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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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
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...
Festergrimm
Taylor, Thomas
Paper Book
The elemental detectives
Lawrence, Patrice
Paper Book
  "A beautifully written book, bristling with magic ... I loved it." Cressida Cowell, Children's Laureate & author of How to Train Your Dragon A stunningly imagined, action-packed fantasy adventure for fans of Nevermoor, Neverwhereand Mortal Engines, from bestselling...
Ballet shoes
Streatfeild, Noel
Paper Book
'I wonder . . . if other girls had to be one of us, which of us they'd choose to be?' Pauline longs to be an actress. Petrovais happiest playing with cars and engines. And if she could . . . Posywould dance all day! But when their...
Arsenic for tea
Stevens, Robin
Paper Book
The second thrilling mystery in the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series! 'A delight . . . The Agatha Christie-style clues are unravelled with sustained tension and the whole thing is a hoot from start to finish' Daily Mail 'A feelgood blend...
Pippi Longstocking
Lindgren, Astrid
Paper Book
Pippi is nine years old, lives alone with a horse and a money, and does exactly as she pleases. She has no mother and her father is king of a cannibal island, so she has learnt to look after herself. She gets up when she likes, never goes to school, talks a great deal, keeps a chest of gold coins...
Dirty beasts
Dahl, Roald.
Paper Book
A collection of (mainly) grisly beasts out for human blood, ranging from Crocky-Wock the crocodile to Sting-A-Ling the scorpion. Described in verse with all Dahl's usual gusto and illustrated in a suitably wicked style by Quentin Blake. Was that CROCKY-WOCK galumphing up the stairs? Is STING-A-LING...
Huda and me
Hayek, H.
Paper Book
A bear called Paddington
Bond, Michael.
Paper Book
The original story of everyone's favourite bear, Paddington, now a major movie star! "A bear on Paddington Station?" said Mrs Brown in amazement. "Don't be silly - there can't be." Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru when the Brown...
Amari and the Night Brothers
Alston, B. B.
Paper Book
"AMARI IS MAGICAL!" ANGIE THOMAS An epic middle grade supernatural adventure series, soon to be a major movie starring Marsai Martin. Perfect for readers aged 8+ and fans of Percy Jackson, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, Marvel and Onyeka. Amari Peters knows three things. Her...
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...
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 wishing spell
Colfer, Chris; Dorman, Brandon
Audiobook
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
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE YOUNGER FICTION CATEGORY WINNER OF RED MAGAZINE'S BIG BOOK 'BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK (7-12)' AWARD International bestselling series. Enter the fantastically Wundrous world of Morrigan Crow and Nevermoor...
The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
The Incredible Journey meets The Mouse and His Child, an enchanting tale that begs to be read aloud.
Charlotte's web
White, E. B.
Paper Book
Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child. On foggy mornings, Charlotte's web was truly a thing of beauty . Even Lurvy, who wasn't particularly interested in beauty, noticed the web when he came with the pig's breakfast. And then he...
The bad beginning
Snicket, Lemony.
Paper Book
Dear reader, There is nothing to be found in Lemony Snicket's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' but misery and despair. You still have time to choose another international best-selling series to read. But if you insist on discovering the unpleasant adventures of the Baudelaire orphans, then...

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