity and how we are all ultimately related to each other.
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Grow your confidence and get to grips with your feelings through manifesting in this essential guide for younger readers from bestselling author Roxie Nafousi.
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£27.00
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Through a wide array of maps, charts, timelines and tables, this visually stunning and utterly invaluable volume presents a treasure trove of facts and data in accessible and enticing infographic form.
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From Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet to A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Winter's Tale, children's storytelling supremo Michael Morpurgo adapts ten of Shakespeare's most beloved plays for a young audience.
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Boasting work from Brian Bilston, Maya Angelou, Spike Milligan and many more, this rib-tickling collection of funny poems for every day of the year is perfect for brightening up the dreariest of days.
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Chris Wormell once more provides pitch-perfect artwork to accompany Pullman's fantastical universe, as the His Dark Materials novella is brought to vibrant life.
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