Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Eve Ainsworth Books

Keeping Possession

Chapter book

This is a short book about football and friendship and about holding on to your own identity in the face of peer pressure.

After leaving her joining a new football club, Eboni is struggling with loneliness and alienation having been rejected by her former teammates. When she does make a new connection in school, things look better, until Eboni feels pressured to choose between her new friend and her football commitments. There are strong football action scenes and the book is likely to appeal most to football players and fans, but the combination of the friendship focus and the short format mean it’s also likely to be popular with children who are seeking books that deal with school and friendship issues. These issues are handled sensitively and with empathy.

At the end of the book, there is a short guidance section to support children dealing with friendship problems.The book is the fourth in the Lightmoor Lionesses series. It is published by Barrington Stoke, so the typeface, paper colour and page layout are designed to be accessible for all, including dyslexic readers.

Jellybean

Eve Ainsworth & Theo Parish

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

I really liked Jellybean. It’s a super quick read, but it actually packs a punch. It’s all about dealing with anxiety and that awful feeling of just not wanting to go into school, which I think a lot of children (and adults!) can relate to. However, the central theme is severe anxiety and school avoidance (EBSA).

Teachers should be aware of this in case it triggers conversations with children currently struggling with attendance or anxiety, but it is ultimately a hopeful story.

Back of the Net

Eve Ainsworth & Luna Valentine

Chapter book

Facing up to fears of bullying, Eva finds the courage to take to the field in this heartwarming tale from acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth.

Eva’s football skills make her stand out while playing at break-time at school, so her friends can’t understand why she’s reluctant to join them in playing for their local team, the Lightmoor Lionesses.

Horribly bullied at her last school due to a painful skin condition, Eva is terrified that the same thing will happen again if her new friends find out. Her instinct is to hide away, but can she find the courage to take to the field and play the game she loves?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Kicking Off: Dick, Kerr Girls

Eve Ainsworth

Chapter book

The remarkable story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies is brought to young readers for the very first time by award winning and CILIP Carnegie nominated Eve Ainsworth.

It’s 1917, and Britain is at war. Shy teenager Hettie wants to help the war effort, and signs up to work in the local Dick, Kerr & Co. munitions factory. She’s nervous, but she has no idea quite how much her life is about to change … For, inside this factory are young women who are about to make sporting history. Can Hettie find the courage to join them, and in doing so, find her own place in the world?

Based on the thrilling true story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies team – football’s forgotten legends.

Finding Her Feet

Eve Ainsworth & Luna Valentine

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Lily has always felt she’s on the edge. On the edge of friendship groups and the edge of her own life, looking in. Until one day a teacher inspires her to join the local girls’ football team. Lily usually finds school difficult because she’s shy and anxious, but now begins to find her feet, quite literally, playing football. Her confidence soars, and finally she feels she’s part of a team. Despite a teammate and her inner demons putting her progress in jeopardy, she overcomes the mental challenges and succeeds.

This is a fantastic and well-crafted book. I especially enjoyed the history of women’s football, which was referred to after each chapter. Each chapter had a subchapter on icons of women’s football as well as the journey women have had to go through to be taken more seriously, but not yet as seriously as men, on the pitch.

This inspiring book is accessible from age 7 upwards, written in a dyslexia-friendly format with easy vocabulary for all to comprehend. This is a book to be read independently or with their families and one that will inspire future footballers, whether girls or boys, for a long time to come.

All to Play For

Eve Ainsworth & Kirsti Beautyman

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Lewis loves football more than anything else in the world, so he’s thrilled when his talent is spotted by a local coach.

But there are some big obstacles in his way. His mum doesn’t want him to have anything to do with the game because of what happened to his dad on the pitch. And even if Lewis can persuade her to let him give it a go, there’s no way they can afford the kit.

Can Lewis beat the odds to have a chance of following his dream?

Lost

Eve Ainsworth

Chapter book

This book (best enjoyed by ages 11+) is about Alfie, who has lost his mother to cancer, and Alice, a mysterious girl who becomes his friend. Alfie is literally lost, as is his father, after the death and neither can speak to each other about how they are feeling. Based on the author’s experience of a child in the same position it explores the feelings around loss and the importance of expressing emotion.