September has seen a bumper crop of new Irish titles are hitting book stores and libraries this month. From the history of information to enemies-to-lovers romantasy, there is a lot on offer. Here's a round-up of some of the best new reads from Irish authors and Illustrators this month.
The list is compiled by award-winning and best-selling Irish Author Triona Campbell. And this month we have so many new books that we needed two article.
Recommended reads for younger kids are here, and read on to see what we think older kids and teens should pick up...
Sally and the Lost Photograph
Author Judi Curtin/ Cover Art Rachel Corcoran
For Ages 8+
This is part of award winning, Limerick based author Judi Curtin’s 'Sally’ series, set among the Irish emigrant community in New York during the early part of the twentieth century.
Sally and her sister Bridget are New Yorkers. Change however comes when Bridget finds a photograph of a young man between the pages of a book, uncovering the story of her employer’s lost suitor. Meanwhile, the girl’s friend Betty becomes ill forcing her to commit a crime out of poverty and desperation. Can Sally help find a happy ending for both of these stories?
The Story of Irish Rugby
Author Gerard Siggins/ Illustrated by Graham Corcoran
For Ages 8+
With rugby more popular in Ireland than ever before, Dublin sportswriter Gerard Siggins celebrates the sport as he charts its success across the country and beyond.
From its origins and early history to club games and the international stage, this illustrated book includes everything you could possibly want to know about Irish rugby and more.
First Term at Fernside
Author Shenna Wilkinson/ Cover Art Rebecca Elizabeth Elliott
For Ages 9+
If you liked the BBC’s recent adaptation of Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series then this book by award winning northern Irish writer Sheena Wilkinson is for you.
Daring rescues, secret missions and adventures galore, and best of all true friendship are all to be found as a new term starts at Fernside Boarding School for Robin and her younger cousin Linnet.
Fixing Mum and Dad
Author Sinéad Moriarty
For Ages 9+
Best selling Dublin author Sinéad Moriarty is back with this empowering story of change and how to deal with it.
Quinn is furious when her mum announces they are moving in with Grandad because her doctor dad is away working abroad again. New school, new town, new everything. Quinn wishes her life could go back to how it was. Her even bigger worry is that Mum and Dad are going to break up meaning life might never be the same again...
The Haunting of Fortune Farm
Author Sophie Kirtley
For Ages 9+
Northern Ireland native Kirtley delivers a spine-tingling adventure for young readers in this new book. Sometimes, secrets don't stay buried forever. Sometimes, they need to be set free.
Twelve-year-old Edie and her younger brother Pip are spending half term at Fortune Farm, high in the Irish mountains, with their grandmother Lolly. When Edie uncovers a clue that could lead her to a long-lost Viking treasure everything changes. But the adventure soon takes a dangerous turn, as Edie discovers that Fortune Farm has more secrets, mysteries, and ghosts than she had ever dared to dream.
Fia and the last Snow Deer
Author Eilish Fisher/ Illustrator Dermot Flynn
For Ages 9+
A powerful tale set in snowy pre-historic Ireland, about hope, kindness and the power of friendship from wicklow author Eilish Fisher and Dublin illustrator Dermot Flynn.
Born under the same solstice sky thirteen years ago, Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection. But as Fia's village faces a seemingly eternal winter, they turn their sights to Solas and an ancient prophecy that promises the return of sunlight and life, if the ultimate sacrifice is made. Fia’s only hope to stop this is a quest to find the Deer mother. But will she be able to save both her village and Solas?
The History of Information
Author Chris Haughton
For Ages 9+
This debut non-fiction book by best-selling Dublin author Chris Haughton is a visual journey through history from the origination of language, to how information has been passed on and recorded, and the effect it has had on humanity.
The striving to share information, and to sometimes undermine it, is explored in how it connects seemingly unconnected things. The rise of religions, states, science, democracy, the west, militarism, racism, fascism, consumerism, big tech, polarisation, and AI are all clearly broken down and explored here in a mix of timelines, graphics, and illustrations which should fascinate both adults and kids alike.
The story of The Great Irish Famine
Author David Rooney
For Ages 9+
The Famine, a pivotal experience in modern Irish history is explored here by Wicklow author/illustrator David Rooney.
Rooney is an illustrator working mainly in scraperboard - an engraving medium involving scratching away black ink from a chalk board surface using a surgical scalpel to reveal the white underneath. In this his first book for kids he scratches away at the details of our shared history. Line by line uncovering the collective memory that lies buried beneath all of us.
The illustrated encyclopaedia of Irish Lighthouses
Author David Hare/ Illustrated by Linda Fährlin
For Ages 9+
A visually dramatic encyclopedia of Ireland’s lighthouses packed with easy-to-digest facts which will engage young readers with topics such as science, engineering, and history. Wrtten by David Hare who produced the RTÉ documentary The Great Lighthouses of Ireland, the book is illustrated by west of Ireland based artist Linda Fährlin.
The Last Boy
Author Eve Mc Donnel
For Ages 10+
From the critically acclaimed Wexford author Eve McDonnell this a magical page-turner inspired by the true story of George Brewster, the last child chimney sweep.
Set in 1866 Brewster has been sold to a cruel Master Sweep to risk his life up a narrow jungle of chimneys to reach the sky. But Brewster has a secret: he is a wizard with numbers and has predicted a terrifying storm of stars. Upon each star he'll cast his passionate wish to be the last climbing boy ever. A book of wonder that pulls at the heartstrings.
The Dagger and the Flame
Author Catherine Doyle
For Ages 15+
Best selling, west of Ireland author Catherine Doyle is back with a fiery enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, enemy guilds, and magic. Two rival assassins are pitted against each other in a deadly game of revenge, where the most dangerous mistake of all is falling in love…
Among rumours of monsters stalking the streets and rival guilds grappling for control of the underworld, Sera and Ransom are drawn together by something more than just magic and must face a deadly choice - forgiveness or vengeance? Kiss or kill? Dagger or Flame?
And that’s it for September’s new books for older readers and teens! All of the above are newly released this month and available in local libraries and bookshops across the country.
See you next month for another round-up of new releases from Irish Authors and Illustrators.
For more book recommendations check out Discover Irish Kids Books or give them a follow on Instagram or X.
Graphic by Bex Sheridan.
Triona Campbell is the Author of 'A Game of Life Or Death’ and ‘The Traitor in the Game’ and part of the team at #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks - a campaign which aims to highlight and celebrate Irish Kids and teen books.
