Age Group: KS3 (Ages 11-14)

Big Words

Chapter book

Award-winning author Luke Palmer masterfully captures the intricate dynamics of teenage friendship in this compelling tale of misadventure, resentment and reconciliation.

Biggest goes first – always. That’s one of the unspoken rules of Kiln, the forbidden wasteland where Sam and his mates hang out. So when Sam comes up with a plan to go sledging on the rust-ridden bonnet of a rotting car, he goes first. To show the others how it’s done.

His mates aren’t so keen. But there’s no complaining. No backing down. Those are the other rules of Kiln. Even when they lead to disaster.

Will their friendship survive the wreckage that follows, or is it time for the rules to be changed?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8.

The Golden Monkey Mystery

Piu DasGupta

Chapter book

A thrilling adventure set in the jungles of India from the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlisted author of Secrets of the Snakestone.

A lost monkey.

A cursed jewel.

A race through the jungle.

When Roma stumbles upon a rare golden monkey, she vows to return it to its hidden home in the Himalayas. But the path is riddled with peril: ruthless bandits, prowling beasts, and the sinister power of the Snakestone – a jewel that stalks her dreams.

To make matters worse, Roma is forced to travel with Max and Arabella, two pampered children who seem more trouble than help. Only a mysterious map offers a chance of success – but with every step, pursuers of the Snakestone draw closer.

Can Roma unlock the map’s secret before the jungle swallows them whole?

Omnibird: An Avian Investigator’s Handbook

Giselle Clarkson

Non-fiction

Have you seen a bird today? Probably, unless youre reading this in bed. Did you truly look at the bird? To open your ornithological eyes and ears, meet the Omnibird.

An Omnibird contains the essential birdiness of every birdit was born from an egg, has feathers, two legs, a beak and gizzard, perhaps some premium features like spurs or a curuncle. Once you recognize the Omnibird, youll see the remarkable in any bird. Youll be expert at finding extraordinary things around you, just by looking.

The Omnibird describes 12 common birds from habitats around the worldeagles, owls and seabirds, starlings, ducks and swans. You will explore the incredible internal structure of bird bones, learn what a gizzard stone is for, meet the tiny creatures that live on birds, and find the fascinating in eggs, bird poop, feathers, and flight patterns.

Now youre an Omnibird expert, youll look at every bird in new ways every day.

Terrible Traitors

Martin Brown & Terry Deary

Graphic novel

Terrible Traitors is a horrible compendium of the worst traitors in history.

Were they really all bad?

You decide.

The master of making history fun, Terry Deary, tells the tales of fifty brutal betrayals across history.

Did you know that the oldest story in the world is about the traitor Enkidu, who dared to rise up against King Gilgamesh?

You might already know about Caesar and his unfaithful senators, but have you heard about Walter Tirel, the Norman knight who went out hunting with King William the Conqueror?

Well, only one man returned.

Walter claimed it was an accident, but he had a pretty good track record with his aim…

There have always been people who are willing to switch sides, let down a friend, betray their country and turn traitor.

Sometimes they do it for love, often because of their beliefs, maybe out of pride… perhaps even greed.
(And sometimes just for fun.)
Nothing could ever make you become a traitor though… could it?

Fully illustrated throughout and packed with horrible stories – with all the horribly hilarious bits included with a fresh take on the classic Horrible Histories style, perfect for fans old and new the perfect series for anyone looking for a fun and informative read Horrible Histories has been entertaining children and families for generations with books, TV, stage shows, magazines, games and the brilliantly funny Horrible Histories: the Movie – Rotten Romans.

The Experiment

Rebecca Stead

Chapter book

From the winner of the Newbery Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize comes a fast-paced coming-of-age novel – with aliens.

Nathan never understood what was ‘fun’ about secrets, probably because he’s always had to keep a very big one.

Although he appears to be a typical boy, Nathan learned at an early age that his family is from another planet. Now, their time on Earth may be coming to an end.

Nathan and some others are part of an experiment that suddenly seems to be going wrong. Some of them are disappearing without a word. After his family is called back to the mothership, Nathan begins to question everything he’s been taught to believe about who he is and why he’s on Earth.

Cover illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz.

Georgie

Malachy Doyle

Chapter book

14-year-old Georgie hasn’t spoken in years.

Withdrawn, isolated and full of rage, no one trusts him and no one gets close to him.

But then he is moved to a new home in the Welsh countryside.

Instead of an empty room with a bare mattress on the floor, he has a proper bed, a music system, a mirror.

There even seems to be someone here who might want to be his friend.

Is this the place where Georgie can finally overcome his fears and start to unlock the secrets of his past?

A raw, gritty, yet hopeful and uplifting story about mental health and the power of care and kindness.

Ghost Boys (Graphic Novel)

Jewell Parker Rhodes & Setor Fiadzigbey

Graphic novel

Ghost Boys, the New York Times bestselling novel about a Black boy killed by a white police officer from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, is brought to a new audience in this heartbreaking and powerful graphic novel with striking colour artwork by Setor Fiadzigbey.

ALIVE
Twelve-year-old Jerome doesn’t get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister.

Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat.

DEAD
As a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to notice other ghost boys.

Each boy has a story and they all have something in common…

Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened – not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys.

A poignant and gripping graphic novel about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today’s world.

Hooked: Learning to Fish

Al Brown & Hope McConnell

Non-fiction

Whether you want to fish for sprats from a wharf, walk up a stream with a fly rod or cast a line from a boat or kayak, there”s a heap of handy information in here.

Learn how to tie knots, bait hooks, cast lures, and fillet and cook your catch.

Al Brown has a life-long love of fishing and Hooked includes ten of Al”s most-loved fish recipes, some of them Depot classics.

Fishing is a terrific outdoors experience that is challenging but also super exciting. And the learning never ends as your knowledge builds with each adventure and every time you head out. Hooked is a go-to for all anglers!

Boy vs Reality

James Fox

Chapter book

A funny, relatable, moving story about online fame vs reality.

Meet Ethan Lacey, online vlogging sensation alongside his mum, dad and big brother Mason.

They film and upload everyday life for their million subscribers to enjoy – the pranks, the cosy family time, the perks like going to the opening of an epic new theme park.

They are the perfect family… aren’t they?

But reality is not all fun and freebies.

Mum and Dad have been arguing a lot recently and Mason has been picking on Ethan.

When the cracks start to show, can Ethan persuade his family to fix the real world, not fixate on the online one?

The second book by multi-award-shortlisted (including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize) author James Fox.

Told with James’ trademark blend of observational humour and glorious heart, with an utterly relatable and loveable main character and a smart, nuanced take on Instagram/YouTube vs Reality.

The message is about being present and enjoying the everyday moments of life in an authentic, happy way.

The Domesday Cows

Iszi Lawrence

Chapter book

A comical culture clash between Anglo-Saxons and Normans takes centre stage in this humorous tale from Iszi Lawrence, the rising star of children’s historical fiction.

The perfect adventure for readers 9+ and fans of Emma Carroll and Jacqueline Wilson.

Best Books by Age

Popular Children's Authors

Age Group: KS3 (Ages 11-14)

News: Reflecting Realities Report 2025: Summary of Findings

NEWS: The Children’s Booker Prize is Established

Stories That Make You Feel: Simon Stephenson on The Snowman Code

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review