Jake in the Middle (Otter-Barry Books) is a Guardian Book of the Month. It's the first book in the Maple Street series, recently launched with an event at the Children's Bookshop, Muswell Hill. Written by Michael Catchpool and illustrated by Shanarama, Jake in the Middle combines read-aloud and read-alone appeal.
"Jake lives with his bossy older sister and shoe-stealing baby brother at No 3 Maple Street, enjoying gentle, child-friendly adventures such as a trip to the city farm with his grandpa or setting up a school museum. This engaging 5+ chapter book will delight newly independent readers."― Imogen Russell Williams in The Guardian, Books of the Month: Children's and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
"Brilliant new chapter book for early readers, with a collection of four interlinked stories set around home and school life. Delightfully illustrated by Shanarama, the antics of middle-sibling Jake and his extended Black British family are written with warmth and humour." ― The Bookseller













