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Best Books for Kids » Novels & Novelists

Most Recommended Books

The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien

“The Hobbit is such a richly imagined fantasy that, especially as a child, you can live in it. It is so completely immersive.”

Cressida Cowell, Children's Author

Read more

The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien

“This trilogy is the gold standard in terms of fantasy writing”

Philip Reeve, Children's Author

Read more

Browse book recommendations:

Novels & Novelists

  • Books by J.K. Rowling
  • Books by Patrick Ness

Best Books for Kids

  • Ages 3-5
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  • Ages 9-12
  • Best Kids' Books of 2021
  • Best New Kids' Books
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Failing to drag the kids away from their screens and get them reading?  Wondering where to find literary distraction for children?  You’ve come to the right place.   Here award winning authors and others recommend the best novels and novelists for kids and explain why they have chosen them.

Michael Morpurgo chooses his favourite children’s books and also discusses five of his own books here, author Melvin Burgess chooses his best fiction for children and young adults and bestselling children’s author, Audrey Penn chooses her favourite teen books.  Here Zoe Greaves picks the best children’s fiction of 2018.

Cornelia Funke chooses her best fairy tales as contemporary fiction and Cressida Cowell chooses magical stories for kids.  Alan Lee chooses his best books drawn from myth and fairy tale.  Novelist Philip Reeve looks at science fiction and fantasy.

Elsewhere, a number of award winning authors choose novels for kids on various themes. Robin Stevens chooses the best books on kid detectives, Beverley Naidoo, her best books with the theme of courage and kindness for kids and Kiran Millwood Hargreave her best books on fierce girls in tween fiction.  Geraldine McCaughrean discusses five of the books she has written, based on true events.

    The Best Harry Potter Books, recommended by Katie Savva

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    The Best Harry Potter Books - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

    1

    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
    by J.K. Rowling

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    The Best Harry Potter Books - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

    2

    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
    by J.K. Rowling

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    The Best Harry Potter Books - Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

    3

    Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
    by J.K. Rowling

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    The Best Harry Potter Books - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

    4

    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    by J.K. Rowling

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    The Best Harry Potter Books - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

    5

    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
    by J.K. Rowling

The Best Harry Potter Books, recommended by Katie Savva

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books are among the bestselling books ever written, with half a billion copies sold since the first novel in the series was published in 1997. Since then, the fantasy world the books created—where a wand can clean up your room and school is an exciting place where you fight evil with your friends—has taken on a life of its own, with Harry Potter societies created by students at universities across Britain. Here, Katie Savva, of Warwick University’s Harry Potter and Quidditch Society and captain of its quidditch team, talks us through her group’s favourite Harry Potter books and explains how to play the game without a flying broomstick.

    The Best Roald Dahl Books, recommended by Tilly Burn

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    The Best Roald Dahl Books - The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl

    1

    The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
    by Roald Dahl

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    The Best Roald Dahl Books - Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl

    2

    Fantastic Mr Fox
    by Roald Dahl

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    The Best Roald Dahl Books - Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

    3

    Danny Champion of the World
    by Roald Dahl

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    The Best Roald Dahl Books - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

    4

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
    by Roald Dahl

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    The Best Roald Dahl Books - James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

    5

    James and the Giant Peach
    by Roald Dahl

The Best Roald Dahl Books, recommended by Tilly Burn

Roald Dahl was one of the 20th century’s most popular children’s authors. Here, Tilly Burn, Archive and Collections Assistant at the wonderful Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, UK, chooses her top Roald Dahl books and discusses the secrets of his enduring appeal.

    Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids, recommended by Cornelia Funke

  • Read
    Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids - Reckless: The Petrified Flesh by Cornelia Funke & Oliver Latsch (translator)

    1

    Reckless: The Petrified Flesh
    by Cornelia Funke & Oliver Latsch (translator)

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    Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids - Inkheart Trilogy Collection by Cornelia Funke

    2

    Inkheart Trilogy Collection
    by Cornelia Funke

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    Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids - The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

    3

    The Thief Lord
    by Cornelia Funke

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    Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids - Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

    4

    Dragon Rider
    by Cornelia Funke

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    Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids - Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke

    5

    Igraine the Brave
    by Cornelia Funke

Fairy Tales as Contemporary Fiction for Kids, recommended by Cornelia Funke

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.

    Michael Morpurgo on His Novels

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    Michael Morpurgo on His Novels - The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo

    1

    The Butterfly Lion
    by Michael Morpurgo

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    Michael Morpurgo on His Novels - Singing For Mrs Pettigrew by Michael Morpurgo

    2

    Singing For Mrs Pettigrew
    by Michael Morpurgo

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    Michael Morpurgo on His Novels - Waiting For Anya by Michael Morpurgo

    3

    Waiting For Anya
    by Michael Morpurgo

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    Michael Morpurgo on His Novels - In The Mouth Of The Wolf by Michael Morpurgo

    4

    In The Mouth Of The Wolf
    by Michael Morpurgo

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    Michael Morpurgo on His Novels - Flamingo Boy by Michael Morpurgo

    5

    Flamingo Boy
    by Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo on His Novels

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.

    The best books on Kid Detectives, recommended by Robin Stevens

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    The best books on Kid Detectives - From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E L Konigsburg

    1

    From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler
    by E L Konigsburg

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    The best books on Kid Detectives - Harry Potter: the Complete Series by J.K. Rowling

    2

    Harry Potter: the Complete Series
    by J.K. Rowling

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    The best books on Kid Detectives - The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

    3

    The London Eye Mystery
    by Siobhan Dowd

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    The best books on Kid Detectives - The Sinclair Mysteries: A Clockwork Sparrow (Book 1) by Katherine Woodfine

    4

    The Sinclair Mysteries: A Clockwork Sparrow (Book 1)
    by Katherine Woodfine

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    The best books on Kid Detectives - Lockwood and Co: The Screaming Staircase (Book 1) by Johnathan Stroud

    5

    Lockwood and Co: The Screaming Staircase (Book 1)
    by Johnathan Stroud

The best books on Kid Detectives, recommended by Robin Stevens

Do you love to solve a mystery? Do the twists and turns in the plot of a classic whodunit thrill you? Award-winning author Robin Stevens talks us through her favourite kid detectives and the murderously good books from which they come to life.

    Books Based on True Events, recommended by Geraldine McCaughrean

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    Books Based on True Events - The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

    1

    The Kite Rider
    by Geraldine McCaughrean

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    Books Based on True Events - Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean

    2

    Where the World Ends
    by Geraldine McCaughrean

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    Books Based on True Events - Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean

    3

    Stop the Train
    by Geraldine McCaughrean

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    Books Based on True Events - The Ideal Wife by Geraldine McCaughrean

    4

    The Ideal Wife
    by Geraldine McCaughrean

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    Books Based on True Events - The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean

    5

    The White Darkness
    by Geraldine McCaughrean

Books Based on True Events, recommended by Geraldine McCaughrean

Not all kids want to read about magic and fairytales and many have an unquenchable thirst for reading about reality. Geraldine McCaughrean talks us through five of her own books that were inspired by true events.

    The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids, recommended by Beverley Naidoo

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    The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

    1

    Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
    by John Steptoe

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    The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids - The Journey by Francesca Sanna

    2

    The Journey
    by Francesca Sanna

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    The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids - Azzi in Between by Sarah Garland

    3

    Azzi in Between
    by Sarah Garland

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    The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids - Oranges in No Man's Land by Elizabeth Laird

    4

    Oranges in No Man's Land
    by Elizabeth Laird

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    The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids - Once by Morris Gleitzman

    5

    Once
    by Morris Gleitzman

The best books on Courage and Kindness for Kids, recommended by Beverley Naidoo

Fairy tales and stories of courage and survival can help children understand that although there are injustices in the world there are ways in which they can make a difference – however small. The award-winning author Beverley Naidoo recommends five great books in which kindness triumphs over adversity.

    Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction, recommended by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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    Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction - Matilda by Roald Dahl

    1

    Matilda
    by Roald Dahl

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    Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction - His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

    2

    His Dark Materials
    by Philip Pullman

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    Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction - Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge

    3

    Fly By Night
    by Frances Hardinge

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    Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M Valente

    4

    The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
    by Catherynne M Valente

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    Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction - The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

    5

    The Wolf Wilder
    by Katherine Rundell

Fierce Girls in Tween Fiction, recommended by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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.

    Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids

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    Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids - The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones

    1

    The Ogre Downstairs
    by Diana Wynne Jones

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    Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids - The Five Children and It by E Nesbit

    2

    The Five Children and It
    by E Nesbit

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    Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids - The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien

    3

    The Hobbit
    by J R R Tolkien

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    Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids - The Sword in the Stone by T H White

    4

    The Sword in the Stone
    by T H White

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    Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids - A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

    5

    A Wizard of Earthsea
    by Ursula Le Guin

Cressida Cowell on Magical Stories for Kids

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.

    Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults, recommended by Philip Reeve

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    Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults - The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien

    1

    The Lord of the Rings
    by J R R Tolkien

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    Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults - Watership Down by Richard Adams

    2

    Watership Down
    by Richard Adams

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    Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults - The Stories of Ray Bradbury by Ray Bradbury

    3

    The Stories of Ray Bradbury
    by Ray Bradbury

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    Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults - The Space Machine by Christopher Priest

    4

    The Space Machine
    by Christopher Priest

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    Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults - Fires' Astonishment by Geraldine McCaughrean

    5

    Fires' Astonishment
    by Geraldine McCaughrean

Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults, recommended by Philip Reeve

Award-winning author Philip Reeve talks us through the science fiction and fantasy books that shaped him and his work in profound ways; among indubitable classics are vibrant lesser-known works awaiting our discovery.

    Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale, recommended by Alan Lee

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    Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale - The God Beneath The Sea by Edward Blishen & Leon Garfield

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    The God Beneath The Sea
    by Edward Blishen & Leon Garfield

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    Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale - Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock

    2

    Lavondyss
    by Robert Holdstock

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    Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale - Burning Your Boats: Collected Short Stories by Angela Carter

    3

    Burning Your Boats: Collected Short Stories
    by Angela Carter

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    Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale - The Owl Service by Alan Garner

    4

    The Owl Service
    by Alan Garner

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    Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale - The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien

    5

    The Lord of the Rings
    by J R R Tolkien

Books Drawn From Myth and Fairy Tale, recommended by Alan Lee

Alan Lee, illustrator of such classics as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, talks to Five Books about his favourite stories drawn from myth and fairy tale, what they mean to him, and how important it is for young readers today to experience these ancient stories.

    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books

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    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde

    1

    The Happy Prince
    by Oscar Wilde

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    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Elephant's Child: From the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

    2

    The Elephant's Child: From the Just So Stories
    by Rudyard Kipling

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    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear

    3

    The Book of Nonsense
    by Edward Lear

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    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

    4

    Treasure Island
    by Robert Louis Stevenson

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    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

    5

    The Red Badge of Courage
    by Stephen Crane

Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books

The best-selling children’s author, Michael Morpurgo, says books for children need to do more than amuse their readers. He picks his own favourite books written for young people.

    Children’s and Young Adult Fiction, recommended by Melvin Burgess

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    Children’s and Young Adult Fiction - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

    1

    The Wind in the Willows
    by Kenneth Grahame

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    Children’s and Young Adult Fiction - The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien

    2

    The Hobbit
    by J R R Tolkien

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    Children’s and Young Adult Fiction - Heroes by Robert Cormier

    3

    Heroes
    by Robert Cormier

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    Children’s and Young Adult Fiction - Martyn Pig by Kevin Brooks

    4

    Martyn Pig
    by Kevin Brooks

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    Children’s and Young Adult Fiction - Postcards from No Man’s land by Aidan Chambers

    5

    Postcards from No Man’s land
    by Aidan Chambers

Children’s and Young Adult Fiction, recommended by Melvin Burgess

Melvin Burgess, author of Junk and Doing It tells us about the books that first inspired him and he picks the best thriller writing for young adults – along the way explaining why young people make the most demanding readers

    Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books

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    Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books - Pollyanna by Eleanor Hodgman Porter

    1

    Pollyanna
    by Eleanor Hodgman Porter

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    Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

    2

    Jane Eyre
    by Charlotte Brontë

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    Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books - Red Dory by Hazel Hutchins Wilson

    3

    Red Dory
    by Hazel Hutchins Wilson

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    Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books - Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

    4

    Oliver Twist
    by Charles Dickens

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    Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

    5

    Black Beauty
    by Anna Sewell

Audrey Penn recommends her Favourite Teenage Books

Children’s author, Audrey Penn, picks five books she loved as a teenager – all stories of struggle in the face of adversity.

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