The Stewart Foster Collection By Stewart Foster 4 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
The Bubble Boy
All The Things That Could Go Wrong
Check Mates
The Perfect Parent

Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781471145407; 9781471145421; 9781471172236

Overview:
Stewart Foster’s four-book collection brings together four empathetic, boldly accessible stories for middle-grade readers and beyond. The Bubble Boy invites readers into the hospital world of eleven-year-old Joe, where every moment is measured against risk—until a chance encounter hints at life outside the bubble. All The Things That Could Go Wrong follows two rival boys who must learn to see past labels when they are thrust into a shared summer project. Check Mates centers on Felix, whose ADHD reframes how he learns, plays, and connects with family, and The Perfect Parent Project follows Sam as he navigates foster care with humor, courage, and an instinct to belong. Across these titles, Foster blends wit with heart, turning difficult topics into relatable, hopeful storytelling. This collection is ideal for readers who crave character-driven stories that are funny, honest, and deeply humane, with endings that feel earned and uplifting.

What This Collection Covers:
Together, these four novels explore belonging, family, resilience, and friendship through distinct lenses. The Bubble Boy examines isolation and empathy within a medical setting, while All The Things That Could Go Wrong looks at friendship across differences when families and futures collide. Check Mates uses chess and Granddad’s wisdom to reveal inner strength and the power of second chances, and The Perfect Parent Project follows a boy who believes a family is something you find, only to discover that belonging can arrive in surprising ways. The collection balances humor with insight, making serious issues accessible to curious readers. Foster’s winsome, clear voice helps kids feel seen, while inviting adults to discuss topics like inclusion, mental health, and foster care in everyday terms.

Book-by-Book Guide:
The Bubble Boy
In The Bubble Boy, Joe spends his days inside a hospital bubble, watching the world from a distance while doctors and nurses manage the risks around him. When a new nurse hints at stepping outside through imagination and small adventures, Joe begins to trust that life beyond the ward might still be possible. The story blends gentle humor with poignant moments, inviting readers to consider what it means to belong and how bravery can take many forms—whether it’s a leap into sunlight or a leap of faith in a hospital corridor.

All The Things That Could Go Wrong
Dan is furious at life and feels misunderstood; Alex is struggling with OCD and the pressures of school. When their mothers arrange a joint holiday project to finish a raft, the boys are forced into proximity and must navigate a fragile truce. The tale threads tension and tenderness as miscommunications unfold, then bends toward a new understanding of loyalty, responsibility, and the truism that sometimes the strongest bonds are forged under pressure.

Check Mates
Felix’s ADHD shapes the rhythm of his days, from classroom struggles to the quiet gravity of Granddad’s chessboard. When the two reconnect through a game that becomes a bigger journey, Felix discovers that strategy isn’t only about winning on the board but about navigating life with honesty, focus, and courage. This warm, suspenseful story uses chess as a metaphor for patience, planning, and believing in yourself—even when others doubt you.

The Perfect Parent
Sam has spent his life in and out of foster care, hoping for a home where mornings feel secure and nights feel safe. When his friend Leah suggests a bold plan—the Perfect Parent Project—Sam embarks on a journey to find belonging. Yet the narrative pivots to reveal that family can arrive in unexpected ways, and sometimes the people who choose you become the family you’ve always longed for. A hopeful, humorous, and moving exploration of what “home” really means.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This quartet is ideal for readers aged approximately 9–12 who enjoy character-driven stories that blend humor with emotional truth. It’s a strong choice for classroom discussions on empathy, friendship, and resilience, as well as for parents and teachers seeking thoughtful reads for shared sessions or book clubs. Fans of contemporary realistic fiction and stories that tackle real-life issues with warmth will relish following multiple protagonists through their personal growth. The collection also works well as a gift set for young readers transitioning into more complex narratives while still craving hope and relatable, matter-of-fact storytelling.

Key Benefits:

• A complete four-book collection of award-winning, contemporary middle-grade fiction.
• Engaging, empathetic stories that foster discussion about belonging, resilience, and friendship.
• Accessible language and pacing that support confident, reading-fluency growth.
• Versatile for classroom use, family reading time, and book clubs focused on real-life topics.
• Distinct voices across four protagonists, offering varied perspectives within one set.
• Beautiful paperback editions that travel well and invite collectability for fans of Stewart Foster.

About the Author:
Stewart Foster is a renowned British author whose children’s titles echo empathy, humor, and accessible storytelling. His work has earned accolades across schools and libraries, and his books are frequently recommended by reading programs focused on empathy and social-emotional learning. The Bubble Boy won the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award (9+) in 2016 and was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award; Check Mates later earned a UKLA Book Award distinction in 2021. Foster’s writing often blends everyday realism with heartfelt twists, inviting young readers to see themselves in his characters while offering reassurance that even challenging experiences can lead to growth, courage, and connection.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you’re building a thoughtful, empowering library for young readers, this collection is a standout choice. It presents four distinct but thematically linked stories that illuminate difficult topics through warmth, humor, and hopeful outcomes. Owning the full set encourages extended reading sessions, spark conversations about kindness and resilience, and provides a cohesive reading journey that grows with a child’s understanding of themselves and others. It’s a generous, high-value gift for families, schools, or book clubs seeking substantive narratives with lasting resonance.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.