But what is World Book Day 2019? This date marks an enormous undertaking: the largest worldwide effort to provide every young person with their own book. Thanks to a number of booksellers, publishers and National Book Tokens LTD, the World Book Day team are able to send out millions of £1 tokens to children across the country. The children can then use their token to pick up one of the selected books at their local shop, free of charge (or, alternatively, can use the token to get £1 off another book).
This amazing endeavour means that, until 31st March 2019, there are ten books (all new and exclusive) that can be picked up for free using one of the special World Book Day tokens. Here is a more detailed look at some of our favourites:
We mentioned this in our previous ‘Recommended Reads for February’ blog – but it’s so good it’s worth a second look! If you’re a fan of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, you won’t want to miss this short story, which is being released especially for World Book Day, and offers a sneak peek at the next instalment in the series.
Move over, Greg Heffley: it’s time for Rowley to have a turn! In Diary of Greg Heffley’s Best Friend, we finally get to see what life is like from Rowley’s point of view. Mirth and mayhem ensues as Rowley and Greg navigate a series of hilarious mishaps – perhaps Rowley isn’t such a great storyteller, after all!
From the author of Orangeboy and Indigo Donut comes a really gripping tale, written especially for World Book Day 2019.
Snap is a story of family, secrets, and community struggles. Soraya, who is often torn between her responsibilities as a daughter and wanting to maintain relationships with her friends, finds herself in a race against time when her brother Farhad runs away. She takes to the streets with her friend Austin, desperate to find Farhad before it’s too late. But what if Farhad doesn’t want to be found?
A moving and thought-provoking read for bookworms aged 10 and above.
Demigod Percy Jackson is back in this brilliant short story, which has been exclusively produced for World Book Day 2019.
Once again, the Son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson, is caught between two worlds: the heights of Mount Olympus and the reality of modern life on Earth. This time, he’s trying to celebrate his friend’s birthday when the Greek god, Apollo, shows up in need of help: he’s meant to be performing but one of his singers has gone missing. When it transpires that the errant performer has set her sights on a solo career, Percy goes on a crazy mission to track her down – a journey that plunges him into the hustle and bustle of New York City and beyond…
Hilarious, compelling, and full of imagination, Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo is a wonderful addition to the popular Percy Jackson series.
Return to the world of Noughts & Crosses with this new story from famed author Malorie Blackman.
Eva is weighed down with grief following the death of her daughter. She just wants to be left alone to grieve in peace. But then she meets Dan, who is on the run from a dangerous gang. He is badly wounded and in need of help. Over the course of one night, secrets are uncovered and their connection to each other becomes clear: but will Eva be Dan’s saviour or his undoing?
A powerful story that can stand alone or be read in conjunction with the rest of the Noughts & Crosses series, Nought Forever is a gripping story with dark and complex themes. A great option for more mature readers.
Is anyone in your family planning to start a new book in honour of World Book Day 2019? Or maybe you’re going to dress up in a crazy costume as your favourite literary character?