Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 10 to 11 year olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 10 to 11 will love.
Shop the Great Books Guide titles from our partners and money from your purchase will be donated to BookTrust.
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Safiyyah’s War
Author: Hiba Noor Khan
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+Focussing on the experiences of a small group of individuals, Safiyyah’s story shines a spotlight on an under-recognised pocket of resistance from World War II when hundreds of Jews were led to safety via underground passages from the Grand Mosque in Paris.
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Lunar
Author: Chris Bradford Illustrator: Charlotte Grange
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+With a great mix of science fiction and science fact, this nail-biting race-against-time is presented in an accessible format with black and white illustrations.
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Angel of Grasmere
Author: Tom Palmer
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+In the midst of war, a mysterious figure is performing acts of kindness in a Lake District village. Can Tarn find out who it is? An excellent addition to fiction about World War II.
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Pirates of Darksea
Author: Catherine Doyle
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Max answers the call to join Captain O’Malley’s pirate ship instead of his brother, who’s ill, it’s the start of a rip-roaring fantastical adventure. A page-turner that will have children gripped and moved.
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The Clockwork Conspiracy
Author: Sam Sedgman
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Isaac’s life is thrown into disarray when his dad mysteriously vanishes from the belfry of Big Ben. As they search for him, Isaac and his friend Hattie uncover a sinister plot which threatens Time itself. A fast-paced mystery, which will have readers on the edge of their seats.
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Impossible Creatures
Author: Katherine Rundell Illustrator: Tomislav Tomić
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 8+Katherine Rundell has created an incredibly real-feeling magical world and story to rival classics like Narnia, with writing that sweeps you up and main characters who are simultaneously humanly flawed yet inherently pure and good.
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Shiver Point
Author: Gabriel Dylan
Publisher: Piccadilly
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A short, snappy rollercoaster of a horror story with a skilful build-up of tension from ‘This sleepy town is so bland, nothing ever happens here’ to ‘Aargh, we’re all going to die!’.
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Oh Maya Gods
Author: Maz Evans
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Super-sporty Vesper and super-bright Aster are cousins and now reluctant partners in stopping Kizin, the Maya god of death, from killing everyone in the world. A brilliant adventure full of action and humour… and chocolate!
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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces
Author: Carlos Sánchez
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 7+Chiri and Dai discover a hidden world filled with secrets and magic. After discovering their own hidden powers, the pair team up with a band of unlikely heroes to take on the sinister Shadow King.
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Best Friends Forever
Author: Lisa Williamson
Publisher: Guppy Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This funny and touching coming-of-age story reflects the experiences of many youngsters making the transition to secondary school or experiencing changes in the family.
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The Last Dragon
Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Charis Loke
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An encounter with a real-life dragon in Milton Keynes helps 12-year-old Yara learn who she is.
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Scrap
Author: Guy Bass Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Scrap the robot has vowed never to help another human. Now two children need him, and he’s catapulted into a breakneck adventure full of action and humour. A fantastic read.
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The Wonder Brothers
Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A funny, glitter-spangled, mystery thriller for anyone who likes a dose of danger with their magic.
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Bird Boy
Author: Catherine Bruton
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 10+Recently orphaned Will is sent to stay with an uncle he doesn’t know in a remote, mountainous valley. By caring for an injured osprey, he slowly comes to terms with his grief and learns to trust again.
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I Am Wolf
Author: Alastair Chisholm
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 9+A pacy dystopian page-turner.
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The Final Year
Author: Matt Goodfellow Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When he falls out with his best friend and then his little brother is rushed into hospital, Nate’s world is turned upside-down. This incredibly powerful novel, written entirely in free verse and accompanied by thoughtful illustrations, is an emotional read.
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Stolen History
Author: Sathnam Sanghera Illustrator: Jen Khatun
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An accessible and fascinating look at the British Empire and how it still affects our lives today.
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Movies Showing Nowhere
Author: Yorick Goldewijk Illustrator: Yvonne Lacet Translator: Laura Watkinson
Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When Cate visits Mrs Kano's cinema, she is transported into a world beyond her wildest dreams. This wonderfully imaginative time-travel adventure beautifully explores the nature of grief, guilt and loneliness.
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Nina Peanut is Amazing
Author: Sarah Bowie
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Nina Peanut is a hilarious, aspiring content creator. When one of her videos goes viral, she must learn how to cope with the challenges of fame, friendship and self-confidence.
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Reggie Houser Has the Power
Author: Helen Rutter
Publisher: Scholastic Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A touching, light-hearted book about finding confidence and friendship.
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The Boy Who Fell from the Sky
Author: Benjamin Dean
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Zed’s dad is the First Hunter of Demons. But when Zed meets a Demon, he discovers that they’renot as terrifying as the myths say. Exciting and full of heart.
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Bright Stars of Black British History
Author: JT Williams Illustrator: Angela Vives
Publisher: Thames and Hudson
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Engagingly told life stories of fourteen Black British people and their contributions to the world.
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100 Things to Know About Sport
Author: Usborne
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Delve into the world of sports with this compilation of fascinating facts from around the world. Featuring engaging information, illustrations and infographics, this is a great choice for all sports lovers!
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Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher
Author: Luan Goldie
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This funny, engaging, body-swap adventure explores fandom, friendship and empathy via an unmissable dance competition, viral videos and throwing away the school rule book.
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Bringing Back Kay-Kay
Author: Dev Kothari
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-14When Lena’s older brother goes missing, she knows she must find him. But what secrets will she uncover? A gripping mystery set in contemporary India, with themes of family expectations and the importance of the arts.
