Kids What to Read

Do you love a good book? Our Children’s Librarians do! And we’re excited to share some great recommendations with you. Each week on our website you’ll find a new review of the latest books we’ve been reading, and we'll add to this list with our faves.

Updated June 6, 2023
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Judy Moody
McDonald, Megan
Paper Book
The mercurial Judy Moody will delight any kid who's known a bad mood or a bad day--and managed to laugh anyway. "Judy Moody was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood. A mad-faced mood." To start, Judy Moody doesn't have high hopes for third grade. Her new desk won't...
Wilder
Chrimes, Penny.
Paper Book
'This book gripped me like a great hawk in its talons and didn't let me go ... utterly phenomenal' - Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller A desperate village. A child who emerges from the marshes. A falcon that helps her save them all. The child -...
Rabbit, soldier, angel, thief
Nannestad, Katrina
Paper Book
Award-winning writer Katrina Nannestad transports us to Russia and the Great Patriotic War and into the life of Sasha, a soldier at only six years old ... Wood splinters and Mama screams and the nearest soldier seizes her roughly by the arms. My sister pokes her bruised face...
Ming & Flo fight for the future
French, Jackie
Paper Book
An empowering and exhilarating look at the girls who went before us, and the way they shaped the world. Twelve-year-old Ming Qong is convinced that girls must have changed the world, even if they are rarely mentioned in history books. So when Ming gets the chance to go...
The manifestor prophecy
Thomas, Angie
Paper Book
The beast and the Bethany
Meggitt-Phillips, Jack
Paper Book
Reads like a modern classic. Sharp, funny, original - I thought this was brilliant' - Sam Copeland, author of the bestselling Charlie Changes into a Chicken 'What a FEAST! A funny and (bone) cracking good read' - Michelle Harrison, bestselling author of A Pinch of Magic
What about Thao?
Phommavanh, Oliver
Paper Book
From the author of the bestselling Thai-riffic, Con-nerd and The Other Christy comes a funny and heartfelt novel for 10+ about a city kid in a small country town who's enjoying being the new kid at his tiny two-teacher school - until Kadir arrives and things get interesting!In his signature style,...
The sleeper and the spindle
Gaiman, Neil
Paper Book
WINNER of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2016A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell - weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers...
The Little Match Girl Strikes Back
Carroll, Emma.
Paper Book
It only takes one strike: A powerful feminist reworking of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, from bestselling and award-winning creators Emma Carroll and Lauren Child. 'Superb.  About community and voices and standing up for yourself' Phil Earle, British Book...
Friday Barnes : girl detective
Spratt, R. A.
Paper Book
The eagerly awaited new series from the author of the bestselling Nanny Piggins series. When girl detective Friday Barnes solves a bank robbery she uses the reward money to send herself to the most exclusive boarding school in the country, Highcrest Academy. On...
Miss Penny Dreadful and the midnight kittens
Rushby, Allison; Marando, Bronte Rose
Paper Book
An enquiring mind - and mystical mysteries to solve - adds up to adventure in the first book of the new junior fiction series from acclaimed author Allison Rushby. "Now, Miss Pickering." Miss Strickland turned to her pupil. "If you would be so kind as to close the door...
Festergrimm
Taylor, Thomas
Paper Book
Seven Wherewithal Way
Bound, Samantha-Ellen
Paper Book
A girl called Corpse
Carter, Reece; Howe, Simon
Paper Book
A dazzling debut about a lonely kid ghost who goes searching for answers about her past in a forgotten coastal town that fizzes with secret magic. 'I loved it!' said Jessica Townsend, New York Times bestselling author of Nevermoor.
The elemental detectives
Lawrence, Patrice
Paper Book
The mystery of Banshee Towers
Blyton, Enid
Paper Book
A brilliant mystery series from bestselling author Enid Blyton, perfect for fans of The Secret Seven. Ern is back visiting Mr Goon, which gives him and the Find-Outers the perfect chance to explore Banshee Towers. But there's more secrets to the towers than the...
Ballet shoes
Streatfeild, Noel
Paper Book
Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are sisters - with a difference. All three were adopted as babies by Great Uncle Matthew, an eccentric and rich explorer who then disappeared, leaving them in the care of his niece Sylvia. The girls grow up in comfort until their money begins to run out and nobody...
Arsenic for tea
Stevens, Robin
Paper Book
Schoolgirl detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are at Daisy's home, Fallingford, for the holidays. Daisy's glamorous mother is throwing a tea party for Daisy's birthday, and the whole family is invited, from eccentric Aunt Saskia to dashing Uncle Felix. But it soon becomes clear that this party...
A great escape
Arena, Felice
Paper Book
It's a great escape, but will Peter survive it? When Peter's family leaves for a trip across the border, he stays behind. So when the government builds a wall through the city, guarded by soldiers, tanks and ferocious dogs, he's trapped. Everyone says he might never see his family again...
Yahoo Creek : an Australian mystery
Riddle, Tohby
Paper Book
Luminous images accompanied by newspaper extracts dating back to the early 1800s and words by Ngiyampaa Elder Peter Williams explore the ongoing mystery of yahoo encounters.
Pippi Longstocking
Lindgren, Astrid
Paper Book
Astrid Lindgren's story of feisty, red-haired Pippi has been given a sparkling new translation by award-winning Tiina Nunnally and engaging pictures by acclaimed Lauren Child.
Dirty beasts
Dahl, Roald.
Paper Book
"A collection of humorous poems about amazing or nasty creatures, including a flying cow, a pig who turns the tables on a farmer, and crocodiles, lions, and anteaters who delight in devouring people"--Publishers description.
Huda and me
Hayek, H.
Paper Book
A cheeky, fun and fast-moving tale of two Lebanese-Australian kids who decide to escape their horrible babysitter by running away...to the other side of the world.
A bear called Paddington
Bond, Michael.
Paper Book
The original story of Paddington, the classic bear from Darkest Peru - now a major movie star! Unabridged and illustrated in spectacular full-colour throughout, this beautiful large-sized edition of a much-loved classic will enchant established Paddington fans and a new...
Amari and the Night Brothers
Alston, B. B.
Paper Book
Be spellbound by the extraordinary, enchanting Amari and the Night Brothers - the first in a magical series for all ages from breakout author B.B. Alston.   Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing older brother, Quinton, is alive....
The King of the Copper Mountains
Biegel, Paul.
Paper Book
A timeless and enchanting children's classic.
Inkling
Oppel, Kenneth
Paper Book
Mishaps and madness ensue when magical drawing ink comes to life in the Rylance home and 11-year-old Ethan tries to prove he's just as talented as his famous father.A moving but light-hearted story about grief, family and a sixth-grade rivalry. When Ethan's class is given the task of creating a...
Undone!
Jennings, Paul
Paper Book
A collection of eight quirky, bizarre, and very funny short stories.
Murder at the museum
Jones, Lena
Paper Book
A second mystery for thirteen-year-old Agatha Oddly - a bold, determined heroine, and the star of this stylish new detective series. Agatha Oddlow's set to become the youngest member of the Gatekeepers' Guild, but before that, she's got a mystery to solve! ...
The graveyard riddle
Thompson, Lisa
Paper Book
  Return to the wonderful characters of beloved, bestselling, award-winning The Goldfish Boy, one of the most talked-about debut children's books of recent years. Melody Bird has discovered an old abandoned house in the corner of the graveyard, and a mysterious boy hiding out...
The land of stories : the wishing spell
Colfer, Chris
Paper Book
The first book in Chris Colfer's #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories about two siblings who fall into a fairy-tale world! Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with...
Nevermoor : the trials of Morrigan Crow
Townsend, Jessica
Paper Book
A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut Australian author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination. Morrigan Crow is cursed. Born on an unlucky day, she is blamed for all local misfortunes,...
The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
A classic tale by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, America's beloved storyteller. Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him...
Charlotte's web
White, E. B.
Paper Book
This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur and of Wilbur's dear friend, Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider. With the unlikely help of Templeton the rat, and a wonderfully clever plan of her own, Charlotte saves the life of Wilbur, who by this...
The bad beginning
Snicket, Lemony.
Paper Book
NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so...

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