Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Format: Chapter book

Cottonopolis

Chapter book

Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief

Chapter book

Join Zula and Milo on a thrilling time-travel adventure as they find themselves unexpectedly stuck in the dangerous world of Tudor London on the trail of a mysterious silk thief. This award-winning, fast-paced book is perfect for bringing Black British history to life, even for kids who don’t enjoy history.

When Zula’s aunt’s antique bathtub turns out to be a Time Machine, she and her best friend Milo find themselves trapped 400 years in the past. Excited at the chance to show her history teacher, that there are Black people in Britain’s past, she pulls Milo deeper and deeper into the dangerous world of Tudor London. History is about to get real in ways Zula never imagined.

Will Zula prove her teacher wrong and get herself and Milo safely back to their own time?

Dancers of the Dawn

Zulekha A. Afzal

Chapter book

Under the blazing sun, an elite troupe of dancers are trained to harness their magic. They are the queen’s most formidable assassins. Aasira has one of the rarest talents – for she is a flame-wielder. Feared by all and envied by some, she uses her power to execute enemies of the crown.

Aasira’s greatest wish is to serve her queen. But on the eve of her graduation, with tensions rising among the dancers and secrets stirring in the shifting sand dunes, she begins to question whether she was truly born to kill…

Desi Girl Speaking

A. S. Hussain

Chapter book

Tweety is struggling.

Battling depression and faced with parents and friends who don’t fully understand what’s happening, sixteen-year-old Tweety feels like no one is listening and there’s nowhere to turn to. Until she stumbles across Desi Girl Speaking, a podcast by someone else who’s struggling too.

Through episodes and exchanged emails, Tweety and Desi Girl begin to confide in each other, but as Tweety’s depression deepens, she’ll have to decide whether to stay silenced or use her voice to speak up.

A powerful and compassionate novel about mental health and hope, for readers of Yasmin Rahman, Muhammad Khan and Danielle Jawando.

(TRIGGER WARNING: this book explores mental health, including discussion of depression, suicide and self-harm.)

I Never Shall Fall in Love

Hari Conner

Chapter book

A joyfully queer and stunningly romantic graphic novel inspired by the work of Jane Austen and perfect for fans of Heartstopper, Bloom and Lex Croucher.

George has always been in love with their best friend, Eleanor – and has always tried to ignore it.

Now Eleanor is coming of age and expected to marry a suitable man, it doesn’t matter how George feels – they have to let her go. Besides, George is busy avoiding their aunt’s matchmaking, taking over the failing family estate, and trying to keep their dressing in men’s clothes a secret.

Eleanor has always wanted to do everything ‘right,’ including falling in love – but she’s never met a boy she’s interested in. She’s more concerned with finding the perfect match for her cousin Charlotte, and working out why George is suddenly pulling away. But Eleanor’s friendships seem to be falling apart, and she’s beginning to realise that she likes George more than any man she’s met at a ball…

With a swoon-worthy friends-to-lovers romance, I Shall Never Fall in Love shines a light on what it means to be true to yourself and rewrites the rules of Happily Ever After.

Not for the Faint of Heart

Lex Croucher

Chapter book

Rip-roaringly romantic, fast-paced and funny – discover the brand new Sapphic historical fantasy adventure from the author of Cafe Nero Award shortlisted, YA Book Prize winner and Books Are My Bag Reader’s Award winner, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

‘You aren’t merry,’ said Clem to her captor. ‘And you aren’t all men. So there’s been some marketing confusion somewhere along the line.’

Mariel, a newly blooded captain of the Merry Men, is desperate to live up to the legacy of her grandfather, the legendary Robin Hood. Clem, a backwoods assistant healer known for her new-fangled cures, just wants to help people.

When Mariel’s ramshackle band kidnap Clem as retribution for her guardian helping the Sheriff of Nottingham, all seems to be going (sort of) to plan … until Jack Hartley, Mariel’s father and Commander of the Merry Men, is captured in a deadly ambush. Determined to prove herself, Mariel sets out to get him back – with her annoyingly cheerful kidnappee in tow.

But the wood is at war. Many believe the Merry Men are no longer on the right side of history. Watching Clem tend the party’s wounds, Mariel begins to doubt the cause to which she has devoted her life. As the two of them grow closer, one thing is clear. They must prepare to fight for their lives – and for the lives of everybody in the greenwood.

Some Like it Cold

Elle McNicoll

Chapter book

A big-hearted small-town romance from bestselling, award-winning author Elle McNicoll. Some Like it Cold is perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Beth Reekles and Gilmore Girls.

After a long absence, 18-year-old Jasper is finally heading home for the holidays – and she’s keeping secrets.

Arthur, a budding filmmaker, is turning the town of Lake Pristine into a small town story worthy of the big screen. His plans are disrupted by the arrival of the town’s golden girl – the antagonist of his school days; a girl he’s never forgotten.

Jasper Montgomery is back in Lake Pristine for one reason: to say goodbye. But before long small-town tensions start to rise, and a certain brooding film buff starts to look like a very big reason to stay . . .

The perfect story to get lost in, Some Like it Cold centres Jasper as an autistic heroine in a cosy YA romance that will melt your heart, from the bestselling author of A Kind of Spark.

Future Hero: Escape from the Clay City

Remi Blackwood

Chapter book

The third book in this major series: FUTURE HERO – featuring high-octane adventure, perfect for fans of Black Panther!

Destiny is Near…

The land of Jarell’s ancestors, is still not safe, and he must return if he is to stop the sorcerer Ikala from gaining power. Together with the help of Kimisi, and their new ally Bo-de, the trio must journey to a city of clay if they are to find what they need to defeat their enemy. But danger lies ahead…

A winning blend of future tech gadgets and a fantasy world inspired by the mythology of Africa and its diaspora.

Jarell, an ordinary boy who loves to draw, is the chosen one to save the world of Ulfrika.

Told in accessible short chapters, filled with action and humour, this is a fun fast-paced adventure – with plenty more books in the series coming soon!

My Enemy, My Friend

Chapter book

From award-winning and beloved children’s author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning edition of My Enemy, My Friend, with a cover illustration by Shahar Kober. A must-read modern classic, this is richly detailed historical adventure about two boys coming together from opposing sides of a war.

Two boys. Two faiths. One unholy war.

When Adam’s mother dies unconfessed, he pledges to save her soul with dust from the Holy Land. Employed as a dog-boy for the local knight, Adam grabs the chance to join the Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem. He burns with determination to strike down the infidel enemy.

Salim, a merchant’s son, is leading an uneventful life in the port of Acre – until news arrives that a Crusader attack is imminent. To keep Salim safe, his father buys him an apprenticeship with an esteemed, travelling doctor. But Salim’s employment leads him to the heart of Sultan Saladin’s camp – and into battle against the barbaric and unholy invaders.

When Adam’s and Salim’s paths come together, they are forced to reevaluate everything they thought they knew about the enemy . . .

My Enemy, My Friend has previously been published as Crusade.

The Last Pebble

Alex Horne

Chapter book

From the creator and presenter of Taskmaster comes a beautifully told story of a young boy’s connection with his grandpa – and a mystery that may come between them.

Trader and his grandpa have combed the beach of Bognor Regis for as long as he can remember, and every time they find a beautiful or special stone, it’s added to the treasure collection. But when Trader finds a particularly special pebble, he stumbles on a secret that was supposed to be kept for ever…

Can Trader and his new friend Charlotte unravel the mystery of this treasure, and return it to its rightful home?

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Format: Chapter book

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