Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Stitched Up!

Chapter book

The horrific real-life cost of fast fashion is exposed in this gripping tale of survival from bestselling author Steve Cole.

When twelve-year-old Hanh is offered a job as a shop assistant in Hanoi, she sees it as a chance to earn money to send back to her family living in poverty in rural Vietnam. But on her arrival in the city, she soon learns that the job offer was a lie and finds herself working in virtual slavery in an illegal garment factory.

Life in this sweatshop is a daily hell of long hours, little rest, poor food and regular violence. Hanh is desperate to escape, but when an opportunity arises will she be able to find the courage to take a dangerous chance?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8. Please note that this book contains mature content.

Outlaw

Michael Morpurgo

Chapter book

After a fierce storm, a boy discovers a human skull, buried beneath the roots of an ancient tree. A skull with a legendary story…

Vivid re-imagining of the legendary hero Robin Hood by bestselling author of War Horse.

“Tell the sheriff, tell Sir Guy of Gisbourne, tell everyone in Nottingham, that the Outlaws rule here in Sherwood, that we rule in the king’s name… I am Robin Hood.”

Homeless and lost in a dark, strange forest, young Robin is rescued by a motley crew of misfits. He yearns to avenge his father and seek justice against cruel oppressors, to finally defeat the Sheriff of Nottingham, once and for all.

And through his friends, Robin Hood finds the courage to become a legendary hero.

UK in Maps

Collins Kids & Stephen Scoffham

Non-fiction

The must-have thematic atlas for schools.
Bring geography, history and the environment together with this thematic UK atlas suitable for Key Stage 2 and lower Key Stage 3.

Fully up-to-date and endorsed by the Geographical and Historical Associations, it helps children to understand how things came to be, as well as how they might change in years to come.

UK in Maps investigates themes with a focus on environmental issues, energy, transport, farming and tourism and includes reference maps for all the different regions of the UK.

Ideal for classroom use and home learning, it provides opportunities for pupils to conduct their own enquiries and explore maths in context using maps, satellite images, diagrams, charts and photographs.

Would You Rather? Ancient Romans

Clive Gifford & Tim Wesson

Non-fiction

Would you rather row a Roman vessel or be a chariot racer? Eat stuffed dormice or parrot heads? Only you can decide!

Adventure into the fascinating world of ancient Rome with this new Would You Rather book!

Packed with fun situations, this book is the perfect way to learn about the ancient Roman world. Prepare to decide what sort of Roman food you would rather eat, what Roman jobs you would be prepared to try your hand at, and much more!

Each situation is filled with fascinating and hilarious details about Roman history – rediscover familiar favourites like Julius Caesar, and delve into lesser-known corners of this intriguing civilization.

Cecily Sawyer: How To Be a Spy

David Tazzyman & Iona Rangeley

Chapter book

A thrilling, mysterious and very, very funny new adventure from the award-winning author of EINSTEIN THE PENGUIN, with brilliant illustrations from bestseller David Tazzyman.

Cecily Sawyer has spent the evening in the attic, training her pet mouse, Mrs Maple Syrup – an unusually intelligent mouse, in Cecily’s opinion – when her parents disappear.

Luckily, Cecily is more than ready to investigate such a thing. She has wanted to be a spy her whole life, and has all the spy handbooks, manuals and code-cracking kits a girl could need.

But soon, Cecily discovers several very strange things in her city. She’s not the only spy out there – far from it, in fact. And Mrs Maple Syrup is not the only unusually intelligent mouse…

Lark

Anthony McGowan

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Inspired to take a walk on the moors by their Dad, who remembered taking such walks with their grandad when he was their age, Nicky and Kenny set off with their Jack Russel terrier on what should have been nothing more than a stroll to take in the views and blow off a bit of energy after being cooped up during the Easter holidays. Even as they step off the bus to begin their walk, Nicky can see the weather changing as a few flakes of snow become more of a blizzard, and what had been a fun adventure leaves them frozen to the core, lost and alone.

Picking up the slim tome, I initially wondered how this diminutive volume could live up to the reviews, especially as I am not familiar with the three prior titles in the series, but I needn’t have worried. Heartbreaking and soul-restoring in equal measure, you’re swept along on their journey with insights into some of their lives and troubles before the time and to the depths of their fear, pain and anguish as their stroll takes a more dangerous turn. Incredibly emotive, more sensitive readers may find some of the text upsetting.

This book doesn’t waste a single word. Unquestionably a rich source for writing and discussion.

The Poet X

Elizabeth Acevedo

Chapter book

A stunning New York Times bestseller with a powerful and unforgettable YA voice. Perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi’s The Children of Blood and Bone, Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and Sarah Crossan’s One.

Xiomara has always kept her words to herself. When it comes to standing her ground in her Harlem neighbourhood, she lets her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But X has secrets – her feelings for a boy in her bio class, and the notebook full of poems that she keeps under her bed. And a slam poetry club that will pull those secrets into the spotlight.

Because in spite of a world that might not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to stay silent.

A novel about finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in, no matter how hard it is to say. Brave, bold and beautifully written – dealing with issues of race, feminism and faith.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Holly Jackson

Chapter book

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth … ?

Amazing Cricket Stars: Ben Stokes

Carl Pearce & Clive Gifford

Non-fiction

Meet the king of English cricket, Ben Stokes, in this thrilling unofficial biography!

From his childhood in New Zealand and his early cricketing career at Cockermouth, to winning his first County Championship with Durham and selection for England, Ben Stokes’s cricket career has been filled with extraordinary successes alongside great challenges.

Follow this impressive all-rounder as he bats, bowls and fields his way to being one of the greatest cricketers of all time – as well as an inspirational England captain.

The Bicycle

Mevan Babakar & Patricia McCormick & Yas Imamura

Picturebook

The true story of how a simple act of kindness changed a young refugee’s life – from award-winning author Patricia McCormick with Mevan Babakar.

For generations, Mevan and her family lived in their beloved Kurdistan. But when they are forced to flee by the Iraqi government, Mevan must leave everything behind. Her family travels from country to country in search of safety; and with each stop, Mevan feels more and more alone. Until … a stranger’s gift changes everything.

Based on Mevan Babakar’s own childhood, this is a moving reminder of how powerful just one act of kindness can be.

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Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

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