Ho-Yen, Polly – The Bell Bookshop

When the Storm Comes

Emma — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mali, Jonesey, Fara and Petey are reluctantly gathered in the library. They're not friends and they each have reasons they don't want to be there. As the rain starts, they do not bond as a group. Mali does not engage, Jonesy takes offence, Petey ridicules the others, Fara is silent, and their teacher Ms Devine is distracted. Outside, the bad weather steadily worsens. Soon they are trapped in the school, and pulling together may be the only way out when the storm comes.

The last dragon

Emma — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Yara has glimpsed the last dragon on Earth only twice in her twelve years. She's got other things to worry about - her sister is in hospital, her parents are panicking, and her new teacher has labelled her a troublemaker and wants her out. But one evening, in the glow of the lights of the shopping centre in Milton Keynes, Yara finds herself being watched by the last dragon and, before it departs, it leaves her a gift - its only dragon egg.

The Day No One Woke Up

Emma — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

An out-of-this-world middle-grade adventure about finding friendship in the most unlikely of places. From the bestselling and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlisted author of BOY IN THE TOWER. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things and authors, such as Ross Welford and Lisa Thompson.

Something strange is happening in Ana’s city . . . she’s the only one awake. Confused and curious, Ana sets off to explore, bumping into the one other person who’s been able to rouse themselves – her ex-best friend, Tio. On a mission to discover what’s happening, Ana and Tio journey through the city looking for clues, their friendship mending with every step. When a mysterious creature suddenly materialises in front of them, Ana realises they’ve found the answer they’ve been looking for. But one question still remains: Why them?

Praise for How I Saved the World in a Week:
‘This tense, haunting zombie thriller perfectly balances terrifying peril with emotional depth.’ - Guardian
‘A fabulous page-turner’ – Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song
‘A compelling and timely survivalist journey’ – Sita Brahmachari, author of Where the River Runs Gold
‘A brave and powerful story’ – Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha & the Spirit Bird

Praise for Boy in the Tower:
‘An unusual and very impressive debut’ – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller