Great Books Guide 2018: 8-9 years

Cyborg Cat: Rise of the Parsons Road Gang

Author: Ade Adepitan
Publisher: Piccadilly Press

This first book by Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan offers a fascinating picture of his childhood. With a light touch and plenty of wit, he recalls the influences and events that helped to shape his life and career. Entertaining, accessible and inspiring.

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball

Author: Laura Ellen Anderson
Publisher: Egmont

The first in a series, this ghoulishly funny chapter book is full of fabulous gothic pen-and-ink illustrations and explores the importance of friendship.

Bee Boy: Clash of the Killer Queens

Author: Tony De Saulles
Publisher: Oxford Children's Books

When Mel discovers he can transform into a honeybee, he enjoys an amazing bee's-eye view of life inside a hive. This funny illustrated chapter book incorporates fascinating facts about these invaluable insects.

Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Women

Author: Adam & Lisa Murphy
Publisher: David Fickling Books

Adam Murphy interviews 18 amazing women from history. With a casual, chatty style and colourful comic-strip illustrations, this unique, accessible and slightly macabre series is packed full of humour and fascinating facts.

Curse of the Werewolf Boy

Author: Chris Priestley
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Mildew and Sponge race to solve the theft of the School Spoon in this hilarious, ridiculous adventure that takes in time travel, werewolves and even rogue Vikings.

Alice Dent and the Incredible Germs

Author: Gwen Lowe
Publisher: Chicken House

Can Alice outwit the Best Minister for Everything Nicely Perfect's evil plans? Find out in this brilliantly original tale of friendship and adventure.

Elise and the Second-Hand Dog

Author: Bjarne Reuter Illustrator: Kirsten Raagaard Translator: Sian Mackie from Danish
Publisher: Wacky Bee Books

Elise gets a secondhand mongrel to keep her company – and turns out, the dog's name is McAddudi and he’s from Scotland. Elise and McAddudi soon grow to become best friends. A quirky and original book that is full of laughs and heart.

I Bet I Can Make You Laugh

Author: Joshua Seigal and Friends Illustrator: Tim Wesson
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Featuring a range of children's poets and traditional verses from cultures around the world, this is a great collection for older primary kids.

Iguana Boy Saves the World with a Triple Cheese Pizza

Author: James Bishop Illustrator: Rikin Parekh
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books

Dylan Spencer has a rubbish superpower: he can talk to iguanas. But when all the rest of the world’s superheroes are kidnapped, he is the only one left to save the planet. A hilarious and heartwarming book, packed full of brilliant, comic-strip illustrations.

KidGlovz

Author: Julie Hunt and Dale Newman
Publisher: Allen & Unwin

This stunning pencil-drawn graphic novel of talent, music and friendship will readers young and old. You'll be rooting for KidGlovz, the nine-year-old musical prodigy: a poignant story to be remembered for a long time.

Real-Life Mysteries

Author: Susan Martineau Illustrator: Vicky Barker
Publisher: b small

An ideal book for anyone who’s been intrigued by stories about sightings of Bigfoot, UFOs, crop circles, ghosts etc. A chance to examine the evidence and maybe solve a mystery.

Pony on the Twelfth Floor

Author: Polly Faber Illustrator: Sarah Jennings
Publisher: Walker Books

This hilarious and heart-warming chapter book combines an entertaining plot and a diverse range of characters with delightfully funny black-and-white illustrations. The cheeky antics of the mischievous pony are great fun.

Shiny Pippin and the Broken Forest

Author: Harry Heape Illustrator: Rebecca Bagley
Publisher: Faber & Faber

When Pippin discovers she possesses magical powers, she uses her newfound skills to investigate the mysterious water shortage in Funsprings. This hilarious fantasy adventure will have readers rolling around with laughter.

Splat the Fake Fact

Author: Adam Frost Illustrator: Gemma Correll
Publisher: Bloomsbury

These days it's very important to be able to identify fake facts. With a series of interactive activities, this book not only allows children to find out what is and isn't true. Fabulously original and interactive non-fiction.

Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present

Author: Jamia Wilson Illustrator: Andrea Pippins
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions

This beautiful and eye-catching hardback celebrates a selection of black icons from history and the present day to inspire all children to discover what they can achieve.

Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure

Author: Alex T Smith
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books

With the help of Colin (a spider), Mr Penguin battles ferocious beasts and makes his way into a hidden jungle underneath the museum with exciting (and often hilarious) results.

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts

Author: Katie and Kevin Tsang Illustrator: Nathan Reed
Publisher: Egmont

Sam Wu is scared of many things but is determined not to let anyone find out. However, after an unfortunate incident in a space simulator on a school trip, he becomes a target for class bully Ralph, who nicknames him Scaredy-Cat Sam.

Looshkin

Author: Jamie Smart
Publisher: David Fickling books

Looshkin is named ‘the maddest cat in the world’ for good reason – anything that could possibly go wrong all comes down to this kitty. An outrageously fun graphic novel in a class of its own for silliness.

Alastair Humphreys’ Great Adventurers

Author: Alastair Humphrey Illustrator: Kevin Ward
Publisher: Big Picture Press

An inspiring introduction to 20 adventurers and explorers from the last 700 years. This book will encourage readers to live more adventurously, think a little more boldly and go a little further themselves.

Professor Astro Cat’s Human Body Odyssey

Author: Dr. Dominic Walliman Illustrator: Ben Newman
Publisher: Flying Eye Books

Everyone's favourite cat-astronaut investigates the human body in this beautiful, graphically illustrated look at everything from eyes to muscles, genetics to reproduction and the immune, endocrine and lymphatic systems.

Great Books Guide 2018: for 8 to 9 year olds