Books for Kids Age 9-12

If you haven't read any books by German children's author Cornelia Funke yet, you have a treat in store. The multi-award winning writer of imaginative fiction talks us through her books and explains why fairy tales continue to fascinate her and her readers.

Celebrated Anglo-Saxonist and art historian Janina Ramirez has written her first book for children: a Viking mystery with a fearless young heroine, Alva – both detective and shield-maiden. Here, Dr Ramirez recommends five superb history books to help young readers get an in-depth understanding of this exciting and often misunderstood era.

Michael Morpurgo takes us on a journey behind the scenes of five of his own books. He talks about his convictions as a writer and how he weaves fiction out of truths—experiences, accidents, history and memories—and why getting lost is often the best way to make a remarkable discovery.

Five Books editor Sophie Roell selects the best children's books of 2019, after intense discussions with her family about which books should make the list.

If you're looking for the best books to get kids excited about science, the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize is a great place to start. Physicist and astronomer Sheila Rowan, chair of this year's judging panel, talks us through the fabulous books that made this year's shortlist.

Books like Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls popularise the many different ways women and girls can be strong, and as strong as they need to be. Award-winning children's author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, talks us through some of her favourite strong female characters in children's fiction.

From wizards to alchemy and fairies to folklore, Cressida Cowell reveals the magical stories that were most important to her as a child (and which she now delights in sharing with her own children), and her own inspirations for writing about magic and magical worlds today.

Author and Five Books children's editor Zoe Greaves selects the best nonfiction books for children published in 2018.

From World War I to a book with a hint of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Five Books children's editor Zoe Greaves nominates her favourite children's fiction of 2018.

Children often feel that, for one reason or another, they don't quite fit in. Fortunately, there are many books exploring that very theme. Author Sarah Franklin introduces five wonderful books about 'outsiders.'