Summer reads for 8-12s

Willow’s witch family have always looked down on her mundane magical speciality of finding lost things. But last Tuesday is now missing: can she help locate the missing day? Starfell is a fun adventure, with themes of friendship, family and being different.

When fluffy pooch McTavish moves in, he finds his new family in quite a pickle. But not to worry because he’s sure he’ll have them retrained in no time at all. A charming and heartwarming short novel, full of spark, keen observations and sly humour.

It’s the summer holidays, and the Walker children are excited to set sail on their boat Swallow and camp on Wild Cat Island.

Greg Heffley is a normal American kid, albeit one with a habit of getting into (and out of) trouble.

Genius twins Kira and Jacob must pass a series of trials to join a top-secret organisation known as Transcendent. If chosen, they will be sent to outer space on a mission to save the world. 

A detective duo pounce into action en route to their holiday when a woman is murdered on a train.

The second Laura Marling mystery has all the elements of an old fashioned adventure story, action packed with friends rallying to fight an evil enemy

12 year-old Mia lives with her young brother Lucas and mum and dad in the city of Nubis, under the light of the forever moon and permanently starlit skies. She has always dreamed of being umbra tamer, but a terrifying encounter with a red eyed umbra out on the Nightmare Plains three years ago frightened her into staying within the city walls. Now Mia’s parents have been captured and caged she must face her fears and get help.

Amari is a scholarship student at a supernatural summer school, investigating magical crimes as she tries to solve the mystery of her brother’s disappearance. 

Onyeka has always hated her hair so it’s ironic that it should turn out to be the source of a spectacular superpower.

Could Tilbury Twitch-Whiskers really be the rat hero to return the legendary diamond and break its curse? A thrilling adventure with a classic feel, set in a richly drawn world of rats.

Adam is a boy living in London, but not as we know it. In this alternate universe slavery was never abolished, which has left the UK in a sorry state with rich overlords ruling over a sprawling poor and people with origins anywhere apart from the UK particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. That includes Adam’s family of shopkeepers. Then Adam meets an awe inspiring talking tiger, called Tyger and experiences mysterious powers.

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.  

Kofi is always coming up with ways to make money and when he discovers his friend Kelvin can remember every song lyric, it’s time to hit the big time! Funny and packed with brilliant dialogue, readers will fall for the irrepressible Kofi and his crazy schemes.

When 11 year old Addie, who is autistic, learns about the 16th century women who were persecuted for witchcraft, she starts to lobby for a local memorial in her small Scottish village. With the help of a new girl at school, she fights valiantly against injustice and oppression.

Archie Blake can pick locks. And when a diamond necklace goes missing and his dad is arrested, it’s down to Archie and his unusual skills to prove his dad’s innocence. An action-packed thriller with many knife-edge moments, this is a real page turner.

Olly is flabbergasted when a horde of hamsters appear in his bedroom after crash-landing their spaceship in his neighbour’s garden pond. This hilarious sci-fi adventure highlights the importance of friendship and having the courage to face your fears.

Meesh isn’t a typical demon – preferring flowers to lava, and being bullied for it. But when the other demons are turned to stone, it’s up to Meesh to find a way to save them. This first story in a fantasy graphic novel series is fun, fast-paced and full of peril.

An enchanting, magical adventure with just a touch of darkness.

In a world devastated by 200 years of brutal conflict between humans and intelligent machines, could Adam‑2 hold the key to ending the war? And, if so, which side should he save? A breathtaking science fiction thriller. 

Aya is a Syrian asylum seeker, looking after her mother and baby brother in the cold, unfamiliar city of Manchester – but she is also a talented ballet dancer. Children who love stories of performance and friendship will enjoy this book. 

Can Wesley and his friends find out why his neighbour died – in nine nights? A mystery full of twists and turns, with cracking dialogue. 

Daisy discovers a world where people use green magic to protect nature everywhere. But these Botanists are vanishing and precious plants are being stolen. Can Daisy and her friends save Greenwild – and her own world too? A thrilling, immersive fantasy, beautifully written and truly original.

Zed’s dad is the First Hunter of Demons. But when Zed meets a Demon, he discovers that they’re not as terrifying as the myths say. Exciting and full of heart. 

A delicious mix of mystery, adventure and fantasy, as a girl living on a remote Scottish island with a cruel aunt begins to question what she has been told about her origins.

Shy Eva lives a quiet life with her protective Dad – until the noisy McIntyre family move in next door.

When Rafa swaps places with a film star, he embarks on an extraordinary adventure, which takes him all the way to Hollywood on a private jet. Bursting with humour, this larger-than-life tale is a compelling read. 

As an advanced AI game becomes increasingly violent, one boy’s experience uncovers a devastating secret and reveals an extraordinary abuse of corporate power. 

Finn just wants to survive Year 7 but faces cringe and embarrassment at every turn. Follow his hilarious year in this brilliantly funny and relatable illustrated diary format book. 

Amihan lives on the secluded island of Culion with her sick mum, who has leprosy. But when the government decides the island must be quarantined, Ami and all the children who don’t have the disease are forced to leave – while her mum must stay behind, along with everything Ami has ever known.

It’s really exciting to be starting at Roller Derby summer camp, but less so when Astrid finds herself doing it alone. A fantastic full-colour graphic novel about friendship and awesome, strong girls, this a genuine joy to read. 

When Juan goes to spend the summer with his strange uncle Tito, the last thing he expects is to be sent on a quest in his labyrinthine library. This quirky, magical adventure is a must for book-lovers everywhere.

Fionn and his sister Tara are spending their summer on the remote island of Arranmore, off the coast of Ireland, staying with their grandfather. Readers will be swept away by the setting, atmosphere and magic of Arranmore as Fionn discovers its history and secrets. 

Jules has been sent in disgrace from her privileged London life to live on her aunt and uncle’s farm in Kansas for the summer – where she ends up rediscovering her love for dance through the eyes of a coyote. Her experiences may be unique, but Jules’s confusion about her place in the world will ring true with most teenagers.

Can Nic and her friends find the mysterious Msaidizi in time to save her dad? A cracking action-packed magical adventure – highly recommended.