I have given each of my recommendations for children an age suggestion. These are of course approximate. Please also have a look at younger or older categories.
This is a perfectly paced adventure, with great characters and topical issues, aimed at readers aged nine upwards.
Review date: 18.12.21
Age recommendation: 9+
Archie seems to have the perfect life and he's happy with school, friends and family, and his cat, Dinger. Then everything changes when Archie and his family lose their home.
Review date: 29.01.22
Age recommendation: 8+
Josh has learnt ways to cope with his worrying, but then he has to move schools. A page turner which handles issues with fun and a light touch.
Review date: 11.08.23
Age recommendation: 9+
With WWII finally over, three boys are among 300 children who have been brought from Europe to the peace and safety of England's Lake District.
Review date: 12.08.20
Age recommendation: 8+
A stunning book for young readers. Powerful, challenging and incredibly sad, as this explores racism in the US.
Review date: 10.02.18
Age recommendation: 9-13
A wonderfully nostalgic adventure, with the miners strikes of the 1970s as a backdrop.
Review date: 16.01.23
Age recommendation: 9+
Humour, action and inventiveness with feisty and engaging characters, in a scientific, interplanetary, futuristic adventure.
Review date: 09.09.21
Age recommendation: 9+
A funny, heartwarming time slip adventure where children are tasked with saving Christmas.
Review date: 05.11.23
Age recommendation: 7+
A fabulous adventure in Scotland searching for Loch Ness with a young boy whose dealing with the monsters in his own tragic story. Amazingly funny and uplifting while also dealing with grief, loss and uncertainty.
Review date: 29.03.23
Age recommendation: 9+
A charming, poignant tale of a young girl who is facing the loss of her sight.
Review date: 03.10.18
Age recommendation: 8+
A nostalgic story of boarding school capers, ghostly goings-on in a wartime setting, based on real events. Brilliant!
Review date: 06.07.23
Age recommendation: 9+
A collection of quirky and inventive short stories from the late, great, storyteller, Terry Pratchett. Illustrated by Mark Beech.
Review date: 07.12.20
Age recommendation: 7+
A wry, funny and charming story about a penguin on a mission - perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Review date: 23.12.21
Age recommendation: 7+
A beautifully told story of believing in a star, but with the backdrop of domestic abuse, grief and foster care.
Review date: 16.05.20
Age recommendation: 9+
A massive explosion destroys the south of England, but one boy is saved and his damaged body is rebuilt.
Age recommendation: 9+
Billy wants to be a stand-up comic but he's got a stammer. It can take him a long time to get to the punchline. Wonderfully funny and affirming.
Review date: 05.02.21
Age recommendation: 8+
Bradley tells lies and his teachers refer him to a counsellor to deal with his behaviour problems.
Age recommendation: 7+
Four children audition for parts in a new film - clearly inspired by 'The Sound of Music'! Wonderfully warm, uplifting and joyful!
Review date: 07.04.24
Age recommendation: 9+
Beautifully illustrated and packed with information on the history, environment, wildlife and science behind one of the wonders of the world, this is a fabulous guide and call to action.
Review date: 09.09.21
Age recommendation: 7+
