Clare Harlow

Chapter Books (5-7) and Middle Grade (8-12) Most of these books are middle-grade U.S titles. I've included some chapter books too. 

Here is a list of chapter books and middle grade by ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) authors who are not being added to many end of year lists.

uk.bookshop.org/lists/chapte...

UK+Ireland children's/YA authors, poets & illustrators: want more school bookings in 2026? We’re launching a free author visits directory next month. Email enquiries@schoolreadinglist.co.uk by Sun 14 Dec 2025 to be included - details in the poster below.

UK+Ireland children's/YA authors, poets & illustrators: want more school bookings in 2026?

We’re launching a free author visits directory next month.

Email enquiries@schoolreadinglist.co.uk by Sun 14 Dec 2025 to be included - details in the poster below.

I’m a novelist who’s just bought a video games company. Here’s why you should care about games writing | The Observer

just incredibly thrilled to announce that after months and months of uncertainty over the future of the game, and several I have bought Zombies, Run!, the game I co-created and have been making for the past 12 years:

zombiesrungame.com

observer.co.uk/the-critics/...

A poster. The poster reads: 'Announcing "Creatives 4 Sudan". Auction now live! Raising life-saving funds for people escaping genocide in El-Fasher. Bid Today! galabid.com/creatives4sudan.'

Wow! So many amazing creative treats are available to bid for as part of the 'Creatives 4 Sudan' auction. And the money raised will be used to help people escaping the terrible situation in El-Fasher. See app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
Thanks to @raafaye.bsky.social for the design.

A poster with the background image of Kit de Waal in a white shirt and black jacket in front of a black background, looking off to the left. The header reads 'Writing Kit 2026' above it reads 'Craft, Story and The Writer’s Life'. Underneath Kit, is the text: 'Gladstone’s Library launches 2026 events programme with Kit de Waal! Places are limited. Book now at gladstoneslibrary.org/writing-kit' At the bottom left is a circular logo of Gladstone's Library, and a circular logo reading 'Writing Kit'.

Gladstone’s Library is thrilled to announce an exciting events programme for 2026 with award-winning writer Kit de Waal on!

Writing Kit: Craft, Story and the Writer's Life offers a rare opportunity to learn from Kit in small, focused groups. Visit gladstoneslibrary.org/writing-kit
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Aw, Amber, there would be no Tidemagic without you 🧡

Thank you, Nat!!

Thank you!!

Hi! Did you know that you aren’t pronouncing axolotl correctly?

Suppression of indigenous languages by the Spanish is one of the Four Wounds of Colonization. This is a small subversion of colonial power you can use!

Axolotl is a Nahuatl word, and it sounds like this:

Winner banner for Tidemagic being the breakthrough book at the week junior book awards. Red background on the left with a medal symbol saying "the week junior book awards 2025 winner" and underneath that the words "Children's Book of the Year: Breakthrough" and then "Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit". On the right, a gold background with stars and on top of that the cover of Tidemagic, which depicts a mysterious, misty cityscape, with a blend of swirling mist and crashing waves at the bottom. In the centre of the cover are three children. Ista is white and has short brown hair. She holds a tide lantern and has a curious expression. Below her is Nat, a South Asian boy with short hair and a yellow shirt. He is deep in thought and holding a pencil and notepad. Beside Nat is Ruby, a Black girl with her hair in braids and wound up on top of her head. She wears a purple shirt and has a determined expression and posture, with her hands on her hips.

So... this happened. Still in shock

What Are My Top 5 Favourite Books This Year?

At the Big Malarkey, author and illustrator Ramzee picks his best reads from 2025 so far.

Supplementals: tinyurl.com/3nx7jkdn

@hulllibraries.bsky.social
@hullsls.bsky.social
@clareharlow.bsky.social
@ramzeereads.bsky.social

Mystery stories – Learn how to write flashbacks with Tidemagic Learn how flashbacks can help to set up mystery stories with this KS2 WAGOLL based on Tidemagic: Ista Flit and the Impossible Key...

Peer inside the mind of author @clareharlow.bsky.social and help pupils understand how flashbacks can help to set up mystery stories with this free WAGOLL based on Tidemagic: Ista Flit and the Impossible Key…

Apparently Guillermo Del Toro has ruined Frankenstein by… being relatively faithful to the source material.

Oh my.

Hands Up who leaves entering competitions til the very last minute??!! Me! Me Me! When I entered this comp in 2023, I totally left it until the last couple of days - as always! But it was worth it! And now it's your chance. If you're a SCBWI member, you're eligible -and anyone can join SCBWI.

Spirit Warriors: A Blog by Ashley Thorpe | Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Fantasy as a method of teaching real history and cultureOne of the most effective ways to engage young readers with unfamiliar lived realities and histories is ...

Wrote a few words about how fantasy can be an effective and safe space for teaching real histories and cultural experiences. clpe.org.uk/blog/spirit-...

An image of a white man in his 40s looking moody wearing black. The headline reads: "Booker longlist for 2025 suggests 'death of the male novelist' has been 'greatly exaggerated' Text underneath the headline reads: Commentators have given a mostly positive verdict on the 'juicy, serious' 2025 Booker longlist, which some argued puts paid to the 'rumours of the death of the male novelist'.

Such a relief

So excited about my upcoming chat with Tabrizia on the 10th. For anyone who wants to join live in the UK, it's at 8PM for you!

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 1st July 8-9pm BST with the lovely @lisajallen.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her #MG Undercover Angel Crash Landing. All welcome to come along and join in the chat 🙂
#UndercoverAngel #kidlit #writerslife @tinytreebooks.bsky.social

This has been lush. Thanks so much for chatting to me! You always ask such good questions #ukteenchat

And when it comes to what’s on the page, I always try to give myself permission to play and to write the story that I would want to read. Better to end up with something that some people will really love than to try to please everyone. #UKTeenChat [2/2]

Ha, the longer I do this, the more convinced I am that there’s no advice that’ll suit everyone. For me, the things that work practically are setting deadlines and making sure to take breaks. #UKTeenChat [1/2]

Ha, believe me, when I can share, you'll know about it. Gotta shout about the good stuff!

It sort of is healthy if it's what you need though. Immersion is v important, I reckon. (Just try to remember to eat/sleep/drink/pee etc. That's what I tell myself anyway.) #ukteenchat

I can tell you almost nothing (I’m so sorry!) except that it’s more magical middle grade, although not Tidemagic-related, and it’s out with Puffin (UK) and Knopf (North America) in May 2026. #UKTeenChat

It really is. I think having to work under more time pressure has made me more aware of what a 'good'/'healthy' working environment is for me #ukteenchat

I’ll do a few days in one spot (sofa, desk, bed, kitchen table) then I need to move or my mind stagnates. If I have a ritual, it’s that I tell myself I’m just doing five minutes or just a hundred words. But once I’m in, I’m IN, and I’ve learnt that I need to set alarms to take breaks #UKTeenChat

Honestly, I think children's publishing is one of the few industries where almost everyone is welcoming to everyone else, no matter what stage anyone is at. (I think all us published folk are aware that it's that extra bit of luck that's pushed us over the line too) #ukteenchat

Aw thank you #ukteenchat

Honestly, I’m so proud of it, and I just hope people feel it’s been a sequel worth waiting for, esp. after the aforementioned bk1 cliffhanger. I’m so grateful to all the readers, booksellers, librarians, teachers and bloggers who’ve taken Ista and Co. into their hearts and imaginations #UKTeenChat

Ahhh amazing #ukteenchat