Children&#8217;s Fiction: 10 You Might Have Missed

As with all of Nizrana Farook’s books, The Girl Who Lost a Leopard is set on the island of Serendib (the old Persian name for Sri Lanka). In this adventure, we met Selvi, who lives with her mum and who’d rather spend time in the mountains than in school. Her uncle helps the family out, but disapproves of Selvi’s lifestyle.

Selvi befriends Lokka, a rare golden leopard who lives in the mountains behind her home. One day on her visit to Lokka, she encounters poachers who are desperate to capture him. While escaping the poachers, Selvi comes across Amir, a boy in her class, who hides her. Can they become friends and work together to save Lokka from the poachers?

This is a story of adventure and friendship. The relationship between Selvi and Amir takes a while to build and it shows that friendships take work to be successful. The setting of the Serendib mountains will transport children to a place that many are likely to know very little about and provides an opportunity to introduce them to different lifestyles and cultures. The issue around animal hunting is an interesting one to explore and would make the basis for a good class discussion.

The relatively short chapters help to keep the story moving at a good pace and make it an easy book to dip in and out of. For children who are daunted by longer chapters and books, this will make it all the more appealing.

This book has been selected for our newly updated Recommended Reads For Year 6 booklist.

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Publication date: April 2022

2. Every Cloud

By Ros Roberts & Thy Bui

Reviewer: Jane E

Chapter book (9+)

Amy is in Year 6 and has had to move house to another side of town. Her Dad had an accident at work, so they couldn’t afford their old place and it looks like the promise her parents made – that she could still move up to the same high school as her friends – might be about to collapse. Just when Amy thinks things can’t get any worse, Amy’s Mum drops the bombshell that they will be spending the summer holidays staying with Gran and Pops on the other side of town. Amy is beginning to wonder if she will end the summer with any friends at all…

Every Cloud is a wonderful coming of age story from author Ros Roberts, her second venture following the well-received Dogger and Me. Roberts doesn’t sugarcoat the characters of Amy or her friends, including insights into some of the unkind thoughts and behaviour that young readers (and old) can relate to. In contrast, the reader can feel empathy for Amy’s worries and concerns and experience the emotional journey Amy must make as she has to deal with the deteriorating dementia of her Grandfather, the concerns about her Dad’s work situation, her school options or the speech impediment of her new friend Jay. Each of the characters is neatly woven in to complete the picture of Amy’s summer and you can’t help feeling compassion for Amy and hoping for a happy outcome.

With great potential as a class read in Upper KS2, this book could also be used as a good source of discussions about friendship, inclusion and school options.

Publisher: Stripes

Publication date: April 2022

3. The Girl Who Planted Trees

by Caryl Hart & Anastasia Suvorova

Reviewer: Emma Hughes

Picturebook (3+)

This is a beautiful book containing a tale of determination, hope, resilience and community.

Caryl Hart has written a story about a little girl who wants to make change happen. Determined to see the ‘great grey’ mountain turn back into the lush forest that it once was, the girl plants a seed from her fruit. When she returns later, she is disappointed that it has not taken at all. Under the watchful eye of her grandfather, she plants a variety of seeds and this time is determined to water them every day, and soon she sees results. Shoots turn into saplings, and soon they are as big as she is! But how will she cope when a disaster strikes and her saplings are all destroyed in a fierce storm? Just as the trees grow in the story, so the girl becomes a mother and grandmother thereafter. Her life of determination has brought about environmental change for the good of the community.

The story is brought to life by the illustrations of Anastasia Suvorova, with vibrant colours that reflect the hope and sunlight of the story.

A key feature of this book is the QR code on the inside sleeve. This gives the reader access to an audio version of the book. This is read beautifully by Willow Nash and includes a ‘ping’ for when to turn the page, enabling young children to look at the pictures while the book is being read to them.

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Publication date: March 2022

4. The Boy in the Post

By: Holly Rivers & Caroline Bonne-Miller

Reviewer: Natasha Kendrick

Chapter book (7+)

Fans of Flat Stanley and The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me will delight in this charming action-packed adventure across the Atlantic.

It is finally the summer holidays and the Shalloo children, wanting some excitement and something to do to keep them busy during the long summer weeks, decide to respond to a job advert for a summer vacancy. Not knowing what to expect, the siblings trundle up to the old Tuppenny Mill where they meet Grandy Brock – ex postal worker and animal lover. He explains that he is in the process of creating a new animal postal service and the Shalloo children’s summer work will be to train and ready the Pelicans! The children accept with full enthusiasm and cannot wait to train their new friends. The summer starts off well but takes a turn in the opposite direction when Geronimo (the oldest Pelican) goes off on her maiden voyage and does not return. Taber, the youngest Shalloo sibling, decides to go off looking for him by sending himself to America in the post! The other siblings, Orinthia and Séafra, need to decide how to find him and how to get to him and suddenly the summer holidays have turned into a huge adventure!

This story is full of plot twists and adventure which keep the reader engaged with the story. It is easy to read and with short chapters which often end leaving the reader wanting more, which made it hard to put the book down. The theme of family runs through the story, as well as the hardships of having a busy working single parent. This book would be most suited to children in Key Stage 2, who I think would really enjoy following the sibling’s journey to find their brother. It would make a great class reader and also would be a great stimulus for writing opportunities – I am very excited to read this to my class as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Publisher: Chicken House

Publication date: March 2021

5. Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms

By Jamar J. Perry

Reviewer: Esther Brown

Chapter book (9+)

Inspired by West African and Igbo history, this adventure-filled fantasy introduces readers to Cameron Battle as he begins his journey to greatness.

Cameron Battle has vivid memories of his early childhood, listening to his Mother read him magical and adventurous tales from the Book of Chidani – a lost mythical kingdom of the Igbo people whose Queen bargained with the gods, cutting it off from the world to save her people from slavery.

However, after his parents mysteriously died in a car crash, Cameron’s Grandmother locked the book away in the attic and forbade him to open it again. That is until one summer sleepover with his best friends Zion and Aliyah, when strange things start to happen, and they decide to investigate the attic. As soon as they open the book, a portal drags them into the world of Chidani, which is no longer the place Cameron saw in his Mother’s stories, but is one of darkness and danger, having been thrown into a war between the Queen and her evil sister, who has stolen ‘The Three Gifts’ that give the Queen her power.

Cameron is quickly hurled into the centre of the battle for Chidani – and for Earth. He comes face to face with his past, the legacy his parents left him, and his future. He is ‘The Descendant’ and the people of Chidani are counting on him. But can a 12-year-old boy become a hero?

After intensive training in the Igbo fighting style, Dambe, the young heroes set off to find ‘The Three Gifts,’ using The Book to help them solve riddles to seek the missing objects and facing Gods and monsters on their way.

The very relatable characters all grow through the story, facing their fears and finding their strength in different ways, and themes of friendship, family and destiny run through the story. The short chapters combined with the excitement and adventure in this fast-paced narrative would make it a fantastic class novel. The cliffhanger ending also lends itself to classes writing the next instalment of the story.

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication date: March 2022

6. Hello Star

By Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic & Vashti Harrison

Reviewer: Suzanne Booth

Picturebook (3+)

Hello Star tells an adorable story of the awe and wonder that can come from discovering the wonders of our universe.

Finding out that a hypnotising bright light was, in fact, a dying star, the little girl admiring it from her bedroom window was instantly hooked. Keeping her promise to keep it company until the light was no more, her fascination grew. It led to a lifelong passion for the stars, space and science and a journey to something special.

Reading this book felt like a real-life account, conjuring vivid images of a little girl sitting in her room, staring out her window in utter amazement. Such thoughts evoke heart-warming feelings of how such a tiny spark can lead to such a passion and marvellous things.

This lovely story is perfect for encouraging children to reach for their dreams but also provides a platform to inspire girls, in particular, to venture into careers in science and space.

Publisher: Puffin

Publication date: February 2022

7. The Secret at Haven Point

By Lisette Auton & Valentina Toro

Reviewer: Suzanne Booth

Chapter book (9+)

Alpha Lux lives in a very special lighthouse. Although remote and ramshackled, this lighthouse provides a place to call home for any disabled person looking for somewhere to belong. Alpha was Haven Point’s first ‘wreckling’, raised by a mermaid after being washed up as a baby. Now Haven Point homes 42 wrecklings who pass their time planning adventures and looting passing ships.

From her troubled start in life, Alpha always lives in the hope of a reunion with her birth mother. So when she spots a strange light on the headland, she is convinced she is being watched and can’t help but let her imagination run wild. Yet she also knows that this could signal outsiders are about to discover their secret haven. Now they must decide what their future will be.

Turning perceptions upside down – the outsiders are not disabled, and the bold heroes represent an eclectic mix of backgrounds and disabilities. With a deep sense of family and community that runs throughout, this is not a story about being disabled; far from it, this is an adventure with a magical backbone featuring positive representation of characters with a range of disabilities. The setting of the Northeast of England also doesn’t go unnoticed, identified by the unmistakable accents of the character dialogue, again building positivity towards a region too often literalised within stories of poverty.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable story, yet it is equally an important book, with thought-provoking messages throughout. A great read to explore themes of diversity, tolerance, acceptance and friendship.

Publisher: Puffin

Publication date: February 2022

8. The Light in Everything

By Katya Balen

Reviewer: Julie B

Chapter book (10+)

From the author of October, October, which was shortlisted for the 2022 CILIP Carnegie Medal, comes a new story about blended families and learning to find room in your heart for new love.

Zofia lives with her dad next to the beach and loves the water. Her aim is to swim across to a small island, some way out from the shore. She is loud and full of emotion, which she finds difficult to control.

Tom lives with his mum and hates the dark. He is quiet and shy and creates origami to help to keep himself calm.

When Zofia’s dad and Tom’s mum announce they are expecting a baby and moving in together, Zofia and Tom do not take the news well. Zofia does not want anyone coming to her family home; Tom does not want to leave the safety of his current home. How can they find a way to overcome their differences and become a family together? The story is told from a dual perspective, with Zofia and Tom alternating chapters. This gives the reader an insight into both characters and their histories which have shaped their lives now.

There are a number of sensitive topics in this book: the blending of two families; the death of Zofia’s mum; the domestic violence and mental abuse of Tom and his mum; and the health issues of a new baby. All are handled in the book in a sensitive manner but care would need to be taken when recommending this book; it would be important to know children well or to forewarn the before sharing.

However, regardless of the subject matter, this is a beautifully told story; one that pulls at the emotions with lyrical and poignant storytelling. Suitable for year 6 and up.

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication date: April 2022

9. The Smile

By Marie Voigt

Reviewer: Claire Bennett

Picturebook (3+)

The Smile is the newest book by author-illustrator Marie Voigt. This spellbinding story captures the power behind the simplest of all acts – a smile. When a baby smiles at her brother, the joy he feels is so powerful that it sets in motion a chain of kindness that spreads around the world. Journey through the illustrated pages and witness the magic behind each and every smile, seeing how far a smile can go and the impact it can have.

This beautiful picture book encourages children to reflect on their own smiles, who makes them smile and how they make others smile. It leaves children wondering ‘Where will your smile go?’.

This book is captivating. Its attractive, full-page illustrations immerse you in a magical and diverse world of happiness and possibility. It is incredibly hard not to smile when reading this book! This book is likely to help to bring back smiles for children whose smiles may have gone away. The book would work well as a whole class read but I also believe it could be used one-to-one with a child who may need a little support with their emotional well-being.

Publisher: OUP

Publication date: March 2022

10. Hedgewitch

By Skye McKenna & Tomislav Tomic

Reviewer: Tami Wylie

Chapter book (9+)

“Witches aren’t born, they’re made”

Hedgewitch is the first book in a new middle-grade series from Skye McKenna. It’s also her debut. Hedgewitch is an un-put-down-able read, so I’m so glad that it is part of a series.

Cassie Morgan was left at a dreary boarding school by her mother seven years ago with the promise that she’d come back for her. No one has heard from her since. Cassie just knows deep down that her mother is out there somewhere and she just needs to find her. When Cassie is told that her mother must be dead and now she must go live in an orphanage, she runs away.

Cassie soon discovers that she has a true family that she never knew she had and they are magical. As she settles into her new life living with her aunt, the Hedgewitch, it comes to Cassie’s attention that children are going missing mysteriously. Cassie and her new friends decide to try and find her mother and maybe the missing children as well.

This story is a great read for pure enjoyment. I think it is destined to become a new classic.

Publisher: Welbeck Flame

Publication date: April 2022