Ready to meet your next read? Teen Breathe has teamed up with writer, book blogger, and avid reader Emily Waller to bring you our latest book recommendations.
THE BOOKSELLER’S APPRENTICE BY AMELIA MELLOR (AGES 10+)
It’s 1871 and 12-year-old Billy Pyke has lots of responsibility balancing on his young shoulders. The oldest child in his family, Billy’s parents are quick to ship him off to work and demand he hand over his precious paycheques. Desperate to avoid labouring in a nail factory, Billy lands a position as an apprentice bookseller for the mysterious Mr. Cole in Melbourne’s Paddy’s Market. It’s here Billy meets the Obscurosmith, a menacing magician who takes Billy on a dangerous quest he’d never have imagined. An adventure-laden historical fantasy and prequel to The Grandest Bookshop in the World.
JAYBEN AND THE GOLDEN TORCH BY THOMAS LEEDS (AGES 9+)
After finding himself in a magical land with no memories of his own, a young boy named Jayben wakes holding a peculiar golden torch. Shocked and confused, Jayben meets an elf family who inform him he is the Great Ninth Dreamer who has been sent from Earth to the Elf world where memories hang in jars from trees. When Jayben learns a sinister villain, Null, is after the torch, he realises he must dig deep within to ignite the torch’s fiery flame before the world goes dark forever. A fast-paced immersive fantasy brimming with themes of bravery, companionship, and ambition.
IF YOU COULD SEE THE SUN BY ANN LIANG (AGES 13+)
Alice Sun has always excelled academically. So much so, her stellar grades have scored her a half-scholarship to a prestigious boarding school in Beijing. However, mixing with China’s elite has left Alice feeling like a fish out of water, and that was before she started turning invisible! Struggling to avoid her half-tuition, Alice monetises her newfound superpower, offering her invisibility services to find out what her classmates want to know, for a price. But as the tasks escalate into the realms of punishable crimes, Alice must decide whether her services are worth her life. An original and dazzling contemporary debut.
SARDINES BY SASHI KAUFMAN (AGES 9+)
Lucas’s family is struggling. After his older brother’s death, his mum has left and he’s living with his dad in a trailer. Feeling lost, Lucas meets a group of fellow sixth graders at after-school care. The clan features an eclectic mix; there’s Robby who’s being bullied; Finn who needs a foster family; Anna who longs for her mum’s attention; and Cat, a rebellious basketballer. Lucas realises if the group band together they might be able to make each of their wishes come true – and for Lucas – that means divulging his family secrets. A heartwarming tale of tween angst and loyalty.
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