Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Chapter book

No matter how big the show, family, friendship and adventure shine through in The Wonder Brothers by multi-award-winning author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated throughout by Steven Lenton.

‘Maybe you don’t believe me. Maybe you don’t believe in magic. I bet you will by the time you’ve heard what happened to us.’

Cousins Middy and Nathan love magic. The on-stage, cape-swirling, bunny-out-of-a-hat kind.

For Middy, it’s all about patience and practice. She uses magic skills to help her out of tricky situations.

Nathan is a show-off and a total danger magnet, he is drawn to the sensation, spectacle and audience.

So when the famous Blackpool Tower dramatically vanishes the night of the Grand Lights Switch-On, showman Nathan announces live on TV that they will magic it back home.

With a stick of rock, a spangly cape, and a bit of misdirection, they end up lost in Las Vegas, home to the grand master of illusion, Perplexion, ‘Legend of Magic’.

Full of tricks, twists and deceptions, the delightful Nathan and Middy will keep you guessing until the very end.

Chapter book

Discover the power of true magic in this funny, exciting, big-hearted story by Caryl Lewis, the award-winning author of Seed and The Magician’s Daughter. Perfect for boys and girls of 8 to 12. Illustrated throughout by George Ermos.

After one hilarious, disastrous magic show too many, Abby’s dad decides it’s time to give up showbiz. Until the day Abby finds a mysterious, dusty old book of spells among her mum’s things. Mum had always been the dazzling magician, after all. As Abby practises, each new spell brings wonder and joy, not only to Abby and her dad, but also to the whole community.

Nothing lasts forever, though, and after each public performance another spell vanishes from the book. So before the magic disappears forever, Abby and Dad plan one final, spectacular, impossible show . . .

Picturebook

When Chang meets an elderly elephant named H’non, she makes a promise to rescue her from a lifetime of captivity. Together, they embark on a quest to find a new home where H’non can live as nature intended – wild and free.

Created by environmental activist Trang Nguyen and award-winning manga artist Jeet Zdung, Saving H’non: Chang and the Elephant is an inspirational graphic-novel adventure, based on a true story, about a young conservationist who overcomes the odds to give H’non the elephant the life she deserves after 50 years of hardship.

Chang’s daring story is for any young reader, animal lover and intrepid explorer who’s ready for adventure!

Picturebook

Shoot for the stars with Sammy Striker! From Oscars Prize-shortlisted Catherine Emmett and bestselling illustrator Joe Berger, Sammy Striker and the Football Cup is an empowering story for young footie fans, about friendship, football, and having the courage to believe in yourself.

Sammy Striker is NEVER found without a football at her feet, and one day at the park, she’s spotted by Melissa McDream who coaches the Under 8s National Team! Sammy is a dribbler-extraordinaire, headed straight for the top. But, as the Football Cup gets closer, Sammy’s shots on goal go a bit wonky.

Will Sammy work out that it’s what makes her difference that will help them win the final?

Non-fiction

Never underestimate your actions – even the smallest changes can have the biggest impact. That’s the power of kindness.

From Marcus Rashford MBE and Carl Anka, the bestselling authors of You Are a Champion, comes the eagerly-awaited inspiring and positive follow-up, You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference.

Marcus uses the power of his voice to shine a light on the injustices that he cares passionately about, and now he wants to help YOU find the power in yours! From surrounding yourself with the right team, to showing kindness to those around you, to celebrating and championing difference, You Can Do It shows you that your voice really does matter and that you can do anything you put your mind to. You don’t have to be an International footballer to make a difference – even the smallest changes can have the biggest impact.

Packed with more inspiring stories from Marcus’s own life, brilliant advice, and top-tips from social justice educator Shannon Weber, this book will show you how to use your voice and make a difference in this world.

Picturebook

It is a day like any other at the roadworks when Digger decides she no longer likes digging down into mud, dark and worms – she wants to dig UP! Although up is quite tricky to get to, with some ingenuity and balloons, Digger goes off on a grand adventure. But adventures aren’t as fun without friends, so Digger must dig her way home.

With a witty text, bright colours and a finger trail to follow from the award-winning Morag Hood, young children and adults will love reading Dig, Dig, Digger! together.

Picturebook

A simple storybook for very young children to celebrate coronation day.

In this funny storybook, King Charles is on his way to Westminster Abbey to be crowned. He meets his colourfully dressed subjects one by one, from beefeaters in blue to a very yellow lollipop man. Before long, he realises he’s very, very late! Will he make it to the Abbey in time?

Read this jolly read-along story to find out – then turn to the non-fiction page at the end to find out more about the coronation ceremony!

Marion Billet’s illustrations bring the buzzing celebrations to life. With famous London sites to spot and soft learning about colours woven into the story.

Graphic Novel

From John Patrick Green, the creator of the side-splitting InvestiGators series, comes Agents of S.U.I.T. – the first in a full colour, laugh-out-loud graphic novel series perfect for fans of Bunny vs Monkey!

Meet Cilantro the Chameleon! Newly appointed Agent of S.U.I.T!*

Cilantro finally has a chance to prove herself . . . but her first big case is OUT OF THIS WORLD. As she begins to uncover a sheep-led worker’s rights revolt and an alien invasion conspiracy, can Cilantro earn her V.E.S.T.** and catch the bad guys?

Created by John Patrick Green with cowriter Christopher Hastings and artist Pat Lewis, join the Agents in this standalone but complementary series.

*Special Undercover Investigation Teams

**Very Exciting Spy Technology

Picturebook

From Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Yuval Zommer, comes a charming minibeast Cinderella story.

Crawling through the garden, the little Woolly Bear Caterpillar wonders what kind of moth she will become. Bonny and bright, stunning and smart, but not kind, the other caterpillars laugh at the small, plain Woolly Bear. There is one thing that they are sure of: Woolly Bear could never be as dramatic and beautiful as them! But could one little caterpillar be about to undergo a truly terrific transformation?

Brilliantly written and stunningly illustrated this engaging picture book comes complete with a non-fiction mini book about caterpillars and moths written by a nature specialist.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments