Ella on the Outside
by Cath Howe
Interest age: 8 to 11
Reading age: 8+
Published by Nosy Crow, 2018
About this book
Ella is facing some big changes. She's just had to start at a new school, she's moved away from her best friend Grace, her eczema is acting up, and on top of all that, she has a huge secret to keep about her family. So when Lydia, the most popular girl in school, wants to start hanging out, things must be on the up... right?
The only problem is, Lydia really wants to know what Ella's hiding and she's also desperate for intel on the quiet girl in class, Molly. So just how far will Ella go to keep her new friendship?
Ella on the Outside is a hugely relatable tale that will strike a chord with anyone who has felt the pressure to please a new friend or has struggled to fit in. Ella makes mistakes, but she's also hugely likeable, and author Cath Howe perfectly captures her anxieties and worries.
But Ella on the Outside is also enormous fun to read – you'll speed through its pages without realising how quickly it's flown by, with big revelations and short chapters keeping things snappy. It's impossible not to root for Ella to be brave and make the right decisions, and the urge to find out whether she will powers this warm, considered and entertaining novel.
More books like this
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My Life on Fire
by Cath Howe
9 to 14 years
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Call the Puffins!
by Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad
5 to 9 years
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The Insiders
by Cath Howe
9 to 14 years
-
New You For Ever
by Steve Cole, illustrated by Chris King
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Books to help your child get ready for the big move to secondary school
The transition to secondary school can be both exciting and difficult. These books aimed at 11-13 year olds contain themes around friendships and overcoming a variety of challenges, as well as starting at a new school. Many of them are also empowering and affirming, recognising a range of experiences. Lastly, and most importantly, they’re all fantastic reads, sure to encourage children to love books.
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Books featuring young carers
Every young carer has their own story of resilience and strength, but they are often overlooked in life and in fiction. Here are a few of our favourite stories that feature young carers.
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Books about family members in prison
Many books are pure entertainment, but sometimes it's important to read stories that reflect reality. These books are set in the real world, and the main characters have a family member in prison. They are aimed at a variety of age groups, and all are fiction. I Send You a Hug is the exception to this, as it's more general. It's about loving someone even when you're far away, which might be useful to read with young children.
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Stories about moving house for children aged 7+
Moving house can be a worrying time for children. Change can be daunting. This selection of brilliant stories shows that even if you have nerves about moving, there are adventures to be had and new friends to meet once you're in your new home.