August means summer holidays and the start of the footy season and the middle of the cricket season and … the dreaded exam results. This week, A levels, next week GCSEs.  Watch for the headlines screaming ‘Dumbing Down Britain’ because GCSE/ A level results are better than average or because they’re the opposite and really good. Kids can’t win. Teachers can’t win. Parents panic. It’s a mess.

Fear not!  For every tense situation in life there’s a book to help you through those darkest moments.

For those waiting for GCSEs read Accidental Friends. Find out what happens to Leon, James, Emma and Grace when they open those little brown envelopes.

And what about those 11year olds waiting to start secondary school, still remembering when they were the biggest kids in class, the favourites of the headteacher, called upon to do all those tasks only a responsible Y6 could possibly carry out?  Poor wee mites. Gone, all gone. You are Y7s now, about to embark on the mysterious world of secondary school. The bad news is, there is no sorting hat.  There’s big kids who smell of smoke and drink bottles of WKD at break (probably - or am I thinking of the teachers?).  But panic not. Help is at hand.  My friend Jenny Alexander has written two cracking non-ficiton titles to help you and your mum and dad and therapist through those first few days. ‘Going Up’ published by A& C Black and ‘Bullies, Big-Mouths and So-called Friends’. Highly recommended.

Of course, for total reassurance and a feel-good factor to carry you right through to Y8, there’s always my lovely Simone. Read her diary account of Y7 in the middle of Love Simone xxx (Oxford). Some of it is based on true events - from my teaching experience, my kids’ and their friends’ experience - even the bit when ‘Clifford’ pukes on the teacher’s shoes really happened!

Love Simone xxx perfect for new Y7s