Books We Love in September 2024

East Asian Folktales, Myths & Legends

Author: Eva Wong Nava
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Whether your preference is for magic, absurdity, horror, romance, history or spirituality, there will be plenty to enjoy in this retelling of ancient tales that have their origin in a tradition of centuries-old oral storytelling. 

Dream Hunters

Author: Nazima Pathan Illustrator: Federica Fenna
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

In an impressively imagined alternative India, a complex system of magic and ancient power whirls around engaging characters (both human and animal) to create an intricate web of plotting and deceit. 

The River's a Singer

Author: Valerie Bloom Illustrator: Sophie Bass
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

At the Top of the World: The Greatest Mountains on Earth (And How to Climb Them)

Author: Robin Jacobs Illustrator: Ed J Brown
Publisher: Cicada Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

In this fascinating and beautifully illustrated book, we learn about eight famous mountains from around the world: what it’s like to climb them, the dangers of each individual mountain, their features, challenges and cultural significance.

Flora Stormer and the Golden Lotus

Author: Isabella Harcourt Illustrator: Hannah McCaffery
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

A pacy, accessible and high-drama adventure with a neurodivergent protagonist.

Bug Hotel / Óstán na bhFeithidí

Author: Áine Ní Ghlinn Illustrator: Mr Ando
Publisher: An tSnáthaid Mhór
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 5-6

Get to know the bugs of Ireland in an uplifting way.

Cuir aithne ar fheithidí na hÉireann ar bhealach spreagúil.

Bun on the Run

Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Chris Jevons
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 7+

Bernard the bun leaves the baker’s shop to explore the world. But can he escape the hungry animals who want to have him for their tea? A brilliant, interactive story. 

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins

Author: Claire Fayers
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A collection of carefully modernised, engaging stories from the rich tradition of Welsh myths, legends and ghost stories.  

Autumn is Awesome

Author: Emma Steel Illustrator: Wendy Wen
Publisher: Every Cherry
Interest age: 6-8

Come for a walk – and discover a whole sensory experience! Sensitively put together, this would delight any young child, and especially those with learning disabilities.  

Roots of Love

Author: Sarah Asuquo Illustrator: Ruthine Burton
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 4-5

Tia’s parents are separating, and she doesn’t know how to feel about it. A sensitively told book, with lovely illustrations, that could be a useful way of discussing different family situations with young children. 

A Wild Walk to School

Author: Rebecca Cobb
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 6-8

It’s time to get ready for school. Mum wants to hurry to get there on time but what she doesn’t realise is that there are giants to tip-toe around and hot molten lava to avoid. A witty tale of imagination during the school run. 

Always Your Stepmum

Author: Stephanie Stansbie Illustrator: Tatiana Kamshilina
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5

Written in the voice of a loving stepmum, this is a warm hug of a book. This would be a good book to read with a child whose family might be changing. 

Watts & Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure

Author: Meg McLaren
Publisher: Piccadilly
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Watts the dog and Pearl Whiskerton the cat investigate the mystery of the bones buried at Whiskerton Manor. Will they save the day?

What You Need to Know About AI: A Beginner’s Guide to What the Future Holds

Author: Professor Brian David Johnson
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

This detailed and exciting breakdown of where we are with AI now – and the possibilities of where it might go – is a must-read.

Adventure Babies

Author: Rosamund Lloyd
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 2-3

Join the adventurous babies as they swim, surf, skydive... and snooze! A charming board book with a mix of photos and illustrations, with a sweet counting element. 

How to Launch a Tech Start-Up: Robotics, Gaming and Other Tech Jobs

Author: Michelle You Illustrator: Sol Linero
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 6-8

This considers likely future occupations in the technology industry for today’s children and explains the tech world in an accessible and helpful way.

Reggie Rabbit: The Great Carrot Heist

Author: Swapna Reddy Illustrator: Becka Moor
Publisher: Oxford
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Can amateur detective Reggie Rabbit solve the mystery of the missing carrots? An enjoyable, humorous heist, told with comic book style illustrations.  

Science is Lit: Crazy Chemistry and Epic Experiments

Author: Big Manny Illustrator: Subi Bosa
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A super-fun and highly educational book which makes science accessible, cool and shows children that they don’t need fancy equipment to have a lot of fun with experiments.

Evenfall: The Golden Linnet

Author: Alexander Armstrong Illustrator: Tom Roberts
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Sam must battle against the forces of evil to discover his true power as the destined leader of a secret society of storytellers in this riveting, magical adventure.  

Seek and Find: Ocean Animals

Author: Susie Rae Illustrator: Diego Vaisberg
Publisher: Gemini
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 7+

This interactive non-fiction book uses a seek and find torch and flaps to explore the different animals present in ocean habitats.   

Cuddly Ladybird

Author: Ingela P. Arrhenius
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 2-3

Lift the colourful felt flaps to reveal black and white animals. This cuddly cloth book is perfect for sharing with little babies and with toddlers. 

The Elephant and the Sea

Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 5+

A picture book about an old elephant looking back to his childhood dreams and how he achieved them 

Roman Boy

Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Alessandro Valdrighi
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

This gripping historical novel, set in 125 CE, is full of treachery and war, and provides a fascinating insight into the life of a teenage boy in Ancient Rome. 

A Riddle for a King

Author: Mark Forsyth Illustrator: Matthew Land
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

When Philo discovers a strange new world through a secret door in the grandfather clock, he embarks on an utterly bonkers, magical adventure, which is beyond his wildest dreams.  

Badgers Are Go!

Author: Susannah Lloyd Illustrator: Nici Gregory
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Lulu the badger undergoes specialist training, before embarking on a Top Secret mission to secure world peace, in this hilarious, illustrated chapter book. 

Me and My Brian

Author: Helen Rutter Illustrator: Claudia Petrazzi
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

When Josh’s brain, whom he has named Brian, becomes too loud and overbearing, he goes to stay with Grandma in her tiny shack in the middle of nowhere. A touching tale which sensitively explores complex family dynamics and mental health issues.  

Ghostlines

Author: Katya Balen
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Tilda promises new boy Albie that they’ll go to the dangerous, forbidden island – but is it really haunted? A beautifully written story about community and belonging, with a real love for nature woven throughout. 

Dark Flood

Author: Karon Alderman
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Set in north-east England, this is a gripping, powerful tale of heritage, love, loss, tragedy, kindness and cruelty. An absolute page-turner 

The Memory Key

Author: Nigel Baines
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Lily and her grandfather travel back in time to share memories from his past as they both struggle to deal with his worsening Alzheimer’s. 

Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull

Author: Martin Howard Illustrator: Pete Williamson
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Mallory Vayle makes a bizarre pact with a 500-year-old skull: help to free her parents’ ghosts from an evil spirit in exchange for a blonde wig and the lifting of an ancient curse. A scream of a comic horror story. 

The Boy in the Suit

Author: James Fox
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

When Solo and his mum gatecrash a celebrity funeral, they find themselves all over the newspapers and the internet – for all the wrong reasons.