This playful and bittersweet novel is alternately narrated by Olivetti, a witty typewriter, and Ernest, a 12 year old boy who would prefer to be left alone to read the Oxford English dictionary. One day, Ernest’s mother Beatrice abandons Olivetti at a pawn shop. When Olivetti learns that Beatrice has gone missing afterwards, he needs to help Ernest solve the mystery of Beatrice’s disappearance. Ernest and his family have to confront some difficult issues and put their family back together.
Ages 8-12
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The first book in the Circus Maximus series, Race to the Death best books for kids 2021 . The series, which is set in 1st century Rome and Roman North Africa, has kept its quality across all four books, and this elegant conclusion works well as a standalone novel. Dido has been keeping a low profile but when she is asked to shelter the runaway son of her chariot-racing rival, can she find it in her to help him fulfil his dream? And will she manage to stay away from the thrill and danger of Rome's Circus Maximus? Great historical fiction for kids age 9-12.
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Yorick Goldewijk, translated by Laura Watkinson
Every object carries traces of its past. For 12 year old Cate, they can reveal enough history to enable time travel. More sci-fi than magic, this is a thought-provoking adventure about treasuring memories whilst living in the present and giving thought to the future. Now available in English, it was awarded the Golden Pencil for best children’s novel in the Netherlands in 2022.
Ages 9-12
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Marjolijn Hof, Annette Fienieg (illustrator), translated by Bill Nagelkerke
We’re in Holland in an earlier century. Brother and sister Janis and Silke are on the run from the cousins who have taken over their family home. Just as they think the future is looking more secure, they find themselves in debt with interest piled on interest. Can they trust anyone, and what does the curse of Madame Petrova mean for them? Soon they have to come to terms with the power of a few words to upend everything they think they know. Award-winning novel for tweens and young teens.
Ages 10-14
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Lots of silly humour in this fun chapter book, richly illustrated by an award-winning artist. The Pinchers are a crime family who have a bit of a problem with their son Theo. Not only is he incapable of lying or stealing, he even wants to be a policeman when he grows up! This book is an excellent springboard for a chat with kids about lying, stealing and family loyalty, but mainly it’s just good entertainment for newly confident readers. The first in a series.
Ages 7-10
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This is a gorgeous large format science book by a biology professor and an award-winning artist. Published in collaboration with the UK’s Royal Entomological Society , it is part of the well-designed and informative ‘Welcome to the Museum ‘ series . Through chapters on all sorts of bugs, flies, beetles, moths & butterflies, ants, wasps & bees, readers learn about this ancient and highly successful part of the animal kingdom, without which humans would not survive.
Ages 9-12
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Jennifer N. R. Smith, Jon Cannell (consultant)
This is the sequel to Glow Best Books for Kids 2023 list and was selected by our Children’s Editor as one of the most Beautiful Science Books for 9-12 year olds . Bang is equally gorgeous and informative. Each double-page spread in this large format book is a chapter on a topic such as volcanoes, mountains, earthquakes, caves and crystals, and the power of ice. There is a useful glossary at the back.
Ages 9-11
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Kat Zhang and Eric Darnell, Phoebe Zhong (illustrator)
Amy is prepared for an uneventful summer with Grandma in Flushing’s Chinatown when she picks up an ancient brush that changes everything. Amy has been missing the childish fun she used to have with art and, afraid to make mistakes, struggles with creativity. With the magic brush Amy’s paintings come to life, and not just metaphorically! An action-packed fantasy adventure follows, complete with greedy adversary, chase to China, and battles with terrifying beasts. Inspired by a traditional Chinese story, this novel is the first part of a planned collaboration with Baobab Studios, which specialises in interactive animation.
Ages 8-12
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An immersive new magical world by Anna James, author of the bestselling Pages & Co
Ages 9-12
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Lena narrates this story as if talking directly to her older brother Karthik, who has gone missing from a train after a summer camp in Goa. The police think Karthik has run away and aren’t doing much to find him. Lena decides it is up to her to figure out what happened. Convinced that Karthik’s friend Samir is hiding something, Lena starts to retrace the events of the summer. A well written mystery suffused with sibling love.
Ages 9-12
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Varsha Shah, Sònia Albert (illustrator)
Ajay and his friends are back in the third novel about the energetic newspaper-publishing Mumbai railway kids. In this volume the children embark on a quest with a legendary map of the desert outside Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Their adventure is all the more perilous as they are being chased by a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter. Among the many resources at the villain’s fingertips is the rival newspaper he publishes, which pretends that there is no difference between truth and lies and uses the confusion to stir up hate. Illustrated and with big font, this is an excellent series to thrill newly confident readers.
Ages 8-11
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