Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 8 to 9 year olds

Beasts of Knobbly Bottom Attack of the Vampire Sheep

Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 8 to 9 will love.

Shop the Great Books Guide titles from our partners and money from your purchase will be donated to BookTrust.

Waterstones (affiliate link) | Browns Books for Students

Explore the guide in full

  • Taking Shelter (A Hugh Dunnit Mystery)

    Author: Guy Bass Illustrator: Lee Cosgrove
    Publisher: Andersen Press
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Hugh is determined to clear his dog's name when she's accused of eating his homework. This hilarious chapter book is full of witty one-liners, daft puns and dynamic black-and-white illustrations.

  • Animal All-Stars: Incredible Facts, Stats and Stories from the Greatest Record-Breakers in the Animal World

    Author: Clare Balding Illustrator: The Boy Fitz Hammond
    Publisher: Wren & Rook
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Sports expert Clare Balding is here to commentate on a stupendous set of eight edge-of-your-seat sporting events featuring all manner of brilliantly fast, strong and agile animals.

  • Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial

    Author: Kieran Larwood Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Presented in large, clear font and with black and white illustrations throughout, this funny, exciting, imaginative adventure story is a great introduction to fantasy fiction for newly independent readers. 

  • The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Vampire Sheep

    Author: Emily-Jane Clark Illustrator: Jeff Crowther
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    After reluctantly moving to the tiny village of Knobbly Bottom, Maggie is astonished when she encounters a flock of vampire sheep who are determined to take over the world. This hilarious chapter book, with a fast-paced plot and dynamic black-and-white illustrations, is the first in a fabulously funny series that is perfect for junior readers.

  • The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Phantom Thief

    Author: Marcus Rashford with Alex Falase-Koya Illustrator: Marta Kissi
    Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
    Interest age: 7-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Can the Breakfast Club Investigators find the Phantom Thief and save Asim from being blamed? A gentle mystery with short chapters and lots of energetic illustrations. 

  • Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka

    Author: Davina Tijani Illustrator: Adam Douglas-Bagley
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 8-10
    Reading age: 8+

    Yomi, aged around 10 and her younger brother Kay are spending the summer with their Uncle Olu who is a Nkara (dragon) researcher travelling the world lecturing on African studies. They are in The Gambia’s capital city Banjul when Yomi sees Ninki Nanka, the famous and ferocious water dragon and realises it is in trouble.

  • Tangled Tales: Movies, Magic, Mayhem!

    Author: Jenny Moore Illustrator: Sarah Horne
    Publisher: Maverick Publishing
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Two interlinked stories in one – flip the book to read the second one. Will Derek the vampire and Ruby the unusual fairy become film stars? 

  • Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens!

    Author: Alex T Smith
    Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
    Interest age: 5-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Every night, six-year-old Astrid transforms into a Space Cadet, an intergalactic helper who zooms across the universe to solve problems and assist those in need. This fast-paced, funny chapter book is accompanied by magnificent black-and-white illustrations.

  • Time Travellers: Adventure Calling

    Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    A fascinating time-travel adventure exploring the politics and history of suffragettes. 

  • Keisha Jones Takes on the World

    Author: Natalie Denny Illustrator: Chanté Timothy
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 6+

    Keisha wants to be like her inspiring Great Aunt Bee and stand up for what’s right. Her first cause is the price of bunnies in the pet shop. Funny and packed with brilliant illustrations, this will have young readers coming back for more in the series.

  • The Council of Good Friends

    Author: Nikesh Shukla Illustrator: Rochelle Falconer
    Publisher: Knights Of
    Interest age: 6-9
    Reading age: 7+

    Vinay and his “Council of Friends” are disrupted by the arrival of his cousin. Together, they learn to set aside their differences and empathise with each other’s feelings. 

  • Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze

    Author: Maple Lam
    Publisher: Hachette
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 7+

    Sun Wukong, legendary monkey king and warrior, faces an ancient evil which threatens the world. Join him on a wild and comical adventure as he battles the monsters of ancient Greece. 

  • Monster in the Woods

    Author: Dave Shelton
    Publisher: David Fickling
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    A brilliantly funny, and gloriously rambling, historical hunt for a monster with a great twist at the end and a subtle message about not judging by appearances.

  • Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery

    Author: Laura Ellen Anderson
    Publisher: Farshore
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 7+

    When young moth Marnie Midnight enrols at Minibeast Academy, she and her new friends, Floyd the bee and Star the ant, embark on a perilous lunar adventure. The first in an exciting new series, this imaginative, bug-sized tale is richly illustrated and full of humour.  

  • Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit

    Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Kyan Cheng
    Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
    Interest age: 6-7
    Reading age: 7+

    Can Maysa and Musa solve the mystery of who destroyed the competition cookies? Relatable and funny, this is a story about everyday family life, with a gentle mystery and a BIG lie at the heart of it. 

  • The Egg Incident

    Author: Ziggy Hanaor Illustrator: Daisy Wynter
    Publisher: Cicada Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Humphrey the egg isn’t allowed to do anything energetic – especially not climb walls. But when he and his new friend are locked in the park, he has to escape somehow! A very funny graphic novel that will have children giggling out loud. 

  • Poetry Comics

    Author: Grant Snider
    Publisher: Chronicle Books
    Interest age: 6-11
    Reading age: 7+

    Beautifully simple poems are paired with comic-book style panel illustrations. Two characters across the course of the year as they express themselves through poetry. 

  • Size Wise

    Author: Camilla de la Bedoyere Illustrator: Vasilisa Romanenko
    Publisher: Buster Books
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 7+

    From the big to the small, size is important and can tell us a lot about the animals and plants that live on planet Earth. This fascinating book zooms in on size to reveal all kinds of interesting facts about why things are the size that they are, and to give young readers a sense of scale.

  • The World’s First Rollercoaster and Other Amazing Inventions

    Author: Mike Barfield Illustrator: Franziska Höllbacher
    Publisher: Templar Books
    Interest age: 7-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Find out the stories behind some of the world’s most important inventions in this funny, comic style, illustrated non-fiction book. 

  • Nora and the Map of Mayhem

    Author: Joseph Elliott Illustrator: Nici Gregory
    Publisher: Piccadilly Press
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Can Nora and her great grandchildren find the treasure before her dastardly foe? A hoot of an adventure starring an energetic old lady, a determined toddler and a wonky goose. Great fun. 

  • Who Let the Words Out?

    Author: Joshua Seigal Illustrator: Chris Piascik
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Education
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 7+

    A funny and engaging poetry collection, perfect for reading aloud and for sharing.

  • The Last Zookeeper

    Author: Aaron Becker
    Publisher: Walker
    Interest age: 7-11
    Reading age: 4+

    wordless picture book featuring a robot protagonist and a flooded landscape. It is a beautifully illustrated modern retelling of the Noah’s ark story. 

  • Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

    Author: Bali Rai Illustrator: Daniel Duncan
    Publisher: Barrington Stoke
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Bobby wants his nana-ji and Trevor to be friends because they both love football. A heart-warming story of community and kindness – and football! Dyslexia friendly, and appealing to all readers. 

  • Calling the Whales

    Author: Jasbinder Bilan Illustrator: Skylar White
    Publisher: Barrington Stoke
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    A powerful and quick to read adventure story on saving a humpback whale in Scotland.  

  • Hercules: The Diary of a (Sort Of) Hero

    Author: Tom Vaughan Illustrator: David O'Connell
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Hercules' plan to play it cool when he starts secondary school goes awry when he becomes a target for the school bully. With the arrival of his estranged Greek father, Hercules' popularity surges, but at what cost? With a generous smattering of Greek mythology, this laugh-out-loud tale explores the nature of friendship, love and loyalty with a perfect mix of…