Heroes

This year's Children's Book Week theme is Heroes and Heroines - and here's a list of some of our favourite books with fantastic heroes.

Young Samurai The Way of the Warrior

by Chris Bradford

Puffin

This engaging historical adventure story will immerse young readers in the traditions and culture of Ancient Japan, including its complex codes of loyalty and honour.

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Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer

Puffin

Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, hatches an ingenious plot to steal all the gold in fairy land. Colfer's explanations of the structure and technology of fairy land are absolutely believable, making this a light-hearted, enjoyable read.

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Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake

Puffin

When Willie Wonka offers five lucky competition winners a life time supply of chocolate and a visit to his factory, Charlie thinks there's no chance he could win. Will his dream come true?

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Maggot Moon

by Sally Gardner

Hot Key Books

Combining conspiracy theory and dystopia, this hugely original novel is set in an alternate 1950s in which Britain is dominated by the ruthlessly oppressive forces of The Motherland.

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Once

by Morris Gleitzman

Puffin

On his travels Felix uses his natural optimism and storytelling gift to explain away the horrific events he witnesses in Nazi occupied Poland. A sad, deeply moving, portrayal of the holocaust with uplifting moments of humanity and hope.

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Alex Rider Mission 1: Stormbreaker

by Anthony Horowitz

Walker Books

14-year-old Alex Rider finds his life turned upside down on discovering that his late uncle wasn't a mild-mannered banker, but instead a field agent for MI6.

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One Dog and His Boy

by Eva Ibbotson

Marion Lloyd Books

All Hal wants for his birthday is a dog and when he is given one he is overjoyed. But when Hal realises Fleck was only his for the weekend, he sets off on an adventure with the dog...

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Wonder

by R J Palacio

Bodley Head

An outstanding book: deeply moving but never mawkish, filled with kindness as well as sadness and ultimately hopeful and uplifting.

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Dodger

by Terry Pratchett

Doubleday

Terry Pratchett once again proves himself a master storyteller in this tribute to one of Charles Dickens' best-known characters, the Artful Doger.

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Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

Puffin

In this leftfield comic fantasy novel, 12-year-old Percy Jackson discovers that the Greek gods of Olympus are alive and living in modern-day New York.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

by J K Rowling

Bloomsbury Children's Books

Harry excels at his craft at Hogwart's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft and his new-found skills unravel some of the mysteries of his own past... and a few surrounding his teachers.

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Horrid Henry

by Francesca Simon

Orion Children's Books

Stories about naughty characters have been told for centuries. Horrid Henry is a modern-day rogue in the tradition of Dennis the Menace, Pippi Longstocking, Just William and My Naughty Little Sister. Sibling rivalry is explored as Henry is continually compared...

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