Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Age Group: KS3 (Ages 11-14)

Set your sails east with this stunningly original new history of the world.

Peter Frankopan, number one bestselling author and historian, explores the connections made by people, trade, disease, war, religion, adventure, science and technology in this extraordinary book about how the east married the west with a remarkable voyage at its heart – the journey along the Silk Roads.

From ancient world laws laid down by King Hammurabi and the mighty Persian empire, to terrifying huns, the rise of Europe, two world wars and politics today, The Silk Roads illustrated edition moves through time and history sewing together the threads from different peoples, empires and continents into a phenomenal history of the globe.

With stories from each and every corner of society, Frankopan’s magnificent brand new text based on his literary triumph The Silk Roads, sumptuously illustrated by Neil Packer, is a must-have world history.

The gods of the Vikings come to life as never before in this extraordinary illustrated anthology by Carnegie Medal-winning author Kevin Crossley-Holland and artist Jeffrey Alan Love.
These dramatic, enthralling and atmospheric tales are based on the Scandinavian myth cycle – one of the greatest and most culturally significant stories in the world – and tell of Odin with his one eye, Thor with his mighty hammer and Loki, the red-haired, shape-shifting trickster. In this stunning collection of myths, the strange world of ancient magic, giants, dwarfs and monsters is unforgettably imagined.

A timeless classic by renowned historical fiction writer Geoffrey Trease, A Cue for Treason is a thrilling adventure set in Elizabethan England.

The novel follows fourteen-year-old Peter Brownrigg, who joins a travelling theatre group and apprentices with William Shakespeare after fleeing a tyrannical lord. Peter uncovers a dangerous plot in a gripping tale of spies, betrayal and treason against Queen Elizabeth herself. 

Originally published in 1940, this is a story that remains exciting for today’s readers in KS3 who enjoy historical fiction and is an excellent companion to any study of the Elizabethan era.

Frances Hardinge’s historical fantasy A Skinful of Shadows transports readers to the turbulence of the English Civil War.

The tale follows twelve-year-old Makepeace, who has been raised to ward off the restless spirits of the dead. Her abilities are tested when, in a moment of grief, she is possessed by an unexpected spirit: a bear. With this powerful spirit residing within her, Makepeace is thrust into a terrifying new life with her estranged and sinister family.

This multi-layered narrative blends a paranormal mystery with fast-paced historical drama, creating a highly original story for teens that is as beautiful as it is thought-provoking.

A deadly contagion races through England.

Isabel and her family have nowhere to run from a disease that has killed half of Europe. When the world she knows and loves ends for ever, her only weapon is courage.

The Black Death of 1349 was the deadliest plague in human history. All Fall Down is a powerful and inspiring story of survival in the face of real-life horror.

Graphic novel

From the bestselling author of Wonder comes the graphic novel White Bird: soon to be a major film starring Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt, Bryce Gheisar, Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson.

To the millions of readers who fell in love with R J Palacio’s Wonder, Julian is best-known as Auggie Pullman’s classroom bully. White Bird reveals a new side to Julian’s story, as Julian discovers the moving and powerful tale of his grandmother, who was hidden from the Nazis as a young Jewish girl in occupied France during the Second World War.

An unforgettable, unputdownable story about strength, courage and the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives, from the globally bestselling author of Wonder.

A full-colour graphic novel, brilliantly illustrated throughout by R. J. Palacio

Do you know your trig points from your National Trails? Can you calculate using contours? And can you fathom exactly how far the footpath is from the free house?

Track down hidden treasures, decipher geographical details and discover amazing facts as you work through this unique puzzle book based on 40 of the Ordnance Survey’s best British maps. Explore the first ever OS map made in 1801, unearth the history of curious place names, encounter abandoned Medieval villages and search the site of the first tarmac road in the world.

With hundreds of puzzles ranging from easy to mind-boggling, this mix of navigational tests, word games, code-crackers, anagrams and mathematical conundrums will put your friends and family through their paces on the path to becoming the ultimate map-master!

Explore the amazing world of maps from the first sketches on cave walls to real time maps on phones. Discover their incredible history and marvel at ancient maps, war maps, weather maps and even interactive maps from computer games. Packed with awesome facts, kids will soon grasp how to read maps and symbols – plus learn how to make their own!

Wow-factor maps, astounding historic photographs and lively text make this incredible map book the ultimate gift for kids – and grown ups too. Insightful case studies including Winston Churchill’s Map Room and John Snow’s groundbreaking 1854 cholera map will fascinate readers and aid learning; while unusual maps of the night sky, wildlife, populations, time-zones and even famous maps from literature and video games show the full breadth of the many mind-blowing maps in existence.

This fun and engaging book contains everything kids need to know about maps and flags of the world.

The book features a detailed introduction, so readers can learn how maps are created, how countries are defined and some useful background information about flags before they get stuck in.

The rest of the book is laid out by continent, with every country in the world listed, alongside its flag and some key stats, such as population, capital city and area. Each entry is accompanied by a fascinating fact to unpack the meaning and symbolism of each flag. Bonus quirky maps are dotted throughout, covering topics such as national animals, journeys of exploration, pirate maps and flags, and time zones.

Packed with information and exciting facts, this is the perfect introduction to maps and flags for young geographers.

A fresh, relatable story with a sprinkling of magic, about a girl who just wants to fit in but her magic powers make her stand out, from award-winning journalist and author Radhika Sanghani. Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries.

Sabina Patel just wants to fit in. But in her new school, in a new town where she doesn’t know anyone, Sabina feels more out of place than ever.

Then she accidentally unlocks magic powers and starts to see the future, and she quickly stands out as one
of the most popular girls at school.

But when Sabina starts seeing futures she’d rather not know about, she’s not sure if she’s unlocked a gift or a curse…

A book about learning to be happy in the present, rather than letting the future take over your life.

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