Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Format: Chapter book

Thursday’s Child

Chapter book

Thursday’s Child is one of my all-time favourite books because it contains some of my favourite story ingredients: a cracking plot, an immensely brave and plucky orphan, a dreadful orphanage and an even more dreadful villain, in the form of Matron.

There is a brilliant scene when the heroine, Margaret Thursday stumbles across the Fortescue travelling theatre company. She is quickly given a starring role in their latest production – as Little Lord Fauntleroy – and discovers, almost by accident, that she is a natural actress. Or as Mr Fortescue says, ‘born to the theatre. Talent in her little finger.’

A Drop of Golden Sun

Kate Saunders

Chapter book

It’s 1973, and Jenny has been chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to jet off to the South of France and star in a major Hollywood movie.

Here she meets cast and crew, including fellow child actors Belinda and John. But life on set turns out to be far from straightforward. The cast are harbouring more than a few secrets. And as the cameras roll, tangled lives and mysterious pasts begin to unspool.

A deliciously heart-warming story that is happy and sad and very rewarding.

The Diamond of Drury Lane

Julia Golding

Chapter book

This rollicking story is set in Georgian London, and follows the daring adventures of orphan and actress Cat Royal.

Cat has lived in the Sparrows Nest above the costume department on the top floor of The Theatre Royal since she was a baby. But when she is entrusted with a secret treasure, her life suddenly takes a very dangerous and thrilling turn. Can she survive the rogues and the villains?

A truly exciting, unputdownable read!

Birdie

J P Rose

Chapter book

A moving and heartfelt story about the relationship between an orphan and a pit pony in 1950s Yorkshire.

Reminiscent of classics like Black Beauty and Goodnight Mr Tom, Birdie is both a heart-warming animal story and a powerful exploration of belonging and bravery. A must-read for young readers, teachers and anyone who cherishes stories about finding hope in the face of adversity. Timeless, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting, Birdie is destined to become a classic.

Tender, gripping, touching, memorable and nail-biting!

A Christmas Carol (Barrington Stoke Edition)

Charles Dickens

Chapter book

The classic novella of the Christmas transformation of Scrooge that has remained in the public imagination for well over a century, now available in an accessible format for all readers.

Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, and he learns he will be visited by three spirits – Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come – who reveal to him his miserable existence, the opportunities he squandered in his youth, the current cruelties he visits upon those around him, and the fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with a choice: death or redemption.

Dickens’ classic story of the Christmas transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, now available in an accessible, super-readable format with dyslexia-friendly features, for all readers.

Treasure Island

Robert Louis Stevenson

Chapter book

A beautiful edition of the classic tale, Treasure Island.

Jim Hawkins is the son of the innkeepers of the Admiral Benbow near Devon and becomes fascinated by a mysterious lodger, the old seaman Billy Bones.

It soon becomes apparent to Jim that Billy Bones is in hiding from a man with one wooden leg and he is also in possession of a much sought after pirate’s treasure chest.

When Billy Bones suddenly drops dead, Jim flees, taking with him an oilskin packet from within the chest. It turns out that Jim has taken a map detailing the whereabouts of Captain Flint’s treasure.

A swash-buckling adventure aboard the Hispaniola ensues as Jim attempts to track down the treasure with the help of a one-legged sea cook Long John Silver, Captain Alexander Smollett, Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey among others.

But all is not as it seems. Is Long John Silver really trustworthy? After all Bones did warn him of a man with one leg…

Winner Takes Gold

Eloise Smith

Chapter book

It takes courage to follow your dreams . . .

Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning gold in Paris. It’s what Mum would have wanted.

However, elite training camp is super tough, even with the help of best friend Ryan and rising star, Jada-Rae.

Think ice baths, rivalry … sabotage.

When others will do anything to win, what will Pearl risk? Safety? Morals? Friendships?

This thrilling tale reminds us sport is about more than medals. It’s about making friends, being brave and freeing your soul.

An all-action sporting drama set in the world of gymnastics, from the author of Sister to a Star

Packed full of friendships, drama and action; perfect for tweens aged 10-13 years

Author Eloise Smith is a former Olympic fencer and three-time Commonwealth gold medal winner!

Gym Stars: Summertime and Somersaults

Jane Lawes

Chapter book

Tara loves gym and spends every spare moment practising in her garden.

When she joins the Silverdale Gym Club, Tara’s catapulted into their star team. But with so many new things to learn – like backflips, somersaults and handsprings, how will Tara ever catch up with her talented teammates?

With a foreword by Olympic medal winner Beth Tweddle.

Somersaults and Dreams: Making the Grade

Cate Shearwater

Chapter book

Love Cathy Cassidy or Jacqueline Wilson? Don’t miss this gorgeous new series set in the heady world of gymnastics.

Ellie has a dream … to become a world-class gymnast. When she’s offered a place at the prestigious London Gymnastics Academy, it looks like she has a chance to make that dream come true. But there are many obstacles to overcome, new friends to make, and rivalries to face! Will she make it, against all the odds?

Making the Grade is the first book in the Somersaults and Dreams series, a rollercoaster ride full of friendship, rivalries, setbacks and triumphs, with echoes of classic stories like Ballet Shoes. Perfect for children aged 9 years and up.

Also look out for:

Rising Star

Going for Gold

Cate Shearwater lives in Wiltshire with her husband and two children. She was gloriously bad at gymnastics when she was younger but luckily the cartwheels skipped a generation and Somersaults and Dreams was written for Cate’s gymnastic fantastic daughter, Elsie, and all her fabulous squad mates at Baskerville’s Gym Club.

Skandar and the Phantom Rider

A. F. Steadman

Chapter book

HEROES AND UNICORNS AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. The epic adventure continues . . .

Don’t miss this sequel to Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2022 Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. Skandar and the Phantom Rider is the second book in the international bestselling SKANDAR series, an unmissable adventure for listeners age 9 to 99 and fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Fireborn.

The Island shall have its revenge . . .

Skandar Smith has achieved his dream to train as a unicorn rider.

But as Skandar and his friends enter their second year at the Eyrie, a new threat arises. Immortal wild unicorns are somehow being killed, a prophecy warns of terrible danger, and elemental destruction begins to ravage the Island.

Meanwhile, Skandar’s sister, Kenna, longs to join him – and Skandar is determined to help her, no matter what. As the storm gathers, can Skandar discover how to stop the Island tearing itself apart – before it’s too late for them all?

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Format: Chapter book

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