Katya Balen

The first book in a new series by award-winning creators Katya Balen and Gill Smith, featuring heart-warming adventures for readers who love animals. When Mattie wishes on a shooting star for a puppy, she knows her wish is hopeless. Her dad just doesn't believe Mattie is responsible enough to look after a puppy. She finds the next best thing when...

The importance and meaning of home is explored in this thought-provoking new novella from Carnegie Medal-winning author Katya Balen. Juno’s furious about being sent to stay with her grandfather for the summer. She’ll miss all the fun she and her friends had planned for the holidays. She’ll also miss her mum, but it’s her mum’s fault for leaving anyway. Then...

WINNER OF THE 2024 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S WRITING From the author of October, October, winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal, comes a heartbreaking and heart-warming story about sisterhood, found family and accepting love in the most unusual and unknown places. Fen and Rey were found curled up small and tight in the fiery fur of the foxes at the...

‘A thrilling emotionally charged adventure, full of authentic characters, peril, humour and warmth’ – Daily Mail ‘Wild and brilliantly crafted’ – Sarah Crossan, author of One and Where the Heart Should Be ‘An accomplished tale, tenderly told’ – The Times A sea-soaked story of friendship, community and discovering what it means to carry home in your heart, from Carnegie Medal-winning...

‘A thrilling emotionally charged adventure, full of authentic characters, peril, humour and warmth’ – Daily Mail ‘Wild and brilliantly crafted’ – Sarah Crossan, author of One and Where the Heart Should Be ‘An accomplished tale, tenderly told’ – The Times A sea-soaked story of friendship, community and discovering what it means to carry home in your heart, from Carnegie Medal-winning...

When the mudlarking gang find a mysterious cutlass on the banks of the Thames, they immediately know that something fishy is afoot. When the cutlass vanishes, and Mrs Drummonds disappears too, it’s down to Clem and the gang to find them. The mystery leads them to a band of ghost pirates, who will stop at nothing to find their long-lost...

An uplifting picture book celebrating wildness from a multi-award-winning author and illustrator team, Katya Balen and Gill Smith.A little girl loves playing in the woods and rejoicing in the wildness all around her. She sees secrets in the stars and stories in the earth. But one day she moves to the city. Surrounded by tall, grey buildings, she feels disconnected...

When Mattie wishes on a shooting star for a puppy, she knows her wish is hopeless. Her dad just doesn't believe Mattie is responsible enough to look after a puppy. She finds the next best thing when she and her friend Zoë start helping the new vet and animal rescuer, Dr Polly. Mattie still may not have a pet of...

‘Wild and brilliantly crafted’ – Sarah Crossan, author of One and Where the Heart Should Be On the Island of Ayrie, everybody knows everyone. They know each other’s stories as they know every road, every hill, and the coming of the tide. In the summer, there are bonfires to celebrate the migration of the puffins. Everything is familiar, nothing much...

Carnegie Medal-winner Katya Balen returns with a stunning tale about a fractured bond between father and son – and the injured bird that helps to heal it. When Noah’s dad visits from New York, he and Noah come across an injured nightjar during a walk in the countryside. Noah is determined to save the bird, but his dad believes they...

A captivating story about finding friendship and hope … and a place where you can spread your wings. From Carnegie Medal winner Katya Balen.Con has been angry ever since Dad left. He doesn’t want to be. He wants to play FIFA with his best friend Kyron; to make his mum proud; to let people’s words about his dad roll off...

_______________ WINNER OF THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2022 WINNER OF THE YOTO CARNEGIE SHADOWERS’ CHOICE AWARD 2022 _______________ 'A very special new addition to the shelf and deserves classic status' - The Times Children's Book of the Week 'A modern classic ... relevant, comforting and life-affirming' - Scotsman 'The perfect Autumn read' - Primary Teacher Bookshelf _______________ A classic in...

When her life is unexpectedly upended, Anna escapes London—and her husband—for a remote cottage in the wetlands of rural England. She hopes the solitude might unblock the novel she can't bring herself to write. Out in the marshes, the locals discover something shocking, risen to the surface after many years buried in the silty earth. Anna is drawn to the...

The mudlarkers of the Thames and Tide Club are about to face Squidmageddon in a funny and fast-paced adventure for young treasure hunters. When the director of the mudlarking museum goes on holiday for a week, he leaves three members of the Thames and Tide Club – Clem, Zara and Ash – in charge. They’re determined that nothing will go...

_______________'Original, compulsive, uplifting: this is another triumph for Balen' - Alex O'Connell, The Times Children's Book of the Week'Balen's best book yet: ambitious, funny, spirited, moving, heartfelt and bold all at once. She's a force to be reckoned with' - Ross Montgomery_______________From the author of October, October, winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022, comes a life-affirming story about blended...

Following a traumatic accident, a special friendship helps talented musician Annie heal and rediscover her love of music in this captivating novella from Carnegie Medal-winner Katya Balen. After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she’s always loved. She exists in a world of angry silence – furious with her mum...