Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Reading for Pleasure

Anisha, Accidental Detective: School’s Cancelled!

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Dan Norton (Y3/4 teacher)

Dan says, “School’s Cancelled is a wonderful second book in the Anisha Accidental Detective series. It’s a race against time for Anisha to prove that it was not her who caused the foam explosion that flooded the school. The mystery is engaging until the very end and there are twists and turns throughout. The world that has been created is inclusive and vibrant and any event that involves Anisha’s family is sure to be fun!”

October, October

Angela Harding & Katya Balen

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Jo Clarke (Assistant Headteacher & BooksForTopics Review Panel member), Rachel Caddick (teacher, book blogger and BooksForTopics Review Panel member) and Barbara Valentini (primary teacher on career break).

Written in Katya Balen’s heart-stoppingly emotional style, this book is a feast for the senses, filled with the woodsmoke smell of crisp autumn mornings and the sound of wellies squelching in river mud – exploring what it means to be wild. Barbara says, “Lyrical, touching and beautifully written.”

The Silver Arrow

Lev Grossman

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Beth Jenkinson (school librarian)

Packed with exciting creatures from the indignant porcupine to the lost polar bear and the adorable baby pangolin, The Silver Arrow is a classic story about saving our endangered animals and the places they live. Beth says, “I’ve read around 115 books this year but I still think about this one several times a week, it has stuck with me so much! It’s a gorgeously magical story that’s both hilarious and emotional and sends a really important message about protecting our world.”

Sky Pirates: Echo Quickthorn and the Great Beyond

Alex English & Mark Chambers

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Kristen Hopwood (primary teacher and BooksForTopics review panel member)

The first in the Sky Pirates series, this story introduces us to Echo Quickthorn, who lives in the kingdom of Lockfort. Echo is an orphan, but lives inside the castle after being taken in by the King. Echo yearns for adventure and to find out about her real family. One evening, a mysterious airship carrying Professor Daggerwing lands within the castle grounds, just outside Echo’s window. The Professor talks of his home and adventures from distant lands, which begins Echo’s voyage into the unknown. However, Echo’s journey may not be as straight forward as she expects, with rumours of formidable Sky Pirates and their tyrant leader nearby…

Gargantis

Thomas Taylor

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Jacqui Sydney (Year 5 teacher and English lead)

Jacqui says, “I love both of the Eerie-on-Sea books and my class does too. I’ve never known books to engage children like they do – even my more reluctant readers. Packed with action and brilliantly drawn characters, they are must haves in upper KS2 – well-written with great description and powerful vocabulary that are a joy to share.”

Frostheart 2: Escape From Aurora

Jamie Littler

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Shona (SENDCo & parent of a 10 Year old boy)

Shona says, “This series has caught our attention with its fantastic illustrations and thrilling story line. It is a super follow up to Frostheart and we are already eagerly anticipating the final book of the trilogy. It is a book of adventure, friendships and unexpected twists!”

Malice in Underland

Jenni Jennings

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Erin Hamilton (Reading Advocate)

Erin says, “A superb book featuring a girl who finds herself different from her family and struggling to find her place. Her Uncle, a suave detective is similar to her and they must work together to solve the mystery of the disappearing Grandpas.”

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street

Catherine Doyle

Chapter book

We think that this beautifully written re-working of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is destined to become a future classic. It combines huge emotional impact with a sparklingly entertaining story sprinkled with magic and magnificent characters. George and his dad embark upon a soul-searching quest to visit Christmases past, present and future. With the help of an amusing cast of friends from energetic elves to reluctant reindeer, all the magic of Christmas is brought back to the family just in time for Christmas day itself.

Demelza and the Spectre Detectors

Holly Rivers

Chapter book

A humorous and quirky series about a STEM-loving female inventor called Demelza, who discovers that her Grandma Maeve is a ‘Spectre Detector’, able to commune with the dead. Demelza seems to have inherited the ability too and is soon embroiled in the Spectre Detecting world.

With a cast of colourful characters, a breezy humour that lightens the darker themes and a well-paced plot with satisfying conclusion, Demelza and the Spectre Detectors is an intriguing start to a new lower middle grade series. It will appeal to fans of spooky yet funny stories, bridging the gap nicely for those preparing to move on from the Worst Witch (in which the author once starred!) and Amelia Fang but not quite ready for Skullduggery Pleasant.

Counting Creatures

Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai

Picturebook

A stunning counting book full gorgeous baby animals, with amazing flaps to lift and holes to peep through. From Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and Sharon King-Chai, who together created the award-winnning Animalphabet.

From a leopard with her cubs, to a frog and its tadpoles, young readers will delight in counting each creature’s babies and seeing where they live. With rhyming text and a surprise search-and-find game, this is a read-aloud delight and an absolute must for the family bookshelf. A truly beautiful gift.