Felix and the Future Agency by Rachel Morrisroe & illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (Simon & Schuster – May 2025)
Being able to know the future might seem like a totally amazing skill to have but for Feliz Green, it’s anything but. Constantly in trouble for telling others about dangerous incidents to come, he’s suspected of causing them and regularly accused of lying when he denies it. After the final straw, he’s expelled from school and whisked away to magical London to work for a secret government agency where his gift will be appreciated. There, Felix encounters unimaginable challenges, frightful enemies and the most fantastic adventure.
Readers who have been to London will never look at it the same way again. The underground, famous landmarks and the Thames are completely reimagined into a wonderful storybook world. Felix and the Future Agency is perfect for readers age 8+ who are looking for a unique story full of action, magic and mystery.
The Museum of Lost Umbrellas by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Faber – July 2025)
The Museum of Lost Umbrellas is the first in what promises to be a hugely imaginative new fantasy series – The Cloud Witch Chronicles. Set on the magical island of Ollipest where houses grant wishes and parrots turn into people, you never know what’s going to happen next. After her mum passes away, Dilly is sent to live with her brusque Great Aunt Florence. As she discovers more about her mother’s family, she realises she has ancestral powers that will change everything.
When the mysterious Museum of Lost Umbrellas reopens after many years, even more strange things start to happen. This cleverly creative story celebrating the joy of books and libraries along with unique magic and delightful characters is sure to be incredibly popular.
Grimstink by Daniel Peak (Firefly- July 2025)
Daniel Peak is back with his straight-talking sci-fi humour that grabs readers from the first page. I adored Little Horror so I knew Grimstink would be something great!
13-year-old Layla Tenby is having the worst birthday ever when she’s forced to take a job delivering leaflets door to door instead of receiving any presents. Out in the rain, the last thing she expects is to find a glowing, pulsing purple stone inside a rubbish bin. In an instant, Layla is transported to an unusual planet while Alien Grimstink lands on Earth to take her place. While Layla tries to cope with life in space, Grimstink reveals the bizarre truths about life on Earth with a hilarious point of view.
Grimstink would make a fantastic prompt for challenging children to write about day-to-day life on Earth from an alien perspective. What seems ordinary to us might actually be really weird to someone else!
The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran (O’Brien Books – March 2025)
Detention stories are fantastic for bringing together the most unlikely combination of characters in a huge adventure! A terrifying monster, flashes of lightning and a crumbling mansion throw Jack, Conan, Yash and Jerry into a perilous adventure. As they deal with creatures from Celtic mythology, midnight cemeteries and navigating parents and teachers, the gang find themselves in the ultimate doomsday scenario.
The Doomsday Club is a brilliant Key Stage Three adventure that will keep kids reading.
Wildlands by Brogen Murphy (Puffin – March 2025)
Rather than dystopian, Wildlands is a hopeful, utopian story envisioning a future where humans have taken drastic steps to care for wildlife and enable them to thrive. It’s 2050. A vast area of Britain has been turned into a nature reserve where animals roam free and plants flourish. No humans are permitted except for those on the high-speed train from London to Glasgow. When their train journey unexpectedly slows and sisters Astrid and Indie are left behind in the Wildlands, they must look deep inside themselves to find the survival instincts they need to make it home.
Wildlands explores the true power of nature and the respect it demands. Readers who love Bear Grylls and books by Nicola Penfold will quickly get lost in Astrid and Indie’s story. Issues such as sustainability, rewilding, poaching and teamwork will challenge readers to think about what they really believe is important.
Afia in the Land of Wonders by Mia Araujo (Scholastic – April 2025)
Fans of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will adore this new take on the classic story. Stunningly illustrated in full, glossy colour, Afia in the Land of Wonders whisks readers away to the fantasy setting of Dafra. Walking through vibrant markets, supporting her family’s crystal mine and a longing for travel, Afia dreams of a life beyond the town while her twin sister, Aya, is content to follow the path of their family’s expectations. When a mystical shape-shifter tempts Afia with tales of a magical land, she can’t help but follow.
At first, the land of Ijabu is irrisistible. Fantastical creatures and a charming queen sweep her away into adventure. But things are quite as they seem. A warning from a wooden mask in the shape of a wildcat, strange cakes and an unusual tea ceremony make Afia miss her home and her sister. She must find a way to escape this strange land before the queen orders, “Off with her head!”
Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna & illustrated by Kristina Kister (Macmillan – March 2025)
Inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, Vanya and the Wild Hunt is the first book in an exciting fantasy series.
Vanya is an incredibly likeable protagonist. Insightful about her unique ability to hear books talking to her and her recent ADHD diagnosis, she invites readers into her world. When a terrifying monster attacks her family, she discovers some amazing truths about her parents, their own powers and the secrets they’ve been keeping. Words like “familiar”, “archwitch”, “bogey” and “old one” swirl round her head as she tries to make sense of it all. To keep her safe, Vanya is taken to a magical library that will give her all the answers she needs – the enchanted Auramere. Finally, Vanya feels like she fits in and begins to make friends. But before long, the powerful Wild Hunt threatens to destroy everything she treasures.
This magical adventure will have readers on the edge of their seats! Intriguing creatures, fantastic world building and a fast-paced quest to defeat ruthless monsters build up to a finish that will leave everyone wanting more.
Storm Quest by Andy Prentice & illustrated by Tom Knight (Usborne – August 2025)
Interactive and so much fun, The Usborne Adventure Gamebooks are a whole new take on “Choose Your Own Adventure”. Full of puzzles, choices and a thrilling story, the reader’s fate lies in a roll of the dice.
Storm Quest is the newest adventure in this brilliant series. Readers are challenged to be brave and strong as they face the Great Storm. Huge waves, terrifying sea monsters and high-risk decisions stand between them and safety. Life points, abilities, boat points, a time-tracker, combat and special items help navigate this fantastic challenge. Short sections of text keep readers engaged as they sail through possible outcomes – buit watch out the boat doesn’t get stolen by pirates!
The Unfamous Diaries of Daisy Brewster: The Frenemies by Jenny Valentine (Simon & Schuster – July 2025)
11-year-old Daisy has big plans for the summer holiday. Her list of resolutions includes all sorts of things that will help her become a better actor and get a good part in the school play. Her plans get turned upsidedown when her famous, child actor cousin Maxxy Bloom comes to stay. How can she be her best self in her cousin’s shadow?
Told through a charming, first-person diary format, readers really get to know Daisy. Her authentic pre-teen voice reminds me so much of the girls in my Guide unit. I know they would love this book and eagerly look forward to further books in the series.
Click on the covers below to find out more or purchase online:
Bookshop.org:
Books by Kate Heap:
Click on the image to purchase from Bookshop.org:
Purchase from Amazon:
Disclosure: If you buy books using the links above, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org whose fees support independent bookshops. As an Amazon Associate, Scope for Imagination earns from qualifying purchases.
Scope for Imagination 