How real is AI? A topical and sinister middle grade novel about artificial intelligence from the widely acclaimed author of The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good.

I am AI. I am your best friend. Or am I?

“A heartfelt, compelling sci-fi story” – Guardian

Imagine having the perfect friend, one who never steals, lies or bullies. Now you can, with the TrooFriend 560, the latest in artificial intelligence!

What can go wrong with a robot buddy? Especially one that's developing human characteristics and feelings … and who has just run away with her human.

More thrilling reads by the Waterstones Children's Book Prize shortlisted Kirsty Applebaum:

A hidden garden. An ancient tale. A missing child. This is an addictive mystery with crossing narratives that’s impossible to put down.

Fran doesn’t want to stay with her aunt and uncle and her annoying cousin, Imogen. Imogen is rude and unfriendly and, it turns out, missing… But her parents don’t seem to know who Fran means – don’t be silly, we don’t have a daughter, you know that. So it’s up to Fran, and Imogen’s best friend, Bex, to find out what’s happened to her.

Except Bex doesn’t know who Imogen is either. All Fran knows is that it’s got something to do with the hidden garden at Stillness Hall and the twelve statues that belong there. Could a mysterious old tale, a story of enchantment and death, hold the answers?

More brilliant stories by Kirsty Applebaum:

Princess Minna loves to sort out mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom! In this full-colour, illustrated chapter book, join her on an exciting quest to reverse the witch’s spell before it is too late!

Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out!

She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it’s time for bed.

In The Singing Sisters, Princess Minna is visited by Princess Sky-Blue and her eleven sisters. They’re going to have so much fun! But when the train arrives, all of Sky-Blue’s sisters have been turned into nightingales by a wicked witch! Princess Minna is going to need all her skills and all her bravery to put this one right…

Full of colourful illustrations, these short, funny stories are perfect for readers just moving on from picture books and visual readers.

Princess Minna loves to sort out mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom! In this full-colour illustrated chapter book, join her on her hilarious adventure up the beanstalk!

Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out!

She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it’s time for bed.

A giant beanstalk has grown up in the kingdom and the giant who lives at the top of it keeps stealing things from the townsfolk! Is Minna brave enough to climb the beanstalk and bring back the stolen things, and will the giant EAT HER if she does?

Full of colourful illustrations, these short, funny stories are perfect for readers just moving on from picture books and visual readers.

Princess Minna loves to sort out mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom! In this full-colour illustrated chapter book, join her on her hilarious quest to escape the Wicked Wood!

Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out!

She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it’s time for bed.

In The Wicked Wood, the King and Queen have DISAPPEARED! The townsfolk saw them and Lorenzo the dragon disappearing into the Wicked Wood and they haven’t come back… One by one, Minna’s friends set off to find them. But they don’t come back either! So Minna takes a deep breath and heads into the middle of the Wicked Wood, where she finds everyone eating the gingerbread walls of the house of the Wicked Witch! Quick – everyone must get home before nightfall! But how can they fly home when Lorenzo has eaten so much gingerbread that he can’t get off the ground…

Full of colourful illustrations, these short, funny stories are perfect for readers just moving on from picture books and visual readers.

Princess Minna loves to sort out mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom! In this full-colour, illustrated chapter book, join her on another adventure to tame a unicorn and much more – all in time for tea.

Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out!

She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it’s time for bed.

In The Unicorn Mix-Up, Princess Minna is so tired she gets a bit muddled and fights a unicorn, kisses a dragon and tries to tame a frog – which won’t do at all! Can she sort it all out and make a new friend along the way?

Full of colourful illustrations, these short, funny stories are perfect for readers just moving on from picture books and visual readers.

Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out!

She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it’s time for bed.

In The Enchanted Forest, Princess Minna has to wake a sleeping prince before nightfall. But along the way, she finds a swan, an old lady and a very fluffy sheep – all of them in a fix! Can she help them and still reach the prince before sundown?