September brings new beginnings, and plenty of new stories to be discovered. This month’s children’s highlights travel from the lives of some of history’s biggest names to the depths of the ocean, with secret societies, fierce rivalries, promises to keep, traditions to uphold, and mysteries to unravel along the way. Whatever the adventure, there’s a new favourite waiting to be found.
Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier
By Charlie Higson
9781915797704 | Ian Fleming Publications | PB | £9.99 | Ages 9-12 | Out 3rd September 2026
Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier features a short story by Charlie Higson, and is the complete and definitive guide to the world and adventures of Young Bond. Packed with information — from in-depth character profiles to the cars, the weapons and the exotic locations, plus facts, stats, photographs, maps, and illustrations by Kev Walker — this book is both a must-have for Young Bond fans and a perfect introduction to the mega-selling series.
Larger Than Life: Charles Darwin
By Mary Auld & Bethany Lord
9781916781412 | NQ Publishers | HB | £10.99 | Ages 6-12 | Out 30th September 2026
Charles Darwin was a pioneer in the field of biology and one of the greatest British scientists who ever lived. His ideas revolutionised the way we understand the natural world, especially the fantastic diversity of life on Earth and its origins. Charles Darwin is the first title in our new Larger Than Life series.
Larger Than Life: Amelia Earhart
By Mary Auld & Bethany Lord
9781916781429 | NQ Publishers | HB | £10.99 | Ages 6-12 | Out 30th September 2026
Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She was lost over the Pacific Ocean in July 1937 while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the world. Her courage and accomplishments not only contributed to the history of flying, but also helped motivate women to pursue their dreams.
By Aisha Saeed
9781923058958 | Text Publishing Company | PB | £7.99 | Ages 8-12 | Out 24th September 2026
Hafsa has always dreamed of becoming a doctor, so when she’s accepted into a prestigious summer science camp, she’s thrilled. But her parents are not happy. The camp is expensive, it’s in a big city, and they don’t think a girl should aspire to be a doctor. Fortunately, her sister and brother-in-law invite her to stay with them. But it turns out Hafsa has enrolled in the wrong course and her classmates treat her badly. She’s also worried about her sister, who is neglecting her career now that she’s married. Hafsa refocuses her energy on climate change. On a field trip to the city zoo, she encounters an elephant with bigger problems than her own and realises that standing up for what’s right, whether in the classroom, with her sister, or at the zoo, sometimes means breaking the rules. But Hafsa’s ready — even if it means getting in trouble. Based on a true story, Hafsa’s Way is an uplifting novel about a girl who defies her family and community’s patriarchal expectations by pursuing her dreams for a better future.
By Danny Ramadan & Anna Bron
9781834021423 | Annick Press | PB | £7.99 | Ages 6-9 | Out 22nd September 2026
When her grandmother visits from Syria, Salma struggles to keep up with Tita’s Arabic — and Tita doesn’t want to learn English. Even worse, Tita seems disappointed in Salma. Salma is eager to share her life with Tita, but speaking to each other feels harder than ever. With her own creativity and help from her friends, including jokester Ayman and kind Granny Donya, Salma discovers all the ways we can communicate without words — from a backgammon tournament, to body language, to music — and what Arabic means to her family, her community, and herself. Featuring several Arabic words and expressions, the book also includes a bonus connect-the-dots Arabic alphabet activity. Twenty emotive black-and-white illustrations by Anna Bron complement award-winning author Danny Ramadan’s trademark honest, heartfelt, and often humorous writing.
By Jessica Kulekjian & Cinyee Chiu
9781525314100 | Kids Can Press | HB | £17.99 | Ages 4-8 | Out 1st September 2026
What can happen during one whale’s breath? Here, readers find out by travelling along with a humpback whale from inhale to exhale. An evocative poem — written as one long sentence without pauses to mirror the whale’s breath — describes the activities of all the sea creatures the whale passes, focusing on the way each one breathes. Fascinating facts about their breathing are presented separately in straightforward sidebars. It’s a wondrous journey, sure to captivate readers, as they discover how important oxygen is to most living things — under and above the sea — and how we all benefit from sharing it. This beautiful informational picture book takes an innovative approach to a topic with high appeal. Award-winning author Jessica Kulekjian has crafted a lyrical tale of life under the sea backed up with accessible and expert-vetted science about how creatures breathe. It covers how long creatures can go between breaths, whether they breathe air using their lungs or breathe in water using their gills, and the interdependence of different species for their oxygen. Life-forms included range from sardines and sharks to crabs and kelp, as well as humans and seagulls. Cinyee Chiu’s lush, colour-drenched illustrations provide a delightful whale’s-eye view of a marine ecosystem.
By Alan Woo & Rachel Wada
9781525314094 | Kids Can Press | HB | £17.99 | Ages 4-8 | Out 1st September 2026
A young boy and his family arrive at the cemetery to celebrate Ching Ming, the day they and many other families remember and honour their ancestors. For the boy, the rituals of the day feel like a game — the Cemetery Game. The family members bring flowers and special foods to the gravesites of their relatives. They light incense, burn play money and bow together. The boy and his sister even find time for a laugh, imagining themselves at a tea party for ghosts! But as their older brother reminds them, this day is important and they need to pay attention. After all, one day this will all be their responsibility. In this sensitively told picture book about a family tradition, award-winning author Alan Woo’s spare text perfectly captures the way a young child recognises the reverence being called for in honouring ancestors while also indulging his natural inclination to find fun in it. Award-winning illustrator Rachel Wada uses sweeping images of incense smoke and shadows to evoke the emotional resonance of the cemetery setting. This accessible introduction to Ching Ming — also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day — aligns with elementary social studies lessons on celebrations. It also offers a child-friendly perspective on death and visiting the cemetery, providing an excellent opportunity to have conversations with young children about meaningful family rituals and how we pay tribute to those who came before us. Inspired by the author’s childhood experiences, the book contains a personal note from him at the end.
By C.S. Pacat & Johanna The Mad
9798892159005 | BOOM! Box | PB | £16.99 | Ages 13-17 | Out 1st September 2026
Scrappy fencer Nicholas Cox has big dreams of following in the footsteps of the father he’s never known, but when he’s accepted into the elite Kings Row private school, he’s thrust into a world of cutthroat competition. Facing down privileged rivals, gruelling try-outs, and the seemingly unbeatable Seiji Katayama, Nicholas discovers that it will take more than determination to prove himself worthy of a place on the team. Experience drama, romance, and tension in the breakout GLAAD-nominated comics written by New York Times-bestselling author of Dark Prince, C.S. Pacat, and brought to life by fan-favourite artist Johanna the Mad! Collected for the first time in three beautifully packaged graphic novels! Collects Fence #1-12.
