Format: Chapter book

An Otter Called Pebble

Chapter book

Much-loved children’s author Helen Peters delivers another beautiful wildlife tale with An Otter Called Pebble, perfect for lower KS2 readers and in particular, animal lovers.

Jasmine and Tom rescue a tiny otter cub, Pebble, from the river. Before the pair know it, they face a race against time to reunite Pebble with her elusive family.

As with Helen Peters’ other animal rescue stories, this book is filled with hope and determination, empowering children to make a difference to the natural world around them. Its short chapters and line illustrations offer an enjoyable adventure alongside fascinating insights into protected wildlife, making it an ideal independent read for Year 3.

Naeli and the Secret Song

Jasbinder Bilan

Chapter book

Naeli lives in India and one day receives an anonymous ticket to England. She feels that she must go, despite not knowing who it is from, because that’s where she believes her father is. She takes her precious violin with her and boards a ship to England where she meets Jack, who is on his way to boarding school.

Once she arrives in England, things are not quite as she expected, and several people seem very interested in her violin. Naeli decides to enlist Jack’s help to find the place where her father was last seen, as none of the adults seem willing to help her.

I really enjoyed the mystery element to this story, and not knowing what was so special about the violin. All the adults the children met along the way seemed to know more about Naeli’s father than they were letting on, so Naeli had to get creative to find out information. I also enjoyed the contrast in setting between India at the start of the book and Victorian London.

Suitable for children Y4 and up, this would make a good read aloud in the classroom. Children who are fans of mysteries, historical fiction, or adventures will enjoy this.

Kata and Tor

Kevin Crossley-Holland

Chapter book

Kata and Tor is set in the Anglo-Saxon and Viking period, just before the Battle of Hastings.

Tor, our male hero, is the son of Viking King Harald Horgrada and has been sent out as a scout to York. His mission faces catastrophe when his boat is damaged and his friend drowns, but this tragedy leads to him meeting Anglo-Saxon girl Kata.

The story follows Tor as he battles the need to stay loyal to his father while falling in love with Kata. It is a wonderful story with plenty of excitement and a little bit of Romeo-and-Juliet-style romance between a Viking and a Saxon, too.

The setting is perfect for older primary and younger secondary children who are investigating this time period and offers lots of historical detail to use as a basis for research into life during this time.

The Girl Who Raced the World

Nat Harrison

Chapter book

Maggie is an orphan who has recently escaped from a workhouse after losing her mum. Her mum had given her a letter to deliver to a Monsieur Passepartout and said that he would help her.

In tracking down Monsieur Passepartout, Maggie also finds Mr Fogg, a gentleman who has made a wager that he can travel around the world in only eighty days. She also discovers that Mr Fogg is believed to have stolen a lot of money from a bank in London.

Maggie accompanies Mr Fogg and Monsieur Passepartout on their journey around the world and tries to prove Mr Fogg’s innocence along the way. Their journey is not a straightforward one – they encounter lots of people along the way, some helpful and some not so helpful. Not everyone wants Mr Fogg to succeed in his endeavour.

‘The Girl Who Raced the World’ is a fantastic reimagining of ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’. Maggie and Monsieur Passepartout are both incredibly likeable characters, and I like how their relationship develops as they get to know each other better. Mr Fogg is mysterious but perhaps not as stern as he first appears. The story moves at a pace and is a fantastic adventure for Y4 and up. It would make a great read-aloud in the classroom or a good independent read.

All the Hidden Monsters

Amie Jordan

Chapter book

A grisly murder. A detective warlock with a dangerous past. A girl out of her depth. Can they solve the case?

Sage is an ordinary girl and a werewolf, moving between worlds, desperate to make sense of her life.

When her supernatural friend, Lucy, is found murdered in the human domain, Sage is determined to be part of the investigation headed up by the attractive but arrogant warlock, Oren Rinallis.

Sage is neither magical nor immortal, but she knows right from wrong – and can scent a killer like no other . . .

The first in a stunning YA crime romantasy series – each title standalone – from an outstanding new YA talent

Think slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, twisty crime, and a supernatural detective gang in a unique urban fantasy setting under the city of Manchester

For fans of Cassandra Clare, with a touch of Rivers of London.

Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends

Rose Lihou

Chapter book

Tiny dogs, big adventures!

Meet the tiny dogs in this first chapter book from debut author-illustrator Rose Lihou, with full-colour illustrations throughout.

Bea and her mum are moving in with her grandparents, which will mean a new school, new friends, and big changes for Bea. . .

All Bea can remember about Granny and Grandad’s house is their big, beautiful garden with its colourful flowers and secret hide-and-seek spots, but when Bea and her mum arrive, the garden has grown sad and neglected.

The wild garden feels like the perfect place for Bea to hide away from all the changes in her life, but when she hears a strange noise in the long grass, she can’t quite believe what she finds. . .

FOUR TINY DOGS, NO BIGGER THAN MICE!

Follow the adventures of Bea and the tiny dogs as they become friends and work together to save the garden!

A colour chapter book series, perfect for readers moving on from picture books.
Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends
Tiny Dogs: The Lost School Pet
Tiny Dogs: The Best Birthday Party

Watts & Whiskerton: Sabotage at the Fete Cake Bake

Meg McLaren

Chapter book

Sabotage At The Fete Cake Bake is perfect for readers who are ready to read short, highly illustrated books by themselves.

In this book, young detectives Watts and Pearl find themselves caught up in a bake-off mystery – whilst Watts’ expert investigator parents have been commissioned to find out which cake is the very best, a series of accidents and upsets have sabotaged the competition.

It is absolutely perfect for fans of Rabbit & Bear, Freddie’s Amazing Bakery and Hotel Flamingo. Beautifully illustrated, the book is part novel, part picture book, with plenty of speech bubbles, lists, letters and notepad entries.

YOU Decide YOUR Adventure: Join Bear Grylls on the Ultimate Expedition

Bear Grylls

Chapter book

This exciting and unique book by Bear Grylls is perfect for young explorers and any children who crave adventure. Not only is it packed full of interesting survival tips which you would expect from Bear Grylls, but it also offers the reader the chance to go on their own expedition over and over again, with different adventures and outcomes.

Readers are encouraged to use their brain, adapt and think on the go, choosing their next move on their route to survival! Bear Grylls offers advice on choosing the right survival equipment, assessing the weather and terrain, finding food and shelter and understanding the animals that you might meet along the way.

Whilst we hope our children won’t ever be stranded in the mountains, forest or waters, we know that having read this book they will be well prepared for all eventualities and will have enjoyed every step of their ultimate expedition!

Shadow Thieves

Peter Burns

Chapter book

Perfect for lovers of books such as Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and Skandar, this new fantasy adventure is bound to be a hit with children.

Shadow Thieves follows the adventure of Tom Morgan, an orphan surviving on the streets of an alternative London with other children who are homeless. Set in an alternative timeline where the French Empire has expanded to include Britain, it provides an interesting backdrop to the story. Set at a school for thieves, con artists and criminals alike, children are able to follow Tom as he undertakes missions or challenges and begins his training.

Tom is a likeable character that children will root for, especially as he is often driven by looking after and protecting those he cares about. An exciting book to share with children.

Clarice Bean: Smile

Lauren Child

Chapter book

The Clarice Bean books by Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child are cleverly written, illustrated chapter books. The books are both laugh-out-loud funny and also tinged with mature themes that are suitable for a KS2 audience.

Clarice Bean has a unique voice that readers will find funny and interesting. She is also very ecologically aware, and the sustainability and climate issues are never thrust down your throat, but are just there and explained in the best way. This book covers a child’s perspective on stress, friendship, marriage breakups and old age decline, but the narrator’s warm and sharp observations never make it heavy or a difficult read.

Clarice Bean, narrating the story, is just wonderful. She is so straight-talking and demonstrates how youth see things clearly in a way that adults often do not.