KBF Children and Young Adult Programme

Explore a vibrant tapestry of South African culture with this enchanting treasury of songs and poems, curated especially for young readers. Compiled by acclaimed children's book author Refiloe Moahloli, this book features traditional and contemporary works in the rainbow nation's 11 official spoken languages, each accompanied by an English translation. Join 17 esteemed contributors, including beloved authors Sindiwe Magona, Jaco Jacobs, Gcina Mhlophe and more, as they share works that celebrate the diversity and beauty of South Africa and its people. Illustrated throughout in full colour by award-winning illustrator Katlego Keokgale, the treasury is not just a book, but a visual feast that brings South African culture to life. Perfect for bedtime reading or to use in the classroom, All that I am, is a celebration of language, culture, and the power of storytelling that will captivate readers of all ages.

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Take one over-the-top, bolshie, city-slicker Indian woman. One reticent and reserved white husband. And their three children. Add them all to a far-flung village in the South African countryside where mixed-race families are somewhat of a rarity, and you get front-row seats to a lifestyle that is both delightful and, at times, decidedly discombobulating. Told with huge dollops of that quirky, sometimes perplexing Indian lingo that is unique to South Africans of Indian origin, garnished with hilarity and introspection, The Village Indian is a journey of the self and an authentic celebration of identity, culture and food, and that confusing, chaotic thing it is to sometimes be South African. From run-ins with deadly snakes, to raising chickens, to sprinklings of small-town skullduggery, scores settling, attempted coup d’états and scamming other villagers – you will get all the tea to titillate. And in a small town, far, far away – meshugas aside – there is the magic of humanity and community. The Village Indian is a tale for all South Africans.

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Discover how one brave girl sparked a nationwide movement for equality! Join Zulaikha Patel, the fearless advocate for equality, in her incredible journey that began at just 13! Set against the backdrop of Pretoria High School for Girls, Zulaikha courageously took a stand against discriminatory hair policies, igniting a nationwide movement for change. This inspiring tale, recounted in Zulaikha's own words, serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for young readers everywhere. Experience the story of a girl who dared to defy the norms and became a voice for transformation. Rich storytelling and vibrant illustrations come together to celebrate resilience and the power of standing up for what is right. Available in multiple languages, including isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, and isiNdebele.

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Discover the vibrant world of African birds in this enchanting tale!   Join The Feathered Five  on an unforgettable adventure as they navigate the cacophony of the African savanna.   Enough was enough, the birds woke up grumpy and mad, as they let the noise of the Hadedas’ turn a good start to bad! (We’ve heard it before, a call on repeat, an annoying sound that is far from discreet!) Tired and frustrated, now running late, many birds concerned they might miss a very special date. For today was a day of great celebration, as they had a party to attend for the Yellow-billed Kites’ homecoming migration. Excuse after excuse, the exhausted Secretary Bird had a hard time remembering their reasons for delay.   Will the birds finally arrive for the Yellow-billed Kites’ special day?

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A board game designer is forced to work alongside her nemesis in this charming and geeky rivals-to-lovers romcom perfect for fans of Olivia Dade and Jen DeLuca.

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After the unsettling events of The Witches of Hogsback, Zelda Scott is very much grounded.But when her best friend, Song, reconnects with a childhood friend turned social media star, Song manages to convince Zelda’s mom to let her tag along on a holiday to a secluded island in Sedgefield. Zelda soon finds herself the outsider in a group of glamorous teens with an unsettling dynamic. With no adults around, they indulge in endless partying—until the fun takes a deadly turn.Cut off from the mainland by a raging wildfire and with their communication sabotaged, Zelda must confront a chilling reality: someone on the island is a killer. As people start to vanish and bodies begin to pile up, Zelda races against time to unmask the murderer. Butin a group where everyone harbours dark secrets, can she trust anyone?Dive into this gripping young adult mystery thriller where every twist leaves you breathless and no one is safe.

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Face is a very faraway land that many of you might not have heard of before. Although the name will probably be strange to you, the goings-on there are all too familiar. As with most beautiful places, its inhabitants – the Freckolions and the Spots – are bitterly arguing over Face’s vast landscape. One day an alien craft descends on Face and sends the Freckolions and Spots into panic. Is this another opponent to try and conquer their home, or is it the answer the Spots and Freckolions have been looking for?

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The story of Ouma Katrina. Esau Katrina and her family are forbidden from speaking their language, N|uu, but they continue to do so secretly. For many years N|uu is rarely spoken and nearly disappears. But Katrina is determined to save her language. N|uu holds stories of hunters and gatherers, of starry nights and connections to our ancestors. It’s a language that sings the songs of the land. Join Ouma Katrina Esau on her inspiring journey and discover the power of language and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

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Get ready to pirouette into another thrilling adventure! Bongi, who loves spooky things and hates anything girly, is cast as a grasshopperturned-horse in her ballet school’s “Cinderella” concert. But when strange things start happening at the theatre—missing shoes, vanishingcostumes, eerie noises—Bongi suspects that the theatre is haunted. As her best friend Tamzin begins acting weird and tensions rise, Bongi must solve the mystery and save the show. Can she uncover the truth and mend her friendship before the curtain rises?This sequel to the beloved Bongi Ballerina is a thrilling, heartwarming tale of courage and friendship.

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Advice, strategies and resources for all young adults to confidently navigate important transitions as you grow up, and any adult looking at resetting your life. The way I’d like you to visualise the meaning of Adulting is that it is an invitation to create your future beyond high school and your tertiary education. That future is vast. What kind of person do you want to become? What kind of career will you have? Where will you live? What kind of lifestyle would be fulfilling? What motivates you? How will you attract the right relationships? These and so many other questions make adulting exciting yet overwhelming. Every area requires your active participation but how do you make good decisions if you don’t know what you’re doing? This book is your guide to creating your own map for navigating adulthood with confidence, resilience and patience. You’re right to be excited but you also need to be ready. Let’s talk about the uncomfortable things that are impacting your mental health. Let’s celebrate the amazing vision you have set for your life, and more than that, let’s prepare to make it happen. Parents, mentors and teachers: this guide will equip you to better support the young people in your life. Read together and grow together.

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As a child I would often lie awake at night, praying that through some miracle I would be woken up by people who had come to take me back to my rightful family, and that those I had come to know as my parents would tell me the truth: that I was, in fact, adopted and had been born a girl and they had had a doctor operate on me.’ Growing up as Kgositsile, meaning ‘king’,  Tshiamo Modisane always knew that she was a girl despite her assigned birth gender. This talented child of a pastor from KwaThema and Daveyton townships near Johannesburg was expected to conform to conservative black culture’s expectations for a male, and would endure censure and even abuse from family, friends, peers and strangers into adulthood. Yet Tshiamo began making courageous choices at the age of five, a journey of both self-doubt and self-belief that culminated in gender-affirmation surgery in her thirties. With sass, faith and baked-in confidence from her family ties to the entertainment world, she successfully transitioned from male to female while navigating a career as an actress, celebrity stylist and Lux’s first gender-non-conforming brand ambassador. As admirable as it is affirming, this poignant memoir examines past hurts and present truths and opens up a sorely needed discussion about unconditional acceptance.

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A sweeping story of love, adventure and adversity, The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse is the sequel to the number one bestselling The Ghost Ship.'Mosse is a master storyteller' – Madeleine Miller, bestselling author of CirceOlifantshoek, Southern Africa, 1688. When the violent Cape wind blows from the south-east, they say the voices of the unquiet dead can be heard whispering through the deserted valley. Suzanne Joubert, a Huguenot refugee from war-torn France, arrives in search of her cousin – the notorious she-captain and pirate commander Louise Reydon-Joubert – who landed at the Cape of Good Hope more than sixty years before, then disappeared without a trace . . .Franschhoek, Southern Africa, 1862. Nearly one hundred and eighty years after Suzanne’s perilous journey, another intrepid woman of the Joubert family – Isabelle Lepard – has journeyed to the small frontier town once known as Oliftantshoek in search of her long-lost relations. Intent on putting the women of her family back into the history books, she quickly discovers that the tragedies and crimes of the past are far from over. Isabelle faces a race against time if she is not only going to discover the truth, but also escape with her life . . .Painstakingly researched and beautifully told, The Map of Bones is the fourth – and final – novel of The Joubert Family Chronicles, following the bestselling The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears and The Ghost Ship.Praise for The Joubert Family Chronicles:'Gripping, complex and intensely atmospheric' – The Mail on Sunday on The Burning Chambers'A historical epic' – The Observer on The City of Tears'Meticulously researched and stunningly written' – Santa Montefiore, bestselling author of Wait for Me, on The Ghost ShipThe Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 09-07-23

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I heard there’s a girl in school growing wings. No, she’s not graduating or anything. She’s legit growing wings, just like this other oke in school. He’s doesn’t have wings though. He’s growing a tail and he keeps skipping class. They probably think no one sees them but we’re watching them. They keep getting closer and closer to each other so we all have to watch them. The sky and the sea. The rivers and the forest. Faeries and mermaids. It’s hectic, I know. A thousand eyes watching you but I guess that’s what happens to us as we grow up. We either grow a tail or wings and the world watches the ugly process unfold. This beautiful and poignant novel by the exciting voice of Mia Arderne will be sure to make young adult readers excited about holding a book in their hands!

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Underpinned by a quest to travel through the ordinary doors of perception, Bamboozled is a deep exploration of self, set in an age of false prophets and confusion. It's her "coming home" from Smacked, in search of joy and freedom. Written in Ferguson's no-holds barred signature style, her latest memoir is about looking for patterns and uncovering answers in a world that's crumbling. It's also about loosening the grip of money and finding magic. Then she rescues a dog who ends up rescuing her.

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The first day at a new school is always challenging - but even more so when you’re Deaf. Ayen’s first day starts out well - her new teacher knows Sign Language and some of the children are very friendly. But then things start to go very wrong: some other kids start teasing and bullying Ayen and the school really isn’t equipped to be Deaf friendly or accessible. Will Ayen be able to face all the challenges that come with being different?

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