Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

Ditty is Jewish and her parents are strictly religious. That means learning about her people’s beliefs and marrying young to have a large family. But Ditty wants to dance – more than anything else in the world. The lengths to which Ditty goes to dance will amaze you. She has to keep her home and her dance world separate and she has to pay to do so – in money and in other ways.

Gracie and the Emperor by Errol Broome

Gracie has always been terrified of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of the story. But when he is defeated by the English and sent to the island where she lives, St Helena, she is really scared. Even worse, she has to work in a house where he is taken. But Gracie is tough and even comes to think differently of Napoleon as she watches him and hears about him from others.

Alis by Naomi Rich – debut novel

Alis lives happily in a strict religious community until her parents tell    her that she is to be married to the Community Minister who is nearly three times her age. Her questioning of the society and her desperate attempts to escape what has been planned for her only lead her into trouble. The subtitle is “Is Love worth dying for?” You’ll have to read it to see who she loves. This is a gripping story with lots of action and many characters to take your interest – either because