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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Not even out in hardback yet (released this week) - I read an advance copy via NetGalley

Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I love that so much and am probably due a (re)re-read! This one feels like another masterpiece - some similarities to Demon Copperhead in its depiction of rural working-class communities but also quite different, particularly its focus on music.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

203. Partita by Barbara Kingsolver An exquisite new novel about music, family, community, trauma and recovery - devastating in many places but also full of great warmth and kindness, as we see a woman's life falling apart but then being rebuilt with the help of those around her.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

202. War by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano A hugely powerful graphic novel about the effects of war on children - set in an unnamed city that could be so many places. "Every war is a war against children" - Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Obviously loads of verse novels, but I also love these collections for teenagers

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

201. Dangerous Influence by @sallynicholls.bsky.social An accessible and thought-provoking book for YA readers from @barringtonstoke.bsky.social about the dark side of having an online influencer for a mum.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

200. The Raven's Gift by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston Another truly stunning collaboration from the creators of Julia and the Shark and Leila and the Blue Fox, exploring teenage grief (specifically the loss of a sibling) in a way that feels totally honest and real.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

199. The Strangers by @naomialderman.bsky.social An utterly extraordinary novel, as strange as its title suggests - exploring motherhood, grief and a bizarre new species that has appeared without explanation. One of my favourite reads of this year.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

198. Traitors' Nest by @franceshardinge.bsky.social I really enjoyed my UKLA #lucky13th copy of this brilliantly original YA fantasy novel full of castles that change places - captivating, thrilling and moving, showing humanity at both its worst and its best. bsky.app/profile/ukli...

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Pretty happy with this shortlist: four out of my top six made it, plus my runner-up (and none of my least favourites!) Especially delighted for Elizabeth Strout - I'd love this to be the year she finally wins! Stuart and James also strong contenders to make this a double win.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

See below for these phenomenal longlists - it was a pleasure to be involved in choosing them and we can’t wait to see what all our teacher judges will make of them!

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

197. Anger is Only a Shadow by Elizabeth Acevedo Hugely powerful and poetic YA novel about a young woman navigating the American youth justice system and supporting her older brother whose mental health is deteriorating, as she tries to find a way that she can be herself and be free.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I am eagerly awaiting Tuesday's #BookerPrize2026 shortlist announcement, having read the entire longlist. It promised to be 'weird' and certainly delivered, but included some great books I wouldn't have read otherwise! These would be my shortlist picks (with Black Bag only just missing out).

The Things We Never Say
The Renovation
John of John
The Disappearers
Switzy
May We Feed the King

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

196. Two Is a Crowd by @cathhowe.bsky.social A highly accessible and immersive middle-grade novel about challenges of family, friendships and growing up which shows such an astute understanding of the emotional lives of children.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

195. The Lions' Run by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social Heart-stopping WW2 adventure set in occupied France, exploring complex, chilling and little-known aspects of this period's history.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

So wonderful to be at the Longsight Library in Manchester to launch the 2027 UKLA Book Awards with this year’s amazing teacher judges - watch this space for Tuesday’s longlist announcement! @uklitassociation.bsky.social @lyndajgraham.bsky.social @joyisreading.bsky.social @lockwoodcm.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Love all of these - see comments in Alt text

The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon - a verse novel that gives the best possible sense of what it is like to be a dog

Lies We Tell About the Stars by Susie Nadler - features Ursa, a diabetes-alert service dog who is a wonderful character in her own right

Dogs of the Deadlands by Anthony McGowan - a moving and brutal story of survival set in the aftermath of Chernobyl

My Dog by Olivia Wakeford - a sensitive exploration of loss and bereavement in which a dog offers comfort and companionship

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Reposted by Stephen Dilley

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Out now! Our September issue #BfK280. Authorgraph interview David Solomons, Windows into Illustration Carly Gledhill, 20 years of Lulu, Guy Bass & David Roberts interview, NEW Beyond the Secret Garden, NEW insights into reading for pleasure & much more, inc new book reviews #KidLitUK bit.ly/4rfrQtp

The cover of the UK's children's book review journal, Books for Keeps September 2026 issue, no. 280. Cover features illustration from Guy Bass and David Roberts' new book THE WORST THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

194. Strike by Mitch Johnson An excellent football story for middle-grade readers which offers so much more - a sensitive portrait of a grieving family with a powerful message about social justice. Read my @booksforkeeps.bsky.social review here: booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/strik...

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

193. The Haunting of Old Splinter by Jack Mackay A brilliant follow-up to Gloam which once again delivers genuinely terrifying horror with moments of real tenderness. Read my @booksforkeeps.bsky.social review here: booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/the-h... @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

192. Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu Such a brilliant concept for a novel in stories - how do different characters react when they receive a 'ballistic missilie inbound' alert, and how do they live with the repercussions of this when they discover it was a false alarm a few minutes later?

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Reposted by Stephen Dilley

UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

This month's #UKLALucky13 #giveaway is Kitty and Mary! 6 months after Pride and Prejudice, discover the lives and loves of the other Bennet sisters! RT for the chance to win a copy! @imogenrw.bsky.social @thisisjuliagray.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

191. The Place of Tides by James Rebanks This month's book club read - an incredible portrait of an ancient and vanishing way of life, as the author spends a season on a remote Norwegian island with one of the last 'duck women', building nests for wild eider ducks and gathering their down.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

And some more because I couldn't narrow it down to four...

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

As ever, we have very similar tastes - could easily have gone for these (especially Carter Jones and Drama King) but here are some other great YA options!

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

190. John of John by Douglas Stuart Book #13 on this year's #BookerPrize2026 longlist - a sad and painful novel about thwarted desire which is also tender and surprising, set amongst a small crofting community in the Outer Hebrides. Beautiful and moving.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

189. The Disappearers by Marlon James Book #12 on this year's #BookerPrize2026 longlist - a vast, deeply harrowing but magisterial novel about homophobia in 1980s Jamaica. Relentlessly violent and sexually explicit, this is a hugely powerful novel about living in a society that wants you dead.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Did you enjoy Son of Nobody? I thought it was great!

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

RIP Wendell Berry - a poet of such wonder and grace. Like many, I suspect, I first came to love his work through The Peace of Wild Things, but this poem from last year spoke to me very deeply.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

188. Wyrdwood by @curtisjobling.bsky.social Deeply sinister YA folk horror set in a remote seaside village populated by characters carrying all manner of secrets. @foxandinkbooks.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I could just set up an auto-reply that posts a picture of 'Orbiting Jupiter' in response to each week's prompt... but in addition to that, these are great books about kindness and generosity!

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A highlight of every year: two days of impassioned debate as we selected our four longlists for the UKLA Book Awards. The books we have chosen represent the very best writing for young people today - watch this space for the longlist announcements in September! @uklitassociation.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

187. Real When I'm With You by @lucythereader.bsky.social Enjoyable YA romance which offers a sensitive and illuminating exploration of neurodiversity and the importance of finding people with whom you can be authentically yourself.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

186. The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by @coreyannhaydu.bsky.social Touching middle-grade story in which a twelve-year-old girl swaps places with a princess from a fantasy world she has created. Thoughtful exploration of growing up, friendships and family.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

185. Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray Enjoyable and well-written YA fantasy novel with great world building linked to the four elements and a clever series of trials between different heirs.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

184. The Shadow of the Object by Chloe Aridjis Book #11 on the #BookerPrize2026 longlist - a slender, strange, phantasmagorical novel, incited by bite from an elderly Alsatian and full of magic lanterns. This has been widely praised; I admired the writing but struggled to engage with it.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

183. The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze Imaginative and compelling YA dark academia fantasy with strong underlying political messages around class, gender and privilege - this will be hugely popular with our older pupils.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

182. The Partition Project by Saadi Faruqi Moving and informative middle-grade novel in which a Pakistani-American schoolgirl learns about Partition from her grandmother and decides to turn this into a documentary.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

181. New You For Ever by @stevecolewriter.bsky.social A fast-paced and accessible eco-thriller which asks profound questions about the future of humanity in a highly imaginative (and terrifying!) way. @barringtonstoke.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

180. Lies We Tell About the Stars by Susie Nadler I was totally invested in this gripping, emotionally intense novel about grief, loss, teenage relationships and space exploration set in the aftermath of a San Francisco earthquake. A great read for older teenagers.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

179. All Them Dogs by Djamel White Book #10 on the #BookerPrize2026 longlist - a gritty Dublin gangland thriller which also explores queer desire. Not what I would normally read but an increasingly gripping read with an assured and engaging narrative voice.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

178. Dance of Resistance: The Josephine Baker Story by @catwrote.bsky.social Brilliant and highly accessible retelling of the life of one of the most incredible and inspirational performers (and so much more!) of all time. @barringtonstoke.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

These are some of the most enjoyably weird YA and middle-grade books I have read!

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

177. Black Bag by Luke Kennard Book #9 on the #BookerPrize2026 longlist - a highly entertaining satirical campus novel exploring masculinity, relationships, art and performance. The narrative voice often made me laugh out loud.

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Reposted by Stephen Dilley

UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This month's #lucky13th giveaway is Traitors' Nest. This brand new spellbinding fantasy from award winning Frances Hardinge is original & beautifully told. It features 9 stunning illustrations by Nick Hayes. 5 copies available for UKLA members who repost #TraitorsNest #giveaway

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

176. My Family the Enemy by @karenmccombie.bsky.social Important middle-grade historical fiction exploring the treatment of Germans and other so-called 'enemy aliens' in Britain during WW1, which packs in a huge amount of fascinating historical detail.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

175. The Seeker and the Shade by Ellen Osborne Exciting, well-written and imaginative YA fantasy adventure with detailed and original world-building and an engaging romance plot. @guppybooks.bsky.social

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

174. Under Fire by @sufiyaahmed.bsky.social Historical adventure for middle-grade readers set in 1940s India, exploring important events including the Bengal famine with real depth and nuance.

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Stephen Dilley @stephenjdilley.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

173. Ghost by @finbarhawkins.bsky.social Clever YA ghost story following the interconnected lives of three young women living centuries apart. Sheds a light on the challenges faced by women in different time periods, and will appeal to any readers with an interest in folklore or the supernatural.

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