Interviewer

Tuva Kahrs,
Tuva is a contributing editor and Children’s Editor at Five Books. She has a degree in Oriental Studies from Oxford University, and a Master’s in international relations. As well as interviews with authors and experts, she brings you carefully curated lists, including the best new books for kids and teens of 2024. Her editor’s picks for adults are here and her Children’s Editor’s picks can be found here.
Interviews by Tuva Kahrs
The best books on Third Culture Kids, recommended by Elizabeth Wein
At its core, every young adult book is about figuring out who you are and what your place in the world is, argues Elizabeth Wein, author of numerous books for children and young adults. She introduces the concept of ‘third culture kids’—children who are at home both everywhere and nowhere.
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1
Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi -
2
The Legend of Sally Jones
Jakob Wegelius, translated by Peter Graves -
3
Mysteries of the Quantum Universe
Thibault Damour, Mathieu Burniat, translated by Sarah-Louise Raillard -
4
Kariba
by Daniel Clarke, Daniel Snaddon & James Clarke -
5
Northern Lights - The Graphic Novel: Volume One
Philip Pullman, adapted by Stéphane Melchior, illustrated by Clément Oubrerie, translated by Annie Eaton
The Best Graphic Novels for 10-12 Year Olds, recommended by Harald
The Best Graphic Novels for 10-12 Year Olds, recommended by Harald
Even as kids become old enough to read books without pictures, reading a graphic novel is a great way to relax or get a grasp of a complex subject (like quantum physics). 11 year old Harald, an avid reader, recommends some of the best ones he’s read that other kids his age might also enjoy.
The Best Historical Fiction for 8-12 Year Olds, recommended by Catherine Johnson
There is some fabulous historical fiction out there for 8-12 year olds, some of it old, some of it new. British novelist Catherine Johnson, author of a number of historical novels for kids and young adults, recommends some of the best—from short stories to epics and from straight historical novels to those with a strong dose of fantasy and magic.
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1
Polonius the Pit Pony
Richard O'Neill, Feronia Parker Thomas (illustrator) -
2
The Lost Homework
Richard O'Neill, Kirsti Beautyman (illustrator) -
3
The Can Caravan
Richard O'Neill, Cindy Kang (illustrator) -
4
The Show Must Go On
Richard O'Neill, Michelle Russell, Mitch Miller (illustrator) -
5
A Different Kind of Freedom: A Romani Story
by Richard O'Neill
Traveller Books for Kids, recommended by Richard O'Neill
Traveller Books for Kids, recommended by Richard O'Neill
A storyteller from a nomadic Romani family, Richard O’Neill has been telling stories since he was a child. Here, he talks us through five books he’s written for kids. He emphasizes the importance for children of seeing themselves reflected in books, as well as the need for authentic writing about Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The Best Science Fiction Books for 8-12 Year Olds, recommended by Dan Smith
There needs to be a lot more sci-fi for kids, especially if it’s got a good dose of horror, argues Dan Smith, author of the sci-fi mystery series Crooked Oak. He recommends five works of science fiction for 8 to 12 year olds, from books written more than half a century ago to more recent jewels.
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1
Winning Chess Strategy (for Kids)
Jeff Coakley, Antoine Duff (illustrator) -
2
Steps Method chess workbooks
by Rob Brunia and Cor van Wijgerden -
3
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, Donn Mosenfelder -
4
Chess for Tigers
Simon Webb, Edward McLachlan (illustrator) -
5
The Chess Player's Bible
James Eade, Al Lawrence, Carol & John Woodcock (illustrators)
Best Chess Books for Beginners, recommended by Andrew Green
Best Chess Books for Beginners, recommended by Andrew Green
Chess is one of the most enduringly popular games in the world. It transcends language barriers and offers players a hobby for life. Chess teacher and master Andrew Green recommends chess books for beginners of all ages to learn the game.
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1
A Is for Oboe: The Orchestra's Alphabet
by Lera Auerbach, Marilyn Nelson, Paul Hoppe (illustrator) & Thomas Quasthoff (narrator) -
2
A Different Pond
by Bao Phi & Thi Bui (illustrator) -
3
The Last Mapmaker
by Christina Soontornvat & Sura Siu (narrator) -
4
What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix
Tasha Suri, narrated by Becca Hirani and Alex Williams -
5
All My Rage
Sabaa Tahir, narrated by Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan and Kausar Mohammed
The Best Audiobooks for Kids and Young Adults of 2022, recommended by Emily Connelly
The Best Audiobooks for Kids and Young Adults of 2022, recommended by Emily Connelly
As audiobooks for kids continue to grow in popularity, AudioFile’s Emily Connelly explains some of the reasons why, and talks us through her pick of the five best audiobooks for kids and teens of 2022.
Best Horror Novels for 9-12 Year Olds, recommended by Jennifer Killick
Adults sometimes worry that horror novels are too scary for children, but children’s author Jennifer Killick is a fan. Here she picks out five fantastic horror books for 9-12 year olds and explains that in addition to the sheer fun of reading a thriller, horror books can help kids develop courage and often appeal to reluctant readers.
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1
How Was That Built? The Stories Behind Awesome Structures
Roma Agrawal, Katie Hickey (illustrator) -
2
Microbe Wars: Humanity's Biggest Battles with the World's Smallest Life-Forms
by Gill Arbuthnott & Marianna Madriz (illustrator) -
3
Fourteen Wolves: A Rewilding Story
by Catherine Barr & Jenni Desmond (illustrator) -
4
Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories
by Kate Pankhurst -
5
If the World Were 100 People
Jackie McCann, Aaron Cushley (illustrator) -
6
Beetles for Breakfast and Other Weird and Wonderful Ways to Save the Planet
Madeleine Finlay, Jisu Choi (illustrator)
Best Science Books for Children: the 2022 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, recommended by Alan Wilson
Best Science Books for Children: the 2022 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, recommended by Alan Wilson
The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates books that stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm to explore, innovate and debate. Alan Wilson, Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six outstanding science books for kids that made the 2022 shortlist.
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1
Philosophy: A Visual Encyclopedia
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2
Children's Book of Philosophy: An Introduction to the World's Great Thinkers and Their Big Ideas
Sarah Tomley & Marcus Weeks -
3
Big Thinkers and Big Ideas: An Introduction to Eastern and Western Philosophy for Kids
by Sharon Kaye & Tara Sunil Thomas (illustrator) -
4
Big Ideas for Young Thinkers: 20 Questions about Life and the Universe
Jamia Wilson & Andrea Pippins (illustrator) -
5
Think about It! Philosophy for Kids: Key Ideas Clearly Explained
Alex Woolf, Daniel O'Brien, Olivia Daisy Coles (illustrator)
The Best Philosophy Books for 8-13 Year Olds, recommended by Zara
The Best Philosophy Books for 8-13 Year Olds, recommended by Zara
Zara, age 12, is an avid reader of philosophy books. Here she shares her favourite picks, and gives adults some tips on selecting the best books to get kids interested in philosophy.