The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon

If you look up Doldrums in a dictionary, you will find that it's a state of inactivity, a sad sort of stuckness, the opposite of a daring adventure. And that is how this story begins. Three children who have been confined to their homes for various reasons meet on a rooftop to plan a daring adventure. They really don't expect to get very far, but they all agree they're "in it for the friendship".

The Doldrums is mostly very understated, a gentle and slyly comic exploration of the release that friendship can bring to the lonely. There is a final adventure, which is absolutely extraordinary, but the appeal of this book is found in the quiet small joys that can chase away the doldrums, without ever leaving home.

For ages 8+

Published by Greenwillow books September 29, 2015

Firstborn by Tor Seidler

Maggie the magpie is curious about the world, but she fears she might be limited to the area around the farm where she was born. When her friend the intellectual raven is shot, Maggie decides the farm isn't the safe haven she'd assumed it to be and she sets off in search of new experiences. This is an excellent nature story, told by a clever magpie who runs (or maybe flies?) with a wolf pack. There are lots of scenes depicting the brutality of the wild but Siedler tenderly balances this with moments of conciliation and loyalty. A deceptively simple and really interesting animal story.

For ages 8-10

Published by Simon & Schuster March 3, 2015

Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures by Pearce and Stiefvater

Pip Bartlett is a young girl who lives in a world very like ours, but with one huge difference, in Pip's world, magical creatures are real. People keep Griffins as pets and show unicorns competitively, there are special vets for magical creatures and a supposedly definitive guide book by Jeffrey Higgleston. Pip is really excited when she gets to spend the summer with her aunt who is a magical creatures vet. Pip loves all the magical creatures, plus she can talk to them (although no-one believes her). Unfortunately, Pip arrives in town at the same time as an infestation of Fuzzles. Tiny adorable creatures who burst into flames at the slightest hint of excitement. Can Pip get to the bottom of the mystery of where all the Fuzzles are coming from? And will there be enough time to save the Fuzzles before they are exterminated?

I love this book. It's packed with humor and crazy but simple illustrations. The characters are very easy to love and although the concept is simple, the language is complex enough to make this a stretch for some younger readers. A hit waiting to happen.

For readers aged 8+

Published by Scholastic April 28, 2015

The Imaginary by A F Harrold

The Imaginary is about an imaginary friend, his real friend is in a coma and he thinks if he can just get to her, he can wake her up and everything can go back to normal. Unfortunately, he needs someone to believe in him so he can get to the hospital and to make things worse he's being pursued by a man who eats imaginary friends. 

Although, this is a book for ages 8-10, but I honestly think everyone should read this. The Imaginary is a book for anyone with a big imagination, anyone who finds it hard to make friends and anyone who feels that real life is in the way of their creativity.

Published by Bloombury USA, March 3 2015