Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson

Chapter book

What kind of a name is Beauty? Well it’s my name for a start, but that doesn’t mean I love it.

Beauty Cookson is no beauty. She’s a plain, timid girl who constantly gets teased by the super-confident, snooty girls at school. Worse than the teasing in the playground, though, is the unpredictable, hurtful criticism from her father. Beauty and her meek, sweet mother live in uneasy fear of his fierce rages, sparked whenever they break one of his fussy house rules.

After an unbearable birthday party and the very real threat of Dad’s out-of-control temper, Mum and Beauty run away. Now in a quiet, idyllic seaside village, their new-found freedom and a moment of culinary inspiration give them a hobby, an income and even a new nickname for Beauty.

Can they begin a happier, sweeter life – without Dad?

A charming, page-turning and heart-warming story from the beloved Jacqueline Wilson.

Queenie

Jacqueline Wilson & Nick Sharratt

Chapter book

It’s 1953, the year Elizabeth is to be crowned Queen of England.

Elsie Kettle can’t wait to go to London to see the celebrations on Coronation Day. Elsie lives with her Nan – her mum works as a showgirl, so she’s not around very often. Spirited and imaginative, but often lonely, Elsie longs for a best friend. Luckily, she and Nan are very close; Elsie just wishes she was allowed a cat to keep her company sometimes.

Then tragedy strikes.

Nan and Elsie both fall ill with tuberculosis, and Elsie finds herself whisked away to the children’s ward of the hospital. Confined to bed for months on end, Elsie finds it very hard to adapt to the hospital’s strict regime. But she invents astonishing ways of entertaining the other children on the ward, and for the first time finds herself surrounded by true friends – including Queenie, the hospital’s majestic white cat.

Finally, Elsie is well enough to leave hospital. But before she does, she has one very special, very unexpected visitor…

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Quentin Blake & Roald Dahl

Chapter book

Did we go too far?’ Charlie asked.
‘Too far?’ cried Mr Wonka. ‘Of course we went too far! We’ve gone into orbit!’

WHOOSH! Inside the Great Glass Elevator, Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket and his family are cruising a thousand feet above the chocolate factory.

They can see the whole world below them, but they’re not alone. The American Space Hotel has also just launched. Lurking inside are the Vermicious Knids – the most brutal beasts in the universe!

Can Charlie and Willy Wonka stop them from destroying everything?

The Worst Thing About My Sister

Jacqueline Wilson & Nick Sharratt

Chapter book

Marty and her sister Melissa couldn’t be more different.

“That’s the worst thing about my sister. She NEVER misses a chance to wind me up.”

Football-mad Marty loves her Converse and helping her dad with his DIY. Melissa, however, loves all things pink and girly.

So it comes as no surprise that when they have to share a bedroom, Marty and Melissa struggle to get along. But all that changes after a terrible accident, which helps the sisters realise they are closer than they thought…

From bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, The Worst Thing About My Sister explores sibling rivalry and the importance of family.

James and the Giant Peach

Quentin Blake & Roald Dahl

Chapter book

“Bigger and bigger grew the peach, bigger and bigger and BIGGER.”

James Henry Trotter is about to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

James lives his awful Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, two of the meanest people you can imagine.

Life isn’t much fun at all, until something peculiar happens at the bottom of his garden . . .

A peach at the very top of a tree begins to grow . . . and grow . . . and GROW! Inside are seven very unusual insects – all waiting to take James on a magical journey.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Quentin Blake & Roald Dahl

Chapter book

This Roald Dahl classic remains a classroom favourite and has been the inspiration for numerous films, keeping it in the hearts of children’s imaginations over the decades since it was first published in 1964.

The story follows the life-changing moment Charlie Bucket finds a coveted Golden Ticket and wins a visit to see inside Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. His trip is taken with his much loved Grandpa Joe, alongside four other winners who prove to be humorously flawed in their own ways.

This is a fantasy rags-to-riches tale with moments of both dark and light humour.

The Magic Finger

Quentin Blake & Roald Dahl

Chapter book

Out the window they flew, far up into the sky, and soon the whole family was flying around and around together.

Every Saturday morning the Gregg family goes off to shoot animals and birds. But the girl who lives next door hates hunting.

Now it’s made her so angry that she’s PUT THE MAGIC FINGER ON THEM ALL.

And very strange things have begun to happen . . .

Goggle-Eyes

Anne Fine

Chapter book

The classic award winning story from Anne Fine.

Kitty Killin is not just a brilliant story-teller, but also the World’s Great Expert when it comes to mothers having new and unwelcome boyfriends.

So it’s no surprise that she’s the one chosen to sort out classmate Helly, who’s gone into meltdown. Kitty decides to share her story about old Goggle-eyes – possibly one of the worst episodes in her life…

Stay Where You Are And Then Leave

John Boyne

Chapter book

Having only ever read the rather controversial John Boyne book, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, I decided it was time to read some more of his work. He does write an engaging and interesting story and the main character, Alfie, is delightful. It is also an interesting portrait of life in London during World War 1, not something I know very much about. The introduction of a real historical figure is nicely and believably done and the era well captured. There is also the discussion about conscientious objectors which is particularly well done and would lend itself to a debate in class as it is written in such a balanced way. Whilst many books about World War 1 are often about war itself, for obvious reasons, this is about the aftermath of going to war and the effects of ‘shell shock’ on the young men who survived. It is quite graphic in places and so I would say it is for a mature Year 6 child or Key Stage 3. Reading this does make me want to go and read more by John Boyne, who is clearly much more than the sum of one book, however well known it might be.

Wildlands

Brogen Murphy

Chapter book

Set 25 years from now, this thrilling eco-adventure imagines a future Britain where a vast stretch of land across northern England and southern Scotland has been transformed into the “Wildlands.”

This massive rewilding project has reintroduced extinct and endangered species – like wolves, lynx, and bison – and completely banned human presence to let nature restore itself. The only exception is a high-speed train line connecting London and Glasgow.

The story follows 13-year-old Astrid and her younger sister Indie, who become accidentally stranded in the Wildlands after their train makes an unscheduled stop. With no phone signal and only limited supplies, the sisters must rely on their wits, survival skills, and each other to navigate the wild terrain. As they face physical and emotional challenges, their strained relationship slowly begins to transform. They learn to collaborate, appreciate each other, and grow stronger through adversity.

Layered with action, natural wonder and tension, the story also prompts readers to reflect on humanity’s impact on the environment. It introduces important ecological concepts such as predator-prey balance and species conservation, while also inviting critical thinking about the feasibility and ethics of such large-scale interventions.

Ultimately, this is an engaging, thought-provoking tale of survival, family, and environmental stewardship that encourages young readers to consider their role in shaping our planet’s future.