100 best children's books from the past 100 years: the full list
These are the 100 best children's and teens' books from the past 100 years.
To see this list divided into age groups, or to see the nation's top 10 favourite books, visit our 100 best books page.
Looking for new books? Try our other recommended reads
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Flour Babies
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Flour Babies
As part of a Child Development project, each boy in Class 4C is given a 'flour baby', a sack of flour which must be looked after f…
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How I Live Now
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How I Live Now
Fifteen-year-old New Yorker Daisy is sent to England to spend a summer with her unconventional cousins
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Looking for JJ
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Looking for JJ
When a 10-year-old girl kills her best friend, she is convicted of manslaughter and locked away. Seven years later she is released…
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
This funny, touching and compelling novel was the winner of the inaugural Booktrust Teenage Prize
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I Capture the Castle
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I Capture the Castle
17-year-old Cassandra lives an eccentric existence with her bohemian family in a crumbling castle in the English countryside, in t…
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Private Peaceful
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Private Peaceful
Set during World War I, Private Peaceful charts eight hours in the life of Tommo, a young soldier at the Front.
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Journey to the River Sea
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Journey to the River Sea
Orphan Maia is thrilled to learn she is to live with relatives in South America and cannot wait to experience the sights, sounds a…
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Mortal Engines
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Mortal Engines
London is on the move again: the traction city trawls the world on wheels, capturing and eating smaller towns.
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The Tiger Who Came to Tea
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The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay to tea.
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Where's Spot?
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Where's Spot?
This adorable picture book about Spot the dog is the first in the Spot series
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Mister Magnolia
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Mister Magnolia
Mr Magnolia has many things - but only one boot.
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The Queen's Nose
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The Queen's Nose
Harmony's Uncle Ginger sends her on a treasure trail - which ends in finding a 50p piece.
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Each Peach Pear Plum
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Each Peach Pear Plum
This classic book from author and illustrator team Janet and Allan Ahlberg is a real favourite with families
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar deserves its reputation as a much-loved classic.
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The Elephant and the Bad Baby
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The Elephant and the Bad Baby
One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and the set off on a great adventure.
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Lost and Found
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Lost and Found
Once there was a sad, lonely penguin who appeared at the door of a young boy. The boy decided he must be lost, so he set off to fi…
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The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
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The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
What really happened to the three little pigs and the big bad wolf? Find out the truth in this hilarious picture book.
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The Sheep-Pig
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The Sheep-Pig
When Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair, he is amazed that Fly, his sheep-dog, welcomes him as one of her own pups.
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Bruno is exploring his new home at 'Out-With' when he meets Shmuel, who lives on the other side of a fence which surroun…
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The Story of Tracy Beaker
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The Story of Tracy Beaker
Tracy lives in a children's home but constantly hopes that her absent, glamorous Mum will come and take her away.
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Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears
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Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears
Little Mouse is scared of most things, from creepy crawlies and loud noises, to getting lost.
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Northern Lights
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Northern Lights
This extraordinary fantasy is the first book in Philip Pullman's multi-award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy
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I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato
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I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato
Charlie tricks his younger sister, Lola - an extremely fussy eater - into eating all her least favourite foods.
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Noughts and Crosses
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Noughts and Crosses
Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.
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Artemis Fowl
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Artemis Fowl
Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl hatches an ingenious plot to steal all the gold in fairy land.
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Room on the Broom
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Room on the Broom
From former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson and longtime collaborator Axel Scheffler comes this much-loved tale about a witch …
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The Knife of Never Letting Go
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The Knife of Never Letting Go
The first in a series, this enthralling sci-fi/fantasy novel grips readers throughout, presenting them with tough questions about …
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That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown
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That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown
Emily and her toy rabbit, Stanley, love to go on adventures together.
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The Snowman
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The Snowman
James builds a snowman in the garden, then wakes up in the night to find that it has come to life.
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Clarice Bean, That's Me
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Clarice Bean, That's Me
Clarice Bean gives us a snapshot of her life and family in the book that launched a bestselling series.
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The Graveyard Book
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The Graveyard Book
After his family are killed, Bod is brought up in a graveyard by ghosts.
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Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
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Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
With beautiful illustrations of babies born all over the world and gentle rhyming text, this charming book is perfect for sharing …
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Amazing Grace
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Amazing Grace
This classic story clearly communicates an inspiring message that anything is possible
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The Hunger Games
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The Hunger Games
Welcome to Panem: its Capitol repressively rules twelve satellite Districts, enslaving the populations as workers and controlling …
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Greg Heffley is a normal American kid, albeit one with a habit of getting into (and out of) trouble.
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Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
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Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Welcome to the world of Georgia Nicolson - an angst-ridden teenage girl who keeps a diary to record the rollercoaster of emotions …
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The Kite Rider
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The Kite Rider
Haoyou feels powerless when the man responsible for his father's death demands to marry his mother. Determined to support her hims…
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Stormbreaker
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Stormbreaker
Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider finds his life turned upside down on discovering that his late uncle wasn't a mild-mannered banker, b…
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A Bear Called Paddington
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A Bear Called Paddington
Paddington, the brown bear from darkest Peru, is found by the Brown family on Paddington Station with his hat, duffel coat and mar…
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Asterix the Gaul
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Asterix the Gaul
In a tiny corner of Brittany, one small village of indomitable Gauls hold out against the almighty, all-conquering Romans.
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Carrie's War
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Carrie's War
Inspired by Nina Bawden's own experiences of living as an evacuee in a Welsh mining valley as a child, Carrie's War is n…
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
After the misery of life with his ghastly aunt and uncle, Harry Potter is delighted to have the chance to embark on an exciting ne…
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Goodnight Mister Tom
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Goodnight Mister Tom
Willie Beech, a lonely and deprived child, is evacuated to a tiny English village just before the Second World War, and find…
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We're Going on a Bear Hunt
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We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Follow a father and his family as they go out in search of a bear.
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Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
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Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
This hilarious rhyming story follows Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, as he sets off for a walk in town
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Not now, Bernard
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Not now, Bernard
The classic tale of Bernard, whose distracted parents fail to notice that their son has been eaten and replaced by a monster.
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Life: An Exploded Diagram
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Life: An Exploded Diagram
In this intelligent young adult novel, Clem's coming-of-age story of first love and burgeoning sexuality is woven around a tense a…
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Finn Family Moomintroll
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Finn Family Moomintroll
Moomintroll is cheerful and chubby and lives in the magical Moominvalley with his mother, Moominmamma, his father, Moominpappa and…
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Where the Wild Things Are
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Where the Wild Things Are
When Max puts on his wolf suit and shouts at his mother, he is sent to his room without any supper. But then, his bedroom turns in…
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The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters
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The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters
Brilliantly designed with lots of little details to spot, this old favourite will be enjoyed time and time again
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Pippi Longstocking
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Pippi Longstocking
Follow Pippi Longstocking on her amazing adventures as she moves into Villa Villekulla with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase …
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I Want My Hat Back
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I Want My Hat Back
A bear sets out in search of his hat - he loves his hat and he wants it back
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Horrid Henry
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Horrid Henry
Stories about naughty characters have been told for centuries, and Horrid Henry is a modern-day rogue in the tradition of Dennis t…
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The Borrowers
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The Borrowers
The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the secret places of old houses - behind the mantlepiece, inside the harpsichord, under …
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Maggot Moon
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Maggot Moon
Combining conspiracy theory and dystopia, this hugely original novel is set in an alternate 1950s in which Britain is dominated by…
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The Hobbit
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The Hobbit
This well-loved fantasy story has delighed readers ever since its first publication in 1937.
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Stig of the Dump
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Stig of the Dump
Exploring an old chalk pit, Barney meets a strange boy who wears a rabbit skin and speaks in grunts.
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The Cat in the Hat
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The Cat in the Hat
When Sally and her brother are left alone on a rainy day, they think they are in for a dull time - but then the Cat in the Hat app…
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Meg and Mog
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Meg and Mog
In this the first story about much-loved characters Meg the witch and Mog her cat, the pair go off to a wild Hallowe'en party with…
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Would You Rather…
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Would You Rather…
A classic for children, Would You Rather... presents an alternative to a traditional story by imagining a mixture of fan…
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Princess Smartypants
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Princess Smartypants
Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty princess means that all the …
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I Want My Potty!
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I Want My Potty!
The Little Princess hates nappies, and thinks there must be something better. This is classic picture book entertainment, which wi…
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Winnie-the-Pooh
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Winnie-the-Pooh
No child's library could be complete without A A Milne's stories about Pooh, Christopher Robin and their friends in the Hundred Ac…
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The Story of Babar
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The Story of Babar
' In the great forest, a litle elephant was born. His name was Babar...'
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Little House in the Big Woods
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Little House in the Big Woods
Inside the little house live the Ingalls family: Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura and baby Carrie.
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The Enchanted Wood
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The Enchanted Wood
When Joe, Beth and Frannie move into a new home, they discover a mysterious wood on their very doorstep.
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My Naughty Little Sister
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My Naughty Little Sister
This affectionate portrait of family life is the story of a naughty three-year-old sister who is obstinate, inquisitive and full o…
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Charlotte's Web
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Charlotte's Web
This is the tale of how a little girl named Fern - with the help of a friendly talking spider called Charlotte - saved her pig, Wi…
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Flat Stanley
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Flat Stanley
Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning to find he is only half an inch thick
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The Worst Witch
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The Worst Witch
Long before Harry Potter first went to Hogwarts, trainee witch Mildred Hubble embarked on life at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witche…
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The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook
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The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook
Milly-Molly-Mandy lives with her mother, father, uncle, aunt, grandmother and grandfather in a 'nice white cottage with a thatched…
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The Adventures of Tintin
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The Adventures of Tintin
Resourceful junior reporter Tintin embarks on a series of exciting international adventures, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy…
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Swallows and Amazons
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Swallows and Amazons
It's the summer holidays, and the Walker children are excited to set sail on their boat Swallow and camp on Wild Cat Island.
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Ballet Shoes
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Ballet Shoes
First published in the 1930s, this classic story of three very different girls who work hard to master their talents has captivate…
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The Little Prince
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The Little Prince
An air pilot makes a forced landing deep in the Sahara Desert. There, he makes a mysterious Little Prince, who tells him a series …
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - step through a wardrobe door in the strange country house where they are staying, they find t…
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The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
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The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
There are wolves outside the walls of Willoughby Chase, but for cousins Bonnie and Sylvia, the real danger lies inside.
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The Witches
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The Witches
Real witches disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they de…
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The Fellowship of The Ring
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The Fellowship of The Ring
The first part of J R R Tolkien's epic masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, this is the story of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who fin…
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The Owl Service
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The Owl Service
When Alison finds a curious dinner service in the attic, the discovery sets off a strange chain of events that look set to affect …
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Watership Down
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Watership Down
Young rabbit Fiver is convinced that a great evil is about to befall the warren where he lives - but no one will listen to him.
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The Ruby in the Smoke
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The Ruby in the Smoke
Determined to discover the truth about her father's tragic death, Sally Lockhart is plunged into a dangerous and terrifying advent…
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A Monster Calls
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A Monster Calls
Connor's mum has cancer and life is changing. There is the nightmare, then there is school, where people avoid him, or persecute h…
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The Arrival
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The Arrival
In this unusual book, we follow a young man as he packs his bags and leaves his family to go and start a new life in another count…
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