"The most important periodical in the world of British children's books."
Sir Philip Pullman, CBE, FRSL
BfK 280 September 2026
This issue’s cover illustration is from The Worst Thing That Could Possibly Happen, written by Guy Bass, illustrated by David Roberts. Thanks to Little Tiger for their help with this cover.
Derek Keilty’s new series is a delicious mix of ghost story and secret agent adventure. Olivia Shivers has no idea that her grandad is a member of S.C.A.R.E. (Spook Capture and Rehabilitation Enterprises), or that it even exists, until an author visit to her school sets off a train of eye-opening spooky events. Olivia can tell there’s something odd about ‘spooktacular’ author Nik Gould, but the revelation that he’s h …
Derek Keilty’s new series is a delicious mix of ghost story and secret agent adventure. Olivia Shivers has no idea that her grandad is a member of S.C.A.R.E. (Spook Capture and Rehabilitation Enterprises), or that it even exists, until an author visit to her school sets off a train of eye-opening spooky events. Olivia can tell there’s something odd about ‘spooktacular’ author Nik Gould, but the revelation that he’s half ghost, real name Quill, is surprising to say the least. What’s more, Quill is determined to get his own back on her grandfather, one of those responsible for dispatching him to S.C.A.R.E.’s sanctuaries, a place where spooks can exist away from the living world. When Quill kidnaps her grandpa, Olivia, ably assisted by her best friend Roop, sets off to the rescue. This takes them to S.C.A.R.E. HQ, hidden beneath …
Joanne Owen interviews Nat Harrison for Books for Keeps. Conjuring rich details of period, place and internal worlds against a grand backdrop of the big wide world, Nat Harrison’s The Girl Who Raced the World novels are adventure-driven extravaganzas. The plotting is slick, the chapters are brisk, and cliff-hangers come thick and fast, which makes this rip-roaring duology all but impossible to put …
View Full InterviewAndrea Reece interviews Kevin Moran, the author of the bestselling Doomsday Club books. Kevin Moran’s debut, The Doomsday Club, about a group of young Irish boys who inadvertently open a portal into another world, r …
Children’s authors are standing in support of Sally Rooney. Rooney’s publisher Faber removed her books from UK distribution earlier this month – in full agreement with the author – following a 2025 pledge she made t …
Helen Parry’s debut novel, A Scrap of Moss and Magick, an exciting, atmospheric magical adventure with a very distinctive protagonist, will cast its spell over readers. Helen Parry answers our questions about her bo …
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Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.
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ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).
