Summer reads for 8-12s
Here are our suggestions for summer reads – and there's something for every child, aged 8-12 years old.
New books; old books; books about summer; books to get lost in; and books that come in series, so they won't have to stop reading this summer!
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The Wild Book
Author: Juan Villoro Translator: Lawrence Schimel
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 10-14
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The Wild Book
Author: Juan Villoro Translator: Lawrence Schimel
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 10-14
When Juan goes to spend the summer with his strange uncle Tito, the last thing he expects is to be sent on a quest in his labyrint…
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The Storm Keeper’s Island
Author: Catherine Doyle
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10-12
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The Storm Keeper’s Island
Author: Catherine Doyle
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10-12
Fionn and his sister Tara are spending their summer on the remote island of Arranmore, off the coast of Ireland, staying with thei…
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Author: Jeff Kinney
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 8+
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Author: Jeff Kinney
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 8+
Greg's idea of a perfect summer holiday is to sit indoors and play computer games but for some reason his Mum thinks fresh air and…
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McTavish Goes Wild
Author: Meg Rosoff Illustrator: Grace Easton
Interest level: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
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McTavish Goes Wild
Author: Meg Rosoff Illustrator: Grace Easton
Interest level: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
The Peachey family have a rescue dog called McTavish – but McTavish is pretty sure he's there to rescue THEM. So when the fam…
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First Class Murder
Author: Robin Stevens
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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First Class Murder
Author: Robin Stevens
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
A detective duo pounce into action en route to their holiday when a woman is murdered on a train.
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Kidnap in the Caribbean
Author: Lauren St John
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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Kidnap in the Caribbean
Author: Lauren St John
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
The second Laura Marling mystery has all the elements of an old fashioned adventure story, action packed with friends rallying to …
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Spangles McNasty and the Fish of Gold
Author: Steve Webb Illustrator: Chris Mould
Interest level: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9
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Spangles McNasty and the Fish of Gold
Author: Steve Webb Illustrator: Chris Mould
Interest level: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9
Both ludicrous and funny, join Freddie on the greediest, goldest and fishiest escapade of the summer. And remember, where there's …
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Roller Girl
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 9-14
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Roller Girl
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 9-14
It’s really exciting to be starting at Roller Derby summer camp, but less so when Astrid finds herself doing it alone. A fantastic…
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The Great Ice Cream Heist
Author: Elen Caldecott
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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The Great Ice Cream Heist
Author: Elen Caldecott
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Shy Eva lives a quiet life with her protective Dad - until the noisy McIntyre family move in next door.
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The Island at the End of Everything
Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
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The Island at the End of Everything
Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Amihan lives on the secluded island of Culion with her sick mum, who has leprosy. But when the government decides the island must …
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Coyote Summer
Author: Mimi Thebo
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
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Coyote Summer
Author: Mimi Thebo
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Jules has been sent in disgrace from her privileged London life to live on her aunt and uncle’s farm in Kansas for the summer - wh…
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Swallows and Amazons
Author: Arthur Ransome
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 9+
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Swallows and Amazons
Author: Arthur Ransome
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 9+
It's the summer holidays, and the Walker children are excited to set sail on their boat Swallow and camp on Wild Cat Island.
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Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth
Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth
Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Prez has one summer to find ten things about the earth that make it worth saving - but can he do it? This book is heart-breaking a…
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Eddy Stone and the Epic Holiday Mash-Up
Author: Simon Cherry Illustrator: Francis Blake
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 9+
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Eddy Stone and the Epic Holiday Mash-Up
Author: Simon Cherry Illustrator: Francis Blake
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 9+
Fast-paced and very funny, this inventive re-working of a pirate's tale buzzes with sharp one-liners, inventive language and oddba…
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Rules of Summer
Author: Shaun Tan
Interest level: 6-8
Reading age: 5+
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Rules of Summer
Author: Shaun Tan
Interest level: 6-8
Reading age: 5+
An excellent book illustrating 'what I learned last summer' that would be an inspiring addition to any bookshelf.
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Freddie Mole, Lion Tamer
Author: Alexander McCall Smith Illustrator: Kate Hindley
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 7+
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Freddie Mole, Lion Tamer
Author: Alexander McCall Smith Illustrator: Kate Hindley
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 7+
Freddie can't believe his luck when he's offered a holiday job at the circus, but is alarmed when he's asked to take on the challe…
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Pea's Book of Holidays
Author: Susie Day
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
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Pea's Book of Holidays
Author: Susie Day
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
Susie Day returns with another hugely fun installment of the delightful Pea's Book series.
Whether or not they've read about Pea'…
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The Wilderness War
Author:
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 7+
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The Wilderness War
Author:
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 7+
For Noah and his friends, the empty lot in front of their houses is incredibly special - and they will fight to keep it. An enjoya…
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