Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Lucy Strange Books

The Island at the Edge of Night

Chapter book

A twisty-turny shadowy mystery from highly-acclaimed and Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author Lucy Strange.

Abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak and remote Scottish island, Faye discovers that she and the other pupils have been sent there for doing something wicked. But what is it that Faye has done?

She might be bold enough to explore the prison-like island but has she the courage to face a secret deep within herself?

A stunning new tale from the Queen of Gothic, Lucy Strange – author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood, Sisters of the Lost Marsh, The Ghost of Gosswater and the Waterstones Prize-shortlisted Our Castle by the Sea.

A masterful blend of thrilling Gothic mystery, a touch of magical realism and stunning writing, all wrapped up in a twisty-turny plot.

Perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and Emma Carroll.

The Mermaid in the Millpond

Lucy Strange & Pam Smy

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

A short and powerful chapter book about life in the cotton mills for children during the Industrial Revolution.

Bess is sent to a London workhouse after her Ma falls ill and passes away. She decides to move to a northern rural cotton mill where she is promised a better life, an education and better living conditions. This is not the reality, but instead she is put to work as a threader on the large, noisy and dangerous machinery in the overheated mill.

On her first day, she and the others are told of the vicious and blood-thirsty mermaid who lives in the millpond, who will attack any child who tries to escape the mill or work – Bess thinks this is nonsense and is a myth. However, when she finds herself in trouble and wanting to leave her new ‘home’, she sees something in the murky waters – reaching for freedom.

This is a dyslexia-friendly chapter book that is also thought-provoking and rich with historical information about life for working children in Victorian times.

The Ghost of Gosswater

Lucy Strange

Chapter book

When Agnes is sent away from Gosswater Hall to live with the father she never knew, she embarks on a hunt for her true identity. This historical mystery is beautifully written and really did keep me guessing right until the end!

Our Castle by the Sea

Lucy Strange

Chapter book

Schools are spoilt for choice when it comes to stories set in World War 2, but this new book by Lucy Strange absolutely deserves its place as a worthy addition to the list.

Set in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, the story follows 12-year-old Pet. Pet lives in a lighthouse on the south coast of England and grew up hearing stories of ancient sea monsters, legends of ’Daughters of Stone’ and whisperings of secret tunnels.

Now, as the war breaks out, childhood stories give way to terrifying real-life battles as German war machines lurk in the skies above and the sea below. Fear is in the air, and it is not long before the people of the nearby village turn on Pet’s mother, who is German. What’s more, Pet’s older sister is acting suspiciously, and Pet discovers a set of mysterious documents and photographs hidden away in the lighthouse. As the war progresses, everyone is affected in different ways, and Pet’s old lifestyle seems to slip away.

Bringing together an evocative wartime setting, relatable themes and a sprinkling of ancient legend, this is a riveting read that I’m certain will delight teachers and children alike in KS2 classrooms.