Age: 

11-13

Setting: 

London, World War 1

Main character: 

Alfie's 5th birthday is on the same day that war is declared. When his father signs up, he becomes the man of the house and by the age of 8 is secretly shining shoes at the local station to supplement his mum's income. But why doesn't she talk about his father any more? Is he really on a secret mission?

In three words: 

compelling perspective / shell shock / trauma

Age: 

12+

A series I read time and again...

It is Midwinter, the night before Will's 11th birthday. However, he's about to make a shocking discovery that he is the last born of the Old Ones, a Guardian of the Light, who must begin a terrifying journey against the Dark.

I'm going to say it: one of the best fantasy stories ever written. Read it, read it, read it!

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

An alternative 1923 UK where humans and dragons co-exist after a peace agreement ended the war between them. However, the human regime is incredibly strict, with class divisions, and a rebellion is brewing.

Main character: 

17yr old Vivien Featherswallow, fluent in many human and dragon languages, with high ambitions to secure a coveted position as a dragon translator.

In three words: 

fantasy, rebellion, language

NB:

The first in a trilogy...

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

Rural Mississippi during the Great Depression, with events taking place from 1933-34.

Main character: 

Cassie Logan has a loving and supportive family, each always there for the others (aside from the usual sibling shenanigans). She has always been aware of the casual racism inflicted on her family, but now she is getting older and more aware of the deeper threat behind this prejudice, the fear that this racism causes is increasing.

In three words: 

injustice, family, historical

NB:

Part of a series (book 4)

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

There are three story lines: 1938 Berlin, 1994 Cuba and 2015 Syria.

Main character: 

Brave Josef, a young Jewish boy fleeing the Nazis with his parents and sister, who is an amazing big brother; Isabel, fleeing from Cuba with her family and neighbours, who loves her trumpet; Mahmoud, fleeing from Syria with his traumatized younger brother and parents. All want nothing more than a safe and normal life.

In three words: 

historical, relatable, relevant

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

Australia, mostly in the bush, after an unspecified country invades.

Main character: 

Ellie, a teenager, and her friends who are camping in the bush during the invasion and who therefore remain free. Will they form the beginnings of a resistance?

In three words: 

thrilling, survival, thought-provoking

NB:

First in a series...

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

An unnamed grey, post-war city with soviet/communist vibes

Main character: 

Frank Palp, who wants more than to work in a dead-end job in a colourless city for the rest of his life

In three words: 

thought-provoking, ambiguous, original

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

1990s London

Main character: 

15 yr old Martin seems to have it all until there's a horrific accident that changes his life forever.

In three words: 

compelling, hard-hitting, inspiring

Age: 

12+ (10+ with a parent)

Setting: 

London and Kent, 1939, World War 2

Main character: 

Ada was born with a club foot and her abusive mother has kept her locked in their one-room apartment her whole life. But there's a war coming and a chance to escape to the countryside with her brother. If only she can walk...

In three words: 

I need more than 3 for such a special book: deeply moving and inspiring

NB:

There's a book two!

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

A future, dystopian UK with a fantasy twist. Songlighters (people who can practise telepathy) are hunted, imprisoned and killed.

Main character: 

Lark who has lived in fear since her own songlight emerged.

In three words: 

fantasy, dystopian, female lead

NB:

This will eventually be a trilogy...

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

A small life boat, somewhere in the vast Atlantic Ocean between the Canary Islands and Africa.

Main character: 

A British boy, Bill, who is lost at sea when an unexpected storm hits his boat.

In three words: 

Exciting, thoughtful, page-turner

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

A British owned slave plantation on the island of Jamaica in 1760 during a slave rebellion on the island.

Main character: 

14 year old Moa, who joins the rebellion in the hope that he will be able to forge a better life that the hardship of slavery on the plantation.

In three words: 

compelling, important, bravery

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

A hot and seemingly endless summer holiday in the wilds of Northumberland

Main character: 

Liam is on the cusp of becoming a teenager, an in between stage when he's becoming distanced from some friends as their interests diverge. Then he finds an abandoned baby...

In three words: 

compelling, friendship, growing up

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

London, in the aftermath of an alien invasion which has successfully enslaved almost every human on Earth.

Main character: 

Sam, who somehow remains unaffected, and who is living in hiding in the sewers beneath the city.

In three words: 

sci-fi, resistance, bravery

NB:

First in a series...

Age: 

10-13+

Setting: 

18th Century London, including at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, specifically exploring the experiences of Black people at this time.

Main character: 

Lizzie (whose father is about to become the first Black actor to the perform the lead of Othello in the West End) and her new friend, Dido (based on real historical figures)

In three words: 

Whodunnit, thought-provoking, historical

NB:

First in a series...

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

Modern day, in and around the city of Durham in the northeast of England.

Main character: 

Sam has a normal but tough life - his mum died a few years ago and now he spends a lot of time caring for his dad who has fallen into depression. Unknown to him, he will soon become leader of The Order of the Evening...

In three words: 

fantasy, trilogy, imaginative

NB:

This is part 1 of a trilogy (as yet unpublished Oct 25)

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

The UK and a refugee camp in France to which British citizens are fleeing to escape life in Britain: the banks have crashed, money has lost all value and food is scarce.

Main character: 

Teenager Matt, who can only just remember what life was like before, and who suddenly has to adapt to life as a refugee.

In three words:

Relevant, thought-provoking, 

hard-hitting

NB:

You might be more familiar with The Demon Headmaster by this author!

Age: 

10-13

Setting: 

The fantasy country of Brava, under the control of an evil tyrant who is on a quest to live forever.

Main character: 

Rachel, whose father has been shipped away to a hard labour camp for daring to stand up to the tyrant. She has a secret which could save her family... and her country.

In three words: 

fantasy, imaginative, enjoyable

NB:

First in a series...

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

Modern day, in a posh and sprawling mansion in the middle of nowhere, 

in a blizzard.

Main character: 

Three ordinary girls who become stranded, and are trapped with the mansion's dysfunctional family at the same time as a murderer strikes...

In three words: 

mystery, thriller, page-turner

Age: 

10-14

Setting: 

Britain, on the brink of WWII, 

then mostly on a trawler heading North to the Arctic.

Main character: 

Her mother left when she was very young, and Marina has been raised by her father. Now he wants her to go to boarding school so she can learn to be a lady - the last thing she wants!

In three words:

adventure, fairy-twist, family

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

London in the early 1900s in the midst of the Suffragette movement.

Main characters: 

Three young women from markedly different backgrouns, growing up in a world where women had little to no agency over their own lives.

In three words: 

historical, comprehensive, compelling

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

A high-stakes international thieving competition at various glamorous locations round the world.

Main character: 

Rosalyn Quest is a thief, a member of the legendary thieving dynasty. For her whole life, she has been raised for this one purpose. But is that what she wants her life to be?

In three words: 

ridiculous (in a good way), action, heart-pounding

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

An ancient world where the Empire rules all, and any defiance is met with swift and brutal punishment. 

Main character: 

Laia's parents died when she was young, and when her grandparents are killed and her brother is imprisoned, she has no choice but to turn to the resistance to help. But what will they ask in return?

In three words:

fantasy / bravery / resistance

NB:

Book 1 of a trilogy

Age: 

9-14+

Setting: 

A town in California, navigating foster care and a new school.

Main characters: 

Willow Chance is a 12yr old genius living with her adoptive parents. Being a genius obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, she finds it hard to fit in and, when her parents die, her life falls to pieces.

In three words: 

friendship, inspirational, uplifting

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

A fantasy world inspired by Ancient Greece.

Main character: 

Gen, master thief, who begins the story in prison. He’s soon released from his cell, though, when the Magus of Sounis gives him the task of finding and stealing Hamiathe's Gift. Gen has boasted that he can steal anything… will that be the case, or will he be thrown back in prison?

In three words: 

fantasy, quest, plot twists

NB:

This is the first book in a trilogy (and I read all 3!)

Age: 

10-adult!

A lovely up-to-date introduction to 10 of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. From Romeo and Juliet, to Henry V, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, Morpurgo retells these stories in an accessible and interesting style. Each is beautifully illustrated too.

I think this is an excellent book for children age 10 and up - all the way through to GCSE. Whatever your age, before seeing one of Shakespeare’s plays at the theatre or studying one in school, it is always a great idea to know the story and characters first. This is the ideal resource for that.

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

A summer camp in Maine across two time periods: a summer, and the winter following that summer.

Main character: 

17yr old Quinn works as a counsellor each year at the summer camp her parents run. The tragedy she experiences one summer is slowly revealed.

In three words: 

grief, love, guilt

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

1750s London

Main characters: 

There are a whole host of characters to enjoy: young Toby, stolen from the arms of his mother as she was shipped off to a life of slavery in America; Aaron, the illegitimate son of a well-to-do family; Alexander, who wishes so much to pursue his love of music; and Mishak, who struggles with learning difficulties... to name but a few!

In three words: 

poverty, slavery, family

Age: 

14+

Setting: 

Mostly at Hawthorne House: the home of recently deceased billionaire and his strange family.

Main character: 

Avery comes from a very poor family - she never knew her father, her mother has passed away and she now lives with her half sister, working hard, scraping by and trying to achieve the best grades she can in school. 

In three words:

mystery, riddles, thriller

NB:

This is the first in a series.

Age: 

12+

Setting: 

A contemporary British town, Ben lives with an alocohlic Mum and parents whose marriage is failing. Then he moves school.

Main character: 

12 yr old Ben who lives with OCD. Told from his perspective, the story gives a sensitive and authentic account of what it's like to battle this disorder on a daily basis.

In three words:

compelling, moving, real

Age: 

13+

Setting: 

City strees of Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1990s.

Main characters: 

Young Sipho runs away from his tiny home in a slum to escape the step-father who often beats him. Joining a street gang, he learns how to survive on the streets.

In three words: 

well-researched, powerful, real-life

Age: 

11-13+

Setting: 

Mostly at Hawthorne House: the home of recently deceased billionaire and his strange family.

Main character: 

Avery comes from a very poor family - she never knew her father, her mother has passed away and she now lives with her half sister, working hard, scraping by and trying to achieve the best grades she can in school. 

In three words:

drama

Age: 

11+

Maddy, Liam and Sal (from different times in the 20th and 21st centuries) should all be dead. But at the moment of their deaths, they were offered a choice: die or go with a mysterious man and be whisked away to safety. 

Now they are formed into a new Time Riders team, tasked with protecting the world from manipulations of time and history. When the world around them suddenly changes, they must travel back to the 1940s to stop the Nazis taking over the world. 

This is a thrilling book!

Age: 

14+

The first in a new duology, it’s a sci-fi novel set in a world not too distant from our own where almost everyone in the world loves playing the video game War Cross. Young Emika, a gifted video game player herself, has struggled to make ends meet since her father died - leaving his gambling debts behind him. She works as a bounty hunter, hunting down those who bet illegally on War Cross games. Soon she finds herself drawn into a whole new world, though, and competing in an international game of War Cross herself!

Enjoyable and exciting, I liked the fact that the central character in a book largely about video games and technology is a girl. I read it mainly for enjoyment purposes, but there are some good life lessons there too. 

Age: 

13+

Nadia Mikail’s debut novel and is a thought-provoking read.

Set in Malaysia, it tells the story of Aisha who - until The Announcement - was looking forward to her future: finishing school, university, life with her boyfriend…

But 6months ago, governments across the world announced the end of the world - an unstoppable asteroid is going to hit the Earth and destroy everything. 

And that’s not all Aisha has to deal with. Her older sister left home 3 years ago after an argument with their mum and if they don’t find her soon, it might be too late. 

So, Aisha and her mum, her boyfriend and his parents and Fleabag the stray cat set off an a road trip across Malaysia to find her sister. 

Age: 

14+

For James Bond fans ages, I can highly recommend this latest [2023] in the James Bond series.

This is everything you love about Bond brought forward to the 21st century - so perhaps a more exciting and relevant read than the originals. In this, Bond himself doesn’t feature so we are introduced to whole new range of double 00s - any of whom could be the mole who’s putting so many lives in danger. With familiar characters, like Moneypenny and a very high-tech Q, this is a thrilling read. 

Enjoy!

(Some violence, as in the films - nothing too remarkable)

Age: 

13+

I’m sure I’ve recommended Garth Nix before but he really is the gift that keeps on giving. Having just finished reading the latest addition to his Old Kingdom / Abhorsen series I just had to share. 

Suitable for fantasy lovers aged 13+ these are just excellent books. They’re relatively easy reads and with exciting stories and likeable characters you can get into them very quickly and before you know it, you’re turning the last page. 

Interestingly, Nix provides a recommended reading order (starting with this book), which is different to the published order. Since I’ve read these as he’s written them, I don’t think it matters too much in the long run. 

Fingers crossed he keeps on adding to this magical world!

Age: 

13+

I usually read the books before I watch the TV adaptation but I didn’t know about this trilogy  until I watched the excellent The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself on Netflix at the end of last year…

The Half Bad trilogy by Sally Green is a thrilling fantasy trilogy for ages 14+. Interestingly, it’s quite different in tone to the TV adaptation - more serious and with (obviously) more detail than the TV series. It makes an interesting comparison and point for discussion…

Half black witch, half white witch, young Nathan is persecuted from childhood - black witches are so feared by whites that they are usually captured and/or killed on sight and Nathan’s father happens to be one of the most notorious black witch killers around. As the persecution against him increases though, how much will Nathan be able to take before he just needs to run…

Exciting and thrilling, this is a fun and pretty easy read for students in Yr 9 and up. 

Age: 

10-13+

 I heartily enjoyed this adventure story. It made me realise how many of the books written for children are issue based… While this is incredibly important so that children can think about and grapple with big issues, developing their own opinions and ideas and being exposed to things which they may be protected from in their own lives, it’s still nice to read a book for pure escapism once in a while. 

And this book certainly gives that! It follows Alanna, a twin who is desperate to be a knight and not to follow in the path expected of girls in her land. So… she swaps places with her twin brother, disguises herself as a boy and heads off to court to train as a knight. Throw in some adventures, magic, a baddie… and you have all the ingredients you need for a very enjoyable story. 

Age: 

14+

Vampires Never Get Old: Tales With Fresh Bite is a collection of 11 vampire short stories by a selection of brilliant ya writers. What an excellent book for teens aged 14+!

I enjoyed how wide-ranging the stories were and also how, at the end of each story, the editors had written a mini “essay” with a vampiric theme or tradition to think about. 

Age: 

11-14

Poor Jack has an allergy to sunshine which leaves him mostly confined to the house. He’s lonely, misses his Dad (his parents have recently separated) and doesn’t see much of his mum as she’s working long hours. 

Jack gets his escape through parkour or - as he calls it - shadow jumping — jumping from shadow to shadow and avoiding sunlight on the rooftops of his home town. 

Then one day he meets a new friend, Beth. Equally troubled, equally alone, Beth takes up the mission to help Jack find his Dad…

Age: 

13+

The first book in the ya fantasy series, The Mortal Instruments. Suitable for ages 13+, it’s a great choice both for existing fantasy lovers and those new to the genre, since it’s set in our world with magical elements that ordinary humans are unaware of. 

Clary has always thought she was an ordinary girl.   But when she starts seeing Shadowhunters and Demons that her human friends can’t see, and when her mother is kidnapped she starts to wonder whether she’s quite so ordinary after all…

Good fun!

Age: 

11-13

Eleven year old tomboy Anwen would’ve loved this book. Who am I kidding? Adult Anwen loved it too 😂 

Siege by Chris Ryan is the first in a series of books following a group of teens who make up the Special Forces Cadets — teenagers with specific backgrounds and skills trained to go where adult special forces would stand out like a sore thumb. 

In this, the first book, we meet our team as they go through the gruelling selection process and onto their first mission. Yes, the premise is ridiculous but there’s a lot of action and excitement which makes it a great book for both those who love reading anyway and more reluctant readers. If children have enjoyed the Alex Rider and/or Young Bond books, they will almost certainly enjoy this series too. 

Age: 

11+

I’ve just finished this brilliant book which caught my eye when I was in my local library the other day. 

Kick by Mitch Johnson is an excellent novel for children in Years 6 and 7 especially. Set in Indonesia, it tells the story of young Budi, a boy who is passionate about football and dreams of nothing else. 

But Budi and his family live in great poverty, and his work at the local factory (ironically) sewing together football boots is long and arduous. With earthquakes, illness, local gangs and corrupt police officers, how will he ever pursue his dream?

I thought this was just great! A tense and moving story that will fire imaginations whilst also painting a vivid picture of what life is like for some children living in poverty. 

Age: 

11-14

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend a few days back home visiting my mum. She’s kept quite a few books from when I was young, so I had fun reading through a few of them while I was there. 

I was always a fan of Joan Lingard, and I enjoyed re-reading her The File On Fraulein Berg - ideally suited for ages 11+. Set in Belfast during the Second World War, it paints a vivid picture of life in Northern Ireland for three young girls, Kate, Harriet and Sally. 

With their love of silliness and overactive imaginations, they become convinced that the new German teacher at their school is a spy. With a host of well-depicted characters, this is a short but entertaining read which I would whole-heartedly recommend to ages 11-14. 

(Older readers will be able to reflect on and think about the effects of war propoganda and nationalism on these young girls - themes which will be over the heads of younger readers.)

Age: 

13+

I’ve enjoyed Brandon Sanderson’s work (both adult and ya) for years now, ever since I read his excellent Mistborn trilogy. So I was pretty excited when I sat down to read the first book in this series, Skyward. 

And I was not disappointed! I was surprised though - the books by Sanderson I’ve read before were all fantasy whereas this shows a move into science fiction. Not something I would usually enjoy as much as fantasy, but with his usual flair for character creation, world-building, plot and tension building, I was hooked from the start. 

 Spensa (17) is one of a number of ship-wrecked humans living on the desolate world of Detritus. They are under constant attack from the mysterious Krell. Spensa has always wanted to be a fighter pilot, fighting to defend her people. In this book, we join her through training. 

Loved it, and have already ordered book 2 from the library.  

Age: 

14+

You don’t need to know me more than 5mins to learn that I am a big fantasy fan - there’s nothing I like more than a good trilogy. I do try and recommend other books too, but there’s no escaping that the ya fantasy genre is brilliant - so you’ve got to forgive me recommending them from time to time!

Today, I have two (connected but stand alone) trilogies by the brilliant Mark Lawrence ideally suited for fantasy lovers aged 14+:

Book of the Ancestor (starting with Red Sister)

and

Book of the Ice (beginning with The Girl and the Stars) 

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Age: 

11-14

<--

Both are set in the word of Abeth - a slowly freezing planet with only a small area left green. In a few people, the talents of the old bloods show… Gerants are massive and strong, Hunskas astonishingly fast, Marjals are able to work shadows and make themselves invisible and Quantals can access the great power of The Path. 

Both have a whole host of believable characters and both have strong heroines at their core. 

Age: 

14+

Today I’m recommending two trilogies by the fantastic fantasy writer Melissa Caruso: Swords and Fire (which begins with The Tethered Mage) and Rooks and Ruin (beginning with The Obsidian Tower and book 3 set to be published this autumn). 

Both are set in Carusso’s well-imagined, magical kingdoms of The Raverran Empire and Vaskandar. In the former, magic is scarce and anyone found with the mage mark is conscripted into The Falcon Army. In the latter, Witch Lords rule the land, and are deeply tied to it. 

-->

Age: 

14+

<--

The two series are set years apart, with completely new sets of characters. Full of tension, excitement, action and politics they are a great read from start to finish. Their female heroines are believable and inspiring. 

I’ve really enjoyed reading these - my old English teacher Mr Stanley would have absolutely called them chewing gum for the mind but they were page-turners, they fired my imagination, and I think they would be a real hit with fantasy lovers aged 14+

Age: 

11-14

I’m not sure how I can really call myself a fantasy fan when it has taken me this long to start reading Ursula K Le Guin’s famous series beginning with A Wizard of Earthsea… still, I’ve started now so better late than never!

This first book is a perfect introduction to the classic fantasy genre for ages 11-14. It tells the story of Ged (also called Sparrowhawk) through his childhood and teenage years. He grows up without a mother in a poor mountain village. As he begins to show a talent for magic, he’s taught by the village witch before eventually moving to a school for magicians on the island of Roke (nothing like Harry Potter though!!). He’s very powerful, and in his early years perhaps a little too proud. When he’s drawn to darker magic, he makes a terrible mistake…

I’ll certainly be ordering the remaining books in the series from the library… Enjoy!

Age: 

11-14

Although first published in 2000, Marcus Sedgwick’s Floodland is an extremely topical novel suitable for 11+ readers and of interest to ages 11-14. 

Set in the near future, it paints a picture of an England (and an entire world) drowning in the rising seas. Zoe, our central character, lives alone on the island of Norwich, left behind by her parents in their rush to escape on the last boat. When she finds a derelict boat, she must repair it and set off into the unknown if she is going to survive and be reunited with her parents once more. 

This is a really compelling story - I hope you enjoy reading it!

Age: 

14+

Wwhat a beautiful beautiful book in so many ways. 

It’s a story full of hope and love, friendship and family, and it’s full of beautiful images and language that so often take the breath away. 

Of course, it’s deeply moving too, being set in Nazi Germany. I don’t want to give a plot line for this - I don’t think there’s any need. It gives such a unique perspective on life and being human. 

Everyone should read it! Personally, I’d set the recommended reading age at 14+ - partly because I think younger readers might struggle with the subject matter, but also because the subtlety and cleverness of the language and ideas may be lost on those younger than 14. 

Age: 

14+

I’ve previously recommended Roald Dahl’s autobiography Boy where he recounts his experiences as a child. Now I’d love to recommend the second in this series: Going Solo. I think this is a really perfect book for ages 14+, and I think it might particularly appeal to young men. You don’t need to have read Boy in order to enjoy this one. 

In it, Dahl recounts moving to Africa for his first job at the age of 22 - his experiences there included some scary encounters with snakes! World War II then broke out, and he signed up to join the RAF, training in Africa and then fighting in Greece and the Middle East. 

I found the book inspiring - he was such a brave, witty, thoughtful and charming young man. And of course, as an amazing writer, his stories really come to life. 

It’s a relatively short book, so might be a particularly good suggestion for teens who find reading more challenging/less interesting.

Age: 

14+

If one of my KS3 students is studying a particular text at school, I always do my best to read it too so that we can discuss in our lessons. This means I get to read some books I might not otherwise read, the latest of which is S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders (interestingly written when she was just 16). 

This is a great read for ages 14+ although, as you can see from the front cover, it comes with some warnings, particularly as it features smoking by young teens and gang violence. Nevertheless, I think this is a brilliant read for this age group - short and compelling. It follows young Ponyboy, just 14, growing up in a poor area of a US city. He’s a “greaser”, enemy of the more wealthy Socs. But Ponyboy is highly intelligent, a bit of a dreamer, loves reading and watching sunsets. How can he navigate this life of gang violence and stereotypes?

Age: 

13+

I’m so pleased that one of my lovely Year 9 students mentioned she was reading We Were Liars by E Lockhart in English at school! I got hold of a copy and read it in case she wanted to discuss it in our lessons, and found an incredibly clever and intriguing narrative. 

I would thoroughly recommend this book for ages 13+, but please do note that there is one strong swear word. 

Set in the US and following a wealthy upper class family, the first person narrative gives us a remarkable insight into the mind of Cadence. Rich, privileged and beautiful, the Sinclair family seem like they have it all. But Cadence hit her head one summer, and can’t remember what happened… what is she keeping from herself?

This has certainly got a shocking and unexpected ending! I also enjoyed the way the language tried to capture Cadence’s feelings. When recounting how her father left her and her mother, she talks of him literally shooting her in the heart and for a moment, the reader believes this is really what happened. 

Age: 

11-14

Set during the Blitz, it follows 12yr old Joseph who is sent to London rather than away into the safety of the countryside. He is an angry angry boy - his mother left when he was young, his father has been sent to war, and now his grandmother has had enough of him and has packed him off to live with a complete stranger who seems just as angry with life as he is. 

But Mrs F runs a zoo and slowly but surely she, his new friend and Adonis the silverback gorilla help him to open up about the things that hurt him and make him so angry with the world. 

A brilliant book - beautifully written, developed and believable characters, and exciting action to boot. 

Age: 

13+

The first of 2 books in a tense fantasy series. 

In the Kingdom of Sempera, time - extracted from blood - serves as currency. For the poor, this means shortened lives as time is taken from people again and again to pay debts while for the rich - feeding on time taken from others - it means a life that can last centuries. 

When Jules discovers that her father is dying to pay the time tax, she knows she must take a job at Everless - tha palatial home of the wealthy Gerling family - if she is ever going to earn enough time to keep her father alive. 

But all is not as it seems, and when the Queen visits, she finds herself in the middle of a mystery which she thought only existed in the fairy tales of her childhood. 

I enjoyed this book - while not the best written of all time, it’s certainly original and intriguing. Perfect for teens who need an exciting story with strong characters to get them to read!

Age: 

13+

An exciting, standalone novel set on an island of magic. 

Beatrice and Livio, two young people living in the city, seem trapped in their fates, both wishing to do something different with their lives and have the freedom to choose. 

But when a nasty revolution begins, they found themselves thrown together in an attempt to save the city, and find that perhaps their fates are not what they expected after all. 

This is a really plot-driven story which makes for an exciting read. As always with Kesia Lupo, it’s great to have some slightly alternative heroes/heroines rather than the run-of-the-mill young male and straight hero. Great fun!

Age: 

14+

A rather shameful admission today - I only read JD Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye for the first time this summer! 😳 

I am very glad to have finally read it, though, as I really enjoyed it. It is, however, a relatively difficult read in the sense that our narrator is quite rambling and there is not much of a plot! Although it’s definitely suitable for ages 14+, I would only recommend this book to experienced readers - perhaps those studying English at A Level (or those who wish they had but had too many subjects to choose from!). 

From reading other reviews on Goodreads, it seems that this book speaks to some troubled teens in particular - knowing they aren’t the only one to feel that way can be a big help it seems!

Age: 

13+

I know I’m somewhat late to the party with today’s recommendation, especially since it’s been adapted into a Netflix series! But I’ve just read it, and I think you should read it too!

Alina and her best friend Mal are orphans who’ve been with each other since their parents were killed in the long-running war. Now they’re fighting in the army in that same war, and need to cross the Shadow Fold - an area of impenetrable darkness filled with monsters. When their unit is attacked, it seems that all is lost… until Alina erupts with blazing light. 

Who is she really? Will this power mean the end of the Shadow Fold and the never ending war?

It’s exciting, tense and a real page-turner. Throw in some love interest and what you’ve got is a very good ya fantasy novel with a strong and inspiring female lead. No wonder Netflix lapped it up!

Age: 

13+

I’ve recently read Stone Cold by Robert Swindells as one of my year 8 tutees was studying it at school and I wanted to be able to support his work if he needed. 

And what a little gem it is - really ideally suited for ages 13+, particularly boys who are perhaps quite reluctant readers or who are put off by longer books. 

It follows Link, a 16 year old boy who falls into homelessness. He moves to London, doing everything he can to find a job but quickly falling through the gaping cracks in the system. When his good friend goes missing, he realises that something strange is happening. 

As well as Link, the narrative is interspersed with pages from a journal. It quickly becomes clear to the reader that we are getting a glimpse of something disturbing - we are seeing into the mind of a mass murderer, intent on ridding the streets of the homeless. 

An intriguing, “real-life” book that is a short, easy read but which will provoke a lot of thought. 

Age: 

(13+)

The Night Raid by Caroline Lawrence has been published in a specifically dyslexia-friendly format and is a super short book aimed at ages 13+ (note the difference here between reading age which for this book is about 8+ and interest/theme age - definitely 13+ I think). 

Great for history fans, this action-packed book follows two young survivors of the Fall of Troy, and is a retelling of one of the stories in Virgil’s Aeneid. Despite being very young when Troy fell, Rye and Nisus are desperate to prove their honour and that they aren’t cowards. When they finally have the chance to be heroes, they jump at the chance. But will they survive. 

Age: 

14+

A challenging sci-fi read (which has also been made into a film - it goes without saying that the book is better!)

Earth is at war with a vast race of insectoid aliens. Our story follows Ender Wiggin, a young boy sent to Battle School in orbit above Earth to train to become an elite soldier. He comes from an incredibly intelligent family - his siblings back on Earth are working hard to restore the world and make it a better place. 

There’s lots of great action, but also some thought-provoking moral questions too. And the characters are well-drawn. 

It’s an action-packed plot, but I would suggest only experienced readers as some of the language is complex, and Card switches perspective which could be confusing for some. Please note there is some bad language too.

Age: 

13+

A magical storm surrounds Duke’s Forest, growing each year, killing those who are in its cloud too long, and bringing back the dead. Lena lives beneath the city, a cryptling outcast because of the birthmark on her face. When she is accused of being a mage and sentenced to death, she must run for her life and leave Duke’s Forest and all that she’s known far behind. 

But what is her connection to the storm? What is the power she feels growing within her? In her quest for answers, Lena will discover who she really is. 

Age: 

10+ but...

Why have I waited so long to read Nightspeakers by Ali Sparkes when so many of my students have raved about it?! Finally, I ordered it from the library and devoured yesterday in one sitting - hurrah for a stormy bank holiday and an excuse to curl up on there sofa!

Well, my tutees were not wrong... I loved this book, the first in a series of 4 so far (next job on the list is to order book 2). 

From the first page, I found the characters to be incredibly well drawn and likeable. They’re an unlikely mix of teenage troublemaker, Matt; quiet, hard-working Elena; and young actress, 10 year old Tima. But they’re all drawn together by the one thing they have in common: every night at 1.34am exactly they wake up and can’t go back to sleep. 

In trying to solve this tiring phenomenon, they become the best of friends. They have night time adventures, discover new gifts of being able to communicate with animals - hence the name Night Speakers - and must battle together to defeat a newly woken underworld god. Oh, and there’s a vampire too... Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it all comes together perfectly to create a fabulous, exciting story with characters you care deeply about and feel you know so well. 

I would highly recommend this book for ages 10+ (the students who recommended it to me were in Year 5 and 6 at the time) but feel it would be of interest through to age 14. I mean - let’s face it - I loved it 😊

Enjoy!

(Picks up coffee and opens next book...)

Age: 

13+

Ideal for ages 13+ (although recommended to me by an 11yr old tutee), it’s an exciting and magical story about a young teenager caught between the human world in which she was born, and the faerie world she has lived in since her parents were murdered. She’s determined to find her place in this world, but without faerie magic to protect her and help her stand out, she doesn’t know what her place will be or even how she’ll survive. 

Jude is a really intriguing character, and interesting because not everything about her is wholly good. She’s obsessed with finding power, for instance, and she’s incredibly stubborn, but at the same time she’s brave and intelligent and we are absolutely on her side (most of the time!). 

Age: 

13+

I’ve recommended books by Patrick Ness before, and I’m sure I’ll do so again as he’s such a fantastic ya writer. 

Set in a Cold War era parallel Earth where dragons exist mostly peacefully alongside humanity, it tells the story of Sarah. She’s an ordinary girl, but when her father hires a dragon to help clear some land on the farm, he informs her that she’s at the centre of a prophecy. She’s the only one who can save the world...

I loved this book... brilliant and compelling character and world creation, a page-turning story, beautifully crafted writing and themes which are of relevance, even in a parallel world. 

Age: 

13+

On one level, this book tells the story of two siblings - Mary and Peter - and their struggle for survival in the Australian outback when they are the sole survivors of a place crash. They meet a young Aboriginal boy on walkabout, who helps them to find food and water and guides them on their journey. 

On another level, this book is thought-provoking and challenging, making us question internalised/learned racism (the siblings have grown up in the 1950s in the US south), cultural misunderstandings, what civilisation means and the challenges of puberty and growing up. 

While some of the language is challenging (the children have been taught to call people of colour “darkie”) I think it is a thought provoking book to make us question our assumptions and prejudices. 

A good book to discuss!

Age: 

13+

A short novella (one of four in a series but each is stand-alone) which would make an ideal choice for young adults who find long books off-putting, or who need a lot of encouragement to even pick up a book in the first place!

Lark by Anthony McGowan follows two brothers, Nicky and Kenny, who are out for a walk on the moors, having a lark, when a blizzard descends and threatens to take their lives. Despite being so short, this book packs a punch. It’s tense and character driven, touching on life in poverty, living with learning difficulties (which Kenny has) and the amazing strength of brotherly love. 

I found it suspenseful and moving, and very real. Enjoy!

Age: 

9-12

Thanks to my sister who gave me this beautiful looking book for Christmas! Today’s recommendation is A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison - the first in a fun fantasy series following the three Widershins sisters, Betty, Fliss and Charlie. It’s a really fun book for ages 9-12. 

Betty is desperate for adventure and to travel the world, but when she discovers that the girls in the Widdershins family are cursed, never to leave the island of Crowstone, it seems that her dreams are ruined for ever. But, with the help of three magical objects, Betty is determined to break the curse once and for all...

I enjoyed this book very much! It’s a charming little tale, with three brave heroines at its heart.

Age: 

10-13+

I’ve just been reading another excellent Garth Nix book (he really is one of my favourite children/young adult/adult fantasy writers. I’ve previously recommended his brilliant Seventh Tower series, but reading Angel Mage today has also reminded me of his brilliant The Keys to the Kingdom seven book series which begins with Mister Monday and is suitable for ages 8-13+ 

Garth Nix is just so good at world creating, transporting you instantly into his imaginative creations. In this, young Arthur Penhaligon (an unlikely hero) is thrust into a mystery when he is given a mysterious key and map by Mister Monday. When strange dog-like creatures called the Fetchers come to capture the key for themselves, Arthur must follow various clues to escape. It’s quite a surreal fantasy with elements of Alice in Wonderland, and very exciting. And with seven books in the series, a good choice to keep avid readers busy!

Age: 

14+

There’s nothing like a ya vampire trilogy to get the year off to a good start and I certainly enjoyed re-reading Andrew Fukuda’s The Hunt series at the start of this year. I first read it a few years ago when I enjoyed it so much I consumed all 3 books in fewer than 48hrs - let’s say I didn’t sleep or work very much!

Fukuda imagines a world where vampires rule and there are only a few humans left, living in secret amongst the vampires themselves - mimicking their behaviour, hiding human giveaways such as body hair and scent, and just generally living in constant fear. 

The plot and concept are certainly original - this is not another Twilight. And I found it on both occasions to be a really thrilling and suspenseful read. Really, it’s one long story, with each new book picking up the story without a break. I think it’s an excellent choice for ages 14+ and that this would be good for experienced and more reluctant readers alike. Enjoy!

Age: 

14+

The first book in his Impossible Times trilogy. It’s a great coming of age / time travel adventure that’s an action-packed read for ages 14+. At the opening of the novel, 15year old Nick is diagnosed with leukaemia. He loves playing Dungeons and Dragons with some friends, and it seems like the only way to escape his real life problems until some very strange experiences of deja vu... Turns out his future self has come back in time to save their future! 

As well as the tension and excitement created through the story, I enjoyed this because of the scientific/mathematical approach to time travel - apart from being a very very good fantasy writer, Lawrence is a trained scientist too. I would whole-heartedly recommend this to any teen (14+) who enjoys an action packed read!