The 2026 Bookspark books

Thirteen horror-themed tales to send a chill down the spine feature in this collection of short stories from a diverse selection of authors.

Short stories offer a different reading experience and enable students to read a complete story in one reading session, while the tension-building plots and creepy scenarios offer plenty of material for students to get their teeth into!

The panel selected this title for the combination of genre appeal and short story format, offering a different type of accessibility with a dip-in-and-out element and the opportunity to discover a variety of authors and storytelling styles. 

Set in the hidden world of Auramere, filled with magic, archwitches, incredible creatures and a terrifying enemy, author Sangu Mandanna has created an exciting new fantasy world that feels both completely original and subtly reminiscent of Harry Potter. A diverse cast of characters, themes of difference, identity and belonging, and a plot involving family secrets ties everything together.

The panel selected this title for its brilliantly written and immersive world-building, adventure-packed storyline, nuanced characters and inclusive representation.

This comedy story about two friends who’ve had a falling-out but are on a race to transport a freshly cooked turkey across the city within two hours has a fresh, modern and relatable feel. The clock-ticking element of the plot is paired with superb character development and themes of loyalty, trust, friendship and problem-solving.

The panel selected this dyslexia-friendly novella for its super-readable, accessible format, the fast-paced nature of the plot, relatable characters and humour.

Here’s a review from a student at Weatherhead High School: ​“I would describe the book as very, very funny. It is a nice short book that also give you the giggles. Although it’s short and funny, it’s also a bit of an adventure to deliver the turkey.”

Non-fiction is a great way in to reading for students who are less engaged with books, and this book’s interactive ​‘choose your own path’ approach offers something completely different, making the reader an active participant in the reading experience. 

With multiple choices on each page, follow the different branches of evolution and discover the winners and losers in Earth’s evolutionary game. 

The panel selected this title for its brilliant and engaging combination of scientific detail and discovery, empowering format and conversational approach.

This laugh-out-loud, full-colour graphic novel about two penguin pals on a time-travelling adventure back to the Cretaceous period is very visually appealing and full of fun. Lively cartoon style graphics, use of lower-case text, and a clear, unfussy illustration style makes it a great book for lower ability or reluctant readers. 

The panel selected this title for its accessibility to less confident readers, with its easy-to-follow story, lower text level and lots of visual storytelling.

Here’s what one student at Weatherhead High School thought: ​“It was very creative and colourful, vibrant and fun, I recommend reading it :).”