Print page

Top 10 books by Malorie Blackman

Jon for Short

Malorie Blackman was appointed as Waterstones Children's Laureate 2013-2015.

Here's a list of of our favourite Malorie Blackman books she wrote before 2013.

You may also be interested in our feature about What to Read After Noughts and Crosses.

  • Cloud Busting

    Cloud Busting

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Random House
    Interest age: 7+
    Reading age: 8+

    Shortlisted for the 2004 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (age 6-8 category), an exploration of an unlikely friendship between two very different boys.

  • Unheard Voices

    Unheard Voices

    Author: VariousEditor: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Random House
    Interest age: 11+
    Reading age: 11+

    This collection of writing about slavery was published to coincide with the 200 year anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807.

  • Pig Heart Boy

    Pig Heart Boy

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Random House
    Interest age: 11+
    Reading age: 12+

    Cameron desperately needs a new heart when he is offered the opportunity to take part in a radical and controversial experiment involving the transplant of a pig's heart.

  • Hacker

    Hacker

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Random House
    Interest age: 8+
    Reading age: 8+

    A thriller for the computer buffs. Vicky's father is arrested for the theft of millions from the bank where he works.

  • Noughts and Crosses

    Noughts and Crosses

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Random House
    Interest age: 12+
    Reading age: 12+

    Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.

  • Boys Don't Cry

    Boys Don't Cry

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Corgi Children's
    Interest age: 14+
    Reading age: 11+

    Dante is waiting for the postman. It's 'A' level results day and he has high hopes, but a knock on the door brings an old girlfriend and some news that will change his plans for good.

  • Jon for Short

    Jon for Short

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Barrington Stoke
    Interest age: 14+
    Reading age: 7+

    Jon (or is it Joe?) lies alone and amnesiac in his hospital bed, plagued by a disturbing dream of a torch, a knife, and a murder in the dark.

  • Trust Me

    Trust Me

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Corgi Children's
    Interest age: 14+
    Reading age: 12+

    Seventeen-year-old Jayna can't wait to go on holiday with boyfriend Andrew - but their trip has unexpected and terrible consequences.

  • A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E

    A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Corgi
    Interest age: 11-14
    Reading age: 11+

    Elliot wishes his Mum was more interesting: everyone else’s parents do exciting things like work for the BBC, but his is only a secretary. But is she?

  • Noble Conflict

    Noble Conflict

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Doubleday
    Interest age: 14+
    Reading age: 13+

    Kaspar is proud to be one of the Guardians - an elite peacekeeping force who protect the Alliance against the rebel Insurgency. Then he encounters young rebel Rhea.