Brand New Boy

New boy George is super clever and plays a mean game of football, but when his ear falls off in a lesson, his fellow pupils start to get suspicious. It doesn’t help when George comes for tea at Daniel’s house and his ‘handlers’ advise he can only eat a sliver of dry bread and some oil. It's clear there's something odd about George... but Daniel, Maxie and Louise – and Daniel’s cat – have started to really like him.

This is a story that will make readers think about what it is to be human, about how to live life to the fullest, and about the importance of love. Marta Altes’ fine illustration style is full of emotion - you'll find yourself poring over her drawings again and again. Whilst this is a funny and easy to read book, it's also sad and rather profound in places, ending on a beautiful uplifting note.

Fans of David Almond have come to expect great things from his stories, and this is no exception, showcasing children’s fiction at its best. It may also be a great gateway book to his classics Skellig and My Name is Mina.