Age Group: KS3 (Ages 11-14)

Stay Where You Are And Then Leave

Chapter book

Having only ever read the rather controversial John Boyne book, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, I decided it was time to read some more of his work. He does write an engaging and interesting story and the main character, Alfie, is delightful. It is also an interesting portrait of life in London during World War 1, not something I know very much about. The introduction of a real historical figure is nicely and believably done and the era well captured. There is also the discussion about conscientious objectors which is particularly well done and would lend itself to a debate in class as it is written in such a balanced way. Whilst many books about World War 1 are often about war itself, for obvious reasons, this is about the aftermath of going to war and the effects of ‘shell shock’ on the young men who survived. It is quite graphic in places and so I would say it is for a mature Year 6 child or Key Stage 3. Reading this does make me want to go and read more by John Boyne, who is clearly much more than the sum of one book, however well known it might be.

Tell Me No Lies

Malorie Blackman

Chapter book

This is a brilliant, gritty novel from Malorie Blackman aimed at older children or younger teens.

The dual narrative follows the stories of Gemma and Mike, who are both struggling to deal with past trauma and difficult family dynamics. Mike, the new boy at school is (on the surface) sociable, popular and seems to have it all, whereas Gemma feels unnoticed and invisible to her family and her peers. Their worlds collide when Gemma realises she has seen Mike in a newspaper clipping and endeavours to find out more about his past – especially why he has told everyone his mum has died when Gemma knows this not to be true.

A brilliant, compelling tale exposes themes that some children will be familiar with, others less so. The story explores themes of friendship, bullying, trauma, parents in prison, death, separation, mental health, domestic abuse and family relationships. As often, Malorie Blackman weaves a tale with a moral message and shows her readers how mistakes can be rectified through honesty and a good support network.

On Silver Tides

Sylvia Bishop

Chapter book

A stunning, unusual and very moving contemporary fairy tale which, like all the best fairy tales, is as scary as it is compelling. This is a great thriller with an underlying ecological message for KS3.

Very few land-dwellers know the real reason for the mistrust that exists between them and those who make their homes on the water. But the water-dwellers, the silvermen, have a secret. They are amphibious humans; they can swim like fish and breathe underwater through their skin.

Kelda’s little sister Isla, however, is different. When, as the Lore dictates, she was thrown into the river at seven days old, she couldn’t breathe and almost died. Since then, the family has protected Isla’s secret because her very existence is a crime. Now, the river is sickening, survival is becoming harder, and Isla could be blamed. When a dreadful betrayal happens, Kelda and Isla must go on the run, but the whole family is in danger and their love for Isla is so great they are willing to brave ordeals, terrifying monsters and even death to save her.

This stunning fantasy adventure explores the traditions and ancient wisdom by which a marginalised community live their lives and encourages readers to think about whether certain beliefs should be challenged. It also asks what we would be prepared to do for those we love.

Glow Up, Lara Bloom

Dee Benson

Chapter book

MY NAME IS LARA BLOOM AND THIS IS MY LIFE . . .

Meet Lara Bloom – the best friend you never knew you needed. This is her diary . . .

When Lara meets super-cute new boy Caiden, she begins to think that the way to his heart is to give herself a glow up. But her friends are not impressed. You should never glow up for a boy, only for yourself!

As Lara and her friends embark on their project of empowerment and self-love, Lara shares her innermost thoughts with her online journal. How can she keep her hair under control when she’s playing football? Why is she so fast on the pitch yet so uncoordinated off it? And how will she ever convince Caiden to take an interest in her?

With her worries safely locked in her top-secret journal, Lara is on track to unlock the glow-up of her dreams. Surely nothing could possibly go wrong . . .?!

A heart-warming story of friendship, crushes and learning to love yourself. Perfect for fans of GEEK GIRL, Louise Rennison and Alesha Dixon.

School for Skylarks

Sam Angus

Chapter book

This is SUCH a wonderful book! It follows the story of Lyla, in denial about being abandoned by her mother, confused and intensely lonely. She is evacuated to the cold, strange and austere fortress of her eccentric Great Aunt Ada. Then, a whole boarding school of girls to stay, and her discomfort only increases as she begins to rub shoulders with girls her own age who don’t understand her at all! It’s a book about loneliness and the power of friendship, and the whole story is filled with characters who show relentless kindness and acceptance towards Lyla as she struggles to come to terms with the truth about her mother.

As historical fiction goes, this is a different take on WW2. Boarding schools are rarely used as the setting for WW2 fiction as the strict routine of life meant that very little, on the face of things, changed – however, this story explores the inner life of one girl and the effects of the war on her heart. There are glimpses of the realities of war in the letters her father sends, first from the front and then from the prisoner of war camp where he is detained, but Lyla’s experience of Britain at war is limited to the incessant knitting and Red Cross box packing upon which Great Aunt Ada insists.

For readers interested in science and maths, there are also brilliant moments in the story where Great Aunt Ada’s scientific approach to educating the girls comes to the fore.

This is a gentle, slow burner of a read with moments of genius. I smiled again and again as I read – for the kindness, for the zaniness, and for the joyful conclusion of the story. It’s a must-read for Year 7s, and will be especially enjoyed by those who already have a history of reading school stories.

The Mizzy Mysteries: A Skeleton in the Closet

Claire Hatcher-Smith

Chapter book

Mizzy is a feisty, nearly 13-year-old girl who just happens to have Down Syndrome. She wants to be a marvellous detective, although her family think she’s more like her dad’s (Great) Aunt Jane, the village busybody. To date, she hasn’t solved a single mystery, although that might change when the holidays start. During the holidays, Mizzy stumbles upon Great Aunt Jane’s missing diaries. It transpires that somebody poisoned the old relative, and she didn’t just die in her sleep. What ensues is a comedy-style investigation to rule out relatives.

Mizzy reminded me of a young Miss Marple. Mizzy talks about how her Down Syndrome affects her (spelling, lack of direction), and this book could be used to teach empathy and awareness.

An interesting mystery that made me laugh out loud at times. I would recommend this book to fans of Melissa Savage, Enid Blyton and Lauren Child.

Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

Philippa Leathley

Chapter book

There is something about a magical world that is not too far removed from our own, that is so captivating.

Set in an alternative London and New London (the magical version), this is world-building at its brightest. A bit like a crazy dream, the story takes the reader into a place that is vivid and frantic like a fever dream. Metty is a wonderful heroine, stubborn and determined, full of energy and excitement. The other characters are also easy to imagine and imaginatively written. This story is fast paced and perhaps the most interesting aspect is the idea of whether a person’s fate is set in stone or whether one is capable of changing what one is or will become.

It is always nice to find a new author with a debut book that you just know you will want to read more from.

The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick

Larry Hayes

Chapter book

This book reminded me of reading my first Goosebumps book all those decades ago.

Finnegan Quick has nightmares, but these are no ordinary nightmares- they can change the real world. They first started with a creepy lady in his nightmares taking his dog, then mum and finally his dad. Finn now lives with his grandmother, but the creepy lady wants to take her, too.

Finnegan has a sliver of hope when the new girl, Cass, from his dreams turns up at his school in real life and clearly knows him too. Finnegan has never, ever told anyone about his dreams, but it’s time to tell his best friend, Squid.

This book is the first in the series. It would be perfect for fans of the Aveline Jones, Crater Lake and Dread Wood series. I whizzed through the book in a few sittings because I was engrossed. The story is funny, scary and sad. It covers death, bereavement, friendship and anger. Finnegan’s situation seems dire, but his friends are there to help him. 5/5 stars.

Wildlands

Brogen Murphy

Chapter book

Set 25 years from now, this thrilling eco-adventure imagines a future Britain where a vast stretch of land across northern England and southern Scotland has been transformed into the “Wildlands.”

This massive rewilding project has reintroduced extinct and endangered species – like wolves, lynx, and bison – and completely banned human presence to let nature restore itself. The only exception is a high-speed train line connecting London and Glasgow.

The story follows 13-year-old Astrid and her younger sister Indie, who become accidentally stranded in the Wildlands after their train makes an unscheduled stop. With no phone signal and only limited supplies, the sisters must rely on their wits, survival skills, and each other to navigate the wild terrain. As they face physical and emotional challenges, their strained relationship slowly begins to transform. They learn to collaborate, appreciate each other, and grow stronger through adversity.

Layered with action, natural wonder and tension, the story also prompts readers to reflect on humanity’s impact on the environment. It introduces important ecological concepts such as predator-prey balance and species conservation, while also inviting critical thinking about the feasibility and ethics of such large-scale interventions.

Ultimately, this is an engaging, thought-provoking tale of survival, family, and environmental stewardship that encourages young readers to consider their role in shaping our planet’s future.

Girl, Missing

Sophie McKenzie

Chapter book

What if everything you thought you knew about your life was a lie? Girl, Missing is the blockbuster bestselling title from million-copy selling writer Sophie McKenzie.

Lauren is adopted and eager to know more about her mysterious past. But when she discovers she may have been snatched from her family as a baby, her whole life suddenly feels like a sham. Could her adoptive parents really have been responsible for kidnapping her?

Running away from her family to seek out the truth, Lauren’s journey takes her deeper and deeper into danger as she realises that someone wants to stop her uncovering what really happened when she was a baby.

Girl, Missing is the book that launched the queen of teen thrillers, Sophie McKenzie, and is a must-have for readers that are yet to discover this modern classic.

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