U | BookTrust

Ug

Author: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Random House
Reading age: 5+

Ug and his parents live in the Stone Age. This means stone blankets, stone-cold food, an even colder cave and, worst of all, hard stone trousers!

Uh-oh Niko: Bedtime

Author: Chris Chatterton
Publisher: Ladybird Books
Interest age: 0-3

A sturdy board book with sliders to push and flaps to lift, starring a sweet bear called Niko.

Uki and the Outcasts

Author: Kieran Larwood Illustrator: David Wyatt
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Compelling and imaginative, this epic fantasy adventure series is set in the Five Realms, a world dominated by tribes of rabbits. A multi-layered story that entices readers into an unfamiliar yet utterly believable world.

Ultimate Earth: Oceans and Seas

Author: Miranda Baker Illustrator: Gareth Lucas
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+

Full of stunning high-colour illustrations and thrilling facts, this is an excellent introduction to the oceans and the life they contain for young readers.

Ultimate Superstars: Ariana Grande

Author: Liz Gogerly
Publisher: Studio Press Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+

This accessible biography of actor and singer Ariana Grande charts her early life and rise to stardom. Written in a chatty style, it is an interesting read for fans and will help to inspire young people to follow their own dreams.

Ultraviolet

Author: RJ Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 12+

A remarkable, gripping and stunningly original new novel for teens

ULTRAWILD: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth

Author: Steve Mushin
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 12+

Steve Mushin is an industrial designer and inventor. This means that he spends his time inventing machines that transform cities into ecosystems: he’s made high-tech city farms, solar thermal ovens and even a 17-metre-long soil-making mechanical millipede.

Uma and the Answer to Absolutely Everything

Author: Sam Copeland
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

When Uma finds a mysterious bejewelled headphone lying in the road, she's astonished to discover that it can talk - and what's more, it seem to know absolutely everything! A hilarious story with a poignant message that some questions are more difficult to answer than others.

Umpteen Pockets

Author: Adrian Mitchell Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

The selected poems are divided into sub-collections including magic, scenery, people and animals.

Un Lun Dun

Author: China Miéville
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Zanna and Deeba inadvertently enter UnLondon, an alternative London which is threatened by Smog - a living poisonous cloud.

Unbelievable Football: The Most Incredible True Football Stories (You Never Knew)

Author: Matt Oldfield Illustrator: Ollie Mann
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+

This collection of true football stories demonstrates that sport can unite, inspire and amaze in equal measure. Readers can entertain their friends and family with a multitude of interesting, amusing and bizarre soccer stories from around the world.

Unbelievable!

Author: Paul Jennings
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A brilliant collection of funny, weird and whacky short stories in which, believe it or not, a kid can grow younger; birds can bury you; ghosts have exams; there are eyes in the milk.

Unboxed

Author: Non Pratt
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+

This is a touching story of old friends coming together after years apart. For a short novella, they are wonderfully complex characters.

Uncle Bobby's Wedding

Author: Sarah S Brannen & Lucia Soto
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-7

This huggable treat of a book is a gorgeous and heartfelt celebration of weddings, as Chloe learns that just because her Uncle Bobby is marrying his boyfriend, it doesn't mean he'll love her any less.

Uncle Gobb and the Dread Shed

Author: Michael Rosen
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 9

Defiantly playing with language and narrative conventions, this very silly, bonkers story is itself a joyful rebellion against systematised schemes of learning.

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror

Author: Chris Priestley
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 7+

These spine-tingling stories-within-a-story are the stuff of childhood nightmares, with a good smattering of ghosts, demons, blood and gore.

Under Earth

Author: Ellen Renner
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+

Following on from the final scenes of the first book in the Storm Witch series, Under Earth sees Storm learning more about the extent of her powers and how she can harness them to defend the autonomy of her island home.

Under Earth, Under Water

Author: Aleksandra and David Mizielinski
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 7+

This gorgeous large hardback explores what happens under the earth and in our oceans and seas in fantastically colourful and accessible double-page spreads. This is a really excellent example of nonfiction that is both comprehensive and fun.

Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron

Author: Various Editor: Jonathan Strahan
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+

What makes a witch? Despite the title, the stories in this imaginative collection suggest you might need more than just a pointy hat or a broomstick.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies

Author: Louise Gornall
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+

Seventeen-year-old Norah is essentially trapped in her own home, caught in the vice-like grip of Agoraphobia and OCD. Then one day a new young neighbour on the street arouses her curiosity. Honest, brave and utterly compelling.

Under the Great Plum Tree

Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Reza Dalvand
Publisher: Tiny Owl
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 5+

Set in the jungles of India, this is a marvellous retelling of a traditional tale from the Panchatantra, an ancient collection of Indian animal fables, which date from 300 BCE. A moving tale with striking, vibrant artwork.

Under the Love Umbrella

Author: Davina Bell Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Publisher: Scribble
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+

Bright, expressive and featuring joyfully diverse illustration throughout, Under the Love Umbrella provides poetic reassurance that whatever happens, children will be protected and loved.

Under the Moon and Over the Sea

Author: John Agard and Grace Nichols Illustrator: Cathie Felstead Jane Ray Christopher Corr Sara Fanelli and Satoshi Kitamura
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+

This joyful collection of more than 50 poems superbly conjures the sights, sounds and rhythms of the Caribbean.

Under the Same Sky

Author: Britta Teckentrup
Publisher: Caterpillar Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+

Under the Same Sky is a beautiful book with dreamy collage illustrations. It shows the way that animals across the world can have the same interests, hopes and dreams, allowing young readers to reflect on the community of our united world.

Under The Table

Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Bruce Ingman
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-5

It's a normal day, just like any other, when little Elsie Cannon runs outside to tell her Dad that not only has an egg mysteriously appeared in her egg cup... but there's an elephant hiding under the table! How many more new friends will she find?

Under the Weather

Author: VariousEditor: Tony Bradman
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 8+

A thought-provoking collection emphasising the importance of individual, as well as group initiatives.

Underground

Author: Uijung Kim
Publisher: Cicada Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 7+

In Uijung Kim's fabulous book, young readers will learn about subway systems in 10 international cities. The bright illustrations bring underground transport to life for little ones at a time when many of them are obsessed with trains, trucks and cars.

Undone

Author: Cat Clarke
Publisher: Quercus
Interest age: 14-18
Reading age: 14+

Jem and Kai have always been best friends - until Kai commits suicide and Jem's world collapses.

Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale

Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+

In this rather innovative book, Rosen tells the tale of a modern-day Oliver Twist: Shona. Shona’s story is completely relatable and well-drawn, demonstrating Dickens’ grasp of the human condition, which makes this a great read for more mature readers.

Unfortunately

Author: Alan Durant Illustrator: Simon Rickerty
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 2-7
Reading age: 4-7

A cheerful little boy out exploring has masses of lucky escapes. Somehow he avoids being eaten by a lion, a starving snake, a man-eating hunter and more...

Unheard Voices

Author: VariousEditor: Malorie Blackman
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 11+

This collection of writing about slavery was published to coincide with the 200 year anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807.

Unicorn Academy: Isabel and Cloud

Author: Julie Sykes Illustrator: Lucy Truman
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 8+

Magic, sparkle and unicorns are sprinkled throughout this book, but it’s essentially about what many primary school children struggle with: jealousy, bullying and friendships. A bite-sized chapter book that's ideal for a quick read.

Unicorn Moonicorn

Author: Nick Sharratt and Phoebe Tinkler Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Alison Green Books
Interest age: 4-5

With flaps to lift and a rhythmic text that’s really fun to read aloud, this glorious, colourful book will delight young children. It’s perfect for sharing – and for laughing along with.

Unicorn Not Wanted

Author: Fred Blunt
Publisher: Happy Yak
Interest age: 4-5

This is NOT a story about unicorns. Or pugs. It is set in the Wild West, with cowboys. But hang on a minute – who’s that? Toddlers will giggle away as a unicorn and pug desperately try to infiltrate this very silly picture book story.

Unicorn Seekers: The Map of Lost Unicorns

Author: Cerrie Burnell Illustrator: Lucy Fleming
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 6-7

Elodie Lightfoot discovers she’s a Unicorn Seeker! Not only can she see the secretive, nocturnal creatures, but she has a special bond with one. But with hunters after her unicorn, can Elodie protect her?

Unipiggle the Unicorn Pig - Unicorn Muddle

Author: Hannah Shaw
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

It's time for the selection of Princess Pea's first Royal Unicorn! Everyone is delighted with the sugary sweet unicorns in the parade except the Princess herself - who is besotted with Unipiggle, a pig with a horn. Will Unipiggle bravely rescue Princess Pea from the storm and win her heart? This brightly illustrated story about a girl who wants to break…

Unique

Author: Alison Allen-Gray
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 11+

On the road to self-knowledge, Dominic undergoes various crises of identity, while facing threats from a controlling state and a voraciously-intrusive media

Universal Guide to the Night Sky

Author: Lisa Harvey-Smith Illustrator: Sophie Beer
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 12+

A delightful, clear and informative book about stars, the moon, satellites, the sun, the planets and constellations, with lots of fascinating detail other things we can find in space, such as dark nebulae, asteroids and meteor showers. Practical, fun and accessible.

Unleashed

Author: Amy McCulloch
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Lacey Chu loves "bakus": robot companion animals that link directly into your brain. But when she discovers that the company who make them want to control the world, she has to fight back.

Unlocking the Universe

Author: Stephen & Lucy Hawking Illustrator: Jan Bielecki
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 11+

As his daughter Lucy says in the introduction to Unlocking the Universe, Professor Stephen Hawking believed in talking about science in ways that people could easily understand, and that everyone has the right to know what scientists do and what it means. At 400 pages, this is a comprehensive book, but within those pages it covers a big range of science topi…

Unnatural Creatures

Author: VariousEditor: Neil Gaiman & Maria Dahvana Headley
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 12+

A whole menagerie of extraordinary beasts appear on the pages of this short story collection.

Unraveller

Author: Frances Hardinge
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

Kellen can unravel curses and Nettle was previously cursed. Together, they must unravel the mystery of who cursed Kellen – before he unravels everything around him. A stunning fantasy that will transport the reader to a world of moonlit markets, magical spiders and mysterious marsh-woods.

Unspeakable

Author: Abbie Rushton
Publisher: Atom
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 12+

Part thriller and part romance Abbie Rushton shows us the world from inside the mind of a teenage girl who is dealing with loss, regret and guilt.

Unspoken

Author: Kwame Alexander Illustrator: Dare Coulter
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

How do you talk to children about slavery? An incredibly moving and honest look at the ways to discuss such an emotional topic – the perfect tool for teachers, and an important read for all.

Unstoppable

Author: Dan Freedman
Publisher: David Fickling
Interest age: 12-15
Reading age: 9+

Twins Kaine and Roxy are both talented sportspeople but the harder they work, the further apart they seem to grow. A highly charged story of complex family relationships, misplaced loyalty and overcoming devastating disappointment.

Until the Road Ends

Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

With short, accessible chapters, this is the story of how a stray dog, a self-obsessed cat and a war-ready pigeon named Bomber embark on a perilous mission for the sake of two orphaned children.

Until We Win

Author: Linda Newbery
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 7+

This dyslexia friendly book looks at feminism and friendship, set against the looming backdrop of the First World War. Lizzy is a fantastic character, full of passion and wonderfully unafraid to stand up for herself after joining the Suffragettes.

Up and Down

Author: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Reading age: 4+

In this charming sequel to Lost and Found we rejoin Boy and Penguin who do everything together until one day Penguin decides he needs to try something on his own - fly.

Up and Down Mum

Author: Summer Macon
Publisher: Child’s Play
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 5+

Everyone has good days and bad days, but in some cases, it is far more extreme. This powerful and moving portrayal of a parent with Bipolar Disorder is laced with hope and reassurance. An inspired picture book, created in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust.

Books beginning with: U