Books to share with older children
Reading together doesn’t have to stop once your children can read for themselves – it’s still fun to read aloud to older children!
Here are a selection of great stories to share with 8-12s that you’re going to love, too...
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How to Train Your Dragon
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was an incredible sword-fighter, dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking hero who ever lived.
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The Girl of Ink and Stars
Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+When her closest friend disappears into the island's Forgotten Territories, Isabella Riosse volunteers to guide the search. A stunning debut, full of myth, magic and mapmaking.
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Dark Lord: The Teenage Years
Author: Jamie Thomson Illustrator: Freya Hartas
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 10+The Dark Lord falls to earth, crash-landing in a suburban car park in the body of a teenage boy, spitting out poisonous mucus
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Demolition Dad
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 9+Demolition Dad is sure to delight children, and adults, of all ages and is perfect for fans of David Walliams and Roald Dahl.
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The Wolf Wilder
Author: Katherine Rundell
Publisher: Bloomsbury
When the murderous hostility of the Russian Army threatens her very existence, Feo is left with no option but to go on the run. What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, about standing up for the things you love and fighting back. And, of course, wolves.
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The Parent Agency
Author: David Baddiel
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+Barry Bennett has a long list of things he dislikes about his parents, but what if the tables were turned and children could choose their parents? What would Barry do?
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Danger is Still Everywhere - Beware of the Dog
Author: David O'Doherty Illustrator: Chris Judge
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+Docter Noel Zone is a Dangerologist, and he's here to tell you all about the dangers that exist in everyday life and how to avoid them - or, at least, recognise them, bubble wrap them and possibly most importantly of all, SAFBTB (Stay Away From Bins That Burp).
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Sweet Pizza
Author: G R Gemin
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 11-15
Reading age: 11+In a small Welsh town, a young man gets to reconnect to his Italian roots and explore his entrepreneurial streak, as he exchanges the joys of fried chicken and chips for fresh espresso and pasta puttanesca.
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The Emergency Zoo
Author: Miriam Halahmy
Publisher: Alma Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An unusual and atmospheric story set in the run-up to World War II. As London's children prepare for evacuation to the countryside, they are horrified to discover that their beloved pets are due to be put down.
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Malkin Moonlight
Author: Emma Cox
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+Malkin Moonlight is given his wonderful name by the Moon, who also tells the tiny black kitten that he is destined for great things. This charming, magical story is beautifully written and reads like a classic.