Easter is coming up, and once the novelty of chocolate wears off, older kids still need something to sink their teeth into.
Stepping Up by David Hill
What if you took a shortcut below some rocks and your entire life came sliding down?
When a mountain accident costs 14 year old Ben his lower leg, he must now face a future he never imagined. As he navigates pain, rehab and the question of what "normal" means now, one goal keeps him moving forward: he will return to the mountain and finish the climb he started.
The Court of the Dead by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro
A brand-new adventure from the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
After months without a quest, Nico and Will are called to Camp Jupiter by Hazel, as she provides a haven for a group of monsters who’ve escaped the Underworld! But then the monsters start disappearing, and the trio uncovers a dark force connected to them all. As the danger grows, they discover the threat is closer to them than they ever imagined.
Partypooper: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20 by Jeff Kinney
Greg’s throwing himself a birthday party, what could go wrong? (Spoiler: everything!) When the guest list grows, the decorations flop, and the surprises backfire, Greg’s big day turns into a total blowout—just not the kind he had in mind.
Packed with cake disasters, family fiascos, and classic Wimpy Kid humour, Partypooper is perfect for readers aged 8–12.
Dreamslinger by Graci Kim
Dragons and phoenixes soar above Seoul and dreams come to life in this trilling fantasy from Kiwi author Graci Kim.
When 14-year-old Dreamslinger Aria enters the Royal League's deadly Trials to uncover the truth about her past, she finds belonging, dangerous secrets, and a test she may not survive.
Detectives Beans: Adventures in Cat Town by Li Chen
Detective Beans is back to solve all the mysteries that you need solved, and even the ones you don’t need solved. He’s that good.
Between Scrabble, sleepovers and beach trips, he tackles everything from missing donuts to stolen diamonds. He's even opening up a detective school -- if he can find any willing students...
Dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul, meals magically appear based on your mood and dreams literally come to life . . . Nevermoor meets Pokémon in New Zealand author Graci Kim's thrilling new middle-grade fantasy series!
In this hilarious full-colour graphic novel, Cat Town’s best kitten detective is on the case – of his very own missing hat!
International bestselling author Jeff Kinney serves up heaps of laughs in Partypooper, the 20th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
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‘The kind of book you need to clear a space for, so you can read it in one satisfying gulp.’
Paula Green, POETRY BOX
When a sporty teen's leg is crushed in a mountain accident, he has to face new challenges one tiny but huge step at a time.
From the Percy Jackson World, featuring fan-favourite characters, Nico and Will, to follow The Sun and the Star – from #1 bestseller Rick Riordan and award-winner Mark Oshiro - now in paperback!
Cath, our Penguin NZ Children's Publisher on what makes STEPPING UP by David Hill a very special book
Want some insider intel on the best books to gift this Christmas? Read on for what the Penguin Random House New Zealand team are ACTUALLY gifting!
Are you after a book to stop the slump? Why not try one of these books that our Penguin Random House NZ team loved!
Take this fun quiz to discover the perfect cat-centric book for you!
Encourage a love of reading, critical-thinking skills and self-expression with The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
Learn how to draw Detective Beans - straight from creator and author Li Chen!
We're proud to have published four of the Storylines Notable Books for 2025
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.
Activities to keep the children engaged this weekend (regardless of the weather!)
Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat colouring activity.
They've closed the final Percy Jackson book. Now what?
Children's books to encourage understanding, kindness and inclusion.