Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Format: Chapter book

Does anyone ever really want to ‘fall’ in love? Knowing me I’ll just trip over it and graze my knee on the gravel of humiliation.

Haylah Swinton is fairly confident she’s brilliant at being a girl.

She’s an ace best friend, a loving daughter, and an INCREDIBLY patient sister to her four-year-old total nutter of a brother, Noah.

But she has a secret. She wants to be a stand-up comedian, but she’s pretty sure girls like her – big girls, girls who don’t get all the boys, girls who a lot of people don’t see – don’t belong on stage.

That hasn’t stopped her dreaming though, and when the seemingly perfect opportunity to write routines for older, cooler, impossibly funny Leo arises . . . well, what’s a girl to do? But is Leo quite an interested in helping Haylah as he says he is?

Will Haylah ever find the courage to step into the spotlight herself? And when oh when will people stop telling her she’s ‘funny for a girl’?!

Chapter book

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu – when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game – it’s a way of life. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally.

When Emika hacks into the game illegally, she’s convinced she’ll be arrested, and is shocked when she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job.

In this sci-fi thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu conjures an immersive, exhilarating world where choosing who to trust may be the biggest gamble of all.

Stevenson’s classic “shilling shocker” has remained in the public imagination for well over a century, spawning numerous adaptations. Now available in an accessible format for all readers.

“Man is not truly one, but truly two.”

A terrible killer lurks in London’s dark and foggy corners. His crimes are witnessed, but no one can track him down. At the same time, the respectable Dr Jekyll is on a quest of his own.

But Dr Jekyll’s discoveries look set to unleash an appalling truth. Just how closely entwined is his identity with that of brutish Mr Hyde?

The year is 1904. Luki has lived a tribal life in the mountains of the Philippines. Now she’s growing up, she is expected to become a wife and a mother, but Luki isn’t ready to give up her dream to become a hunter.

When her tribe are offered a journey to America to be part of the St. Louis World’s Fair, Luki will discover that the land of opportunity does not share its possibilities equally . . .

Chapter book

The Carnegie Medal and Guardian Fiction Prize-winning classic YA novel reissued for a new generation. With an introduction by Malorie Blackman and all-new material exploring the book’s controversial history.

It was a love story. Me, Gemma and junk. I thought it was going to last forever.

Tar loves Gemma, but Gemma doesn’t want to be tied down. She wants to fly. But no one can fly forever. One day, finally, you have to come down. Melvin Burgess’ most ambitious and complex novel is a vivid depiction of a group of teenagers in the grip of addiction. Told from multiple viewpoints, Junk is a powerful, unflinching novel about the effects of drug abuse on teenagers. Once you take a hit, you will never be the same again.

Discover Africa by bicycle in book 1 of a delightful children’s adaptation of Alastair Humphrey’s journey around the world. In this charming caricature of Alastair Humphreys’ infamous circumnavigation of the world on his bike, children are swept along with the character of Tom, an adventurous boy who feels there must be more to life than school. The first part of The Boy Who Biked the World follows Tom leaving England, cycling through Europe and all the way through Africa to the tip of South Africa. Along the way, young readers are introduced not only to the various fascinating landscapes he passes through, but also to the various people who so happily embrace him as he traveled on his journey. With engaging illustrations, postcards, and journal entries throughout, this book provides an immersive experience for any young adventurer.

A gripping and moving novel by one of the world’s best-loved writers for children.

From much-loved author Shirley Hughes comes a thrilling World War II novel for children aged 10 and up. It is 1944 and Florence, Italy, is occupied by Nazi German forces. The Italian resistance movement has not given up hope, though – and neither have Paolo and his sister, Constanza. Both are desperate to fight the occupation, but what can two siblings do against a whole army with only a bicycle to help them? In extraordinary circumstances, people are capable of extraordinary things…

Trust me, the fairy tales have it so wrong.

Dingy towers and wicked step-mums are the least of my worries: it’s the boredom that will kill me. Honestly, apart from the endless supply of cupcakes, being a princess is pretty rubbish.

I used to think about locking myself in a tower and throwing away the key. Thank the good goblin I discovered BMX. If it wasn’t for BMX, nothing would have changed …

A brilliantly funny adventure from a fantastic new voice for readers aged 7+

Follows a pampered but rebellious princess as she travels from another world, finds her true talents in BMX and brings her brand-new powers back home

For fans of Enchanted – with even more laughs!

If you have ever set yourself a New Year’s Resolution, then you will relate perfectly to Fig Fitzherbert, the hero of the novel, ‘Fig Swims the World’. Fig would certainly be considered a ‘higher achiever’; she is a fantastic pianist, loves maths (and is incredibly talented in this area) and also loves making lists! Whilst Fig’s talents are undeniable, they never seem enough for her mum, who sets her a (seemingly impossible) challenge each New Year.

In this novel, Fig decides to take matters into her own hands and set herself a challenge…to swim around the world. This challenge is made even more ambitious as, when she sets the challenge, Fig cannot swim at all! It is an inspirational roller coaster of an adventure, with relatable characters and warm humour throughout. Her relationship with Sage, an older swimmer whom Fig meets at the pool, is particularly wonderful.

Fig is an inspirational character, and her journey gives so much to discuss around perseverance, motivation and facing your fears. It’s a brilliant read and would be an ideal accompaniment to discussions around ‘setting goals and challenges’.

A funny and fantastical adventure from Olympian Tom Daley all about perseverance, friendship and positivity. Written in collaboration with children’s author, Simon James Green. With gorgeous illustrations by Luna Valentine. Jack really wants to impress his diving coach dad … there’s just one problem. Jack is the worst diver in the worst diving team in Damp Bottom, England. But when a new kid starts at school with magic swimming skills and an eagerness to share tips, Jack’s luck might be about to change.

But when Jack’s new friend gets into trouble – and the fate of a secret world hangs in the balance – it’s up to Jack and the rest of his diving crew to save the day. Sometimes it’s not about winning, it’s about helping your friends when they need it the most, it’s about team work…

A not to be missed hilarious adventure story

Bringing together the most decorated British diver of all time Tom Daley – and acclaimed children’s and YA-and Carnegie-nominated author Simon James Green, whose latest middle-grade book Finn Jones Was Here was Indie Book of the Month in May

With gorgeous illustrations throughout from Luna Valentine that bring the humour and adventure to life

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