THE SPYING GAME. By Pat Moon. Orchard pound;3.99

Joe has discovered who is responsible for the death of his father, and is determined on revenge. How far will he be prepared to go in his pursuit of the man he sees as a murderer? A gripping and powerful book.

A LITTLE LOVE SONG. By Michelle Magorian. Mammoth pound;5.99

Magorian writes pleasantly long novels, full of strong emotions and well-drawn characters. Three have now been reissued in smart new covers.

My favourite is this story of two sisters during the summer of 1943, and how they find out what love means. See also A Spoonful of Jam and A Cuckoo in the Nest, reissued simultaneously.

THE SYLVIA GAME. By Vivien Alcock. Mammoth pound;4.50

NOWHERE TO RUN. By Sue Welford. Oxford University Press pound;5.99

A sensible and sensitive novel which deals with difficult issues (abortion, teenage runaways and truancy) in a direct and readable way. Boys may be willing to try this one with its interesting and believable young hero.

WATCHERS AT THE SHRINE. By Jean Ure. Mammoth pound;4.99

Third in a trilogy of dystopian novels set in Britain 150 years from now. In the Croydon Community, boys are castrated at puberty, so Hal is sent away for his own safety to live with the Watchers. An exciting and intelligent page-turner.

Adele Geras