The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List
by Nat Luurtsema, illustrated by Cécile Dormeau
Interest age: 9 to 14
Reading age: 9+
Published by Usborne, 2026
About this book
Overthinking is something 12-year-old Birdie is really good at. She starts off with a small worry, then worries about worst case scenarios until it becomes a big worry which she then catastrophises until it becomes completely overwhelming.
Her best friend Chloe is pretty good at overthinking too so together they make a Happy List to try and help cancel out the anxiety.
At first the list is useful, as dancing, being grateful and getting good sleep have positive effects, but when Chloe adds ‘making new friends’ to the list, Birdie feels it’s just one more thing to worry about!
Written in a diary format and highlighting the challenges of that awkward phase between being a child and becoming a teenager, Birdie’s experiences will resonate with many readers.
Navigating issues such as starting secondary school, blended families, self-image, new and changing friendships and other life changes, The Overthinkers’ Club is a sensitive, empathetic and very witty portrait of the difficulties of being a tween.
Black and white doodle-style illustrations give extra insight into how anxiety can escalate but also highlight the humour in potentially stressful situations.
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The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks
by Katie Kirby
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Quiet Storm
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Lou Out of Luck
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Boy vs Reality
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Books we loved in March 2026
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Best diary books for how it feels to be a teenager
There's something about the diary or journal format in a book that really helps you get under a character's skin. After all, you're privy to their first-person, most innermost thoughts. The relationship between the reader and this character feels so close that it can almost feel like a friendship. This must be why diary books are at their most powerful when you are a pre-teen or a young teenager: battling through puberty, everyday life, and trying to figure out who you are and want to be. Below are some of our favourites for capturing the highs, the lows, and the very, very funny bits.
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Blended families
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and it's validating and comforting to see your family reflected in books.