Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Nathanael Lessore Books

Existor is the most popular guy in school. Fred is the loser with no friends. And nobody knows they’re the same person.

Online, Fred’s alter ego is the best gamer around – constantly on a winning streak, with tonnes of followers, and the confidence to go with it.

But offline, Fred’s life is miserable. His dad’s always working, his mum’s struggling, and at school, everyone looks straight through him. Until Existor’s notoriety spreads to his school, and Fred sees an opportunity: everyone listens to what Existor has to say, so why not use that?

Soon, Fred is coming up with outlandish rumours about his classmates, and everyone’s lapping it up. His bullies are shunned, and people are finally taking notice of him. But it’s a slippery slope and Fred struggles to keep track of all the stuff he’s posted as his lies start to wreak unexpected havoc.

Fred will have to answer for his crimes against reality, but will he ever find someone to like him for who he really is?

Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower by Nathanael Lessore is a great book for children in Year 2 to Year 4 to read independently and for teachers or parents to read aloud. Children of this age will enjoy the humour of the book – from the funny setting of the story in the village of Walsham, where everyone who lives there has a unique superpower, to the humour of the language, names and jokes.

The plot itself raises a smile with the story’s hero, Sara, who is yet to find her superpower, solving the mystery of the disappearance of a trophy, which turns out to be the special treasure that has bestowed the unique superpowers on the town’s inhabitants. The superpowers themselves are the sorts of things that make children laugh.

Lessore crafts the story’s characters with kindness and humour at their heart. Thought has also been given to ensuring the characters represent the diversity of our society. The story invites children to consider what it means to have a superpower and how, in fact, it is the everyday acts of kindness, inner-strength, friendship and determination that are the real superpowers. Initial ‘prejudices’ against certain characters – for example the studious and clever child in the class – are quickly debunked, showing children the importance of not judging people on simple appearance and behaviours.

This is a fast-paced story that would keep young readers engaged and this is helped by the illustrations of Simran Diamond Singh, which enhance the story. These complement Lessore’s writing and bring the unique characters and their superpowers to life with a comic-like appeal. This is a book that young children are sure to enjoy.

ANTON AND HIS FRIENDS ARE THE KINGS OF YEAR 9.

They’re used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he’s about but that’s the way he wants it – he’s got a reputation to live up to after all.

So when he gets into serious trouble at school, he doesn’t really care, but his mum most definitely does. She decides it’s time for Anton to make some new friends and join the Happy Campers, a local activity group. Anton would quite literally rather do anything else, especially when he finds out Matthew, the biggest loser in school, is also a member.

But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton’s life, Anton figures maybe this kid is worth a shot. Teaching him some game is the least Anton can do to repay the debt.

As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was important. Does he want ruling the school to be his crowning glory or should he set his sights on better things?

Perfect for teen readers of Alex Wheatle, Jason Reynolds and Patrice Lawrence.

Shaun, aka MC Growls, and his best mate, fellow MC Shanks, is heading for global stardom as a rap star and raptology is just the first step in making that happen… at least that is what Growls likes to convince himself.

Then, after a cataclysmic failed attempt at live streaming, Growls’ life goes from bad to worse, and it seems even his “insane rap skills” can’t save him. Thankfully, his teacher Mr Rix, counsellor Karen, unlikely new friend Siobhan and even his brother (never his biggest fan) help him believe in himself again – but will even that be enough?

“Steady for this” is Nathanael Lessore’s debut novel, and has been multiple-award-shortlisted, including for a Carnegie award and won the Branford Boase Award 2024. Set in Peckham, and written in the broad dialect many living in that part of London, the novel brings out the joy and pain that can be found in living in a close knit community, the dangers and impact of putting your life online for all to see and the importance in never giving up hope even when things seem impossible.

Often “snort out loud” funny (read it in public at your peril), Lessore envelopes you in a world seen from the eyes of Growls, his touching naivety helps mask some of the pain that life is dealing him but when reality destroys even his optimism then faith in human nature is masterfully restored with a wake up call that all of us can make a big difference in someone’s life (good and bad) through what can seem the smallest of gestures.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments