Riley Wright is starting at Heverton Junior School with one awkward disadvantage: her MAJORLY embarrassing dad is the new head teacher ...!! 🦄 🌈 📓🦄 🌈 'A lively fun-filled story' - Dame Jacqueline Wilson New school, new friends (hopefully!). Riley Wright has to figure out how to fit in, pin down a talent for the talent show, look out for her unpredictable new BFF Emmie and face down super mean girl Harper ... As someone who gets a lot of stuff wrong, when will Riley finally get something RIGHT? KIDS LOVE RILEY!

'Mel is a great writer. Can't she just publish like three of these at the same time?' - Anaya, 9

'I definitely recommend Riley Wright!' - Lily, 8

AUTHORS LOVE RILEY TOO!

'A lively fun-filled story that children will love' - Dame Jacqueline Wilson

'As funny as Lottie Brooks, with the madcap energy of Pamela Butchart, Riley Wright is smart, sharp and totally relatable. I loved it!' - Abie Longstaff, author of The Magic Potions Shop and The Fairytale Hairdresser series

'I love Riley! A fun and charming book bursting with energy.' - Laura Dockrill, author of Darcy Burdock

'Instantly engaging, hugely appealing and full of laughs. Riley Wright is a wonderfully bright and bubbly new voice in the diary style format - like a younger female Wimpy Kid.' - Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons

'It is impossible not to smile at every page and cheer out loud for the new girl in school, Riley Wright. With a big personality and heart to match, Riley is just the BFF that readers have been waiting for. A fresh, funny and utterly charming book, from start to finish.' - Clara Vulliamy, author of Dottie Detective

'Riley and her BFF are a laugh-out-loud unstoppable duo, taking readers on a giggly, squirmy tour through the ups and downs of junior school. Packed with laughs, oops moments and best friend fun.' - Vashti Hardy, author of Harley Hitch

'An adorable, fun and feel-good story. Readers will love Riley with her electrocuted chicken hair, her relatable worries and her sparky attitude. A new series that's sure to become a favourite.' - Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar

'I loved it! Funny, heartwarming and very engaging.' - Harriet Muncaster, author of Isadora Moon

'Hilarious, heartfelt and filled with so many memorable moments. Get ready for Riley Wright to be the best friend you never knew you needed. Why be right when you can have so much fun being wrong!' - Jo Clarke, author of Libby and the Parisian Puzzle

'Riley Wright is ADORABLE! Funny, zippy and relatable - these books will become fast favourites.' - Perdita Cargill, author of Diary of an Accidental Witch

'Riley Wright thinks she is Awkward, Accident-prone, and Annoyingly Average. I think she's AMAZING and AWESOME! A hilarious, endearing and uplifting read which made me laugh and cringe on Riley's behalf in equal measures. I can't wait to see what Riley does next!' - Serena Patel, author of Anisha Accidental Detective

'As a parent, Dad is absolute parent-goals but as a reader, who was once a child with major hair frizz issues, Riley is a character I think everyone young person can relate to. I was giggling away from the first page and desperately wishing I had a Secret Understairs Library too! Mel Taylor-Bessent has created a perfect read for those who love a funny book - it's feel-good Louise Rennison for junior school readers.' - Swapna Haddow, author of Dave Pigeon

'Massively fun and laugh out loud. I loved this book. Riley Wright is going to become your new BFF!' - Jenny McLachlan, author of Fairy vs Wizard

'Riley Wright ticks ALL the WRIGHT boxes with all the scented rainbow pens, a tonne of hilarity and oodles of heart. This is the kind of book I'd have devoured as a kid! And I'm pretty sure it will never be in the school library because there will be an infinite waiting list to borrow it! It's the kind of book kids in class would fight over to read next.' - Laura Ellen Anderson, author of Amelia Fang

A hilarious illustrated series about school, mean girls and BFFs for 7+ readers from the best-selling author of THE CHRISTMAS CARROLLS, new for 2026!

About the Author

Mel has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She followed her passion for writing into university, and after graduating with a Creative Writing degree, she set up her own company at the age of 22 and ran creative writing after school clubs for children aged 7+. A few years later, she developed Authorfy: an online platform that brought children all over the world closer to their favourite authors. Mel's first book, The Christmas Carrolls, published in October 2021.

Reviews

'I read this book in one sitting! A little girl's quest to find her talent, fit in and make friends. Hilarious and heartwarming. I now want a pet unipug, a sparkly backpack and to be Riley's BFF. I couldn't put it down!' - Emma Swan, author of Cruise Ship Kid

'Gorgeous, giggly fun.' / 'Brimming with laughs.' / 'Fizzing with fun.' - Abi Elphinstone, author of Ember Spark

'Funny and full of heart, it's impossible not to adore Riley Wright! A wonderful celebration of growing up, not having all the answers, and being gloriously imperfect - I loved it!' - Chrissie Sains, author of Alien in the Jam Factory

'Mel Taylor-Bessent's writing oozes with warmth and humour. Young readers will adore this wonderfully relatable new series.' - Rachel Chivers Khoo, author of The Wishkeeper's Apprentice

'Chock-a-block with giggles! Riley Wright is fit to burst with Mel's trademark warmth and humour.' - Sophy Henn, author of Pizazz

'Hilarious and bursting with vibrant and boisterous energy! I loved it!' - Susannah Lloyd, author of Badgers Are Go!

'Brilliantly funny and full of heart, in all the ways Mel Taylor-Bessent does best. Riley Wright is a winner.' - Joseph Elliott, author of Nora and the Map of Mayhem

Young readers are loving RILEY WRIGHT too!

'Riley's just like me and my friends were in year 4 as she loves stationery and uses similar words and has the same kind of humour to us. It really made me laugh in lots of places especially when she makes up words. It was also interesting how Riley learnt lessons throughout the book such as not to get upset when things go wrong because everyone makes mistakes. I would definitely recommend this book to all of my friends!'

'This book is so good and so funny and I enjoyed it so much. Definitely going on my favourite book list! My favourite part is when they do the school talent and Emma does her part or when the teachers do their special part in the show.'

Book Information
ISBN 9780008801670
Author Mel Taylor-Bessent
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Farshore
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 150g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 14mm