Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: Quercus Children's Books

From the winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize

This is a story about a boy named Kester. He is extraordinary, but he doesn’t know that yet. All he knows, at this very moment, is this:
1. There is a flock of excited pigeons in his bedroom.
2. They are talking to him.
3. His life will never be quite the same again…

Kester lives in a land in quarantine. A deadly virus has killed all the animals except pests and it’s expected to be equally dangerous to humans. But when Kester realises he can talk to the pests, he finds they have great hope invested in him.

A captivating animal adventure destined to be loved by readers of all ages.

Tree Thing offers a powerful blend of fantasy and ecological themes that resonate strongly with Key Stage 2 children. Its narrative arc – desolation, discovery, growth, threat and resolution – mirrors classic storytelling structures, making it ideal for teaching plot, character development and values-based teaching.

Fans of Piers Torday will be excited to see this latest, eco-themed story. The story’s key focus on a fragile ecosystem and the transformative power of nature provides rich opportunities for cross‑curricular learning, especially in science and geography, and will resonate with young readers who enjoy topical and climate-themed modern stories.

Marlo’s bravery and problem‑solving also lend themselves to PSHE discussions around resilience and ethical decision‑making.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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