Top 12 Recommended Children's books

As a kid I read a lot. I was the person checking more books out of the library than I could carry every single time. As a result I could write pages on this topic and it was a great struggle to choose just my top 12 books and authors to include here. These recommendations are ideal for 9-12 year olds and they’re just a few of the books I absolutely loved and still remember a decade later.

1. Molly Moon by Georgia Byng

Molly Moon is an incredible series about the adventures of orphan Molly Moon and her adventures with hypnotism. I couldn't get enough of these books when I was 10 and would recommend them to anyone. They have a great storyline and are really well written. The book Molly Moon and the Incredible book of Hypnotism has now been made into a film as well.

2. Michael Morpurgo

A widely known author but I feel that Michael Morpurgo’s books are so good that they deserve a mention on this list. Not only are they beautiful stories with so much feeling behind them but they are also wonderful adventures that teach children about different countries during important times throughout history with a focus on the lives of individuals. Whilst all Michael Morpurgo’s books are masterpieces, my personal favourites are Twist of Gold (set during the Irish potato famine), Shadow (the moving story of a very loyal dog in wartime Afghanistan) and Kaspar (based on the incredible story of the Titanic).

3. Lionboy by Zizou Corder

One of my favourite fantasy trilogies of all time. The gripping tale of a young boy navigating Europe in search of his parents with the help of his special ability - he can speak to cats. Packed with adventure and heartfelt moments, this series really is a must-read for any young book fanatics!

4. The Great Twin Trick by Mary Hooper

I can't really explain why I love this book so much but I went back to it again and again as a child. It’s the classic identical twin plot of deceiving people and getting into all kinds of trouble. It’s funny, easy reading that can be enjoyed by anyone.

5. Jeremy Strong

Author of many a humorous book. My personal favourite series by him are My Brother’s Famous Bottom and The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog. These books are silly and clever and essential reading for any child.

6. Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Some may not consider this series to be the highest quality literature but I would argue that these books taught me a lot. The Alice books make for very easy reading, narrating the day to day struggles of Alice as she is brought up by her father and older brother. The series spans her teenage years covering all her awkward moments and the struggles of puberty, friendships, relationships and high school life. It’s a very relatable series and I really feel like it was quite a formative part of my pre-internet education.

7. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

This was my mum’s favourite book growing up. I didn’t read it as often as she did but nevertheless I loved the story. It’s a really exciting book that encapsulated many of my fantasies as a child. The idea of camping on an island with friends, cooking your own food on the campfire, sailing your own boat and befriending the “natives” and neighbouring pirates appealed to me immensely. I think any child with a passion for the outdoors would really enjoy this book.

8. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver

This series is a genre I don't typically choose but I have to admit they are very well written page-turners. The dark scenes, supernatural elements and descriptive narrative make them quite different from anything else on this list. Chronicals of Ancient Darkness is a gripping tale set in prehistoric times. It centres around 12 year old Torak who can talk to wolves. Torak must fight for survival in the wilderness after his father is killed by a demon-possessed bear.

9. Roald Dahl

You probably know Roald Dahl but I just wanted to say that his books are great. The BFG, the Twits, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... They’re all wacky and wonderful and contain some of the best literary characters out there.

10. Spy Dog by Andrew Cope

Another series that I read several times through. If I had to choose just one from this list, Spy Dog might be it. Haven’t we all wondered what our pets are thinking? Spy Dog is about highly intelligent, expertly trained, special agent Lara, officially known by her code name GM451. When one of her missions goes wrong she gets adopted by a family and now has to take on her hardest task yet: acting like a normal dog. I can’t express how much I love this series. It’s packed with adventure, it’s heartwarming, it’s funny, I don’t know what else to tell you. Just read it!

11. Jane Blonde by Jill Marshall

It’s another spy series but it’s just so good I had to put it in here! 10 year old Janey is a regular school girl until she puts on her spysuit to take on dangerous secret missions, well equipped with gadgets from her hipster grandmother. It’s a fast paced fantasy thriller and when I was younger I couldn’t get enough of this series.

12. Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Last but not least, for a calmer read, Heidi is a classic that never gets old. A little girl living with her grumpy old grandfather in the Swiss mountains brings joy to everyone she meets. This book cannot fail to put a smile on your face. It’s just a really lovely story.