Josh is such a worrier. He worries about everything. Water slides. School. Global warming. Sleepovers. But he knows something is really wrong when his mum and dad begin to act strangely...

His family is moving to Brighton and he must start a new school with new teachers, new pupils and new everything! He used to have his own Worrybot - a home-made cardboard robot which was supposed to eat up his worst fears if he wrote them down on bits of paper and posted them into its mouth. It did help a bit ... but now Josh is terrified that his anxiety will return when he starts at his new school.

He is more than a bit surprised to discover that there’s a robot in his new class - a real-life learning robot which sits on the desk next to his and allows classmate Charlie to join lessons remotely. Soon Charlie becomes Josh’s best - perhaps his only - friend. Will Charlie’s friendship help Josh overcome his fears, or will it just give nasty Noah more reasons to make fun of him? Why won’t Charlie come to school anyway?

A suspenseful story of emotional high stakes that will appeal to fans of Lisa Thompson, Ross Welford and Elle McNicoll.

SIMON PACKHAM

Simon Packham has written several highly acclaimed books for young people, including Silenced, which was shortlisted for multiple awards, and Firewallers, chosen as one of The Independent’s Children’s Books of the Year.

Simon’s first book for middle grade readers Has Anyone Seen Archie Ebbs? (Firefly Press) has received excellent reviews. Author Ben Davis called it "a hugely empathetic read that’s warm, fun and full of heart.

Simon is also the composer and lyricist of eleven musicals for primary schools. He lives in West Sussex with his wife Deborah and is currently attempting to create the perfect vegan pizza.