Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 11+

King of Nothing

Our Great Books Guide recommends brilliant children's books for 4-11 year-olds - but we also have some suggestions to keep them reading as they get older!

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  • Keedie

    Author: Elle McNicoll

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 9-11

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  • Keedie

    Author: Elle McNicoll

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 9-11

    A powerful book about a neurodivergent protagonist taking a stand against bullying and hypocrisy. 

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  • Cross My Heart and Never Lie

    Author: Nora Dåsnes Translator: Matt Bagguley

    Interest level: 9-14

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Cross My Heart and Never Lie

    Author: Nora Dåsnes Translator: Matt Bagguley

    Interest level: 9-14

    Reading age: 10+

    Tuva is torn between two friendship groups – those who fall in love and those who don’t. But where does she fit? Charming and refl…

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  • Black Hole Cinema Club

    Author: Christopher Edge

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Black Hole Cinema Club

    Author: Christopher Edge

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Be prepared for a reading experience unlike any other. From a stunningly original beginning, this adrenalin-fuelled sci-fi adventu…

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  • The Double Life of Ted Amos

    Author: Simon James Green Illustrator: Jennifer Jamieson

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9-11

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  • The Double Life of Ted Amos

    Author: Simon James Green Illustrator: Jennifer Jamieson

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9-11

    Edward has reinvented himself as Ted at his dad’s new town. Ted is cool and definitely isn’t bullied. But will his lies catch up w…

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  • Northern Soul

    Author: Phil Earle

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Northern Soul

    Author: Phil Earle

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Marv is desperate to make an impression on the girl of his dreams but with no idea quite how to do it he takes advice from a long-…

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  • Musical World

    Author: Jeffrey Boakye Illustrator: Ngadi Smart

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Musical World

    Author: Jeffrey Boakye Illustrator: Ngadi Smart

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 10+

    In a playlist of 40 songs from artists as diverse as Shakira, John Lennon, Billie Holiday, the Spice Girls and Drake, Jeffrey Boak…

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  • Electric Life

    Author: Rachel Delahaye

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 10-12

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  • Electric Life

    Author: Rachel Delahaye

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 10-12

    Set in a post-apocalyptic, sanitised world, this dystopian thriller contains many powerful elements that reflect some of the ways …

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  • King of Nothing

    Author: Nathanael Lessore

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

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  • King of Nothing

    Author: Nathanael Lessore

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

    Anton is the King of Year 9, but he's forced to hang out with the school's biggest loser. A hilarious coming-of-age story that wil…

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